REVIEW: Nearly Two Weeks With the Fujifilm X-T1

When Fujifilm announced the X-T1 in February I wasn't sure if it was the camera I wanted to complement my existing X-Pro1 and X100 because of it's DSLR layout.  Yes, this is a full on X-Series Compact System Camera, but it is the first with a central EVF (Electronic View Finder) and a DSLR, rather than Rangefinder, design.  Fast forward and on Tuesday 15 April  I purchased the X-T1 and VG-XT1 grip and now here is my first thoughts on owning and using the latest pro level camera from Fujifilm.

Ever since getting the X-Pro1 in October 2013 I have been struggling with the reasons to keep the full frame Nikon D800 and four lenses (I sold the D700 and two lenses to pay for the X-Pro1 and four primes).  

Don't get me wrong, the D800 is a stunning camera and it's 36mp full frame sensor produces the goods when I can be bothered to pack it into the camera bag.  And that's the rub, the weight of the Nikon and its associated lenses, are not worth the hassle when I can get the quality I need from the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X100.  

So this led me to Park Cameras in London, the retailer I bought the X100 from in October 2012 which began my move to Fujifilm, to actually try out the X-T1.  I was immediately smitten - it is so small!  Without the grip the X-T1 is smaller than the X-Pro1 and not much bigger than the X100.  Add the VG-XT1 battery grip and the profile of the camera changes and it is much taller than the X-Pro1 with the hand grip added but it is still a small, lightweight CSC.

Side by Side Profile Comparison - X100 / X-T1 (without grip) / X-Pro1 (without grip)

Before I proceed further with this initial review I need to clarify that the X-T1 is not, and never was going to be, a replacement for the X-Pro1.  The two cameras compliment each other perfectly.  Having a second body allows me to shoots two focal lengths at the same time without having to keep swapping lenses.  

It also isn't a reason to sell the X100 because that camera is my go anywhere camera, something I have with me at all times.  Also the X100s leaf shutter is perfectly silent where the X-T1 and X-Pro1s focal plane shutter do make a noise when the shutter release is pressed.  Each of the three Fujifilm cameras bring something to the party and I wont be selling any of them.

Add the grips to the X-T1 and X-Pro1 and the profile of the two cameras change

So what does the X-T1 do better than the X-Pro1?  

1. Well image quality is the same from both the 16mp X-Trans sensors and, while I shoot tend to shoot RAW, the JPEG files from both cameras are excellent and usable with minimal tweaking straight out of the camera - the same can't be said for the Nikon JPEGs.  The X-T1 JPEGS seem to have more punch with the same settings but the difference is minimal, if anything at all, and I suspect I want to see the X-T1 X-Trans II producing a slightly better image than the older X-Pro1.
2. The X-T1s Electronic View Finder is the best ever!  This has been said on many reviews in the photographic press and other respected photographers and I have to concur with this.  I love the Optical View Finder on the X-Pro1 and X100 but I have been using the EVF more and more on both these cameras.  The EVF on the X-T1 is a revelation and you have to remind yourself that you are actually looking through an electronic view finder, it is that good!
3. The autofocus is also an improvement on the older X-Pro1.  It's not massive but it does lock on quicker and easier than the XP1, especially in low light.
4. The image quality is much better at high ISO.  I tried some pictures at 12800 ISO (see test shot at the bottom of the page) and was very impressed with the quality. It is very usable and on a par with Nikon's full frame sensor output at the same level.  When pushed to 51200 ISO the quality does drop off but again if needs must it is still there to use.
5. I have already reported on this benefit in an earlier blog that the X-T1 can use an external microphone when shooting video.  The 1080P 30fps video is good but not quite as good as Nikon or Canon but for what I use it for the quality is more than enough and the ability to use an external mic is a huge plus in the X-T1s favour.
6. 8 frames per second and a continuous AF that actually works are great for sport and wildlife.  One of the things that bugs me about using the 6fps facility on the X-Pro1 is the fact that when the burst is finished, the 'wheel of death' appears in the viewfinder while the images are processed by the camera, making me wait to use the camera again.  The X-T1 still has this 'wheel of death' but it disappears in less than 0.5 seconds, even when a two second burst has been used (16 frames).  A huge improvement.
7. WiFi capability - now this is something I like the look of but haven't really tested it fully yet.  The ability to control the camera from my mobile phone or android tablet via the Fujifilm app is amazing.  Change the settings on the camera remotely, switch from stills to video and also download the images from the camera to the phone / tablet and then send them out.  This is a great facility and I will be testing this function and reporting back in a later blog.
8. The tiltable rear screen is fantastic.  Usually seen on enthusiast level cameras, this facility is usually sneared at by users of high end DSLRs as the mark of a 'hobby' camera.  For me that is a stupid attitude and anything that makes it easier to compose an image from a low vantage point or above my head gets the thumbs up from me!

Tilt screen is very useful when shooting low down or above my head.

WiFi allows connectability between the camera and smart phone or tablet via the Fujifilm App

What would I change about the X-T1?  

Not a lot really but I will report back as I get to know this camera better over the coming weeks because nothing is ever perfect.  

1. The battery power issue is still a problem as it is with the X-Pro1.  The good news the X-T1 uses the same battery packs as the X-Pro1 so that makes things easier when packing the camera bag.  Also the additional battery in the grip also extends the shooting time of the camera to over 600 shots.
2. Maybe I would like a larger sensor (18 or 24mp for example) but this isn't a deal breaker as the 16mp X-Trans sensor outputs stunning images.
3. A longer focal length than 200mm in an XF lens would be welcome.  Long lenses aren't as welcome on the X-Pro1 but the X-T1 is crying out for a 300mm (f4?) prime with a 1.4x converter for the sport and wildlife photographers.

The X-Pro1 is still getting as much use as the X-T1 because the rangefinder styling is still useful when shooting street photography.  Nobody bats an eyelid because it looks like an overgrown compact camera.  The X-T1 looks like a mini DSLR, especially with the grip attached, but I have not yet found this to be a problem when out shooting.

IN THE BAG

Currently my X-Series kit comprises of -

Fujifilm X-Pro1 + grip

Fujifilm X-T1 + VG-XT1 grip

Fujifilm X100 Black

Fujinon XF14mm f2.8R

Fujinon XF18mm f2R

Fujinon XF35mm f1.4R
Fujinon XF60mm f2.4R macro

Fujinon XF55-200mm f3.5/f4.8R OIS

WCL-X100 Wide Angle Converter for X100

Fujifilm EF-20 flashgun

FOR SALE - NIKON D800 + LENSES

In the next few weeks I will sell off my remaining Nikon kit with the exception of the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 + 1.4x and 2x converters to allow me to use them on X-T1 via the fotodiox adapter.  This is until Fuji bring out a longer focal length lens of an 80-200mm f2.8 equivalent with some suitable converters.

If anyone is interested in buying any of the following please email me at photo@macleanphotographic.co.uk 

Nikon D800 (12,830 actuations) with 11 months remaining on 2 year UK warranty + 3rd party Battery Grip + 2 x EN-EL15 Nikon batteries, electronic remote release + 2 x San Disk Extreme CF memory cards(1 x 16gb + 1 x 8GB). - SOLD

Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 AF-S (mint - condition) - SOLD

Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF-D (mint- condition) - SOLD

Nikon 28-105mm f3.5/f4.5 AF-D (mint- condition) - SOLD

WHAT'S NEXT ON THE FUJIFILM SHOPPING LIST?

Next on my wants list is the Fujinon XF10-24mm f4 OIS wide angle zoom to replace the Nikon 17-35mm f2.8.  The Fujinon 14mm is a great lens but having the facility to go wider for landscape work is something I am missing on the Fuji system and this will be rectified this summer.  The only other lens that I would like to add is the 56mm f1.2 but I do need to try that lens first.

IN CONCLUSION

I wasn't sold on the idea of the Fujifilm X-T1 when it was announced in March but the reality is this is the best X-Series camera made by Fuji so far and it is the perfect complement for the X-Pro1 and X100 I already own.  

Will I regret selling my Nikon gear after 18 years a Nikon user? Only time will tell and I will be commenting on this is the coming months. But for now I am finding that the launch hype surrounding the X-T1 is well deserved and I for one am not regretting my decision to add one to my camera bag.

Here are some samples shot on the X-T1 in the past couple of weeks.

Autoworld Museum, Brussels

Dunbar's Lifeboat in Action

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond MSP in Dunbar.  Taken with the tilt screen above my head

The large crowd in the pitlane at Silverstone for the FIA World Endurance Championship

 

12800 ISO test shot.

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