Y.A.R.R. Mateys!

Well to add to the confusion and general information here is Yet Another Rolling Review of the new Fujifilm X-T1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. I decided to write up a few of my initial observations and why I wanted to get this camera. I have been using the X-Pro 1 since shortly after it came out in 2012. A great small lightweight, easy to carry, all day type of camera. I got it to supplement my dslr. Something handy to carry, you know the camera you have with you is the one you are going to use most often. It was never a replacement for my dslr, but it is damn close.

The X-Pro1 has a great feel to it, I enjoyed the freedom from carrying a heavy camera. The Fuji lenses are some of the best around, the price reasonable. So what was not to like? Since it was a retro styled camera, it was truly retro, there was no ability to use an electronic release, something I often use in landscapes and long exposure photography, it had a threaded shutter button like my old film cameras. It used a mechanical release. While that would work, I like using a soft release so that meant unscrewing one and using the other and then possibly losing the soft release later.  Fuji later released the X-E1 and X-E2 cameras and they appealed to me but did not fit as well in my hand and they had my missing release capability. I was ready to pull the trigger on the new X-E2…… and then they announced the X-T1. Oh this was nirvana, true bliss and a bad case of G.A.S. developed. I wanted it. I read everything I could, followed the rumors and waited, not patiently, to pre-order. That day finally happened at the end of January of this year. About a month later the wait was over… it arrived!

Spring time tulips at Descanso Gardens, X-T1 and 55-200mm

So what was gained with this new addition.

1. The EVF, larger, better, faster and very usable. The X-Pro1 had the nice switchable hybrid viewfinder, I could switch from optical to electronic with the flip of a lever. I had pretty much used the optical initially but after time I wanted a better and more accurate framing in most circumstances, so I was mostly using the EVF on the X-Pro1. Also with longer focal length lenses the optical viewfinder just did not cut it. The X-T1 has a much better EVF. A very big difference.

2. Focusing, the X-T1 uses both phase detect and contrast detect methods. The X-Pro1 used only contrast as it lacked the phase detect pixels. This faster autofocus is nice in some circumstances but it was not a “have to have”. I think people on the forums rant and rave about autofocus speed way too much. People used fully manual focus lenses for a long time and were able to capture action, wildlife, you name it. I think this is more of an issue because of modern society puts more emphasis that everything needs to be “now”. Instant gratification, instant delivery. While nice, not critical for me. So just as accurate as before but faster.

3. Ability to use an electronic release, very nice for me. Intervalometer here I come… Also a really nice feature is that there is a built in native intervalometer in the camera! Bonus! Best of both worlds. Timelapse waiting to happen.

4. Faster recording of data to the card and faster frame rate for rapid exposures. Not a mandatory feature but a plus for those times it is needed. Also raw files are 14bit while with the X-Pro1 are 12 bit, that means there might be a difference at extremes for capturing more dynamic range. Might not see it in day to day use.

5. Ergonomics. This is more personal, but I like the layout of the buttons, much better for easy functionality. Dials that are easy to set and see. The grip is very nice and comfortable. I was worried that it would be too small as it is slightly smaller than the X-Pro1, nothing to worry about. I thought I would have to have the battery grip for it to be comfortable, but that is not the case at all. Having six function keys that are user configurable is wonderful. The screen tilts, this was not high on my list of features but it is useful. There has been some flak on the net about the directional buttons being too flush, yes they are different and quite flush. Yes they did feel odd at first, but after some use, it is easy to find them and the muscle memory is slowly adapting. So a definite plus in usability.

Korean Friendship Bell, X-T1 and Fuji 14mm

Like any product, it is not perfect. Nothing is, we just need to adapt, makes life interesting. None of these issues are deal breakers for me.

A. Exposure bracketing. This has been an issue since the X-pro1. The camera only allows +/- 1 EV automatic bracketing. This is just not enough, in my opinion. I would like to see a minimum of +/-2 stops but better yet would be +/- 3 stops or programmable range. And the ability to set the step size and the number of images per bracket.

B. I would like to see the histogram remain live and usable when the shutter is half pressed. Metering should not stop.

C. Tethering capability. I would love to see the ability to tether and have complete control over the camera from a computer. The wifi app for the X-T1 is very limited. Full tethering would be a great feature. It would also allow the user to control bracketing, exposure, and do bulb ramping etc.

I am sure there are other things that I will find over time, but then nothing is perfect. The camera is just a tool, and as a tool this is a very usable camera. Form, fit and function. Will it make me a better photographer? No, but any camera that is a pleasure to use will get used more often, and as we all know, practice makes perfect.