Fuji X Series

[Barks]

The X-E5 is brilliant. Coming from the old sensor in the X-T30 II my initial impressions are:

- At first wasn't sure you could notice the higher megapixels in the new sensor but when you start cropping it makes an enormous difference.
- The in camera JPGS with custom film sims just look cleaner than the X-T30 II. They look more natural and less digital, especially the grain effect, not sure if they change the way this is applied in the 5th generation sensor.
- Highly intuitive menu, not really any different to the X-T30 II. You press the DISP button on the back of the camera to get the retro style display through the viewfinder. Easy to set the gimmicky film simulation dial to have your three favourite custom film sims too.
- As I said above I wouldn't describe this camera as small but it's definitely more portable.
- The 23mm f2.8 pancake lens looks awesome and I'll definitely use them together as a portable street photography setup for travelling light BUT I'll be honest I'm not blown away by it. I guess we all knew that but I'd say my old 23mm F2 WR is better. Again - these are initial impressions and I need to get out the garden and do some real world testing to confirm. Also haven't done much RAW editing yet.
- The neck strap is really nice and has a premium feel to it.

The only negative is the price tag. It's obscenely expensive for what it is but I'm buying it on the basis it will likely hold its value. Totally get why so many people are saying you'd be insane to buy this over an X-T5 for the same money but IMO they are completely different animals.

 

[GMac11]

The X-E5 is brilliant. Coming from the old sensor in the X-T30 II my initial impressions are:

- At first wasn't sure you could notice the higher megapixels in the new sensor but when you start cropping it makes an enormous difference.

The 40mp sensor is great. I have really enjoyed the images captured on my X-T5. It has come even more into its own as I’ve been adding newer lenses (16-50 and the Sigma 17-40). These lenses resolve a superb amount of detail and they only show off the 40mp sensor even more.

- The in camera JPGS with custom film sims just look cleaner than the X-T30 II. They look more natural and less digital, especially the grain effect, not sure if they change the way this is applied in the 5th generation sensor.
- Highly intuitive menu, not really any different to the X-T30 II. You press the DISP button on the back of the camera to get the retro style display through the viewfinder. Easy to set the gimmicky film simulation dial to have your three favourite custom film sims too.
- As I said above I wouldn't describe this camera as small but it's definitely more portable.
- The 23mm f2.8 pancake lens looks awesome and I'll definitely use them together as a portable street photography setup for travelling light BUT I'll be honest I'm not blown away by it. I guess we all knew that but I'd say my old 23mm F2 WR is better. Again - these are initial impressions and I need to get out the garden and do some real world testing to confirm. Also haven't done much RAW editing yet.
- The neck strap is really nice and has a premium feel to it.

The lens is more a matter of convenience for me. My previous travel kit was my X-T5 along with the 18mm f2 and 27mm f2.8 - the former of which is notoriously one of Fuji’s softest lenses however I got some cracking shots with it and in isolation was plenty sharp for my needs, much like the 27mm. So I don’t need, and certainly don’t expect, the new 23mm to be blindingly sharp as I have other lenses for when IQ is critical.

The only negative is the price tag. It's obscenely expensive for what it is but I'm buying it on the basis it will likely hold its value. Totally get why so many people are saying you'd be insane to buy this over an X-T5 for the same money but IMO they are completely different animals.

 

[Barks]

Should be able to give the X-E5 and pancake a good test drive this weekend so will share some photos.

I bought the Small Rig bag that someone posted a URL to in this thread and it fits perfectly. On my X-T30 II I have a leather case that sits on the camera and looks class, I wonder how long we'll have to wait until these are available for the X-E5.

I'm so impressed with the sensor I'm now looking at upgrading my X-T30 II to the X-T50 or X-T5. I bought the X-T30 II to be the camera I don't worry about in terms of taking on big hikes etc so it has picked up some very minor paint damage and a few scratches but wondering if anyone knows the most cost effective way of getting the X-T50 as they seem stupidly expensive. It looks like I'd be better off buying an X-T5 in 'good' condition which should come in at a better used price. Or I'm overthinking this and just keep my X-T30 as the fourth generation sensor is still excellent for hiking photography where you don't need to crop that much.

 

[GMac11]

Should be able to give the X-E5 and pancake a good test drive this weekend so will share some photos.

I bought the Small Rig bag that someone posted a URL to in this thread and it fits perfectly. On my X-T30 II I have a leather case that sits on the camera and looks class, I wonder how long we'll have to wait until these are available for the X-E5.

That would have been me
Yes it’s just the right size for the camera with or without the kit lens - it’s almost like it was made for it.

I'm so impressed with the sensor I'm now looking at upgrading my X-T30 II to the X-T50 or X-T5. I bought the X-T30 II to be the camera I don't worry about in terms of taking on big hikes etc so it has picked up some very minor paint damage and a few scratches but wondering if anyone knows the most cost effective way of getting the X-T50 as they seem stupidly expensive. It looks like I'd be better off buying an X-T5 in 'good' condition which should come in at a better used price.

I would personally say go X-T5 as I think the X-T50 is just too similar to the X-E5.
The images from the sensor are great, this was never going to be a surprise to me as I’ve already owned the X-T5 since launch.

The newer lenses really show off the quality of the sensor with the extra amount of detail they can resolve.

Or I'm overthinking this and just keep my X-T30 as the fourth generation sensor is still excellent for hiking photography where you don't need to crop that much.

 

[Barks]

Been looking at X-T5s since I posted earlier.

I'm a bit disappointed at the used prices. I can buy a brand new one grey import for not much more and if I plan on keeping this 5 years I'm not really that concerned about the valuation hit to selling it privately. The last thing I want to do is hand over the same cash for a used X-T5 that could well have been a grey import anyway. Maybe I'm being naive but was hoping I might be able to get a good/average condition second hand X-T5 with a few knocks/minor cosmetic damage closer to around £700-£800.

I would personally say go X-T5 as I think the X-T50 is just too similar to the X-E5.

Completely agree on this. I absolutely love the X-Txx series and have owned many different models over the years but it's a 'best of both worlds' camera whereas having the X-E5 and the X-T5 absolutely nails most use cases as a twin setup.

 

[Scuzi]

Been looking at X-T5s since I posted earlier.

I'm a bit disappointed at the used prices. I can buy a brand new one grey import for not much more and if I plan on keeping this 5 years I'm not really that concerned about the valuation hit to selling it privately. The last thing I want to do is hand over the same cash for a used X-T5 that could well have been a grey import anyway. Maybe I'm being naive but was hoping I might be able to get a good/average condition second hand X-T5 with a few knocks/minor cosmetic damage closer to around £700-£800.



Completely agree on this. I absolutely love the X-Txx series and have owned many different models over the years but it's a 'best of both worlds' camera whereas having the X-E5 and the X-T5 absolutely nails most use cases as a twin setup.

I just bought an X-T5 from Very using their 20% off for first time finance orders. Buy it with the discount and pay off the balance before any interest is due. A new one cannot be bought any cheaper that I've found.

 

[dave28]

Been looking at X-T5s since I posted earlier.

I'm a bit disappointed at the used prices. I can buy a brand new one grey import for not much more and if I plan on keeping this 5 years I'm not really that concerned about the valuation hit to selling it privately. The last thing I want to do is hand over the same cash for a used X-T5 that could well have been a grey import anyway. Maybe I'm being naive but was hoping I might be able to get a good/average condition second hand X-T5 with a few knocks/minor cosmetic damage closer to around £700-£800.

There is a right time to buy models, I remember buying an X-T5 a couple of years back used for £1250. I bet they not very far from that now.

 

[Scuzi]

There is a right time to buy models, I remember buying an X-T5 a couple of years back used for £1250. I bet they not very far from that now.

The absolute cheapest X-T5 available on MPB right now is only £25 cheaper than a brand new one from Very. Every other one is more expensive.

 

[henry hoov3r]

That seems to be the case with most camera gear. The used price is more expensive than buying grey.

 

[Barks]

People were selling them in MM for £1250 years ago!

What has happened to camera prices? The X-E5 was obscenely expensive IMO considering I paid about £600 for my X-T30 II around 2 years ago. Similarly, the X Half is something like £700 which prices it out of the very market it was meant for.

Very with the welcome offer is still about the same as grey without the hassle of arranging credit. Guess it might make sense if I were planning on keeping it immaculate and bought from an official UK retailer (like with my X-E5) for a private sale down the line (greys definitely hit the values in private market) but the whole point of this purchase is a hiking/adventure camera that will take some knocks. That's why I'm annoyed I can't just get a 'good' condition second hand one for something like £800-900.

Oh well, think I will just keep the X-T30 II and live with the fourth gen sensor.

 

[Scuzi]

That seems to be the case with most camera gear. The used price is more expensive than buying grey.

Or domestic....

 

[Barks]

The main camera shops appear to be offering £800 for a good condition XT-5 trade in but then selling them with a £400-£500 mark up.

 

[DereksDontRun]

Should be able to give the X-E5 and pancake a good test drive this weekend so will share some photos.

I bought the Small Rig bag that someone posted a URL to in this thread and it fits perfectly. On my X-T30 II I have a leather case that sits on the camera and looks class, I wonder how long we'll have to wait until these are available for the X-E5.

I'm so impressed with the sensor I'm now looking at upgrading my X-T30 II to the X-T50 or X-T5. I bought the X-T30 II to be the camera I don't worry about in terms of taking on big hikes etc so it has picked up some very minor paint damage and a few scratches but wondering if anyone knows the most cost effective way of getting the X-T50 as they seem stupidly expensive. It looks like I'd be better off buying an X-T5 in 'good' condition which should come in at a better used price. Or I'm overthinking this and just keep my X-T30 as the fourth generation sensor is still excellent for hiking photography where you don't need to crop that much.

If you've noticed a decent jump with the sensor, have you noticed much with the newer generation processor? Any noticeable improvement with auto focus?

 

[Barks]

If you've noticed a decent jump with the sensor, have you noticed much with the newer generation processor? Any noticeable improvement with auto focus?

The X-T30 II was a massive jump from the X-T20 in terms of the focus performance. I haven't really used the X-E5 enough yet to have a strong opinion but I haven't noticed the autofocus being much different to the X-T30 II. It works well with the 23mm f2.8 kit lens, fast and accurate, all the family shots over the weekend were pin sharp and in focus. I'll report back when I've had a chance to do some street photography as for me that's the most demanding use case for autofocus.

 

[Barks]

If you've noticed a decent jump with the sensor, have you noticed much with the newer generation processor? Any noticeable improvement with auto focus?

Said I'd get back to you on this. Took it to a wedding this weekend, in all honesty I'm a bit disappointed. Although it was mostly fine, a few photos the focusing was completely off, many weren't quite in focus even at f5.0 and high shutter speeds.

It may be user error, the face detect thing seems to work well for static group shots but wasn't good for moving subjects.

With Fujifilm although I said there has been a big jump in focus performance, I still never feel completely relaxed and like I can trust the camera. Sometimes it just seems to get it wrong. So to answer your question, I don't think there is any major improvement in this over the 4th generation sensor in the X-T30 II.

To end on a more positive note though, the photos that are pin sharp in focus look absolutely incredible. Leagues ahead of the X-T30 II.

 

[DereksDontRun]

cheers for the follow-up m8, and sorry to hear you're not beaming with praise - I hope you gel with it better soon.

I've seen some recent vids highlighting some autofocus failures with objects moving towards the camera, and I think I echo this - I've been using it more and more at times I would typically use my phone (my daughter's horse-riding or at a playground) and I feel I need to accept there will be a % of focus failures, certainly when he's running towards me, so I need to spam the shutter more. (seems like a mental mind-shift from my old film camera from moons ago).

I also popped into my local Wex to have a look at the t5 and it feels really nice. I even took my S10 and some lenses with me, with the thought I could ask to get side-by-side shots between the 2 cameras to compare at home later. But I had a moment of clarity that I couldn't justify the cost at the moment, perhaps if i get an end of year bonus

 

[Barks]

cheers for the follow-up m8, and sorry to hear you're not beaming with praise - I hope you gel with it better soon.

I've seen some recent vids highlighting some autofocus failures with objects moving towards the camera, and I think I echo this - I've been using it more and more at times I would typically use my phone (my daughter's horse-riding or at a playground) and I feel I need to accept there will be a % of focus failures, certainly when he's running towards me, so I need to spam the shutter more. (seems like a mental mind-shift from my old film camera from moons ago).

I also popped into my local Wex to have a look at the t5 and it feels really nice. I even took my S10 and some lenses with me, with the thought I could ask to get side-by-side shots between the 2 cameras to compare at home later. But I had a moment of clarity that I couldn't justify the cost at the moment, perhaps if i get an end of year bonus

That's what scares me. I'm shooting a friends wedding as the official photographer in a few weeks and I'm thinking hard about exactly what settings I should use when I follow them out the church, can't risk having those photos out of focus but that is probably one of the most challenging situations for the camera's autofocus and manual isn't an option.

Yeah it feels amazing, good luck and hopefully you can treat yourself down the line.

 

[GMac11]

Ended up ordering the little Godox iT30 Pro which duly arrived today:

It's a nifty little unit and I have bought with the intention of replacing my X1t trigger as well as the little Fuji Ef-X8 pop up flash. I also intend to replace my Godox TT350 but that will only be upon acquiring another Godox speedlite - currently eyeing up the TT685ii.