ajurjans

Fuji X-E2, 50-230mm @ 95.4; F/14 1/125 ISO 200

In the case of any lens that is used on an interchangeable lens system (not x100/x70 family, that is), the best "help buying a cheap wide angle converter" is - don't buy it. Zoom with your feet or make a panorama. The quality with a cheap converter just will not be nowhere near good enough. I would not spend a single euro on that. So, unless the converter is given to you for free... Don't bother. There are some high quality adapters, such as Canons macro lenses which are made from quality optical glass, but they cost a bit.

I had the 18/2 for about 18 months. I just let it go yesterday (as a part of a trade-in for 10-24) and I already miss it. Loved the size, weight and the hood - it iis perfect for walking around, as not much can really land on the lens. With the hood on I have never been in a need of cleaning a fingerprint off the lens. This lens has been great to use on a camera when cycling or hiking. 10-24 might be better in some ways, but I know I'll get one of 18/2 before autumn for sure.

Foggy day on Liepaja beach. Normally the beach is just right there, however, that day the fog was so dense, that the water could not be seen. https://500px.com/photo/147233303/fog-on-liepaja-beach-by-andis-jurjans

We had the feeling of spring already, but the last weeks have brought a series of blizzards. More about the sculpture by Robertas Antinis here: http://en.rigaspieminekli.lv/?lapa=piemineklis&zanrs=3&rajons=1&id=103 (although it is supposed to be in Engish, google translate will have to do) Fuji X-E2, 18/2, slight editing in Instagram

Water. I have twice been in situation where I overestimate my abilities and mistakenly assume that there should be a possibility to get water on the way. Once in Gibraltar (descending the rock via a scenic but completely empty pathway), once in Ibiza. in Ibiza I was about 10 minutes away from a heart issue, and i really, really don't want to experience this the third time. I know a guy who was literally saved in Spain when he accidentally stumbled upon a grape field. The map showed several bodies of water, but they were all dry and his camelback was soon empty. of course, barcelona is a different scenario, but during siesta it can get hard to find a place where to get water - from my experience in other parts of Spain.

Tom, thanks! What a great response. I guess I can then say that I am prepared for Barcelona, as I've been to Madrid and have spent quite some time in Malaga on the larios street - it did feel safe to me back then and nothing happened, although, I did use precaution as always. I think some people misunderstood me for someone who is on their first trip. In Morocco and Southern part of Spain I took an old canon film camera with me - did the job, made me look less attractive for the gangs. But plenty of useful advice both on traveling as a tourist and on the topic of bags as well. Thanks again, everyone!

I've dealt with a number of Sony and Fuji cameras. Sony are great gadgets! If specs "on paper" make you feel good, buy it and go shooting! It is completely normal to want to own the best out there. And there is no reason why you could not get great images with Sony. However. Here are my biggest issues with Sony: Movie mode. I love it, but why, if there is a separate movie mode on the PSAM dial, the shutter button just becomes an error button? It does not start video, it does not take a still, it throws an error which I have to dismiss as well. And the "true" movie button is in a place you have zero chances pressing without shaking the camera. Jpegs. Just useless. Quality is great, bot in jpeg it is not even good. The difference is visible even without zooming in. Menus. And other error buttons/modes. (images taken by me, sorry about the watermark) The video settings. I don't care that much about video (there is even no way I can shoot movies with my x-e2, as the buttons have been reassigned), and therefore, at the times I do, the settings of sizes, formats and resolutions make me raise my eyebrows. File structure on memory card. I honestly can't remember ALL the locations where a Sony camera could store your videos. Hugely inconvenient if you are using a card reader and want to minimize the number of useless folders in your pc. Also, very easy to delete some videos that were in the folder, where other formats are kept. in-camera apps. While the idea sounds good, let me rephrase - Sony expects you to buy a, honestly, not-that-cheap camera (up to several thousands for A7s ii) and then they want to charge you €10 more for a timelapse app! They make the best low-light camera there is... And make it with an AF system, that is useless in the dark. Not in the night. Even in slightly dark premises. Ah, and while we are on the topic of Autofocus, well, I honestly can't explain how the AF would work in majority of the possible lock-zone-track setting combinations. I've tried a lot of those. If you are into gadgets - Sony is possibly the choice for you. If you like photography and the control, literally, at your fingertips, you have to try Fuji. I was once obsessed with FF and I still admire how the pics I made with my 6x6 camera look. And Fuji, honestly, from all the systems, have managed to get the closest to that "film-look" in terms of image rendition. Not resolution, not microcontrast - but the overall structure of the image. Perhaps it is because after 6x6, I view both APS-C and FF as cropped sensors And then there is not really THAT much of a difference. And they've got great lenses, too. Sony-Zeiss cost a lot, are not bad, but at the price, I'd expect more. What I love - the NFC and WiFi operation is class-leading. Fuji has a lot to learn from that.

ok, kim, you have no idea how much I wish that could be possible. In my country insurance market is waaay underdeveloped, they mainly insure cars and buildings.

It seems, I might stay with this option, as it has the covert camera compartment, totally nondescript looks, good number of outer pockets. I only wish the padding for the straps would be better and that there was an additional chest strap, but that could be sorted, I guess. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterproof-Canvas-DSLR-Camera-Backpack-13-Laptop-Rucksack-Travel-Bag-Schoolbag/171857063169

Thanks for the advice! I am afraid that looking touristy will be unevitable, as it will be the peak of the season + I am from Northern Europe and will be white as a reflector, compared to any spaniard out there + as I said, me nd my gf have worked out a rather decent method of moving through crowded streets - the one carrying a bag always half a step ahead, the other keeping close behind, etc. If you have been in Spain in July, then you'll know that water is an absolute must have and has to be kept near at all times. It is no fun to be in the streets of Murcia during siesta time, when almost nothing is open and it is +46 degrees Celsius out there. The reason why I am thinking about a bag as a half-remedy is simple - from my experience, nothing attracts more attention than a person rumbling through his/her things or even emptying a bag on the table, etc. Order and everything precisely where it has to be is the key to success, in my opinion. Then, it is essential to keep track of people around and other surroundings and, most importantly, never stop moving. One Hand on the bag (if shoulder bag), the other always covering the camera and the lens, etc. No need for stopping if I just want to grab the water or even change the lens or battery, etc. The moment you stop and start going through your stuff in the bag with both hands - is when anything can happen. I know what I am talking about Me and my girlfriend have been followed more than once while abroad and we've always managed to spot the thing. This specially happens in markets, where lots of people are moving, stopping, etc. The bag does not attract attention, however, it signals what's inside - and NG definitely signal "expensive".

Well, I certainly don't expect it to be like Norway or Finland, where I could just put a lens in the outer pocket of my backpack (intended for water bottle, easy to reach without taking the bag off) A friend of mine had her ff Sony camera and lenses stolen in the airport - the camera bag was on the large suitcase, with the handle of th suitcase going through the side of the bag - someone asked her something and a second later only the suitcase was there. If we talk about Spain, I know a few persons, who bought an iphone on the street... And got a rock in an iphone box And a truck driver who instead of a laptop bought 3kg of very expensive salt

Thanks! From your words I understand that my concerns are probably real. The trip is going to be in July, so my usual approach with lenses in the front pockets of an army-style jacket will be of no use. Another option is just to go with any regular shoulder bag, which does not look like a camera bag, however, I hate the mess inside - lenses, gorillapod, water bottle, etc. I am not overly concerned about my phone - my work requires me to constantly be aware of my phone and its whereabouts. Camera is my main concern this time. I assume I would not change the lenses all the time - only for some shots and definitely not on the Ramblas I am also planning to travel with my gf, and checking out for each other is something we always do. i also have some tricks on how to attach the camera to myself and the bag, so neither can be easily taken. Its a good thing that an x-e2 with 18mm or 27mm attracts less attention than any canon dslr, though. I am not sure about the gear I would be taking with me, it is still to be planned (thats why I said between 2 and 4 lenses).

Hi, fellow X-shooters, For quite a while now I've been looking for my unicorn - a comfy bag that would attract zero attention in tourist crowded streets. This year I am planning to visit London, Porto, and, most importantly - Barcelona. As many of you might know, Barcelona is notorious for thefts there - quite a few of my friends have lost their camera gear and my girlfriend was lucky enough to quickly realize she had been stolen from, caught the guy and asked her purse and passport back. This is why I am looking for a bag that: could take x-e2 body and 2-4 lenses (the largest in dimensions being XC 50-230) Would also take a 1 liter bottle of water, a small umbrella, a gorillapod and few other smaller items (spare battery, lenspen, maybe a raincoat) The bag can be a backpack or shoulder bag. if it is a backpack, the main access to camera compartment has to be from the back. The looks. It should NOT look like a camera bag - I quite like the function and looks of national geographic bags, however, those bags scream "I have pro stuff in me, take me!" A rain cover is a plus. Durable material, however, not leather. ABSOLUTELY NO large canon, nikon, fuji, lowepro, thinktank or other logos on the front. I quite like the design of this bag http://www.vanguardworld.com/photo_video/products/camera-bags/veo-37.html however, I fear that it still looks too much like a a camera bag. But perhaps it is my paranoia What is your experience? Ah, and tips on barcelona and Porto spots are also welcome. Thanks!

I do access the menus on my X-E1 and X-E2 - only because I have some XC lenses, and it has become celar, tha tthe easiest way not to try shooting something with the lens incidently set to F22, is to use the aperture priority mode. However, when I need to control the aperture manually, I'll have to change the setting.

Where did you get such an amazing deal?

A slight offtopic, however, my thoughts on the gap between X-E1 and X-E2. The X-E2 is said to be very similar if not identical to X-T10 inside-wise. I have tested the X-T10 with my lenses, the 18/2, 55-230 and the new 35/2 as well - and to be honest, it seems like I am having not only a different camera, but completely new lenses too. The AF is much quicker, more precise - especially in the case of 18/2. The difference is noticeable immediately. So what I did? The day the X-E2 firmware update was announced, I sold my X-E1 for about 200 euros, and picked up an X-E2 from ebay for under 400 euros, with the original leather half case included. My advice would be to do the same, while the X-E1 has at least some value. I would also expect the X-E2 prices to remain at the present level or even increase, as the incentive of getting an X-T10 diminishes.

Aand few more:

From a recent hike in Norway. X-E1 + 18/2 - perfect companion for a tour like this. Sorry for the long post

I don't think the electronic shutter is possible with older cameras. It has to be related to the bus speed - how fast can the data from the whole sensor be read, in order not to have any jello effect...

Just wanted to share some pictures from my beautiful hometown in Eastern Europe - Riga. To be brief - we are a small and proud nation, living in a small and green country. Read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvia and see, what there is to be seen here http://www.latvia.travel/ (I have no affiliation with these sites, just a source of information for you, guys, if you are interesed. In brief - there are things to see here, we are in the European Union and use € If you have any pics worth sharing, please, do so These are from winter, when I was just getting into Fuji

The last camera in which I saw the linkage to AF point was, if I am not mistaken, Canon EOS 30 (not the digital one) - I just loved that camera, and one of the big reasons was that people faces were perfectly exposed, no matter what the conditions - sunlight, backlight, candid - whatever. To me it seems very odd that: a.) most cameras don't have that and b.) that most photographers rather pre-focus, pre-measure and then recompose (risking losing the moment and, possibly, focus as well).

X-E1: Intervalometer and ability to link spot metering to AF point. It would also be nice if they added autofocus...