New Fujifilm XT-1

[phrehdd]

You'll have to excuse me as I only received the lens on Tuesday and have not had chance for more than a few low light shots indoors, but the click nature of the aperture ring feels mechanical. Phrehdd would probably know better than me whether it is mechanical rather than electronic. To me it feels mechanical.

Just one thing to remember. When you look at the Fuji lens roadmap, this is one of the earliest lenses produced and is still in full support, with its 6th iteration of firmware update.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Will have a better idea in 3 weeks when I get chance for some real use.

As for the manual focus the split screen in that EVF is outstanding. They have also made improvements in focus peaking as well which is nice.

We have just ordered the SD UHS II card as well, which I'm looking forward to using as I prefer RAW & JPEG combined shooting which does cause some buffering in the X-E1. At 240mbs, from what I've seen in review videos, the write is instantaneous. A really good addition, though the cards aren't cheap.

I am awaiting the lens tests on the 16-50 2,8 and the 50-140 2,8. I also noticed that it appears that there is a tripod mount on the 50-140. That is a real plus for me. My guess the price is going to bring some chagrin to many of us but that's just the way things go.

 

[LongSticks]

I am awaiting the lens tests on the 16-50 2,8 and the 50-140 2,8. I also noticed that it appears that there is a tripod mount on the 50-140. That is a real plus for me. My guess the price is going to bring some chagrin to many of us but that's just the way things go.

Yes I saw those coming out next year! The 50-140 could be a great lens! On the box for the X-T1 there is a sticker for £250 off the first of the WR lenses (18-135 f3.5-5.6) when you register.

Some good deals at the moment. The 35 & 50-200 bought together has meant we are getting £300 cash back from Fuji!

 

[Ish]

So from what I gather from his reviews... he's saying that the aperture and focus rings aren't actually connected to the lens internals but rather they just send signals to the camera and the camera then makes the adjustments to these settings via motor/actuator? I'm used to the tactile feel of the aperture/focus rings on my D lenses. Is this something Fuji switchers have to get used to?

Also slightly concerned about his quips on the manual-focus ring working poorly (which he points out on several XF lenses). One of the huge things that attracts me to the xt-1 is the split screen focus peaking and the allure of doing a lot more manual focusing. I'm not sure I like Ken's "just use the af button on back to spot focus" solution. Thoughts?

You'll have to excuse me as I only received the lens on Tuesday and have not had chance for more than a few low light shots indoors, but the click nature of the aperture ring feels mechanical. Phrehdd would probably know better than me whether it is mechanical rather than electronic. To me it feels mechanical

The manual focus on the lenses is 'focus by wire' and when the early ones came out you had to turn the focus ring round and round to get anywhere. Firmware updates have improved this enormously but the way Fuji plan for MF to work is to focus using the AFL/AEL button and then fine-tune it with the focus ring. This button is still active when using manual focus.

One concern though and it is a slight worry, is that Fuji Camera arm is still making a loss! Get on board people and protect our investments!!!!

It doesn't surprise me, actually. The r&d costs for the stream of new lenses must be enormous. We have to hope that when this slows down as the slots are filled, it will be able to be self-sufficient at least.

 

[ohbrilliance]

Do your research and have a look at sites like DPreview or this with Ken Rockwell for the 18-55 "kit" lens on the X-E2/X-T1 - http://kenrockwell.com/fuji/x-mount-lenses/18-55mm.htm

Ken Rockwell's reviews are worthless. With sober eyes, just look at recommendation on the lens: http://kenrockwell.com/fuji/x-mount-lenses/18-55mm.htm#rex It's all over the place! He trashes other lenses and raises the 18-55 above a multitude of valuable primes. If you've visited his site more than a few times, you'll realise that half of his recommendations ring in a similar tone.
His shots are mediocre at best, lending him little authority as a photographer worth listening to. I don't know which is more impressive: that he can be intimately familiar with so many lenses and systems, or that he can type as quickly as he does.

 

[jwhazel]

The manual focus on the lenses is 'focus by wire' and when the early ones came out you had to turn the focus ring round and round to get anywhere. Firmware updates have improved this enormously but the way Fuji plan for MF to work is to focus using the AFL/AEL button and then fine-tune it with the focus ring. This button is still active when using manual focus.

I'm sort of confused, on the lenses that have a clutch and hard stops (like the 14/2.8) is it still focus by wire? This may end up killing it for me. Focus by wire is how a lot of prosumer camcorders I've worked with operate and I can't stand it. I'm baffled why if I want manual focus, I still am expected to mess with AFL Otherwise this camera has everything I want and then some.


Edit: So I happen to be out and found a local retailer that did have the xt-1 in stock (kit not the body). All I can say is that I want this camera. I played with the kit lens as well as the 18/2.0 and my fears about the aperture/focus by wire have been assuaged. It's not what I think is optimal coming from a Nikon background, but its far from being bad and is very usable. AF and MF is smooth and quiet. That EVF is *amazing*. I feel like if everyone who was afraid of EVF's would spend 5 minutes with one of these today, mirror/pentaprism would be dead tomorrow. I played with the E-M1 also while I was there and it was definitely a nice camera (felt more ergonomic in my hands), but the fuji trumped it in just about everything else. My only complaint is that at some point, don't know if I did something or just didn't notice it till then, but both of the screens started to flicker kind of badly. Like the exposure was somehow set at an odd multiple of the screens refresh rate and it was strobing. I started twisting knobs and refocusing and it didn't go away. Is this normal?

 

[LongSticks]

I'm sort of confused, on the lenses that have a clutch and hard stops (like the 14/2.8) is it still focus by wire? This may end up killing it for me. Focus by wire is how a lot of prosumer camcorders I've worked with operate and I can't stand it. I'm baffled why if I want manual focus, I still am expected to mess with AFL Otherwise this camera has everything I want and then some.


Edit: So I happen to be out and found a local retailer that did have the xt-1 in stock (kit not the body). All I can say is that I want this camera. I played with the kit lens as well as the 18/2.0 and my fears about the aperture/focus by wire have been assuaged. It's not what I think is optimal coming from a Nikon background, but its far from being bad and is very usable. AF and MF is smooth and quiet. That EVF is *amazing*. I feel like if everyone who was afraid of EVF's would spend 5 minutes with one of these today, mirror/pentaprism would be dead tomorrow. I played with the E-M1 also while I was there and it was definitely a nice camera (felt more ergonomic in my hands), but the fuji trumped it in just about everything else. My only complaint is that at some point, don't know if I did something or just didn't notice it till then, but both of the screens started to flicker kind of badly. Like the exposure was somehow set at an odd multiple of the screens refresh rate and it was strobing. I started twisting knobs and refocusing and it didn't go away. Is this normal?

Not experienced the flickering. If i do see it occur, I will post.

How did you get on with the zoom split screen Manual focusing? It really is excellent!

 

[Attonine]

............ whether they decide to offer full frame.....though to me I don't think thats an issue as Sony FF compact didn't take off! Sort those 2 and Fuji should be able to break in.

I think if you look into the X mount, you will discover that it cannot support a FF sensor, science, physics and stuff. Shame.

 

[phrehdd]

I think if you look into the X mount, you will discover that it cannot support a FF sensor, science, physics and stuff. Shame.

What you say is true but certainly Fuji could do a fixed mount lens camera with FF via the x100 route. Having had a Fuji 645 range finder, I would love to see something like this with a body similar to the Fuji 645 wide. It was solid, felt great in one's hand(s) and a fantastic fixed lens. Later, if it takes off, nothing should stop Fuji from coming out with not an "X" series but perhaps a "Z" series with a few great lenses (including some with leaf shutter).

 

[Ish]

I'm sort of confused, on the lenses that have a clutch and hard stops (like the 14/2.8) is it still focus by wire? This may end up killing it for me. Focus by wire is how a lot of prosumer camcorders I've worked with operate and I can't stand it. I'm baffled why if I want manual focus, I still am expected to mess with AFL Otherwise this camera has everything I want and then some.


Edit: So I happen to be out and found a local retailer that did have the xt-1 in stock (kit not the body). All I can say is that I want this camera. I played with the kit lens as well as the 18/2.0 and my fears about the aperture/focus by wire have been assuaged. It's not what I think is optimal coming from a Nikon background, but its far from being bad and is very usable. AF and MF is smooth and quiet. That EVF is *amazing*. I feel like if everyone who was afraid of EVF's would spend 5 minutes with one of these today, mirror/pentaprism would be dead tomorrow. I played with the E-M1 also while I was there and it was definitely a nice camera (felt more ergonomic in my hands), but the fuji trumped it in just about everything else. My only complaint is that at some point, don't know if I did something or just didn't notice it till then, but both of the screens started to flicker kind of badly. Like the exposure was somehow set at an odd multiple of the screens refresh rate and it was strobing. I started twisting knobs and refocusing and it didn't go away. Is this normal?

Glad you actually got to play with one. The range does require a bit of a learning curve if you've got used to a DSLR, I came from Canon, but it's not better or worse, just different. I have an X-E1, not an X-T1, but I've never noticed any flickering in the EVF. Some of my lenses are more quiet than others but all are pretty good. Sorry for brief reply, I'm on my way out but happy to comment later.

 

[fa8362]

Ken Rockwell's reviews are worthless. With sober eyes, just look at recommendation on the lens: http://kenrockwell.com/fuji/x-mount-lenses/18-55mm.htm#rex It's all over the place! He trashes other lenses and raises the 18-55 above a multitude of valuable primes. If you've visited his site more than a few times, you'll realise that half of his recommendations ring in a similar tone.
His shots are mediocre at best, lending him little authority as a photographer worth listening to. I don't know which is more impressive: that he can be intimately familiar with so many lenses and systems, or that he can type as quickly as he does.

I'm no Rockwell fan, but the zooms he is comparing it to ARE inferior to the fuji zoom.

 

[jwhazel]

Just ordered body + 35/1.4 from amazon. Now to play the waiting game.

Almost got the 14 while it was still on sale, but I'm interested to see what this 'fast wide prime' is on the roadmap. Any guesses? It seems like they have 14-35 range covered pretty well, so I'm wondering(hoping) if they will go wider like a 10?

 

[LongSticks]

Just ordered body + 35/1.4 from amazon. Now to play the waiting game.

Almost got the 14 while it was still on sale, but I'm interested to see what this 'fast wide prime' is on the roadmap. Any guesses? It seems like they have 14-35 range covered pretty well, so I'm wondering(hoping) if they will go wider like a 10?

I bought 2 lenses last week and got £300 cash back on the pair! Whether that sways your thinking about the 14mm. I think it ceases at the end of this month for purchase and then application by the 21st April.

Glad you got some hands on time, it's always worth it. Welcome to the X series!

 

[MacRy]

Has anyone got any experience with the 16-50 Fuji lens? I know that it's not one of their higher end models but I'm wondering if it is still full of Fuji goodness, as I'm looking to pick up a used one cheaply this weekend.

 

[iTiki]

This was shot with the Fuji 55-200 zoom at 200mm. I'm not sure how this looks after down-rezing for this post, but the raw file was extremely sharp straight from the camera. I'm impressed with the PQ quality I'm getting from my Fuji glass. This was shot using the X-Pro 1, as I don't have the XT-1....yet.

 

[phrehdd]

This was shot with the Fuji 55-200 zoom at 200mm. I'm not sure how this looks after down-rezing for this post, but the raw file was extremely sharp straight from the camera. I'm impressed with the PQ quality I'm getting from my Fuji glass. This was shot using the X-Pro 1, as I don't have the XT-1....yet.

Indeed impressive. (Even with the down rez)

I like the 55-200 very much. Most people would be set with the kit lens and the 55-200 zoom. Even close ups approaching macro 1:3 is possible rounding out most needs other than those that are super limited DOF/bokeh addicts.

 

[LongSticks]

Has anyone got any experience with the 16-50 Fuji lens? I know that it's not one of their higher end models but I'm wondering if it is still full of Fuji goodness, as I'm looking to pick up a used one cheaply this weekend.

Have you had a look at the test shots for that lens on the Fuji site?

 

[Arni99]

The new XF 23mm f1.4 lens looks most promising to me .

 

[MacRy]

Have you had a look at the test shots for that lens on the Fuji site?

I haven't but I can't imagine they would be the most impartial source for a review

 

[fa8362]

I haven't but I can't imagine they would be the most impartial source for a review

Just google the lens. There are a number of reviews published.

 

[Ish]

Has anyone got any experience with the 16-50 Fuji lens? I know that it's not one of their higher end models but I'm wondering if it is still full of Fuji goodness, as I'm looking to pick up a used one cheaply this weekend.

Not exactly extensive, but a few comments here

 

[MacRy]

Just google the lens. There are a number of reviews published.

Yeah I have done that already. It's always nice to get real world reviews from people who have had them for a while though. Plus you know....this is a community and everything so I thought people might want to share.

----------

Not exactly extensive, but a few comments here

Thanks Ish.

 

[jwhazel]

Got mine in yesterday, haven't had a whole lot of time to mess with it, maybe 15 shots so far. Theres a ton of reviews out going into minute detail on just about everything but I can sum up my experience so far by simply saying... this camera is just plain fun to use. Whereas DSLR's are getting to the point where they capture the scene so precisely and so effortlessly, they're starting to come across (to me) as being like cold and sterile precision lab equipment. The XT-1 still takes great shots, but has personality and I like that. I'm a fuji convert. Waiting for my F mount adapter to see how it does with my nikon glass.

The biggest downside for me is this thing is tiny and not very ergonomic. Looks like I'm going to have to drop $130 just for the hand grip which seems a bit egregious. I'd be a little more forgiving if it were more reasonably priced or weren't for the fact that I tried the E-M1 which is the same exact size but infinitely more comfortable without requiring a grip.

 

[epic-retouching]

decisions decsisions, em1 or xt1... Every time I see threads like this it just deepens the question It wouldn't be so hard if they were both the same sensor size. Buying into a lens system is not for the faint of heart