Some Thoughts on the Fujifilm X-E4

Fujifilm X-E4 with Simplr F1

Amongst our camera-herd here at Simplr, is a staff-favorite Fuji X-E2s. To give a little context — it was acquired brand new in late 2016, before the widely-held expectation that every camera should do everything — meaning, photos and cinema quality video.

Even today, as a photo-making machine, the X-E2s is a tiny monster: superb quality images from a tiny, stealthy, unassuming little camera; good viewfinder; all the knobs, dials, and buttons anyone really needs; supreme versatility thanks to compatibility with all X-mount glass; even a built-in flash!

If you can’t make great images with the X-E2s, the problem isn’t the camera. However, the shortcoming that’s tough to ignore today is video (it’s got video, but there’s practically zero control, and it’s a veritable moiré and aliasing party).

The recently released Fujifilm X-E4 possesses most of what we loved about the X-E2s (yes, we’re aware there’s an X-E3 — but we have no experience with it), but with a few easily adaptable-to changes in control layout, and notably, no flash.

Just like the X-E series have always been stealthy photo-making machines, with the X-E4 we’ve now got a 4:2:2 10-bit DCI 4K 200Mbps stealthy video-making machine (sans F-Log). Video quality is excellent, and with the built-in Eterna (including the “bleach bypass” variant) and Classic Negative profiles, you’re unlikely to see any difference, compared to its larger brethren.

Compared to…

X100V

There are those who’ll point out that, when combined with the XF 27mm f/2.8, the size of the X-E4 is nearly the same as the X100V. It’s worth noting that the XF 27mm and the 23mm of the X100 series are more different in their rendering and their perspective than you might expect. The wider perspective and creamier rendering of the X100 series’ built-in 23mm is readily apparent. Don’t think slapping an XF27 on your X-E series will turn it into an X100 (and let’s not forget about the X100 series’ whisper-quiet leaf shutter). Also, X-E4 no longer has the X100 series and earlier X-E’s built-in flash.

(So what are the advantages of the XF 27mm, which a lot of people plan on purchasing with their X-E4? None that we can surmise. Technically it’s fine … fast, sharp … but not wide enough to be wide, and not close enough to be intimate. Of course, opinions vary.)

X-Pro3

If you never use the optical viewfinder of the X-Pro series, the X-E4 presents a very appealing lower-cost alternative. Especially considering that the EVF of the X-E4 sports a more comfortable eyepoint than the X-Pro’s EVF (which is how most people use their X-Pro). However, the X-E4 can’t hold a candle to the X-Pro3’s sexy solidity, weather sealing, and premium finishes.

X-T4

If you’re looking for the most versatile video camera, X-E4’s lack of F-Log could be a negative, compared to the X-T series. For handheld video, X-E4’s lack of IBIS is the other big difference compared to the X-T4. Although it’s possible to gain stabilization by using IS lenses, this can be limiting, in light of the sea of vintage glass often employed for video.

Summary & The Elephant in the Room

The X-E4 can’t replace the X100V’s wider, creamier 23mm rendering, whisper-quiet shutter, or flash. Nor can it replace the X-T4’s F-Log and IBIS, which are fundamental to its video superiority.

What it can do, is almost everything the X-Pro3 can — but in a more compact, significantly less expensive package. If you don’t use the X-Pro’s optical viewfinder (as most X-Pro owners can attest, despite whatever their intentions were pre-purchase, 99% leave the EVF on 100% of the time) the X-E4 will do everything your X-Pro can — albeit without the weather sealing and premium finishes.

If you want X-Pro image quality and versatility, in a smaller body without the bling — and you don’t care about an optical viewfinder — the choice is clear: X-E4 is a stealthy and serious contender.

Note:

Strap attachment on the X-E4 is different than the other cameras compared above. Whereas the others have lug-mount attachment, the X-E4 requires flat-mount (our flat-mount F1’s are a lightweight, versatile option):

Fujixpassion.com Reviews the M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap Review at fujixpassion.com

We’ve made it no secret that, although our straps work well on virtually all mirrorless cameras, we’ve got a particular affinity for Fujifilm cameras. So, we were pretty excited to be reviewed by fujixpassion.com.

Here’s a snippet:

“As soon as I took out the M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap from the packaging, the first thing that stands out is the build quality. Although it’s a very simple piece (as the name implies), everything on this strap denotes a high standard of quality, from the materials chosen to the manufacturing itself. The nylon strap is thin, light and soft.”

Read the full review at fujixpassion.com.

Patrick La Roque Reviews his Simplr Camera Straps

Patrick La Roque's Camera Straps

Patrick La Roque is a photographer, writer, speaker, and member of the Kage Collective.

He’s a remarkable visual storyteller, who’s work could equally evoke calm or frenzy, warmth or solitude.

Here’s a little of what Patrick thinks about his M1a & M1w:

“…Basically, these are products that don’t flash or glitter, that don’t call attention to themselves at all. Everything about them is understated and subtle. But they’re beautifully crafted and ready-made for mirrorless systems. …As much as I still love the feel of my leather straps, I can’t dismiss how much lighter and easier to work with these are. Just quickly being able to vary the length with little friction, to remove them altogether if they’re in the way…it all adds up.”

Read the full review on Patrick’s site.

Palle Schultz Reviews the Fuji X-H1 & our M1a has a Cameo

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Coinciding with the release of Fujifilm’s new X-H1, Palle Schultz discusses this camera’s capabilities in both technological — and real world terms — as only Palle can.

You may recognize Palle’s strap of choice — our very own M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap (in Castor Gray)!

Palle Schultz is a photographer and videographer based in Denmark, and an official Fujifilm X-photographer.

M1a on ShotKit’s “Best Camera Straps” List Again for 2018

Best Camera Straps List 2018

The Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap has been named to Shotkit’s newly updated 2018 Best Camera Straps list:

“With many camera strap manufacturers trying to revolutionise the humble camera strap with the addition of crazy gadgets and gizmos, it’s nice to see some brands trying to perfect what we already have by keeping things simple.

The aptly named Simplr M1a mirrorless camera strap is made from lightweight, strong, military grade nylon webbing and heavy duty plastic hardware that won’t scratch your camera.

My favourite feature and the main reason for inclusion on this list of the best camera straps are the detachable connectors, which allow you to remove or reattach the main portion of the strap in seconds. If you’re like me and appreciate the freedom of using a camera strap whilst walking but hate having it hang in front of you whilst shooting, this is the perfect solution.”

Although we were part of the 2017 list, it’s worth noting that this list is curated annually, and we’re happy to be included for 2018 as well.

Shotkit started in 2014, chronicling the gear well-respected photographers were using to get their work done … Today it’s an ever-expanding resource of the best gear, workflows and photography inspiration.

Curious to see what kind of company we’re keeping? Head over to Shotkit and read their list of Best Camera Straps.

Flemming Bo Jensen Reviews his M1a Mirrorless Camera Straps

Flemming Bo Jensen's Bag and Fuji X-T2 with Simplr Mirrorless Camera Strap

Flemming Bo Jensen is a music photographer … More specifically, he’s known for his uncanny ability to capture the concertgoer experience at live music venues. Whether small, huge, beautiful or chaotic — Flemming distills it into gorgeous still images.

Flemming reviews his dueling M1a camera straps:

What I like about the Simplr M1a strap…

This strap is long! Fully extended, it is 142cm. This is really nice, it is the longest camera strap I have used. I am a tall Scandinavian techno viking with long arms (sorry, this is like an intro to an online dating profile). Not only can I comfortably wear my camera across my body with this strap, the strap is long enough I can just pick up the camera and shoot without taking the strap off my body first. The nylon is smooth to slide easily around my body, so nothing gets entangled. No strap I have used could do this, it is an awesome way to work. Only when I have to shoot overhead, arms raised over my head (watch Dual Vision and you shall see it in action) do I still have to un-attach the strap from my body.(This may be the weirdest paragraph I have ever written, it is hard to describe this stuff!)

It is simple, non flashy, flexible and light weight. It is just a strap. Simple as that. Minimal and very light weight. Never gets in the way. Very supple too. Not pretty but heck, it’s a strap.

The quick-release connectors. I don’t shoot a lot of video, but it is still nice when I need to that I can unclick the strap in 2 seconds. The quick-release connectors used to get in my way until I attached the strap directly to the camera strap loops.

Easily adjustable length. From 91cm to 142cm. I now pretty much shoot with the strap going across my body all the time, but sometimes I am shooting action packed gigs where I know I will constantly swap between camera to my eye and camera over my head. Then I just shorten the strap completely and wrap it once around my right hand and the camera is securely attached now to carry all the time, and the strap is not in the way.

Flemming is an official Fujifilm ambassador, an official Red Bull Photographer, 1/2 of worldwide media makers Roaming Frame, member of Gonzales Photo agency and author of the ebook Get In The Loop.

Read the full review at flemmingbojensen.com.

Charlene Winfred Reviews Her M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

Charlene Winfred's Fuji X-Pro2 with a Desert Tan Simplr M1a

Charlene Winfred is a nomad photographer, videographer, writer, Fujifilm X-series ambassador and half the production team of Roaming Frame.

Charlene’s approach to equipment epitomizes what we’re about here at Simplr: No muss. No fuss. Things should just work, work well, and keep working … without too much thought.

She even came up with a couple of new ideas for her M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap — including lashing extra weight to a tripod (and one more that we hope she’ll never need to make use of).

“The Simplr promise is, well, simple. Their straps are strong, functional, and aesthetically understated. All the qualities I like in equipment, in general.

Things I really like about my strap:

  1. It’s long. I can wear my camera slung across my body, which is SUPER. Never had a strap I could do this with.
  2. It weighs nothing. This is always a boon.
  3. Because it’s made of nylon, it’s also extremely supple and very comfortable to use.
  4. It’s super convenient for video because the main strap snaps off, and the connectors are so light, they make no difference hanging there on the little X-E3, whether it’s on a gimbal or tripod.
  5. The main strap, when disconnected, is useful as a general tie down.

As advertised, this thing just works with no fuss. Like the camera, it doesn’t get in the way, and you don’t have to fiddle with it. Attach it, forget about it and go shoot. If you need a tourniquet, it’s there for you.”

Read the full review at CharleneWinfred.com

M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap Blessed by Bless This Stuff

M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap Review on BlessThisStuff

Bless This Stuff curate all manner of manly stuff. For instance, right now our M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap is surrounded by a Ducati Panigale V4, some kind of intense coffee maker, and a 1965 Porsche 356.

“If you´re looking for a new camera strap that is both functional and stylish without breaking the bank, check out the M1a Camera Strap by Simplr.”

Read the full recommendation at BlessThisStuff.com

The Phoblographer Hates Highly Recommends our M1a

Chris Gampat the Phoblographer reviews the M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

It’s not often you read a review that starts with the word “fugly” … and concludes with this:

“In terms of functionality, the Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap has to be one of the best straps from a small American manufacturer on the market. I’m pleasantly surprised despite how simple and deceiving it looks. Can it use some more Patina? Heck yes. But does it serve its purpose? It more than does; and I’d even recommend this strap be used with full frame DSLRs.

Best of all for a lot of you folks: they’re only $42 on the Simplr website. If you don’t care about Patina the way that I do, then I strongly suggest that this is THE SINGLE BEST strap that you can upgrade to.”

Read the full review at ThePhoblographer.com

Kevin Mullins’ Fujifilm X-E3 Review (plus a few words about his M1a)

M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap on Kevin Mullins' X-E3

Kevin Mullins is a highly regarded UK wedding photographer.

In addition to his impressive professional wedding portfolio, he also runs the popular f16.click site, dedicated to his personal work and all things Fuji.

Kevin recently posted his thoughts on the Fujifilm X-E3 … and we’re happy to report that it pairs nicely with the Simplr M1a he’s got attached to it.

“By the way, the strap you see in these images is a Simplr Camera Strap which I picked up whilst in New York. It’s a really comfortable, non-slip and visually attractive strap.”

He’s an official Fujifilm X-photographer, and member of The KAGE Collective — an international group of visual story tellers.

Read Kevin’s full X-E3 review at f16.click

 

Palle Schultz’s Video Rig … with a Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

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Palle Schultz is a photographer and videographer based in Denmark, and an official Fujifilm X-photographer.

In this video Palle talks about his compact video rig … including a Fujifilm XT-2, and a Simplr M1a camera strap, for stabilization and insurance against accidental drops.

“I really like it because it’s easy to snap off, and the ends are really small … The good thing about having it here, is you can actually stabilize with it … and also as a safety precaution if you drop the camera.”

Check out his YouTube channel.

Bert Stephani Reviews his M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

Bert Stephani's Fuji X100F with a Desert Tan Simplr M1a

*This review is for our now discontinued M1a, succeeded by our F1.

Bert Stephani posts his thoughts on his M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap, along with some excellent images.

He’s a Belgian commercial and editorial photographer, an official Fujifilm X-photographer, and member of The KAGE Collective — an international group of visual story tellers.

“I have been looking for a new camera strap that is both functional and stylish without breaking the bank. … at 42 USD, it seemed to be too good to be true. … So far, I love this strap. It has pretty much everything I personally want in a strap.”

Read the full review at BertStephani.info