XE-2, XE-3, or X-E4... The Dilemma

jhorse wrote:

Clive99 wrote:

Yes, the lack of controls is not as big an impact as i first thought (still prefer more). But both of you make the point that's it's fine with a leather case or a grip...and yes, that's how i shoot it too. My point is if you're intending it to be a small camera, what was the point in making it a bar of soap so you *have* to make it bigger with a case or grip? My xe3 doesn't need either to be comfortable.

You make a good point, and yes had I been the chief designer I would have included grips moulded into the body front and rear as they help handling without adding too much bulk or weight.

That said, even with the grips front and rear, I did put my XE3 into a leather half case. When the XE4 came out, I contacted the manufacturer of the XE3 grip I had, which was of excellent quality, and asked them to design in a small vertical ridge on the front and a pronounced lip at the rear where the thumb rests to aid handling. This they did. See (I bought a black case with black stitching):

Fujifilm XE4 Half Case Camera Retro Genuine Leather Cover Insert VR Handmade New | eBay

I have both a grip and a leather half case.  The grip is nicer to hold but is too bulky if I want to go light.  My half case has a 1/4" steel base plate in it. the thing probably weighs 150g.  Not exactly great for going light.  I went and drilled a whole load of holes in it to make it lighter..probably cut 60g out of it.  I'm not exactly thrilled that I have to do all this to get a useable camera. The XE4 is useable with the pancake lenses, but anything more and you need to improve the grip.  I carry mine ski touring, mountain biking and climbing. Minimizing added weight is important. Those extra molded pieces on my XE3 probably weigh 10g at most...infact, I think the XE4 is slightly heavier.

It's putting aesthetics ahead of function and usability ..which as a engineer is a pet peeve of mine.