Why life must be complicated? My love affair with the Fujifilm X-E3 facing the numerous recent novelties.

We love to do photography and we love to do it with beautiful cameras that we cherish but like many lovers, we are not always fully loyal, and we often look on the other side of the fence for a new loving novelty. That's human and ... that is also logical to improve our material situation. After all, why not be more efficient, more comfortable and get a jazzier product. It is not a real syndrome; it is simply the way human behave for millenniums.

True that I have been excited for all the Fujifilm cameras that I have the chance to own and to work with. The X-E2, X-E2S, X-T10, X-T20, X-T30 and X-H1 were wonderful products and each generation have solved many newborn flaws seen in the mirrorless planet. At this moment of time, two Fujifilm X-E3 cameras (silver, black, so no discussion here!) are following me into the different photo projects that I am intended to do. Yes, I love the Fujifilm X-E3 with his off-center viewfinder that replicate the old rangefinder camera way of working. The X-E3 are simple cameras with less optionality (such as a moving rear LCD screen or multiple dials and function pushbuttons). You can set the very basic technical data such as ISO, aperture, shutter speed and concentrate yourself about your picture composition and the critical picture taking moment. You can also configure the camera regarding some more specialized photographic aspect of your own.

The Fujifilm can be a fantastic "monochrome" camera without fussing about its total versatility to also do color pictures. Black and white photography represent at least half of my total but modest production. It is a format (B&W) that I am highly comfortable to anticipate and to select. The X-E3 electronic viewfinder (although it seems small in comparison of its other X-T series cousins) will give you an accurate preview of your final picture like for the very precise rear back viewing screen. My film simulation preference in monochrome goes, not surprised, to the Acros version implanted into the X-E3. The possibility to simulate B&W color filters is another fine option.

As many have already concluded, I am not very fond to add and use accessories on any camera. With the Fujifilm X-E3, you need to fit the optional and small Fujifilm EF-X8 flash unit (furnished with the camera) and set it at its upper position (which is an advantage to prevent the lens proximity). This light helper can be good as an emergency or a tiny fill-in flash. Be sure you have an extra battery pack to sustain its extensive use. The optional grip from Fujifilm (or from a third-party) is interesting not only for the additional one-hand prehension capacity but to serve as a more secure (Arca-Swiss type) tripod mount base. It is easier to center the lens with the tripod head when the optional grip is attached to the X-E3.

I am not a videographer but I can understand that the Fujifilm X-E3 is not really a photographic product meanly designed for animated picture project although it can be use that way providing certain adaptations such as may be the use of the control remote optionality operated from a phone or a tablet.

Now we can start the always present debate concerning the urgency to "upgrade" yourself with the newest camera models which is meaning the X-T200, the X-Pro3 or the X-T4 (if not the X-T3 or X-T30) that are using the latest technical advancement such as, for some of these already mentioned, a new image sensor, a faster and more accurate autofocus system, new film simulations, etc. Is the Fujifilm X-E3 becoming a complete outdated camera by today's standards? The same question has been asked in the past for the previous Fujifilm X-E1, X-E2 and X-E2S models. The answer is never a universally accepted one. But all these X-E series different versions are still producing fine and, time to time, outstanding results simply because of the involvement of the photographers that are using them.

What to conclude of all these so profound "photographix" reflections? For one, there is always place for further technical development and we are encouraging them by buying new photo equipment at our own desire and our budget availability. For two, we have a renowned tendency to fall in love with our camera choices and this why we defend them so fiercely. For three, all digital camera models (in particular the interchangeable lens cameras - ILC) can perform decently and produce interesting photographs. At the end, there is no bad or improper photo equipment choices as long you intend to use them!