This will be somewhat different from my usual “reviews”. Well, they aren’t really reviews per se. Much more like me praising the hell out of glorious lenses and cameras. (I’m overly positive, I know!)
So, on May 27th, I caved, and bought the X-T1. I had shown some latency, since I really disliked the way the camera looked as compared to my X-Pro1. Looks???? you ask. “Why on earth is that important, Jonas?” Well for starters, it probably doesn’t matter to a lot of people, but to me it does. How a camera feels to me, makes me relate to it, and actually makes my pictures look better! Dunno why. It just does.
I like aestetics. I like design. I like order. I like simple. I like my X-Pro1… ALOT! Why did the X-T1 need more dials? Why did it need a EVF hump? Why did it need that big FUJIFILM logo screaming on the front? Why did it need a tilt screen?
These are the things that went through my mind when I first saw the X-T1. Sure, all these features got praised like there was no tomorrow, but still…. I did not like it…. at all. That was…. until I handled one. This “review” is very late to the party. So I will not be the repeater of written gold. I will say this though.
THE EVF IS SO AMAZINGLY GOOD IT MAKES ME WANT TO SHED A TEAR SOMETIMES!
Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, let me say that this camera is so good in so many ways, it’s not even funny. It’s fast, it’s accurate, it has all the right dials in the right places, it handles like a boss, and oh, did I mention the EVF…. 😛
This part 1 of (hopefully) 4 parts will show you my street photography pictures taken with the X-T1 and various lenses. One thing I noticed is that with the XT-1 I use my AF lenses much more than on the X-Pro1. I love the legacy lens look, and the X-Pro1 is not the fastest focusmachine in the kitchen. The X-T1 changed that. Now AF is fast and accurate, and I can rely on it to deliver in those fast paced street scenes with “now or never” moments.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I will let the pictures speak… this is, after all, a Photography site.
The XT-1 on the streets – X-StreeT1
Jonas–you are obviously a “leg” guy…the first shot is very beautiful (did you ask her if you could shoot it?) But the confirmation of this fact, is found in the garage repair shot…I looked for a hotter confirmatory image but you gave it away with that one. 🙂
Great work you share with us. Much respect, M
HAHAHA. I like legs and I cannot lie 😛
Thank you very much for reading!
/J
Jon–More legs like the first PLEASE :))! B & W out of camera jpeg, B & W raw conversion–I do not care. Viewing that photo I become “an equal opportunity” employer!!
Absolutely brilliant street shots, Jonas. What a treat for the eyes! Thanks for sharing 😉 and looking forward to Pt.2. R.
Thank you Rob!
/J
Wonderful shots….
Thank you!
/J
Jonas, some of these are great but most of them are brilliant. please continue.
Hi Matt.
Thank you VERY much.
Thank you for stopping by.
/J
Wonderful images. Can you say something about the lenses used?
Hi Bob.
Whoops, forgot to note that. I’ll update the post ASAP with the metadata.
Thanks for reading
/J
I updated the Image captions to show lenses used. Most shots are with the 35mm, the bottom 6 are 18mm and 56mm 🙂
Great street shots and nice tones too. Thank you very much for sharing!
Thank you so much Tommaso
/j
Jonas, these are wonderful. Is the city Copenhagen?
Hi Stephen.
No these are from Aarhus, Denmarks second largest city 🙂
Thank you for stopping by.
/J
Brilliant photos! Really enjoyed looking at these. Loved the different perspectives.
Thank you sir!
I knew I would enjoy your photographs and writing before I opened the page. I was correct.
Brilliant photography.
Paul (Reinholt56)
Too kind Paul! Thank you for taking the time to read /look.
/J
I’m not a fan of most photography that is labelled as ‘street photography’. It just doesn’t tell a story, and doesn’t move me. Your photographs are different. They are engaging, sometimes funny, always well made. You have a great eye. Wonderful.
Oh – I still love my X-Pro1 …
🙂
What a compliment! Thank you very much Stephen!
Still trying to resist the XT-1… the X-Pro2 should be here soon. Great shot Jonas.. also your wedding post was amazing.. sorry I missed you in Aarhus.
Morten. It was me who was the cause of us never meeting. I should have sent you some times for your itinerary. VERY sorry about that. Another time maybe. Never did visit Victoria, even though my uncle had a chef’s academy there.
/Jonas
Jonas,
Fantastic work! A feast for the eyes…really enjoyed the shots. The 56mm f/1.2 is phenomenal.
I REALLY have to get this camera!
Frank V.
Lovely Shots.. I especially like the portrait of the woman with her hand to her face. The magical 56mm f1.2 at work once again.. Looking forward to the rest of your writeup/review…
Thanks for sharing-I’m curious as to the ISO settings-the images have a really nice look to them
Just bought the xt1 and the 35. Just set it up tonight and I DID shed a tear when I couldn’t find any noise!!!Amazing..out on the street for the first time with it tomorrow..Your work is amazing Let’s see what I can do haha
So many good XF 35 photos! I need to use mine more. The 18-55 tend to get stuck on my X-T1, it’s just so convenient for so many situations. I also like its optics. It doesn’t feel like a kit lens. But, yes… The 35mm. Limiting yourself like that with a good, useful prime can be strangely liberating.
It’s kind of weird isn’t it? the idea that a single length lens would be more freeing than a zoom..but it’s true…i felt so relieved really when I started using the prime 35 had been using the 18-55 sony on the nex 7 (before I woke up a couple of weeks ago and got the xt 1) which was USELESS (well more or less lol). I hear the fuji is pretty good though. Still, I just love the idea of learning to “see” as the prime does. So liberating as you say. A new start for my creativity in a way, if that doesn’t sound too pretentious. lol
Hi Jonas, there are some really nice photos in this post. The short tele and wide views are good, but I am really impressed with how well you frame scenes with the normal lens. Masterful!
Hi Jonas,
Please give a short review, the recommendations filters that i can buy for my xt1?
Hi Jonas.
I have read that some people argue that the the jpeg engine on the newer Fuji’s aka X-E2, XT1, X100s renders more “digital” and less “film” like than X-E1 and Xpro1.
I know I can just use raw but sometimes its nice to use the jpeg right away 🙂
Do you have any thoughts about this issue ?
Regards
Danny
Dear Jonas,
Amazing Pics, totally impressed. Quick question were the pics converted to B&W or did you use the internal B&W Film simulation.
A new fan.
Raed
Most are black and white jpegs from camera. A few are RAW converted in Lightroom.
Thank you very much for your kind comment, and for reading the blog
/Jonas
Couldn’t push you for the JPEG setting could we? Look like red or possibly yellow filter with some extra shadow but I’m guessing. Beautiful tones and lovely compositions.
Got to the last of your photos, and clicked buy it now for a 35mm 1.4 lens for my Fuji X-M1 your photos are inspiring!
Beautiful. The guy with the dog is a gem.
Awesome strap, where can I buy one?
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