Because I said I would…..
I’m wearing a new wrist band, pictured above, and it does relate to today’s blog entry, and much more!! The website for this not for profit organization is : http://becauseisaidiwould.com/ I encourage you to go there and look into this great site. Alex Sheen, the founder, tells the heart rending story of his relationship with his father, and his contemplation of what his father had left him after he lost him to cancer. In short the organization encourages people to live with integrity, to not make promises we can’t or won’t keep, to live by the words, “Because I said I would”. I gave my two sons and son-in-law wrist bands and t-shirts and the article I read on a Southwest flight that started my involvement with the organization. I want to make the world a better place and that starts with making myself a better man, and my first step, beyond a comitmenet to my faith, is to become the man I want to be, and live by my words!
Now because I promised to not beat the Fuji thing to death, but keep the techy members of my readership up to speed, here is the latest Fuji introduction, the X-T1
I never thought I would complain that a camera company was coming out with too many great products, to fast!! Well in the short year and half that I have been a Fuji owner and shooter, they introduced the X100 (which I never owned), the X10 which was my first Fuji, and it was so good I could have it as my only camera, except above ISO 400 the noise just wasn’t good enough for available light work! Next I bought the X-E1 and it was incredible, shockingly low noise, and wonderful files, second only to the D800! That was the beginning of my love affair with the Fuji X-system! I upgraded from the X-E1 to the X-E2 a much improved model all this within a year!! I added the incredible X100s my carry around and travel camera whey want to go super light. Finally I broke down and bought the original big boy, (only slightly larger) X-Pro 1, which I love as well. I was sure my next purchase would be in 2015 when the X-Pro 2 is likely to arrive, but Fui threw me a curve, a big juicy one, they introduced this new SLR like X-T1. None of this would matter if the Fujinon lens line was not so superlative. I now own virtually everything they have made (so far) and every single lens has been one of the sharpest of that given focal length I’ve ver used.
So let’s take a look at the new X-T1
What do I like about this latest body?
1. Much faster, bigger buffer, can shoot 8 FPS for up to 47 jpegs before it buffers out!
2. Very much improved EVF with great magnification and the fastest redraw in the industry. Looks like it will make using a EVF finally almost as good as a conventional optical viewfinder with many great advantages. Specs: 2.36 million dot OLED .77 magnification. a lag time of only 0.005 seconds that’s less than 1/10th the current best for Fuji!
3. Fully sealed from water, dust, and works in super low temps. (-10 degrees)
4. Same Sensor and processor as my X100s and X-E2 both of which make superlative images with that sensor set. Super high response times, and very low shutter lag.
5. A fold out LCD panel done right, with hardened glass, this is something I’ve wanted desperately!
6. Predictive AF for moving subjects that really works!
7. Fully encompassing Magnesium alloy body structure, one of the best I’ve ever seen. (image below)
8. A battery grip that improves battery life and give a vertical shutter release and additional control buttons.
9. While I love the form factor of the classic rangefinder cameras, I did miss the SLR type set-up and this X-T1 brings that back, but in a small, well built body.
10. And finally Fuji owners finally feet the remote operation with iPhones and iPads with live view and all the remoter setting sand shooting options, tyke app is available from the App Store.
All in all another dent in my camera purchases savings account!!! If that were not enough the 10-24 f4 OIS lens and the 56mm f 1.2 lens are due out in the next two months!!! The year is starting off pretty fantastic!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
One Last Point!! I know I will get an email later today with this question, ( ” You said you were switching to this system to save weight, but you already have bought 30 lbs. of Fuji cameras and lenses and say you will buy more. Where is the weight savings??” ) So let me answer it now!
I will never be carrying more than about 15 pounds in the field for long walks or hikes. I generally carry one body, ( with a spare in the vehicle), and just the two or three lens for the kind of work I’m doing.
Here are some lens body/lens combinations:
Travel (going ultra light) Fuji X1oos only
Travel ( moderate system) Fuji X-E2 18-55 & 55-200
Outdoor and Nature (walking or hiking) Fuji X-E2, 14mm, 18-55, 55-200 and the 60mm Micro.
Outdoor and Nature (Driving to location) Fuji X-T1, 10-24, 23mm f 1.4, 18-55, 55-200 and the 60mm Micro.
Available Light Work Fuji X-T1 or X-Pro-1, 14mm f 2.8, 23mm f1.4, 35mm f 1.4, & 56mm f 1.2
Americana walk around (like Old Car City) Fuji X-T1, 10-24, 23mm f1.4, 18-55, 55-200 (In a waist belt system)
Close-up Work Fuji X-T1, 60mm Micro, Nikkor 200mm Micro (with a Nikon to Fuji X adapter) Extension tubes and diopters
Hope that explains it a little better.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 at 5:23 pm
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Bill…..thanks for the post about “because I said I would”, I found it truly inspiring ! I hope everyone who reads this takes the time to watch the founder on TED talks…it is one of the best things that I have ever watched……
Kevin, thanks for your comments, That young man has discovered something really special!
Thanks. By the way I watched the because I said I would video, quite inspirational.
Bill – you must have read my mind. I just sent you a long email asking about the Fuji systems and the X-T1. This is very helpful. I’m asking because I want a carry-around camera as I am currently without any camera – my Nikon D7000 is in the Nikon hospital as the shutter wore out. You’re probably going to get a guzillion emails. In my email I ask about the X100S and the X-Pro1. I think one of the things I especially like about the new X-T1 is the position of the viewfinder – I like its placement in the middle instead of to the far left – more like my Nikon which I’m used to. Thanks for all your help and review. I can’t wait to hear what you think of it when you start using it! Blessings to you.
I’m glad it helped!
The thing that took me to Olympus OMD EM5 was the fast/accurate focus, lightweight, and the fold out screen (be surprised how often you use it). Now that Fuji has made a “typical” advanced 35mm type camera (lots of adjustment ON camera, not IN camera menus) with an APS -C sensor, it becomes a no-brainer. Glass for it, while not the most economical, is among the best (including Zeiss and Leica) and plentiful – even kit lenses blow you away . To me this camera can start a revolution in cameras – much like the 35mm film cameras did when they took the 128mm film market away.
I think a revolution is under way now, and I hope my old company and Canon get on board, exciting times are ahead.
You continue to inspire me, both photographically and humanly. As I uploaded this past falls photos I took in the Smokies I could not help but to think without your and Tony Sweets inspirational Smoky photos I don’t know how long it would have taken me to achieve the kind of satisfaction I sometimes get when looking at the shots I took. I still long for that full river and the big flat rock with the cascading water flowing over the top out there on the Tremont Road. One of these trips the water will flow perfectly just gotta keep returning and try to get away from the crowds.
Still have not decided which option to go with M1 or XT-1…..UGH!
And then today the cool little Oly OM10 a really neat little camera not in the league with the two mentioned above but the color wheel feature is really cool.
One thing is for sure some excellent options are available! I would love to see Nikon and Canon get into this new category of serious prosumer grade mirrorless cameras, with fast lenses, it would make this category even more exciting!
I appreciate your thoughts on the Fuji system, I am looking at going on a mission trip to South Africa in the fall and would love to have something lighter to carry than my D600 and 23-300. I hope I can save enough and talk my wife into another camera. I was wondering when you would recommend a XE-2 or X- Pro1 over the new XT-1. Also what lenses would you recommend to start with and provide needed coverage for a trip like this. Thanks Alan
If the X-T1 is as incredible as the reviewers are claiming, especially the viewfinder, I think it will be the clear choice! We will know soon!!! If you want to carry a single lens Fuji has a 28-200 equivalent coming in the spring. I personally prefer faster lens, so the 18-55 f 2.8/4 would be my choice.
If you need something longer, I love the 55-200, which while not extremely fast, (f 3.5/4.6), it is compact for what it is, and very sharp. Both of these lenses are OIS ( optical image stabilized ).
Please remind me before you go so we can wrap you in prayer as you go to serve Him!
Blessings!
I have the xpro1 and love the camera. I sold my D800 and will use the fuji for landscapes. I also love wildlife but planned on keeping my D4 primarily for the dynamic focus capabilities. With the release of the xt1 that may change. The only thing that may hold me back is the lens reach. My favorite nikon lens for wildlife is the 200-400. Have you heard anything about a fuji lens longer than 200?
Gary
Yes a super zoom is due by years end, I’m guessing a 100 -300 f4. X 1.5 would be
A 160-450 equiv. Just a guess, maybe a prayer!
I have enjoyed your classes at Kelby, and I’ve been a regular reader of your blog. However, I am no longer going to follow your blog because it seems to me it has basically become a cheering section for Fuji. I wish you all the best, though I definitely do not share your enthusiasm for Fuji.
Sorry you feel that way Barbara, we will miss you, but we all have to cheer for something! Feel free to come here whenever you would like, and cheer for your team!!
I have to say that I don’t feel like this is “cheering” for anything. I think it is a passion for photography and your passion has a new direction and that is obviously going to be something you want to tell people about. Stay excited and tell us about it. Passion is one of the spices of life.
I must admit if this new Fuji came out last year when I was buying a camera I might have actually picked it over the D7100 that I bought, however I love shooting birds so the 70-300mm lens on my D7100 is a treat.
Do you know if the Fuji viewfinders work well for people with glasses? I have a very bad prescription so I need a diopter adjustment and a big viewfinder or I can’t see.
I don’t shoot with glasses, but all but the X-Pro 1 have diopter correction. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I enjoy sharing tech stuff, but I know some are tired of my excitement about the various Fuji products. At least they should know I am not sponsored by or paid by Fuji, my praise is my personal, honest opinion. Any development or new product that reinvigorates our excitement for photography can’t be a bad thing, can it??!!
No problem.
Thanks for letting me know they have diopters. I will have to just try one at a store or something to be sure, but that is a good sign they will work for me.
Thanks for your blog! I am presently shooting macro with a d600 and the Nikon micro 200mm AS-I. I was just about to step up to the nikon micro 200D. After reading your thoughts on the Fuji xt1 I am considering getting the XT1 and using the AS-I with it. Will my D600 produce photos as nice as the Fuji? Will the Fuji produce a “crop sensor” magnification or full frame effect? I am thinking buy the Fuji and wait to get the. 200D. Thanks so much for your thoughts.
I use the Nikon 200mm Micro with both a Nikon D7000, and the Fuji X cameras, and it works great with both. I think the D600 is an incredible camera and is very similar in quality to the Fuji’s! Unless you need a lighter system, the D600 will serve you well!
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