Fuji X-Pro1 Review – six months in
Fuji X-Pro1 Review – six months in; I’ve now been using my Fuji X-Pro1 for around six moths professionally. Initially, I was commissioned by Professional Photographer magazine to test and review Fuji’s (then) latest addition to their X-Series camera range. I was so taken by the camera, that I got one straight away, along with the three lenses that were initially on offer.
I’m a professional wedding photographer by trade and I specifically shoot in a reportage or documentary wedding photography style and the Fuji X-Pro1 seemed like a perfect tool for that job at the time. I already had the Fuji X100 which I also loved, and also used at weddings. However, there was always the nagging feeling that the X100 just wasn’t quite up to the mark for professional wedding photography – specifically the inability to change the lenses. I still have my X100, it’s battered and bruised and well loved. It’s my go-everywhere camera and I don’t intend to part with it, but when the Fuji X-Pro1 came along I was very excited by the opportunity that it gave me to compact the equipment I used, make it lighter and allow me to get in closer than ever before whilst still being as unobtrusive as possible.
I recently took ownership of a Canon 1DX and whilst that is an amazing camera in it’s own right, it won’t be replacing my X-Pro1 at weddings. This won’t be a full technical review – you can find many of those on the Internet or indeed an more in depth review in my article at Professional Photographer magazine. This is more a findings overview, along with some pictures.
Fuji X-Pro1 Key Highlights
The camera itself is a little larger than the X100 and whilst still retaining some of its retro look features, has a more professional polish to it. The APS-C X-Trans sensor that is fitted in the camera produces stunning jpg files. Just stunning. To have a sensor of that size and quality, along with interchangeable lens options, means the camera is almost perfect for wedding and social documentary photographers alike. The images are sharp and glowingly beautiful, partly because of the lovely wide-aperture lenses that Fuji have produced, but also because of the elimination of the optical low-pass filter inside the camera that allows it suppress colour moire.
The above shots show my Fuji X-Pro1 with the base section of the Leather Case.
The camera has very recently had a major firmware update (version 2.0) which I suggest anyone with one of these cameras installs as a matter of urgency. The new firmware fixes a number of minor issues, but importantly really brings alive the focusing of the camera. Both the AF and MF systems have been improved and the camera really has moved up a level in it’s performance with the upgrade. It’s great to see Fuji continuing their support of the camera range.
The weight and size of the camera is almost negligible compared to some DSLR’s on the market and for me the ability to really get in close and mingle with the subjects, without being too obtrusive is a really positive. The button layout, feel and positioning is much improved over the X100 and whilst I do occasionally find myself pressing the “Q” button accidentally I have no issues what-so-ever with the buttons. The overall ergonomics of the camera are great and it feels safe and sturdy in my hand.
Talking of the Q button (you can see it in the above shot) – this is a marvellous addition. Bizarrely, I rarely use this feature on my DSLR’s that support it, but on the X-Pro1 I use it almost all the time to quickly set the exposures that I want. I primarily shoot in manual or aperture priority mode and this helps to speed up the setting procedure. The menu system whilst a little laboured, is fine once you get used to it.
I have my FN button set to ISO control which makes using the top dials and the FN button a very quick way of controlling everything. I don’t want this to become a technical review so I will concentrate now on the way that I set the camera up and get the most out of it for me.
Fuji X-Pro1 Settings
I normally set the camera to the auto ISO setting of 2,500 or 3,200 depending on where I am. It’s a shame there is no minimum shutter speed option but the auto ISO does work remarkably well.
I set my camera to record in fine JPG. I only shoot in RAW as well for certain aspects of the day (such as the ceremony). I find the JPG files the Fuji X-Pro1 produces are as fine as I’ve ever seen and prefer to work with those images in my processing. It speeds things up and offers a greater consistency. I keep the Dynamic Range at 100%.
If I am shooting in colour I set the film simulation to Velvia and the only other image setting I change is the Sharpness which I set at +1. This combination gives a real pop to the images and emphasises the sharpness of the photographs.
If I am shooting in black and white I use the R filter. The Sharpness is still at +1 and the shadow tone I set to +1 (medium hard). In both cases I shoot with Auto-White Balance which I have found to be adequate at all times.
I generally shoot using the OVF – which I find (even with the new firmware) focuses quicker than the EVF. In relation to that, I turn the Power Save mode off and the Quick Start mode on. I also keep the silent mode off as the shutter noise still makes a substantial sound anyway. When I do need to use the EVF (for macro shots, close up or in very low light) I have my focus point set to the very smallest size (which you can do by pressing the AF button and using the thumb rotation dial). This greatly reduces my chances of missing the focus point. This is especially useful with the 60mm macro lens.
As mentioned earlier I have my FN button set to ISO control so I can quickly switch out of auto-ISO if needed.
Fuji X-Pro1 Lenses
There are more lenses being released by Fuji but the three that I have and use are:
Fuji 18mm f2 R Fujinon Black Lens
Fuji 35mm f1.4 R Fujinon Black Lens
Fuji 60mm f2.4 R Macro Fujinon Black Lens
Each of the lenses are excellent in their own right. Well built, light and perform excellently. They each come with hoods and pouches to keep them clean and safe. In my opinion the 18mm is probably a little faster at focusing than the 35mm. The 60mm is very slow to focus, but when set to macro mode especially, it produces some incredibly crisp and detailed images. It was the last of the three lenses that I obtained but it’s one I use a great deal – especially for detail shots and actually I’ve used it may times with the kids at home too.
All the above images are shot using the 60mm macro Fuji Lens.
Fuji X-Pro1 Low Light Capability
Specifically at weddings, especially here in the UK, it’s common for us to be shooting in very low light. In the summer in rains, and in the winter it’s dark at 3pm – what can you do? I prefer to not use flash at all during my wedding work – and luckily rarely do so. In stead, I prefer to crank up the ISO and actually love seeing some grain in images as a direct result of my love of old 35mm street photography.
So how doe the Fuji X-Pro1 perform in low light? Take a look at the following photos and you can decide for yourself:
The above photo was shot using the 18mm lens at ISO 2,000 1/125th second at f/2.0
The above photo was shot using the 18mm lens at ISO 3,200 1/250th second at f/2.0
The above photo was shot using the 35mm lens at ISO 6,400 1/125th second at f/1.6
The camera really has great image rendering and performance in low light and I’m comfortable using it at 6,400 ISO where necessary. I’m interested to see where the new Fuji X-E1 takes the X range in terms of performance and any improvements (or, as I presume, its effectively an X-Pro1 without and OVF).
In summary, after six months of use, the X-Pro1 remains a primary camera for me for my wedding photography work. I don’t see this changing, even with the introduction of new Canon DSLR’s. Quite simply it’s a marvellous camera, rolled into a little portable box. The optics are wonderful, the weight and portability are excellent.
Battery life and start-up time have been improved with recent firmware updates but could perhaps have a little more legs in them. I’d like to see a minimum shutter speed added and I’d also like to see an adjustable dioptre. Perhaps, even in future cameras I’d like to see a built in wi-fi module as this would allow creativity and communications combination whilst out travelling or shooting street photography.
I’ve been asked many times what the video capabilities of the X-Pro1 are and to be completely honest I have never used it so can’t offer any qualified information on the video support.
However, the overriding reason I use this camera is because of it’s image quality. It’s simply astounding – from low ISO up through the range it consistently produces lovely perfectly saturated images that are just a joy to work with. There is a great choice of film simulations should you wish to use them – the Q button is a brilliant feature and the hybrid viewfinder is exceptional with its detailed information including live histogram and exposure settings). It’s also amazingly discreet and apart from the shutter release itself almost silent to use.
So, finally, a few more images shot with the Fuji X-Pro1:
Hopefully this article will help some of you who are considering purchasing the X-Pro1. My advice would be – do it! From a wedding photographers point of view at least it makes perfect sense. If you have any questions please feel free to use the comment form below and I will reply to any there.
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Thanks for the article. What great performance – I’ve used the x100 for a while now but it looks like you are going to make me spend even more money!
Sorry
I’ve been watching with great interest I use the x100 quite a lot and have been thinking of swapping my 7d for the new Fuji XE-1 this pretty much seals the deal your images are awesome looks like the perfect compliment to my 1D MKiv
Good news Andy – enjoy the new camera when you get it
Hey Kevin. Writing to you from outside Boston…discovered your blog while researching the X-Pro1 as a replacement for my Canon 60D. I’m also considering the upcoming Canon 6D. For me, I think it might come down to the lenses. The X-Pro1 / 35 1.4 combo that I’m testing seems to be producing dramatically better images than my 60D with 28 1.8 and 50 1.4 (which are both MUCH softer wide open than Fuji). I’m thinking that even with the specs of the 6D, these lenses are still going to “be what they are.” So…in your opinion…without L lenses, would you say the Fuji outperforms Canon for basic portraits, family shots and landscapes? Thanks so much. Your words and pictures have been very inspiring. Cheers.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the dropping by. I shoot wide open most of the time so it’s important for me that my lenses are as sharp as possible at the widest point. I know from experience that many of the Canon lenses are not at their sharpest at their widest points (there are some exceptions), whereas the Fujinon lenses appear sharp as a pin right the way through the aperture range.
Partially this is do with the control of moire by the X-Pro1, but the lenses are extremely sharp. I don’t think with any body the Canon lenses will appear any sharper – that is a feature of the individual lenses. I use the 85 1.2 a lot on both my Canon bodies and that is very sharp at 1.2 but probably it’s sharpest around f/2 on both bodies. Whilst the 6D looks like a great camera I’m not sure whether having that is going to make your lenses any sharper.
Hope that helps,
Kevin
Hey Kevin. Wanted to thank you for your reply and provide an update that might help others…
I ultimately returned the X-Pro1 and purchased a 5D Mark II bundled with 24-105L lens. The XP1 has amazing image quality and delivers the sharpest pics wide open that you’ll ever see. But it’s not the perfect camera if you can only have ONE camera. A least for me.
80% of my family pics over the past two months could’ve been taken with the XP1…and would probably have looked better than the MKII. But the photos I’ve taken of my daughters’ dance performances and soccer games were certainly made possible by the Canon. Or at least the 24-105. Also better for some landscapes.
And although Kevin has the skills to catch beautifully candid kid photos, I missed my fair share of in-focus shots of the kids goofing around due to the XP1′s focusing.
I do hate the size of the MKII…and am now looking at an x100 as my go anywhere camera.
I’d suggest for anyone looking at one camera for overall family use, you can get the 5dII with 24-105 and with the leftover $ that you save from XP1 purchase a used x100 on eBay.
Thx again Kevin. Your work continues to inspire.
i thought about selling my whole canon gear for the XE1 … but i’m an old photographer ( i’m just 38 but i began young ) i thought that the optical viewfinder was not a gadget and i was right. i finally sold my whole pro canon set for an Xpro1 after reading your review and seeing your images. i’m the happiest guy on earth and the optical viewfinder is GREAT GREAT GREAT
Beautiful post. Love to see wedding photos as good as You do
Hi Kevin
Thanks for the article. As you know, I’m looking at getting the x-pro 1. At the moment, I have two 5DII’s and my plan is to use the x-pro1 as my second camera to lighten the load etc. I also want to use it for personal/family portraits and holidays. My initial thoughts were to get the 18mm and the 60mm. However, you say that the 60mm is really slow at focusing – is this all the time or just in certain lighting conditions? Are the focusing issues on the Fuji comparable to 5dII focusing issues? I’m also looking at the 5DIII which was going to be my first change but since Fuji have got the free lens offer on with the x-pro1, I’ve put this first.
I suppose I’m a little bit worried about the expense of the Fuji with the focusing issues I’ve seen mentioned on some of the reviews but on the flip side, I’ve seen great reviews from wedding photographers (including yourself) using it.
Thanks in advance,
Alison
Hi Alison,
The 60mm is slow to focus – most of the time. It’s worth the wait though as the images are wonderful. I wouldn’t be using the 60mm on too many fast moving subjects. The 18mm is the fastest to focus, but over time I’ve come to prefer the 35mm.
It isn’t an SLR and so you need to remember that when using it. It’s not a responsive point-focus-shoot system like most SLRs are. It takes a bit of time to get used to it, but I tend to frame images and wait for the moment to happen. It makes you a better photographer in my mind as you are constantly looking around the frame for the perfect image – which often comes.
Feel free to give me a call if you want to chat further about it
Kevin
Kevin, great review and nice work! I am preparing for a 6-month bike tour and am torn between the x100 and the x-pro1. I think both of them are fine for size, although the x100′s a little better. Also not having to keep up with lenses appeals to me. However, I am worried that I will not be as happy with image quality with the x100. The photos I have seen around the web coming from the XP1 seem to have a little more ‘soul’. What are your thoughts on IQ comparison between the 2?
Hi Logan,
I believe the X-Pro1 has sharper images and is better all round (image wise) than the X100.
Have a great trip……
Kevin
Hi Kevin me again! I am having more hand surgery in November and feel that this system may suit me better size wise I love the look of my X100 and will be selling my Canon stuff in the new year Great review BTW
Thanks for this Kevin, it’s great reading such and open and honest post.
Hi Kevin, great images as always, as you know from the SWPP forum I have the XE-1 zoom kit on order and each time I see a set of images from the Fuji X series my heart beats a little faster in anticipation to receiving my XE-1 Kit, hoping the new zoom lives up to the outstanding quality you have demonstrated with the XP1 and primes, I was wondering what Fuji flash you chose if any? Like yourself I tend to shoot natural light where possible, but I guess there is always going to be that odd occasion where needs must, and although the XE-1 has a built in flash for fill in (the reason I chose it over the XP1) I’m guessing as with all built ins it’s range is ltd, and naturally not hugely creative…
Regards
Tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the comment. Honestly, I don’t use flash so have never used one with the Fuji System. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Kevin
Well as of this Wednesday I’ll be shooting Fuji full time using x2 X-Pro1′s and an X-E1 as back up. Appreciate the advice on Twitter and these blogs Kevin. It’s made my switch a lot easier.
P
Hi Kevin,
Amazing images. I have just ordered the Fuji x100 after some deep soul searching. Really admire you’re honesty and absolutely love your imagery. No flash- Where do i sign up? I hate flash, but it does have its place. . . Would it be wise to stick to DSLR for main safe shots at a wedding and bring out fuji for candids? Is Xpro1 really that good? Xpro1 v say D700? Really excited about getting my X100 and hoping this could be the start of a beautiful friendship between myself and fuji. Any advice?
Hi Nik,
I am shooting more and more with the camera at weddings and really only in the really low light situations of winter do I *need* to use my DSLRs. However, I tend to be a conservative type and do often shoot the key moments with both if possible. More and more I use the XP1 though the more I love it. I don’t take any other cameras anywhere else….e.g holidays etc. The X100 is also an amazing little thing.
You will love it!
Hi Kevin Thanks for sharing the technical stuff. I have always shot raw but I can imagine that Fuji have put a lot of effort into optimising jpg. It would certainly save a lot of time in post processing. Your photographs are great by the way.. John
Thanks John!
Really informative piece Kev supported, as always, by some outstanding imagery. Love the MOTB in her dressing gown, and of course the ‘hair pull’ shot! Seems to be able to cope with highlights / low light situations pretty well, or maybe that’s just because it’s in the hands of a very skilled photographer. Hmmmmmm… to Fuji, or not to Fuji, that is the question.
Do it, do it !
An old war horse like you will love the versatility I’m sure.
If you want to borrow mine for a weekend just give me a shout…..
Hi Kevin, I just wanted to say a big thank you for Monday. It was great to meet you, I had a great day and learnt a huge amount. I thought you may also like to know that following your advice and all of the info you’ve posted over recent months I have ordered my Fuji X-pro1 !! I just can’t wait to get going with it.
Really great article Kevin ( and images ) my quirky X100 accompanies me to every wedding and is like a dear old friend. I love my D700´s with the 35 and 85mm 1.4´s but I think a couple of these is very much the way forward for me. Thanks so much for sharing. J
Thanks for sharing all of this Kevin. I can’t wait to get my hands on one
Interesting article Kevin. I am driving my wife and friends demented because I can’t choose between the Fuji X Pro 1 and the Nikon D600. I have been using two film Leica M’s but my focusing lately has been a bit hit and miss, (I’ve started wearing glasses). The one aspect that is delaying my decision is the Fuji’s focusing. There is an element of urgency however because of Fuji’s current free lens offer. I agree with your comment about the Fuji being a bit of a stealth machine. I had a few minutes with one and people seemed to be oblivious to me. In short, can you help me make up my mind. Thanks.
Hi Des – my advice would be simply to get one. Having been a Leica user you already understand the firm and footprint so I think it will be second nature for you. One of the reasons I didn’t go down the Leica M route was because my manual focusing in the rangefinders was not great. The X-Pro1 is a great camera.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for all your blogging on the Fuji X 1 Pro. For as long as I can remember I have been wanting a small camera with near SLR capability. I’m a Nikon user, and in recent times have, where possible, migrated from their pro-zooms to working a lot more with their f1.4/f1.8 primes. However, I still find that as a take anywhere camera, even the relatively light D800 with a 50mm lens is on the bulky and heavy size. Finding your blog made me think the Fuji was the answer.
However, having looked into the camera more, I’ve read so much about the ‘slow autofocus’ on the camera that I began to doubt it and I began to research the Olympus Om-d Em5. Although a smaller sensor, this seems a very impressive bit of kit as well, and I’m now torn between the two.
Having come back to your site this morning I’m now leaning towards the Fuji again. The OVF sounds great, I’m not at all sure about the idea of an EVF. Apparently the OMDs is very good, but I think there has to be some lag. Do you find this with the Fuji?
I’d love to try both cameras, but I live miles from anywhere and haven’t an easy option to do this. I may make a special trip to London for this very purpose, but in the meantime, I’d just be very interested for your thoughts on the Fuji’s autofocusing capabilities when wedding shooting. I’ve read so much that’s negative about it that I’m amazed by the images you’ve shown here, from what I’ve read you would think it impossible to capture such great and spontaneous moments with this camera!
I’m a wedding and commercial/editorial photographer btw. When not working, I take lots of shots of my kids, another reason I was concerned about the negative reports on the Fuji’s autofocus. I also plan to get back into street/documentary photography to get some more personal work going next year – again, this smaller set up is what I envisage using for that, I really want a ‘take everywhere, everyday camera; so I’m very keen to make the right choice.
By the way, there’s a lot of great work on your site, it looks like you’ve built up a very impressive style and business.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Have a good Christmas!
cheers
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the comments. The XP1 is great, but its not a DSLR. It has many advantages over a DSLR and some disadvantages. The AF on the XP1 is not as fast as some DSLRs – that’s for sure. But, saying that, its not really a reactionary camera in that respect. I use the “rangefinder like” abilities of the OVF to monitor a scene before shooting. I don’t need bullet fast AF for that.
So, in summary – no, the AF is not on a par with DSLRs but to be totally honest I don’t think it needs to be for the type of camera it is, and how I use it.
I’ve never used an OMD so can’t compare with that at all I’m afraid.
Hope that helps a little and have a great Christmas yourself,
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your reply, very much appreciated. I’ve just taken the plunge on an ex-demo X Pro 1 and 18mm lens. Will claim the 35mm in the Fuji ‘free lens’ offer that’s on. I confess to being slightly over-excited right now! (Tragic but true.)
I’ve never used a rangefinder, so will interested to see how I get on with the ‘rangefinder-like’ OVF. It’s hard to imagine the speed of the AF and how it will affect or compliment my work, so I figured I may as well have a go while these offers were on. It’s basically cost me something very close to the OMD, so if it doesn’t suit, that’s where I’ll go next.
Having an OVF, and your comments on the look/quality of the images, plus the quality of the images you’ve shown, had a very big part in swinging me back to the XP1 after considering the OMD. I’ve no doubt they both have their strengths, but without a camera dealer on my doorstep it’s very hard to know what would be best. Anyway, I’m now really looking forward to giving my personal Xmas present a go!
Thanks again for sharing your experiences with the camera; very inspiring and helpful,
all the best
Andrew
I had the same delema and took the plung trading in my D200 for the. X-Pro1 . It was the right decision. I bought the eyes ,ought correction lenses 1+ and just in case 2+.
They work fine.
Glad you are enjoying it Tim.
Hi – As this is the only place I’ve posted on the subject of the X Pro 1, I thought I’d ask a question here… So far my own experience (limited to a total of a few hours shooting) with the camera have been positive. I’m yet to upgrade firmware but with the 18mm lens autofocus speed hasn’t been and issue and the image quality is stunning, both in good and low light. However, I have had several moments where the focus has been way off – as if the camera is using a different focal point to the one chosen. I instinctively love the OVF, but have yet to get my head around the parallax issue, so maybe that is what is causing my problem.
I have until the end of December to make a firm decision on the camera (I can return it before then and still get a similar ‘free lens’ deal on the Olympus OMD, so I hope to get time to test it thoroughly before then. In the meantime though I stumbled on some information from the DigLloyd blog. I’m not a member, so cannot access everything but he writes of some serious sounding artefact issues in the RAW files from the X PRO 1 and XE 1. He has images to illustrate the issue – I’m not sure I can see on all occasions, but it is definitely there on some. I wondered if Kevin or anyone else who reads this had seen anything similar themselves or had any thoughts.
Here is a link to the blog entry: http://diglloyd.com/blog/2012/20121209_2-FujiXE1-artifacts-reader-comments.html
There is more on the issue in the December archive of the blog.
Thanks for any thoughts, I’d love to know what seasoned users of this camera think.
Best regards
Andrew
Honestly, I don’t really do this much detailed level of “pixel peeping”. I can’t see the issue in the RAW files (if there even is one), so my clients certainly wont’t.
That said, I don’t like the way LR deals with the RAW files from the X-Pro1 and that’s one of the reasons I shoot primarily in JPG. The JPGs out of the camera are next to heavenly.
I’d be interested to see if the same RAW issue occurs in the Silky Pix? If it doesn’t, then you can make an assumption its the RAW processor in Camera Raw that is making those artefacts but, as I say, I really don’t see them nor would it bother me at that level.
The “orbs of light” issue on the original 5D Mark II which I had was a worry – but corrected very soon.
Re the focusing – I find it focuses probably 95% of the time. It’s more important, in low light, to have a contrasting area to focus on. Other than that, its great.
Thanks for the comment again Andrew,
Kevin
Hi guys, loving the picture quality of my XE-1, however as mentioned by Andrew I really do have issues with the inconsistent focusing of the camera, one minute it can be OKish the next it really doesn’t seemed to have caught what I was focusing on even using just centre point focusing, this becomes even more of an issue in anything other than daylight, so hoping they sort the problem out soon as it could ruin what is otherwise a fantastic camera
Hi Kevin, thanks for your reply. Your thoughts on clients not noticing such issues echo my own – much of the equipment that we now use is, in my opinion, of such high quality that unless you are working at the highest end of advertising I doubt there’s much need for pixel peeping at all. As an example, I use the D800, and have found that to get a fair idea of print quality I’m better off looking at 200% rather than 100% – worrying about actual pixel quality on a file that size is only relevant if you are making truly massive prints. Even most of my commercial clients don’t actually need the level of quality that camera can produce (but I find it does have many benefits for me).
Having said this, in my very limited used with the X Pro 1, I took it out in extremely contrasty conditions. Low summer sunlight creating high-highlights on wet tarmac and deep long shadows. The Jpegs were pretty good, but the highlight and shadow detail I could recover made the RAWs far better (in my opinion) in the end. These I processed in LR and as they were only family images I didn’t and as yet still haven’t done any detailed ‘pixel peeping’.
The bottom line was that I was extremely pleased with the quality of the images (on a global level at least, as opposed to pixel peeping), particularly in light of my inexperience with the camera and the sheer wonder of images that good coming out of something so small and enjoyable to use.
Anyway, following your comment about Silky Pix, it does seems it handles RAW better than LR. while looking into this ‘smearing’ issue I stumbled on a comparison of X PRO 1 RAW Files processed in different RAW convertors. Here’s a link:
http://frontallobbings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/fujifilm-rafraw-process-interactive.html
The writer doesn’t suggest Silky Pix is perfect, but clearly considers it the best option, at least from a fine detail point of view.
Elsewhere I’ve read of people using the camera to process RAWs to good effect – this is something I’ve yet to look into.
As it stands, I’m not sure how concerned to be. I don’t fancy moving away from an LR based work flow, at least not for my actual work, work, if you get my drift. I guess for the odd image it could work, but wedding/commercial portraiture/events post production is a big enough job as it is. Like you, I don’t feel that clients are interested in pixel peeping, but after years of striving for quality it does feel a bit odd to accept less than best.
But, and it’s a big but, the OVF is a one off, and so far I absolutely love it, so I really don’t want to give this camera up! Plus as you say, in many cases the jpegs are great and I’m sure I’ve a lot more to learn in terms of how to get the best out of them. I also love the fact you can decide to set the camera to BnW and limit the final result to this, just like loading film. It may sound a little odd but as a creative tool I think this could be very beneficial to the way I try to ‘see’ things.
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and all the best
Sorry, just spotted a typo in para 2, make that “low winter sunlight”!
Hello Kevin
A had, in my mind, my next year to upgrade my DX cameras to FF with the Nikon D600 but when seeing the Fuji-X-E1 I became madly in love with it. But I am a professional and there are some things we must take care. Bur after reading your post my mind is, now, more calm and maybe more for Fuji. I have
been photographing all these years with DX and FF was more a nature way to do the job but, sincerely thinking, I think it was more a excuse to update. Now with your experience and the lens that Fuji will have at the time I will buy them: 14 2.8, 23 1.4, 50 1.4 and 58 1.4 and I pray a 80 1.4 some day it is the perfect Team. Light, quiet ( never more priests claiming about the camera noise) and nice out of focus renders. It is good for my backs, for shooting discretion and, the most important, good for the photos. Thanks and keep the fantastic work you do.
What I love about the x100( and actually a lot people just forget): Flashsync of 1/1000!
I’ve heard its even go up to 1/4000s, well I never tried it, so far. But anyway, this feature makes the x100 a real winner, compared to ANY dslr.
That’s a good point. I don’t use flash with either the X100 or X-Pro1 but I know that Damien Lovegrove (www.prophotonut.com) does (and does it amazingly well).
I’ve read pretty incredible things about strobe shooting at high syc speeds.
Thanks for the comment,
Kevin
I love this camera and have wanted one for ages
thanks for the review 
Makes me want to get it even more now. I was tempted with the x100.
Would you take the E X 1 over the X-pro 1? That is my dilemma.
I know there is no optical view finder and that it is more compact.
I however like the feel of the X pro 1, the size. Though I have heard that the E X 1 is much faster and less expensive.
It’s a toss up, what do you think Kevin?
Hi Ivan,
I prefer the XP1 because of the OVF. I’ve used the X-E1 though and that too produces amazing results.
Thank you for sharing your X-Pro1 images. I use the X-Pro1 for my detail and getting ready shots. Definitely feel more comfortable with the camera’s focusing system after the firmware upgrade. Just purchased the 18-55mm – can’t wait for the 2013 Wedding Season!
Do you thing the zoom lens would be a more appropriate choice for weddings?
Can you see this as being a stand alone camera for wedding work or is the evil DSLR still a necessity?
Would you feel safe taking only the XPro or Xe1 to a wedding?
Have you considered the Xe1 over the XPro1?
Hallo Kevin
I do shoot here in Switzerland professionally weddings. So far with the Canon 5D and L lenses. For about a year ago I bought the X Pro 1 and the tree primes. I love the image quality and the weight of this camera. I do now shoot 65% of all my wedding work with the X Pro 1, 10% Leica M digital and the rest with Canon. But I still did not find a substitute for my Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens (my only zoom) in the Fuji world. Any ideas how to substitute this one??? It is the only reason I did not switch to Fuji completely.
Thanks for your thoughts and all time good light for shooting.
Hi Kayar,
Thanks for the comment. Take a look at the Fujifilm XF Lens Roadmap (http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/xf_lens/roadmap/) there is a 55-200 zoom coming soon
Thank you Kevin
I still believe, that the 55-200 is not a substitute, not 2.8. But, there might be still hope. Looking forward for the 23 1.4 Fujinon. Will replace my 35 1.4L asap.
Have a nice weekend