The X-T1 – First Impressions…….
The X-T1 just arrived an hour ago. It’s unboxed, the battery is on the charger, and I’ve installed a strap, ( I use the Wapiti Spike straps madewith Elk hide from: http://www.wapitistraps.com). I’ve gone through
the menus and set it up for my initial tests, which will start later, but for now I want to just talk about ergonomics.
First Impressions: The X-T1 feels solid in your hands, it has the impression of quality construction. It feels substantial, but not heavy or large, in fact it is a little smaller than I expected, very much like the X-E2, which I love so no points lost there! I think it’s a perfect balance between not being too heavy, yet feeling the heft you would expect with an all magnesium, all inclusive, sub frame. The camera body is covered with a rubber textured material that aids your grip and makes the camera feel comfortable in your hands. The hand grip on the front and the thumb pad on the back are just perfect to make the camera feel secure in your hands, something I’m sure will be welcome when you add a bigger lens like the 55-200! The large control dials; shutter speed knob, exposure compensation dial, and ISO dial all have a great solid feel, (real metal), and are finished out in a first class manner. That they lock in place, (all except the exposure comp dial), is a big plus. When you do turn them they have satisfying click stops that are sure! The feel is very reminiscent of the first Nikon F, though much smaller, and lighter, but still there is that feeling, this thing is a mini hockey puck!
The fold out LCD is very bright, sharp, and the brackets feel solid, no wiggle here! While a swing out would be more versatile, it would not have felt as sold as a tank like this one, I’m old school, so I’ll take the safety of a two way slide out unit, having worked in the industry I’ve seen a bunch of the other kind snapped off!!! The door that opens so you can insert a SD card is not as substantial, but it is not flimsy either, if you don’t leave it open, and slam it against something it should be no problem. Five extra function buttons that can be assigned in hundreds of ways are going to be much appreciated! I’ve already assigned the front one that falls right under the shutter release to activate the focus point so you can move them around, and it works fantastic. I can’t wait for Really Right Stuff to make an L Bracket for this thing, and I think it won’t need a hand grip like the X100s. X-Pro-1, and X-E2 have, but I’ll see what they come up with, one never knows!
Now to the “Wow factor”, the gorgeous, voluptuous, bright, sharp, astounding view finder!!! This is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to an optical viewfinder and it still has all the advantages of a mirror-less camera! The information is crystal clear, and you can pick and choose how much info you want displayed, or leave it all off!!!! When shooting in dim settings, it does not have the grainy, video camera, appearance you are used to seeing, there’s some gain noise, but it is minimal, and at the image is just clean, crisp detail. There are several options for how to set up the viewfinders so it is also as versatile as it is beautiful! To be honest, from time to time I’ve missed the DSLR view of the world, this pretty much will solve those longings, great job Fuji!!
I think the battery pack will actually make this camera even better to hand hold, especially if you have larger hands. I wear a X-large glove, and I’m really thinking the battery pack will be a welcome addition! It feels fine without it, but the extra mass will give your fingers a place to stretch out, and add more shots before battery changes! Right now a battery is good for 300 to 350 shots.
The shutter release, the first from Fuji to not be threaded for an old plunger style cable release, is still very sweet, predictable, and it’s easy to squeeze off images without shaking the camera! For me that is one of the most important attributes of any camera. The D800 has a great release, and this one has the same predictable, yet soft feel!
The outside surfaces not covered by the good rubber grip have that professional, but satin finished, crinkle appearance, very nicely done! All in all a very satisfying feel and appearance. The design team has gone out of their way to make this camera appear as solid as it feels, it speaks volumes about their pride in what they design and build!
Gripes? Not many. A touch screen LCD, might have made some settings easier, but then they aren’t hard to set now. If you are a video buff, you’e not going to have the options available from a number of other companies products, but I’m not all that interested in video, so it is not an issue for me. Frankly one of the things that hastened my decision to retire from Nikon was the serious push in the video area by many of the major manufacturers. I’m a still shooter, and there are plenty of immensely talented young guys and gals that are excelling at that, I’ll just stay in my comfort zone, and let them enjoy themselves!! If I really get into video some day, I‘ll pick up something well suited for that!
My overall impression from the first couple of hours is this is one sweet camera, and I’m already thinking if it shoots as I expect it to, ( and I know it will, after all it’s a X100s / X-E2 X Trans Sensor), how long will it be before I buy a second one as my two main bodies!!! Which brings up an interesting point, did Fuji shoot themselves in the foot by releasing such a dynamic new product? Will it kill sales of their other models? I don’t think so, I still have a very special love for the optical viewfinders on the X-Pro-1 (can’t wait for the X-Pro-2!!!) and the X100s, I still will favor those cameras for certain kinds of shooting! No, I can easily see my future system having what I own now plus another X-T1, of course,that is until they announce the next great thing!!!! I will say that the greatest thing for me has been the superior glass Fuji has made for the X System. I can honestly say that every single Fujinon lens I’ve brought has been beyond spectacular, when my images are not sharp, it’s not the lenses!!
Final Thoughts: Fuji, please, please, please don’t get sucked into the full frame/high mega pixel race. No other camera on the market can beat you on low noise at high ISO now, and the 16 mega pixels out of this outstanding sensor is plenty of resolution for 98% of us! Let someone else meet the needs of that 2%! O.K. I know that a lot more than 2% will buy high mega pixel cameras, but they would’t if they’d ever shot a X-Trans sensored Fuji camera, first…….
If you shoot Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Leica or any other brand, I know your cameras can make great images, and if you are happy, don’t pay any attention to me! Be Happy, Don’t Worry, Be Happy……. Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men!!!
So “…..and I heard him exclaim as rode out of sight, great light to you all, and have a wonderful night…..”
Blessings,
the pilgrim
Friday: the first images from the X-T1
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 20th, 2014 at 11:11 pm
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Congratulations! Christmas in February this year! I look forward to your photos from St. Croix. Safe travels, my dear friend.
I look forward to sharing them!!!!
I’m following this stuff with great interest, Bill. I spent almost the last year shooing 80% with the V1 which has its limitations and, sadly, Nikon has not improved on a good starting concept and seems disinclined to do anything. That said, I love the ability to get decent images in a small package. I like what I see from the Fuji line but the compactness is something I worry about — the V1 spoils me there. I am considering playing with the Sony A6000 when it comes out unless Nikon or Canon wakes up and I use that term advisedly. For so many years it was Nikon and Canon and everyone else but if they don’t stay innovative “everyone else” will catch up.
The market is definitely changing and it does seem Nikon and Canon are , “dancing with the gal that brought them!” The SLR. I certainly have to agree that both companies have sold many millions in that category and it’s probably why no one else really competes with them in that arena. I do believe that there is a mirror-less revolution under way and the other players are getting a leg up. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out!
Bill, you mentioned the cable release. Does Fuji have a wireless option?
Yes, they have a free app that turns your smart phone or tablet into a Cam Ranger type remote device, that also offers live view, touch focusing, the ability to change major settings and fore the camera all remotely!!
And that app is free!
Thank you for posting these first impressions. I can’t wait to see some photos from this camera. I definitely want a mirrorless for my carry-around every day and I think the Fuji XT-1 will be it. I wonder when the X-Pro 2 will come out.
Be careful, I can name 5 big name photographers you would know, that bought a Fuji for the same reason, and they now shoot Fuji 90% of the time!
Bill – am I reading the lens correctly in your post? 18-55MM? Is that your camera or a Fuji image? But, I’m curious about which lens you’re using. Thanks.
I believe all the images in this post are Fuji promotional images. But I could be wrong.
In my 60 years of photography I have never seen the kind of excitement that is being generated by the Fuji X-T1. The internet wires are burning up with the anticipation – grown men/women driving hours to pick one up – taking vacation/sick days to do so – one trying to buy another’s “preorder” place in line. Long term professional photographers writing that they “can not” wait for their T1 to arrive – and writing it many times a day! I suspect that this camera will be a legend. As a friend of mine placed on his Donut Store sign, “10,000 flies can’t be wrong!” – and that is my sentiment about the T1. I am counting the days until mine arrives also. (You lucky dog you!) The excitement in the Photography World is beyond belief to this laymen – but in the final analysis, it is not the return of Christ – nor will it be around to capture it IMHO.
Just got notice from B&H – mine is on it’s way!!!!!
Great post, I’ve really enjoyed reading your fuji posts. My XT-1 is on its way, I already have an XE-2 and love it. So much so that I’m selling my D800 and all the glass and going pure fuji. Keep up the great work!
Mike