User Experience: Tim Moolman on the Fujifilm X-E5 (and XF23mmF2.8)
Old Fujifilm ambassador (and all-round great guy), Tim Moolman, recently tested the new Fujifilm X-E5 during a wedding shoot. We chatted to him to find out what he thinks of Fujifilm’s latest and the XF23mmF2.8 pancake lens.
Tim Moolman
Tim, when it comes to cameras, we know you prefer the rangefinder style of the Fujifilm X100, X-Pro and X-E series. Why so?
What I really like about the rangefinder style cameras is that first of all, I can shoot with both eyes open quite easily, something that helps me to anticipate a subject entering my frame and also to be aware of my surroundings when documenting a busy environment.
I also like the form factor of the Fujifilm rangefinder style cameras, they’re quite compact and I can easily fit an extra body in my bag if needed, and I really appreciate the excellent battery life I get from them.
One of my favourite features of the X100 and X-Pro series cameras is the hybrid viewfinder, where I can utilise either an electronic, or optical viewfinder along with the ability to use both optical with a small preview window in the bottom corner of the frame.
The X-E5 makes up for this feature by using Surround View Mode, a semi-transparent or outlined area outside the image, allowing you to see your composition while being able to view objects or subjects moving outside of your frame. This is a great feature for documentary or street photography where you don’t necessarily have to follow your subject into your composition but rather hold your frame and composition, and then wait for your subject to enter and then make your photo at the precise moment you want to.
You’ve now shot with the new X-E5. What is your standout feature?
I must say, the sensor in the X-E5 is amazing. My main camera is still my faithful and trusted X-Pro3 with its older 26 megapixel sensor, but just having all those extra megapixels in the X-E5 allows me to capture more detail, and allows me to crop into my image without the loss of quality.
When you get a new higher megapixel sensor there’s always a concern of how this is going to affect the noise in images. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the X-E5 handles high noise so incredibly well. I know my X-Pro3 very well and can happily shoot at high ISO in order to get the frames I want without using a flash or a strobe or artificial light.
Coming from that background I really enjoyed using the X-E5 in a similar way because not only did I get the great high ISO performance, but it’s coupled with a higher megapixel count, so it made obtaining high-quality images possible no matter the lighting conditions.
What did you think of the autofocus? What is your usual setup for focussing during weddings?
I almost always use single point focus and then recompose, or by using the camera in manual mode with back button focus on my X-Pro3. I didn’t use this all the time with the X-E5. Because it was a new camera to me and I only had it for a few days before the wedding I shot, I didn’t want to experiment too much with all the features that it has but rather played it safe because after all I am shooting a wedding and only get one go at this.
I did try and use face detect a few times and it seems to lock on and track well. However, I would need to use it in a more relaxed environment in order to test its tracking focus properly.
Did you use the new Classic Display mode, with minimal information displayed through the EVF (much like old film cameras)?
I took a look at this and loved what it looked like, but again for consistency and peace of mind I used the standard layout that I have on my X-Pro3.
Paired with the new Fujinon XF23mmF2.8 pancake lens, the X-E5 makes for a very compact setup. What are your thoughts on the lens?
This XF23mmF2.8 lens looks the part and really creates a very similar form factor to my old X100T, although being a stop slower. Its close focus distance coupled with a 40-megapixel sensor was a pleasant surprise, especially when photographing details.
I have to say that it came in second place when compared to my fast-focusing Fujinon XF23mmF2 lens. This isn’t necessarily a poor showing for the new 23mm, as the XF23mmF2 is one of Fujifilm’s best and fast focusing wide lenses.
There are comparisons noting the X-E5 is much like the X100VI, but with interchangeable lenses. Where do you stand on this debate, having shot with both?
I think this is a very fair comparison to make, especially looking at the form factor when the XF23mmF2.8 lens is attached to the X-E5. With the X-E5 you lose out on the optical viewfinder that’s such a well-loved feature of the X100 and X-Pro series cameras. However, the X-E5 counters this with a surround view mode which simulates this feature in its own viewfinder.
Anything else you would like to mention about your experience with the X-E5?
A few years back I owned and used an X-E3 which I came to love for its small form factor because I didn’t take much space in my camera bag as a backup or secondary camera. I even use this diminutive X-E3 with Fujifilm’s massive XF200mmF2 lens, and although it looked completely out of place it functioned perfectly and allowed me to get some superb images at a live outdoor music concert.
Keeping that experience in mind I feel that the X-E5 would be a welcome addition to any photographer’s bag as either a secondary camera or perhaps a small form factor backup camera.
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