X-E3 & additional hand grip for larger lenses?

jhorse wrote:

Alex SP wrote:

Hey everyone, a Fuji newcomer here.

I recently got an X-E3 with a 18-55 kit. I thought about getting a compact lens like 27mm or 35mm 2.0 and use it as my everyday combo but after some time with the camera my idea of lenses I need changed somehow, switching from 'compact at all costs' to some other, larger options.

Even with a 18-55 kit lens the weight balance is a bit tricky. I'm interested in 10-24mm and some lenses I might add later are 56mm f1.2 and maybe 33mm 1.4. All of them are comparable to 18-55 in terms of size and weight, although some are just a bit larger or heavier. If I add a meike or a fuji hand grip, how much will it improve the handling of the camera and a lens? Has any of you used such a combo, how comfortable is it? Will it be ok, or should I look into buying a camera with a better grip (X-S10, X-T3/4)?

Also, I guess 16-55 is out of the question for X-E3? Weighting twice as much as the camera itself should probably feel really uncomfortable even with an additional grip.

Hi, as FTOG rightly says, very subjective. With that in mind, here is my experience.

I had a XE3, now have the XE4. On both I tend to use a leather half case, which I found improves grip and handling. I also had a Meike non battery grip and I also now have one on my XT4. I had tried both JJC and SmallRig ones, but found the Meike ones to be far more comfortable having slightly more rounded edges and better machined. I note that Meike Global has a XE3 one on sale at $34 so worth trying and if you don't like it resale it and I doubt you'll lose much.

Great tip, thanks! Unfortunately, on Meike Global the grip is out of stock with no approximate date of arrival. Will probably have to order it on Amazon but it's a bit pricier there if including delivery fee for my region. As for leather half cases, they just don't click for me visually. Although they probably protect the camera very well!

I use the XE4 with a 18-55 as a general one solution kit when out with the family and find it a very good set up for that purpose (as I did when I had the XE3). With a leather half case the handling in my opinion is fine and it would also be so with a small Meike grip.

Regarding the XT4, I have a 16-55/f2.8 almost permanently on it and again with the small Meike grip the handling is fine. Is the use of the 16-55 on an XE body out of the question? Not in my view, but I'll be in the minority here. For carrying on a strap, may be (I would not walk around with that combo gangling on a strap), but in use not so if one cups the lens with the left hand, which supports the weight of the combo.

Good luck with your choice.

Thank you!