Revisiting the Legendary Fujifilm X-E1

I get asked almost weekly to try out the Fujifilm X-E1, and I finally did! Thanks to Kevin for loaning me the camera and giving me the chance. Super cool camera. Amazing shutter sound. Logical controls. Great image quality straight from the camera. It was an awesome experience using it, and I can see why people really get into these cameras.

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#fujifilm

[Kevins_Camera]

I just watched it, dude thanks for that ending there! Just made my day❤️

[SlavaVeres]

“Should you buy X-E1?” … Are you kidding?! YES, you should! The X-Trans sensor Gen1 CAN NOT BE beat! The colours produced by this decade old camera are incredible. I have TWO of these cameras :) Got them for $280 and $200 CAD respectively - so cheap! 😁

[snappiness]

It's just amazing the camera you can get for ~$300 nowadays. Who's shooting Fuji out there?

[Chudui]

For me it feels like cameras has peaked at 2010-2012 for an average user. After that it's just some minor incremental updates each year, like faster shooting speed, faster AF, higher megapixels etc... but the quality of each photo came from those newer cameras still the same as those in 2010 like this XE1.

[Hey_Beau]

I feel the same way about my X-T1! Not the same sensor, but a great camera and on that one I find that the exposure compensation has enough room on the larger grip not to get knocked. Really like shooting Auto ISO on the X-T1 using the exposure comp.

[cameronrramos]

Just a warning to others as this is a lovely video and some nice shots in there.

I got sucked into the sensor hype for these "older" x mount Fujis (the much venerated XE2-S, of which I thankfully got a good deal on I was able to recoup when I resold ) and was just constantly frustrated. Yes the colours are nice (but what modern camera isn’t) but only when the wildly fluctuating white balance and subpar dynamic range didn’t try it’s best to ruin every other shot - particularly in low light or paired with vintage lenses it was a miserable experience.

By contrast, I never had the same issue with an X-S10 and the same lenses I also owned at the time which is far less romantically described but produced much better results for me.

[jasonandrews]

I've owned one of these since mid 2019, when i picked it up for around $220CAD ($170USD.)

Excellent camera for that price! Paired with the 27mm pancake lense, or any of my old Minolta MD primes, it's really nice to shoot!

[gdjaybee]

That last picture of the forest with the reflection on the water was breath taking, beautiful, and inspiring. I wish I lived in an area that I don't have to drive far to get to a place where there is lots of beautiful scenes.

[mikeyhomie]

That photo of the bike with the sunset and clouds in portrait orientation is incredible. Out of the gates I’m ALREADY looking for it

[DT]

If you can find an EF mount focal reducer, it is the perfect investment to pair with the X-E1. The EF among film cameras have one of the shortest flange distance a which can be adapted to a plethora of film lenses including PK, OM, and F meanwhile maintaining the FOV of 135mm film cameras.
Another route to go, is adapting PEN-F film prime lenses, as they are the perfect match for APS sensors.

[saalikreynolds]

I enjoy your ‘unbiased reviews’. They are so refreshing. Please keep it up.

[robinlennon]

I have both the X-M1 & X-E1 for the original sensor, they are so cheap I thought it was a bit of a no brainer to have and keep them for the future as they become harder to find. I like to go out with 2 cameras a 24MP like the XPro2 or XE3 for speed and features plus one of the originals for the different look maybe with a vintage lens. X-E2 is my favourite older model.

[mudgie]

I just spent a weekend shooting my xe1 with the 35mm xf f2. My xe1 real dial is faulty as it won't change the aperture etc but I'm always thrilled with the results it gives me. They are so cheap these days is worth buying one even to just adapt old vintage lenses. I also have the TTartisan 35mm f1.4 with is a fantastic lens for the money. Great review.

[chelseajupiter]

This made me want to set aside all the new stuff I've picked up lately and charge the battery for my X-E1. It really is a joyful camera to shoot with.

[milesian]

Lovely video and sample images. After road testing Fujifilm's system with the X-20 as my daily carry I quickly acquired an X-E1 as my first real digital Fujifilm with removable lenses, which came with the "kit" lens and the magical 35mm f/1.4. I've been hooked ever since, acquiring the X100S, X-T2, X-T3 and X-S10 along with various lenses. I use the X-T3 and X-S10 professionally for video work as the company has come a long way for hybrid shooters. But when I just want to grab a camera to wander around, or when I'm on holiday, I choose my X-E1 for that special something that its sensor offers.

Little did I know when I first got the X-E1 that it would be considered a classic digital camera and become much prized (and appreciate in price) a decade later.

[matthieuzglurg]

Hey, happy to see you dwelve into the Fuji world !

If you're searching for the best/weirdest sensors in Fuji cameras, I definitely suggest that you look at the original X100 from 2011, and the X10 from about the same era. It's not an X-Trans sensor like the later X100 cameras and other X mount cameras yet, but the colors are really different and the image quality is surprisingly good for a sensor this old.

Also, since we're talking about old stuff, let's go a little older : Fujifilm S5 Pro, basically a Nikon D200 with a sensor swap. 10MP Super CCD sensor that not only has incredible colors, but also has a surprisingly high dynamic range for its age (it's still not close to modern standards, but it's way better than APS-C sensor were able to do at that time). Also it's super cheap for what it is.

Talking about the X-E1 specifically, I like the fact that the camera is cheap and the colors are wonderful, but there was a few issues that I had with it that makes its successor just so much more worth it in my opinion. First, there is some film simulations missing that I've grown to love from later cameras, like Classic Chrome. Not the biggest issue mind you. My only real gripe is the fact that the focus peaking with manual lenses is white only. Meaning that if you're shooting during a bright sunny day, you're screwed cause you can't see what's in focus and what isn't. On that front, the X-E2 added colors to the peaking, like red, blue and yellow so that's one issue fixed.

I WOULD like to recommend the X-E2, as it is basically the same camera just with teh X-Trans II instead of the X-Trans I (the difference between those two sensors is really marginal, the only notable difference that I've been able to spot was the fact that the X-Trans II has a slightly warmer tone, but I actually like that. Otherwise it has lower noise levels, better autofocus, and of course all the new film sims and features that the 2nd gen processor brings). But there is another X-Trans II camera that is around the same price (at least in my country) as the X-E2 and offers a LOT more features : The flagship of the time, the X-T1. Notable improvements over the X-E2 are : UHS-II card slot that is separated from the battery compartment, so you can burst with fast card without an issue. HUGE OLED EVF that is on par with modern EVF despite being from 2014, the EVF that made me forget DSLR OVFs for a while. Tilty screen. Better ergonomics (presence of an ISO dial, more buttons etc). Weather sealing (the camera is actually very rugged despite the small size)

I've had many Fuji camera over the years (currently using an X-T2 as my main camera) but the X-T1 is for me the best camera in its pricepoint, by a long shot, I highly recommend you give it a try.

[carylee]

I have all three camera bodies because of the original x-trans sensor. I use Voigtlander M lenses on my Xpro1 and M42 lenses while doing hyperfocal distance focusing on my X-E1. My X-M1 is the only one that has the original Fujifilm 27mm pancake, for quick shots when needed when im out in the field, especially when driving around town and notice a quick shot. I shoot raw and use Capture One and it is a joy. You can preset using the Fujifilm recipe in camera for a quick look in raw, then go back to post adjustments using presets one can purchase to load film simulations of your choice.

[filmismorefun]

Beautiful images, and excellent opinion from a users perspective. I've adapted my own Auto 110 lenses to my XT3 recently and found much the same thing- I love how they render. So much so, that I've been researching smaller cameras like the XE1 to create more of pocketable "on the go" setup.

[SourPlanet]

Having just grabbed one as my first try at Fuji bodies, I see why people consider it the entry point! Within minutes I was getting fantastic JPGs SOOC. Barely touch them back on the workstation, which is the entire reason I wanted to get one.

What really surprised me though is how perfect it feels in the hand. I have an a7Rii and A7c. I love them both and while I have to tell them to get out of the way a bit, they're amazing cameras. But the Fuji... It felt like picking up a piece of history. Sony is big tech in a camera form, the Fuji is absolutely a photography tool with a tech back end. You know a body is a good fit when you find yourself just wandering over to pick it up for no reason ha. Just like "dang, I love this little guy" 😂

[arturcharaev]

The only thing I wish from my old good xe1 is a firmware update to reassign more buttons like on xe2s. I own both of them, but for some magical reasons I'm getting better shots with xe1.