X-E3: Wonderful IQ in a good-looking and compact form factor

Lenses are another topic I have to tackle. I've been playing with a 27mm pancake on my Canon, and that's been fun, but not so fun that I would go with Fuji X100F, at least not yet. I think I'll want some of versatility. I've looked at the 23/2, also the 35/2. I imagine I'll end up with the 18-55 to start, but am curious about the handling. I don't want to go back to toting a lot of stuff.

The 18-55 pairs very well with the X-E3. Personally, a grip for this type of camera is overkill, and negates it’s small size. If you were using larger zooms more regularly then I suspect you’d have a larger camera body.

I ask, because I've handled the X-E3 only once and don't have a clear memory of what lens was on it. I do recall that I liked how the camera body felt in general. I would seriously consider a grip on the X-T30 with the 18-55, for example, if that model were in contention (it kinda is). As with the X-E3, a grip on the X-T30 would negate the small size, but even with my small hands, I find the it a little cramped. (Might be my aging fingers joints.) If I'm thinking of a grip for the X-T30, then seems like I might as well go with the other candidate at the top of my list, the X-T2.

I really think it's down to X-T2 and X-E3 and which set of pluses/minuses I want to go with. They come out pretty much even on my tally, so now I'm looking at the lens question to see if that tilts it either way.

the X-E3 shines with the smaller Fujicrons. The 35/1.4 looks a tad large, but still doesn’t need a grip.

I use the 55-230 on occasion, and use it without a grip. That handling combo is “satisfactory”. I’m ok with it, as it’s my least used lens.

For me, it’s mostly the 23/2 and 18-55. I may look at replacing the 18-55 with the 16-80. That depends on the reviews. The 18-55 is small and razor sharp.

Yes, really thinking that 23/2 will come up for me at some point.

cloud woman wrote:

KariP wrote:

cloud woman wrote:

KariP wrote:

cloud woman wrote:

xb70fan wrote:

I’ve never found my X-E3 slow. Paired with the Lensmate thumb rest it’s one of the most comfortable cameras I’ve owned. My only complaint would be battery life. I use it in high performance mode.

I wish Fuji would give us a fast 35 or 40mm equivalent prime with an aperture ring. I use the 23/2 a lot, and sometimes pine for an X100 ... but the X-E3 is so versatile.

Thanks, that's good to know. With a prime, I assume it wouldn't need a grip. What about with the 18-55?

Lenses are another topic I have to tackle. I've been playing with a 27mm pancake on my Canon, and that's been fun, but not so fun that I would go with Fuji X100F, at least not yet. I think I'll want some of versatility. I've looked at the 23/2, also the 35/2. I imagine I'll end up with the 18-55 to start, but am curious about the handling. I don't want to go back to toting a lot of stuff.

I bought my first Fujifilm camera X-E1 several years ago with 18-55 ... it is still the lens I travel with and it is a lens that I have used for 90% my better images. No 2 is 10-24 .

People say they really absolutely need primes - I'm not sure for what. 56f1,2 is a great lens for example, but it is made for a special shallow DOF purpose. I travel with 18-55 and 10-24 - both OIS lenses !

Part of the appeal of primes for me is the idea of paring down to one or two focal lengths and being creative with them. But sometimes you just like having that zoom!

X-E3 is not especially good for difficult fast moving subjects - keeper rate of images of a kid having fun in a swing is guide low compared to my 5DMkIV. Or things like sports or BIF...

Yeah, BIF would be fun; I used to shoot some football, but no more. I might want to shoot some fast-moving things, so maybe that's a concern here.

For everything else X-E3 is just great. And very portable.

Portable is getting to be more of a thing for me, for sure.

Didn't you just love your 40D? Mine's still going strong, but since we can have a few more megapixels now, I'd like to have them. I'll be glad to leave CF cards behind, too.

After 40D I bought 7D. and that is sold and then bought a FF and so on... of course 40D was a very good camera to start with some 12 years ago !

I spend very much of my time by the sea/ at sea or archipelago in Hanko and the light is often quite contrasty. Dynamic range of a sensor is important IMO. Fujifilm cameras are especially suitable for some seaside landscapes and traveling .

Canon cameras have other good sides - like fast AF, ergonomics etc - and 5DMkIV has also decent DR (like 80D). Very nice to carry the load in a big backpack

Ha, yes, that's a load for sure. I used to do a backpack, but I just won't anymore. FF has never tempted me, because I don't want to hesitate about what I want or don't want to carry. Well, also the price. Photography isn't my only hobby.

I've always loved Canon and have always had at least a point-and-shoot of theirs alongside my larger cameras.

It is just so easy to walk around and travel with a smaller lightweight system in a smaller shoulder bag . I did some trips with just one lens (18-55 in Rome for example). Small cameras are also unobtrusive and do not look like "weapons of mass destruction".

These are gorgeous images.

... thanks

I do not exactly know why started with FF. Of course the price of 5DMkIV is reasonable nowadays and i could trade some old gear. There is something in FF ...

I have tried to do some BIF photography and the weight of a big 100-400L lens  with 5D  is quite heavy - the weight of a camera body becomes insignificant ... a X-T3 with Fujinon 100-400  is not   so much easier  to carry around. X-H1 is obviously the best BIF camera Fuji has made

I like to have two systems because i really have "two lives". I usually carry the heavy FF gear backpack  in a boat or just the camera with one lens when i walk on the beach. We visit some small island routinely and the distances are really short. No long walks on a 5 acre island    I crawl around with my FF gear taking landscapes, macro shots of plants and bugs and sometimes butterflies or birds (BIF)

Price of X-E3 is at the monet 700€ and X-T3 is 1400€ . X-E3 is almost cheap!

X-T2 /3 is more like a real system camera and very solid/ WR . I can live with X-E3 and perhaps there is a X-T4 coming in future. X-T3 is almost perfect already, but X-T4 will  possibly be  "more perfect"  😎

I think X-E3  is closer to my original and old  Leica - dream (could not afford it)  and it  is almost pocketable. Funny and usable option is the automatic jpeg  mode that we occasionally use for selfies  - fool proof and also anyone on the street can push the button. It works. Great for traveling - here in Finland or anywhere (except Swalbard or Antarctica - where i have never been to) )

Image quality is about the same with all more expensive X-x models. What i like especially is the quality of RAW files - very adjustable  and Capture One pro has also all the film simulations for RAW processing.

There was a period when i shot mostly JPEGs - now just RAW.

Perhaps X-T2/3  is better in many ways - -E3 is not a mistake if you take it. Did not ask if  you live in a cold country/place. X-Tx will work in -15°C quite well - my T1 did

There’s a sale on right now.

i was looking for a travel camera to augment my Canon 5D2 system. We’ve had the opportunity to travel for both fun and work and I was tired of lugging around the Canon kit.

I rented the X-T2, X-Pro2 and X-E2 (before the E3 release). I ended up pre-ordering the E3.

It has worked out so well I’m selling my Canon body and some lenses (keeping some I use on the Fuji).  I also bought a used X-E2 since I love shooting with two bodies.

The X-H1 sale was too good to pass up so I just bought one, but I doubt it will be traveling when we fly.

I highly recommend buying a kit with the 18-55. You won’t be able to match the price.  I started with it and the Samyang 12mm. I’ve added the 55-200 and the fabulous 16mm 1.4. I also shoot with a bevy of vintage lenses and Canon L lenses.

KariP wrote:

... thanks

I do not exactly know why started with FF. Of course the price of 5DMkIV is reasonable nowadays and i could trade some old gear. There is something in FF ...

I have tried to do some BIF photography and the weight of a big 100-400L lens with 5D is quite heavy - the weight of a camera body becomes insignificant ... a X-T3 with Fujinon 100-400 is not so much easier to carry around. X-H1 is obviously the best BIF camera Fuji has made

I like to have two systems because i really have "two lives". I usually carry the heavy FF gear backpack in a boat or just the camera with one lens when i walk on the beach. We visit some small island routinely and the distances are really short. No long walks on a 5 acre island I crawl around with my FF gear taking landscapes, macro shots of plants and bugs and sometimes butterflies or birds (BIF)

Your little island sounds lovely! I like to have two photo lives, also--one more serious camera, the other not as much, and neither of them too heavy. I like quick access and not much planning, and usually I'm taking photos as part of another activity. I rarely go out just with my camera. I should!

Price of X-E3 is at the monet 700€ and X-T3 is 1400€ . X-E3 is almost cheap!

Yes, hard to ignore the price of the X-E3. I'm seeing $599 US right now.

X-T2 /3 is more like a real system camera and very solid/ WR . I can live with X-E3 and perhaps there is a X-T4 coming in future. X-T3 is almost perfect already, but X-T4 will possibly be "more perfect" 😎

"More perfect" seems to involve video these days, which doesn't interest me, but I'm happy for those who like it. I'm debating between an X-E3 or a used X-T2, trying to decide how much camera I want. X-T3 is very nice, but wow--there's a lot there. In the X-T2, also, of course, but without the brand new price.

I think X-E3 is closer to my original and old Leica - dream (could not afford it) and it is almost pocketable. Funny and usable option is the automatic jpeg mode that we occasionally use for selfies - fool proof and also anyone on the street can push the button. It works. Great for traveling - here in Finland or anywhere (except Swalbard or Antarctica - where i have never been to) )

Image quality is about the same with all more expensive X-x models. What i like especially is the quality of RAW files - very adjustable and Capture One pro has also all the film simulations for RAW processing.

There was a period when i shot mostly JPEGs - now just RAW.

I've flip-flopped between the two, but want to move to only RAW. I was looking at Capture One the other day--I read somewhere that it's best for Fuji? I just have PhotoShop at the moment.

Perhaps X-T2/3 is better in many ways - -E3 is not a mistake if you take it. Did not ask if you live in a cold country/place. X-Tx will work in -15°C quite well - my T1 did

I live in the central part of Texas, where it was about 100°F/37°C today, which is normal this time of year. We worry much more about cameras getting too hot. We have some snow about once a year, sometimes a few inches, but usually just a light dusting. 

Doug MacMillan wrote:

I highly recommend buying a kit with the 18-55. You won’t be able to match the price.

100% agree. Get the 18-55 as part of the kit. I’ve never considered myself a kit or mid-range zoom guy, but the 18-55 is one of the best you’ll find in any system.

re. Editors: CP1 has impressed me a lot. I prefer to use JPG, but when I need the RAW CP1 does a fine job. Plus, you have all the Fuji film simulations.

xb70fan wrote:

Doug MacMillan wrote:

I highly recommend buying a kit with the 18-55. You won’t be able to match the price.

100% agree. Get the 18-55 as part of the kit. I’ve never considered myself a kit or mid-range zoom guy, but the 18-55 is one of the best you’ll find in any system.

re. Editors: CP1 has impressed me a lot. I prefer to use JPG, but when I need the RAW CP1 does a fine job. Plus, you have all the Fuji film simulations.

We were talking lenses here, but it goes into the bigger deliberation, and you guys are sounding sensible. I think I had begun thinking this way. Buy the X-E3/18-55 kit. Then, pick up a used X-T2 later if I still want it and sell the X-E3 or not. I really like the X-T2, but I also want to maximize $$.

I would like to buy the One Camera (aka the Holy Grail), and of course that's elusive. But with the X-E3 kit, I'd at least get the lens for a good price and could then sell the X-E3 later if I decided I had to have an X-T2 or something else. Or face the apparently persistent reality of having two cameras. I think I'd like the X-E3.

I like the looks of CP1. Would be nice to step away from Adobe's clutches for a change.

The XE3 is a compelling camera

For me what is missing: WR and a tilting screen

baobob wrote:

The XE3 is a compelling camera

Compelling, I like that.

For me what is missing: WR and a tilting screen

Those are what's missing for me, too, which is why X-T2 remains a candidate. I haven't had a tilting screen up to now, so I can do without it, but I think it would be so useful.

cloud woman wrote:

baobob wrote:

The XE3 is a compelling camera

Compelling, I like that.

For me what is missing: WR and a tilting screen

Those are what's missing for me, too, which is why X-T2 remains a candidate. I haven't had a tilting screen up to now, so I can do without it, but I think it would be so useful.

A flip-out screen would be nice to have. It was very handy when I had my Pen-F. I would regularly flip it backwards when shooting, and a few people asked me about my “old film” camera.

I found the tilting screen to be a big bonus to shoot overhead or on the contrary at the ground level