Jano

I thought this was about Steve loosing it? Well that actually happend a very long time ago already according to http://huffparanormal.com/ . Stopped reading his stuff after I discovered this..
 
And yes, the A9 is an impressive camera, but does that mean it invalidates the X-T2? I think not..

20fps burst with AF checked 60 times per second without any viewfinder blackout is way better than X-T2
 
It has way more phase detect AF points, spread over much more of the image.
 
It has way better battery life despite having way more horsepower under the hood
 
The electronic shutter has no rolling shutter issues
 
It has in-camera 5-axis IS
 
It's full frame
 
Just because another camera comes out that's better than yours doesn't mean your camera gets worse. You can be excited for Sony and for people who will buy, use, and love the camera, all without having to hate your gear, or feel bad about yourself. The a9 is objectively better than the X-T2 in basically every objective way, and yet the X-T2 will probably do just fine taking nearly any photo you could want to take. It's okay. Take deep breaths. 

My wishes are popular!  
 
Thanks for the great write up and summary.

I finally submitted the results to FR as a guest post. As soon as Patrick authorises it you'll find it there. Sorry for taking so long.
It's a long read so I hope you have some time...

I finally submitted the results to FR as a guest post. As soon as Patrick authorises it you'll find it there. Sorry for taking so long.
It's a long read so I hope you have some time...

With 2,000 responses I have now closed the poll and will begin to analyse the answers. Thanks a lot to all those who participated!

Dear fellow X-E lovers,
 
with our hopes high that Fuji is actually working on an X-E3 now, I've been thinking a lot about what I would want the X-E3 to be like and for which features I am actually willing (and able) to pay. Since I've read all sorts of things about what people want ranging from "as cheap as possible" to "make it an X-T2 in rangefinder format" I decided to make a poll to collect all those opinions in a meaningful way. I am hoping that many people here (and from FR) participate so that I can generate some interesting statistics from the data. Patrick has done some polls but without a bit of background information I believe the value of those polls is quite low (sorry, Patrick ;-)
 
So, here's the link if you want to participate (it shouldn't take long):
https://goo.gl/forms/LixLzXFAzOH6SwYx1 » Poll is now closed!
 
I am planning to leave it open for about a week and then do an analysis which I will of course publish here in the forum or maybe as a guest post on FR.
If you have any comments feel free to drop them here.
 
Thank you!

Done.

Done...
and shared too: http://www.fujirumors.com/fujifilm-x-e3-poll/

Will share it also on FR
 
good job!

Done.

Dear fellow X-E lovers,
 
with our hopes high that Fuji is actually working on an X-E3 now, I've been thinking a lot about what I would want the X-E3 to be like and for which features I am actually willing (and able) to pay. Since I've read all sorts of things about what people want ranging from "as cheap as possible" to "make it an X-T2 in rangefinder format" I decided to make a poll to collect all those opinions in a meaningful way. I am hoping that many people here (and from FR) participate so that I can generate some interesting statistics from the data. Patrick has done some polls but without a bit of background information I believe the value of those polls is quite low (sorry, Patrick ;-)
 
So, here's the link if you want to participate (it shouldn't take long):
https://goo.gl/forms/LixLzXFAzOH6SwYx1 » Poll is now closed!
 
I am planning to leave it open for about a week and then do an analysis which I will of course publish here in the forum or maybe as a guest post on FR.
If you have any comments feel free to drop them here.
 
Thank you!

Dear fellow X-E lovers,
 
with our hopes high that Fuji is actually working on an X-E3 now, I've been thinking a lot about what I would want the X-E3 to be like and for which features I am actually willing (and able) to pay. Since I've read all sorts of things about what people want ranging from "as cheap as possible" to "make it an X-T2 in rangefinder format" I decided to make a poll to collect all those opinions in a meaningful way. I am hoping that many people here (and from FR) participate so that I can generate some interesting statistics from the data. Patrick has done some polls but without a bit of background information I believe the value of those polls is quite low (sorry, Patrick ;-)
 
So, here's the link if you want to participate (it shouldn't take long):
https://goo.gl/forms/LixLzXFAzOH6SwYx1 » Poll is now closed!
 
I am planning to leave it open for about a week and then do an analysis which I will of course publish here in the forum or maybe as a guest post on FR.
If you have any comments feel free to drop them here.
 
Thank you!

Cold Morning @Kollassaare, Estonia by Hendrik Osula, on Flickr
 
X-T2 + 90/2
 
Sunset @Saare, Estonia by Hendrik Osula, on Flickr
 
X-T2 + 23/1,4
 
Cold Morning @Kollassaare, Estonia by Hendrik Osula, on Flickr
 
X-T2 + 18/2
 
Cold Morning @Kollassaare, Estonia by Hendrik Osula, on Flickr
 
X-T2 + 18/2

Yeah, writing me a personal message telling me how stupid I am and then not replying to my answer but instead writing another post about how stupid I am. What's wrong with you?
 
It seems you didn't see the smiley I wrote and instead felt personally attacked by me being "schoolmasterly". But since you then decided to teach me I'll let you have that fun. But don't embarrass yourself. Homophones are words that are pronounced the same (as the Greek meaning clearly implies). Some people might pronounce "fred" the same as "thread" but that is as far from being correct as you are from being a humble person. You can have fun playing with your language as much as you like but don't spread incorrect stuff here pretending to be something better.
 
Now let's get back to the topic.

Foam portrait (X100S)
 

Foam portrait by Pascal van Gerven, on Flickr

You had the chance to write like a hundred constructive things and came here to take a leak on my doorstep and leave. Nice social skills, dude.
 
It's not supposed to be a design concept. It's a concept for function and my mockup is just a first idea for how this could look. I forgot a Drive button and also a Menu button. Nothing final we're talking about. There are several things I don't like myself but because I'm just putting an idea up for discussion I don't want to waste hours and hours creating a perfect mockup. And since Fuji will likely completely ignore this my time would be even more wasted. What I do know is that most people here would love the large EVF and that can only be achieved through 3 possibilities:
- make the camera larger
- make the LCD (much) smaller
- move the LCD to the right
I proposed the third as the best compromise and I'm pretty sure actual designers could make it look really good. Not me but I never suggested I could.
 
 
But since you seem to be an expert on design let me at least say three things:
 
- This design is mostly taken from the X-Pro2 while adapting it for the size of the X-E line. Yes, the LCD is moved, the EVF looks different and a few buttons are moved but that's not a lot. All other views of the camera (front, top, bottom, sides) would look nearly identical to what we have now. Can't be that bad can it?
 
- Imho form follows function. Do I find those antenna bands on the iPhone 6 ugly? Yeah. Would I rather take back a glass or plastic back to get rid of them? No way! They lead to an overall better and more robust phone so I see it as a good compromise. Same goes for a camera. I love the look of most Fuji X cameras. Would I rather have it look slightly worse (only the rear side) if I could then have the huge EVF and a tilting screen? You bet! When I'm shooting I only care about function and feel. Looks only matter when it's sitting on my desk.
 
- Good design can take time to settle in. When I first saw the leaked iPhone 4 I didn't believe it was real. It was so ugly and looked so un-Apple-like! Now I consider the iPhone 4 to be the most beautifully designed iPhone we have had. Not practical with its easily breakable glass but beautiful.When the X-T10 was leaked here, many (including me) didn't like the design. It looked too square. It's still isn't my favourite Fuji design but I actually like it now.
It's the same with good music, good images, good coffee and others: sometimes it takes a while to appreciate a certain look/taste. This is not saying my mockup is designed well. I'm just saying that judging design by the first impression is not a good idea as it will lead to things always staying more or less the same. Things that look different take time for us to appreciate. I've been working on that mockup every now and then for a while now and while at first it looked ugly to me I now don't think it looks too bad anymore.

Dear Fuji,
 
I love my X-E2! Especially since FW 4.0 it has become a spectacular camera (save the waxy skin) and I'm so thankful for that FW update. I couldn't be happier when compared with the DSLR I was shooting before. Now give us that 23 f2 and then a 56 f2 and I'll be jumping for joy.
 
But as much as I love the X-E2 I really hope you'll one day give us an X-E3. And I'm pretty sure I (and many others) wouldn't be able to resist upgrading from our X-E2. Here's what I think it should look like:
 

 
Now let's get the basic specs out of the way and then I'll write some details about each one:
 
- WR
- No integrated space-wasting midget-flash
- 24 MP X-Trans III sensor
- Tilting touch screen
- Large EVF from the X-T1 but with higher resolution and that nice refresh rate from the X-Pro2
- Front and rear dial as well as a combined SS / ISO dial
- Focus-recompose and touch screen to select focus points (omitting the need for joystick or 4-way controller)
 
 
WR
 
I'd really like that but I can live without it. My lenses aren't WR anyway.
 
 
No Integrated Flash
 
Leave that thing out. It's so useless. Literally the only thing I do with it is popping it up and pressing it back in when I'm bored. I'm serious.
Integrated flashes are weak, very limited, add potential weaknesses, cast ugly shadows and make WR more difficult. For triggering remote flashes (the only real use this thing has) rather find a way to brightly flash the focus assist lamp if that is possible.
The money you save with this can go into adding a tilt and touch screen (see below).
 
 
24 MP X-Trans III Sensor
 
Pretty obvious, right? It would be even better if you added PDAF points on the whole sensor but I guess that won't happen.
 
 
Screen
 
Tilt screens are so useful. I want one. I know some self-proclaimed purists don't want one but that's nonsense. They can simply not use it. And no, it doesn't break easily. Especially not if you don't use it.
To accommodate the larger EVF (see below) you will need to make it more compact. I think you could keep it at 3" but all those huge borders around the actual screen area (like on the X-T1 / X-T10) need to go. Not a problem, others manage that as well.
 
Touch screens are so useful. I want one. I know some self-proclaimed purists don't want one but that's nonsense. They can simply turn it off. And no, it doesn't cost much and it also doesn't drain the battery when it's turned off.
It's embarrassing that so many cameras still lack one when we're in the age of the smartphone. The potential is huge but (like with the tilt screen) many fail to see that until they use a well implemented one. The main functions will be focus point selection (when shooting on a tripod) and menu navigation.
 
 
EVF
 
Yes, I want that huge X-T1 EVF. It's lovely and I want you to somehow squeeze it into the X-E3. To do that we'll need to move the screen and give up that 4-way controller which isn't needed (if you implement my suggestions for focus point selection). Add a higher resolution panel and give us that 85 fps refresh rate and we'll be extremely pleased.
Please give us a diopter correction that doesn't constantly move by accident. And mark the freaking neutral position! This is UI-101!
 
 
Dials
 
Give us a combined SS & ISO dial. Not quite like in the X-Pro2 but similar. Lift-and-turn is too difficult to perform since it needs a significant change in the right hand position. Instead make it so that the button on top toggles between ISO and SS. Almost always I'll keep either SS or ISO fixed and adjust exposure with the other. So toggling the two would be perfect. The outer design (SS outside, ISO in the little window) is great.
It would be even better if a deep press of the top button locked both settings so they can't accidentally be changed.
 
I'd love front and rear control dials. Make them like the rear dial on the X-E2. Not that mushy thing you put in the X-T10. And then give us the option to change ISO and SS with them by adding a "D" (for dial) setting on the SS/ISO dial. Simple concept:
- You like those labeled dials and only need full stops for ISO and SS: use the top dial.
- You prefer DSLR-style dials or need 1/2 or 1/3 stops: use the front and rear dial.
That way you can make all of us happy: everyone gets to use the dial they want and that ridiculous two-dials-are-needed-for-one-setting-thing has an end.
 
When I use the front and rear dials for ISO and SS I want a press of the dial to switch between manual and auto mode. When the auto mode is selected, turning the SS dial changes the minimum shutter speed and turning the ISO dial changes the maximum ISO. Simple as that.
 
Not a dial, but an important button: I want an AF button that works like the AF-ON buttons we are used to from DSLRs: press once for AF-S, hold for AF-C, half-pressing the shutter doesn't activate AF.
 
 
Focus-point Selection
 
We have two ways to select the focus point. Both are faster than joysticks or 4-way controllers and therefore (and since we have no space for it) we don't need either of those.
 
Handheld shooting: focus on your subject, half-press the shutter button (extra step when using AF-button to focus) and recompose. The camera automatically selects the new AF point closest to the subject that was initially focussed on.
 
Tripod shooting: use the touch screen to simply tap the desired focus point.
 
In handheld shooting using the LCD you can use either method.
 
-----
 
So, Fuji, these are my suggestions. I'm sure there might be some problems with this concept I haven't thought about but the general idea seems like a lovely camera to me. Here are a few additional (random) points:
 
- Yes, it would be a step up and probably cause this camera to be priced the same or closer to the X-T2. I wouldn't care.
 
- If the camera needs to become a few mm taller or wider to fit the large EVF that would be okay.
 
- The exact button placement would of course need to be tested on actual prototypes, this is just guesswork.
 
- Centered tripod mount please!
 
- Dual card slot would be awesome. And please let us insert the cards from the side.
 
- Adding Bluetooth for a stable remote connection with low power consumption would be great.
 
- I'd like to have the ability to use the EC dial as a WB compensation dial when shooting in manual mode with AWB.
 
- I forgot a Drive button in my mockup.
 
-----
 
What do you think of this camera? Would you buy it? Would you rather buy this or the X-T2 with the same specs? What would you do differently? Feel free to drop a comment. If someone with more PS knowledge than me (not difficult) wants to do a proper rendering feel free to do that. Just want to tell Fuji that they should release an X-E3? Here's your chance!

I doubt that would be a good idea. The screen would be tiny. People today are used to larger screens and I can't blame them – larger screens are gorgeous and let you judge images much better.

It is and it isn't. There will be a standalone price as you can read on their website. And – different to Adobe – you can quit your subscription and keep using the software in its current state – you simply won't get any more updates.
 
I hate subscription software but this is very different from what Adobe is doing.

You had the chance to write like a hundred constructive things and came here to take a leak on my doorstep and leave. Nice social skills, dude.
 
It's not supposed to be a design concept. It's a concept for function and my mockup is just a first idea for how this could look. I forgot a Drive button and also a Menu button. Nothing final we're talking about. There are several things I don't like myself but because I'm just putting an idea up for discussion I don't want to waste hours and hours creating a perfect mockup. And since Fuji will likely completely ignore this my time would be even more wasted. What I do know is that most people here would love the large EVF and that can only be achieved through 3 possibilities:
- make the camera larger
- make the LCD (much) smaller
- move the LCD to the right
I proposed the third as the best compromise and I'm pretty sure actual designers could make it look really good. Not me but I never suggested I could.
 
 
But since you seem to be an expert on design let me at least say three things:
 
- This design is mostly taken from the X-Pro2 while adapting it for the size of the X-E line. Yes, the LCD is moved, the EVF looks different and a few buttons are moved but that's not a lot. All other views of the camera (front, top, bottom, sides) would look nearly identical to what we have now. Can't be that bad can it?
 
- Imho form follows function. Do I find those antenna bands on the iPhone 6 ugly? Yeah. Would I rather take back a glass or plastic back to get rid of them? No way! They lead to an overall better and more robust phone so I see it as a good compromise. Same goes for a camera. I love the look of most Fuji X cameras. Would I rather have it look slightly worse (only the rear side) if I could then have the huge EVF and a tilting screen? You bet! When I'm shooting I only care about function and feel. Looks only matter when it's sitting on my desk.
 
- Good design can take time to settle in. When I first saw the leaked iPhone 4 I didn't believe it was real. It was so ugly and looked so un-Apple-like! Now I consider the iPhone 4 to be the most beautifully designed iPhone we have had. Not practical with its easily breakable glass but beautiful.When the X-T10 was leaked here, many (including me) didn't like the design. It looked too square. It's still isn't my favourite Fuji design but I actually like it now.
It's the same with good music, good images, good coffee and others: sometimes it takes a while to appreciate a certain look/taste. This is not saying my mockup is designed well. I'm just saying that judging design by the first impression is not a good idea as it will lead to things always staying more or less the same. Things that look different take time for us to appreciate. I've been working on that mockup every now and then for a while now and while at first it looked ugly to me I now don't think it looks too bad anymore.

Forgot to answer before, but because this thread has found some new life I wanted to do it now.
 
The X-E2 supposedly has 0.62x, the A6000 0.7x and the X-T1 0.77x. That's A6000 being 13% larger than X-E2, not 20%. It basically sits pretty much in the middle between the two. But you are probably right in that an increased magnification should be possible without size increase.  Well according to my measurements it surely wouldn't be possible to fit an X-T1 EVF above a 3" LCD with 3:2. So it would need new optics or a smaller LCD. I never had a problem with it but now I tried it with my X-E2 and imagined what it would be like with the buttons to the right of the LCD. Feels awesome! You're right, it is much better for usability. Yeah, consolidating the lineup really should be a priority because I feel Fuji hasn't been too good at that TBH.  
I don't like big handgrips because they automatically lead to me holding more of the weight with my right hand which is not ergonomic (that's my expertise as a physiotherapist). Of course I can't definitely say that this is the case with everybody but anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that. People frequently shooting with one hand should add a larger grip and in that case I agree that it should include its own shutter release. Alternatively Fuji could offer two different versions of the handgrip that are user replaceable. Not likely going to happen though.
 
Thanks for your interesting input, I've reconsidered my concept and would now likely advocate a smaller or 16:9 screen if that is needed for the larger EVF. If the EVF can be made larger without increasing body size or decreasing LCD size that would of course be even better.

I'm not sure if you're simply as big an AH as you are trying to be here (other posts in this forum suggest you're usually a reasonable guy) but you obviously didn't understand a word of what I wrote.
 
Oh, and so sorry I dared calling you dude. So sorry, won't ever happen again...

Forgot to answer before, but because this thread has found some new life I wanted to do it now.
 
The X-E2 supposedly has 0.62x, the A6000 0.7x and the X-T1 0.77x. That's A6000 being 13% larger than X-E2, not 20%. It basically sits pretty much in the middle between the two. But you are probably right in that an increased magnification should be possible without size increase.  Well according to my measurements it surely wouldn't be possible to fit an X-T1 EVF above a 3" LCD with 3:2. So it would need new optics or a smaller LCD. I never had a problem with it but now I tried it with my X-E2 and imagined what it would be like with the buttons to the right of the LCD. Feels awesome! You're right, it is much better for usability. Yeah, consolidating the lineup really should be a priority because I feel Fuji hasn't been too good at that TBH.  
I don't like big handgrips because they automatically lead to me holding more of the weight with my right hand which is not ergonomic (that's my expertise as a physiotherapist). Of course I can't definitely say that this is the case with everybody but anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that. People frequently shooting with one hand should add a larger grip and in that case I agree that it should include its own shutter release. Alternatively Fuji could offer two different versions of the handgrip that are user replaceable. Not likely going to happen though.
 
Thanks for your interesting input, I've reconsidered my concept and would now likely advocate a smaller or 16:9 screen if that is needed for the larger EVF. If the EVF can be made larger without increasing body size or decreasing LCD size that would of course be even better.

I did a few months with only the 35/1.4 on an X-E1 and I loved it.
 
There are some limitations due to the focal length, especially indoors when trying to capture larger subjects like cars in a museum or so, but similar issues exist for a 23 or 27 as well. 
 
If I were to go for a one lens system for a longer period of time it would be either the 23/1.4 or the 35/1.4. I would not go for f2 versions for the simple reason that the larger aperture give additional artistic as well as exposure leverage which is important if you have only a single lens. I can live with f/2, like on the X100T, but I like the additional options I have with a faster lens. 
 
The 27 would not be my choice because of the slow speed and missing aperture ring. The image quality is more than good enough, but f/2.8 just isn't cutting it for a single lens system.
 
For deciding between 23 and 35, do yourself a favor and ignore all the "the 23 is more versatile" or "the 35 is better for this" comments. They are just opinions from people who don't know you so how can they give you a good recommendation?
 
Look at your own photo library, figure out which focal length you used most and which gave you the best photos (that doesn't have to be the same). Pick the one where you like the results best and that will work for what you like to photograph over that "one camera one lens" period. You might want to go for a compromise if you can't decide. Or go for a two lens system. Whatever works for you.