Switch from X-E3 to X-Pro2 just for EVF (MF)

I'm currently contemplating selling my X-E3 - which is nice & compact and does about 90% as the X-Pro does. But currently I'm heading into 100% manual lenses, with no communication & AF. Possibly M39 lenses... Currently a 35 F1.2 third party old style lens.

So I'm wondering if somebody has both bodies or did the same switch and could point out whether the EVF is really better in the X-Pro2 - especially for manual focus.

The OVF is no priority for me. But, I have not used it yet, so I'm open for it.

Most internal MF aids are the same (except for yellow peaking, I believe) with both cameras, so it would be more about size, resolution and refreshrate of the EVF.

I realize that the SLR type Fuji's have bigger EVF's, but because my pro system is SLR type, I would prefer to have another form factor for my "fun" kit. In this case: "range finder-esk"

Any thoughts?

Despite tempting pricing lately I'm not an X-Pro user but I really, really cannot see this being a worthwhile switch.  MF works well with the X-E3.

evogt500 wrote:

The Hybrid viewfinder is useless for manual focus lenses and only becomes a burden because the viewfinder curtain opens and closes (it gets annoying), and the ERF is very difficult to focus with. The X-Pro2 EVF's main advantage seems to be the refresh rate. The slightly larger display panel is neglectable since the X-E3's magnification is higher. So if you plan to shoot fast moving subjects, than the faster refresh rate might be important. Overwise, I think its a waste of money to buy a X-Pro2 when the X-E3 is fully capable of using manual focus lenses without the OVF fuss.

Erm, don’t agree with this at all.  The curtain is only a “burden” if you’re hypersensitive to it as you seem to be, I doubt most people give it a second thought, I certainly haven’t in four years of using x-pros.

Purely as an EVF I don’t think the X-pro2 has any great advantage, but the ERF option actually works well and allows you to manually focus lenses in an optical view very well.  You can also go to fully optical and just zone focus of course.

Aside from that the XP2 has a lot of finer points - weather sealing, dual card slots, faster shutter, more function buttons etc.

I have both cameras but wouldn't say that the X-Pro2's EVF is noticeably better.

That being said, I still prefer my X-Pro2.

Caleido wrote:

DarnGoodPhotos wrote:

I have both cameras but wouldn't say that the X-Pro2's EVF is noticeably better.

That being said, I still prefer my X-Pro2.

How useful is the small LCD that pops up in the OVF to check focus?

I don't use MF lenses and I rarely use the EVF patch to check focus because I have no reason to believe my X-Pro2 won't auto-focus correctly. When I do use it, I find it useful for telling me where the focus will be instead of estimating between the two boxes (which I know how to do).

Also, I was surprised how small the actual image frame is in the OVF. I thought a 20-35 ish lens would cover the whole view of the OVF, but it's really a tiny box in the middle.

The 23 does cover most of the OVF view, maybe you are on the wide magnification level. The X-Pro1 and X-Pro2 have two magnification levels int he OVF, you hold the lever in the opposite direction of toggling the EVF patch.

It looks like I'll be sticking with my X-E3, based on the replies. Just a shame the EVF is not a tiny bit bigger or smoother. Or offers more finetuning in the peaking options - I've read that the color yellow is the best option though only available on the X-Pro2.

The X-Pro2's EVF is smoother and a bit better; I just don't jump between he two cameras frequently enough to really notice the difference. I personally use white heavy for focus peaking, but if you shoot Raw you can use red peaking with a B&W sim.

"The (X-Pro2) EVF is a 0.48-inch TFT panel with 2.36 million dots, a 16mm eyepoint, a refresh rate of max. 85fps and a magnification of 0.59x.

On the X-E3, you only get an electronic viewfinder with slightly better magnification (0.62x) and an eye point of 17.5mm but it is smaller (0.39-inch) and the refresh rate is around 54fps."

https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/preview/fuji-xe3-and-xpro2/

Caleido wrote:

I'm currently contemplating selling my X-E3 - which is nice & compact and does about 90% as the X-Pro does. But currently I'm heading into 100% manual lenses, with no communication & AF. Possibly M39 lenses... Currently a 35 F1.2 third party old style lens.

So I'm wondering if somebody has both bodies or did the same switch and could point out whether the EVF is really better in the X-Pro2 - especially for manual focus.

The OVF is no priority for me. But, I have not used it yet, so I'm open for it.

Most internal MF aids are the same (except for yellow peaking, I believe) with both cameras, so it would be more about size, resolution and refreshrate of the EVF.

I realize that the SLR type Fuji's have bigger EVF's, but because my pro system is SLR type, I would prefer to have another form factor for my "fun" kit. In this case: "range finder-esk"

Any thoughts?

An X-T1 or T2 might fit the bill for you then as the EVFs are substantially larger than the E3's.

Different form factor though but as a tool? 🙄

Deed