Thread: Need the last nudge before purchase. How happy are you with your X-E1 ??

Originally Posted by Armanius

I am TOTALLY looking forward to the new AF systems on the X20 and X100S though. It could be very telling of the AF performance of the XPro2 and XE2! :)

Yes, but maybe or maybe not of the AF performance of new bodies with the three original lenses????? That's the sticking poing for me. But OTOH I was just playing around with my X-Pro this morning and remembering that I'm totally comfortable with how it works RIGHT NOW, so improvements will be welcome but I'm ok if it stays the same too. This is very different than my feeling about m43 a couple of years ago. There were some improvements that I knew were needed before I'd be satisfied with the system and, fortunately, all of them have come and many more that I'd have never thought of. For the way I like to use the Fuji, its just absolutely frickin' fine as is. If some future body improves on it, great - if not, also great...

-Ray

Well that's the catch, none of the reliable sellers with good return policies have them here. The deal I've found is pre owned, but never used (barely open box). If I don't like it I should be able to resell with no loss, or very minor, but would have to go thru the hassle of listing, selling, etc (not that it bothers me much, I do that all the time).
My decision (though obviously I very much want to buy it !!) is based on subtle things. I understand the AF is slow, but I expect IQ, controls and "cool factor" to make up for it. Also, the AF slow performance won't take me by surprise, as it did with the NEX. There's mass denial of the NEX AF issues, while they are well documented and admitted with the Fujis. Plus, we know for a fact there's a new firmware with further AF improvement in the pipeline and very close to released (was actually delayed last week) and I'm still hoping for Peaking to be added at some point. If all that holds true, i'll have a hard time hunting for a similar deal until for a while. I guess it's just I always have second thoughts when I'm getting ready to part with a large sum of money, lol.

I think (though I could be wrong) that what you actually want is a camera that is not available yet -- a nice, mirrorless full frame, that looks good, has interchangeable lenses, and better controls and reasonably good AF (along with MF options). It's the same camera I'm waiting for too. If I'm right, then I'm guessing no camera will completely please you, so I think you should try the XE1, because you might as well, and the only loss is the resale. If you are far to busy to buy/sell cameras, then I would skip it, because I think you will sell it within a few months. The quirks will likely get to you. But if you've got some time, and IMO your works shows that you do get inspired by fun gear, as is seen in your shots, then it's worth the cost of the loss in resale.

Just my two cents worth. Another way to put it -- if you decide NOT to try it, will you really walk away, or just keep thinking about it :D Might as well give it a spin, while you wait for the Sony NEX FF!

I would say the only way the AF system is not adequate is if you are shooting moving children. That said I shoot my dogs a lot with it and they don't stand still for very long. I find it is very accurate unlike the D700 which will miss sometimes even if the camera tells me it's in focus. The Fuji is slower but when it says it's in focus it's in focus.

This site has a lot of good articles on Fuji cameras both pro and con. A lot professional photographers use them because of the beautiful colors, but they also take the time to understand how the camera works...

Fuji X-Pro1 | Scoop.it

Originally Posted by nianys

I guess it's just I always have second thoughts when I'm getting ready to part with a large sum of money, lol.

Ahh, yes, that. But I used to hang out on the DPR m43 forum a lot (I still check in occasionally, but much less involved due to the insanity of the mob) and I recall your back and forth with the GX1 and OMD and whatever else over there. Sometimes we need to think out loud. With the ability to try while you buy, I tend to dive in and then tell the story of the stuff I kept and stuff I didn't keep after the fact. I don't buy a lot of used gear because I'm an idiot for the cutting edge. But I just bought a used GXR-28, a camera I've owned previously and loved and have decided selling it was a big mistake. I didn't buy it for its auto-focus - I mostly use the snap focus shortcut to zone focussing - but I'd forgotten just how SLOW that AF is. Its pretty sure once it locks on, but I just had my X-Pro and GXR out, both with the same 18mm (28mm equivalent) lenses, and the X-Pro absolutely SMOKES the GXR for AF speed. Just kills it. And I've never heard anyone really complain about Ricoh's AF. So, its all relative - you pick the tools that work well for you in the way you choose to use them...

Good luck,

-Ray

Originally Posted by nianys

Ahh, Kevin, you're raining on my parade here ;) I appreciate it though, I wanted unbiased and honest opinions. Sure, AF was the reason I parted with the NEX. I still think I could suffer through similar AF to enjoy the Fuji IQ and character. Yes the NEX were excellent, no doubt. But the 7 was the only one with decent controls. I'm actually enjoying the X10's UI much better. As you've found out for yourself (and you've been totally instrumental in me getting the X10) those Fuji X bodies are really, really special beasts.
Keep the opinions coming guys, so far the score is 3 to 1 to buy ;)

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer (BTW, where is there no male version of that?). I love my X10 and can easily see picking up either an interchangeable lens Fuji body at some point if the end up getting focus peaking. I think that if XE-2 (or whatever it's called) has focus peaking then I would thing it would be a natural for you but based on what I think I know about your camera likes and dislikes (since we have more than a few in common) you have some very specific things you want from a body...shallow DOF, fast AF, enough physical controls and I am assuming a good MF experience as well to give your "baby" the Pen-F 38 a home. The way I see it the XE-1 definitely gives you two of those, physical controls and shallow DOF and the other two are debatable judging from the various responses.

That said, don't let me be the lone voice of dissent, I have bought more than my share of gear just to try it out.

Thanks, thanks, and thanks !!
A lot of very useful input here, I appreciate a lot. I never hid my taste for new cameras and playing with fun and sexy gear. OTOH I'm serious about finding a machine I bond with. When I think of that the first thing that comes to my mind is "a portrait tool", and I guess th X-E1 must be pretty good at that...

Originally Posted by stanleyk

I would say the only way the AF system is not adequate is if you are shooting moving children.

As photographers we have GOT to come up with a better way to say something like that.

Originally Posted by nianys

Well that's the catch, none of the reliable sellers with good return policies have them here. The deal I've found is pre owned, but never used (barely open box). If I don't like it I should be able to resell with no loss, or very minor, but would have to go thru the hassle of listing, selling, etc (not that it bothers me much, I do that all the time).
My decision (though obviously I very much want to buy it !!) is based on subtle things. I understand the AF is slow, but I expect IQ, controls and "cool factor" to make up for it. Also, the AF slow performance won't take me by surprise, as it did with the NEX. There's mass denial of the NEX AF issues, while they are well documented and admitted with the Fujis. Plus, we know for a fact there's a new firmware with further AF improvement in the pipeline and very close to released (was actually delayed last week) and I'm still hoping for Peaking to be added at some point. If all that holds true, i'll have a hard time hunting for a similar deal until for a while. I guess it's just I always have second thoughts when I'm getting ready to part with a large sum of money, lol.

Fair concerns.

If you are prepared to invest a little time with this camera (and I suppose any other) it will likely deliver what you want. If you are shooting sports or other fast moving stuff, it's probably not for you. But otherwise, I believe your risk is low.

Another thought: the camera is pretty much new to the market. There is demand. Buy it. Try it thoroughly for a while, say a month. If it is not for you, sell it on. You are unlikely to lose much. But then you will really know.

Heck, by then Armanius will start missing his just sold XE1 and will likely grab it off you. Then, when you miss it, you can get it off him. (With apologies to Armanius.)

LOL... Good points ! Well (and Kevin sorry about that) but I "shoot moving children". And still ones, too. And dogs. I understand there will be limitations (maybe even serious ones) with that camera. If I decide to pass on the deal, I'm gonna keep agonizing over it for a while...I guess if I can be happy with the overall performance of the X10, the X-E1 couldn't be *that* far off ....