[UDPATE 1:] The Scenic Route | A review of the Fujifilm X-T1 at laroquephoto here: “Blown. Away. Guys, this EVF is something to behold. And looking through it is one of those crap, I can’t go back moments. […] As reluctant as I initially was when I first saw the prototype, this camera has won me over. It’s the highest performing and most customizable X body to date, all of the enhancements adding up to an extremely enjoyable and capable image making machine.”

1) X-T1 first look at wilzworkz here: “I won’t say much about weather sealing because I do shoot using cameras that has no sealing at all in all types of weather including rain and sand/dust in the desert. [EVF] Do believe a bit of the marketing hype – the EVF reacts fast and shooting this camera continuously don’t have that black out effect that most mirrorless cameras are suffering. For the X-T1, I can actually keep track the subject pretty comfortably and I didn’t get disorientated. […] So the X-T1 has the same sensor [X-E2] and along with it, the same speed in focusing. What’s the main thing I would get it over the E2 would be the huge EVF and with it, a fast refresh rate while doing continuous shots such as for sports or nature shooting is certainly a boon. Coupled this with the Ultra High Speed UHS-II SD cards and this camera do perform really snappily. […].”

2) After ephotozine and photographyblog, now also pocket-lint here assigned 5 out ot 5 stars to the X-T1. I’ll skip the part with the “X-cellent image quality” and emphasize what they think about the AF-speed and the EVF:

Has it really the fastest AF-speed in its class? Pocket-lint says:

“If you’ve used one of the earlier X-series models and thought they were too slow then we’ve got some very good news: the X-T1 is a lot faster […] but we would still put the Micro Four Thirds Panasonic and Olympus systems a step ahead throughout the variety of conditions and lens’ focal ranges available.”

And the EVF:

“the viewfinder is huge. The 0.77x equivalent magnification means its physical size is bigger than anything else out there. […] However, when the light dips there’s certainly some ghosting that’s visible, like a “stutter” of the image because the framerate adjusts to compensate. The claim of 0.005-second lag relates to how quickly what you see is relayed in the viewfinder – which is great – but this can’t counter for some ghosting.”

At the end they conclude that:

“[…] the X-T1 is a shining example of how a retro style camera should be done. Just take a second to look at it and it’s hard not to fall in love. Those physical mode dials are well made, as is the all-metal and weather-sealed body; it’s a melting pot of design that gives the Fujifilm a distinct edge that other manufacturers have since started to try and cash in on.”

Rico (read his X-T1 first look and see his samples here), who’s shooting with the X-T1 for several weeks now, said: “I can’t find a single image or series in this review that would demonstrate the speed, slowness or accuracy of the tracking AF. Where are the test samples? Plus, I can’t confirm a blurry EVF in low light. You will only get blur when you set the shutter speed to 1/15s or slower, which is perfectly normal and is true for all light conditions.” He also updated his X-E2 Flickr set with AF-tracking samples using predictive AF (also the X-E2 uses predictive AF tracking). Check it out here.

3) Also kenreston had the opportunity to spent just 10 minutes with the X-T1. Here are his impressions.

4) Thomas Reiss: “The photographer Eric Bouvet is using his X-T1 in Kiev at the moment, please visit his Facebook page. Nice to see him handling a Linhof Technika alongside his Fuji Xpro1 and X-T1 :) I think it would be interesting to see this pictures here (facebook).“

[UPDATE 2] Carlos Muralhas: “Hi. I have been using Fuji X-E1 since its launch and loved it so much I sold all my Canon gear to buy mores lenses and, recently, the X-E2. I had the oportunity to hold the X-T1 in my hands for about 1 minute and got so excited about its feel in the hands, looks and the little usability I could perceive that I had to write about it. This article, that started as a set of my opinions about the X-T1 has grown to be a description of mirrorless advantages and disavantadges specially focused on the context of Fuji X series that took Fujifilm until the X-T1. Hope you like it, although it’s rather big. Best Regards” Read the translated version of his article here.

X-T1 pre-orders

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

Lens deals

XF 14mm: $200 off (price $700) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 18mm: $200 off (price $400) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 23mm: $150 off (price $750) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 27mm: $250 off (price $200) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 35mm: $150 off (price $450) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 60mm: $250 off (price $400) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 55-200: $200 off (price $500) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline

X-cameras

HOT: The black X-E1 + 18-55 costs now ONLY $719 at BHphoto (shows when added in cart), AmazonUS and BestBuy (the lens alone would cost you $695)!

X-E2: save $100 on the kit ($1,299) and also on the body ($899) at AmazonUS.
X-E1: get the black kit for $719 AmazonUS and BestBuy or for $799 at BHphoto (4% reward) at and Adorama (6% reward). The body comes for just $549 at AmazonUS and BHphoto or for $599 at Adorama
X-M1: Save $200 (price $599) on the kit and $200 on the body (price $499) at AmazonUS, BHphoto (+4%reward) and Adorama.
X-A1: get it for $499 with kit lens (save $100) at AmazonUS, BHphoto and Adorama.
X-PRO1: get the body for $999!! (save $200) at AmazonUS,  Adorama (+4%reward) and BHphoto (+4%reward).

The new X-E2/1 and X-PRO1 hand grips are here, and they allow you to access to the battery and memory card slot without removing the grip.

The grips should be available within days at BHphoto (click here) and AmazonUS (click here) for $129. (The X-PRO1 grip costs $149 and is available now at BHphoto, while it’s coming soon at AmazonUS).

Now, over at admiringlight here, you can read a first review about the X-E2/1 hand grip:

“Overall, Fuji righted a wrong with the MHG-XE, providing a solidly built grip that allows access to the battery door while adding a very nice feature in the integrated Arca-Swiss dovetail. It’s a pricey accessory at $129.  It’s not going to be for everyone, but I think it’s worth it if you want a little better hold on your X-E1 or X-E2, especially if you use an Arca-Swiss tripod head.“

black X100S in stock

The black X100S is in stock now at AmazonUS here (shipped and sold directly by Amazon) and at Adorama here.

X-DEALS

USA

X-E2: save $100 on the kit ($1,299) and also on the body ($899) at BHphoto, Adorama and AmazonUS.
X-E1: get the kit for $799 (save $300) or the body for $599 (save $200) at AmazonUS and Adorama (+6% reward on kit, 4% reward on body).
X-M1: Save $200 (price $599) on the kit and $200 on the body (price $499) at AmazonUS, BHphoto (+4%reward) and Adorama.
X-A1: get it for $499 with kit lens (save $100) at AmazonUS, BHphoto and Adorama.
X-PRO1: get the body for $999!! (save $200) at AmazonUS,  Adorama (+4%reward) and BHphoto (+4%reward).

Surprise. The Zeiss-deals didn’t end on January 31th on all stores. While Pictureline is now selling the 32 for $900 and the 12 for $1,250 again, you can still purchase the 12mm for $999 and the 32mm for $720 at AmazonUS,  BHphoto and Adorama.

CANADA

After the big clearout of last month, now some Canadian retailers have already begun dropping X-Mount lens prices again. Check out Henry’s, bccamera, vistek, donsphoto, merklecamera…

ITALY

AmazonITA is offering 15% additional discount on selected Fuji gear. Check it out here (via dealsrunner)

UK/ROI

Buy two lenses and claim £300/€360 cashback here.

X-T1 pre-orders

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

X-T1 pre-orders

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

_ _ _

– Andy sent me his first impressions of the X-T1 via facebook. Check it out here:

“First impression was WOW… very very nice to hold […] Files seem to be the best Ive seen out of the Fuji system yet. Ive never been a major fan of the way the X-Trans sensor draws but it seems to be different in this camera. It doesnt seem to have the “thatch work” pixel level drawing that X100s etc have. I would have thought it was the same sensor so theres something different at play here. […] (EVF) It’s definitely very good and it is large but its still nowhere near optical as some have inferred.”

– In this youtube video (German version), Ralf will lead you step by step through the menu and dials of the X-T1… and also he seems to be pretty enthusiastic about the X-T1. He says that the quality of the EVF is “really close to an optical viewfinder.”