A dream with little gloomy clouds - but you have to love

I have long been an addition to my 5D mkII sought, although in Jobs loyally serve, but then it took only aware in everyday life and not just so Wandet into his pocket. Alone due to size and weight you think about it twice before the 5D now migrated into the pocket or not. For this reason, I also sought specifically in the field of system cameras for a supplement. Each photo affine person on the planet is likely to be familiar with the timelessly simple but incredibly efficient design of Leica - and probably with the astronomical prices that are called even the "basic version" ME. A Leica is like a Porsche 911 - the design worked perfectly for decades and even today one looks forward to see one once; then to first-class technology and the myth lives on. But also a myth precisely because of the extortionate prices that most people (both amateurs and professionals) simply can not afford or want.

And here comes with Fuji X Series into play. After Olympus has set the revival of the OM series so the Retro really in transition, the design of the Fuji X-series now led by the the X-Pro 1, but even the cameras leaning on to the classic Leica design, of course, with fixed Optics beat exactly the same line: simple, straightforward, simple, but nice.

The decision betw. X-E1 and X-Pro 1 struck me then quite easy, because as exciting the hybrid viewfinder of the X Pro 1 may be, it will justify in my eyes the called juicy charge simply do not, because apart from the hybrid viewfinder and a few things plugged into both models practically the same technique: a 16,3MPixel APS-C CMOS sensor with Fuji X-Trans Technology (in contrast to the conventional Bayer color filter which occupies 2x2 pixels, the color filter comprises at Fuji 6x6 pixels, which is too lower tendency leads to produce moiré patterns), the same image processor, identical AF system (TTL contrast measurement) with 49 AF points. The display of the X-Pro 1 is 0,2in bigger and offers higher resolution, but the EVF of the X-E1 with its 2,36MPixel resolution OLED display is where the X-Pro 1 but clearly superior (1,44MPixel LCD). The X-E1 is clearly designed to be used with the EVF, the screen on the back is quite neat, precise focusing can then but only at the highest magnification to and is then difficult to read in very bright environments. But now to the criticism in detail:

Feel:
The Fuji is a joy to touch. It is built handy and very valuable, top and bottom are made of metal as well as the controls at the top. It is at least good for me in the hand. Despite hydric construction it feels very light. I compare the X-E1 with the feel of the 5D, then I would hope that Canon would even cut them a slice. Not that the 5D mkII would act cheap, but it gives no so nice impression as the X-E1. Only the scroll controller on the back of falls in the X-E1 a little high out of the frame, a metal wheel would have been appropriate here.

Operation & Handling:
The controls are essentially self-explanatory and clearly, the dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation need no explanation, the trigger is also unique. The menu is quite logical and simple, but could be a bit quicker, but at least most of the menu items are easy to find and also self-explanatory, because if you know how you have to deal with a camera. The buttons on the back to throw little questions. After a few minutes I had everything figured out key for me. But the AE-Lock did not want to do what I wanted of him at first. A very handy feature is the Fn button next to the shutter release, which is proved with user-specific selections can. Unfortunately, it has Fuji failed on the adjuster for the Dioptriekorretur attaching a marker that indicates at least the 0-position and so have to pass himself once an eye test to get them back properly adjust and woe to anyone who comes by accident at the wheel and after all not noticed during the manual focus in the heat of the moment. Also, the proximity sensor from the EVF is sometimes a bit bitchy, which can be a bit annoying, although here and there, on the whole, but is not a significant problem. The built-in flash could have been save, the guide number is just enough time for it out to address other flashes in the slave mode, only to be able to judge the way the built-in flash also up (you have to hold in each position it however) is interesting in a reflected flashes on the ceiling or a reflector at a likely LZ 7 but not much light left.

Autofous / Focus Assist:
I can not say anything because I have decided consciously against Fuji optics and my existing full manual Canon FD use use optics, as well as one or the other M-mount lens have in mind to autofocus even at this point. Since this is not a workhorse and I doubt even have the time to just 1 or 2 seconds to use for focusing or re-take the picture without missing the money shot, the autofocus me is quite matter. Thanks to the EVF can by clicking on the dial wheel the magnifier will eingestaltet, with the focusing works quite well and quickly. Published since 22/07/2013 Firmware version 2.0 has also submitted another focus assist that highlights the in-focus range through shades in the viewfinder. This works pretty well when sufficient contrast edges are present, but I would have liked a color highlighting to be more effective. In my opinion, you can do without quite well on the feature, because you really can not get away on the magnifying glass and areas are marked that lie on the border region of focus.

Image Quality:
Absolutely top and beyond reproach. The sharpness is excellent, very good color rendering, jagged edges or moiré patterns are (probably thanks to the X-Trans Technology) not to recognize as well as the contrast is really good. Even out of the camera are the images quite neatly and give an idea of ​​how much room is available in the RAW development. Fuji film emulations are also very interesting, especially the black / white emulation really produced very solid results that have really impress with a few simple steps in Lightroom, because the presets are written into the RAW file. The film emulation is with me on the Fn button so that I can see directly the S / W impression in a picture when I have the feeling that the subject would be amenable to a S / W development.

Software and Performance:
The switch is pretty good, but not outstanding quickly, writing files, however, takes a little long. The film emulation eats apparently also quite a bit of processing power even with only activated EVF, so when panning the picture starts to stutter (a similar effect occurs in the prevailing darkness).

Conclusion:
What I have to keep me happy a camera back in the hands, which is to operate on classic controls, such as in the beloved Canon A1 of my father, with whom I made my first Fotogehversuche. A dial for the shutter speed, an aperture ring and a decent focus ring, what more do you need? This operating concept also told me already in the Leica M8 and M9, but both were simply unaffordable and have a second objective system requires. The X-E1 has a reflection in the photograph on the essentials, not flooding the user with too many unnecessary features and gimmicks that provides excellent image quality and is compact and small enough to be a constant companion in everyday life. It amuses me free from automatics to work with her. Back to the roots. Your little imperfections make them for me personally only likeable and amiable. Fuji could help focus have liked to improve in an upcoming firmware update yet, but apart from that I am with you and just be happy for me is clear one thing: I give her no more!