10 Years of Fuji: was it worth it? Those upgrades over time? Mostly full res pics

We were stuck here at home during Gabrielle. Some time I spent on slide scanning, PM with some members of dpreview and also - a favourite of mine - culling.

During the yeah/nah-culling process I came across this:

Fuji X-E1 18-55 frame number 187 January 2013

Would need to straighten it a bit, but apart from that? Has the quality changed "much"?

Fuji X-Pro3 13/1.4 January 2023

I actually like the 2013 photo better. It was a fun thing in 2013 and meant to be a replacement for the D800. But it turned out to be a little bit more.

Upgraded to the X-E2 in 2014. Can't even remember why?? I think there was an issue with the flash synch and the X-E2 had a faster speed. Enough to make it worthwhile.

Fuji X-E2 + 35/1.4 in I believe full resolution?? Would have to check.

And then there was the X-T1. LAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGE EVF. And: 1/32.000sec. The X-E2 got this also via a firmware update, but I didn't know that at the time. And there was of course the 56/1.2.

Fuji X-T1 + 56/1.2

Took the X-T1 to Nepal (during the earthquake in April) and then to Indonesia and China and was generally happy with the results, except for the dynamic range. I had too many blown highlights. Under-exposed as a rule of thumb, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.

Added the GX8 and the RX1 in 2015. The grass was greener on the other side, but not always. Tradeoffs as per usual, didn't like the Pana colours and the RX1, although brilliant re DR and lens, had its own little quirks.

In 2017 I got the X-Pro2. Was always intrigued by the "invisibility" of the appearance, no company logo visible from the front! A BIG one for me as I often shoot in environments where I simply don't want to advertise whatever I am carrying. And the X-T20. Carried both for a couple of years.

Fuji X-T20 + 90/2

Looked at the X-T3 in 2018 and went to a demonstration workshop/sales event (yeah, right). Was impressed by the number of AF points and the viewfinder. Bought one in 2019. One of the reasons for the upgrade" from the X-Pro2 was the eye AF. Ran a variety of tests and found that I couldn't make it work. "User error" was the common theme here on dpreview when I posted some images. I was the only one who couldn't use the X-T3 properly. Nobody appeared to have any AF issues except me. A few cracks appeared in my "upgrade" path as it was me, after all, who had to be able to use it properly. Sold the camera. Then thought it could also have been a sample error? Unlikely, but bought another X-T3 and gave it a good run. Discovered "focus priority" and this time round had much better results. In the studio the results were ok as I used mainly - as one does - small apertures. But whenever I used a lens wide open, I noticed a higher than acceptable number of files out of focus. User error, what can you say??

Had a brief dabble with the A7III. 100% in focus. But really hated the body and the colours. Can't have everything right? Sold it before I got my second X-T3.

2019 it was, the last "normal" year before Covid hit us. A trip to India my last longer-haul overseas trip in November 2019.

Fuji X-T3 + 56/1.2

And then in March 2020, shortly before the first Covid lock-down I bought the X-Pro3. There was no holding back here on the Fuji forum, bordering on hate. I seemed to me that it was sometimes the ball and sometimes the man that was played. Posts had to be deleted because they were getting too personal.

Since my post is about a reflection as to why I upgraded and whether it was worth it, I bought the X-Pro3 mainly for its low light AF capabilities. -6EV it said with the usual disclaimer that this was achieved using one of Stanley Kubricks Barry Lyndon lenses ;-). But the X-Pro3 was in fact exceptionally good at the focusing in low light.

Haven't had much chance to test the X-Pro3 as unbelievable as it sounds, but will take her to Vietnam and Japan this year. Still vacillating a bit regarding the lenses I will take. Found both the 50/2 and the 56/1.2 excellent, the 50 focuses closer and the 56 adds a certain soft-sharpness to an image. Dunno, might just pack "something" on departure day.

Fuji X-Pro3 + 35/1.4

To conclude this little thread: was it worthwhile? I am on the fence on this one. Found the X-E1 with its 16Mpx sensor already really, really good.

Fuji X-E1 July 2013

Since I did upgrade regularly, here in the short version:

• X-E1 from D800: smaller and "good enough" for travel
• X-E2 from X-E1: faster flash synch
• X-T1 from X-E2: bigger EVF 1/32.000sec ES
• X-Pro2 from X-T1: faster flash synch, more megapixel and curiosity, plus the "no-company-logo"
• X-T3 from X-Pro2: eye AF. Upgraded, but with some regrets
• X-Pro3 from X-T3: where to start?? Focus stacking a BIG one for me. And the screen.

Fuji X-Pro3 + 50/2 focus stacking

At the moment I am ok where I sit, would be interested to try an X-T5? Would possibly get some excellent images out of it.

But the X-E1 was already quite good, depending on where your standards sit.

Fuji X-E1 + 18-55 July 2013.

10 years aye?? We would say down here in Noo Zeald

Deed

Interesting selection of images. Thanks.

I just upgraded my X-T10 to an X-T20 to "match" my excellent X-T2. I'm very pleased to far. I also have a wonderful old X-M1 still in daily service, usually with the newish 27mm WR on board. I'm 99% sure that completes my upgrade path in Fuji. There's nothing newer than those 3 cameras, either on the ground or on the horizon, that piques my interest even slightly.

Though if I ever find an X70 or a really minty X- T1 at a good price, I might be tempted to give it a home.

RobRoy22 wrote:

Interesting selection of images. Thanks.

Random-ish ...

yardcoyote wrote:

I just upgraded my X-T10 to an X-T20 to "match" my excellent X-T2. I'm very pleased to far. I also have a wonderful old X-M1 still in daily service, usually with the newish 27mm WR on board. I'm 99% sure that completes my upgrade path in Fuji. There's nothing newer than those 3 cameras, either on the ground or on the horizon, that piques my interest even slightly.

Though if I ever find an X70 or a really minty X- T1 at a good price, I might be tempted to give it a home.

If -6EV AF, focus stacking and having AF fields all the way across the sensor doesn't add anything to your photography, I think you are quite safe there. Used the X-T20 also for a while and if there were two features I thought was a bit yeah/nah it was the EVF and the 1/4000sec. Fast glass is often pushed out by 1/4000s. If ES can be used this is of course also not really a problem.

Deed

deednets wrote:

We were stuck here at home during Gabrielle. Some time I spent on slide scanning, PM with some members of dpreview and also - a favourite of mine - culling.

During the yeah/nah-culling process I came across this:

Fuji X-E1 18-55 frame number 187 January 2013

Would need to straighten it a bit, but apart from that? Has the quality changed "much"?

Fuji X-Pro3 13/1.4 January 2023

I actually like the 2013 photo better. It was a fun thing in 2013 and meant to be a replacement for the D800. But it turned out to be a little bit more.

Upgraded to the X-E2 in 2014. Can't even remember why?? I think there was an issue with the flash synch and the X-E2 had a faster speed. Enough to make it worthwhile.

Fuji X-E2 + 35/1.4 in I believe full resolution?? Would have to check.

And then there was the X-T1. LAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGE EVF. And: 1/32.000sec. The X-E2 got this also via a firmware update, but I didn't know that at the time. And there was of course the 56/1.2.

Fuji X-T1 + 56/1.2

Took the X-T1 to Nepal (during the earthquake in April) and then to Indonesia and China and was generally happy with the results, except for the dynamic range. I had too many blown highlights. Under-exposed as a rule of thumb, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.

Added the GX8 and the RX1 in 2015. The grass was greener on the other side, but not always. Tradeoffs as per usual, didn't like the Pana colours and the RX1, although brilliant re DR and lens, had its own little quirks.

In 2017 I got the X-Pro2. Was always intrigued by the "invisibility" of the appearance, no company logo visible from the front! A BIG one for me as I often shoot in environments where I simply don't want to advertise whatever I am carrying. And the X-T20. Carried both for a couple of years.

Fuji X-T20 + 90/2

Looked at the X-T3 in 2018 and went to a demonstration workshop/sales event (yeah, right). Was impressed by the number of AF points and the viewfinder. Bought one in 2019. One of the reasons for the upgrade" from the X-Pro2 was the eye AF. Ran a variety of tests and found that I couldn't make it work. "User error" was the common theme here on dpreview when I posted some images. I was the only one who couldn't use the X-T3 properly. Nobody appeared to have any AF issues except me. A few cracks appeared in my "upgrade" path as it was me, after all, who had to be able to use it properly. Sold the camera. Then thought it could also have been a sample error? Unlikely, but bought another X-T3 and gave it a good run. Discovered "focus priority" and this time round had much better results. In the studio the results were ok as I used mainly - as one does - small apertures. But whenever I used a lens wide open, I noticed a higher than acceptable number of files out of focus. User error, what can you say??

Had a brief dabble with the A7III. 100% in focus. But really hated the body and the colours. Can't have everything right? Sold it before I got my second X-T3.

2019 it was, the last "normal" year before Covid hit us. A trip to India my last longer-haul overseas trip in November 2019.

Fuji X-T3 + 56/1.2

And then in March 2020, shortly before the first Covid lock-down I bought the X-Pro3. There was no holding back here on the Fuji forum, bordering on hate. I seemed to me that it was sometimes the ball and sometimes the man that was played. Posts had to be deleted because they were getting too personal.

Since my post is about a reflection as to why I upgraded and whether it was worth it, I bought the X-Pro3 mainly for its low light AF capabilities. -6EV it said with the usual disclaimer that this was achieved using one of Stanley Kubricks Barry Lyndon lenses ;-). But the X-Pro3 was in fact exceptionally good at the focusing in low light.

Haven't had much chance to test the X-Pro3 as unbelievable as it sounds, but will take her to Vietnam and Japan this year. Still vacillating a bit regarding the lenses I will take. Found both the 50/2 and the 56/1.2 excellent, the 50 focuses closer and the 56 adds a certain soft-sharpness to an image. Dunno, might just pack "something" on departure day.

Fuji X-Pro3 + 35/1.4

To conclude this little thread: was it worthwhile? I am on the fence on this one. Found the X-E1 with its 16Mpx sensor already really, really good.

Fuji X-E1 July 2013

Since I did upgrade regularly, here in the short version:

• X-E1 from D800: smaller and "good enough" for travel
• X-E2 from X-E1: faster flash synch
• X-T1 from X-E2: bigger EVF 1/32.000sec ES
• X-Pro2 from X-T1: faster flash synch, more megapixel and curiosity, plus the "no-company-logo"
• X-T3 from X-Pro2: eye AF. Upgraded, but with some regrets
• X-Pro3 from X-T3: where to start?? Focus stacking a BIG one for me. And the screen.

Fuji X-Pro3 + 50/2 focus stacking

At the moment I am ok where I sit, would be interested to try an X-T5? Would possibly get some excellent images out of it.

But the X-E1 was already quite good, depending on where your standards sit.

Fuji X-E1 + 18-55 July 2013.

10 years aye?? We would say down here in Noo Zeald

Deed

Quite the journey, Deeds. :cool:

I preordered an X-T5 and honestly do not find the images overwhelmingly better than my X-H1/X-T2/x100S. The af is better and ibis is a big help and cropping certainly works better with 40mp but still…

Sold , traded or gifted X-T1, X-T10, 20 and 30 and XPro2 along the way. Still have images I love from all of them.

My biggest annoyance with the older cameras is the generally sluggish operation, not the iq.

Thanks for the journey, I like those retrospectives.

liggy wrote:

deednets wrote:

We were stuck here at home during Gabrielle. Some time I spent on slide scanning, PM with some members of dpreview and also - a favourite of mine - culling.

During the yeah/nah-culling process I came across this:

Fuji X-E1 18-55 frame number 187 January 2013

Would need to straighten it a bit, but apart from that? Has the quality changed "much"?

Fuji X-Pro3 13/1.4 January 2023

I actually like the 2013 photo better. It was a fun thing in 2013 and meant to be a replacement for the D800. But it turned out to be a little bit more.

Upgraded to the X-E2 in 2014. Can't even remember why?? I think there was an issue with the flash synch and the X-E2 had a faster speed. Enough to make it worthwhile.

Fuji X-E2 + 35/1.4 in I believe full resolution?? Would have to check.

And then there was the X-T1. LAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGE EVF. And: 1/32.000sec. The X-E2 got this also via a firmware update, but I didn't know that at the time. And there was of course the 56/1.2.

Fuji X-T1 + 56/1.2

Took the X-T1 to Nepal (during the earthquake in April) and then to Indonesia and China and was generally happy with the results, except for the dynamic range. I had too many blown highlights. Under-exposed as a rule of thumb, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.

Added the GX8 and the RX1 in 2015. The grass was greener on the other side, but not always. Tradeoffs as per usual, didn't like the Pana colours and the RX1, although brilliant re DR and lens, had its own little quirks.

In 2017 I got the X-Pro2. Was always intrigued by the "invisibility" of the appearance, no company logo visible from the front! A BIG one for me as I often shoot in environments where I simply don't want to advertise whatever I am carrying. And the X-T20. Carried both for a couple of years.

Fuji X-T20 + 90/2

Looked at the X-T3 in 2018 and went to a demonstration workshop/sales event (yeah, right). Was impressed by the number of AF points and the viewfinder. Bought one in 2019. One of the reasons for the upgrade" from the X-Pro2 was the eye AF. Ran a variety of tests and found that I couldn't make it work. "User error" was the common theme here on dpreview when I posted some images. I was the only one who couldn't use the X-T3 properly. Nobody appeared to have any AF issues except me. A few cracks appeared in my "upgrade" path as it was me, after all, who had to be able to use it properly. Sold the camera. Then thought it could also have been a sample error? Unlikely, but bought another X-T3 and gave it a good run. Discovered "focus priority" and this time round had much better results. In the studio the results were ok as I used mainly - as one does - small apertures. But whenever I used a lens wide open, I noticed a higher than acceptable number of files out of focus. User error, what can you say??

Had a brief dabble with the A7III. 100% in focus. But really hated the body and the colours. Can't have everything right? Sold it before I got my second X-T3.

2019 it was, the last "normal" year before Covid hit us. A trip to India my last longer-haul overseas trip in November 2019.

Fuji X-T3 + 56/1.2

And then in March 2020, shortly before the first Covid lock-down I bought the X-Pro3. There was no holding back here on the Fuji forum, bordering on hate. I seemed to me that it was sometimes the ball and sometimes the man that was played. Posts had to be deleted because they were getting too personal.

Since my post is about a reflection as to why I upgraded and whether it was worth it, I bought the X-Pro3 mainly for its low light AF capabilities. -6EV it said with the usual disclaimer that this was achieved using one of Stanley Kubricks Barry Lyndon lenses ;-). But the X-Pro3 was in fact exceptionally good at the focusing in low light.

Haven't had much chance to test the X-Pro3 as unbelievable as it sounds, but will take her to Vietnam and Japan this year. Still vacillating a bit regarding the lenses I will take. Found both the 50/2 and the 56/1.2 excellent, the 50 focuses closer and the 56 adds a certain soft-sharpness to an image. Dunno, might just pack "something" on departure day.

Fuji X-Pro3 + 35/1.4

To conclude this little thread: was it worthwhile? I am on the fence on this one. Found the X-E1 with its 16Mpx sensor already really, really good.

Fuji X-E1 July 2013

Since I did upgrade regularly, here in the short version:

• X-E1 from D800: smaller and "good enough" for travel
• X-E2 from X-E1: faster flash synch
• X-T1 from X-E2: bigger EVF 1/32.000sec ES
• X-Pro2 from X-T1: faster flash synch, more megapixel and curiosity, plus the "no-company-logo"
• X-T3 from X-Pro2: eye AF. Upgraded, but with some regrets
• X-Pro3 from X-T3: where to start?? Focus stacking a BIG one for me. And the screen.

Fuji X-Pro3 + 50/2 focus stacking

At the moment I am ok where I sit, would be interested to try an X-T5? Would possibly get some excellent images out of it.

But the X-E1 was already quite good, depending on where your standards sit.

Fuji X-E1 + 18-55 July 2013.

10 years aye?? We would say down here in Noo Zeald

Deed

Quite the journey, Deeds. :cool:

I preordered an X-T5 and honestly do not find the images overwhelmingly better than my X-H1/X-T2/x100S. The af is better and ibis is a big help and cropping certainly works better with 40mp but still…

Sold , traded or gifted X-T1, X-T10, 20 and 30 and XPro2 along the way. Still have images I love from all of them.

My biggest annoyance with the older cameras is the generally sluggish operation, not the iq.

I originally didn't mind "sluggish" but then after you drive a Morris Minor at 55km/h you feel like it would be nice to do 80 ...

My gripes kicked in when I "thought" I had some pics in focus only to find out on my 30" screen that some pics were a touch "out". Where it mattered.

I would love to try an X-T5 and see how it goes, my Q2 has a 51Mpx sensor (47Mpx cropped) and I had a few cameras in the 40+ Mpx bracket, so not convinced that I personally would benefit big time from using the 40Mpx sensor, but testing it, I would like!

Might get one when the market has cooled down and I have seen some really great pics where I would say that it would have been a shame to use a lower resolution sensor.

Deed

I shoot jpeg only and only use the center focus point, so yeah, a lot of those fancy features are lost on me. I just want to choose my subject and my moment, set up an exposure, take my shot, and move on. And it doesn't bother me that my images look like I did just that. I'm looking for the illusion of a lucky snapshot that happens to have good pictorial qualities. Older Fujis are great company for this kind of shenanigans.

But yes, I often wish for a faster max shutter speed on sunny days.

There are many reasons we upgrade, and how or why we justify it at the time doesn't really matter. At least to me.

For me, a camera has to do to things. It's been said a thousand times, but the first thing is not getting in the way. This means different things to different people, but I think it essentially boils down to speed of operation with minimal or no annoyances. As for speed, as long as a camera gives me direct or fast access to the basics (ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and EC), I can move pretty fast. It may sound silly, but even innocuous subjects like landscapes can be fleeting, and speed can be important. Annoyances could be anything from hard-to-reach buttons to short battery life. There I just have to suck it up or devise a work around, as I would with any other brand. But in the upgrade decision factors, getting rid of current camera annoyances are usually further down on the list.

The second thing is producing the results I want. Again, this can be different for everyone, but this seems to be as much a function of post-processing as the in-camera processing. So as long as the camera can get me close (in JPEG) and produce a RAW file, I'm happy. I'll take it from there. Some are still chasing the megapixel war, but for me that ended somewhere around 20+ MP (since I down-sample everything to around 13 MP - and still gives me some cropping room).

That leaves me to really be able to use almost any system, and I have. All major brands over my almost 50 years of doing this. So why Fujifilm? Or at least why Fujifilm for the last decade (like you!)? For me it's very simple: It does both things well (doesn't get in the way and produces results I like. But on top of that, Fujifilm has several other things I value, like solid build quality (closest to Leica in my opinion - that built-like-a-tank feeling - that also applies to their XF lenses), willingness to think out of the box (e.g., X-Trans, XPro3 screen, XE4 minimalist approach, etc.), willingness to listen to customers (reverse course on the XT5 screen), and finally a healthy dose of nostalgic design.

I can look back at other photos taken in the last 20 years with Sony, Olympus, Canon and Nikon, and instantly recall each moment. Would Fujifilm have gotten me a better photo on that day? Maybe. My S1P all the way through S5P photos still look darn good.

Unless something happens to Fujifilm, a la Olympus or Pentax, I can't see any reason to be concerned about my current or future gear. Although I will admit... Leica beckons once in a while. And I suspect Leica handles points one and two above just fine

Oh, and if you're thinking about an XT5, this evening on Klamath Lake in southern Oregon...

GreatOceanSoftware wrote:

Fabulous shot! Japanese??

Worth framing me thinks ...

However you COULD have shot that with an X-E1?? No? Yes? Maybe? Unsure????

Deed

P.S.: A thread about the X-T5? Pics taken with that camera?? Could raise some interest ...

I originally didn't mind "sluggish" but then after you drive a Morris Minor at 55km/h you feel like it would be nice to do 80 ...

My gripes kicked in when I "thought" I had some pics in focus only to find out on my 30" screen that some pics were a touch "out". Where it mattered.

I would love to try an X-T5 and see how it goes, my Q2 has a 51Mpx sensor (47Mpx cropped) and I had a few cameras in the 40+ Mpx bracket, so not convinced that I personally would benefit big time from using the 40Mpx sensor, but testing it, I would like!

Might get one when the market has cooled down and I have seen some really great pics where I would say that it would have been a shame to use a lower resolution sensor.

Deed

hehe... I like N/A engines vs. turbo cars purely for the responsiveness even though modern turbos don't have much lag these days.  Just not a lot of character anymore.

Honestly I'm using the Q2 more than my Fujis these days - there's a lot in those 47mps and I do like the lens quite a bit.  The Fuji SOOC jpegs are still better but now with Topaz Photo AI as my main RAW processor it is just as easy to play with RAWs as it was to play with the Fuji jpegs.

I need to spend more time with the X-T5 to make a real judgement though.  So far really digging the 30 2.8 macro as a walkaround lens. 

Deed,

This was a spectacular post.  Many of us have been through something similar. My trajectory?

X-E1

added X-M1

X-T1

X-Pro2

X-Pro3

added GFX 50sii

Interesting to hear your chronology.  I often reflect back upon whether it was "worth it," but I don't go there too much. Best, in my opinion, once an upgrade decision is made, to go out and enjoy the new camera. I look forward to seeing more X-Pro3 shots from your travels.

GreatOceanSoftware wrote:

Taking this opportunity to say what a spectacular shot this is. Thanks for sharing it.

Some good images. My first contact with Fuji X was also around 2012/13, also with X-E1 and 18-55; I was in Abu Dhabi airport and got a great deal on that kit. At the time, I was transitioning from DSLRs, and trying various ML options. Fuji X systems was already great for me at the time, apart from too much noise in long exposures, something I do a lot.

XE, XT, XPRO, tried all types of cameras. At the end of the day, I have settled with the XT series: robust, dependable, no fuss photography.

Ha! Yes, this could have been shot with any camera. But it was actually FUN with Fuji!

Thanks! Very fortunate to be here on such a calm evening. We’ve been meaning to visit for years, and finally made the effort.