Second body for kit?

So my kit has evolved over time (including me buying, selling, rebuying, and reselling Ricoh GRs).  Currently I have an XT2 with the 18-55 f2.8, 35 f2, and a 27mm f2.8 R.  I enjoy the XT2, however ever since I got the 18-55 I find myself using that a vast majority of the time when shooting with it.  After years using a Ricoh GR and deciding I wanted the flexibility of interchangeable camera, I feel like I miss having a “pocketable” camera.  Does anyone out there use a X100(s,t,f) as an additional camera in their kit?  I’m contemplating selling the 35 and 27 to fund a used X100s/t.  Even with the 27mm pancake lens the XT2 is a little large for “intimate” events.

There are smaller bodies that are great to use with the 27mm or the 35mm f/2 if you prefer a longer field of view to that offered by the X100 series. Plus you already have the lenses. The X- M1 is the best kept secret in the Fuji line up-- it lacks a viewfinder, but if you enjoy using the GR, this may not be an issue for you. For a body with a viewfinder, either an X-Ex or an X-Txx will give you a noticeably smaller and lighter camera than an X-T2, especially with a very small lens.

I have both an X-M1 with the original 27mm (an extraordinary combination that is still my go to very small camera) and an X-T10 with the new 27mm WR, alongside my X- T2. I also have an X100T that I am probably going to sell. I hate to admit it, but I have barely touched it since I got the 27mm WR.

Sgraham602 wrote:

Does anyone out there use a X100(s,t,f) as an additional camera in their kit?

I used to, but now I use the GRIII, GRIIIx and the X-E4.  The X-Pro3 is my main X camera.

I’m contemplating selling the 35 and 27 to fund a used X100s/t. Even with the 27mm pancake lens the XT2 is a little large for “intimate” events.

The X100T is cool...and a good option. Also, maybe the X-E3 for similar cash.

I use my X-T2, X-T20, and X100V in various pairings, Sometimes the larger two are better, sometimes the smaller two. As the X-T20 is so similar to the X-T2, it compliments it perfectly. The X-T20 (w/handgrip) is often my preferred walkaround camera with a fast prime, but the X100V is definitely the best if you want to keep everything lightweight, compact and simple - its excellent 23mm lens being great for almost anything (much more versatile than I expected),

Hi, as a XT4 user primarily, my second body choice deliberation was between either a X100V or a XE4/27 WR. I had used a XE3 and knew the XE pros/cons, so I loaned a X100V to try the X100 form factor (Fuji UK offers a great loan facility).

In the end, opted for the XE4. Why? Because the selling point of the X100 is the optical view finder and yet having got used to the EVF and its WYSIWYG (I did start by using the OVF), especially for exposure, I ended up only using the EVF. Thus, I felt no inclination to pay the higher price for a key X100V feature that I was not going to use. I also liked the flexibility of being able to change lenses. The weight and size of the XE4/27 are so similar to those of the X100V that there was no advantage either way for me.  Finally, the XE4/27 was some £350 cheaper than the X100V.

There is no doubt that the X100V would have been a heart choice as it is a great camera, but the XE4 was the head choice.

Not an easy decision, so good luck with it.

IF you have small(ish) lenses then the most flexible addition to a Fuji setup is one of the small Fuji bodies.  The X-100 series is I am sure delightful but an X-E3 or 4 will be cheaper, comparable in size and, importantly for me, is a backup camera for your bigger setup.  I'm actually mostly carrying an X-E3 plus a selection of small primes with the bigger stuff at home more and more.

So for me a small Fuji interchangable lens camera is a no brainer for this application.

With X-E cameras being my main gear, I'll be slightly biased, but I agree with what some others have commented.

Unless you need/want the hybrid viewfinder or WR sealing of the X100V (if you can find one), an X-E body is a good alternative. When it comes to dimensions, an X-E body with a 27mm is very close to an X100V indeed.

Comparison from camerasize.com.

I try to bring an X-E3 with the 27/2.8 WR wherever I go. In a little pouch I'll carry it with an OTG SD card reader either on its own, or add it to any non-photo backpack I might be carrying on the day.

While I don't often carry two X-E bodies at once, I use my bodies to have ready-to-go kits.

• My every-day X-E3 will transition into my street and travel kit, when the 27mm tends to be replaced by XC15-45, and 23/2.0, 50/2.0. I might also add a grip
• The other X-E3 is mostly equipped with an L bracket, and stored with my landscape lenses (esp. 14/2.8, XC 50-230), square filters and tripod

Very rarely, I'll carry two bodies with a lens on each. Sometimes for environments where lens changes are impractical, and sometimes for street shooting if I want to quickly go between 23/27mm and 50mm. It's nice to have handling consistency when it comes to controls, and Fuji X Acquire allows me to mirror settings between my two X-E3 bodies.

Obviously, it's also nice to have a fail-safe, and on any once-in-a-lifetime trip I would bring both bodies.

With that said, neither an X-E nor an X100 will ever be as pocketable as cameras like a Ricoh GR or Sony RX100.

I will add my voice to the chorus of those recommending a look at one of the X-E3/4's.  I got an X-E4 as a second camera to my X-T4, for more discrete shooting.  I have not managed to get a 27mm to go along with it yet, but size-wise, the X-E4 is smaller in every dimension but width with the 27mm attached, and lighter.

The body seems to be an acquired taste. I'd have gone for the X-E3 with the subtle front and thumb grips, but I wanted a tilt-out screen, and that plus the newer sensor and film sims tipped me to the X-E4, and I've really enjoyed it.

Of course if you really need a 23mm lens, the X-E4 will be less pocketable with the 23/2 attached, but you maintain the flexibility of an ILC.

Sgraham602 wrote:

After years using a Ricoh GR and deciding I wanted the flexibility of interchangeable camera, I feel like I miss having a “pocketable” camera. Even with the 27mm pancake lens the XT2 is a little large for “intimate” events.

A few thoughts:

Firstly, there’s “pocketable” and there’s pocketable. None of the X100s are pocketable in the way a GR is, and as others have pointed out, they’re pretty much the same size as an X-E3/4 with the 27/2.8. If you want truly pocketable without going to a smaller sensor, your options are the XF10 or the X70. Both are rather expensive on the used market and the latter is also rather less wieldy than the GR.

Secondly, there’s size and there’s presence. The X-T2, while larger and heavier than an X-E/X100, isn’t that much larger and heavier than an X-E/X100—but they have very different presence. The silver X-Es and X100s are the only digital cameras I’ve had that strangers have ever started a conversation about, and I take that as a sign of how disarming they are compared to something like the X-T2.

The X100s also come with some compromises (eg the AF is underwhelming compared to the ILC bodies—though it’ll still beat a GR) but also some potential benefits (eg the practically silent shutter). Fundamentally, though, unless you absolutely must have an OVF, I think living with an X100 relies on having a connection with the concept of a fixed lens camera, and of course also with that specific lens. If your one and only motivation is a compact size, then you’ll quite possibly be a bit disappointed.

Let’s put it another way: if you’re canny at buying and selling, then you shouldn’t have to add too much cash to your XF 35/2 to get an X-E3. With your retained 27, that gives you something the size of an X100, with a focal length you’re familiar with (and of course the option to use others), better AF, and (this being one of my few reservations about fixed lens cameras) the ability to clean the sensor if you get a dust spot.

Without too much levity the issue is the pockets just as much as the camera. Most of my outer garments have decently sized pockets. Obviously in evening dress one carries a mock croc man bag.  The silver topped ebony cane doubles as a monopod of course.

I found the X100 series not really that small for intimate events. I used an X70 for a while which I found pocketable enough but the lens was too wide for my taste. I now have an old XQ2 for when I don't want to bring "proper" camera.

paulhoppe_photography wrote:

I used an X70 for a while which I found pocketable enough but the lens was too wide for my taste.

This is where the new Ricoh GR IIIx with a 40mm lens comes in handy.  Great quality and finally a normal lens.

Well my wallet is kinda not handy right at the moment Tried the GRIII though and was not happy with the feel of it...XQ2 is even worse but I paid just a 100€ used so I can live with it.

paulhoppe_photography wrote:

Well my wallet is kinda not handy right at the moment Tried the GRIII though and was not happy with the feel of it...XQ2 is even worse but I paid just a 100€ used so I can live with it.

Well, I can’t argue with that.  It’s always better not to buy something.  

yardcoyote wrote:

I have both an X-M1 with the original 27mm (an extraordinary combination that is still my go to very small camera) and an X-T10 with the new 27mm WR, alongside my X- T2. I also have an X100T that I am probably going to sell. I hate to admit it, but I have barely touched it since I got the 27mm WR.

I have actually be considering picking up one of the small Fuji bodies and having not considered it I have now added the M1 to that list. I currently have X-S10 and X-T4 and while the X-S10 is a superb little camera I think I could go smaller still.

A decent camera with no bells and whistles sounds good and one that I can use any of my current X-lenses on is even better - this is one reason why I'm ruling out all of the fixed focal length bodies.

I just wonder, while the M1 is clearly a competent camera are there any nuances that may make it a little frustrating to use for someone who is more familiar with the higher end bodies? Opinion and reviews do seem generally favourable (even those written within the past year) but I couple have said the interface can be laggy and clunky with quite a few useful features missing. However the negative opinions are few in number and may be as much to do with the user(s).

GMacF wrote:

I just wonder, while the M1 is clearly a competent camera are there any nuances that may make it a little frustrating to use for someone who is more familiar with the higher end bodies?

Yes, there are numerous differences that can potentially frustrate, though if you use the X-S10 then you’re already dealing with half of the stuff that bothers me, ie the lack of dedicated exposure dials.

Obviously there’s no viewfinder 😉

There are no custom settings (neither on the dial like the S10 not in the menus like most Fujis) so you can only set up one film recipe, and if you change it you have to change the individual settings one by one. If you always use raw files then this may not be an issue, but for JPEG shooters it probably is.

Ergonomically, they have a lot of buttons in quite a small space on the right side of the rear panel. I found that the heel of my thumb would often press buttons there. And if I recall, there are too few customisable buttons to be able to avoid this.

I think those are the notable differences… I’ve briefly had the X-A1 and A5 and really didn’t get on with them at all—they felt like they had none of the good stuff that I’ve loved in other Fujifilm bodies, but that won’t be true of everyone. The image quality, of course, is just fine. In fact, personally I really like the output from Fujifilm’s Bayer models, so I’d be inclined to avoid the premium that you pay for the M1 and get an Ax instead (and you if you don’t use flash then also consider the Axx models which are cheaper still).

The screen is a bit laggy for moving things.  The screen is really difficult in bright light.  AF isn't brilliant, though I only had trouble with the 60/2.5 which tests cameras' AF.

Jeff Biscuits wrote:

GMacF wrote:

I just wonder, while the M1 is clearly a competent camera are there any nuances that may make it a little frustrating to use for someone who is more familiar with the higher end bodies?

Yes, there are numerous differences that can potentially frustrate, though if you use the X-S10 then you’re already dealing with half of the stuff that bothers me, ie the lack of dedicated exposure dials.

Yep I made my peace with that on the X-S10. I find the dials great for more important shoots or for my work. When just shooting for myself I like to take my time so the lack of dials really won't be an issue.

Obviously there’s no viewfinder 😉

Again, for more relaxed shooting I tend to favour the screen anyway.

There are no custom settings (neither on the dial like the S10 not in the menus like most Fujis) so you can only set up one film recipe, and if you change it you have to change the individual settings one by one. If you always use raw files then this may not be an issue, but for JPEG shooters it probably is.

Did not know this so something to think about.

Ergonomically, they have a lot of buttons in quite a small space on the right side of the rear panel. I found that the heel of my thumb would often press buttons there. And if I recall, there are too few customisable buttons to be able to avoid this.

I think those are the notable differences… I’ve briefly had the X-A1 and A5 and really didn’t get on with them at all—they felt like they had none of the good stuff that I’ve loved in other Fujifilm bodies, but that won’t be true of everyone. The image quality, of course, is just fine. In fact, personally I really like the output from Fujifilm’s Bayer models, so I’d be inclined to avoid the premium that you pay for the M1 and get an Ax instead (and you if you don’t use flash then also consider the Axx models which are cheaper still).

Great, thanks for all the info! From what I've seen the M1 is the cheapest option, certainly compared to either the X-A5 or the X-A20. However the A20 looks like a decent shout as well if I can find one for the right price.