Auto Focus

I keep trying to talk my way into an X-E1, so that I can get something that will let me shoot the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 lens. The X-E1 is dirt cheap, so my resistance is not as high for that model. Little by little I work my way past objections, but then I read something like this and I'm back to square one.

http://www.fujifilm-x-opinions.net/2012/12/the-trinity-fujifilm-x-pro1-vs-x-e1-vs.html

"I am again and again frustrated by the performance of the autofocus."

"somehow feel I am missing much more shots with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E1"

"Autofocus for me is really the one reason that sometimes makes me doubt, whether switching to Fujifilm X system was really the right decision."

" In backlit situations,  the X-E1 almost completely failed to focus."

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It all depends on what your preferred shooting style is. Before I got the X-E1, I had a Canon G10 as my compact, hiking camera as well as a D7000. The X-E1 replaces the G10, and I still use the D7000. I use the compact system mostly for landscape photography and other types where fast autofocus isn't quite as important but accurate focus is. Compared to the G10, the X-E1 is a pleasure when it comes to autofocus, so it's a clear step up for me in that respect. The D7000 is easier to use for kids shots, but it's a bear to drag up a mountain.

Personally, I am completely happy with how 'quick' the X-E1 is (at least with the 18-55mm zoom lens).

Thats how things are. Fuji Af , although improved from the x pro 1 initial release is way below current standards. In good light is OK. But you will definitively miss shots in not really so dim light. It is not the speed but the failure to achieve a lock that bothers me and most users. There is no way around it at the moment. If AF is a priority, you might want to wait for the next generation of x bodies and see if things have improved.

The autofocus is poor.  Posting will not change that.  The problem is the focus by wire combined with the processing poer of the camera.  Fuji have done it on the cheap.

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Without the darkness the light would be nothing !

I can see how a landscape photographer would have no problems.  I live in a large city, with 25 million people.  Capturing life here requires quick action.  I suspect that I would have issues with the slow autofocus of the X-E1.

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What is ironic is that the sensor is so good in low light.  What a half baked camera that cannot complete the deal with good auto focus.

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DISCLAIMER: The text written herein is meant to provide the opinions and/or suggestions of the author. No statement herein is meant to be considered law of the land, representative of any party or group, and or a quote from any party or group. Neither is any statement in the contained text meant to be taken as scripture, doctrine, or all encompassing of an entire populous or any groups or individuals therein.

You have an X100, right? The xe1/xpro with the 35mm are very similar in performance to the X100 with the latest firmware.  AF is frustrating at times but the other benefits of the cameras far out-weigh the downsides for my usage.

I thought you had an X-Pro1 rattymouse? shouldn't you know exactly what the X-E1's auto-focus is like considering it's practically identical?

No, I have an X100, X10, and XF1.  I have used the X Pro 1, mostly with the 60mm lens, but I dont own one.  I have not tried it since the firmware update that supposedly improved the auto focus.

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DISCLAIMER: The text written herein is meant to provide the opinions and/or suggestions of the author. No statement herein is meant to be considered law of the land, representative of any party or group, and or a quote from any party or group. Neither is any statement in the contained text meant to be taken as scripture, doctrine, or all encompassing of an entire populous or any groups or individuals therein.

Yes, I have an X100.  I can handle the X100's auto focus.  If you read the article I linked to in the OP, you can see that this author thinks that the X100 focuses better than the X E1 and X Pro 1.  That worries me as I cant tolerate worse than the X100.

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DISCLAIMER: The text written herein is meant to provide the opinions and/or suggestions of the author. No statement herein is meant to be considered law of the land, representative of any party or group, and or a quote from any party or group. Neither is any statement in the contained text meant to be taken as scripture, doctrine, or all encompassing of an entire populous or any groups or individuals therein.

I have the X100, XF1, X-S1 and X-Pro1, I think we have similar tastes from Fuji. I have used all 3 lenses (18, 35 and 60). The 35 is as good as the X100 if you are experienced with how to orient the OVF and EVF to maximize your speed in different shooting conditions. With the firmware upgrade, its really not bad. Granted, I don't shoot street, but I do shoot location for modeling with it. I took my X-Pro1 on vacation and did shoot more street and animals there, I did not miss a beat, and in fact, left my Pentax K5 at home it worked so well.

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Creyr Glas Lightworks

You  really need to rent one or take the plunge and buy one which can be returned if not up to the job.

rattymouse, can you, please, explain why did you create this thread?

In another thread you claimed that you criticize Fujifilm for some particular faults because you want them to improve. But in reality if I worked for Fujifilm, I would get absolutely no useful information from your posts, you are parroting others' opinions about cameras that you have barely used, and amplifying every complaint you hear, even though you obviously have no way to add any new information to it.

You bring up weird issues such as Fuji finances or comparison of its size with Canon, Nikon and Sony, and now you made a whole thread about how you won't get X-E 1 because you have heard how someone complained about its autofocus.

Is there anything you want to hear? A question to be answered? Or is it some kind of performance for hypothetical Fujifilm people lurking in this forum? If it's the former, your question is incoherent, if it's the latter, I can assure you, anyone at Fujifilm who is looking for things to improve, would dismiss your posts simply because they are not useful and do not represent anything but obsessive search for anything negative to say about them, or their cameras.

Autofocus on the X Pro1 in low light is very good in my short experience (have the X Pro1 with 18-55 for 3 days now). I did a jazz shoot yesterday in pub conditions (read very dim light) and had no focussing problems whatsoever. It's not the fastest autofocus in the world but it works without any problems, at least with the 18-55.

Buy a Leica M instead ... trust the cunning european manufacturer to use their tried & tested engineering methods to come up with a surefire solution to all AF problems ....

Because I wanted to.  Can you please explain why you read my threads?  Have you heard about the ignore user feature?  Can you please explain why you do not use it?

So off the mark, it is comical.  You are about as accurate as Inya is.

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Pass.  No interest in Leica. At all.

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That is exactly what I need.  If I were back home in the US, I would certainly buy one and give it a try.  Living here in China, all sales are final so the risk is much much higher.

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Possibly, but I would hope that it is not.

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DISCLAIMER: The text written herein is meant to provide the opinions and/or suggestions of the author. No statement herein is meant to be considered law of the land, representative of any party or group, and or a quote from any party or group. Neither is any statement in the contained text meant to be taken as scripture, doctrine, or all encompassing of an entire populous or any groups or individuals therein.