“A further nail in the coffin of the DSLR!” X-T1 first looks, videos (AF-speed, burst mode), catalogue and more!

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After the first two days (and the announcement of the Olympus E-M10), the X-T1 is still ruling the CSC-ranking here. Amazon marked it at “best seller”.

Pre-orders

if you purchase the X-T1 using one of the shoplinks on FR, you’ll support my rumor-work over the last months (and the upcoming one) with no extra costs for you

X-T1 body only ($1,299): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK /

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[You still haven’t read Rico’s X-T1 first look? Then check it out here. He also updated his Flickr set with new full size images here]

Websites and blogs are publishing first looks, hands on reviews, first impressions, sample images, videos and more. I told you, the buzz is terrific… and the first feedback… enthusiastic!

So it happens that the German site colorfoto (tranlsation) says that, along with the [shoplink 19559]Sony A7[/shoplink], the X-T1 is “a further nail in the coffin of the DSLR“. And what do you think? Could the X-T1 be the reason for you to get rid of your DSLR?

But it’s not only the X-T1 to be praised. It’s the complete X-series. Forbes declared Fujifilm “the Apple of the digital photography“, while Petapixel talks about the X-Factor and that “the camera industry would look a lot more boring today if not for the arrival of Fuji’s X-cellent, X-otic, X-Series.” And kammah, who got his hands on a X-T1, says here what many photographers think: “the new Fuji X-T1 looks and feels like everything the Nikon Df is trying to be. […] Holy Sh*t. Those were the words that came out of my mouth when I first looked through this new EVF. I was absolutely floored. Actually… I still am. Yes, it’s that good.”

Here are the initial impressions of michaelrcruz: “Although in paper, it looks like the sensor and the processor is a carry over from X-E2 but what’s different in X-T1 is the Predictive AF which in my initial testing works quite well. It is quite effective actually; I will probably do more in-depth testing in the future regarding this feature.” [videos down below]

There are also the first comparisons online: X-E2 / X-T1 vs EM-1 / EM-10 at the Spanish site DSLRmagazine here (translation).

[UPDATE: ephotozine hands on here and photographyblog samples here. More samples at danbaileyphoto here.]

In the meantime the X-T1 catalogue is online here. Also the new X-mount lenses brochure (with 56 and 10-24 lens) can be seen here.

There are also some X-photographers shooting with the X-T1…   look for their shots at fujifilm-x.com/photographers.

cheers,
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X-T1 body only ($1,299): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama  / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama  / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

AF-speed

Continuous High Burst shots

First Look: Fujifilm X-T1

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PRE-ORDERS

X-T1 body only ($1,299): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK /

For the live blogging CLICK HERE

and now enjoy Rico’s X-T1 review!

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First Look: Fujifilm X-T1

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Flickr sets

X-T1 Sample Images Set – X-T1 Predictive AF Tracking Samples (updated!)
XF56mmF1.2 R Sample Images –XQ1 Sample Images Set
X-E2 Sample Images Set – X-E2 AF Tracking Samples (updated!)

X-T1 Official Specs – X-T1 Official News Release

Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Reading Samples (65 free pages)
Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 – The Fujifilm X-E2 – Beyond the Manual (pre-order)

The retro-styled X-T1 is Fujifilm’s attempt to inject state-of-the-art DSLR performance into its line of mirrorless X-series cameras. With twin multi-functional command dials, five manual dials (ISO, drive mode, shutter speed, photometry & exposure compensation) and an aperture ring on most native lenses, the X-T1 features a blend of classic and modern controls that should appeal to the X-series’ target audience of experienced photographers—enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The X-T1 looks and feels like a DSLR, and yet it’s still a mirrorless live-view camera with a large WYSIWYG real-time viewfinder in a lightweight, compact and weather resistant body. In an ironic twist of events, the X-T1 is pretty much the “hybrid camera” that Nikon promised—but never delivered—in its popular viral Df campaign.

The X-T1 features the same 16 MP X-Trans II sensor and EXR Processor II as the X-E2 (or X100S). However, overall processing speed has been improved through hardware and software changes. There’s no doubt that the X-T1 is Fujifilm’s fastest X-series camera. However, maximum shutter speed is still limited to 1/4000s, and maximum flash sync speed is limited to 1/180s (though many flash units will perfectly work at 1/250s).

Sample Images

I have prepared two sample sets shot with X-T1: a regular set and a set featuring high-speed series with tracking AF.

Real-time EVF (and LCD)

With a display lag of only 0.005 seconds (X-E2: 0.05s, Olympus OM-D E-M1: 0.029s), the X-T1 is ready to capture fast action, including moving objects. The camera’s predictive autofocus encompasses the central nine autofocus frames (there’s a total of 49) and works with bursts of either 3 or 8 frames per second (fps) of continuous shooting. The large electronic viewfinder (EVF) is housed in the “hump” and delivers an impressive magnification of 0.77x (E-M1: 0.74x, X-E2: 0.64x) and a refresh rate of 54 fps (E-M1: 60 fps, X-E2: 50 fps). The X-T1 offers this high refresh rate even in low light: At 1.6 EV, it still clocks 54 fps, while the E-M1 slows down to 30 fps and the X-E2 to 20 fps.

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SOOC JPEG (click image for full-size view)

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

First Look: Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R

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XF 56mm f/1.2 ($999): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / – EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore / DigitalRev

X-T1 coming at 04:30 AM London Time, this Tuesday, January 28th (11:30 PM, January 27th, New York).

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First Look: Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Flickr sets
XF56mmF1.2 R Samples –XQ1 Sample Images Set – X-E2 Sample Images Set – X-E2 AF tracking samples

Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 reading samples (65 free pages) – Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 –
The Fujifilm X-E2 – Beyond the Manual (pre-order)

January has been abuzz with product announcements and rumors. As you may expect, I will soon post another First Look X-Pert Corner article about the X-“you know what”, so let’s begin the week with a quick look at the new Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R prime (click here for specs), a typical 85mm full-frame equivalent “portrait lens” with shallow depth-of-field for superior subject/background separation.

DSCF1027 – Lightroom 5.3, f/1.2

Please click in the sample images to see larger viewing options, or click here to see the full sample set.

With a bright maximum aperture of f/1.2, the lens is also suitable for available light photography. However, this bonus feature is somewhat offset by the lack of optical image stabilization. For crisp hand-held shots, one would typically use shutter speeds north of 1/80s. However, I managed to achieve pleasing results with speeds as low as 1/40s:

DSCF1106 – SOOC JPEG, f/1.2
SOOC JPEG

The XF56mm isn’t cheap by any means , but it may well be Fuji’s best X-Mount prime so far. Like it’s 14, 23 and 35mm siblings, it is fully optically corrected with a solid build, but still lightweight enough to fit well into the mirrorless tribe. It comes with aperture and focus rings (both “fly by wire”, as usual), and it really is—at least for me—a joy to use. Even wide open, I found the results of my January-built pre-production sample highly convincing. While minor axial chromatic aberration can sometimes be visible wide-open, there’s no visible distortion and no field curvature.

DSCF1060 – SOOC JPEG, f/1.2
SOOC JPEG

Autofocus is on the snappy side and fully compatible with the ever-improving hybrid PDAF/CDAF system of the X-E2 and future Fujifilm X-Mount cameras. And as you will soon find out here on X-Pert Corner, the XF56mm also does a very good job as an action lens. Who’d have thought?

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

XF 56mm additional photos

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XF 56mm f/1.2 ($999): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama – EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore / DigitalRev

X100S black ($1299): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama – EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore /

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FR-reader Giuliano sent me the following links:

– additional XF56mm sample shots at laroquephoto here.

– there are some unboxing images from the Fujinon 56mm at michaelrcruz here.

Also, Rico started a sample set on Flickr here. He is updating the set continously, so be sure to check it out often. FR-reader David saw Rico’s shots and said that they “really show off bokeh capabilities of the new lens“.

Rico’s Flickr set

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XF56mm samples and first impressions online!

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XF 56mm f/1.2 ($999): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama – EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore / DigitalRev

X100S black ($1299): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama – EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore

It’s a great Fuji day! After the first image of the X-T1, Fujifilm posted some beautiful samples taken with the 56mm f/1.2 on their website here.

1) X-photographer Nathan Elson shared some first impressions and a video on his blog here: “The Fuji 56mm f/1.2 (85mm equivalent) has quite possibly been the most anticipated lens for portrait photographers using the X system, and now that it is finally here, I can honestly say that it is beautiful.”

David B. send me his first feedback, judging from the images on Fuji’s website:

– some samples, especially sample number 4 clearly illustrate that Fuji need to consider a 135mm equivalent prime.   The face of the woman clearly looks unflattering with 85mm equivalent which is too short here.   135 or above would have flatten that face nicely and made the photo more flattering.      I guess a 70-200 equivalent is the answer?

– 1.2 on a crop is not a 1.2 on a full frame and that is clear from samples shot at 1.2.   Those who were concerned that it is hard to keep in focus at 1.2, its not.   It is merely like focusing Full Frame at 1.8.  Nothing magical.

– the sharpness looks great at all photos even wide open.

2) It’s online again, Patrick La Roque here. For part2 click here: “Here are some 100% crops to give you an idea of the sharpness vs DOF when shooting this lens wide open. Bear in mind that these are from an early pre-production unit. You can click on them to get a larger and clearer version.“

3) For Bert Stephani’s nice video review click here: “Even at 1.2 it’s perfectly sharp.”

[UPDATE: Rico Pfirstinger started a sample set on Flickr here.]