tdekany Loc: Oregon

Here is one of the XT1 groups on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strange_music_nature/16081594449/in/pool-fujifilm_x-t1/

Dragon06 Loc: Hawaii

Cat, thank you for your feedback and sharing your images. I know this thread has been dead for a while, but instead of staring a new thread, I thought it would be better to search UHH first in order to find similar discussions, as opposed to starting a new thread which has already been discussed.

There is a lot of great information shared in this thread. Someone mentioned this earlier - go out and see it, use it, etc. I'm at the point where I want to try it; I think I would enjoy this camera and it would suit my needs. For me to learn more about photography, I think it would be good to have manual controls. Forces me to think about what I'm doing.

I did recently try the Sony A7 MKII; it feels good in the hands and takes nice photos. But I'm curious about the Fuji. Current lens selection looks good to me. I also like Cat's recommendations on the flash and lens. Her photos turned out nicely. I think I will enjoy the fuji's form, fit, and function.

Although I'm not the OP, I appreciate all the comments and feedback. This forum helped with the dexision process.

cuzinvin Loc: Reno, Nevada

"That little tongue didn't stay there too long!" - Great statement and sense of humor, Cat!

ifurnish Loc: Katy, TX

Dragon, thanks for reviving this thread. I have recently bought the XT1 with the kit lens. Going through the learning curve now, but enjoying the lens outdoors. I have recently volunteered to take event photos for a nonprofit organization and would like to get opinions from others who own this camera as to what lens would be best for shooting a townhall type meeting to be held in a hotel conference room. They will want speaker-at-the-podium shots as well as shots of the attendees. I don't think the 18-55 kit lens will do, but dont know. Any advice?

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

The 18-135 might suit you well; you might want to rent one to experiment

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

In terms of image quality, you will really not gain much (though the XTrans sensor does a great job).

And if size and weight are relatively the same, then the only real differential is the viewfinder. The EVF on the Fuji presents you with the view as it will actually look (within reason). That is, if you are shooting in a dark room if you find her will actually here right in the room itself. If you're shooting for nine stop you can density filter, which you can't even see through with your eyes, the viewfinder shows you the scene as if there were no filter it all. If you set the exposure to underexposed by two stops, in the scene in the Finder will darken accordingly. These can be useful, and obviously are not possible with the mirror and pentaprism assembly.

On the other hand, the electronic viewfinder does not have the highest resolution and the instantaneous motion of real-time light bouncing off mirrors. That is, you can discern a very slight lag when you can the camera, and while there is a focus speaking function the fact is it's difficult to really see sharp focus in a low light situation with lots of activity, such as a party.

When EVFs improve, as they most certainly will do, then the advantages of the DSL our view finder will go away

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Do you use an XT-1? It does not sound like you do, because you are focusing on things that come up in the professional reviews but not with people who actually use the camers. The EVF is one of the BEST things about this camera and not a problem at all.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

I have the 18-135. It is a bit bigger and heavier than the 18-55, and a stop slower, but IQ is the same. And the combo is still a lot smaller than the equivalent DSLR.

cuzinvin Loc: Reno, Nevada

Hi Cat:

What's your thought about the 55-200? Have you ever tried it?

VO

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

I in fact do own the X-T1 as well as a bunch of the lenses; the 10-24, 18-135, 18-55, 55-200, 27 f2.8 pancake and a 300MM Rokinon mirror - and what I write is what I have personally found to be the case. I can tell the lag time when I pan the camera (or even fast zoom), the slower-than-DSLR auto-focus ability in low light situations (making it less useful at event photography), and the lower-than-DSLR EVF resolution making for fine focusing to be difficult if you don't have time to play with the peak focus feature (as well as making it difficult to see DOF preview effects).

None of which is to say I don't like the Fuji - far from it - but like any tool it has it's best uses. When I shoot an event or do macro shooting (I rented the Fuji 60MM macro and the EVF resolution issue made for a very poor experience for me - and that's with manual focus), I take my DSLR. For travel or general shooting, though, the Fuji's smaller size and lighter weight (about half of the Nikon D600 with various lenses) make it the better option.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

I bought the 55 -230 which is a half stop slower and a bit smaller. It is an older lens and lacks an aperture ring. This is not a problem however, because the camera takes over this function if you want to control aperture manually. It has the same high quality as the rest of the fuji line and is just a bit over 100 mm long and uses a 58 mm filter.

cuzinvin Loc: Reno, Nevada

What is your level os satisfaction vs 18-135? And did you check to the 50-140 yet?

Thanks,

Vinnie

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

What is the difficulty using peak focus? How on earth is manual focus easier with an SLR? You have the advantage with the EVF of instant zoom to check your focus. Indoor near darkness is the only time I have a manual focus issue and that is just as impossible with the 610. I guess is is a matter of individual proficiency. We all have differing eyesight problems, since a lot of us are not youngsters any more. Differing levels of upper body and back strength, and hand shake also figure into preferences. I simply cannot tote a big blob of SLR around any more, but the Fuji is totable. I find the EVF to be a minor miracle - so big and bright and so informative. But it is no surprise that it does not suit everyone the same.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

I love the 18-135. The only way it could be better is if it were a 2.8 and the same size as the 18-50 kit lens!

For the photos I take most of - dogs, critters and kids - the 18 - 135 has a more useful distance range, and since it is a bit faster, it is a little better exposure range too. But when I need a little more distance , the 55-230 is handy. The was pretty inexpensive too.

I have not looked at the 50-140. I have that range pretty well covered, so I doubt I will be trying that one.