Patrick Visser (X-E2 + 35mm)
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It’s a winner, for sure. It’s two months now that the X-T1 is in the first positions of the AmazonUS sales raking. Someone told me that they have never seen so many pre-orders since the [shoplink 14518]D800[/shoplink]. Others told me the X-T1 sells like all the other mirrorless cameras together. Are they exaggerating? Probably yes, but one thing is sure: Fujifilm has never seen something like this.
Now, last week I wrote on the Fujirumors facebook page:
“My favorite author, Montaigne, said: “Even on the highest throne in the world, we are still sitting on our ass.” So I’ll move my humble ass now and take some shots with my X-E2 … and with which X-series camera are you going to take your pictures today?”
There were many comments… and guess what? Among the FR-facebook community the X-T1 is already, by far, the most used X-camera. Just take a look at the FR-facebook wall, the majority of the images have been taken with the X-T1.
And what about the entry level MILC’s X-M1 and X-A1? Despite their great IQ… nada!
So my humble advice to Fuji: stop wasting time, energy and money in the entry level segment and focus on the premium one! Forget everything that hasn’t a viewfinder and manual controls.
Now, here is a selection of the most liked images on the FR-facebook wall.
enjoy your day,
facebook, google+ and twitter
X-T1 body only: USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / [shoplink 21553 ebay]eBay [/shoplink] / digitalrev / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore / [shoplink 21553 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / digitalrev
X-T1 with 18-55: USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / [shoplink 21553 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / digitalrev / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore / [shoplink 21553 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / digitalrev
Fernando Quintino Estevão (X T1 with 18-55mm – f/4,5 – 1/320, sec – 400 ISO)
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Rich Legg (X-T1, 56mm f/1.2)
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Dan Szpara (Natural Street Art with X-T1 & 18-55mm at 23mm f8)
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Mike Croshaw (Bridal shot, X-T1 and 14 mm lens.)
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Mauricio García (X-E1 Helios 58mm F2)
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Xavier Schotte (X-Pro1, Fujinon XF 14mm. f2.8. 1/250. 250 ISO. My son, hunting some crabs)
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Chantal Codourey Piguet (X-T1 + 23mm)
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Trenton Talbot (SOOC X-E2 & XF60mm + extension tubes. Just testing a new laser trigger )
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Hemanshu Narsana (A photo of my son, taken with my omnipresent X100S.. loved the colors as well as the sharpness.)
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Roberto Rosa (Fuji X-T1 & Nikkor Ai 85 2,0)
51 Responses
All the focus on the T-X1 is making me feel guilty for still shooting with my well loved X-Pro 1. Can’t wait for the hype to start with the next version of the pro.
There are worse situations to be in : guess how I feel – Just bought yesterday a new x-e1 with a 18-55 (will get it Tuesday) as a first step in the x family … I feel great 🙂
Make sure it has all the undated and have fun I still have my 1 as well as the XE2, The 1 gets the shot and compared to my Canon 50D it locks on more often dead on as the Contrast AF’s off the sensor. Have fun.
Oh a fast lens helps with AF too as with all cameras a 1.4 will lock on faster then a 2.8 will.
Duly noted 🙂 I have the 35mm 1.4 in my line of sight 🙂 and (may be the 56 1.2 as well if I can justify it, I’ll just have to sell my DSLR stuff first, that’s a big step, so I shall wait a bit to decide)
Might want to get the 35mm before the rebates expire – I bought one and am still waiting for an X-T1 to pair it with : ) Nice build, haven’t had a chance to use it yet though. Sold a Nikon 16-35mm f/4 to offset the cost of the 35mm and the 10-24mm (which I’m also waiting for).
Where I live (France) there’s currently no rebate 🙁 and I don’t know how Fuji handles the warranty for things bought outside their sales territory;
Yeah definetely an awesome camera….
It could have been even much, much better (camera and sales!!!) 1/8000 shutter speed, 1/320 flash sync, real native iso 100, full swivel display not only tiltable, double sd card slots, integrated flash than mini attachable /carry less items with you, better battery and simultanouesly weather sealed lenses with the release of the xt-1 and no light leak issues……so we have to wait for the xpro 2 or xt-2 to have the missing features…..
Anyway fuji is on the right track still missing 24 ff equiv. prime (16 1.4??), fisheye, tilt and shift lenses and the biggest construction site and highest priority should have the development of a flash system /new flashes like Nikon CLS and Canon Speedlites (canon has the edge..no infrared remote control like nikon sb 910 anymore, canon ext 600 speedlite via radio transmission is worth to be named wireless and the description wireless is absolutely valid….
Congrats Fuji so far, even it could have been much better…
So Fuji keep it up….
Slow flash sync is the one reason why I didn’t buy an XT1 right away.
Agree. I returned mine, the bad taste of getting one with the lack of responsive feed back from the 4-way directional, the lightleak, and having to settle of the 2.8-4 rather than the weather sealed – 16-55 2.8 fixed aperture is starting to go away. but not without loosing a little trust to ever allow me to be a first mover on a new electronic, Fuji or otherwise.
Agree, except that I like the 18-55/2.8-4 which is a wonderful lens when it works as it should. My copy made a double contour on the left side of between a third and half of the pictures taken at 18 mm f/2.8 even at 1/2000 s, likely because the OIS was defect. I returned the X-T1 kit mainly because of that (had the connection side light leak and mushy D-pad buttons as well though).
The X-T1 + 18-55 is a wonderful concept. Now if Fuji could succeed in making a working product of it as well that would be nice. Hard to say if it is due to engineering, manufacturing processes or quality control, but the end result clearly needs improvements. The 18-55 cannot really count as a new product anymore. Fuji should have the manufacturing of the 18-55 under control by now and be able to produce them with good quality.
On the question of the LCD, from what I’ve seen in present designs, there can only be tiltable OR swivel, not both. Using a swivel display for waist-level shooting a la Rolleiflex puts the display image to the left of the camera body, thus taking up more space and becoming harder to handle.
I much prefer a tilting display and having the image within the confines of the camera body and on the lens axis. The only advantages of a swivel display that I see would be for self-portraits or shooting video, neither of which interest me.
Just my opinion.
I too, had thought with David Hobby of Strobist and Zach Arias, that any new cameras from Fuji would have a flash sync speed of at least 1/320 or higher, I was disappointed with the 1/180 in one more body.
The bokeh on the B/W picture of the kid sitting on the stairs is very unpleasing.
The lens is the Helios 58mm F2, you can grab it for $30 on ebay… for sure not the best performer out there.
The Helios lens is a Soviet vintage lens known for its swirly bokeh. Pleasing or bot is a matter of personal preference. I personally, quite like it.
Horses for courses. Just like many other lenses with strange bokeh (Trioplan comes to mind immediately), Helios has its place with a very specific backgrounds and compositions. And just like any other spice, it shouldn’t be overused.
Patrick, I’m not sure I agree with your assessment based on the amount of photos posted by lower end cameras. They may appeal less to you and me, but I think people who buy the lower end cameras do not spend that much time on forums and are not so much a part of the community.
For Fujifilm I think it’s little effort to take a X-e1, strip it down and have a camera competing in a different segment for little effort.
Do the sales justify it? Probably only Fuji can tell.
Yes, FR might not be the best place to judge the success or not the X-series camera.
A better indiciation comes from AmazonUS ranking, and they are not really selling well there.
I’ve read also the latest report of Fujfilm. Seem that the real winners in 2013 where the “premium” cameras X-E2 and X100S “In the electronic imaging field, the sales such as the FUJIFILM X-E2, an interchangeable-lens-type premium camera, which was launched in November 2013, and the FUJIFILM X100S, a premium compact camera were strong,.” … no word about the X-A1 or X-M1
I agree.
My guess is that the M1 and A1 were fujis way of testing the market while establisging the x-line up. To me the A1 makes less sense since it requires a different sensor (that if I’m not mistaken, is not otherwise used by Fuji).
The sucess of those cameras will be judged but the appearance, or lack of it, of the M2/A2 cameras.
A Fuji manager said that “going forward we don’t need two entry-level models. It’s undecided at this point.” So they won’t give up the entry level market (and establish itself as a pure “premium” brand).
And you’re right, the X-A1 is the only in the MILC line with a different sensor.
They’re probably testing Bayer vs X Trans. Does muddy the x line though.
Fuji is not a well known brand in the mainstream. Enthusiasts will research the qualities and buy the higher end models. However, we will need lower end models to add volume to the overall sales and amortize R&D. Once the qualities of Fuji become widely known we should expect sales of the lower end models to less enthusiast buyers to increase.
Ouch. Facebook overcompresses images, get this one instead: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trentontalbot/13283857733/
Well, Fuji surely need to have one entry level camera body. Look at the market figures: the entry level DSLR are the butter for camera makers!
Now, Fuji not performing well on that segment is another story: having the A1 and the M1 probably created more confusion than good.
If they managed to update the M1 properly (with a nice looking design and built, like Olympus does on the Pen) and to market it well, it could definitely be a strong support to their R&D amortization.
Now personally I am more looking at the X-T1 to complement my X100s. I wish it had a slightly bigger grip though, especially given the size of the upcoming WR zooms.
The grip size isn’t bad at all and then there is the optional separate hand grip that adds that extra size to the original grip.
I actually wanted to start with the X-A1 until Fuji comes up with an 85/90mm 1.8/2.0 lens.
Yes the X-T1 is a great camera, but let’s not forget that without great lenses like the 56mm or dare I even say the 18-55mm kit lens, the X-T1 would be just another retro looking camera
The excellent optical design on most Fuji lenses is indeed what makes Fuji’s APS-C cameras so interesting. Combine this with low weight and Fuji’s IMO very nice jpegs and you know why many of us like Fuji.
To the casual observer it may be, maybe that is even the point, but as a tool it really is not. In fact it is precisely the system as a whole that makes it all work. Fuji isn’t the only one with a superb collection of optics, that isn’t a problem, even Sony has some gems (yes, really). But Fuji does (depending on your preferences) deliver the most intuitive form and operation in a unique way, and even menu’s that i like. The body itself is in essence built up in response to the feedback of their previous editions, and add to that the many firmware updates and support they have established a name for. That is what we like Fuji for. The Nikon Df may be a failed form over function example, but the X-T1 is the opposite.
Superb images. Now lets get them posted/displayed on 500px and join the competition. Include tags which indicate your X camera.
“So my humble advice to Fuji: stop wasting time, energy and money in the entry level segment and focus on the premium one! Forget everything that hasn’t a viewfinder and manual controls.”
I guess it depends on what you mean by “entry level” but without the X10 or X20 you’d likely have far fewer readers. I have seen neither an X-M1 nor an X-A1 in any “big box” stores around me so I don’t see how anyone case say that they aren’t doing the job: you have to get them TO the job before you can really say that.
Well, Fuji itself calls the X-M1 and X-A1 “entry level” cameras.
As I said before, I can’t read anything about the X-A1 and X-M1 in the latest Fuji report. They say that the X-E2 and X100S sold well, but no mention about the X-A1 or X-M1. I suspect that Fuji’s first attempt to get into the MILC’s entry level market wasn’t really a success. They expected to sell as much X-M1’s as X-E1 and X-PRO1 together. But I doubt that the results work out the calculation.
Didn’t know Fuji was hoping to sell that many… Anyway, my feeling is that “entry level” customers are typically looking for:
– High MP count
– Small & light
– Good SOOC jpegs (not shooting RAW)
– Modes (landscape, portrait, …) – not many manual controls
– Face detection
– Panorama
– Built-in flash
– Shooting from the back screen – viewfinder not required
– Flip screen a plus
– WiFi a plus
– Not aware of / concerned about optical quality – in-camera correction is good enough
– Not looking to buy into a system, kit lens is enough (and Fuji’s data indicates that buyers of X-A1 and X-M1 rarely buy extra lenses)
Fuji got a lot of things right when they designed the X-M1. Nevertheless at $600 the kit doesn’t quite tick all the boxes.The Nex-3N with power zoom that is pretty much stuck at the 1st place of Amazon’s rankings ticks them all for $400. The comparatively priced X-A1 kit ($450) is inferior specs-wise.
My in-laws just got a Nex with power zoom 😉
I’m not sure I would go as far as calling the X-M1 and X-A1 a waste of resources but I understand where your ‘premium brand’ argument is coming from. However, I think the X-M model line still has potential – especially when looking at the X-Series as a System that’s trying more and more to cover different photographer’s needs.
I for one would love to see the X-M line evolve into a premium compact body. The X lens lineup is fantastic but there’ve been numerous situations where I found myself wishing for a small form factor body with the finish and quality of an X-Pro or even an X-E. The X-M1’s plastic body doesn’t exactly scream quality. Sure, I’d switch the mode dial for a shutter speed dial and add a configurable function button here and there but I’d happily do without a viewfinder if that meant I could get a smaller body.
Instead of an entry-level camera – that’s what the X-A line is for – it should be an enthusiasts’ compact. Think of it as Fuji’s answer to the Panasonic GM1, well sort of.
In my opinion such a premium compact body would fit neatly in the X-Series lineup and perfectly complement the ‘higher tier’ bodies.
I bought my X-M1 last september and I am now a proud owner of a X-T1. Before I was using the X10 for some time in the automatic mode not understanding a lot about photography (but the results were quite pleasing anyway). With the M1 I learned about the influence of the objective and I was very happy with my 35mm. When I bought the X-M1 I felt the M1 would be perfect for me as I never used the viewfinder with the X10. But then I started to miss it quickly. So for me the entry level offering was definitifely a good way to get me into the system and into photography as well. The second thing that guided me was Fujirumors – thank you very much for that!
I just bought the X-A1 and I am so pleased with it! My X100S is going on eBay immediately. I much prefer the old bayer cfa to the x-trans. I PRAY that Fujifilm continues to offer at least one bayer cfa sensor in the X series.
a cheaper X-T1 with bayer would be very appreciated :3
I just sold my X-E1 for X-E2, because I can’t deal with the slow auto focus system. The X-A1 is a great camera (probably the best entry-leves CSC), but uses the same AF system as the X-E1.
The X-A2 with the new hybrid AF system would be great.
Ooh man… Patrick- all those three B&W shots are really good photography. Nice. Love that first one in particular but the other two are pretty good too.
looks like the nex-3 is at number 1, no?
“At first positions“, not first place, obviously. At a $1301 premium, it’s no small feat to end up in third (and fifth) place for a prolonged time.
My X100 and X-Pro1 sink with the day deeper in my bag. Fuji might be cheaper and lighter than any Pro FF-DSLR, it isn’t the same and it won’t ever be the same unless Fujifilm changes quite a few things, not in the least this silly X-trans CFA that only causes artifacts and doesn’t solve anything. Before that no next X-series camera whatsoever for me, from a company with such a questionable R&D and testing procedures. It’s like someone that just bought a cheap mountain-bike ands starts claiming he can do the exactly same as his neighbor owning a powerful motorbike. Well yes, you can drive in the same streets and if you ask the old lady around the corner, she’ll say both look a little bit the same. That’s about it.
“So my humble advice to Fuji: stop wasting time, energy and money in the
entry level segment and focus on the premium one! Forget everything that
hasn’t a viewfinder and manual controls.”
That’s fine, except that I’m sure FujiFilm wants a group of beginners to step up from point-and-shoot cameras into their X-mount cameras. Fighting the inexpensive dSLRs and the ignorance that only dSLRs can provide high quality images is difficult–especially if most users only have the cheap kit lens.
I’ve been looking to FujiFilm for something to replace my original Fujica SLR, in my heart at least. I’m not certain that the X-T1 can do that, at least, for photographing sports. If I was a more casual user or had more time, it might be great for me. I’m glad for their success, though.
To be clear, I really like the Fuji X cameras and the IQ can be quite impressive. But, the camera(s) have limitations on what they should potentially be able to do.
The top cover image of this post for example.. perhaps that’s the look the photographer was going for and that’s ok. But, as that example and in that particular lighting situation, it’s probably the best you can get out of the X-T1 (and nearly all Fuji X cameras with the exception of the X100/X100S).. Why? In what way?
Well blown out highlights and background with dark subjects that have details lost or drowned out by the extreme lighting condition. That is probably the look sought. I’m not debating the artistry here. But, could you do more with it and maybe get a bit more background exposed as well as the person? IF you had a decent usable flash sync speed, you could balance both the background and subject exposures out, maybe even make the subject pop more. But, that’s pretty much impossible with the X-T1, unfortunately. I say camera and flash alone on any other camera that has high speed sync capabilities, they you sure as hell should be able to do it with a relatively simple setup. But, just not possible with the X-T1 without relatively more extensive lighting and accessories to aid in such a shot, I believe. That is IF you wanted to be able to see & balance exposure nicely for both background and subject. It’s going to be really difficult for X-T1 to compete with such direct sunlight like that since a fast enough shutter speed with flash is not possible on the camera.
I’m not a “pro”, but from my personal experience, I don’t see how you could do another shot with such lighting and angle without either washing out the background even more or making the subject way too dark.. and if you tried with a flash, the 1/180 (even reportedly 1/250) max shutter speed will more than likely overexpose the entire shot.
I only point out this specific example and disappointed because I would totally be one to embrace the X-T1 if it could perform this specific task effectively which I personally need in a camera to do the work I do quite often which requires really good flash and high speed shutter performance. Having a relatively slow flash sync speed is pretty much expected in a lot of cameras, fine, even some considered high end.. it’s the fact it doesn’t have the option to go beyond that with high speed sync that takes it out of being a more complete and powerful photographic tool that can cope with more challenging lighting situations.
After several generations of X cameras, and a lot of nice improvements along the way, I’m sorely disappointed they’ve not made 1 step forward in their flash sync capabilities as it is the same as it was from the beginning. Just add in some high speed sync capability with HSS capable flash and that would greatly increase the photographic potential of the X-T1 and many of the other X cameras… the only one that can do it right now is the X100/X100S equipped with the leaf shutter, but you don’t have the access to the great many interchangeable Fujinon X mount lenses, though.
OR……you could use an inexpensive REFLECTOR. You don’t need elaborate flash setups to deal with backlighting in a situation like this.
I agree, you could use a reflector, but I think it would still involve setting up the reflector and some thing or someone to hold it in the right spot. It’s not “elaborate” per say, but still something more and extra needed. If it could do high speed sync with a flash, I think you could do really well with just yourself, camera & flash onboard without any external setup, elaborate or not.
For the X-T1 (or most of the “upper” ILC X models), they are suppose to be at the top of the line, or occupy almost all top line seats, so to speak.. whether it be a X-T1, X-Pro1 or X-E2, none of them have that extra ability to go beyond their slow flash sync limits. I just really Fuji would consider this after so many models and novelty improvements, is including HSS (or whatever you want to similarly call this high speed shutter sync with flash) that hard to implement and include in a “flagship” camera? High end DSLR’s like Nikon & Canon have slow sync, but they also can do HSS or FP (same thing)… even Oly OM-D’s have that ability.
There’s lots to love in the Fuji X cameras and I’ll agree the image quality is no doubt outstanding… I really like ’em, but each new model is just a step up or evolution of a previous model, there hasn’t been anything truly leaps and bound great between what is new and what isn’t.. always a new novelty, but, in my eyes, as a whole overall package, there’s always been something missing or not all together there as it probably should be. It’s these little things here and there that keep Fuji X cameras from being fully truly great.. for me.
Once again, there is no doubt you can definitely take excellent images with the Fuji’s. I have seen many examples and find a good number of my favorite photos were done with a Fuji X100 & X10. Outside of the indisputable IQ, when you look past the token improvements and novelties, there’s a lot more capable systems that can offer and do more. Perhaps you don’t need it, but I personally wish for Fuji to better fully flesh out their ideas and concepts. As current high end Fuji X cameras go, I would want them to make more effort in matching performance & capabilities of other high end cameras. It’s at least an important piece of the big picture which is missing in an otherwise very cool and outstanding package.
I think I’m really bummed at the fact that I really like and want to use a Fuji X camera again, but the one important feature I must have to work is completely absent in any of the X ILC’s from Fuji. High Speed Flash Sync! There are work arounds, I’m sure, but frankly I don’t have that luxury to to lug extra gear, have help/assistants, nor time to setup the scene as it is a relatively fast pace work with what you have outdoors in bright harsh environment as you go.
For my personal needs and requirements, I have to opt out of all the hype and fun surrounding the X-T1 (& X cameras in general) and miss out on the party, I guess… until Fuji gets more (or all) their specs up to specs.
I agree that it would be good to see pocket wizard or other air remotes make hyper sync triggers for more systems. I’d also like my top of the line profoto heads and 5D III to be able to sync above 1/200 but thats not the case. The fact is that cameras are simply tools for expressing vision. Don’t get caught up on limitations, embrace them as challenges and work with what you have. Perfect can be the enemy of progress and wether you’re doing this for a living or not, we’re in it to have fun and make art.
In this case, if you didn’t want such rich shadows to tell your story then as mentioned above, a reflector would bounce beautiful soft light onto your subject and would be my first choice. Otherwise if you wanted to use flash, you would throw a ND filter on to stop back the ambient light (there’s a build in ND filter behind the lens of the x100 that works great). ..Or walk five steps to the left and crop out the sun.
I’ve been messing around with my OM-D, Flash and a high quality variable ND filter (up to 9 stops) to see if I could work with a 1/250 and lower max shutter speed in the conditions which I’ve written about.
It is to my delight that it can be done and works really nicely, still. There are certain situations, depending on the specific location and unique lighting conditions, where I might hit a limit and have to step up the ISO or stop down the aperture, so that kind of sucks when I don’t have exactly the full control of the exposure I want, but luckily it seems those situations are very few.
On the plus side of trying out this alternative flash technique to HSS, I noticed it makes flash recharging faster and batteries seem to last longer when I don’t need to resort to HSS Flash.
It takes an extra bit of fiddling with the ND Filter and settings to fine tune the exposure I want, but at least I have little doubt and know a technique which will work for me regardless.
I’m looking forward to possibly switch (or adding) a X-T1 to my kit… However, I may just wait and see what news of the X-Pro 2 develops.. not to say that if a X-Pro 2 actually becomes a full frame camera that any of the APS-C X Cameras will not be good enough, not at all. But, it may good to know if Fuji will continue to improve their APS-C cameras or add another model that is FF to see what would be the best way to invest $$ into another future camera system and set of lenses.
Right on! Glad it worked for you. I picked up a X-T1 mostly as a walk around and because I tried that 56mm f1.2 and didn’t want to ever put it down. It’s not a replacement to my 5D III and L glass for big jobs but it’s a joy to use and I can see breaking it out during wedding season a bunch. It also fits it in my commuter bag so it will get lots of use and open up doors for my personal work.I think of it like having a good knife set. The bread knife does a great job cutting bread but you don’t want to fillet a fish with it.
“Photos are just for illustration purpose”, I got that :). I’m sure many would agree that you may not need a $1,300 to reproduce most of the above photos. The point is that X-T1 hopefully builds a strong momentum for Fuji and be profitable with the ILC lines. That in return will benefit users as Fuji has been very good with firmware update. Go Fuji!