DRabbit
Registered
Hey all,
As an x100 owner, I was excited to get the XE1 and it arrive on Monday, along with the 35mm f/1.4 lens. I had previously bought extra batteries, a soft release and strap and the M-adaptor, so I was ready to go full-force on day one.
EVF is better than the x100 - noticeably so. Outside where it's well lit, I notice no issues. Inside in darker settings, some laggy performance could become an issue for anyone wanting to use manual focus lenses (but I'll have to use it more honestly). Clarity, color and contrast are all outstanding.
Camera size is almost identical to the x100, but with a better grip on the front of the camera, and a little raised thumb area on the back. Handling is very similar, thought the AEF/AEL button is in a different spot and there's now a quick-menu button (nice feature). The AFS/AFC/MF switch is now on the front of the camera.
I almost forgot about the built-in flash, but did give it a quick try (I don't really use flash much at all in general). What's neat about it is that it's VERY easy to hold with a finger, pointed at the ceiling, for a bounce effect.
Of course, I was anxious to get out and try the camera which I've been doing since Monday. I've tried with a few different lenses now, including M-Lenses I already owned. Here's some shots...
With the Fuji 35mm f/1.4
Fuji makes a nice lens here, and though I want to use my M-lenses, I'll be using the Fuji one a LOT. It's a great focal length for me (I love the close-to 50mm focal length).
With the Voigtlander 21mm f/4 Skopar
As some of the wide M-lenses have shown, this one does show some smearing on the outer edges (not unexpected). For me and my style of photography it probably won't be much of an issue. If ultimate sharpness edge-to-edge is important to you, then consider a different lens.
With the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokton
This was a nice focal length on the 1.5 crop sensor. At f/1.4 in bright light, there was a "glow" that could be seen while focusing, which made it more challenging. By f/2 this was gone and MUCH easier to manually focus. It's hard to explain, but there's almost an "edge shimmer" you see when the area you focus on is in focus, and I expect with more practice, manually focusing will only get easier... but I do find it fairly easy already.
With the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 Nokton
This is one of my favorite lenses on the M8, but it might be a tad long on the Fuji XE1 for me. Same "glow" at f/1.5 that I experienced with the 40, but again, by f/2 this was gone. The longer you go at these wide apertures, the more difficult to focus (as the area that's in focus gets smaller).
I do have the 18mm f/2 on order and it should arrive tomorrow... though I'm not sure I'll like it; the focal length may be too wide for me, but we'll have to see. I'm actually anxious for the 23mm f/1.7 to come out because that's a lens I'll likely want to get my hands on right away... we'll see how the 18mm is though.
Over the next few days I do plan to test out the Zeiss 35mm f/2 Biogon and my old 1953 Leica 50mm f/2 Summitar.
Last but not least, here's a couple of shots of the camera itself. The first shows the XE1 with the 21mm f/4 Skopar mounted and the x100 behind it. The second is with the 40mm f/1.4 Nokton mounted.
Thanks for reading/looking!
As an x100 owner, I was excited to get the XE1 and it arrive on Monday, along with the 35mm f/1.4 lens. I had previously bought extra batteries, a soft release and strap and the M-adaptor, so I was ready to go full-force on day one.
EVF is better than the x100 - noticeably so. Outside where it's well lit, I notice no issues. Inside in darker settings, some laggy performance could become an issue for anyone wanting to use manual focus lenses (but I'll have to use it more honestly). Clarity, color and contrast are all outstanding.
Camera size is almost identical to the x100, but with a better grip on the front of the camera, and a little raised thumb area on the back. Handling is very similar, thought the AEF/AEL button is in a different spot and there's now a quick-menu button (nice feature). The AFS/AFC/MF switch is now on the front of the camera.
I almost forgot about the built-in flash, but did give it a quick try (I don't really use flash much at all in general). What's neat about it is that it's VERY easy to hold with a finger, pointed at the ceiling, for a bounce effect.
Of course, I was anxious to get out and try the camera which I've been doing since Monday. I've tried with a few different lenses now, including M-Lenses I already owned. Here's some shots...
With the Fuji 35mm f/1.4
Fuji makes a nice lens here, and though I want to use my M-lenses, I'll be using the Fuji one a LOT. It's a great focal length for me (I love the close-to 50mm focal length).
With the Voigtlander 21mm f/4 Skopar
As some of the wide M-lenses have shown, this one does show some smearing on the outer edges (not unexpected). For me and my style of photography it probably won't be much of an issue. If ultimate sharpness edge-to-edge is important to you, then consider a different lens.
With the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokton
This was a nice focal length on the 1.5 crop sensor. At f/1.4 in bright light, there was a "glow" that could be seen while focusing, which made it more challenging. By f/2 this was gone and MUCH easier to manually focus. It's hard to explain, but there's almost an "edge shimmer" you see when the area you focus on is in focus, and I expect with more practice, manually focusing will only get easier... but I do find it fairly easy already.
With the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 Nokton
This is one of my favorite lenses on the M8, but it might be a tad long on the Fuji XE1 for me. Same "glow" at f/1.5 that I experienced with the 40, but again, by f/2 this was gone. The longer you go at these wide apertures, the more difficult to focus (as the area that's in focus gets smaller).
I do have the 18mm f/2 on order and it should arrive tomorrow... though I'm not sure I'll like it; the focal length may be too wide for me, but we'll have to see. I'm actually anxious for the 23mm f/1.7 to come out because that's a lens I'll likely want to get my hands on right away... we'll see how the 18mm is though.
Over the next few days I do plan to test out the Zeiss 35mm f/2 Biogon and my old 1953 Leica 50mm f/2 Summitar.
Last but not least, here's a couple of shots of the camera itself. The first shows the XE1 with the 21mm f/4 Skopar mounted and the x100 behind it. The second is with the 40mm f/1.4 Nokton mounted.
Thanks for reading/looking!
back alley
IMAGES
...Camera size is almost identical to the x100...
i didn't realize it was that small...
pics look good.
i didn't realize it was that small...
pics look good.
Avotius
Some guy
A nice looking kit there. The images look pretty good too. This camera tempts me, if I was in the market for a mirrorless camera and was not already ankle deep in m43........
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Looking really great! I wish it had focus peaking. Not a big fan of zoom-to-focus method. Love to know more about "edge shimmer" after you get some more use with manual lenses.
Would be a great backup body (plus close-ups with dedicated lenses) to my M9-P...
Would be a great backup body (plus close-ups with dedicated lenses) to my M9-P...
Classique
Well-known
Wow how did you get your hands on XE-1 So early?
I wanted to get one myself (pre order) but the issue with camera raw and fuji raw files are holding me back a bit.
I wanted to get one myself (pre order) but the issue with camera raw and fuji raw files are holding me back a bit.
PatrickT
New Rangefinder User
Wow, thanks for the writeup and the photos. They look fantastic.
My one holdup about the XE1 is the lack of optical viewfinder. Do you find yourself missing it?
Please add more impressions and photos as you use it more!
My one holdup about the XE1 is the lack of optical viewfinder. Do you find yourself missing it?
Please add more impressions and photos as you use it more!
stompyq
Well-known
Did you get the body only? I'am thinking of getting the kit with the zoom lens and was wondering how good it is.
Kent
Finally at home...
Those images look amazing!!
Good cam and great lenses, but first of all a brilliant photographer!
Good cam and great lenses, but first of all a brilliant photographer!
JonasYip
Well-known
First of all, great images.
Secondly: I'm also an X100 user, and recently got a deal on an XPro1, camera I originally wasn't interested in. What I'm finding is:
(a) I don't really need the optical finder, cool as it is.
(b) I don't particularly need the Fuji lenses, nice as they are. I like the handling with M-lenses, and the M-lenses are generally smaller (in fact, I've been using the camera with the same 21/4 and 40/1.4 as you).
(c) And I like the size of the X100.
So all of this adds to what I originally thought: The XE-1 is the camera I should get. Eventually...
j
Secondly: I'm also an X100 user, and recently got a deal on an XPro1, camera I originally wasn't interested in. What I'm finding is:
(a) I don't really need the optical finder, cool as it is.
(b) I don't particularly need the Fuji lenses, nice as they are. I like the handling with M-lenses, and the M-lenses are generally smaller (in fact, I've been using the camera with the same 21/4 and 40/1.4 as you).
(c) And I like the size of the X100.
So all of this adds to what I originally thought: The XE-1 is the camera I should get. Eventually...
j
lam
Well-known
Great images, Great examples with manual lenses.. actually way more informative than anything i've seen so far with this camera. Looks like it was a wonderful addition to your arsenal!
zwarte_kat
Well-known
Gorgeoulicous photographs, and camera!
Contemplating between the Xpro and XE1 now, there are 2nd hand Xpros popping op only about $100 more then the XE1, but I might actually prefer XE1. I would have hoped that the EVF was MORE useful for legacy lenses though. Does it lag more than the X100, and do you know how much compared with the Xpro?
Contemplating between the Xpro and XE1 now, there are 2nd hand Xpros popping op only about $100 more then the XE1, but I might actually prefer XE1. I would have hoped that the EVF was MORE useful for legacy lenses though. Does it lag more than the X100, and do you know how much compared with the Xpro?
Rune
Member
You've got a good eye - I bet you could use ANY camera and get gorgeous pics
The out-of-focus areas looks really nicely rendered by the Fuji 35mm.
The out-of-focus areas looks really nicely rendered by the Fuji 35mm.
DRabbit
Registered
Hey guys! Thanks for the replies.
I was out today with the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 so thought I'd add a few more photos:
...it's a really nice lens, and as I like the 50-ish focal length so much in general, it'll likely end up on the camera a great majority of the time.
Let me try to answer some questions from you all (in no particular order)...
First, thanks for the compliments on the photos
EVF: I can't compare too much to the XPro1 because I never used an XPro1. It lags less than the x100, but there is still lag there. One thing I don't like is that when it awakes from sleep it sort-of "fades up" to a live-view again (not too quick).
I don't miss the optical viewfinder for a few reasons. I never use it on the x100... 99% of the time I use the EVF. I've been shooting with these EVIL cameras for a while now, so I've grown quite used to shooting with EVFs (and mostly like them).
Jonas - It was hard for me to decide between the XPro1 and the XE1, but I'm glad I waited and got the XE1 for the reasons you state. The size is just perfect for me. And I agree, the 21mm/40mm makes a nice combo.
However, the Fuji 35 is just SO good -- and though bigger, it's much lighter -- It's going to get a lot of use. I image there will be days I take the 18/35 kit and days I take the 21/40 kit. Will be interesting to see how I like the 18.
The busy bokeh on the 40 and 50... well on the 40 not unexpected. On the 50, a little surprising, but it was also some pretty harsh light when I shot with it, so I won't make any final judgements just yet.
Focus-peaking would be a welcome addition, I agree. Not sure if this is something they can add with a firmware update, but we should all send feedback to Fuji and encourage them to include it if they can. With the latest firmware though, the 3x and 10x magnification makes manual focusing so much easier (from what I've heard compared to how it used to be on the xPro1). I use the 3x most of the time, with an occasional check in the 10x.
The "edge shimmer" is fairly noticeable once you've used the camera to do manual focusing. It's hard to explain, but it's almost like when you get the area you want in focus, the EVF shows almost like "jaggies" in that area. Once you see it, you'll know what I mean... and it helps a lot with manual focusing.
As for how I got it (in the U.S.) so soon... Well against my own better judgement I bought an import. There's a company in Las Vegas that sells import phones and cameras that I discovered and they get REALLY good reviews (plus they offer their own warranty). They had the XE1 + 35mm f/1.4 kit for just under $1400, so I decided to take the chance (and since it was through Amazon Payments, I figured there was little risk). I'm glad I did... they shipped quickly and from the day I ordered I had the camera in 4 days. Of course, I bought the 21 from CameraQuest
Unfortunately, I shared this info with a few people already and they are now backordered on the kit. The company is called Negri Electronics if you're interested.
Thanks all -- if I missed any questions just kick me and I'll try to answer best I can. I'm going to be doing a write-up for Steve Huff's site soon too
I was out today with the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 so thought I'd add a few more photos:
...it's a really nice lens, and as I like the 50-ish focal length so much in general, it'll likely end up on the camera a great majority of the time.
Let me try to answer some questions from you all (in no particular order)...
First, thanks for the compliments on the photos
EVF: I can't compare too much to the XPro1 because I never used an XPro1. It lags less than the x100, but there is still lag there. One thing I don't like is that when it awakes from sleep it sort-of "fades up" to a live-view again (not too quick).
I don't miss the optical viewfinder for a few reasons. I never use it on the x100... 99% of the time I use the EVF. I've been shooting with these EVIL cameras for a while now, so I've grown quite used to shooting with EVFs (and mostly like them).
Jonas - It was hard for me to decide between the XPro1 and the XE1, but I'm glad I waited and got the XE1 for the reasons you state. The size is just perfect for me. And I agree, the 21mm/40mm makes a nice combo.
However, the Fuji 35 is just SO good -- and though bigger, it's much lighter -- It's going to get a lot of use. I image there will be days I take the 18/35 kit and days I take the 21/40 kit. Will be interesting to see how I like the 18.
The busy bokeh on the 40 and 50... well on the 40 not unexpected. On the 50, a little surprising, but it was also some pretty harsh light when I shot with it, so I won't make any final judgements just yet.
Focus-peaking would be a welcome addition, I agree. Not sure if this is something they can add with a firmware update, but we should all send feedback to Fuji and encourage them to include it if they can. With the latest firmware though, the 3x and 10x magnification makes manual focusing so much easier (from what I've heard compared to how it used to be on the xPro1). I use the 3x most of the time, with an occasional check in the 10x.
The "edge shimmer" is fairly noticeable once you've used the camera to do manual focusing. It's hard to explain, but it's almost like when you get the area you want in focus, the EVF shows almost like "jaggies" in that area. Once you see it, you'll know what I mean... and it helps a lot with manual focusing.
As for how I got it (in the U.S.) so soon... Well against my own better judgement I bought an import. There's a company in Las Vegas that sells import phones and cameras that I discovered and they get REALLY good reviews (plus they offer their own warranty). They had the XE1 + 35mm f/1.4 kit for just under $1400, so I decided to take the chance (and since it was through Amazon Payments, I figured there was little risk). I'm glad I did... they shipped quickly and from the day I ordered I had the camera in 4 days. Of course, I bought the 21 from CameraQuest
Unfortunately, I shared this info with a few people already and they are now backordered on the kit. The company is called Negri Electronics if you're interested.
Thanks all -- if I missed any questions just kick me and I'll try to answer best I can. I'm going to be doing a write-up for Steve Huff's site soon too
BlackXList
Well-known
Loving the shots with the Fuji 35, and now I have serious GAS!
It's a handsome camera too, the main issue with it is I could see it largely replacing film in my daily carry which is worrying
It's a handsome camera too, the main issue with it is I could see it largely replacing film in my daily carry which is worrying
PatrickT
New Rangefinder User
For size comparison, a great site: http://camerasize.com/compare/#133,371
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Wow it is quite a bit smaller than X-Pro1. GAS!!
But yes, Amy you got great eyes, and photos look great because of that!
But yes, Amy you got great eyes, and photos look great because of that!
magicianhisoka
Well-known
Have a couple of questions!
1) How is the AF speed with the 35/1.4? Do you think it'll be fast enough for a street snap?
2) Is there a way to pre focus the lens without touching the focusing ring? E.g a menu setting that allows you to choose 1m/3m/5m or something like that.
1) How is the AF speed with the 35/1.4? Do you think it'll be fast enough for a street snap?
2) Is there a way to pre focus the lens without touching the focusing ring? E.g a menu setting that allows you to choose 1m/3m/5m or something like that.
porktaco
Well-known
So excited right now
DRabbit
Registered
It is a nice looking camera! I know ultimately it's image quality that matters, but hey, it's a great bonus when the camera looks good too
Really, it's so close in size to the x100 the difference in negligible... quite a bit smaller than the xPro1, which is probably good for some people, but not others (big hands).
AF speed on the 35 f/1.4 is pretty good. I find it fast enough. Would it be fast enough for street... sometimes? How's that for a vague answer. I don't shoot street often, but have done it with the M8, so AF speed isn't usually the factor that inhibits me.
There's no setting I know of to preset focus to a certain distance. However, you could easily set it via autofocus and then flip the switch to MF to hold it there. The switch for AFS/AFC/MF is on the front of the camera. With older manual focus lenses, you could also use the distance scale.
Really, it's so close in size to the x100 the difference in negligible... quite a bit smaller than the xPro1, which is probably good for some people, but not others (big hands).
AF speed on the 35 f/1.4 is pretty good. I find it fast enough. Would it be fast enough for street... sometimes? How's that for a vague answer. I don't shoot street often, but have done it with the M8, so AF speed isn't usually the factor that inhibits me.
There's no setting I know of to preset focus to a certain distance. However, you could easily set it via autofocus and then flip the switch to MF to hold it there. The switch for AFS/AFC/MF is on the front of the camera. With older manual focus lenses, you could also use the distance scale.
GaryLH
Veteran
Nice shots. I have mine on pre-order. Plus the 14mm...
Gary
Gary