X-T1: a systematic evolution

Preliminary remarks - As a longtime DSLR users I met lately with the latest high-resolution DLSR two quality-reducing basic problems of SLR technology uncomfortable on: 1) the levels and beat 2), the focus adjustment. Mirrorless systems eliminate both simultaneously and with the introduction of large, high-resolution and good viewable even when wearing glasses electronic viewfinder has been the matter of great interest to me. Sony does not have me lovely (plus exorbitantly expensive) lens range, Micro 4/3 and Nikon1 gave me too many restrictions on free storage facilities and dim light, Samsung's product portfolio is insufficient - therefore remained Fujifilm left whose X cameras me since the introduction of the X -Pro1 interest and with the S5 Pro DSLR I made good experiences.

With the X-T1 is the first really anfixende Fuji came on the market and an inquisitive look through the viewfinder of a demo model at the shop brought a real eye-opening experience for me Gleitsichtbrillenträger - large and overviewed as Nikon D3 etc, no disturbing Pixeligkeit while WYSIWYG , Mir but initially too expensive. In August, I then ordered from Amazon Warehouse Deals X-T1 with 18-55 zoom lens to try and I was after two days already clear that this would be my future camera system. Simply because everything worked precisely, no more problems with mirror deflection on eg 1 / 20s and absolutely exactly aptly AF. Logically, focusing is indeed always means the image sensor and eliminates all DSLR typical mismatch errors (OK it may at Mirrorless exceptions give in the form of lack-aligned lenses). Nevertheless, of course I noticed numerous Fuji-typical concept quirks quickly or eye in their hands, by way of example:
- Not the Nikon iTTL appropriate flash technology and in particular only fully manual options for off-camera flash using radio trigger
- Just lousy 1 / 180s Sync Speed ​​and stupidly no faster times through the very latest Electronic shutter update
- Four-way keys sunk too deep and feel lousy
- Locked Zeitenwählrad and for my style of work on the wrong side of the viewfinder
- Almost silent focusing, fixed focal length zoom lenses unfortunately equipped with audible rappelnden micromotors
- Far too easy to inadvertently opening side map pocket
- Adds grip ergonomics is achieved for large hands only by the addition of handles; the Olympus OM-D E-M1 shows the much better resolved
- AF-C function entirely differently from Nikon lived and been for me an unsolved mystery
- Includes RAW converter is a useless joke
- Fully electronic Fujufilm lenses, neither Aperture nor focus can be checked provided without camera or
- Very inconsistent Lens construction (XF23 and XF14 fall completely out of line with the stupid manual disengagement focusing)

implemented solutions:
- The "problem" of the four-way control I courageously solved by applying Pattex hot glue at the cost that this slight deformation caused to the plastic pushers but which no impairment attracted to itself, on the contrary, a great soft feel attached. Something like the rubber coating of the camera. But I recommend not prefer to imitate, is tricky and risky, perhaps rather take Sugru?
- Handle: the Fuji MHG-XT is quite OK but quite expensive, which is equipped with vertical profile Chinese iShoot Aluhandgriff does also great (did both)
- Flash me anyway mostly with manually controlled studio or mobile flashes but automatic would sometimes very helpful and then the Nikon needs ago
- AF-S and manual focus using the Focus Assist works very well, of course, only for quasi-static subjects
- Camera RAW processing RAW tops any external software (vllcht except Iridient - but I have no MAC)
- Held a XF14 Samyang 2.0 / 12mm (super lens!), Instead XF23 perhaps a X100T

Advantages of Fujifilm X system:
- High-aperture high-performance fixed focal lengths and zoom compact with little poorer optical performance
- Excellent balance between the sensor characteristics and lens performance, great Konturiertheit even at ISO 6400
- Throughout all X lenses Point Pleasant Bokeh at the same time good core focus and completely uniform color rendering (Hi Nikon is possible!)
- Excellent auto white balance, excellent Jpeg engine, customizable film simulations
- RAW processing within the camera provides excellent results in minimal time
- The jpegs win massively in quality if one is Noise Reduction to -2, then do not come only in the shadows much better structures to light and overall the images seem "natural" with very little more (and visually pleasant) graininess
- Excellent in-camera black / white conversions possible, almost like movie times
- Range of available lenses quite well diversified
- Electronic shutter is noiseless, in conjunction with XF zoom or manual optics is the X-T1 practically silent
- Fairly consistent "Kaizen"

The update to firmware V.3 brought nice improvements but unfortunately not the hoped and technically up to a certain shutter speed certainly easily realizable short flash sync speed. The "Olle" Nikon D50 was with its CCD sensor electronic sync speed 1/500 years ago, a modern CMOS sensor should MMN same can.
Hopefully Fujifilm coming soon least with an HSS flash unit in the market because, as good as their "intelligent" Mini flash unit for X-T1 also brightens, it is much too weak and not off-camera use.

About the AF I have not lost a word - because I still have to no clear opinion. The fact is, for quasi-static subjects can be both in the AF-S and in M-mode, the optimum focus point can easily find. Even in dim light so far no problems. For dynamic scenes of continuous AF has been preparing me, however only a headache because he works very different than I'm used to from Nikon, but such designs are already "not my thing" and yet it does not bother me very much. Unfortunately, the often acclaimed Face Detection and in particular the pursuit of a once detected face is not usually kept what I have promised them. It does not take a lot of body rotation and a face is not recognized or tracked, so be eg dance scenes for gambling and the chance of a complete loss of the focal plane is at least as high as with a Nikon D7000. Also faces must appear relatively large screen, single or couple portraits are usually no problem, but in 20-member groups wirds sinnfrei.
The principle meaningful coupling of exposure to facial recognition proposes unfortunately unpredictable antics when a previously detected face is either no longer recognized, or worse, in the field of a non-existent face is detected and exposure and white balance (which is adapted to skin tones) suddenly completely off the mark. I can therefore only advise to activate the Face Recognition function well only if people portraits pending and otherwise focus rather normal.

Especially in dim light (eg Christmas tree lights and candles as the only sources of light in the room) discloses the electronic viewfinder of the X-T1 massive advantages over DSLR; even with 1,8er Nikkor shows the viewfinder eg a D610 clearly enough details for a point sharp focus, not to mention the lack magnifier feature called Focus Assist Under such light conditions the exposure of Fuji provides a much realitätsbezogenere performance than Nikon. you can see not only already in the viewfinder, as the photo is, you need the automatic hardly to extend the helping hand to get a very balanced exposed photo. A similar result delivers my DSLR until after at least two sighting shots and appropriate correction settings with time / ISO / white balance.

With regard to manufacturing quality I would like to say that a second, local retailers purchased with cashback and 18-135 zoom X-T1 has a clear and blameless secure closing card cover and their four-way keys are also equipped grip or with better noticeable click behavior. Maybe Fujifilm has secretly touched up or there is actually such and such cameras. I would be all be surprised, rigorous final this year is an unloved cost factor and the customer can lodge a complaint after all :-(

Opposite me DSLR APS-C sensor, the X-T1, as each Mirrorless system, absolutely in the lead when it comes to frame rate and yield series. Try finding critical hinzubekommen sharp images of a static subject with a DSLR with full frame rate series over 50%. As already light, aperture and shutter speed to suit. With
mirrorless systems selbiges much easier to create and manage since the advent of electronic, totally vibration-free shutter even with optical image stabilizer without critically sharp shots at absurdly long exposure with the Fuji X-T1 - assuming steady hand.

Since the X-T1 delivers solid performance and the available or in the roadmap announced objective program for my purpose no gaps can - 5 Stars

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Supplement 01/2015: I am extremely pleased and downright enthusiastic about the natural color reproduction, which in STD mode (Provia simulation) is achievable if I move the auto white balance to R + 1 and B-2 towards Orange. This fixes mMn the Fuji-typical, reminiscent of Fujichrome slide films, cool blue heavy color rendering especially the greens to an extent that with me the desire for image post barely comes up. Meanwhile satisfy me the film simulations STD and B & W / Y and deliver with this AWB shift absolutely convincing jpeg files. RAW processing Goodbye - and then in the camera. Just for fun, I once photographed my calibrated TFT monitor with nightly halogen bulb light and see neither the wedge even when the chromatic colors appreciable discrepancies between the monitor screen and the camera screen playback. Great match with Nikon so never reached. Fuji's auto white balance is apparently the measure of things - when tamed somewhat towards Orange.
In direct comparison with a Samsung NX300 and 18-55 OIS lens I could see that the NX300 with autofocus under dim light hits faster and just as accurately as the X-T1 (so I have no doubt that the brand new NX1 a top-line AF has which Fuji leaves far behind) whose image data but by Entrauschungsartefakten at higher ISO 1600 (XT1 ISO 6400 definitely looks "beautiful" as the NX300-ISO-3200) and are marked a fundamentally too cold and tired at the same time acting color reproduction. Global correction of color rendering make at NX300 not as convincing as in Fuji, as measured by the huge price difference between X-T1 and NX300 I nevertheless take my hat off to the performance of NX300!

My default settings for STD and B / W loud with yellow filter:
auto white balance with R + 1 and B-2
File Storage RAW + F, DR Auto, H-1, S + 0, Colour + 0, NR-2
With aperture priority mode, ISO Auto and Belichtungskorrekturrad can be, except when using the flash delightfully relaxed photograph!
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Supplement 03/2015: Who wants to read about how little power increase at least the Lexar Introduces 2000x UHS-II card, please refer to my review. I do not think that the UHS-II cards from SanDisk and Toshiba would perform better. Who has the necessary experience this may like to share in the comments.
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