I recently returned from a vacation to St John in the US Virgin Islands. On this trip my Fuji XE-1 significantly outperformed my Nikon D800. For the trip I packed my new Fuji XE-1, Fuji 35 1.4, a rented Fuji 14 2.8 (thanks to lensprotogo.com) and a polarizer. My D800 stayed at home. It was an easy decision to make. The thought of lugging around a D800, 14-24, full filter kit and another lens was so unappealing that I knew if I had brought my Nikon gear it would have spent most of the time in the room.
It was my first time really having the opportunity to shoot a lot with the XE-1 and I was blown away by the quality of the images, the lens performance, and how clean the files are. It was so easy to carry around and just throw in my bag when we headed out each day. At night I hooked into my IPAD loaded the images into IPhoto and hit auto enhance and crop and that was it. These shots are basically straight out of the camera and resized for the web.
The 35 1.4 is just amazing and the 14 2.8 is outstanding as well. Sometimes not quite wide enough but the fixed focal length of both lenses makes you more aware of your compositon. It was a great trip and shooting with the Fuji made it a very enjoyable. Other shots from the trip were posted here:
Jack wrote: On this trip my Fuji XE-1 significantly outperformed my Nikon D800. For the trip I packed my new Fuji XE-1, Fuji 35 1.4, a rented Fuji 14 2.8 (thanks to lensprotogo.com) and a polarizer. My D800 stayed at home. (Sic!)
Sorry, I had only one glass of wine so I may have misread something; it was not a side-by-side comparisons, was it?
JaKo wrote:
Sorry, I had only one glass of wine so I may have misread something; it was not a side-by-side comparisons, was it?
The comparison showed that the XE-1 would be at the photographer's side, while the D800 would be left aside. Comparing the cameras on these two respective sides, the XE-1 handily wins.
Your logic is impeccable and beyond disputation, Michael. Especially like the 'handily' reference, so funny as well.
That D800 might have got up to some mischief while you were out having fun, Allstar, better check its card now. Leave a camera at home, never know what is going to happen in your absence, especially one as flighty as a D800. I do hear it's the blonde of cameras..
Thanks for the comments. Based on what I spend my time shooting these days the Fuji XE-1 is more than adequate for about 95% of it. For now I plan sell off my Nikon gear and hang on to only the D800 and 14-24 combo for the times that I want to go really big on a print for my wall. To me the Fuji is perfect in the following ways:
1) Size and ergonomics.
2) Image Quality and file sizes.
3) Colors.
4) Straight out of the camera jpegs that need almost no processing.
5) White balance is dead on.
6) Exposures are dead on almost all of the time.
7) The 35 1.4 is crazy good.
8) Viewfinder is fantastic.
9) High ISO's are clean.
Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment.
I totally agree.
Last week we went to the beach.
I did bring along the 5DMkII and a couple of lenses, but they stayed in the bags at the condo.
My X-E1 did all the photos, couldn't have been more happier.
allstarimaging wrote:
Thanks for the comments. Based on what I spend my time shooting these days the Fuji XE-1 is more than adequate for about 95% of it. For now I plan sell off my Nikon gear and hang on to only the D800 and 14-24 combo for the times that I want to go really big on a print for my wall. To me the Fuji is perfect in the following ways:
1) Size and ergonomics.
2) Image Quality and file sizes.
3) Colors.
4) Straight out of the camera jpegs that need almost no processing.
5) White balance is dead on.
6) Exposures are dead on almost all of the time.
7) The 35 1.4 is crazy good.
8) Viewfinder is fantastic.
9) High ISO's are clean.
Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment.
Shrug, it will always be so with me, I'm addicted to most any and all photography related items.
I have sooo much software that I NEVER use, yes, I have a problem...
rattymouse wrote: Yep. Buying a Nikon D800 and a $2000 lens just to leave at home is not smart shopping. Not at all.
Another example of petty comments launched into the abyss of the internet. I have a D800 and 14-24 combo because I used to shoot professionally and have covered major professional sports here in the US including major league baseball, the PGA, NCAA, and the NHL. My images have appeared in Sprots Illustrated and ESPN the magazine. (see my web site) Until a few years ago there was nothing on the market that came close to the image quality delivered by DSLR's. Now that Fuji and others have entered the market the consumer has more choices and as a result can get their desired image qulity from a much smaller package.
Lugging around 15 pounds of gear when I'm on vacation is not something I want to do. I don't need a brick tied around my neck when I'm hanging on the beach. So it might be a good idea to think before you press the send button when you want to pass judgement on others.
I think the sensationalist thread title invites "petty" comments since there is actually NO comparison here between the two cameras...sort of like a bait and switch to get folks to look at the thread.
It was an easy decision to make. The thought of lugging around a D800, 14-24, full filter kit and another lens was so unappealing that I knew if I had brought my Nikon gear it would have spent most of the time in the room.
