Is buying X100v/XE-4 justified if you own XT4?

RaskoSaran said:

Hello, this might be a dumb question but for me it's kind of important to figure out what to do as I'm tight on budget.

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RaskoSaran said:

I do own XT-4, I love shooting with it, but it's kind of big with 16-80mm lens and not ideal for street photography, as that 16-80mm is just too big.

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RaskoSaran said:

Now, I saw 16mm F2.8 lens for roughy about 400$ which is nice, as there is currently no better deal for that sort of lens and would help me with wide angle shots for street photography as it's smaller and more compact etc.

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RaskoSaran said:

However, I have a feeling that regardless of lens XT-4 has a big body which stands out, and X100V (1700$) or XE-4 (1500$) are much smaller and come with some wide angle 16 or 23mm lens which is nice but at a much bigger price point...
What should I do?

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RaskoSaran said:

I don't want to stand out and would like to keep my camera in a pocket or something like that, bigger coat pocket in winter time perhaps and be discrete.

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RaskoSaran said:

XT-4 right now is just too big in my opinion and 16-80mm doesn't offer wide angle really...

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RaskoSaran said:

Any advice or help would be appreciated, I'm in no hurry, but would like to figure that out within next 3 months and I just want to know what to save money for, so I don't rush into stuff blindly. Thank you!

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Jeff Biscuits said:

Rod McD said:

I can live with the cheaper EVF easily enough - I had the same one in the XT1 I used to own.

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The T1 and E4 don’t have the same EVF by any stretch, if that’s what you’re thinking. The T1’s is significantly bigger and has a longer eye point.

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Rod McD said:

Hi Jeff,

You may well be right - I was thinking in terms of the resolution (which is the same but both less than the XT4's).

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yardcoyote said:

You can ask about overseas sales, though I'm sure the shipping would be very pricey.

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jhorse said:

RaskoSaran said:

Oh thank you, it does help, can I ask you how much you payed for XE4? And if it was new or used? Just curiosity as here new goes for some 1000$+

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Hi, the UK retail price when I bought the new XE4/27 combo was and still is £949. As I use the same store for most of my camera/lens purchases (have for many years), London Camera Exchange. I tend to get a 5% discount.

I note that some people have suggested the Ricoh GR111 and Sony RX100. I looked at the Ricoh GR111 and decided that I wanted a viewfinder. Many of my images are taken outdoors, including in the snowy mountains in sunlight and having had a compact camera without a view finder (Panasonic LX7) I decided never again as composition was mere guesswork!

I currently have a Sony RX100VA for skiing. Its image quality is surprisingly good, it fits unobtrusively in a ski jacket pocket and it has a view finder. However, it is not a joy to use as the buttons are small and fidderly. Consequently, I tend to use it only when on ski holidays, which is probably a bit of a waste, but is serves that purpose well.

Hope that helps.

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Birdmanfriday said:

RaskoSaran said:

Birdmanfriday said:

RaskoSaran said:

Hello, this might be a dumb question but for me it's kind of important to figure out what to do as I'm tight on budget.

I do own XT-4, I love shooting with it, but it's kind of big with 16-80mm lens and not ideal for street photography, as that 16-80mm is just too big.
Now, I saw 16mm F2.8 lens for roughy about 400$ which is nice, as there is currently no better deal for that sort of lens and would help me with wide angle shots for street photography as it's smaller and more compact etc.

However, I have a feeling that regardless of lens XT-4 has a big body which stands out, and X100V (1700$) or XE-4 (1500$) are much smaller and come with some wide angle 16 or 23mm lens which is nice but at a much bigger price point...
What should I do? I don't want to stand out and would like to keep my camera in a pocket or something like that, bigger coat pocket in winter time perhaps and be discrete. XT-4 right now is just too big in my opinion and 16-80mm doesn't offer wide angle really...
Any advice or help would be appreciated, I'm in no hurry, but would like to figure that out within next 3 months and I just want to know what to save money for, so I don't rush into stuff blindly. Thank you!

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I bought an X100f as smaller alternative to my X-T4, which often had my 16-55 fitted. I really like the benefits of the smaller set up but didn’t especially like the handling on the X100 and eventually sold it it favour of a used X-E3. I think that, unless you really want the special features of the X100 series, particularly the optical viewfinder, a mint used camera such as a X-E3 would be an excellent and much cheaper alternative. For me, the versatility of being able to swap lenses is worth more than the faux-rangefinder features of an X100v etc.

I use my X-E3 with the excellent 27 for a super compact option, but also use it with the 14, 18-55 or 50. It gets a lot of use and I don’t feel like I’m giving up too much compared to my X-T2, but the X-T4 feels like more of an obvious step up from a user perspective, although image quality of all three is extremely close.

There is a bit of a postscript to this story. Using smaller set ups made me rethink my priorities and I now routinely shoot my two XTs with smaller primes too. I’ve just sold my 16-55 and actually find my X-T4 with the Fujicrons to be small enough on most occasions when I’m carrying a camera, so I’m not sure I’d buy an X-E if I were going through this process again. That said, I like the benefits of using primes with two bodies, so I definitely think a second body is a good option to consider.

Not sure this is that helpful! As others have said, it really depends on your priorities.

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I see, thank you kindly, tho mind if I ask you if you need to do much photo correction and editing in LR or PS after shooting with XE3? I get plenty of out-of-camera jpegs on XT4 that are great and don't need any editing which helps a lot, as it cuts my work by a huge chunk...

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No, certainly no more than with the X-Ts. I find Fuji metering performance extremely consistent. Focussing and general responsiveness is perhaps a little slower than the X-T4, and the face/eye tracking not very reliable, but I don’t miss noticeably more shots with it. I find Fuji jpegs to be consistently good right across all the models I’ve used. However, I find editing the raw files usually results in the best final outputs - if i really want to get the best I can from a particular shot, that’s the route I take.

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dmaclau said:

When a 5 year gig ended I had little need for my X-Pro2 and decided, like you, that for me smaller would be better.

I replaced it with an XE-4. With the 28mm lens it fits into a back pocket. Good camera.

Then, as I realized that small was more important than lens interchangeability I dusted off my X-70.

Still a great camera with results difficult to tell from the XE-4 it's my constant companion.

As a previous responder mentioned, don't overlook a camera merely because it's not the latest and greatest.

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John Gellings said:

RaskoSaran said:

Hello, this might be a dumb question but for me it's kind of important to figure out what to do as I'm tight on budget.

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Do you need the money for something else? A necessity?

John Gellings said:

I do own XT-4, I love shooting with it, but it's kind of big with 16-80mm lens and not ideal for street photography, as that 16-80mm is just too big.

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I've used this lens in the street. The street does not care.

John Gellings said:

Now, I saw 16mm F2.8 lens for roughy about 400$ which is nice, as there is currently no better deal for that sort of lens and would help me with wide angle shots for street photography as it's smaller and more compact etc.

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It is a bit wide... you are going to have to be very close. They will notice you with a small or a big lens.

John Gellings said:

However, I have a feeling that regardless of lens XT-4 has a big body which stands out, and X100V (1700$) or XE-4 (1500$) are much smaller and come with some wide angle 16 or 23mm lens which is nice but at a much bigger price point...
What should I do?

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Buy a 23mm for your X-T4.

John Gellings said:

I don't want to stand out and would like to keep my camera in a pocket or something like that, bigger coat pocket in winter time perhaps and be discrete.

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Get a Ricoh GRIII.

John Gellings said:

XT-4 right now is just too big in my opinion and 16-80mm doesn't offer wide angle really...

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Uhm, it has 16mm...that pretty damn wide.

John Gellings said:

Any advice or help would be appreciated, I'm in no hurry, but would like to figure that out within next 3 months and I just want to know what to save money for, so I don't rush into stuff blindly. Thank you!

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Many of us have multiple cameras even if we do not need them. As long as you do not need the $ for something else, there is no harm.

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RaskoSaran said:

biza43 said:

I think your problem lies more in how you approach street photography, if you look too self-conscious, people will notice you.

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So I should try to blend in better, I see, but still people see me walking from a mile away with XT4 and tend to stare at me for it :/ which doesn't help

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RaskoSaran said:

Oh thank you, but I don't know if used could be damaged as well, as nobody gives you warranty and I don't know how to test let's say X-E3 for signs of damage.

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paulhoppe_photography said:

Hi there,

I did own the X-T3, an X100F and now the X-E4. I don't think getting the X-E4 or an X100V is a good way to spend your money. And the X100V is a special case...it is quite expensive for what it is and if you are not really taking advantage of the OVF or leaf shutter than the X-E4 is better value for money. That being said the X-E4 is still a proper camera. Yes it is smaller and lighter than your X-T4 but people still see you taking pictures with a "big" camera. You still need a bag, you still carry lenses maybe as well.

It seems like a lot of money for something that except for size and some specs is essentially the same as your X-T4 in terms of usage and handling. The X100V has it's special charm but it is really expensive and does not really offer a wide angle lens.

Here is an idea: How about a Ricoh GRIII or a Sony RX100 series camera. Those two a markedly smaller and lighter than your X-T4 (and an X-E4 for that matter) and fit into a very different niche, especially for street photography.

I own the X-E4 which I use for general photography and a small camera (now the GRIII) for every other opportunity, for when I want to stay discreet, for indoor spaces and so on. Both cameras complement each other. The X-T4 and X-E4 have too much overlap to make it worth the money...especially if you are on a budget.

Paul

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Rightsaidfred said:

Also often thinking of an X100v.

X-T4 user speaking.

My poor man's X100v - when it should be as small as possible - is my good old X-T20 paired with the XF 23/2.

Regards,

Martin

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Oregon Dawg said:

RaskoSaran said:

Oh thank you, but I don't know if used could be damaged as well, as nobody gives you warranty and I don't know how to test let's say X-E3 for signs of damage.

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mpb.com is a good place to shop for used gear, and they provide a 6 month warranty on cameras.

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Nikee69 said:

Similarly I used to have a X-E3 with a 23mm 1.4. Too small and finicky in the end, the results were great though. Sold it and switched to a GFX 50R with a 50mm. Wonderful colors and solidly built - but for street photography and people its autofocus is too slow. Since I forgot to pack my GFX for my last vacation (duh!) I managed to buy a used X-T2 with battery grip and a 23 1.4 on short notice - and using this kit was one of the best experience I had in a long time.

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a_c_skinner said:

The X-E4 and 27 is smaller than the X100? and cheaper. And you can clean the sensor if needed.

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enigmatico said:

paulhoppe_photography said:

Hi there,

I did own the X-T3, an X100F and now the X-E4. I don't think getting the X-E4 or an X100V is a good way to spend your money. And the X100V is a special case...it is quite expensive for what it is and if you are not really taking advantage of the OVF or leaf shutter than the X-E4 is better value for money. That being said the X-E4 is still a proper camera. Yes it is smaller and lighter than your X-T4 but people still see you taking pictures with a "big" camera. You still need a bag, you still carry lenses maybe as well.

It seems like a lot of money for something that except for size and some specs is essentially the same as your X-T4 in terms of usage and handling. The X100V has it's special charm but it is really expensive and does not really offer a wide angle lens.

Here is an idea: How about a Ricoh GRIII or a Sony RX100 series camera. Those two a markedly smaller and lighter than your X-T4 (and an X-E4 for that matter) and fit into a very different niche, especially for street photography.

I own the X-E4 which I use for general photography and a small camera (now the GRIII) for every other opportunity, for when I want to stay discreet, for indoor spaces and so on. Both cameras complement each other. The X-T4 and X-E4 have too much overlap to make it worth the money...especially if you are on a budget.

Paul

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I agree with this view. Do not buy an X-E4 or an X-100V thinking that it will make a difference to the way the public will assess you on the street, than when you have your X-T4. All three are "proper cameras" in the eyes of the public. As soon as you hold it up to your face and point it at people (as opposed to a building or general scene), you will be seen as a photographer.

I do a lot of street photography and I don't experience any difference in public attitude whether I am using my X-E3 or a GFX50R. The only difference is how much my back and shoulders ache at the end of the day.

If you go to a Ricoh GR3 for example, the psychology is a little different because without a viewfinder you are holding the camera away from you - which to the public looks a little more amateurish. Also, you are not hiding your face behind the camera which helps to make you look less threatening or suspicious. Ultimately, the most innocent looking camera as far as the public perception of you goes, is a smart phone. A GR3 (or Sony RX100*), is as close as you can get to a smart phone in a camera.

Having a zoom lens on your camera will make people think you are zooming in, even though you might be set to the wide end. They appear more intrusive, depending on their size and length of course.

The nicest thing about small cameras like the X-E* series is that you are more likely to take them with you everywhere. If I am going out to specifically shoot street photographs I will take a full size camera - often that's my GFX50R. If I am going to meet a friend or do some shopping as well, I will take a small, lightweight camera for no other reason than its more comfortable to carry around. In my opinion, that's the best reason to own both an X-T4 and an X-E4. Other than that, its pointless having both those cameras; their still picture quality is identical apart from the considerable advantages of IBIS.

A lot of writers here have suggested buying second hand - I buy almost all my cameras on the used market. Many people today buy cameras thinking they're as easy to use as smart phones and can't figure them out or are too lazy to learn. They sell them on quickly at a loss. Try to find one of those, you will save money and if you don't end up liking it or using it enough you can sell it on without losing much - if anything at all.

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