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| X-T1. 10-24mm f/4 lens @ 13.8mm; 1/1700th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200 (click to enlarge) |
When you find something that "just works" the way you want it to work, you just want to handle it, use it, admire it and put it to work for you. The X-T1 is the kind of camera that you just appreciate being available."Now, after using the camera for another year, I find that statement not only holds true, but is more so.
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| X-T1. 10-14mm f/4 lens @ 11.5mm; 1/1500th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200 (click to enlarge) |
I find the X-T1 just disappears, gets out of my way, has become intuitive and allows me to be creative without having to "think" where controls are, where in a menu a setting may be located or give me frustration over too many unnecessary choices that muddle my photographic waters, so to speak.
In my April 9, 2014 blog post, I was primarily writing about the Olympus E-M1 as being an "enthusiasts' camera" and it is a wonderful camera. But here is what I wrote in that post about the X-T1:
"In my mind, the X-T1 is more of a basic camera that is enjoyed by photographers who just want to go out and make images. It is not a fancy camera. I think of photographers as contemplative, measured and deliberate in their image making. No "running and gunning" or "spray and pray" types of photographing. The X-T1 plays right into that because of the way the controls are set up and the basic feature set Fujifilm includes. The camera is not overloaded with tons of options. Being somewhat "old school" in its layout and feature set, the X-T1 makes me want to photograph in the same manner as I did using film. Using the X-T1, I tended to use manual more than aperture or shutter priority exposure modes. Also, I tended to use manual focus more than I have in any other digital SLR that I have owned or used. That is what I mean by "old school."The X-T1 is like a lightning fast computer, a high priced sports car, a private jet and a sip of the finest single malt scotch. The camera allows you to enjoy every interaction with it in a smooth and seamless manner, walking away with images that you don't have to struggle to make.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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Dennis, I follow your blogs and find them both helpful and interesting. I too own the XT1 as well as a FF Nikon (D750). I feel the same way about the Fuji cameras. I am going to Iceland in several weeks and have made a big decision not to take my big Nikon gear. I packed my old Street Walker camera bag with my Nikon gear and my Fuji XT1 as well as a computer. It weighted almost 20 pounds. Way too much for a 69 year old. I went out and bought a think tank perception mirrorless backpack and will take only my Fuji gear to Iceland. The bag with the gear and computer weigh around 10 pounds, much better on the old back. My old streetwalker is now on Ebay, and my Nikon gear may be sold this year.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, you have to work with the gear you are comfortable with, and Fuji just works. The lenses are super and the camera just feels good in the hand.
Thanks for the post it just re-enforces my decision to move gradually away from the "big Iron" of Nikon.
Eric, thank you for your comment. Like you, I have owned Nikon plus mirrorless and have slowly and almost entirely switched over to mirrorless. In the past few years, I've taken a couple of 6000 mile road trips across America and back only with mirrorless as a test and was not disappointed. If I were going to Iceland, I would only take my X-T1 (but I would have some sort of backup camera as well) and lenses and leave the Nikon gear at home. I hope you have a wonderful and very memorable trip.
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Dennis, thanks for your reply and yes I will have a backup camera. I have the X100S and will take that but may rent a XT-1 body for the trip. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I will not be going back so the extra $100 for the rental is not a problem. Enjoy your blog, keep it up.
DeleteEric, I took the liberty to read your blog. I hope you don't mind if I bookmark it as, it seems, you and I share the same wanderlust. Your words are meaningful and your images seem to reflect the mood and are representative of your travels. I look forward to your next post. Thank you for taking the time and effort in creating it and sharing your thoughts and images with us.
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