First Images From Fuji X-E1

First of all I would like to say thank you to the nearly 4,000 people that have read my previous post on the Fuji X Pro1 vs Nikon D700.  I’ve never had so many visitors to my blog and am still shocked that there is that much interest in this information.

I feel like I need to apologize for this image, but I just couldn’t wait to give this camera, more specifically, this brand new 18-55mm f2:8-4 lens a test.  So, any subject would do, like my little metal drummer sculpture that was a gift from my daughter Sara and sits in our den.

This is the full frame image from the camera

I wanted to eliminate as many variables as I could, so I shot with a Quantum T5d-R flash, bare bulb, manual 1/4 power.  Camera Settings:  Manual exposure, ISO 400, 1/125 at f11.  The 18-55 lens was fully extended to 55mm.  This lens features optical stabilization  so these shots were hand held, not tripod mounted like I would typically be shooting in a portrait situation. I was impressed right away by the way it focused in extremely low light and the overall look from the lens.  I love the bright colors in the edges of the image from the flash bulb and vase.  Still maintaining a clean, neutral black base under it all.

This is a close up cropped at 100%

Not only sharpness, but look at the subtle color and surface etchings. (truthfully I had never seen them before this shot)  There are no “blow outs” on the highlights in the metal.  And no noise at all with this 400 ISO shot, I will obviously check out it’s capabilities at much higher ISO’s before I make any final conclusions.  Based on this, for what I do photographically, this is super promising.  As an event and portrait shooter, I don’t “need” the super high speeds required in low light photography.  Still, I occasionally photograph weddings and social events that are low light so it needs to be thoroughly tested there.  So next week I am shooting a Christmas party and guess what I’ll be using?

Same 100% crop, just a little lower to show some of the depth that is visible.  (oops, I should have dusted the inside)

To say I am impressed with these initial shots would be an understatement.  My hopes are that I can purchase this current available zoom and the upcoming 55-200 and have a simple, extremely lite, 2 lens kit.  My next decision is which body to buy first?  The X Pro 1 or the X-E1?  There are pluses and minuses to both bodies.  The X Pro 1 body is currently on sale for $1399.00.  But, the X-E1 is only $1399.00 with this fantastic, super sharp, great resolution zoom lens.  Eventually I will most likely own one of each body, I just don’t know which one will be first.  Feature wise there are some cosmetic and functional features to consider, but those are discussed on a dozen different forums all over the internet.

I am now more convinced that selling my DSLR gear in favor of this move was the right thing to do!  My next planned tests include comparing the two camera models with the assortment of lenses.  However, that will have to wait until there is a lens update allowing me to shoot the zoom on the X Pro body.  That brings up another first.   The ability to do firmware updates for the camera bodies and specific lenses is an incredible step in the right direction.  Don’t be intimidated by the update process, it is simple and straightforward.  I want to shoot this lens wide open against the 60mm Macro at the same setting and see how it affects the bokeh produced. There is about 1/3 stop difference between wide open on these two lenses, still I’m expecting stunning images from both.

I bought the Fuji EF-420 flash today and will hopefully get to use that in the next few days.  I should mention that I triggered the Quantum with my trusty old, (over 10 years) Pocket Wizard Multi-Max’s.  They just keep on working and it proves that using this camera in any studio situation will be no problem at all.  There is a little pop up flash that could possibly serve some purpose, like triggering other lights optically?

Finally, a special thank you to my boss Ron Rice that has let me use his camera more than he has used it himself.  And an extra special thanks to my friend Henry Hamman that has allowed me to use his X-E1 before he has even put his hands on it!  I appreciate the trust and confidence these men have placed in me!

All I have left of my Nikon gear is my 8 month old, 70-200 f2.8 VRII lens, everything else is sold and gone to good homes.  Now I need to get serious about replacing this stuff pronto!