“WOW”: X-T1 first impressions

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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

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– 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.”

X-T1: ephotozine review: “it’s hard to resist purchasing this camera” + All Black X100S in stock (Adorama)!

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After the photographyblog review (check it here), now also ephotozine postet its X-T1 review here… and it’s again, 5 out of 5 stars, editors choice and they conclude saying that “it could be very hard to resist purchasing this camera.”

Speed – We took a number of shots to test the camera’s responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras. With support for UHS-II memory cards the write speeds after and during continuous shooting seemed very quick indeed, and the card we were using with the camera is a Toshiba Exceria Pro (UHS-II) with read speeds up to 260MB/s and write speeds up to 240MB/s – much faster than the 95MB/s offered on other performance SD memory cards. Scrolling through photos is extremely quick, and focus is quick with the lens updated to the latest firmware.”

The next review will probably come from imaging-resource… they already shared some samples here.

And you, can you resist to the X-T1? Is it tempting you? If it can help to decide, Oscar Wilde said that “the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.” Just kidding, I’m so happy with my X-E2 that I won’t make the switch to the X-T1… sure, once it is in the store of my hometown, I’ll go there and give it a closer look, but I won’t switch… I think ;-).

And here just some more tidbits, the shutter sound (youtube). For the first wedding with the X-T1 click here for the Italian version (translation).

X-T1 pre-orders

If you pre-order the X-T1 using one the links here on FR, you’ll at the same time support this blog, with no extra costs for you. Feel free to support Fujirumors.

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

black X100S in stock

It’s made for the street, it’s cool and it’s now available also all in black: it’s the black X100S, now in stock at several stores!

Adorama sells is it for $1,299 bundled with accessories or 4% reward here.

In Europe it’s available at WexUK here.

… or save some bucks and get it in silver for $1,049 at DigitalRev here.

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X-T1: “It’s undoubtedly the most intuitive digital camera I have ever handled.” [UDPATE: photographyblog review]

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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

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[UDPATE: photographyblog marked the X-T1 as “essential” (5 out of 5 stars) review here: “The Fujifilm X-T1 produces images of outstanding quality […] The new Fujifilm X-T1 is the best X-series camera to date, and one of the best interchangeable lens cameras, mirrorless or otherwise, that we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. […] The fantastic electronic viewfinder is more than good enough to impress those who swear by an optical viewfinder, while the weather-proof body, tilting LCD screen, USH-II card compatability, fast autofocusing and speedy all-round performance, and the much improved wi-fi connectivity options are the icing on a superbly balanced cake.”]

We’ve read a lot yesterday (read here) about one of the most amazing features of the [shoplink 21553]X-T1[/shoplink]: its EVF! Praised even by EVF haters for his crips and lag free image, loved by enthusiasts for its “3D pop” and colors as if “I was looking at my fullscreen Apple Macbook Retina display.

Even the focus is said to be unusually fast and snappy… and the new “predictive AF” seems really to work fine, just check out Rico’s first look here.

There was also someone saying that the X-T1’s design and function “simply puts the [shoplink 21555]Nikon DF[/shoplink] to shame.” One more confirmation comes from guswaschefort here. He tested it with the [shoplink 21554]56mm[/shoplink] in very low light at a concert:

“The traditional manual-style controls of Fujifilm X-Series cameras have gained much popularity. The X-T 1 takes this aspect even further, with a manual knob control for ISO, and manual controls to select frame rate and metering coverage […] The X-T 1 is undoubtedly the most intuitive digital camera I have ever handled.”

And what about shooting videos with the X-T1? Well, if you look at this youtube video here, videos seem to suffer of moiree. So while the X-Trans pixel array does a great job to prevent (not to eliminate) moiree in stills, the same advantage doesn’t seem to apply to videos!

There are some more samples at dpr and don’t miss to check out also Rico’s X-T1 + 10-24 images (RAW’s converted with Iridient) at Flickr here.

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

cheers
Patrick

P.S.: I’m glad to see that apparently the Italian photography site riflessifotografici is working on an interesting comparison ;-)

image courtesy: riflessifotografici

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X-T1:”sh*t, the EVF is so damn good!” (EVF hater fotografeivindrohne)

In this video you can take a quick look at the EVF (sec. 12 to sec. 22). For a video where you can see the focus peaking colors click here. To see a video with the menu strucutre click here.

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

If you pre-order the X-T1 using one the links here on FR, you’ll at the same time support this blog, with no extra costs for you. Feel free to support Fujirumors.

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One of the most exciting features of the X-T1 is the big, sharp, lag free EVF. It seems that the anonymous source who told us back on January 10th that “even EVF haters will have to admit that the EVF on the “new Fuji T camera” is “pretty damn nice” was right… just check out the feedback down below.

First impression

– Here are the first impressions Zhelko Dimic (from ting.com) sent me via email:

“I used to have Canon 5D Mk III, and It does remind me of a mini 5D MKIII. Serious, solid,  professional tool. But,  there is something about viewfinder I’ve never heard mentioned. When using f1.4 or f1.2 lenses, because viewfinder was so nicely large and crisp, I was able to clearly see focal plane, and famous 3D ‘pop’ of in focus person that comes from shallow DOF. It was as if I was looking at my fullscreen Apple Macbook Retina display. There was no need to visualize how picture will look like when enlarged, it was there in its all glory. This was first time in my life I got this impression, no matter what kind of viewfinder I’ve used.

Since I’ve used about 50 cameras in my life so far, including full frames, I guess other electronic viewfinders have been too small for this effect (including Sony NEX 6), and optical ones are built to present DOF that f2.8 lens has, so they don’t represent f1.2 pop. It was delightful.”

– EVF hater fotografeivindrohne hands on review here:

“To make things clear, I hate electronic viewfinders! […] But I was caught completely off guard with the X-T1. I just kept repeating ”shit shit shit this is so damn good” inside of me! No lag. No stutter. A sharp image. Completely smooth and nice. Plus good colors. And it actually took me some time to realize it was an electronic image I was looking at in the viewfinder […] And talking about focusing. The autofocus was unusually fast and snappy. Not once in that awful fluorescent light did the autofocus miss. Spot on every time. Fast and precise.”

– FR-reader Oobist spotted this article (jccrafford)”Is this the world’s first Fujifilm X-T1 wedding photographs?” and shared it via facebook:

I can say one thing though, something I do like a LOT about the X-T1 is how light it is, for me as a wedding photographer that spend 10-12 hours at a wedding this is a very important consideration…no more back pains for me after a wedding!”

– f/otographer send me his first impressions via email:

“I got lucky and was able to check out the Fuji X-T1 at a local camera shop, Pardees Cameras, in Sacramento. The Fuji Rep had stopped by and I was able to take a few test shots.  me and the X-T1 / iso 1600 / iso 6400 / my stream /

My photos dont do the camera justice since I was unable to set it up to my shooting style and only had a brief time to play with it. But the iso 6400 shot is cleaner then anything I could ever expect from my NEX. Both photos are straight out of camera jpeg with no processing, but Im not sure of all the in camera setting such as noise reduction or sharpening. The focus peaking is very different then the Sony peaking on my NEX 7 which I am used to. The dual image focus screen option, showing both your composition and a smaller box for the split image off to the side, is amazing and must be experienced to be believed.

The build quality is wonderful and the camera feels very good in the hand, but smaller then I thought it would be. Its really not much bigger then my NEX.

Overall I think this camera is going to be a winner for Fuji. Its a nice upgrade for existing X camera owners and it should bring many new shooters to the Fuji camp. As a NEX owner that shoots mainly old manual glass this camera is on my immediate purchase radar.

I think the biggest difference here to me, as a current Sony shooter, is that Sony views cameras as just as another consumer electronic item. For instance, Sony sees no difference in a Sony Blu Ray player, a Sony alarm clock and my NEX 7.

Fuji on the other hand understand that while a camera is indeed a consumer electronic item it is also more then that. It is a tool that is used by an artist to create art. And an artist can be inspired by and have pride in his tool. The design of the X-T1 clearly shows that the whole “By photographers, for photographers” thing at Fuji is not just hype. There are some serious photographers at Fuji who are having major input on the design and function of these cameras. As a photographer and a consumer who buys electronic items this camera is just plain done right.

It simply puts the Nikon DF to shame.”

NOTE: Rico started a 10-24 sample set (full size SOOC, including X-T1 RAF’s converted with Iridient) on Flickr here… stay tuned for his first look soon.

have a good start in this new week,
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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 /

“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,
facebook, google+ and twitter

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