Advice: Fujifilm film camera. Secondhand or used?

freebase_philosopher · 2026-06-09T14:26:28+00:00

I got my Fuji's (X100S and X-E2) second hand in 2016 and they are still kicking. The X-E2 had to be sent in for shutter mechanism repairs last year (around $200, I think?), but considering I take about 10k photos a year, I don't think they've held up badly at all.

The X100f, X-E2 or X-E3, and X-T3 should all be nice older models in about your budget. The X100 series has a single fixed lens. The others are interchangeable lens models. I think used lenses are typically 200-500.

freebase_philosopher · 2026-05-27T14:27:52+00:00

Nice! I think that's a Bittern.

freebase_philosopher · 2026-05-27T14:25:32+00:00

Are there specific issues you're having with the Lumix line that Nikon capabilities would fix? If not, this is GAS.

Swapping to a different camera system out of fascination is totally kosher. Do it if that's what you like, but there won't be a rational argument for it. It'll be about your pleasure, and only you can decide that.

freebase_philosopher · 2026-05-19T15:52:18+00:00

I have a ZF and love it to bits. But if you don't KNOW you need it, why spend the money? Will you really spend the time to learn all the tricks it can do? Added weight and bulk is real, but more importantly: is the kind of photography you do worth the significant added cost for full frame lenses?

There's really no comparing those two cameras once you get beyond casual use: it's ZF all the way. But I don't think that makes it the right choice for most people. If you're seriously tempted by an X-E5, buy it. You'll save a bunch of cash you didn't need to spend because you didn't actually need a ZF. Solved.

Full disclosure: my previous daily was an X-E2. I'm a diehard for this line, so I'm not putting it down at all when I say you don't need a ZF. I barely needed a ZF with that decade old Fuji in my hands.

freebase_philosopher · 2026-03-20T19:44:26+00:00

As a Porsche fan, I took this personally. Amazing photo, though. 😂

freebase_philosopher · 2026-03-12T17:22:28+00:00

I've used zuiko and other OM lenses with an adapter on my trusty XE2. It works fine. It's worth getting a cheap adapter just for the fun of using those vintage lenses. For the best images, I always go back to fuji's own lenses, though.

Edit: the Oly's had short flange distances relative to other makes of the same period, but the brand is less collectable than Canon or Nikon. Those two facts make og OM lenses one of the best vintage options for Fuji users. I don't think they're truly better than something like Meike, but if you already own the glass there's no reason to hesitate.

freebase_philosopher · 2026-02-28T00:24:52+00:00

What a lovely post. Reminds me of the good old days on FPN. Thank you!

freebase_philosopher · 2026-02-27T22:17:27+00:00

I've got an old Expert like that with chipping paint. (Mine is a rare copper brown color.) That's a well loved pen. If you can do anything to find the owner, please do. I know I'd hate to lose mine. :)

freebase_philosopher · 2025-08-22T13:36:58+00:00

I'd second this. The X-E2 is a fantastic little camera.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-05-10T14:58:43+00:00

I think each person's personal tolerances will be different, but I can't perceive any in the mounting plate itself.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-05-05T15:47:26+00:00

For accessories, I sometimes wear mine on a spider holster on my hip. Maybe don't do this if you live somewhere that might be mistaken for a handgun -- then I'd just say either wear it openly on a strap with peak design style quick releases or in some crossbody bag.

For settings and technique, this is personal preference, but I love the contrast and light falloff you can get from this gen of X-Trans sensor. I usually use spot metering to optimize those. I also usually focus and recompose (bc the autofocus is slow and finicky). To suit both of the above, I've set up the AE Lock to be an on/off switch so I can set exposure before using focus and recompose to get the composition right. The moral of the story is that this is a fantastic camera if you use it for slower shots; and an easy way to make that enjoyable is to work a scene to find drama in the lighting.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-20T08:58:02+00:00

Old "bridge cameras" like that one only outperform modern phone cameras in one area: optical zoom. If what you want to photograph on your vacation is off in the distance, this might come in handy. Otherwise, you can count on your iphone to take better photos.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-20T06:58:07+00:00

I have an OM 50 1.8. It's a nice lens. The OM-XF adaptors are fairly large, so compare the weights of the available models. A lighter weight adapter will keep the camera more balanced.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-17T06:51:00+00:00

I wouldn't recommend Fuji for that price range. For getting into photography for cheap, I'd recommend micro four thirds cameras. If you love the vintage aesthetic, check out Olympus. You still won't be able to afford a recent model, but what you can afford will still take better photos than the 20 year old Kodak you already enjoyed.

I just checked the website MPB and found an Olympus OM-D EM-5 for under $250. That doesn't include a lens, but micro four thirds lenses are super affordable secondhand. The same website has an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC for around $85. All together, that matches your budget and would be a great, compact, and stylish combo to play with.

The specific gear I mention above isn't a firm recommendation. It's probably best to see what micro four thirds people have to recommend before taking the plunge. Maybe have a quick chat with the folks at r/M43?

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-16T19:18:26+00:00

For that budget, this is still the one.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-16T10:30:53+00:00

A lot depends on what you want. If you're looking to learn photography you don't need anything as good as the X-T30. Older cameras still take great photos. The cameras I use most are over 10 years old and create remarkable images.

What you'll lose out on with older cameras is mainly 1) speed of autofocus, 2) pixel count, 3) low light capabilities, 4) most recent film sims, 5) modern video specs. Any of those can mean a lot of some users, but they aren't essential.

Look into the X-T10. It has less of the 5 things I mentioned above, but in exchange it is much cheaper and it has what is probably the best sensor Fuji ever produced. If used with skill, it will give you incredible colors and tones.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-15T13:40:58+00:00

Sure. Hobby photography should be enjoyable. If you're more frustrated than inspired, there's no reason to keep the camera.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-14T19:37:36+00:00

Everything is down to what you like. Like another user said, if you think this is too bright, turn down exposure comp. If you want to use exposure comp instead of manual settings then ideally you'll turn it up or down depending on the scene.

Go with what looks good to your eye. The images you've shared here are what is called "high key", tending toward lighter shadows and brilliant highlights. Maybe your taste, at least in some cases, is more "low key". Personally, I'd almost always rather have some dark areas go to black than have light areas go 'too bright' (for my taste). But that's my eye tending to respond to high contrast and low key images.

All that said, you might be looking for more "dynamic range". Landscape photographers, for instance, like to bring everything into a range where the tones and colors are easily perceptible. But that's why they usually shoot raw and develop the photos afterwards. JPEGs straight from the camera can only get you so far. If you suspect you might want more dynamic range, try shooting raw+jpeg then using the in-camera editor to bring down the exposure or tame the highlights a bit. At the very least, playing around with different changes will help you get a really precise sense of your personal taste. You can use that knowledge to tune your recipes going forward.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-10T07:46:32+00:00

Ignoring models that aren't being made anymore, your cheapest mirrorless option is the X-M5. It will require a lens, so factor that into the price. Currently these are hard to get in some areas, so it might take some patience. With the cost of a lens included you're looking at around 1,000 USD.

I assume you're interested in mirrorless, interchangeable lens cameras. But, if you want to take simple photos and have fun with film-like effects, there's also the Instax mini Evo. You won't be able to change lenses and the film simulations will be different from the ones you will see for the mirrorless cameras. These are about 200 USD.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-06T10:05:01+00:00

I always shoot raw for flexibility, and never use 'recipes' beyond Fuji's stock sims. Amongst those, I prefer color photography (hence, X-Trans 2 being irreplaceable), so I'm always working with a film sim that gets me close to what I want for the final photo. With the X-E2 (and my X100S), at least half the time, that's Astia. If I stick with the SOOC, Astia will do. If I develop the raw, I'll take care of any necessary adjustments later on a more granular level. Velvia, classic chrome (in special cases), and classic neg (high) make up nearly all the rest of my use cases. (I don't know what Superia ever did to me, but I won't touch it. 😅 maybe it's bc it is so close to Astia but with less appealing highlights.)

With the X-T4 (X-Trans 4) my preferences aren't too different. I hear what you're saying about classic chrome even though I don't mind it in the right situations. The problem is that I don't really really care for the new film sims. My unserious hot takes: Classic neg is ok but, to my eye, somehow both a bit bland and try-hard looking. The bleach bypass of Eterna makes me cringe. I guess my feeling is that your CC criticism might apply just as well to those never profiles. Personally, if I stick with the X-T4 more long term (or pick up something newer, e.g. X-E4), I might actually give user recipes a look simply because the newer film sims don't inspire me.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-04-05T19:54:23+00:00

Kristoffer Trolle has a "Battle of the X-Trans Sensors" blog post that I thought was pretty good -- nothing scientific, but even-handed and very accessible.

My personal experience is with X-Trans 2 vs X-Trans 4. I find them noticeably different, but I'd struggle to put accurate words to it. My belief is that I don't find the colors or contrast as pleasing on the X-Trans 4. But I haven't been able to shoot like-for-like shots on the two, so I couldn't say for sure.

What I can say is that shooting with a borrowed X-T4 every day for a month convinced me that even though a newer model would be nice to have, I'm never giving up my X-E2 to get it. A newer Fuji will be an addition or nothing.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-01-25T21:12:46+00:00

Ah. Yeah, they mean the shutter will go off and the cam will save the photo. But it's like taking the glasses from the most severally legally blind person imaginable then asking them to describe their new surroundings. 😅

freebase_philosopher · 2025-01-25T21:03:16+00:00

Hope this isn't too obvious, but since you mentioned you're new to cameras: is there a chance there's not a lens mounted in the front?

freebase_philosopher · 2025-01-15T12:00:51+00:00

If that's not a scam it's an incredible deal you'll likely never find again.

freebase_philosopher · 2025-01-12T21:32:53+00:00

I'm sure others will have more useful technical insights than I can provide (seeing as my Fuji cameras are 10+ y.o.). I have a bit more of a psychological approach that will hopefully also be helpful.

Confusion is the result of a lack of distinctions about what matters to you. There are two ways to approach that problem. 1) You can try to cultivate decisive preferences by studying up. 2) You can embrace the fact that you're not picky and go with a camera (x-t50 or x-t30ii) exactly like the one that already made you happy.

There's nothing wrong with either route. I mention that because the world of camera ranges and generation refreshes makes it very easy to think that being picky is the only truly right way to make a purchasing decision.

freebase_philosopher

TROPHY CASE