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Commentary, Equipment, Fujifilm, Reviews

Considering the Fujifilm X-E5

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Fujifilm recently announced the X-E5, the latest camera in their X-E series. I think this model series is intriguing.. It is small and lightweight, well designed. has a lot of useful features, incorporates a high resolution sensor and IBIS (in body image stabilization) , and is compatible with Fujifilm’s excellent lenses. It has a few other features that may or may not appeal, along with one “elephant in the room” issue.

Fujifilm XE5 Silver Body
Fujifilm XE5 Silver body. (Used with permission from Fujifilm.)

(Notes: I omit the hyphens between X and E in this article. I have rounded prices to the nearest dollar. Photographs of Fujifilm products used by permission from Fujifilm. Affiliate links in this article lead to B&H Photo — they return a small fee to this website if you use them to make a purchase — thanks in advance!.)

Right up front, let me be clear about one thing: I have not had my hands on the XE5 yet. I owned the XE1, my first Fujifilm camera, about a dozen years ago. Our photographic household has had the XE2, XE3, and XE4, and I have recommended all of them to various potential buyers over the years. While I cannot give a “hands on” review of the new camera at this point — hey Fujifilm, I’m here if you have one to loan! — I am qualified to comment on its features and who may find them appealing.

The XE Series

Let’s start with a bit of XE history. The original XE1 camera came out in 2012. At that time it was one of only two interchangeable lens x-trans* cameras from Fujifilm — the other was the more expensive “flagship model,” the XPro1. The XE1 was a smaller, less-expensive alternative for those who wanted a Fujifilm rangefinder-style camera with interchangeable lenses. Importantly, the XE1 (like later XE models) used the same sensor found in high-end Fujiflm APS-C cameras, which at that time was the 16MP sensor used in the “flagship” XPro1.)

(*”x-trans” refers to Fujifilm’s unique arrangement of the red, blue, and green photo sites on the sensor, a design that was said to help control aliasing/moire on cameras that do not use anti-aliasing filters, among other things.)

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Equipment, Fujifilm, Reader Questions, Reviews

Why Fujifilm Mirrorless?

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(When I started this post I thought it would be short — but it grew and grew and grew! In addition, right now and for a couple of days after the publication date, there is a Fujifilm instant rebate promotion that takes hundreds of dollars off the prices of lenses and cameras and bundles. See a list of links at the end of the article.)

Fujifilm X-Pro2
Fujifilm X-Pro2

My friend “Pat” sent me an email recently with the following question:

I hope you have been well. I was hoping you could offer your thoughts on ‘why Fujifilm’ for your walk-around/street photography system. I have been reading (perhaps a little too obsessively) many rave reviews on their cameras and consistently love the look of images that are shared. (Kevin Mullins, Zack Arias and many others) have professed their love for the Fujifilm system.) While my G.A.S. has been in remission lately, I know I am susceptible to a relapse-I’m not sure if I’m looking for you to talk me off the ledge or give me a solid shove. Why do you choose Fujifilm instead of using a couple of the smaller (non-L) primes with your 5D series? I shoot the 6D as my primary body and have been saving for a 24-70 f2.8 (to replace my 24-105) but the current sale on the Fujifilm at Adorama has me thinking. 

As I thought about my reply it occurred to me that others might be interested in the answer, too. With that in mind, I’m sharing my reply. The main context of your question seems to be focused on street and “walk around” photography, and Fujifilm is now my primary system for what I refer to as “street photography and travel photography.”

And, yes, G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) can afflict all of us. Let’s see if I turn out to offer an antidote… or become your enabler!

Settle back. This won’t be brief.

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Deals and Sales, Equipment, Reader Questions, Reviews

Canon EOS 5DsR/5Ds: My Experience

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These days I use the Canon EOS 5DsR for much of my photography — particularly my landscape, nature, wildlife, and long-exposure night photography. Since people often ask me about the camera, I have decided to offer this write-up. I’ll try to cover some things about the camera that work well for me, acknowledge one or two very small issues, and consider the kinds of photographers for whom it (or its near-twin, the Canon EOS 5Ds)  might be a great choice. (This isn’t the first time I’ve written about aspects of this camera’s performance, and I have included a list of some of my other posts near the end of this article.)

The 5Ds and 5DsR are both 51 megapixel (MP) full frame DSLR bodies from Canon. They currently provide the highest sensor resolution available from a full frame digital camera and, as such, are targeted to photographers who need particularly high image resolution and who will photograph and post-process in ways that provide this. The 5DsR cancels the effect of the anti-aliasing filter found in the 5Ds — more on that subject below.

It is probably fair to say that the main attraction of these cameras is that high-resolution sensor, a fact that might lead some photographers to ask whether or not they will be able to take advantage of the high-resolution. Compared to earlier 5D-series cameras, the 5Ds/5DsR provide some other improvements, too. The autofocus (AF) system has been updated, noise handling is very good, and the  camera produces high dynamic range files that can be pushed and pulled quite a bit in post. Some updates have been made to the hardware and software interface of the camera, too.

Two Sandhill Cranes in Flight
A pair of lesser sandhill cranes in flight above California’s San Joaquin Valley

Sensor Resolution

There is no question that these cameras can produce very high-resolution images. Photographers who work carefully and who make very large prints will be pleased. I have made test prints equivalent to 30″ x 45″ prints that look very good and it is possible to go even larger. However, before you jump at the highest resolution full frame camera purely on the basis of higher resolution, you should ask yourself a few serious questions.

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Equipment

Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R Release Near?

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Several months ago Canon announced that it would release two new high-megapixel DSLR cameras in the 5D series, the 5Ds and the 5Ds R in June. June is now only a couple of days away. Although I don’t have any inside information, there are hints that the release could come as early as the first week of the month.

Canon EOS 5Ds DSLR
Canon EOS 5Ds DSLR

I think there will be a large pent-up demand for these cameras from Canon photographers, some of whom have watched from the sidelines as companies like Sony and Nikon have introduced higher MP camera bodies. Those who want to get early copies can preorder — here are links to site-sponsor B&H:

The primary value proposition of the new camera series is the 50.6 megapixel sensor. This is a higher sensor resolution than on any other current full-frame DSLR, and it more than doubles the number of photo sites on earlier Canon DSLRs. For photographers who make big prints from DSLR photographs, and especially for those who work with a great deal of care and focus on subjects in which image resolution may become critical, this will likely be significant advance.

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