Considering the Fuji X-E3 and have some video and body questions

Hi Forum,

I'm considering buying an affordable XE3 as an entry point to the Fuji system. I primarily want to buy the 14mm/2.8, the 35mm/1.4 and 56mm/1.2 lenses for Interiors, Landscapes and portraiture.

The XE3 is an old camera but it seems to hold really well to today's standards. My main questions are:

• How is the video quality compared to the XT2 for instance. Fuji is known for amazing 1080p, does the XE3 live up to that? i know the 4k is line skipped. 
  
• Lots of reports over the Flickering of the LCD... i always assumed thats common with incandescent lighting but some users made it seem like it was actually a defect. So much so that the issue got resolved after a second body purchase.
  
• Powering the camera via USB. I know we can charge it, but i also read users claiming that you can power the camera while using it if paired to a Power Delivery USB.  Can anyone confirm this?
  
• How much am i loosing when it comes to in camera jpeg recipes? can we adjust the Tones curve?

I also want to know how sharp the 35mm/1.4 is stopped down for landscape photography. Sadly most examples of this lens shows almost exclusively pictures taken wide open. Perhaps ill create a different thread for that.

Thank you!

Miguel-C wrote:

Hi Forum,

I'm considering buying an affordable XE3 as an entry point to the Fuji system. I primarily want to buy the 14mm/2.8, the 35mm/1.4 and 56mm/1.2 lenses for Interiors, Landscapes and portraiture.

This would be a nice setup.

The XE3 is an old camera but it seems to hold really well to today's standards. My main questions are:

• How is the video quality compared to the XT2 for instance. Fuji is known for amazing 1080p, does the XE3 live up to that? i know the 4k is line skipped.

I don't have a point of comparison. I don't shoot video with my X-E3, I use my X-H1 for that. I'm sure it's fine for casual video, but I wouldn't use it for extensive work.

• Lots of reports over the Flickering of the LCD... i always assumed thats common with incandescent lighting but some users made it seem like it was actually a defect. So much so that the issue got resolved after a second body purchase.

I don't have a problem with flickering.

• Powering the camera via USB. I know we can charge it, but i also read users claiming that you can power the camera while using it if paired to a Power Delivery USB. Can anyone confirm this?

Don't know.

• How much am i loosing when it comes to in camera jpeg recipes? can we adjust the Tones curve?

I adjust highlights and shadows frequently and get great results. This may help answer your question: https://www.jmpeltier.com/fujifilm-highlight-shadow-tones/

I also want to know how sharp the 35mm/1.4 is stopped down for landscape photography. Sadly most examples of this lens shows almost exclusively pictures taken wide open. Perhaps ill create a different thread for that.

Will you also be shooting wide open?  I haven't used the 35mm f1.4, but I have used the 23mm f 1.4 and it seemed plenty sharp.  I bought the XC 35mm f2, which is optically the same as the XF 35mm f2 and it is very sharp stopped down.

Thank you!

Just so you know, the 4k is limited to 10min. As far I know you can't charge the camera while it's on.

Doug MacMillan wrote:

• How much am i loosing when it comes to in camera jpeg recipes? can we adjust the Tones curve?

I adjust highlights and shadows frequently and get great results. This may help answer your question: https://www.jmpeltier.com/fujifilm-highlight-shadow-tones/

Thank you!

I also want to know how sharp the 35mm/1.4 is stopped down for landscape photography. Sadly most examples of this lens shows almost exclusively pictures taken wide open. Perhaps ill create a different thread for that.

Will you also be shooting wide open? I haven't used the 35mm f1.4, but I have used the 23mm f 1.4 and it seemed plenty sharp. I bought the XC 35mm f2, which is optically the same as the XF 35mm f2 and it is very sharp stopped down.

I would shoot both wide open and stopped down, since i do portraits and lifestyle photography. I also sell prints.

I’m pretty sure the X-E3 sports the same EVF as my X-T20 which, while smaller and a step down from my X-T2, is really just fine and is very nice to shoot with. I really only notice the difference between the two when I’m using them simultaneously. The flicker isn’t an issue and only happens under certain artificial lighting conditions. The X-T2 has a MUCH better eyecup than any of the smaller models which can make a big difference in direct sunlight. There are good aftermarket options for the X-T20, not sure about the X-E3.
The 35 f/1.4 is a great combination of a softer periphery at wide apertures and nice sharp corners when stopped down. It works well for both people photography and landscapes too. This is the only landscapey pic I have access to at the moment and is at a very high ISO, but you can still see the 35 f/1.4 is quite sharp across the frame at f/8...

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

I’m pretty sure the X-E3 sports the same EVF as my X-T20 which, while smaller and a step down from my X-T2, is really just fine and is very nice to shoot with. I really only notice the difference between the two when I’m using them simultaneously. The flicker isn’t an issue and only happens under certain artificial lighting conditions. The X-T2 has a MUCH better eyecup than any of the smaller models which can make a big difference in direct sunlight. There are good aftermarket options for the X-T20, not sure about the X-E3.
The 35 f/1.4 is a great combination of a softer periphery at wide apertures and nice sharp corners when stopped down. It works well for both people photography and landscapes too. This is the only landscapey pic I have access to at the moment and is at a very high ISO, but you can still see the 35 f/1.4 is quite sharp across the frame at f/8...

Awesome stuff
I appreciate the example. In regards to the EVF, i was mostly concerned with refresh rates, i will buy an eye cup to complement the XE3.

So i assume no one with an XE-3 shoots video?

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

I’m pretty sure the X-E3 sports the same EVF as my X-T20 which, while smaller and a step down from my X-T2, is really just fine and is very nice to shoot with. I really only notice the difference between the two when I’m using them simultaneously. The flicker isn’t an issue and only happens under certain artificial lighting conditions. The X-T2 has a MUCH better eyecup than any of the smaller models which can make a big difference in direct sunlight. There are good aftermarket options for the X-T20, not sure about the X-E3.
The 35 f/1.4 is a great combination of a softer periphery at wide apertures and nice sharp corners when stopped down. It works well for both people photography and landscapes too. This is the only landscapey pic I have access to at the moment and is at a very high ISO, but you can still see the 35 f/1.4 is quite sharp across the frame at f/8...

Wow, thanks! This is great and nuanced information. I wish I had it when deciding between the X-E3 and X-T20 for my wife. Ended up finding a great deal on the X-T30, but before that I was frozen in indecision.

Miguel-C wrote:

So i assume no one with an XE-3 shoots video?

It sounds like it's adequate (and can be great) for video when you need it, but isn't a completely robust hybrid or video-only body. This could be a very wrong assumption. The X-E3's video capabilities seemed fine for my needs (which are minimal/casual) when I was deciding whether to get that or the X-T20 last month.

Can't speak on the comparison with the X-T2, but I've had great experiences shooting video with the X-T3 and X-T30 for what it's worth.

Miguel-C wrote:

So i assume no one with an XE-3 shoots video?

The X-E3 and the X-T20 share pretty much the same technology.

I have had an X-T20 for two years now, it is my one and only camera, and it is a cute little camera.

The X-Trans III sensor is still pretty much up to date. The current X-Trans IV is not really a big upgrade.

But I guess you know all this since you have very specific questions.

Trying to support but I am not the most experienced video shooter. I cannot make a video comparison with the X-T2. Definitely, one drawback vs the X-T2 is the missing live histogram. But this has no impact on the outcome as long as you get the exposure right. Here's my decent baseline for Fujifilm video recording.

BR,

Martin

Mzk wrote:

If I were you I would buy X-S10 instead. I have X-E3 + 35 f1.4 and it's love and hate relationship. Video in 1080p is not so great at least in my view. I much prefer shooting 4k with it. I didn't have any problems with flickering but I have some problems with AF system which is weak in today standards. Eye af and face tracking are unusable unless you shoot pretty static people. When I shoot my kids for example I always use zone setting and take a bunch of photos to be sure I have couple in focus. I also have some problems with shutter shock on slower shutter speeds, that's why I use ES most of the time with this body. For video you need OIS lenses or gimbal.

X-S10 while pricier is a much better proposition with IBIS, better AF system, better grip and better looking video plus Classic Neg simulation which is very nice or just wait couple months for X-E4 and buy X-E3 at bargain price if you really need rangefinder and classic dials.

I appreciate the feedback on the video, as it seems not a lot of people tried it on the XE3.

In terms of AF, i find it curious because all videos ive seen praised the AF and the keeper rate (including thecamerastoretv) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3J1QHdgWj8

I Could get an XT3 for under 1000 euros, or an XH1 for 600 euros. I was just trying to get a cheaper body to invest on the lenses instead.