Advice on purchasing strategy, X-E2!

felixdd said:

So...I'm about to graduate from my training program and want to treat myself.

For the past year or two I've finally succumbed to my desire to learn photography, something that until recently I've decided was a hobby of the wealthy. Having finally achieved some financial independence also helped make this jump possible.

GAS has come and gone. I'm sitting on a Canon T3i with a full armament of lenses -- 15-85, 10-20, 35, 50, and a 70-300 (none of this is L glass). Then I got an X20, and completely fell in love with the range finder format.

Long and short of it, I'm hoping to sell all my canon gear, and go to for a XE-2 and am hoping to pair it with some vintage prime glass for some walk-around shooting when I travel (though I'll miss some of the fun shots I've gotten with my tele!).

Here's the thing -- the XE-2 is on sale for $799 for body only, while the XE-2 with the 18-55 f/2.8-4 kit is going for $1149. That's a $350 difference. I know the XE-2 kit lens is capable in its own right, but I feel like I've got that range covered (at a wider equivalent aperture) with my X20 (28-112, f/2.0-2.8 equiv.). I'm mindful that it's not the most fair of comparisons, between a 2/3" sensor vs. a crop sensor, but I feel that if I need the variable range it'll probably in bright light anyways, while if I'm in the dark I'll be post-processing, or I'd be better off with a large aperture prime, use my legs to zoom, or crop down after in post. Either way, in the dark I'd be post-processing to clean up noise anyways.

So...with that said, if you're in my position, should I spend the extra $350 for the kit lens?

Click to expand...

1. You own a lot of Canon gear why not look at the 7D mark ii and just upgrade the body. Keep the Fuji p&s
2. Keep the Canon body and one or two lenses when you need fast AF response or video if at all. Sell the rest.
3. Rent Fuji X gear, its easy to do, before you buy
4. Look at the Fuji X lens road map to know what is coming, their are still new lenses to be announced

ryan2007 said:

felixdd said:

So...I'm about to graduate from my training program and want to treat myself.

For the past year or two I've finally succumbed to my desire to learn photography, something that until recently I've decided was a hobby of the wealthy. Having finally achieved some financial independence also helped make this jump possible.

GAS has come and gone. I'm sitting on a Canon T3i with a full armament of lenses -- 15-85, 10-20, 35, 50, and a 70-300 (none of this is L glass). Then I got an X20, and completely fell in love with the range finder format.

Long and short of it, I'm hoping to sell all my canon gear, and go to for a XE-2 and am hoping to pair it with some vintage prime glass for some walk-around shooting when I travel (though I'll miss some of the fun shots I've gotten with my tele!).

Here's the thing -- the XE-2 is on sale for $799 for body only, while the XE-2 with the 18-55 f/2.8-4 kit is going for $1149. That's a $350 difference. I know the XE-2 kit lens is capable in its own right, but I feel like I've got that range covered (at a wider equivalent aperture) with my X20 (28-112, f/2.0-2.8 equiv.). I'm mindful that it's not the most fair of comparisons, between a 2/3" sensor vs. a crop sensor, but I feel that if I need the variable range it'll probably in bright light anyways, while if I'm in the dark I'll be post-processing, or I'd be better off with a large aperture prime, use my legs to zoom, or crop down after in post. Either way, in the dark I'd be post-processing to clean up noise anyways.

So...with that said, if you're in my position, should I spend the extra $350 for the kit lens?

Click to expand...

I advise waiting a few more weeks. Fuji is rumored to announce a new camera called the XT-10 and cost about that same $800. Look at the Fuji Rumors.com site.

Unless you need a camera tomorrow which you really don't having the Canon gear.

I also would not sell your Canon gear till you get the XE-2 or whatever camera and be sure you like it. You should understand the Fuji X system is not really for the novice user unless you are ready to learn photography. What I mean is the camera does not have a program mode with pre-set scene modes if that matters. It has a more manual feel that I equate to a digital version of a manual film camera.

The Fuji XE, XT, Xpro is not going to be a machine gun camera like a DSLR would be. You are not going to have as snappy Autofocus response as a DSLR if that matters. The hand grip of these cameras is small and not very ergonomic vs a DSLR. I find you need to get a Really Right Stuff, JB Camera hand grip. The Fuji grips are ok too, but the 3rd party ones are options.

Video is a weakness and really should not be used for important needs

The TTL flash system is lacking especially vs a DSLR, so very limited accessories for Fuji. Micro Four Thirds would be better that way.

However, the Fuji X system is truly fantastic if you know what you are doing and understand light, metering, and how to get the most out of the camera not necessarily relying on Auto modes.

I went from the Nikon D90 to Micro 4/3's to Fuji X over the last 7 years roughly and was committed to Panasonic mirrorless but Fuji's final result is a lot better.

Fuji is better if you know what it can not do vs expectations of what a DSLR does.

**Every time you buy and sell camera gear you lose a lot of money so it is best to start small. Here is what I suggest as options.

1. You own a lot of Canon gear why not look at the 7D mark ii and just upgrade the body. Keep the Fuji p&s
2. Keep the Canon body and one or two lenses when you need fast AF response or video if at all. Sell the rest.
3. Rent Fuji X gear, its easy to do, before you buy
4. Look at the Fuji X lens road map to know what is coming, their are still new lenses to be announced

Click to expand...

felixdd said:

So...I'm about to graduate from my training program and want to treat myself.

For the past year or two I've finally succumbed to my desire to learn photography, something that until recently I've decided was a hobby of the wealthy. Having finally achieved some financial independence also helped make this jump possible.

GAS has come and gone. I'm sitting on a Canon T3i with a full armament of lenses -- 15-85, 10-20, 35, 50, and a 70-300 (none of this is L glass). Then I got an X20, and completely fell in love with the range finder format.

Long and short of it, I'm hoping to sell all my canon gear, and go to for a XE-2 and am hoping to pair it with some vintage prime glass for some walk-around shooting when I travel (though I'll miss some of the fun shots I've gotten with my tele!).

Here's the thing -- the XE-2 is on sale for $799 for body only, while the XE-2 with the 18-55 f/2.8-4 kit is going for $1149. That's a $350 difference. I know the XE-2 kit lens is capable in its own right, but I feel like I've got that range covered (at a wider equivalent aperture) with my X20 (28-112, f/2.0-2.8 equiv.). I'm mindful that it's not the most fair of comparisons, between a 2/3" sensor vs. a crop sensor, but I feel that if I need the variable range it'll probably in bright light anyways, while if I'm in the dark I'll be post-processing, or I'd be better off with a large aperture prime, use my legs to zoom, or crop down after in post. Either way, in the dark I'd be post-processing to clean up noise anyways.

So...with that said, if you're in my position, should I spend the extra $350 for the kit lens?

Click to expand...

ryan2007 said:

Trying to help from past mistakes I made rushing and overbuying only not to use a lens. That is what happened when I started with Fuji. I got the 14 mm prime, 35 mm,18-55 and 60 mm on the XE-1.

The 23 mm and 55-200 did not exist yet.

I used that 18-55 and when needed the 35 mm with the zoom more so. The 14 mm got used like never and I lost a lot of money to sell it later used.

I then read a blog that had a good idea on how to set up a kit. IMO made sense to me.

Buy a zoom lens for the wide angle and telephoto and a prime or two for the middle where you can zoom with your feet.

So the 10-24, 23 and/or 35 and 55-200 has you covered very well.

I think the 23 mm is more versatile especially for inside a home/living room, kitchen or even a reception hall a wedding may be held. You can get more in the shot and not have to back away like you would with the 35 mm.

It also depends what type of photography you do. IF all you do is take photos in a Zoo you do not need wide angle lenses the balance is more to the telephoto.

For some things after all the trying to figure out gear sometimes a good P&S camera is all you really need. The end results are what matter not how you get there. If you are happy great.

IF you have GAS spread that money to another hobby or speciality area if you want to stay in photography look at better software programs and get better at editing. whatever

Click to expand...

ryan2007 said:

felixdd said:

So...I'm about to graduate from my training program and want to treat myself.

For the past year or two I've finally succumbed to my desire to learn photography, something that until recently I've decided was a hobby of the wealthy. Having finally achieved some financial independence also helped make this jump possible.

GAS has come and gone. I'm sitting on a Canon T3i with a full armament of lenses -- 15-85, 10-20, 35, 50, and a 70-300 (none of this is L glass). Then I got an X20, and completely fell in love with the range finder format.

Long and short of it, I'm hoping to sell all my canon gear, and go to for a XE-2 and am hoping to pair it with some vintage prime glass for some walk-around shooting when I travel (though I'll miss some of the fun shots I've gotten with my tele!).

Here's the thing -- the XE-2 is on sale for $799 for body only, while the XE-2 with the 18-55 f/2.8-4 kit is going for $1149. That's a $350 difference. I know the XE-2 kit lens is capable in its own right, but I feel like I've got that range covered (at a wider equivalent aperture) with my X20 (28-112, f/2.0-2.8 equiv.). I'm mindful that it's not the most fair of comparisons, between a 2/3" sensor vs. a crop sensor, but I feel that if I need the variable range it'll probably in bright light anyways, while if I'm in the dark I'll be post-processing, or I'd be better off with a large aperture prime, use my legs to zoom, or crop down after in post. Either way, in the dark I'd be post-processing to clean up noise anyways.

So...with that said, if you're in my position, should I spend the extra $350 for the kit lens?

Click to expand...

I advise waiting a few more weeks. Fuji is rumored to announce a new camera called the XT-10 and cost about that same $800. Look at the Fuji Rumors.com site.

Unless you need a camera tomorrow which you really don't having the Canon gear.

I also would not sell your Canon gear till you get the XE-2 or whatever camera and be sure you like it. You should understand the Fuji X system is not really for the novice user unless you are ready to learn photography. What I mean is the camera does not have a program mode with pre-set scene modes if that matters. It has a more manual feel that I equate to a digital version of a manual film camera.

The Fuji XE, XT, Xpro is not going to be a machine gun camera like a DSLR would be. You are not going to have as snappy Autofocus response as a DSLR if that matters. The hand grip of these cameras is small and not very ergonomic vs a DSLR. I find you need to get a Really Right Stuff, JB Camera hand grip. The Fuji grips are ok too, but the 3rd party ones are options.

Video is a weakness and really should not be used for important needs

The TTL flash system is lacking especially vs a DSLR, so very limited accessories for Fuji. Micro Four Thirds would be better that way.

However, the Fuji X system is truly fantastic if you know what you are doing and understand light, metering, and how to get the most out of the camera not necessarily relying on Auto modes.

I went from the Nikon D90 to Micro 4/3's to Fuji X over the last 7 years roughly and was committed to Panasonic mirrorless but Fuji's final result is a lot better.

Fuji is better if you know what it can not do vs expectations of what a DSLR does.

**Every time you buy and sell camera gear you lose a lot of money so it is best to start small. Here is what I suggest as options.

1. You own a lot of Canon gear why not look at the 7D mark ii and just upgrade the body. Keep the Fuji p&s
2. Keep the Canon body and one or two lenses when you need fast AF response or video if at all. Sell the rest.
3. Rent Fuji X gear, its easy to do, before you buy
4. Look at the Fuji X lens road map to know what is coming, their are still new lenses to be announced

Click to expand...

1. That I like long-exposure landscape. It's alright...but I'd much rather travel with friends/family, meet new people, over sitting in front of a waterfall with my stack of ND's! Having done a 6hr hike with my T3i and tripod also motivated my decision that I'm not the outdoorsman I thought I was!
2. Did two short films as part of some extracurriculars at work, complete with sound editing and post-processing. Know how to do it; don't love it, won't do it again.
3. Played with flash. Meh. Decided that I'm more of a street/travel shooter than fiddling with on/off body flashes.
4. I'm not running/gunning; don't need lightning fast AF.
5. I have small hands . I actually found the X-Pro 1 too big.
6. I have an X20, so I know the quirks of the X system, how their RAFs edit in LR5.
7. I do find X lenses to be very good quality, but a bit pricey. I don't mind being more cerebral and taking time with my shots; I've played with a friend's NEX6 combo'd with a vintage pentax and loved being able to manual focus with peeking. I've learned photography with B&W film and split-screen focusing so I know between SS and peeking on the XE-2 body I'll be set
8. I've never actually used scene mode. It's Av or M. I actually don't even know how use scene mode LOL

felixdd said:

So...I'm about to graduate from my training program and want to treat myself.

For the past year or two I've finally succumbed to my desire to learn photography, something that until recently I've decided was a hobby of the wealthy. Having finally achieved some financial independence also helped make this jump possible.

GAS has come and gone. I'm sitting on a Canon T3i with a full armament of lenses -- 15-85, 10-20, 35, 50, and a 70-300 (none of this is L glass). Then I got an X20, and completely fell in love with the range finder format.

Long and short of it, I'm hoping to sell all my canon gear, and go to for a XE-2 and am hoping to pair it with some vintage prime glass for some walk-around shooting when I travel (though I'll miss some of the fun shots I've gotten with my tele!).

Here's the thing -- the XE-2 is on sale for $799 for body only, while the XE-2 with the 18-55 f/2.8-4 kit is going for $1149. That's a $350 difference. I know the XE-2 kit lens is capable in its own right, but I feel like I've got that range covered (at a wider equivalent aperture) with my X20 (28-112, f/2.0-2.8 equiv.). I'm mindful that it's not the most fair of comparisons, between a 2/3" sensor vs. a crop sensor, but I feel that if I need the variable range it'll probably in bright light anyways, while if I'm in the dark I'll be post-processing, or I'd be better off with a large aperture prime, use my legs to zoom, or crop down after in post. Either way, in the dark I'd be post-processing to clean up noise anyways.

So...with that said, if you're in my position, should I spend the extra $350 for the kit lens?

Click to expand...

cnmne said:

I wouldn't buy a new X-E2. Maybe used.

The X-T1 has had some significant improvements in the last couple of firmware updates. The X-E2, not so much.

The upcoming X-T10 seems to be aimed at the X-E2 price point, and will probably be supported in future firmware updates. I'd wait until it is released, then rent one to check it out.

Click to expand...