13 May 2018 Update: Check out my best accessories for the X-E3 here.

Getting a new camera can be both an exciting an frustrating experience. You could be moving from one brand to another and having to decipher the menu hierarchy. Or you could be upgrading within the same brand and wishing that they transfer settings from one to another as seamlessly as the new iPhones on iOS 11.

I’ve compiled a list of settings that I have changed when I bought the Fujifilm X-E3. Some of them make your camera function better out of the box, and the other are tied to your shooting style.

Equipment in this Post

1. Fujifilm X-E3 Body [Amazon US, Amazon UK, Adorama]

Make it a better camera out of the box

Image Quality to RAW

Shooting JPEG can be liberating at times, but I always value the flexibility that RAW files provide. I used to shoot tripod and potential portfolio work in RAW and everything else (snapshots) in JPEG. But these days I shoot everything in RAW due to the smaller file sizes that compressed raw takes up. I also value the flexibility in changing film simulations once the shot is taken. This means that I can leave my film simulation on Acros when I’m feeling black and white and shoot without FOMO as I can always process it in colour later on.

1. Image Quality Setting (1) -> Image Quality -> RAW
2. Image Quality Setting (1) -> Raw Recording -> Compressed

Dynamic Range to DR200

Disclaimer: I’ve edited this section to reflect DR200 instead of DR 400 due to the flickering issue, it’s better to understand what works for you based on the parameters below.

1. DR Auto switches between DR 100 and DR 200 modes depending on the scene. If DR 200 is selected while DR Auto is set, Lightroom will preview the RAW files seemingly 1 stop underexposed. This is not irreversible, you just have to rework the exposure, highlights and shadows (which is what the camera does automatically anyway in the DR 200 and 400 modes anyway)

2. It recognises Fuji’s DR 400 in the sense that it renders the preview for RAW file at the right exposure.

3. The advantage of shooting at a lower DR when shooting RAW is that you get a more “pure”, flatter image when you do post-processing. The “advantage” when shooting JPEG is, well, a lower dynamic range.

4. You also get access to a lower base ISO (ISO 200 at DR 100, ISO 400 at DR 200, ISO 800 at DR 400). This is something to consider if you use Auto-ISO and cannot stand whatever little noise there is in the image at ISO 800.

I used to detault to DR 400 with my previous X-series bodies but I’ve set my X-E3 to DR 200 for the past few days due to the flickering issue and am finding it adequate, so I might stick with DR 200 for now.

Color space to Adobe RGB

Adobe RGB gives you a wider colour gamut than sRGB, important in this day where consumer devices ship with a P3 capable with colour calibration across profiles. This already came in preset in my X-E3 so Fujifilm might be shipping cameras set to Adobe RGB from now on, but just check to be safe.

1. Image Quality Setting (2) -> Color Space -> Adobe RGB

Set your camera to High Performance

This takes a slight toll on battery life, but it beats missing your shots if the camera performs slowly. The X-E3’s LCD frame rate drops after a few seconds of non-usage, you might see a stutter when you pick it up. Auto-focus and the refresh rate of the LCD/EVF is also improved with Performance mode.

1. Set Up -> Power Management -> Performance

Activate the electronic shutter

A shutter limited to 1/4000s can quickly become a problem when you’re using the great F1.2 or F1.4 lenses. Enable the electronic shutter to go up to 1/32000.

1. Shooting Setting (1) -> Shutter Type -> Mechanical + Electronic

Activate 4K Videos

4K recording is not enabled by default, so be sure to enable it in the menus

1. Movie Setting (1) -> Movie Mode -> 2160/29.97P

Turn on Face Detection

I find this to be useful 70% of the time as my subjects tend to be single people. It really helps out when using the F1.4 or F1.2 lenses. I also have this setting on my Q menu so I can turn it off when I’m in scenarios where it doesn’t work.

1. AF/MF Setting (2) -> Face/Eye Detection Setting -> Face On/Eye Auto

Display your last image taken automatically on the LCD when using the EVF

Another one of the useful features introduced in the recent X-T2 update. This turns the LCD into an automatic review display when you’re shooting with the viewfinder. It will automatically display the last image taken when you take your face off the camera.

1. Look into the viewfinder
2. Press the View Mode button until you see Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display.

Make your Fujifilm X-E3 your own

Customise your viewfinder and LCD

With the Fujifilm X-series camera, you can make your viewfinder your own. This is easily missed but is really what you should set up first to make the camera your own. Here’s what I have enabled:

• Framing Guideline
• Electronic Level
• Focus Frame
• MF Distance Indicator
• Live View Highlight Alert (Blinkies)
• Aperture/S-Speed/ISO
• Information Background
• Expo. Comp (Scale)
• Focus Mode
• Photometry
• Shutter Type
• Flash
• Continuous Mode
• Dual IS Mode
• Touch Screen Mode
• White Balance
• FIlm Simulation
• Dynamic Rnage
• Frames Remaining
• Image Size/Quality
• Movie Mode & Rec. Time
• Image Transfer Order
• Battery Level
• Set Up -> Screen Set-up (2) -> Disp. Custom Setting

Customise your physical controls

You can remap 4 physical buttons, plus the four swipe gestures on the touch screen to a function that you regularly use.

1. Set Up -> Button/Dial Setting (1) -> Function Fn Setting

Customise your Quick Menu

The Q button brings up quick menu that can be customised to your shooting style. I use this mainly to toggle Face/Eye Detection. Dynamic range and the self timer.

1. Set Up -> Button/Dial Setting (1) -> Edit/Save Quick Menu

My personal preferences

Store AF mode by Orientation

One of the useful features introduced in the X-T2 firmware earlier this year, this can store either a separate focus area, or the focus area and AF mode for portrait and landscape orientation. Very useful when shooting portraits where you regularly switch between orientations, but have the crucial parts of the image in different corners.

1. AF/MF Setting (1) -> Store AF Mode by Orientation -> Focus Area Only

MF Assist to Digital Split Image

I borrowed a friend’s Leica M9 recently and have gotten hooked to this method of focusing in MF mode. It’s simply quicker and works with less ambiguity for me.

1. AF/MF Setting (2) -> MF Assist -> Digital Split Image -> Color

Turn off Long Exposure NR

I prefer to do selective noise reduction separately in photoshop. Applying NR to entire images might lead to loss of detail.

1. Image Quality Setting (2) -> Long Exposure NR -> Off

Turn off Shutter AF in AF-C mode

I use back button focus when I’m tracking a subject in AF-C mode. This turns off the half-press shutter auto-focus feature. You can also turn it off for AF-S if you’re a purist.

1. Set Up -> Button/Dial Setting (1) -> Shutter AF

Map Auto-focus to the AF-L button

This enables back button auto-focus. You can either do this with the AE-L or the AF-L buttons, depending on which is more ergonomic for you.

1. Set Up -> Button/Dial Setting (1) -> Function Fn Setting

Turn off EVF Auto Brightness

It’s a viewfinder. You view it through a peephole. You don’t need brightness adjustments.

1. Set Up -> Screen Set-up (1) -> EVF Brightness -> Auto

Make your Fujifilm X-E3 your own

Customise your viewfinder and LCD

With the Fujifilm X-series camera, you can make your viewfinder your own. This is easily missed but is really what you should set up first to make the camera your own. Here’s what I have enabled:

• Framing Guideline
• Electronic Level
• Focus Frame
• MF Distance Indicator
• Live View Highlight Alert (Blinkies)
• Aperture/S-Speed/ISO
• Information Background
• Expo. Comp (Scale)
• Focus Mode
• Photometry
• Shutter Type
• Flash
• Continuous Mode
• Dual IS Mode
• Touch Screen Mode
• White Balance
• FIlm Simulation
• Dynamic Rnage
• Frames Remaining
• Image Size/Quality
• Movie Mode & Rec. Time
• Image Transfer Order
• Battery Level
• Set Up -> Screen Set-up (2) -> Disp. Custom Setting

Customise your physical controls

You can remap 4 physical buttons, plus the four swipe gestures on the touch screen to a function that you regularly use.

1. Set Up -> Button/Dial Setting (1) -> Function Fn Setting

Customise your Quick Menu

The Q button brings up quick menu that can be customised to your shooting style. I use this mainly to toggle Face/Eye Detection. Dynamic range and the self timer.

1. Set Up -> Button/Dial Setting (1) -> Edit/Save Quick Menu

Conclusion

I hope this post has been valuable in helping you get the most out of your X-E3.

You should also check out my best X-E3 accessories here.

What are some of your must have settings? Let me know in the comments below!

Equipment in this Post

1. Fujifilm X-E3 Body [Amazon US, Amazon UK, Adorama]