Fujifilm X newbie question...X-E series

[Owlpellets1973]

Hi all. After a lengthy break from photography I've decided to get back into it and have settled on the Fuji X platform. I'd always wanted one back in the day but ended up sticking with Canon DSLRs. 

 

I do have a very limited budget so have pretty much decided to go for the X-E1 as a starter body (considered thr X-pro 1 but I'm not fussed about the OVF or larger size and the X-E is pretty well specced anyway for my needs) However I recently discovered that for very little more I could probably stretch if needed to a X-E2 or X-E3. The higher resolution of the E3 appeals, but tbh I'm more interested in how the focus peaking developed through the series (as I'll be happily limited to MF lenses). I know the X-E1 has a basic white peaking colour...can anyone explain how the colour options developed through the series please?

 

Also, can anyone please recommend some fixed lenses? Again I have a limited budget but would be looking to pick up 2 or maybe 3 MF lenses for landscape/informal portait/Street photography. Might opt for the standard 18-55 lens if it comes bundled but really looking for glass around 12mm, 23mm and perhaps 35mm. Any suggestions (max budget approx £300 per lens) would be interesting to read. 

 

And finally, is there any editing software (free or cheap) that comes recommended to get me started. My old PS CS understandably won't work on my Imac so looking for an alternative.

 

Many thanks in advance. P 

[jerryy]

Welcome to the forum.

I cannot tell you about the focus peaking history on the XE series, but from my experience with other bodies, it gets better with each newer body.

As far as lenses go, keeping in mind your thoughts regarding your budget:

Used Fujifilm lenses are usually really good, they can be operated in manual mode as well as in auto focus mode. Your local camera store may have some you can try, if not, there are plenty of online stores that sell them. Some stores sell them with a xx-day warranty so that you do not get a bad copy.

Rokinon (Samyang) and Viltrox make some great mf lenses for x-mount cameras, you can get these directly from them or from resellers.

https://rokinon.com/collections/fuji-x

https://viltroxstore.com/collections/x-mount

Editing software will depend on which computer platform you have, Linux, Mac, Windows or “other”. Free or low cost editors include programs such as GIMP, Affinity Photo, Pixelmator, etc. You may want dedicated raw converters such as RawTherapee or DarkTable or Fujifilm’s Raw Converter (Silky Pix). Adobe has a line of subscription based editors that you may like.

Edited January 18 by jerryy

[Owlpellets1973]

Brilliant. Thank you so much for such helpful comments and suggestions.

 

Yes, if been looking at the lenses by Fujifilm, Samyang and TT/7artisans among others and there appears to be plenty of choice. Try before you buy would be ideal but I don't think there's any retailers near me. 

 

And sorry, should have added I'm using Mac OS (Monterey). I'll have a look at the software you mentioned. Thank you 👍

[George_P]

Capture One is very good for Fujifilm X-Trans sensors, I’d say the best. Perhaps you would like to try the free version and maybe later on switch to the subscription, which has more functions and tools. They have good tutorials so you should be able to get started easily. 
https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/capture-one-express/

I have the Samyang 12mm f2 and it is very sharp. 

Edited January 18 by George_P

[Owlpellets1973]

Thank you George. Did I just not read somewhere that they're discontinuing support for Capture One Express? (The the frustration of many). I downloaded gimp last night but it was immediately very buggy and I struggled to import a single image. Will look at the other alternatives tonight.

 

Yes, I've read a lot of glowing reviews of the Samyang 12mm F2. Looks like a good start.

 

Should also add that I'm not insisting on using MF lenses...I made that decision on the assumption that decent AF lenses would be beyond my budget. As I'm not fond of zoom lenses the Fujinon 23mm looked attractive at a reasonable price used?

Thanks for your input.

20 hours ago, George_P said:

Capture One is very good for Fujifilm X-Trans sensors, I’d say the best. Perhaps you would like to try the free version and maybe later on switch to the subscription, which has more functions and tools. They have good tutorials so you should be able to get started easily. 
https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/capture-one-express/

I have the Samyang 12mm f2 and it is very sharp. 

 

[jerryy]

GIMP is somewhat similar to Adobe’s PhotoShop, in that it works best if you import the image a raw converter creates (PS uses Lightroom).

This may help: https://expertphotography.com/open-raw-images-gimp-ufraw/

Affinity Photo and the PixelMator/PhotoMator programs are low cost, but do have built in raw converters.

[GordW]

23 hours ago, George_P said:

Capture One is very good for Fujifilm X-Trans sensors, I’d say the best. Perhaps you would like to try the free version and maybe later on switch to the subscription, which has more functions and tools. They have good tutorials so you should be able to get started easily. 
https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/capture-one-express/

I have the Samyang 12mm f2 and it is very sharp. 

As Owlpellets1973 mentions, Capture One has discontinued the Express (free) version, and the link you provide eventually sends one to a C1 webpage where there is a 3-month free offer. After that, you need to pay for either a perpetual license or a subscription to C1. Luckily I purchased a perpetual licence of C1 23 Fujifilm last year.

Sorry, but I can't speak to any free alternatives worth considering. If you are looking for a free RAW converter, Adobe Camera RAW will convert the .RAF files to .DNG. There's always Adobe Photoshop Elements, which is a less expensive program that is a 'light' version of Lightroom/Photoshop. The nice thing about Photoshop Elements is that it's a one-time purchase (no recurring subscription charges).

[George_P]

Thanks lads, I stand corrected re. C1 Express. But owl, seeing you have the X-E1, I wonder if you could use an older issue of C1 in the Express version (until you buy one of the new cameras). Or is it no longer possible. OTOH the full version has very useful functions like fast, easy masking, layers etc. I too have the perpetual 2023 version, I upgraded to it in 2022. But recently I bought the subscription to keep getting the new features as they come (and support for new cameras and lenses). The price seems fair to me, but of course we all have different needs. 
The Fuji 23mm f2 is a very good lens, small, light and weather sealed.  (unless you need f1.4 and focusing from very short distance and even nicer bokeh and sharpness in the corners wide open).
The 35mm f2 is superb (again, the 33mm f1.4 has its advantages and disadvantages). Depends.  

[thelostkiwi]

I have a number of TTArtisans lenses and am more than happy with them for the money. 

Specifically I have the 7.5mm f2 fisheye, 27mm f2.8 AF (very cheap for an AF lens) and 35mm f1.4. 

They all have their limitations but for the money are pretty good. 

Another option is to use vintage lenses on an adapter - MD Minolta lenses are generally very good and not expensive though generally not as fast as more modern lenses. The Minolta MD II or MD III 35-70 f/3.5 (with the 'macro' switch) is a collaboration with Leica and is very sharp and under £100 in mint condition. The adapter is £30 or so. 

With regard to focus peaking the X-E2 supports Red, Blue or White in two levels of each. Personally if you can run to an X-E3 I'd go there for the improved low light performance. 

Edited July 16 by thelostkiwi