1) dpreview added a page to its “shooter experience” and some images here:

“The X-T1’s biggest improvement lies with continuous focusing. It can now take a phase detection focus reading simultaneously with making an exposure, which means it’s capable of autofocus at its fastest shooting speed of 8fps – and from our quick initial tests, this genuinely seems to work quite well. The main catch is that you have to keep the subject covered by the relatively small PDAF area in the centre of the frame for this to work.

The X-T1’s ISO dial certainly looks great, but after shooting with the camera for a while I’m not convinced it’s actually a good idea. It has much the same problems as the one on the Nikon Df – it’s on the left side of the camera, so to change it you have to move your left hand from supporting the lens. The central locking button also has to be depressed every time, which prevents accidental changes but makes intentional ones more awkward […] The problems [of shooting with gloves] come from the smaller controls, in particular the four-way controller and the drive- and metering-mode switches. I find these quite difficult to operate, even with thin gloves. It’s also impossible to see the markings on the ISO dial when you press down its lock button with a gloved finger. “

2) Portrait session with Fuji X-T1 + 56mm at ehnamour here: “I used for the first time my X-T1 for this kind of work, and it was exactly what I guessed. A fast equipment, light, very ergonomic, with lots of facilities that help a lot the job, like the new EVF, a giant EVF. Everything is very easy, and it is easy to customize with your own taste. The autofocus is fast and precise, it locks very well at all the situations I faced. Speaking of the new Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2. I am crazy about it.”

3) FujiFilm X-T1 hands-on review at dubaiphotoclub here: “Overall FujiFilm X-T1 is a wonderful camera that competes very well against other high end crop sensor DSLRs.  It has a solid metal body and comparatively small size would appeal a lot of consumers over the heavy and bulky DSLRs.”

4) Fujifilm X-T1 review Part 1 review part 1 at karlbratbyphotographer here: “To sum up this is a superb camera with a superb line up of some of the best quality glass available, all in a neat package that has now matured into a fully usable pro system camera. The Fuji X system has always had great image quality, but now it has a body that a pro can use day in and day out. Fuji are quick to listen to photographers and alter things if needed, this is a brand new camera and yes its not perfect buts it NOT far off…”

5) X-T1, where does it fit at soundimageplus here: “It’s when you see cameras like the Nikon D4s that you realise just how good the Fuji X-T1 is. […] The X-T1 fits into a somewhat specialised market. Mostly hobbyists, enthusiasts and those who generate all or some of their income from photography. None of the X-Trans sensor interchangeable lens cameras are going to go mass-market. According to figures I saw recently Fuji have yet to sell a million of their entire X range.”

XF 56mm and XF 10-24

1) Fuji 56mm f/1.2 First Thoughts at f-sunny here: “So far, super impressed with the IQ, will make an excellent portrait lens I think.”

2) Fujifilm X-T1 and XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS (beta) samples gallery at dpreview here.

XF 56mm f/1.2: USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / – EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore / DigitalRev

XF 10-24: USA. AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / DigitalRev / EUROPE: DigitalRev / PCHstore / WexDE / WexUK

X-T1

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

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101 posts in 50 days… and with your support I won’t stop it here. Feel free to support FR by using one of the links to get your X-T1.

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For all those, like me, owning an X-E2, please stop reading now. You could get tempted to get rid of it and buy the X-T1.

I’m still resisting, but it’s incredible how everyone who gets his hands on this camera is simply enthusiastic about it. What’s so special about it? Well, in this post you’ll find the latest X-T1 tidbits. Ok, it’s the best X-camera ever made until now, but I’d get rid of my X-E2 only if the X-T1 would have a hybrid viewfinder… that said, I’ve never looked through the X-T1’s EVF by myself (and I can’t wait to do it), so the jury is still out.

At the bottom I’ve shared again Kai’s X-T1 review. I don’t remind any other of his reviews where he is so enthusiastic about a camera.

One more thing: I got emails of people from Europe and USA… they tell me that their X-T1 is ready to be shipped! That would be earlier than expected!

1) Let’s start this X-T1 roundup with techradar’s review here. They conclude that…

“… Fuji has done it again: produced a camera that is not only beautiful, but is capable of producing some superb images. We can see this being top of many a photographer’s lust list, and for good reason – it’s top of ours too.”

2) The list of review sites that award the X-T1 with their best ratings is rapidly growing. The next one is whatdigitalcamera here:

“The X-T1 isn’t entirely without flaw – it would have been nice to see Fujifilm add a touchscreen to the camera, while the option to have the camera in a silver finish would also be appealing.

That being said, there’s no denying the X-T1’s quality and on the whole it’s one of the best premium CSC’s on the market, reflected in its Gold Award status and a well deserved 93% overall score.”

3) Check focus-numerique here for some ISO test shots.

4) And some more X-T1 stuff: A: Fuji X-T1 & CP+ at kevinmullinsphotography here: “Part of my trip has also allowed me to use pre-production models of the XF56mm F1.2 and XF10-24mm F4 lenses. […]But the X-T1…..well, for the time being, all I’m saying is “Wow!”.  The view finder is simply gorgeous, low light and AF performance is again improved and AF-C is now very useable” B: Grittymonkey: “Hi Patrick, If anyone was still looking for an unboxing video of the X-T1, here is mine: youtube… with a lot of French accent as a free extra… ;)” C: Patrick Cavan Brown: “check out what camera David Alan Harvey is using! (video).” D: The 56mm and a little bit more of the X-T1 at neillsoden here: “Just to touch on the X-T1 again. This camera is great, fast and spot-on in the performance from the menus to the access to the SD card.”

X-T1

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

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Does the X-T1 meet your needs?

 Then feel free to purchase it using one of the links below. You will at the same time support this blog and my daily work on it with no extra costs for you… with your support, we could have an exciting rumor year in 2014.

 X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

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– The X-T1 Field Test is online at thecamerastoreTV here. For those who are right now at work and don’t have 13 minutes of time to look at it, here is quick summary:

a damn sexy looking camera […] really esay to use in the field […] gorgeous and huge EVF, the first EVF I really can work with […] great refresh rate […] 8fps shooting tracking with predictive AF really works […] “Fuji really looks at what users wants in improvements, and then they just do it! I don’t know why other companies don’t do it!” […] WiFi: works quick and nice. […] What’s not so great? Video! […] It is one of the best, if not the best, APS-C sensor on the market […] the menu order could be better […] Autofocus: “I was blown away about how the camera focuses, especially continuously, and it’s fast!”

– Hands on video of PhotoNewsReviews on youtube here.

– Interview with Kevin Mullins: first impressions of the XF10-24 and XF56 lenses and the X-T1 camera of Kevin Mullins at fujifilmblog here: ” [56mm] I’m really impressed with the handling of the lens, especially the speed of focus. The depth of field at f/1.2 is remarkable for an APS-C sized sensor CSC. I’m really looking forward to using it at a wedding where I’m sure it will become a permanent fixture in my camera bag”. [10-24mm] Not being a regular user of a zoom lens, I was really keen to get my hands on the 10-24 and the ability to shoot as a the wide end of the zoom really introduces a new dynamic into the way we can use the X series cameras. The lens handles really well at both ends of the zoom, is very fast and the weight of it doesn’t unbalance the camera. [X-T1] I’ve been waiting to get my hands on the X-T1 for a while and I’m certainly not disappointed. Although I’ve only used it for a few hours, the viewfinder is simply amazing and the manual controls are well positioned – the camera feels really good in my hands. Well thought out features like the tilting screen, the side loading card and the vertical battery grip really make this a camera that’s going to enhance my everyday shooting.”

– Ω image: “Many Japanese customers are picking up our X-T1 cameras. I have taken a few product-style images for review, which show the X-T1 with a Nik-FX Speedbooster and the ultra-sharp Nikkor 50/2 Ai. You may find them interesting or helpful for reference. Here they are.”

– Write up on the Fuji Camera Remote App with X-T1 at f-sunny here: “I can see this being useful in the studio, for tethered shooting with live image preview and also image retrieval over WiFi. I could see in really harsh conditions that remote tethering would due a huge bonus, keeping the shooter warm and dry. Also in the field for nature photography, where the camera is remote controlled from a hide in order to get the camera closer to the subject without direct human presence. Also in sports, where you could put the camera in ‘harms way’, perhaps trackside, or behind a soccer goal, and not only trigger it, but remote control it’s settings, and retrieve files for upload to the media – before the event has even ended.” More X-T1 shots, including a covert street test here.

[UDPDATE: X-T1 Full Size Sample Images at danbaileyphoto here]

X-T1

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

XF deals

XF 14mm: $200 off (price $700) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 18mm: $200 off (price $400) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 23mm: $150 off (price $750) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 27mm: $250 off (price $200) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 35mm: $150 off (price $450) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 60mm: $250 off (price $400) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 55-200: $200 off (price $500) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline

image courtesy: pavels.cz

Paul Schlemmer decided to write an X-E2 review for his very first blog post… and he tested the camera underwater. So he packed his brand new X-E2 into the Aquapac 451 (price&product images) and dived into the water.

The result is an underwater review with some stunning images as the one above. I’d say it’s a good start for a first blog post. Now let’s make it even better, stop by his blog here and check out his review.

“The housing luckily really is waterproof and It worked like a charm with a great X-E2. It flows in the water, which doesn’t sound like much, but paired with a bundled carrying strap it’s kinda sweet feature and you have one thing less to worry about in the field. Another fact I didn’t know about: Water is acting like a 1.5ish teleconverter to your focal length, so I’ve spent most of my time on 18mm/2.8 around 2000-4000ISO and 1/80-1/125s shutter speed. I expected a worse lighting conditions there, so nothing to complaint about- Fuji X-E2 holds these ISOs pretty well and at the 18mm it focuses surprisingly good&fast even underwater.”

There is also a youtube video about this underwater adventure here.

You wanna try it out? Get the Aquapac 451 here at AmazonUS and BHphoto.

XF 56mm f/1.2 ($999): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama – EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore / DigitalRev

X100S black ($1299): USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama – EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore

XF 10-24mm ($999): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / DigitalRev / EUROPE: DigitalRev / PCHstore / WexUK