There is this weird idea that keeps hammering my head.

It says: sell the X-T4 and X-E3 and get the Fujifilm X-E4.

• Fujifilm X-E4: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment

Why?

Because the X-E4 would be the perfect fusion between the form factor I love (X-E3) and the power I sometimes need (X-T4). Plus it would have a two way tilt screen which I vastly prefer over the selfie screen on my X-T4 (even though in some radical composition necessities it can be very helpful).

So this weekend I will just make shameless private use of FujiRumors and ask what you think about this idea.

But let me be clear: this post is not to say the X-E3 is not a capable camera. I mean, I shot a wedding with it and it worked just fine. But the X-T4 is simply the more powerful tool and in some occasion this extra power can be useful.

So why am I still hesitating?

The reason is simple: I’d no longer have an X series camera with IBIS (only my GFX100S).

Now, I know some guys claim IBIS is for losers and it completely destroys the photographic purists experience. But trust me, when you hike for hours up a mountain (as I love to do), and maybe at some very narrow path you want to stop to grab a quick picture with a tired and shaking hand or you have your son on the your back moving around while you try to take a picture, then having the IBIS solution as an option is more then welcome. And if I don’t need it, I turn it off… easy ;).

So what should I do?

And yes, I know the 5th generation of Fujifilm cameras is coming. I will probably get one of those cameras, too. So maybe it would be better to wait and see what Fujifilm has to offer in 2022/early 2023, and based on that see which cameras sell, keep and buy.

I don’t know, I am confused. Maybe just sell everything and go for X-E4. Or wait a bit longer, see what the future brings, and then take decisions.

And since lately I am so absorbed by Fujifilm X-E4 reviews, trying to make up my mind, I will share a couple of reviews down below.

Reviews… or 5 Reasons why the Minimalist X-E4 is Perfect for Stree Photography

Sigma X Mount

When I started with Fujifilm MILC about 10 years ago and my bank account at that time regularly and literally hit the zero mark as I spend all my remaining resources into summer travels (and gear that I needed to capture those travels), I would have loved to have cheaper autofocus options for the X mount. But there were not. So I mostly stuck with a few XF lenses (and some manual focus lenses).

Oh, how nice would it have been if 10 years ago I could have bought something like the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 for my travels, or even the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 for portraits.

A wider range of affordable third party AF lenses would have facilitated my X system build-up. But with none of that around, I just bought slowly into it, sometimes wishing for lenses for certain images that I could not afford.

Today it’s different.

For those who just start out with the X system or do not have or want to invest a bigger amount of money into lenses, these Sigma X mount lenses are a terrific option.

That’s why personally I consider them a wonderful addition to the X system, even though they are close to what Fujifilm already offers.

So let’s dedicate the Sigma X mount trinity a little roundup :).

Written Reviews

• alwinkok – Sigma 30mm f1.4 – Never Too Late (lots to love but also a few downsides)
• asobinet – Sigma 56mm f/1.4 for X mount review

Video Reviews

A few exciting things happened on the X Trans demosaicing front recently.

The arguably most exciting event was DxO finally supporting Fujifilm X-Trans files with DxO PhotoLab 5. And from all I could see so far, the results are absolutely fantastic. So much so, that, even though I am a hardcore CaptureOne user and lover, I think DxO PhotoLab 5 will be the one software I will check out in depth in 2022 as it seems to perform better than anything else.

Thomas Fitzgerald, my go-to source for all things X-Trans files editing (links below) says that DxO is the best X-Trans converter for “Pure Image Quality” in combination with DxO’s DeepPrime noise reduction technology. A downside: in order to use Fujifilm’s film simulation, you have to purchase also the “DXO Film Pack” as an extra.

If you are using DxO PhotoLab 5 already, feel free to let me (and us all) know in the comments what you think about it. Are you happy with it?

Speaking of DxO, recently they also added X-Trans support to DxO PureRAW 2.

And since we talk editing, I thought to make a mini-roundup with some of the editing related articles, including the ones of Thomas mentioned above in this article.

X-Trans Roundup