Picked up Fuji Xt1 - was blown away - where is Canon?

[distant.star]

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Thanks. I get a lot of enjoyment watching the psychological machinations of these kinds of threads.

 

[zlatko]

I just picked up a fuji Xt1 - borrowed from a relative for a few hours. WOW. I shoot a canon t2i. Both are crop.

The fuji is another league all together. The overall innards of the camera seem to be much more advanced? Where is canon ? The images as far as out of camera jpg - are vastly cleaner and superior on the Fuji ?

Where is Canon? Canon is in my hands and in my camera bag. I really tried to like the X-T1, but ultimately could not get along with it. Too bad because the body size is ideal. Here are a few Fuji quirks that reviewers of the X-T1 don't seem to tell you about:

You can lock shooting without a lens, but can’t lock shooting without a card. Good thing the camera will thoughtfully prevent you from shooting without a LENS! But you can very easily get caught shooting without a memory card. When you turn the camera on, the camera gives a 3-second "no card" warning in the viewfinder. Good luck spotting that if the viewfinder is not up to your eye in the 3 seconds after you turn the camera on. Fuji has brought back the age-old embarrassment of shooting with no film in the camera, now "updated" to digital.

In drive mode S (single frame), the sluggish blackout time makes it seem like every shot is taken at 1/30th second, even when the shutter speed is much faster.

In the continuous drive modes (CL and CH) you get a brief playback of the image even if playback is set to OFF. So playback "off" doesn't actually mean OFF. Good luck capturing brief moments with the EVF stuttering through still images you've just taken.

In drive modes CL and CH, it is almost impossible to take just one photo; even in CL the minimum is 2.

The menus don’t remember where you were and require an extra button push to get into the settings tabs (can’t get to settings with continuous wheel scrolling through the tabs). Olympus gets this wrong too; the menu system always starts where it wants to rather than where the user left it.

The drive mode can’t lock, and can easily slip into bracketing or, worse, into double exposures, which means you're shooting double-exposure jpegs even if you set the camera to Raw.

Silent mode is mis-named so that it trips up user after user. It turns off the flash!

Canon is in another league in terms of ergonomics and refinement, not to mention great system features like radio flash. Current generation Canon image quality is as good as current generation Fuji image quality in every way that matters to me.

What Canon lacks is a set of small APS-C primes, as small as Fuji's 35/1.4. But despite excellent optics, Fuji's 35/1.4 is one of the noisiest lenses I've ever used. It makes one noise to focus and another noise to stop down the aperture. So there's lots of chatter with this lens. And there's no place to get a good grip on it when removing it from the camera.

 

[sdsr]

I just picked up a fuji Xt1 - borrowed from a relative for a few hours. WOW. I shoot a canon t2i. Both are crop.

The fuji is another league all together. The overall innards of the camera seem to be much more advanced? Where is canon ? The images as far as out of camera jpg - are vastly cleaner and superior on the Fuji ?

If you think "a few hours" is long enough to evaluate a camera, prefer the JPEGs a Fuji APS-C camera makes to the JPEGs your Rebel makes for the sort of photos you take, and prefer whatever it is that you mean by its "innards", go for it. It's all a matter of taste, of course, but I prefer Rebel images (do you find the smeariness of the green tumbleweed - or whatever they are - bushes in the photo posted in this thread appealing? I don't); and I can't help pointing out that for the price of an XT1 you can buy (in no particular order) a full-frame Sony a7; or at least two Sony a6000s; or two Olympus OM-D em5s; or a new Olympus OM-D em5II and a lens; or a Canon 70D and a lens - and they all have rather impressive innards too....

 

[privatebydesign]

Hmmm,

Let me see,

XT-1 body $1,200, general lens for XT-1 another $1,200. T2i kit with lens $350.

OOC jpeg, just use the free Picture Styles Editor software that came free with your camera to make all your T2i images look identical to the Fuji ones. For free........

 

[JohnDizzo15]

I just picked up a fuji Xt1 - borrowed from a relative for a few hours. WOW. I shoot a canon t2i. Both are crop.

The fuji is another league all together. The overall innards of the camera seem to be much more advanced? Where is canon ? The images as far as out of camera jpg - are vastly cleaner and superior on the Fuji ?

If you think "a few hours" is long enough to evaluate a camera, prefer the JPEGs a Fuji APS-C camera makes to the JPEGs your Rebel makes for the sort of photos you take, and prefer whatever it is that you mean by its "innards", go for it. It's all a matter of taste, of course, but I prefer Rebel images (do you find the smeariness of the green tumbleweed - or whatever they are - bushes in the photo posted in this thread appealing? I don't); and I can't help pointing out that for the price of an XT1 you can buy (in no particular order) a full-frame Sony a7; or at least two Sony a6000s; or two Olympus OM-D em5s; or a new Olympus OM-D em5II and a lens; or a Canon 70D and a lens - and they all have rather impressive innards too....

Agreed.....for the most part. You definitely wouldn't be able to make such conclusions in such a short time period (and comparing to something ancient).

As far as the sample image that was provided, no offense to the poster, but it was not a very good example. Also not sure what processing engine was used, but my greens never look like that.

Re the Sony stuff. It's Sony stuff. I had my four months with the a7r and 55/1.8 and hated it while I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that love Sony stuff. All a matter of preference in the end.

My reasons for loving the xt1 however involve the form factor, UI, evf features, the dedicated fast apsc lenses, and the electronic shutter that allows me to shoot up to 1/32000th. For me, it is a tool that provides me access to some unique things NO ONE else provides. All of my manual lenses and all of my TSEs work beautifully on it.

The proof, for me is always in the pudding. In this case, the pudding is the images and I have plenty of stuff I love out of it.

Again, this is not a diss on my Canon gear as I still own and love all of it still. But the fact remains, the xt1 is a winner for a lot of people.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Hmmm,

Let me see,

XT-1 body $1,200, general lens for XT-1 another $1,200. T2i kit with lens $350.

OOC jpeg, just use the free Picture Styles Editor software that came free with your camera to make all your T2i images look identical to the Fuji ones. For free........

Not sure which general lens you're referring to at $1200, but was curious to know. The kit 18-55 f2.8-4 is excellent and runs an extra $400.

And the files are most definitely not in the same league (at least in RAW).

On another note, to the OP or any other person potentially interested in the xt1, only way to find out is to buy or rent. Don't just be the guy that reads about stuff all day or listens to others who on the interwebs who haven't walked the walk.

 

[privatebydesign]

Hmmm,

Let me see,

XT-1 body $1,200, general lens for XT-1 another $1,200. T2i kit with lens $350.

OOC jpeg, just use the free Picture Styles Editor software that came free with your camera to make all your T2i images look identical to the Fuji ones. For free........

Not sure which general lens you're referring to at $1200, but was curious to know. The kit 18-55 f2.8-4 is excellent and runs an extra $400.

And the files are most definitely not in the same league (at least in RAW).

On another note, to the OP or any other person potentially interested in the xt1, only way to find out is to buy or rent. Don't just be the guy that reads about stuff all day or listens to others who on the interwebs who haven't walked the walk.

Just look in the lenses tab.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025328-REG/fujifilm_x_t1_mirrorless_digital_camera.html

Or compare the XF-27mm f2.8 @ $449 to the Canon EF-S 24mm f2.8 for $149. Or the XF10-24 f4 at $999 to the Canon EF-s 10-22 f3.5-4.5 for $599 and you will see the disparity of the comparison. Or go to your 18-55 kit lens for $400, compared to the 18-55 EF-s kit lens included for $350.

The XT-1 might well be a great camera, there are many out there that are and they certainly don't need a Canon badge, but is there really any point in trying to draw comparisons between it and a T2i?

 

[zlatko]

My reasons for loving the xt1 however involve the form factor, UI, evf features, the dedicated fast apsc lenses, and the electronic shutter that allows me to shoot up to 1/32000th. For me, it is a tool that provides me access to some unique things NO ONE else provides. All of my manual lenses and all of my TSEs work beautifully on it.

The dedicated fast APS-C lenses are a big plus for the Fuji X system. Canon would do well to build some of those for its APS-C cameras. The X-T1 does have a lot going for it. Fuji got a lot of things right and gave the camera a pretty perfect size & shape — the form factor is sweet. However, I did not get along with the UI or the EVF. I feel that Canon have mastered the art of UI, while most others don't really get the fine points of UI. I'm disappointed that reviewers generally don't seem to notice Fuji's design quirks.

The electronic shutter is interesting, but not for actually photographing anything in motion. 1/32000th is a measure of light gathering, not the speed of the shutter. The actual electronic shutter speed works out to something like 1/15th. So it's useful for wide aperture portraits in bright sun as you won't need an ND filter, but moving subjects will easily blur.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Hmmm,

Let me see,

XT-1 body $1,200, general lens for XT-1 another $1,200. T2i kit with lens $350.

OOC jpeg, just use the free Picture Styles Editor software that came free with your camera to make all your T2i images look identical to the Fuji ones. For free........

Not sure which general lens you're referring to at $1200, but was curious to know. The kit 18-55 f2.8-4 is excellent and runs an extra $400.

And the files are most definitely not in the same league (at least in RAW).

On another note, to the OP or any other person potentially interested in the xt1, only way to find out is to buy or rent. Don't just be the guy that reads about stuff all day or listens to others who on the interwebs who haven't walked the walk.

Just look in the lenses tab.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025328-REG/fujifilm_x_t1_mirrorless_digital_camera.html

Or compare the XF-27mm f2.8 @ $449 to the Canon EF-S 24mm f2.8 for $149. Or the XF10-24 f4 at $999 to the Canon EF-s 10-22 f3.5-4.5 for $599 and you will see the disparity of the comparison. Or go to your 18-55 kit lens for $400, compared to the 18-55 EF-s kit lens included for $350.

The XT-1 might well be a great camera, there are many out there that are and they certainly don't need a Canon badge, but is there really any point in trying to draw comparisons between it and a T2i?

Agreed regarding the comparison as I've stated previously.

Also agree regarding the pricing of SOME of the lenses. FWIW, the kit zoom starts at 2.8 and also sports a significantly better IS. The Fuji zoom also performs significantly better (for me) than any of the canon kit zooms I've ever owned.

I only own the 23/1.4, 56/1.2, and the kit zoom. All three are stellar but I can't vouch for any of the others.

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

I have a Fuji X100T which came out in November 2014. LR 5.7 supports RAW for this camera. I bought this camera mostly for street shooting. It is quiet and small, and takes great photos. It also does in camera JPG processing. A lot of street photographers don't even fool around with RAW when using this camera. Here is picture of the desert I took with this camera.

I spy Picacho Peak and Casa grande.

 

[koolman]

Thank you all for your feedback. I first wish to clarify that - no - I am not a "troll" out to create some kind of empty discussion.

My post expressed frustration - at how what I perceived as a "toy" (the fuji) produced such outstanding jpg's.

I understand that the Fuji jpg's are "cooked" - but for many of us who just want to shoot and use the out of camera jpg - this is certainly fine. The canon can have a "cooked" mode - or a "real" mode - and the user can choose.

My comments by the way - did not refer to the business of marketing and selling cameras - in which Fuji is way way behind canon - as canon is a full system that is time tested and been in place for many years.

 

[quod]

Find a friend with a 70D and try that.

I have shot the 7D2 extensively. I only shoot RAW. My X100S RAWs have less noise and more DR than the 7D2. The IQ is close to my 5D3, although the Fuji has cleaner shadows and more DR.

 

[Marsu42]

Thank you all for your feedback. I first wish to clarify that - no - I am not a "troll" out to create some kind of empty discussion.

Yeah, righ`t, but isn't exactly what a troll would say ?

My post expressed frustration - at how what I perceived as a "toy" (the fuji) produced such outstanding jpg's.

You have to understand that with you being critical with Canon, that's trolling by default over here :->

 

[davidmurray]

Canon has nice ergonomics and probably some very competitive lenses if you are ready to pay top dollar for these premium L products.

The reason I chose to buy a Canon camera is because of the quality of the L lenses. I realized that camera bodies come and go, but an investment in the best quality lenses (without going over-the-top) will mean my investment will continue to produce good quality images no matter which full frame camera body I currently own.

Since purchasing the 5D I have to say I really like the way the buttons are laid out on the camera.

 

[gsealy]

I have a Fuji X100T which came out in November 2014. LR 5.7 supports RAW for this camera. I bought this camera mostly for street shooting. It is quiet and small, and takes great photos. It also does in camera JPG processing. A lot of street photographers don't even fool around with RAW when using this camera. Here is picture of the desert I took with this camera.

I spy Picacho Peak and Casa grande.

Your 'intelligence' is spot on.

 

[e17paul]

I so agree. The Fuji XT1 is a fantastic camera - right from the looks - features - to IQ. I used to have the X100 but sold it as it did not fit in the pocket. If I am going to hand a camera around my shoulders it will be the no compromise 5d3.
Now for my go camera - which fits in my pocket - I have the wonderful Sony x100 3.

All I want is 35mm sensor in that XT1 body style

I was at a photography club exhibition on Sunday, and the Fuji images displayed by one photographer certainly punched abobve the weight of other crop camera photos. It migt be worth trying the XT-1.

In case anyone is interested in next year, or is local and wants to get involved:
http://www.sxpf.org.uk/events/chichester-spring-photographic-exhibition/#prettyPhoto

 

[AcutancePhotography]

If you brought a Fuji and you are happy with it, that's fantastic. It is a good camera. The best camera is the one that best for you and your individual style of photography.

However, when you come here, a canon fan site, and make the post that you did, what kind of response did you anticipate?

 

[Marsu42]

a canon fan site

Is it? It seems I've overlooked something in the fine print, my understanding is that this is a canon rumors site. And if the rumor is the competitions' sensors stay ahead for the time being (and what will/can Canon do about it), that's an as valid rumor as "great new products in the pipeline".

 

[AcutancePhotography]

a canon fan site

Is it? It seems I've overlooked something in the fine print, my understanding is that this is a canon rumors site. And if the rumor is the competitions' sensors stay ahead for the time being (and what will/can Canon do about it), that's an as valid rumor as "great new products in the pipeline".

Just read any thread when anyone says anything good about a non-Canon product and watch the people who feel it necessary to "defend" Canon.

Not saying that everyone here is a fanboy, but we have our share. Not surprising as this is a manufacturer specific site so naturally Canon fans would be more attracted to this site.

 

[crashpc]

AcutancePhotography
It´s not really productive to continue in this debate. Keep in mind that many users have Canon because they like its output best. So it is not that while I have Canon, I have to defend it. It´s most common BS of attacks like this.
If Fuji was so superior, I would be the first one to get it. Didn´t happen for a reason. The reason is personal, the same as personal reasons of Fuji people. No need to bash any brand.