Fujifilm XT-1 : Sh*t Just Got Real
by davidbrommer
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The mouse that roared in the photo world of gear is certainly Fujifilm’s X system. Not sitting on the laurels of their acclaimed XE and XPro cameras the short giants have released a sneak peak of their new flagship camera, the XT-1.
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UPDATE January 31st.
The smoke has cleared, the Fujifilm XT-1 was officially announced and you can now pre-order this gem of a camera at B&H.
A few clarifications, we did not get a double card slot. What we did get is an amazing and groundbreaking viewfinder. The viewfinder is larger than the Canon EOS 5D MKIII’s and has unique features never before seen such as a vertical view with info off to the side, not blocking the frame. A focus assist “box” in the viewfinder while still giving you the full view beside it. 3 new weatherproof lenses down the road.
I’m debating on pre-ordering one. I think it’s vastly worth it, but I’m just afraid that when I go to shoot, will I grab my XPRO1 or the XT-1, you can only shoot with one camera at a time.
Ohh heck, who am I kidding, of course I’m going to grab one.
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Several websites have released info and speculated such as Petapixel, Fuji Rumors, and the great Fujix Forum regarding the new camera. The date that an official announcement from Fujifilm will be is January 28th it seems. Lets look at this dream camera a little further based on what we know now.
First off, head over to Fuji Rumors and look at the post. Andrej was first to break the story. I have included some leaked pics that I can only imagine how they were obtained. Looked like a dude had a about 3o seconds with the camera and shot some iphone images. But what a tease!
Hump and Dial:
I think what is most interesting is that they went for the HUMP, the look of having a pentaprism mirror on the camera which is a departure form their other Mirrorless offerings which mimic a traditional rangefinder. We also see an additional dial for ISO, bringing the total analog dial count to three. I can’t think of any other camera that has that many dials on the top deck! Not too sure why the emphasis is for a dedicated ISO dial, I always recommend to just set your auto ISO parameters and that’s just one thing to not worry about. Regardless, the dials look super cool.
Weather Sealed:
YES! A great feature that I wish my Xpro-1 had. I was taking a class one year up at Maine Media Workshop and a classmate and I went to shoot in the Camden cemetery with some light painting techniques. It was raining and I had a Canon EOS 1 DS III that was weather sealed, I loved it, I put the camera on the tripod and just kept water drops off the front elements and shot away in the rain. My fellow student couldn’t really shoot since her 60D was susceptible to the rain.
Fast- Like kittens with jet packs:
Coming in at 8fps continuous shooting with AF tracking this jammer is going to keep up with the big boys. One thing with Fujifilm is certain, their AF gets better with each generation.
I can see the light:
With a hi-performance EVF that is. OK, Sony has been doing a great job on great EVF’s so I expect that. Better be at this point anyway.
Twice is Nice:
Double SD slot is a new feature for Fujfilm. I would have liked to see CF and SD but why not? Slap an extra card in, say two 128GB SD cards and shoot till the XT-2 comes out. Since I love to shoot RAW+Jpeg I hope I can assign files to card 1 and card 2. That would be something I’d dig.
That’s all the compelling rumors that are out now that I care to mention. The price at $1800 with a lens is inline for a camera of this heft and specs. But what about Nikon and Canon?
What surprises me most about this upcoming announcement is how the big two have completely missed the boat on Mirrorless. Last week I was on a Linblad Expeditions trip with Nat Geo shooters to Baja and was helping a guest with a Nikon V1 camera. Oy Vey what dog! And the Canon guy who came up with their Mirrorless should be thrown off a cliff. Fujifilm was silent for the late 2000’s and Early part of this decade, but man have they hit the ground running.
It looks like we wont see an Xpro-1 replacement soon, and I bet we can expect them to offer two lines, a SLR style and Rangefinder type bodies. Regardless I’m excited and can’t wait to get my hands on this camera. Will I buy it? Well I have to say I do love my Xpro1 to death, and I don’t know if I could cheat on the Xpro with a XT.
Lets keep our eyes and ears open and see where this goes. Long live Fujifilm!
Update 1/22 More pictures of camera leaded on Fuji Rumors- and man does it look good! Click Here for Goodness!
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Thanks for the XT-1 article, David. Like you, I’m very happy indeed with my XP1 and its OVF. I guess my main curiosity with the new one would be to try its new/improved features which are likely to be carried forward to a new XP2 at some time in the future. Can you answer a question which I haven’t seen addressed elsewhere: are the existing Fuji lenses already weather-sealed, or will they need more careful protection in the rain than the new body? Justin
Justin, as is now, no lenses that I can see are weather proof. I could see this a avenue of growth for Fuji, and also, lets see what the kit lens that comes with the XT-1 will be. I have my feelers out for more info and will update as I get info. But right now, look at these new pics http://www.fujirumors.com/you-just-cant-get-enough-new-x-t1-pictures/
From what I have read, it seems there will be a weather-sealed 18-135 lens launched with the camera.
One little point: you refer to this as the new flagship. Apparently not: in interviews Fuji managers have said it sits between the XE and X-P, with the latter remaining the flagship – which now means that it is beautifully in line for the next leap ahead in terms of sensor.
Fun stuff and I share your enthusiasm about this new update. You mentioned there are 3 dials on the top deck. Well…the way I look at it is there are actually 5 dials on the tops deck. The ISO and Shutter Speed dials are each stacked with another dial underneath each. Under the ISO dial is a Drive Mode dial and under the Shutter Speed dial is an “AE” Mode dial to switch from Matrix, Spot and Average metering.
That combined with the other dials and buttons on this camera….I’m thinking there’d be almost no need to go into the menus. And they brought back the “View Mode” button! 🙂
Not to mention that focus assist button…
Hi David,good article and points made.This forthcoming camera gives the impression of being a tuff little dude.The ISO dial i presume could not have been placed in this position on the earlier cameras and i have heard lots of people asking for this option.I expect this camera to be a build up to the larger zoom (on the roadmap) and 2.8 zooms.The addition of the grip should be good for larger lenses,more batteries and enjoyed by portrat photogs.I hope that is a pc sync at the front,headphone jack would be neat and other video options.I,m starting to sweat !!!.If the AF meets the mark – heaven.
Auto iso? Never! 🙂
I’ve been waiting for years to get my old iso wheel back on top of the camera where it belongs. Will preorder this camera although I’m already very happy with my X-Pro. Slightly worried that this new body will be small for large hands but small is also handy.
I have never been so happy with a camera. I have always wanted as a side desire, to be able to look straight down and have a “rolleiflex” experience in framing one’s shot from straight above then new moveable lCD does just that, the super quick AF, the choice of Fuji film sheens, the list of things I love about this camera go on and on.