Thinking of chopping in Fuji X-E1 - thoughts?

Hainesy

Hainesy

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Hi all, am thinking of changing camera system and would be interested in the board's thoughts.

Background.. I've been using Nikon DSLR gear for quite a few years, most recently a D300 + a good selection of ranges, by this point I know my way round a camera and settings pretty well. However, I'd begun to notice that I was using it less and less as I just didn't fancy lugging it around everywhere with me. This culminated in chopping it all in at the end of last year and picking up a Fuji X-E1 with a 35mm f1.4 lens. I figured I'd have a play with it with a prime lens and then add more to it if / when needed.

Since I bought I've noticed the following things;
- It's small and light enough that it fits in the mrs' bag so it's getting used a lot more = positive
- 35mm lens is really sharp and 'usable' = positive
- Good low light performance (ISO / noise wise much better than D300) up to a point, focussing is pretty rubbish / slow in low light though
- Really miss the multi point auto-focus of the Nikon (think it had 50ish points and was always really fast), this is sllooooow and limited to fixed point.

What prompted this post however was having just come back from a trip to NYC, all the daytime photos were really dark and fairly dull straight out of the camera. I don't really fancy having to post process everything going forward. We've also got our first child on the way and whilst it will be great for taking close up photos when the child won't be mobile I can't see it being much use when they're zooming around in a couple of years.

So, if I'm going to switch systems I should do it now (before I become eternally poor!). Don't want to spend a massive fortune, would probably go used. Was thinking maybe Olympus OM-D, maybe Sony Alpha (although this is probably out of my price range), or perhaps just stepping up to X-E2 which apparently does focussing a lot better? I guess I could go back down the SLR route, kind of like the small size of CSC though.

TL-DR: Disappointed with shortcomings / limitations of X-E1, particularly autofocus - looking for suggestions on alternatives.

Thoughts & feedback welcome!
 
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2 questions what is your budget? What does the Fuji not do that you need to do?
 
Had an XPro which is virtually the same, it is restricting with a child and nothing will compete with a dslr. Personally I have no problem with lugging round a d700 or similar, but maybe look at a smaller dslr like a 5200 or something?
 
- Say £600ish for something used (ignoring what I could sell the X-E1 + 35mm f1.4 for if needed).
- It's mainly the autofocus that's the problem;
1. It's slow to acquire in single focus mode
2. In continuous mode it just hunts with the lens the whole time (even without the shutter release half pressed) which nails the battery
3. It's not much good at locking on in low light
4. I really miss multi-point focussing of my old Nikon d300 which was great at focussing on 'the right thing' as it moved through the field of vision
- To a lesser extent, the colour / levels of landscape type shots - seems dull / overly dark
 
I'm not really up to speed on current Nikon range - what would a 5200 be the equivalent of in older Nikon range (ie d300 sort of age), d90 or similar or does it fit above that? I think if I went back to SLR I'd use it as an opportunity to step up to FX (I always had DX previously). Forgot to mention in original post, I've got no real interest in video - that would just be a little used 'nice to have'.
 
I use a 5DIII and an XE-1. I too have a young child and i don't even bother when he is running circles around me indoors with the XE-1, always grab the 5DIII. The X-E1 is a steady and slow as she goes camera.
Perhaps retain your nikon lenses and go for the latest APS-C nikon body, D7200, or if you fancy mirrorless still after the XE-1 but something faster try the Sony A6000 or aim for an A7s for ultimate low light indoor use. Go shopping and spend big whilst you can ;)
 
The X-E1 focuses slow
the XF 35mm focuses slow

In the world of fuji, you have about the slowest focusing combination!!!

That said for mobile small children, I would pick up the DSLR (and I've got an X-E1 and an X-E2!!!)
 
Mr Perceptive said:
The X-E1 focuses slow
the XF 35mm focuses slow

In the world of fuji, you have about the slowest focusing combination!!!

That said for mobile small children, I would pick up the DSLR (and I've got an X-E1 and an X-E2!!!)
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That's really interesting - how do you rate the difference between the X-E1 & X-E2?!
 
Just been digging around eBay. Think I can discount the FX idea - I'd forgotten how expensive Nikon's FX compatible lenses were...!
 
How about a refurb x-e2 and a second hand 18-55?

Alternitively, buy a D700 body for your budget of £600 then sell the 35mm f1.4 for about £230 and buy a second hand 50mm f1.8g lens which will give you the same field of view as the 35 on the x-e1 which will leave you £100 which you can keep and then buy the Fuji 27mm f2.8 when you have saved the extra £70-80. That will make for a nice carry everywhere camera. Small and pocketable and not too intrusive.

Never really heard anyone complain about the Fuji files, maybe post a few and see what peoples thoughts are.

Cheers.
 
Hainesy said:
I'm not really up to speed on current Nikon range - what would a 5200 be the equivalent of in older Nikon range (ie d300 sort of age), d90 or similar or does it fit above that? I think if I went back to SLR I'd use it as an opportunity to step up to FX (I always had DX previously). Forgot to mention in original post, I've got no real interest in video - that would just be a little used 'nice to have'.
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I have a full range of Olympus mirrorless equipment and would not be without it..BUT..it is never going to compete with a DSLR for moving subjects.

Last week I brought a D5200 (old tech there at the D5400 now) at a good price from Curry's just for action shots of the grandkids and dogs, it walks all over mirrorless just for that alone.

Having no great knowledge of Nikon camera's (the first one I have owned) these were the first few action shots I took with it and and a 55-300mm lens, and these guys were no slouches.:)

159821022.jpg


159821021.jpg


159821020.jpg
 
I've been in your exact position. I bought the xe1 and 18-55 on launch. I later added the 35mm. I also have children running round and was dissapointed with the speed of the xe1 and 35mm.
I sold the xe1 and 35mm and replaced them with the xe2 and 23mm F1. 4 and kept the 18-55. The xe2 is much quicker having the phase detection pixels on the sensor has helped tremendously and as has been mentioned above the 35 is a slow to focus lens the 23mm is much quicker.
I'd get a second hand xe2 and 18-55 that way if you still don't like the fuji system you won't be out of pocket if you sell it on again
 
Would be interested to see some of the dark files you are disappointed with as Fujis generally meter very well.

For moving kids I'd also recommend a DSLR unless you're good at pre focusing / using alternative techniques. Something small like a Canon 100D might do?

If you wanted to stay with Fuji then a faster focusing lens like the 16-50mm or 18-55mm would be a good move. The x-e2 is still terrible at tracking though!
 
The X-E2 is a big improvement on the X-E2, but if fast moving kids are a major factor and small form factor, take a look at the Sony A6000, blisteringly fast af and a very large sensor, it also tracks very well.
currently around 550 with kit lens, but with the rumoured A6100 ? on the horizon, i'd expect discounts in the coming weeks.
 
I recently upgraded from X-E1 to X-T1. The AF is vastly superior - in fact the whole experience is vastly superior. You get to keep a lens too.Though in your budget you'd be looking second hand/refurb.

Sometimes when I grumble to myself about the Fuji not doing something I go here and remember that sometimes the fault is between the floor and the shutter button.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Would be interested to see some of the dark files you are disappointed with as Fujis generally meter very well.
Click to expand...

Here's a couple of comparison shots which show what I mean (not the most inspiring or creative shots in the world I realise - don't judge me!), first taken with the Fuji, second taken with iPhone 6. It was a really bright sunny day and the iPhone shot is by far the more accurate representation of that. Would be interested if you think I could mitigate against this with a setting on the camera, it has EV +/- dial but seems like I shouldn't really need to...!
View attachment 35875

View attachment 35874
 
allicio said:
I've been in your exact position. I bought the xe1 and 18-55 on launch. I later added the 35mm. I also have children running round and was dissapointed with the speed of the xe1 and 35mm.
I sold the xe1 and 35mm and replaced them with the xe2 and 23mm F1. 4 and kept the 18-55. The xe2 is much quicker having the phase detection pixels on the sensor has helped tremendously and as has been mentioned above the 35 is a slow to focus lens the 23mm is much quicker.
I'd get a second hand xe2 and 18-55 that way if you still don't like the fuji system you won't be out of pocket if you sell it on again
Click to expand...

Yes, the X-E2 is starting to become really reasonable used. I wonder how soon a replacement is due, I don't really need to act for a few months yet.
From reading round last night I'm also considering a Sony a6000 - gets good reviews, not sure about their lens ranges though.
 
Hogboy said:
The X-E2 is a big improvement on the X-E2, but if fast moving kids are a major factor and small form factor, take a look at the Sony A6000, blisteringly fast af and a very large sensor, it also tracks very well.
currently around 550 with kit lens, but with the rumoured A6100 ? on the horizon, i'd expect discounts in the coming weeks.
Click to expand...

Ah, the very next comment! That's interesting - do you have one? I watched this shoot-out video last night and was impressed: https://www.youtube.com/embed/up8K_xd_iwU
Which lenses would you recommend for it? I'd probably want to end up with (not necessarily straight away) a small carry round zoom (18-55ish) and a fast prime (in the same ballpark as the 35mm f1.4 I have on the Fuji), open to suggestions though.
 
Harlequin565 said:
Sometimes when I grumble to myself about the Fuji not doing something I go here and remember that sometimes the fault is between the floor and the shutter button.
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Haha, just had a mooch through that site - quality. It's a fair point you make. I wonder how many 'misses' they have to wade through afterwards to find the sharp action shots though?
 
Ironically, the phone, with all its auto compromises has recorded a brighter scene, but the Fujifilm needs user input to get a little more light on the sensor. There's a lot of bright sky there.

I have both the E1 and E2 and the 35mm lens (and reviewed my impressions of the E1 plus the 35). I've the zoom too, and it does significantly better, but the 35 is sluggish. From all I've heard something like the Olympus system is definitely a good choice for faster moving subjects.
 
First thing first, its on 'auto mode', i never trust auto but thats just me. The fuji has certainly underexposed it in comparison to the iphone6, just look at the f stop f/7.4 vs f/2.2. I would just push the exposure PP to get it to where it needs be. Yes you don't want to do any PP, but then you'd have to get it right in camera in the first place, and to get it right in camera, don't use auto.
btw i much prefer the clouds in the fuji shot.
 
Hainesy said:
Ah, the very next comment! That's interesting - do you have one? I watched this shoot-out video last night and was impressed: https://www.youtube.com/embed/up8K_xd_iwU
Which lenses would you recommend for it? I'd probably want to end up with (not necessarily straight away) a small carry round zoom (18-55ish) and a fast prime (in the same ballpark as the 35mm f1.4 I have on the Fuji), open to suggestions though.
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I have had one for a while now, and have built up a reasonable collection of lenses, i would especially recommend the 50mm 1.8, 30mm macro and have heard good reports of the 35mm
think of the A6000 as a pint sized D7100 with blazingly fast af and a best in class 11 frames a second.
I also have the FE 70-200 f4 which on the A6000 makes for a decent wildlife lens.
 
Hogboy said:
I have had one for a while now, and have built up a reasonable collection of lenses, i would especially recommend the 50mm 1.8, 30mm macro and have heard good reports of the 35mm
think of the A6000 as a pint sized D7100 with blazingly fast af and a best in class 11 frames a second.
I also have the FE 70-200 f4 which on the A6000 makes for a decent wildlife lens.
Click to expand...

Interesting feedback - thanks all. Will find an a6000 to play with and report back!
 
Hainesy said:
I nearly picked up one used the other day with a twin kit lens pack (16-50mm + 55-210mm), I think I'd still want to get a prime to go with this for portrait type shots / low light etc. Do I want this one? http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/89396/Show.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&utm_term=E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens&gclid=Cj0KEQjwyIyqBRD4janGs5e67IsBEiQAoF8DGqQJXcmcx89L6yuexP0Xa7a3AgUVX78gpcM8jLNf_IsaAgGl8P8HAQ
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yes you do -)
it's a fantastic lens, i love mine
 
I have the 16mm plus wide angle convertor, don't own the 16-50 though, you either love it or hate it.
 
So over the weekend I had a play with both the Sony a6000 and various Olympus OMD cameras. Preferred the Olympus overall. Jessops are currently doing a runout deal on the OMD E-M5 bundled with 3 x lenses for £750 (http://www.jessops.com/online.store...-14-42mm-40-150mm-45mm-lenses-94207/show.html), I was planning on picking one up from HK but this is such a good price that it didn't seem worth it. Have taken the plunge and it's arriving later today!

Will be interested to play with the 45mm prime, can see myself chopping it for the 25mm if it proves too long... Anyway, should keep me going for the time being!

Also had a play with the OMD E-M5 II - I liked the extra manual controls and the e-viewfinder was noticeably better however couldn't justify the extra ££ they were asking for it. Also wasn't a huge fan of the new tilting screen mechanism - probably good for video users though.
 
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