In search of opinions : X-T2 + X100S vs X-Pro2

MJ_Photo38 said:

I have a bunch of Nikon F (from my dad, lenses he bought new in the 1980s) and M42 lenses which I've been using on pretty much all the cameras I own.

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Oh, then skip the X-Pro entirely and buy a GFX 50R

OK, I’m being slightly facetious because I know it’s not what you’re asking about. But I’m also not: this is the main reason* I bought a 50R: using vintage lenses on it is just sublime—both the experience and the results.

The 50R handles like an X-Pro in many ways, but the EVF is as big as the one in your X-T2, and that sensor… for any 35mm lens, you can use the whole of the 35mm image circle at any aspect ratio—ie you can get the same angle of view that every 35mm lens was designed to give in 3:2—and usually more. Some lenses cover the whole sensor, some will degrade gracefully past the 35mm frame and give a nice character to a larger image; others you do have to crop.

I use numerous Nikon F, Pentax K and M42 lenses on mine (mostly at 7:6 crop which gives a sliver more width than the 35mm frame but a good chunk more height), so if you have a stack of those there’s a good chance you have something that will work nicely.

I’d consider it. Really. Using 35mm lenses on APS-C is just a pointless exercise once you’ve used them on a GFX, especially if character matters to you and/or you’re happy to slow down.

* actually there was another reason: detailed landscape images with native GF lenses; but then I realised that I preferred the images I was getting from shooting landscapes with old 35mm lenses anyway, so I’ve almost never used the GF lenses at all

Jeff Biscuits said:

MJ_Photo38 said:

I have a bunch of Nikon F (from my dad, lenses he bought new in the 1980s) and M42 lenses which I've been using on pretty much all the cameras I own.

Click to expand...

Oh, then skip the X-Pro entirely and buy a GFX 50R

OK, I’m being slightly facetious because I know it’s not what you’re asking about. But I’m also not: this is the main reason* I bought a 50R: using vintage lenses on it is just sublime—both the experience and the results.

The 50R handles like an X-Pro in many ways, but the EVF is as big as the one in your X-T2, and that sensor… for any 35mm lens, you can use the whole of the 35mm image circle at any aspect ratio—ie you can get the same angle of view that every 35mm lens was designed to give in 3:2—and usually more. Some lenses cover the whole sensor, some will degrade gracefully past the 35mm frame and give a nice character to a larger image; others you do have to crop.

I use numerous Nikon F, Pentax K and M42 lenses on mine (mostly at 7:6 crop which gives a sliver more width than the 35mm frame but a good chunk more height), so if you have a stack of those there’s a good chance you have something that will work nicely.

I’d consider it. Really. Using 35mm lenses on APS-C is just a pointless exercise once you’ve used them on a GFX, especially if character matters to you and/or you’re happy to slow down.

* actually there was another reason: detailed landscape images with native GF lenses; but then I realised that I preferred the images I was getting from shooting landscapes with old 35mm lenses anyway, so I’ve almost never used the GF lenses at all

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Way too big of a camera for me. It dwarfes my Z6 (almost) I already consider the X-Pro to be kind of big. I have larger cameras (Nikon D700, D2X,...) but all of those have sublime ergonomics with large deep grips.

The GFX50R doesn't.





Also, this goes without saying, but the X-Pro 2 would probably be the most expensive camera I will ever buy (850+€, so far my most expensive camera has been my Nikon Z6 which cost me around 700). A GFX 50R is more than the price of my car, litterally, and about 3 times the price of an X-Pro2



Also, if I was concerned about the EVF size, I would keep my X-T2. What interests me on the X-Pro 2 is to have the same kind of OVF as I have on my X100S.

I'm looking at a way to make my X-T2 more fun to shoot. I'm not looking into enterning a new system, with a new sensor format, with a camera twice as large, inability to use my X mount lenses, all of that to not be able to be the thing I want that camera for.

This is the kind of purchase that would make me wish I kept the camera I was aiming to sell.

--
(G.A.S. and collectionnite will get my skin one day)

Thanks everyone for the feedback ! I think I do know a little bit more what I want in the future as fas as my Fujifilm camera lineup goes.

I toyed with the idea of selling the X100S and X-T2 to replacement them both with an X-Pro2. Budget-wise it made sense (I can sell my X-T2 for around 600€ all in, and my X100S for around 450€. In my mind a used X-Pro2 would be in the viccinity of 1000€, so selling both would cover the cost of the pro 2 at no additional expense).

But since then, I decided that I'm going to only sell the X-T2 + accessories, and keep my X100S. It's yet another experience from the X-Pro that I wanted to replace it with, and it would not be used for the same things either.

On top of that, I have found quite a few listings for X-Pro2s between 700 and 750€, which is a much more reasonable pricepoint than the one I imagined. Geting one around 750€ would mean that it would still be a minimal cost to me, even if I keep my X100S.

In the end, my Fujifilm camera lineup will be something like :

- X-T1 (not going anywhere, and I keep a camera with a large EVF if I need one)

- X-Pro2

- X100S

With the T1 and Pro2 used with the limited lens linup I still have in X mount (7artisan 25mm f/1.8 and 60mm macro, XF 35mm f/2 and XF 18-135mm (I think I'll mostly use that last one only on the X-T1 though)) as well as the few Nikon F and M42 manual lenses that I like to use (Helios 58mm f/2, Pentacon 135mm f/2.8, Nikon E series 50mm, Vivitar 28mm f/2.8, among others)

Hopefully this will shut the G.A.S sirens off for a little while, and will make me putsome more use in Fujifilm cameras

Again, thanks everyone for the feedback and participation in this thread ! Especially @Ringwraith69 that has given particularly useful user feedback about the X-Pro2 !

A few personal words about the X-Pro2: I bought one as a "fun" sidekick to my "serious" X-T3. It was indeed fun for a year or so, particularly with a small prime and the OVF.

To my mind, the OVF is the reason the X-Pro exists. While it has an EVF, I didn't use it much. After all, that's what I had the X-T for. If you don't specifically like the OVF, there are clearly better choices.

The OVF is a lot of fun, though. Just the fact that you can't judge focus, nor exposure, nor color, is frankly freeing. You look, you point, you shoot. It's that simple. Of course the flip side is also true: you can't judge framing exactly, you can't preview the shutter speed, and learning to read the focus indicator took a bit of learning for me. On the whole, this meant that I'd generally avoid super-fast lenses, and did miss some shots. When I wanted to be sure to get the shot, I took the X-T, not the X-Pro. Still, for idling through a city in search for street shots, or for casually collecting memories on vacation, the X-Pro2 was a great joy.

The OVF needs to view past the lens, and for that it needs to sit a bit removed from the lens. This makes the X-Pro2 necessarily chunky. But sort of in a good way. I loved the feel of this light-but-solid brick-shape. For me, it provided more than enough purchase to hold one-handed. But it is a big body, no doubt about it. The combined ISO/shutter wheel looks cool and works well, but it is clearly inferior to separate wheels. I didn't mind it, though, mostly since I don't tend to mess with ISO much.

On paper, it sounded interesting to be able to see outside the frame lines. But somehow that never came up in my photography. Of course the OVF really only works for 16-35mm. That is, with the weird exception of birding: I found it extremely useful to see the whole sky while tracking birds. They were tiny in the frame, but it made it absolutely trivial to track them. I also used the 16-80 for one trip on the OVF only. It was a fun novelty, and actually good fun, but at the end of the day not all that useful.

Three major drawbacks of the X-Pro2, specifically, is the lack of USB charging, no touch screen, and a fixed screen. This may be a me problem, but these things annoyed me. The AF is of course no longer Fuji's latest.

At the end of the day, I sold it with no regrets. A fun time had been had, but I simply prefer an EVF.

I’ve had all three of those X-cams. The X100S stays more for sentimental reasons than anything else as it is my first Fuji camera. Not really a fan of the OVF which is my loss I guess.

Had a lovely Graphite X Pro2 that is now making great images with its new owner in France. Loved it - particularly with the small primes. Wasn’t a fan of using it with zooms as the EVF is subpar and I found the ISO dial fiddly. It is also pretty chunky relatively speaking.

A lovely thing to behold, a nice sounding shutter but I still used the X-T2 more than the X Pro2 so it has moved on.

Certainly everyone here enjoys different aspects of the cameras but personally I dig the X-Tx controls.

Non-XT Fuji cameras just aren’t as rewarding for me to use so I don’t shoot them much.

For those interested to know more about my G.A.S adventures : https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67996589

(I sent the camera back)

So I was able to handle an X-Pro2 today, and I have some thoughts...

First of all the camera didn't feel very comfortable to hold... I felt like the front grip was in the way of my fingers and I wished it was slimmer, like it is on the X-Pro1, or my X100S + leather case. Compared to the very nicely shaped grip of the X-T2 it's a step back.

The camera is very well built but I was a little disconcerted by the feeling of the dials. The dials on my X-T2 felt a lot heavier and more "full" if that makes sense : the dual dial of the X-Pro2 was a little bit rattly, with a light sound. Also, why does it have a lock only on the A position and not a toggle switch like on the X-T bodies? This made changing the ISO a little bit of a hassle if you don't use auto shutter speed. The exposure compensation was nice though, definitely nicer than the pretty hard to turn one that's on the X-T2.

The front and back command dials were also a bit of a dissapointment. They are just as easy to turn as the X-T2's (which in my mind is a good thing), however the back dial is very much tucked in and if you want to press it, you really need to position your thumb a certain way compared to the very easy to press dial on the X-T2.

The back screen seems to have scaling issues. The iamge itself is sharper because of the increased resolution vs X-T2 but when it comes to text, the border of letters are a little smeared, like it the camera was trying to read a signal not made for the panel resolution (you see the same thing on PCs when you use a 1440p screen and use it to output a 1080p signal)

You can't repurpose the AE-L and AF-L buttons, only switch their place. On the X-T2 you can make them do whatever you want, so that's effectively 2 less function buttons.

The Little window for manual focusing when using the OVF is pretty cool, however I didn't feel like this is a very practical solution at all. I really struggled to make focus with it on a stationary subject. I didn't have enough time to see if there was a way to decrease the magnification of that window.

Everything else seems pretty much exactly the same as my X-T2 (autofocus). The camera handles overall well, I like the OVF (especially with my 35mm f/2).

So um, yeah I guess this was a constructive experience : I don't really crave an X-Pro2 the way I was a week ago I guess. Too many things from the X-T2 that I took for granted when it comes to firmware and overall feel of the camera. In my head it was simply an X-T2 in rangefinder style form, but it's more of an X-T1 with a new sensor / processor looking at the way we can repurpose buttons, the way the dials / doors handle etc.

And the viewfinder was a little more dissapointing than I thought, even though the OVF itself was great to have in an ILC form.

So, let's just say that if I was to get an X-Pro camera again after tomorrow, it would still be an X-Pro2 rather than an X-Pro 1 (too old, no diopter correction dial on the viewfinder, disspointing EVF & AF) or X-Pro3 (way too expensive, not a fan of the X-Trans IV, not a fan of the screen design).

However I have tempered my expectations, I know what I'm getting and I will maybe get one... in a much longer time frame. Maybe next year, or the year after that depending on how the prices go.

For the moment I think I'll simply learn to enjoy my X-T2 again, and deal with the lack of OVF.

Also :

I came to the realization that you can't do proper back button focusing on the X-Pro2. You need to use the AF-L button in manual focus mode, and that's AF-S action only. The point of BBF is to be used in AF-C. On the X-T2 it's pretty nice, as I can use shutter AF in AF-S, and BBF in AF-C, it's actually very nice. Just like the X100F, it also doesn't have access to the custom AF-C profiles as far as I know, which are not only a "nice to have" thing, but are mandatory if you want this autofocus system to perform well on moving subjects.

I don't understand why Fujifilm never rolled out updates to the X-Pro2's firmware to bring it up to par with the X-T2? Both cameras share the same sensor and processor, have the same menu system... yet the X-Pro2 is stuck with the same control layout and functionning as the X-T1, which was pretty limited in my opinion. And it's not like the X-Pro2 never got any updates, it had a pretty extensive firmware update cycle, adding 4K video and tutti quanti.

Rolling out the X-T2's firmware to the X-Pro2 should have been done back in 2016. I was okay paying upwards of 750€ for an X-T2 in a rangefinder styled body with an OVF. I'm not paying that for an X-T1 with an updated sensor in a rangefinder styled body.

So um... yeah. That puts a pretty hard stop to my "X-Pro ventures", maybe I'll grab one when the price comes down further, but it's not that it will not replace my X-T2, it simply can't do it at all, even if I wanted it to. That's a bummer.

Maybe that damaged X-Pro2 (which I probably wouldn't have returned if it wasn't) was a good thing in the end, it allowed me to test it, see the limitations before commiting to it.

As we say in french, Un peu de chance dans la malchance !

Just one correction: The AF-C custom settings have been implemented on the X-Pro2. See page 94 of the manual.

dfom said:

Just one correction: The AF-C custom settings have been implemented on the X-Pro2. See page 94 of the manual.

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Thanks, that's nice to know. I searched for them but didn't find them in the menus somehow

Hmm, kind of sorry to hear that the X-Pro2 disappointed you. I can recognize and understand each and every negative point you're describing. And yet at the same time to me they have never held me back on fully enjoying the X-Pro2.

In fact, we just spent 6 days in London to see the Veteran Car Run (London to Brighton) 2024 and I took both my X-Pro2 and X-H1. And for some situations I knew I needed the X-H1's better AF tracking and other qualities to get the shots I wanted. So I used the X-H1 where it was the best suited of the two. But everytime I knew the X-Pro2 could do the job, too, that was the camera I used and I enjoyed handling it so much more.

In the end, it will always be a case of personal preference which camera suits you best. And you've tried the X-Pro2 and unfortunately it's not the camera you hoped for. At least not, as I gather, at this point in time. Maybe try out an X-Pro3 or have another go at the Pro2 and you'll warm up to it. In the mean time: enjoy your X-T2!

Ringwraith69 said:

Hmm, kind of sorry to hear that the X-Pro2 disappointed you. I can recognize and understand each and every negative point you're describing. And yet at the same time to me they have never held me back on fully enjoying the X-Pro2.

In fact, we just spent 6 days in London to see the Veteran Car Run (London to Brighton) 2024 and I took both my X-Pro2 and X-H1. And for some situations I knew I needed the X-H1's better AF tracking and other qualities to get the shots I wanted. So I used the X-H1 where it was the best suited of the two. But everytime I knew the X-Pro2 could do the job, too, that was the camera I used and I enjoyed handling it so much more.

In the end, it will always be a case of personal preference which camera suits you best. And you've tried the X-Pro2 and unfortunately it's not the camera you hoped for. At least not, as I gather, at this point in time. Maybe try out an X-Pro3 or have another go at the Pro2 and you'll warm up to it. In the mean time: enjoy your X-T2!

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Oh, I'll definitely have another go at the X-Pro2 !

I'll just have managed expectations when I get another one. I think that after using my X-T2 for several years and having an X100 (then X100S) on the side, I envisionned an ideal camera, basically an X-T2 with the X100's OVF and failed to take into account the fact that firmware might not match, that the OVF needs to be considerably more complex because of the ILC nature of the X-Pro line, ultimately meaning compromises to be made when it comes to the size of the viewfinder itself.

My only regret is that it's still a classic camera with a cult following + the X100V hype didn't help in bringing the prices down. An X-Pro2 in good shape will always be 80 to 100% more expensive than an X-T2 in equivalent shape, and considering you have to accept some setbacks on a few crucial points, that makes the purchase itself a little hard to swallow.

I paid 750€ for the broken X-Pro2 I recieved earlier this week, I remember paying 480€ for the basically brand new used X-T2 I bought back in 2021. And that was the cheapest X-Pro2 I could find that "looked okay" in the listings.

Let's just say that instead of rushing out to get an X-Pro2 as fast as possible (which was difinitely my mental state last week), I'm now a bit more reserved, and I'm happy to wait until I find a particularly good deal or until the prices fall down a little bit further (if I can manage to find one around 600€, this is where I would consider buying one today).

Qs explained in my other posts... I don't have much interest for the X-Pro3. I don't really enjoy the X-Trans IV (the X-Trans III is by far my favourite Fujifilm sensor), the screen design doesn't inspireme too much (I definitely shoot from the back screen a fair bit with my X100 and the screen design of the X-Pro3 would just get in my way) and the removal of the D-Pad is not OK with me (muh fuction buttons !). And that's not even mentionning the price ! It's about twice as expensive as my current main camera (Nikon Z6), and clearly out of my budget for quite a few years I'm afraid.

I would have gotten an X-Pro1 if it had a diopter correction dial on its viewfinder.

If there's an X-Pro camera I'm getting it's the X-Pro2 without a doubt. And I'm too obsessed about the form factor and the OVF to not get one at some point. I'm happy to just learn how to use my X-T2 again in the meantime !

MJ_Photo38 said:

I would have gotten an X-Pro1 if it had a diopter correction dial on its viewfinder.

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Is that because you regularly change the diopter, or because you believe the X-Pro1 diopter is not adjustable?

With the X-Pro1, you can fit screw-in diopters. They are the same as the ones for Nikon film SLRs. If you don’t wear glasses (or don’t look through them when using the viewfinder), then it’s relatively easy to get hold of the diopters; if you use glasses then you probably want a rubberised diopter, and they are harder to find. (Typically I found one shortly after I ceased to own an X-Pro1… I still have it, for the day when I find a bargain Pro1 )

If you never need to adjust it then it’s actually a better solution than the X-Pro2 because it can’t be knocked out of adjustment (which the Pro2 is somewhat susceptible to).

Jeff Biscuits said:

MJ_Photo38 said:

I would have gotten an X-Pro1 if it had a diopter correction dial on its viewfinder.

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Is that because you regularly change the diopter, or because you believe the X-Pro1 diopter is not adjustable?

With the X-Pro1, you can fit screw-in diopters. They are the same as the ones for Nikon film SLRs. If you don’t wear glasses (or don’t look through them when using the viewfinder), then it’s relatively easy to get hold of the diopters; if you use glasses then you probably want a rubberised diopter, and they are harder to find. (Typically I found one shortly after I ceased to own an X-Pro1… I still have it, for the day when I find a bargain Pro1 )

If you never need to adjust it then it’s actually a better solution than the X-Pro2 because it can’t be knocked out of adjustment (which the Pro2 is somewhat susceptible to).

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I mean the viewfinder thing on the X-Pro1 is the biggest thing for sure, I guess it's not the only one (the EVF on that camera is really too old, I rememebr the one int eh original X100 it was not a fun experience).

The reason I need a diopter is because I wear glasses but completely despise shooting with them. So I basically need the EVF / OVF to match my vision.

I have tried to find corrective lenses that would be good for me, but I need -3 and they're not only hard to find, but the few that you can find are expensive as hell. Couple that with the X-Pro1 being yet another cult camera and generally costing about 500€, well this doesn't seem much worth it.

(Didn't mention the lack of weather sealing, which would confine it to a "niche fun camera" for me, not one that I use for most of my work, which is was I envisionned the X-Pro2 to do)

As I said, if I was to get an X-Pro, it would definitely be the Pro2 without any sort of doubt.

Personal story but I’m about to return to the X-Pro2 for another stint, after shooting it for years previously and then migrating through the X-Pro3 and into Sony full frame for a while. The XP2 keeps calling me back as its the best realised of all the X-Pro bodies, and particularly after the Sony experience I think I know more than ever that I’m an X-Pro shooter at heart.

For me, EVFs leave me cold. I can use them fine and of course I understand all the advantages, but I just really dislike all the distractions (ie seeing the constant exposure, focus and white balances changes), the distance it puts between you and the subject, and the fact that it invariably never quite matches the reality you’re seeing with your other eye. I use them as a tool when it makes sense of course, to check composition etc, but I much, much prefer to shoot more freely with the OVF, and that’s ultimately what makes the X-Pros so much better for me.

On top of that, the Sony’s reminded me just how much I value the hands on manual controls (just being able to glance at the camera, even when it’s switched off, and both see and change all the core exposure settings for example). And then yes, the style of it, the fact it makes you want to pick it up and shoot, that’s important too.

I recommend anyone to try it, but don’t take too many preconceptions in and just shoot it as it’s designed. It’s not an XT camera and that’s entirely deliberate.

Same!

Okay, so I have had time to reflect on my Fujifilm gear in the last week or so.

I tried to use only my X-T2 and my X100S and not be distracted by the other systems I use, to really set my mind on something, and I've come to the following conclusions :

- The OVF in the X100S and the form factor (corner viewfinder, mostly flat body) was by far the most fun camera experience I could have had with the current cameras I own. The X-Pro2's OVF might be a little smaller, but that might be worth it in the end. The little EVF window sounded like a great idea for manual focusing with the OVF, but for the short time I used it on the X-Pro2 that I got for a day, it was't terribly practical to use, and using longer focal lengths (like 50mm and above) might prove challenging.

- my main problem with the X-T2 really is that I don't have the right lenses for it. My only autofocused lens that I use regularly is the 35mm f/2 (I'm really a 50mm guy), then I have my 18-135 that I never use except for the 18mm FOV, and then it's all manual focus lenses. I think I'll start with changing my Fujifilm lens setup before anything else, starting with selling my 7artisans macro lens and 18-135, replacing them with a used Fuji 18mm f/2 and a Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 (which seems to be optically good and small, as well as being cheap and widely available). So in the end I'd keep 4 primes (18mm, 7A 25mm, 35mm and 56mm) with anything longer being taken care of by the fringer adapter and my Nikon lenses.

- if that goes well, I'll maybe look at getting an X-Pro2 again (one that isn't bashed in this time) to replace the X-T2. THe firmware quirks are a little annoying, but I think I'll be able to get used to them (after all, they don't bother bme when I use my X-T1 or X100S, I don't see a reason why they would bother me with the X-Pro2).

Feeling like I might finally stop overthinking about all of this.

MJ_Photo38 said:

Okay, so I have had time to reflect on my Fujifilm gear in the last week or so.

I tried to use only my X-T2 and my X100S and not be distracted by the other systems I use, to really set my mind on something, and I've come to the following conclusions :

- The OVF in the X100S and the form factor (corner viewfinder, mostly flat body) was by far the most fun camera experience I could have had with the current cameras I own. The X-Pro2's OVF might be a little smaller, but that might be worth it in the end. The little EVF window sounded like a great idea for manual focusing with the OVF, but for the short time I used it on the X-Pro2 that I got for a day, it was't terribly practical to use, and using longer focal lengths (like 50mm and above) might prove challenging.

- my main problem with the X-T2 really is that I don't have the right lenses for it. My only autofocused lens that I use regularly is the 35mm f/2 (I'm really a 50mm guy), then I have my 18-135 that I never use except for the 18mm FOV, and then it's all manual focus lenses. I think I'll start with changing my Fujifilm lens setup before anything else, starting with selling my 7artisans macro lens and 18-135, replacing them with a used Fuji 18mm f/2 and a Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 (which seems to be optically good and small, as well as being cheap and widely available). So in the end I'd keep 4 primes (18mm, 7A 25mm, 35mm and 56mm) with anything longer being taken care of by the fringer adapter and my Nikon lenses.

- if that goes well, I'll maybe look at getting an X-Pro2 again (one that isn't bashed in this time) to replace the X-T2. THe firmware quirks are a little annoying, but I think I'll be able to get used to them (after all, they don't bother bme when I use my X-T1 or X100S, I don't see a reason why they would bother me with the X-Pro2).

Feeling like I might finally stop overthinking about all of this.

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FWIW, I still own a X100S (my gateway drug into Fuji-X) and X-Pro2. Gave my X-T2 to my niece. Bought a X100S.

I agree with your path forward: stick with the X-T2 and figure out the lens situation.

My problem with X-Pro2 right now is that it is insanely expensive on the used market. I bought my X-Pro2 used for $600 years ago. If I can skip the hybrid viewfinder, I rather put the money for a X-Pro2 towards X-M5 or X-T50 for the newer sensor and faster/more accurate AF.

For me, a small kit is about what fits in the camera bag that you are willing to carry when you want to go light and not what camera is currently around your neck. All of your options are light enough it won't cause neck strain. Your X-T2 and X100S can definitely lock you in on what lens complements what you want to do. X100S can be your 23/2 lens along side your X-T2 with other lenses in your bag.

I tried my X100S again and it did scratch the hybrid viewfinder itch. X-Pro2 with a 27/2.8 WR or 23/2 also worked for me, aside from the extra thickness of the camera in my pocket and 3L sling bag. X-Pro2 was a real joy when I paired it with short lenses that lets me use the OVF well.

MarcosV said:

MJ_Photo38 said:

Okay, so I have had time to reflect on my Fujifilm gear in the last week or so.

I tried to use only my X-T2 and my X100S and not be distracted by the other systems I use, to really set my mind on something, and I've come to the following conclusions :

- The OVF in the X100S and the form factor (corner viewfinder, mostly flat body) was by far the most fun camera experience I could have had with the current cameras I own. The X-Pro2's OVF might be a little smaller, but that might be worth it in the end. The little EVF window sounded like a great idea for manual focusing with the OVF, but for the short time I used it on the X-Pro2 that I got for a day, it was't terribly practical to use, and using longer focal lengths (like 50mm and above) might prove challenging.

- my main problem with the X-T2 really is that I don't have the right lenses for it. My only autofocused lens that I use regularly is the 35mm f/2 (I'm really a 50mm guy), then I have my 18-135 that I never use except for the 18mm FOV, and then it's all manual focus lenses. I think I'll start with changing my Fujifilm lens setup before anything else, starting with selling my 7artisans macro lens and 18-135, replacing them with a used Fuji 18mm f/2 and a Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 (which seems to be optically good and small, as well as being cheap and widely available). So in the end I'd keep 4 primes (18mm, 7A 25mm, 35mm and 56mm) with anything longer being taken care of by the fringer adapter and my Nikon lenses.

- if that goes well, I'll maybe look at getting an X-Pro2 again (one that isn't bashed in this time) to replace the X-T2. THe firmware quirks are a little annoying, but I think I'll be able to get used to them (after all, they don't bother bme when I use my X-T1 or X100S, I don't see a reason why they would bother me with the X-Pro2).

Feeling like I might finally stop overthinking about all of this.

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FWIW, I still own a X100S (my gateway drug into Fuji-X) and X-Pro2. Gave my X-T2 to my niece. Bought a X100S.

I agree with your path forward: stick with the X-T2 and figure out the lens situation.

My problem with X-Pro2 right now is that it is insanely expensive on the used market. I bought my X-Pro2 used for $600 years ago. If I can skip the hybrid viewfinder, I rather put the money for a X-Pro2 towards X-M5 or X-T50 for the newer sensor and faster/more accurate AF.

For me, a small kit is about what fits in the camera bag that you are willing to carry when you want to go light and not what camera is currently around your neck. All of your options are light enough it won't cause neck strain. Your X-T2 and X100S can definitely lock you in on what lens complements what you want to do. X100S can be your 23/2 lens along side your X-T2 with other lenses in your bag.

I tried my X100S again and it did scratch the hybrid viewfinder itch. X-Pro2 with a 27/2.8 WR or 23/2 also worked for me, aside from the extra thickness of the camera in my pocket and 3L sling bag. X-Pro2 was a real joy when I paired it with short lenses that lets me use the OVF well.

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Yes that's kind of where I'm at too. Right now I only use Fujifilm cameras as fun and enjoyable cameras to use when I'm out on a walk, street photography and personal stuff like friends and family, things like that.

If I want a small setup, my Olympus E-M5ii is smaller than anything I have on Fuji (even the X100S) and can fill all the roles I would want a dedicated camera to fill when I'm travelling or on a hike. The only "problem" is that it's not as fun to use as the X100S

And for other instances where I need better image quality, better autofocus, better ergonomics, things like that, I have my Nikon Z6.

The Fuji kit ended up in that kind of weird in-between and the only thing that was making me pick up a Fujifilm camera was when I wanted to enjoy the process, and I picked the X100S. The X-T2 feels too much like my Z6 to me. Sure the lqarge EVF is nice, but it's very much an efficient camera at heart, and if I want to have an efficient design the Z6 beats it.

That's why I think that even if the OVF in the X-Pro2 was a little small, it could be a worthy tradeoff instead of simply letting the X-T2 gather dust somewhere.

MJ_Photo38 said:

The Fuji kit ended up in that kind of weird in-between and the only thing that was making me pick up a Fujifilm camera was when I wanted to enjoy the process, and I picked the X100S. The X-T2 feels too much like my Z6 to me. Sure the lqarge EVF is nice, but it's very much an efficient camera at heart, and if I want to have an efficient design the Z6 beats it.

That's why I think that even if the OVF in the X-Pro2 was a little small, it could be a worthy tradeoff instead of simply letting the X-T2 gather dust somewhere.

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Honestly I don't think the X-Pro2 OVF is too small. I do like the X-Pro2's OVF over the OVF implementation in the X-Pro3 when it comes to certain prime focal lengths. The focal lengths the OVF works with is fairly limited.

I store my X-Pro2 with all the lenses I would use it with in a single Peak Design small camera cube. That is the X-Pro2, 23/2, 35/2, 50/2, 14/2.8, with the 27/2.8 WR as the body cap for the X-Pro2. Casually walking around with a subset of those primes and the hybrid viewfinder of the X-Pro2 is great alternative for me.

I finally got a good condition X-Pro2 yesterday (this time without a broken bottom plate, broken card door and scratches everywhere), with the original box and everything.

I'm pretty sure this time I'm keeping it, so the X-T2 goes back on the chopping block.

Weirdly, the size of the viewfinder didn't bother me nearly as much as the last time I had one in my hands, however I think I'm definitely getting a thumb rest.