Fuji Got another - Fuji - The X-E1 (again)

[gryphon1911]

The first mirrorless camera I ever got was a Fuji X-E1.

To say that I loved that camera was an understatement. I had that and the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 R for the longest time. Some of my favorite images ever were taken with that combo.
I decided to take advantage of the very generous prices that the local camera store is giving now and went "shopping" again. Traded some a-mount prime lenses for this.

The X-A3, while good image quality, was/is actually a worse auto focus performer than the X-E1, at least to my experience.

So now for the second time I have a Fuji X-E1. Just having it back flooded my brain with all those reasons of why I loved it. The feel in the hand, the grip, the very minimalism of it. Image quality too is just as I remembered it. That first gen, 16mp, X-Trans sensor is some of the best in colors, and even the high ISO all the way up through 6400....still loving it.

Using it for an afternoon reminds me of those things that I upgraded it for...but now, being a more seasoned photographer and Fuji not being my only system...those little things are really just the nitpicks that a much less experienced me was using as an excuse.

Weirdly as well, the camera is much lighter than I remember it...even the X-A3 felt heavier, despite being physically smaller.

Anyway, this X-E1 has some brassing on it, a couple of small scratches on the rear LCD...but the thing is just a delight....and probably a little bit of nostalgia-bait for me...but who cares, right? So long as it makes you happy and it is not hurting anyone else - why not!

A few shots from out back tonight....of course the girls are my subjects, despite them not being fans...they tolerate me. used the Meike 55/1.4 (which is ridiculously sharp) and the TTArtisan 27/2.8. All of them are out of camera JPG.

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[MWellhouser]

Love the images. There is something about the files out of that camera. It was my first mirrorless camera, and like you got the 35mm f1.4. Of all the buy & sell and trading, I always kept the XE1 and the 35mm. It's also very nice with the 27 too!
Matt

 

[gryphon1911]

Love the images. There is something about the files out of that camera. It was my first mirrorless camera, and like you got the 35mm f1.4. Of all the buy & sell and trading, I always kept the XE1 and the 35mm. It's also very nice with the 27 too!
Matt

Glad I'm not the only one that feels that way about it.

 

[rayvonn]

I think the files are super and especially with that lens too.

 

[MiguelATF]

Lovely images, each and every one of them, and for different reasons, as well.
And congrats on reacquiring what is simply I think (still!) one of the great Fujis.
A good friend of mine has one and I've admired his work with it for some time.
I wound up snagging its newer (but very similar) sibling, the X-E2... one of the nicer and more fun (to shoot with) and more satisfying (in terms of the images it can and does produce) cameras I've ever used - and clearly the X-E2 owes a lot to its sibling, the X-E1.
Bottom line....GREAT camera.
Looking forwards to seeing more of your images with it, Andrew!

 

[gryphon1911]

A few more from today.

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[mpeterson]

Congrats! I had an X-E1 and X-Pro1 when they first came out and loved both of those cameras. I replaced the E1 with an X-E2 when that came out, but I still have the X-Pro1 kicking around here somewhere. I think it might be dead though. Those first generation X sensors were awesome. I have sometimes thought about picking up another little X-E1 if I can find a nice one…I look forward to seeing what you do with yours.

 

[mnhoj]

I had a great time with the X-E1 and 35 1.4 too.
Loved it. Wasn't the fastest to focus but it's funny how it becomes non existent when you're overwhelmed by the images.
I'll likely get another one day.
Have fun!

 

[gryphon1911]

One of the things that came back to me right away was just how much the camera really does get out of your way.

While not the fastest to focus, it does have that magic “shutter mash” where you can just slam the release down and it just seem to magically be in focus.

I had an X-E3 for some time and liked the internal upgrades, but missed the size of the X-E1. It just felt better in hand and without an add on grip.

When shooting film simulations, Fuji did not carry the custom white balance settings over in the early X cameras, that was not until later on- I know the XT4 keeps them within the custom setting. Wish the X-E1 could do that.

 

[Irene McC]

Beautiful pictures, nice and crisp. You and me both... (almost) on the same page. I have two copies of the X-T20 of which one of them permanently has the Fuji 27mm pancake (old version) on board.
So many of my favourite pics have been taken with that combo, simply because it's so easy to pack and take along anywhere.

 

[Richard]

I remember holding an X-E1 in a camera shop somewhere and thinking "this is terrific". Then I went off on another tangent completely, but I never forgot how that model felt in my hands (like a proper camera) and that was one of the things which informed my eventual purchase of an X100V.

Hope you have fun with your new (or old?) purchase, the images from it are looking good!

-R

 

[gryphon1911]

I remember holding an X-E1 in a camera shop somewhere and thinking "this is terrific". Then I went off on another tangent completely, but I never forgot how that model felt in my hands (like a proper camera) and that was one of the things which informed my eventual purchase of an X100V.

Hope you have fun with your new (or old?) purchase, the images from it are looking good!

-R

I am enjoying it, especially for stroll and street photography. I’m double impressed with the “cheap” Chinese auto focus primes as well. I got the TTArtisan 27 and Meike 55 for like 25% off and boy do they really have some good sharpness!

 

[AndyMcD]

Very nice set. X-E1 was my introduction to Fuji (and Mirrorless) back in about 2015. I was a die hard Nikon person and had bought some manual lenses but they didn’t work well on my D200/300. I thought the Df would be the answer but it didn’t have any aids for manual focussing. I picked up an X-E1 for about £100 in mint condition and got a Nikon adaptor for it. I never looked back.

Unfortunately, I had to move onto Sony to get full frame so I could get Shift lens capability, but I would go back to Fuji in a heartbeat if I could.

Good luck with your “new” camera!

 

[redsim74]

I remember holding an X-E1 in a camera shop somewhere and thinking "this is terrific".

I have a similar story. I was shooting Sony Alpha and NEX cameras at the time and wanted to upgrade my NEX 5N. I spent half an hour in a camera store with a NEX 6 and the X-E1. Goodbye Sony.

 

[gryphon1911]

A town about 16 miles away does a Friday night music event the first, sseond and third fridays of each month.

Plopped down with the X-E1 and the 55-200.

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4 - rando stickers on a gas meter with the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8

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[gryphon1911]

Random step ladder/stool combo

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[gryphon1911]

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