Fuji X-E1 and X100(S)

Back in January I cheekily asked Fuji if I could borrow an X-E1 from them. I never thought they would agree but they did! I was very intrigued by it and thought that its extra flexibility over my X100 would be a great benefit to me. I was, and still am, most interested in the fantastic 35mm f1.4 lens as the results I'd seen from it are nothing short of spectacular. Fuji sent me an X-E1 to test but they sent it with the 18-55mm, a lens I had no interest in. 

One of my main reasons for getting the X100 was to strip down my equipment and concentrate on just one lens. I had sold my old DSLR and 24-70mm f2.8 to get it so to get to use another zoom wasn't what I'd hoped for but I was still super thrilled to have been given the opportunity to use one. It was before my X Photographer status too. So I eagerly put the lens on the body, raised it to my eye and nearly dropped it! It was so front heavy. The X-E1 has the same lack of grip that my X100 has so to mount a fairly heavy lens (by Fuji standards)  on the front seemed very out of place but this wasn't to be what I disliked about this setup.....

Via Thomas Menk

The firmware update Ver.1.04 from Ver. 1.01 incorporates the following issue

1.    Adding the compatibility with "XF14mmF2.8R".
    You will get the full performance of "XF14mmF2.8R", including Manual Focus function.
    
2.    Newly added function
    Shutter release button can be active even if an external microphone or a remote release is connected to USB mini terminal or MIC/REMOTE terminal (Φ2.5mm) of the camera.
    
3.    Improvement in performance
    (1)Accuracy of auto focus performance has been much improved under a various shooting condition.
    Shooting with XF35mm lens, Shooting for the target with relatively high frequency, One-push AF by pressing AE-L/AF-L button,
    
    
    To enable more accurate AF performance with XF35mm lens, please update the firmware of your Fujinon XF35mm lens at the same time. Firwware version must be Ver 2.02 or later.
    
    (2)Audio performance has been optimized for Stereo Microphone MIC-ST1 (sold separately.)
    (3)Improvement of unexpected pixels recorded in the top far-left taken with XF18-55mm Lens under the condition of middle range focal length.

Via Thomas Menk

Guadeloupe, Nov 2012. Shot with the Fujifilm X-E1.

Via Thomas Menk

I've just spent 3 days in Marrakech on a business trip, and packed the Fuji X-E1 and 35mm in the hope of getting a few hours off to explore the old city. I'd been before with the 5D MkII and some lenses, but found photography very hard work owing to the local's distaste for having pictures taken. (At least some genuinely do not like it on the grounds of their religion, whilst the more tourist facing people don't mind if they are paid for having their photo taken). Like in any public place, the wielding of an SLR seems to scream "photographer" and make you conspicuous. So this time I tried with the little Fuji in my short time off (just two hours ). I found it a much better camera for this type of environment than the DSLR. I felt less embarrassed wielding a smaller camera, and it was clear to me that people were not as bothered about having their pictures taken even when they noticed I was there. It's funny how the size of the camera seems to make so much difference (I'm sure more seasoned street photographers than me will find this blindingly obvious). Of course, the most important thing is to treat the subject with respect, but I really did find that the camera also made a difference. Here are some shots - the camera and lens performed really well it what were often very low levels of light. Very few mis-focussed shots, excellent exposure and colour. I love the rendering from the XF35m F1/4 wide open too. This is not my particular forté in photography - I'm not well practiced in "street photography" so any comments more than welcome!

Via Thomas Menk