Zoom or primes for X-e series ? ?

[yinyangbt]

What do you prefer? On the X-T series, being of a reflex shape a zoom can balance ok, but on the rangefinder-like X-e? How do you think /feel about? What's your experience? I am still confused trying to decide for a light and small solution for street/travel/take everywhere

 

[ptpdprinter]

I am still confused trying to decide for a light and small solution for street/travel/take everywhere

I use the 18-55 on both my XE2 and XT2. It is small and light and balances well on either camera. Beats having to take three primes.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Small and light? Save up for an X100T or F; or try an XE2 with 18mm f/2 or 27mm f/2.8; or just grab an X70.

 

[back alley]

any of the newish f2 lenses, the 23 or 35 or 50 would do nicely...also the older f2 18 mm lens...and my current favourite for size and quality is the 27/2.8 pancake lens.

 

[daveleo]

I need to add a side grip when I use the 18-55 (or any "large-ish lens) on my X-E1 or X-A1. That makes the whole set not small.
Also .... "street/travel/take everywhere" is kind of conflicting.
Travel? - zoom
Street? / Take everywhere? - I'd go with what Joe said.

 

[yinyangbt]

Don't you miss the image stabilisation on the primes in low light?

 

[Darthfeeble]

Even the 18-55 is a bit lopsided on the X-E3, it's actually a bit smaller than the X100. Like Joe mentioned, it feels best with the smaller primes. I'm currently using my M mount lenses.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Don't you miss the image stabilisation on the primes in low light?

It sounds good on paper, but I've tested it, and the OIS is not really very effective for me, so it is not something I rely on.

 

[Darthfeeble]

It sounds good on paper, but I don't think the OIS is really very effective, so it is not something to rely on.

One of the many things I like about the RF format is the way you can brace the camera against your nose and cheek to add to the stability. One of the benefits of being a geezer is that I learned to shoot before the days of IS, AF, AE and all those letters.

 

[narsuitus]

How do you think /feel about? What's your experience? I am still confused trying to decide for a light and small solution for street/travel/take everywhere

I do not attempt to rely on one lens for a one-lens solution. Instead, depending on what I will be shooting, where I will be shooting, and how long I will be shooting, I choose between the zoom, the small prime, or the smaller camera in my equipment inventory.

 

[Range-rover]

I just have two for my xpro-1, 18mm f/2 and the 27mm f/2.8, I really like
the 18mm use it for everything.

 

[taemo]

XF 18mm f2 and XF 50mm f2 was my light street/travel kit.

XF 27mm is nice too but I don't like that it doesn't have aperture dial on the lens

 

[jsrockit]

On my X-T2 I tend to use the 18-55mm and the 50mm. On the X-Pro2, I tend to use the 27mm and the 35mm. Stabilization doesn't work for how I photograph most of the time.

 

[Dogman]

If you use a thumb grip, the balance magically improves with any lens.

Well, maybe not the long heavy zooms....

 

[willie_901]

any of the newish f2 lenses, the 23 or 35 or 50 would do nicely...also the older f2 18 mm lens...and my current favourite for size and quality is the 27/2.8 pancake lens.

Great advice.


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[willie_901]

Don't you miss the image stabilisation on the primes in low light?

Nope.

I just shoot raw at base ISO (200) and push global brightness during post-production. The sensor noise levels are essentially ISO invariant (within ~ 1/3 stop).

In extreme low light, I use ISO 1600 and do the same. Above ISO 1600 ISO switches to from electronic amplification to digital multiplication.

So, I just set the appropriate shutter time and, or aperture and ignore the meter. Often I auto bracket a three exposure aperture burst by 1/3 or 1/2 stops and pick the best exposure (the one that retains useful highlight region detail) and delete the others.

For XTrans III sensors (X-Pro2, X100F, XT-2, XE-3) I use ISO 800 instead of 200. These cameras have dual-gain sensor technology. There's no S/N advantage from using ISO above 800 in extreme low light.


The only disadvantage is in-camera image review is not practical.

 

[lawrence]

Now that the price is irresistibly cheap I have just bought an X-E2 and very much like the 27mm on it, it's a really compact combination. The 18mm is nice because it's also very light but I think the 18-55mm is lusting after an X-T1/X-T2 body (but only in its dreams for the moment).

 

[kuvvy]

I used the 18-55 on my XE2 on a recent trip. They worked fine together, at for me. Gave great results. I am however a prime user mainly. I recently bought the X100F and will use that as my main camera and will put my XE2 and 35/2 up for sale. I don’t really need interchangeable options any more.

Paul

 

[back alley]

I used the 18-55 on my XE2 on a recent trip. They worked fine together, at for me. Gave great results. I am however a prime user mainly. I recently bought the X100F and will use that as my main camera and will put my XE2 and 35/2 up for sale. I don’t really need interchangeable options any more.

Paul

no need for interchangeable options?
can i ask why?

 

[yinyangbt]

For some , like one of my friends (he's a 50mm guy -well in fact a 75mm in FF terms - imagine he goes on travel hollidays with only that !), there is only one focal with wich they are comfortable .... I am somewhere in the middle .I'd like two.