Moving from an X-E3 to an X-E4, all for a lens

Going back to film days I’m traditionally a two main system shooter - Nikons for action (and reportage, back in the day) and Leica M for features and more deliberate personal work.

Over the years I transitioned the Nikons first to DSLRs and now mirrorless mostly with fast zooms, but the Leica slot has been more difficult to change. A condensed, abridged version - first I tried a Sony NEX7, but the lens limitations and horrible ergonomics bothered me. Then a Leica MP240, but as I age I’m having issues getting on with an optical rangefinder and just don’t enjoy it as much. After that I tried an X-Pro2, but the OVF integration doesn’t work for me. After running the XP2 mostly in EVF mode I finally found my moderately happy place with an X-E3 and a set of Fujicrons.

But… I miss using real manual focus lenses on the Fujis. Focus by wire is disappointing, and Fuji’s aperture rings tend to be mushy. (I use the shutter speed dial and aperture ring to set exposure, not the body control dials.) I have a 7artisans 35/1.2 that I enjoy as a character lens, but I really hate the unclicked aperture ring. I’ve also done a lot of lens adapting, but it’s always a kludge and miss having correct EXIF information.

Enter Cosina-Voigtlander.

I’ve had quite a few C-V LTM and M mount lenses over the years, and I like their optics and mechanical build. When they announced the chipped 35/1.2 Nokton in native X mount, my ears went up… and right back down when I found the data connection requirements excluded both my X-Pro2 and X-E3. But I keep seeing results from this lens online, and I really like what I see - a character lens wide open, and a good general purpose lens stopped down a little.

I finally ordered an X-E4 today, along with the 27/2.8 MkII since it’s a good deal. (I have the Mk1 that doesn’t get a lot of use since it doesn’t have an aperture ring.) I also have the Nokton in my cart and am itching to push the button.

Yeah, it’s a lot of money to get a lens that I want, but I’ll be able to sell both the X-Pro2 and X-E3. I’ll keep the Fujicrons (except for the 27 MkI) and lighten my load quite a bit. And then I need to get the MP240 sold, and all but a few of my M mount lenses (I’ll keep my M6 and 21/35/75 ASPHs forever, I still love shooting film on occasion.) Maybe at some point Leica will do an interchangeable lens M mount body with only a EVF and I’ll be able to more fully utilize my favorite M mount lenses, but the X-E4 and Nokton will fill the need for the foreseeable future.

It’s only money, right?

They are a lot of X-E3 lovers here and a large group of X-E4 fans as well. Both would agree that you can shoot manual lens more than acceptabe (even my X-Pro1 could) with either. So, what is your reason for a change from E3 to E4?

Hope you're fine with the X-E4, I am very happy with it.

Yours
Markus

AE Conrady wrote:

They are a lot of X-E3 lovers here and a large group of X-E4 fans as well. Both would agree that you can shoot manual lens more than acceptabe (even my X-Pro1 could) with either. So, what is your reason for a change from E3 to E4?

As I explained above, to get full data compatibility with the Nokton.  I’ve been shooting adapted manual focus lenses on mirrorless since the NEX-7 was new, and it’s not my thing.

HeavyDuty wrote:

AE Conrady wrote:

They are a lot of X-E3 lovers here and a large group of X-E4 fans as well. Both would agree that you can shoot manual lens more than acceptabe (even my X-Pro1 could) with either. So, what is your reason for a change from E3 to E4?

As I explained above, to get full data compatibility with the Nokton. I’ve been shooting adapted manual focus lenses on mirrorless since the NEX-7 was new, and it’s not my thing.

Can you connect the 35mm f1.2 to the xpro2 and see what happens?

HeavyDuty wrote:

As I explained above, to get full data compatibility with the Nokton.

I’m kind of curious about the fact that you must derive enough value from that data to justify the expenditure and—perhaps more so—the significant upheaval in ergonomics. I can’t see much value in it myself, but of course that’s not a criticism, we’re all different 🙂

OrigamiCactus wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

AE Conrady wrote:

They are a lot of X-E3 lovers here and a large group of X-E4 fans as well. Both would agree that you can shoot manual lens more than acceptabe (even my X-Pro1 could) with either. So, what is your reason for a change from E3 to E4?

As I explained above, to get full data compatibility with the Nokton. I’ve been shooting adapted manual focus lenses on mirrorless since the NEX-7 was new, and it’s not my thing.

Can you connect the 35mm f1.2 to the xpro2 and see what happens?

I will, and the X-E3 too.

Jeff Biscuits wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

As I explained above, to get full data compatibility with the Nokton.

I’m kind of curious about the fact that you must derive enough value from that data to justify the expenditure and—perhaps more so—the significant upheaval in ergonomics. I can’t see much value in it myself, but of course that’s not a criticism, we’re all different 🙂

Not just the metadata - the data bus, too.  I’ll admit to putting my X-E3 in drunk mode (full program) when using the Fujicrons and I’m not actively shooting.

I actually found I prefer the  X-E4 ergos in the store - the lump with the Q and AF-L button is really annoying to me.  Don’t forget I’m used to shooting with featureless Leica bodies, and many others like that over the years.

HeavyDuty wrote:

Enter Cosina-Voigtlander.

I’ve had quite a few C-V LTM and M mount lenses over the years, and I like their optics and mechanical build. When they announced the chipped 35/1.2 Nokton in native X mount, my ears went up…

I have the X-E4 with 27mm.  That Voigtlander is looking pretty attractive to me right now, too.

I kind of wish my credit cards had little feet and could run away when I get in these moods!

Tom Schum wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

Enter Cosina-Voigtlander.

I’ve had quite a few C-V LTM and M mount lenses over the years, and I like their optics and mechanical build. When they announced the chipped 35/1.2 Nokton in native X mount, my ears went up…

I have the X-E4 with 27mm. That Voigtlander is looking pretty attractive to me right now, too.

I kind of wish my credit cards had little feet and could run away when I get in these moods!

I know the feeling!  What I like about images I see from the Nokton are the two distinct characters, one wide open and one stopped down.  It fits my shooting style.

HeavyDuty wrote:

Tom Schum wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

Enter Cosina-Voigtlander.

I’ve had quite a few C-V LTM and M mount lenses over the years, and I like their optics and mechanical build. When they announced the chipped 35/1.2 Nokton in native X mount, my ears went up…

I have the X-E4 with 27mm. That Voigtlander is looking pretty attractive to me right now, too.

I kind of wish my credit cards had little feet and could run away when I get in these moods!

I know the feeling! What I like about images I see from the Nokton are the two distinct characters, one wide open and one stopped down. It fits my shooting style.

Yep, I hear you!

But I'd mostly use it at F2.8 or higher.  Just me.

I like the whole idea, and the small and light form factor counts for a whole lot!

HeavyDuty wrote:

I actually found I prefer the X-E4 ergos in the store - the lump with the Q and AF-L button is really annoying to me. Don’t forget I’m used to shooting with featureless Leica bodies, and many others like that over the years.

Makes sense, and very few film cameras I’ve owned have had much of a grip if any. I actually have an X-E3 arriving later today as a potential replacement for my X-E2, so I will see how the lump feels—those two buttons do look slightly awkwardly positioned compared to the E2.

The X-E4 is out for delivery, so I can get a feel for it before the Nokton gets here.  I was hoping the Voigtlander would be here today too, but I think it will be tomorrow or even later.

It’s here and charging.  Annoyingly Fuji cheaped out and didn’t include the hood or hood cap with the 27 - I didn’t realize this.  Order placed.

HeavyDuty wrote:

It’s here and charging. Annoyingly Fuji cheaped out and didn’t include the hood or hood cap with the 27 - I didn’t realize this. Order placed.

Yeah, that sucks. All the initial reviews said that these were included, and even in some markets they were, but now nothing.

OrigamiCactus wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

It’s here and charging. Annoyingly Fuji cheaped out and didn’t include the hood or hood cap with the 27 - I didn’t realize this. Order placed.

Yeah, that sucks. All the initial reviews said that these were included, and even in some markets they were, but now nothing.

It’s just $25, but… it’s $25, and should have been included.

Phil1 wrote:

Have you looked into the fuji-made M mount adaptor for your Leica lenses. It seems to have some (limited but perhaps useful) communication betwen the camera and the lens?

Phil

I have this adapter.  It cost me $200 maybe 3 years ago.

The little button calls up the adapter focal length menu item so you can set the lens focal length into the EXIF.

Newer model Fuji cameras have "MyMenu" which makes it very easy to access the adapter focal length menu.  Since I have numerous third party x-mount non electronic manual lenses, this menu item is the first one in "MyMenu".

So, the little button on the Fuji adapter is basically obsolete.  It remains convenient though, but the electronics takes up space in the opening of the adapter so that the diameter of M lenses is restricted.

Some M lenses have an element behind the mount, and that element sits in a barrel that extends behind the M mounting flange.  If this barrel is too wide it won't fit into the Fuji adapter.  Fuji supplies a plastic gauge for this, but you might as well just buy a completely non-electronic M adapter from Fotodiox these days.

The Fuji adapter is quite nice, and well built.

HeavyDuty wrote:

Jeff Biscuits wrote:

HeavyDuty wrote:

As I explained above, to get full data compatibility with the Nokton.

I’m kind of curious about the fact that you must derive enough value from that data to justify the expenditure and—perhaps more so—the significant upheaval in ergonomics. I can’t see much value in it myself, but of course that’s not a criticism, we’re all different 🙂

Not just the metadata - the data bus, too. I’ll admit to putting my X-E3 in drunk mode (full program) when using the Fujicrons and I’m not actively shooting.

BWAHAHAHAHA drunk mode!!  So that's what I been doing wrong all these years..  not using the proper camera mode when I'm drunk.  Best thing I've learned all day, thank you for the laugh

I actually found I prefer the X-E4 ergos in the store - the lump with the Q and AF-L button is really annoying to me. Don’t forget I’m used to shooting with featureless Leica bodies, and many others like that over the years.

Phil1 wrote:

Have you looked into the fuji-made M mount adaptor for your Leica lenses. It seems to have some (limited but perhaps useful) communication betwen the camera and the lens?

Phil

I have, and have owned one for years now.  I don’t enjoy using it because my Leica M lenses end up odd effective focal lengths.