Tag: X-E5

March 2026 Links

Canon

Will it Finally Happen? A New Macro Lens Longer Than 100mm With Variable Magnification — A little refresher on Canon Macro lenses, with the legendary MP-E 65mm f2.8 5:1 magnification and the more recent EF 180 f3.5L USM. The MP-E 65mm was really a unique lens and has been discontinued for a while.

Fujfilm

Fujifilm X-E5 Review: Their Best Camera So Far — A review of the Fujifilm X-E5 by Alik Griffin. Still writing mine.

Panasonic

Panasonic sees the compact camera renaissance as an opportunity for Lumix — An interview by DPReview of Panasonic executives in wish they say that the compact camera market is growing again, that they are still committed to m4/3, and of course the full frame Lumix L. This is before they announced the ZS300/TZ300.

Instax

TTArtisan Wants You to Pay $400 to Beta Test Its Folding Instant Camera — I mentioned the TTArtisan Instax camera last year. There were conflicting report that it might have been cancelled, blocked by Fujfilm. No. It’s just taking time to develop and this update show it might be happening. Albeit this announcement show an unusual (to say the least) practice of selling a “beta” version for US$400. How much will the final product be?

Film

The Darkroom of Death: 10 Forgotten Hazards of Early Photography — Film processing is full of chemicals, some more toxic than other. It’s one of the reasons contributing to some films being discontinued in the 21st century: Kodachrome, Velvia, or process upgraded. Most of these processes have been replaced by less toxic ones.

Photographers

Doriyan Coleman Sees Poetry on the Streets of Cleveland, and He Has the Exhibition to Prove It — An interview with Doriyan Coleman.

The 10 Incredible Women Photographers to Follow Today (NSFW) — Always good to discover new artists.

DIY

Camera Geekery: Kodak Aerochrome cameras — On Japan Camera Hunter, a story of building a medium format camera.

This gorgeous DIY camera looks straight out of Severance — DPReview tested that DIY Saturnix digital camera.

X-E5, it’s here

I was complaining in early December that the X-E5 was still unobtainium. 2 month later, it’s finally here. I would have gotten it earlier if I was ok with silver, but I wanted black.

A white box that say: Fujifilm X-E5 XF23mmF2.8R WR
This is a box. The camera you want is inside.

Opened the box, the camera comes with the lens mounted, the back and body caps are provided. There is no USB cable, no charger for the NPW-126S battery, the same battery as on the X-M5 and the X-T3, no paper manual (so you need to get it online), but a USB-C to 3.5mm audio jack, and a thick camera strap.

Charging the battery now.

X-E5 is still unobtainium

So I have a request for an X-E5 in black with a XF 23mm f/2.8 kit on a wait list at a Canadian retailer. It was days the announcement that I was put on the list. So I should be pretty much on top of the list. Turns out the camera in black is “back ordered” and the silver model comes in more often. I definitely want it in black.

At that pace Fujifilm will announce the X-Pro4 (whatever name the X-Pro3 successor will have) before I can even get an X-E5 in black.

August 2025 links

Insider: Fujifilm X-T5 Disassembly and Teardown — Don’t try this at home. IRRecams do modify cameras for IR photography, and this is them looking at the X-T5. But useful if you need a guide to repair.

Kolari Canon EOS R50V Teardown and Disassembly — Another teardown by IR conversion specialists. This time the EOS R 50V.

DPReview Fujifilm X-E5 in-depth review.

Kosmofoto reports that 10Art.CC announces reimagined version of the Polaroid SX-70 — Another interesting take on reviving vintage camera with specific format.

June 2025 links

Fujifilm

Some Fujifilm reviews around.

DPReview on the GFX100 RF: their comprehensive review of the camera we talked about previously.

Photographyblog got their hands on the Fujifilm X-E5 and the 23mm pancake: Fujifilm X-E5 Review, Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR Review, and then they compare the X-E5 with the X-E4.

Misc

WIRED on How Apple Created a Custom iPhone Camera for F1. The short version is that the on board camera for F1 car are not suited for a movie, while they are great for broadcast. So Apple who produce the movie did modify iPhone cameras. They don’t broadcast but the footage they record is much more suited for editing into the rest of the film. The technical achievement at the service of the art. Not the first time, nor the last.

Kosmophoto gives a First look at China Lucky Film’s forthcoming new colour film. I’ll follow-up on this later, but it’s promising to see the development of a new colour film.

Fujifilm X-E5 and 23mm f/2.8 pancake

Some thoughts about the just announced Fujifilm X-E5, and its companion the 23mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Another camera I don’t have that I will talk about.

Take the X-T5, with 40 megapixel, IBIS and everything, put it in the X-E4 form factor, with the EVF on the side like on a rangefinder camera. Add a dedicated film simulation dial, not unlike the X-M5. With X-Trans 5 sensor and X-Processor 5 (the latest) it the top of the Fujifilm image pipeline.

The aluminium machined top, like on the GFX100RF calls for a more high end camera. Sadly it’s not weather resistant.

Fujifilm “retro inspired” design has always been at the foundation of the X-series camera. And the X-E5 pushes it a bit further in the EVF with an optional “classic” display, a minimal display simulating a 7-segment LCD and a needle exposure meter. Is this distraction free or just nostalgia? Underneath the camera on the bottom there is a small button for Bluetooth that looks like the film rewind release on manual cameras. As for connectivity it can connect to the current set of Instax Link printers.

Like on the X-E4, the LCD flips up to the top, great for selfies. There is a mic jack but not headphone out unless you use the USB adapter, so this might not be the best video camera. I personally wouldn’t pick this. That doesn’t mean its not capable, just that it might be limited.

Aspect ratio and digital zoom

The X-E5 supports the following aspect ratio (crops): 3:2, 16:9, 1:1, 4:3, 5:4. Nothing special. Why not the 17:6 or the 64:25 found on the GFX100 RF? This is a disappointment. The front lever allow selecting a digital zoom, x1.5 and x2. These are also crops.

Film simulation dial

The film simulation dial is under the top plate with a little window on top to show the current setting. I believe I still have the same opinion as on the X-M5 about the Film Simulation dial. But, in FS1 to FS3, you can set Film Simulation recipes. Apparently the settings of the FS modes can be combined Custom modes, ie each custom mode has its own settings. FINALLY. Maybe can we get this as an update on the X-M5, please, please, Fujifilm?

23mm pancake

At the same time the X-E5 is announced, the 23mm f/2.8 pancake WR is announced. It’s like the 27mm pancake, but 23mm. With an equivalent 35mm field of view (in 35mm), this is the third 23mm lens in the Fujifilm XF lineup along with the f/2 and f/1.4. This one offer a very compact alternative, and I expect it will be successful among Fujifilm street shooters.

Bundle

The X-E5 comes in either a body only or in a kit with the new 23mm f/2.8 WR pancake, in August 2025. The lens alone won’t be available before December 2025. I expect scalpers to buy the kit, hard to get, and then sell the two separately at over inflated price.

In that combination, the X-E5 is like a X100VI, but for CA$90 more. The X100VI has a faster f/2 lens, built in ND filter, different flash sync, and is a little bit smaller.

Price

CA$2000 or with the lens CA$2250, while the lens alone will get to CA$560. It’s more expensive down South with the tariffs. Some say it is expensive, but it is comparable to the X-T50.

Comes on two colours: silver and black. And the lens in an assorted colour.