The first ad for the new Fuji X-Series camera, the X-T1, greeted Japanese commuters today. As they were picking over the detail, a host of leaked images showed up online simultaneously, which provided unequivocal proof that this was the much discussed and touted X-T1. If all these specs stack up, this camera looks set to cause quite a stir.
The X-T1 is the first weather sealed, retro SLR/Fujica-styled camera body in the X-Series line up. This is interesting, as the previous X-Series line up until now has featured only rangefinder-styled designs, with the viewfinder on the left of the camera body - great for us right eye dominant shooters, not so good for those with a dominant left eye.
Japanese newspapers running first print ad of new X-T1
Slightly more legible in this blown up shot
Patrick, owner of Fujirumors, a site well regarded as breaking news ahead of official Fuji announcements, has a number of trusted and/or anonymous sources which have provided the following info on the X-T1 (note – this is third party information, so may not be 100% accurate, please take with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by Fuji):
- announcement January 28th
- bigger (x77 magnification) and better (high performance) EVF
- APS-C X-Trans sensor II (16MP)
- support for the UHS-II SD-card for super-fast writing speed
- dual SD-Card slot)
- 8fps with AF tracking
- weather sealed body
- tilt screen
- SLR-type (Fujica) design
- name: X-T1
- WiFi
- ISO up to 51200
- smaller than the X-E2
- 18-55 kit lens
- 18-135 will be weather sealed
- in stores mid-February
- price range between X-E and X-PRO line
priced at 180,000 yen or $1,800- latest pricing info rumors (as of 1/21/14) put the body only price around 1200 Euro / possibly $1300 (going on the unscientific pricing model for the XE-2 Euro to Dollar conversion, currently about 1:1.1)
- 00
- additional battery grip
- faster AF then X-E2
Apparently the X-T1 is even smaller than the XE-2 (which is, honestly, a very small and compact body anyway). The fact it’s weather sealed is great, and it will be interesting to see how the X-T1 performs when we get our hands on it. It has the now-somewhat-standard ISO dial, aimed squarely at the analogue-retro crowd.
Curiously, if the pricing info is accurate, it seems more expensive than what most were anticipating, which was a price point somewhere between the XE-2 and X-Pro 1. Updated pricing rumors circulating today seem to put the price point closer to 1200 Euro/$1300 body only, which is more in line with what was expected). I’m sure this will be clarified soon enough, again treat this as speculation until confirmed by Fuji.
A whole slow of leaked images showing the camera can be seen below. More details over from Patrick and the guys at Fujirumors.com, where you can stay up to date on all the latest.
Stayed tuned as we bring more details ahead of the X-T1’s official announcement next week, and it’s release next month.
Via [Fujirumors]
Pretty cool. Now somebody has to make a FF for around $2000... :-)
I read an article with someone from Fuji a few days ago (a VP I think) saying they had no plans to get into the full-frame market, that the image quality feedback they were getting was so good that they don't see the need. I think I agree.
Depends on how you shoot. The APS-C is OK, but I prefer FF. I wasn't implying however that Fuji should be the one to make that camera.
Oh I agree, I shoot FF and prefer it too. But the IQ I get from my X-E2 isn't a MILLION miles behind what I get out of my D800 - the AF speed and accuracy isn't in the same ballpark though. I'd much prefer Fuji put their money and effort into improving things like that - AF speed + accuracy, dual card slots, etc - than create a FF camera with the same shortcomings. The Sony A7 is a good example - it's a flippin beaut, and the IQ is fantastic, but there's no way I'd trust it to consistently AF accurately in low light.
Actually, if Nikon simply sold the Df for the $2200 it should have cost in the first, the deed would have been done. :-)
Yes, and if my aunt had testicles she'd be my uncle.
Jon. Thank you. I'm going to use this line some day. Pure amazing.
Haha, you're very welcome! It's my favorite response when someone just throws a "yeah but IF" argument into a conversation.
Didn't sony try a FF camera for under 2k and it was a flop? A850 if I remember right?
isn't the Sony A7 a FF and under 2k? and doing really well?
Eh, no .. its a flop, Sony actually regrets producing it.
sony regrets producing the A7?!
It's not a retro camera. We're talking retro here.
Well, A) it wasn't a retro-style camera and B) Sony didn't have the kind of traction in the camera industry that they have today.
Sony cameras look good, but they only have big, expensive and slow lenses.
Depends on which lenses you're looking at. There's no doubt they're definitely improving their game however. If they keep going at the rate they're going, and Nikon and Canon remain asleep at the wheel, Sony stands a good chance to usurp them.
true Eric, which makes me wonder how the heck Leica managed to make small fast FF lenses
Canon 6D?
It's not a retro camera. We're talking retro here.
Ah, I see
give it another 30 years and it will become retro :)
I don't think it makes sense financially for Fuji. Their XF lenses are killer and for me, were the biggest selling point in getting the X-E2. They would have to develop a whole new series of FF lenses and that's a lot of money for a company like them to invest in.
Well, as I mentioned I wasn't implying that Fuji should make that. It was really a sarcastic remark about the Nikon Df's pricing. :-)
Sexy... very curious how it stacks up against Nikon Df and Sony A7 (knowing different sensor sizes).
Very sexy. Fuji seems to have a feel for blending retro with modern with taste.
I had a X-Pro1 for a while and was really impressed with the files it gave, compared to my ff a99. That x-trans sensor is something special.
Seems like someone at Fuji listens to buyers and gives them solid products.
It really seems that way. They do constant firmware updates, new lenses that people asked for, designs with specs people like....
It's almost like they're listening to their competitors customers, and making those products for themselves lol.
and then they can grab all those who are on the fence by simply saying: we have stuff the big boys dont care to fix. :-)
I would have liked it to have an OVF. Not that I'm retro, but it is not the same epistemologically. Really.
Well deigned, the EVF looks huge, hope it will perform better than other Fujis.
If the price is really true, I think Fuji will find a hard time selling this camera while there are amazing FF performers in the market (6D, D610, A7) around the same price if not cheaper.
updated pricing - rumor as of today puts this at about $1200 body only (again - this is speculation and rumor).
Yeah mate, although some said it will be 1200 Euros
I'm really curious about the EVF as well. It does look friggin' huge which would be awesome.
just take my money already. Must resist the urge...
I can't wait until they release a full frame retro camera with the ISO low light performance of the nikon Df, that would be the best camera ever made! sitting and waiting!
Either way, in the near future it won't be Fuji. They have stated and restated (recently) that DX is good enough for them and that 16MP is really more than enough for the moment. Can't say that for 85% I don't agree with them. For their targeted market, it really IS enough...They are not chipping away at PhaseOne's clients.
I guess I'll provide the voice of dissent. I HATE these retro cameras. Why make a state-of-the-art body look like a clunky 80s relic? I didn't get it with the OM-D. I don't get it with this thing either. Makes me wonder if the folks who love this design aesthetic weren't around when the originals existed.
Unlike the Nikon Df, the reason with Fuji is functionality. The design is a result of the technology. With the Nikon it's the inverse. Those guys just don't get it. The reason behind the fuji design is that those old retro cameras as you say were just a lot smaller than what we are used to today. Today's camera bodies needed to be this big because the technology did not allow camera manufacterers to incorporate today's technology in those bodies due to size restrictions. Now however, technology has evolved and we can get today's quality in yesterday's size.
The fact that all those shutterspeed/iso/aperture/ev dials are used is like i said functionality. It keeps you from having to enter menus each time you want to access a setting. You associate it with old retro cameras but its really just functionality.
If it really comes out at 1200EUR they will have hit a home run. Add one 90mm portrait lens and they target a whole new potential user base like myself who are tired of Nikon/Canon and want to make the switch but won't as long as there's no good portrait lens. The other issues we had seem to be adressed with the weather sealing/fantastic EVF/double card slot and optional battery grip. Well done Fuji, well done.
how about the 56mm f1.2 (85mm f1.8 equivalent on the Fuji)? Just about to be released next month.
Although it looks like an amazing lens, the focal length just doesn't cut it. I'd like something like a real 85/90/105/135/180 (whatever, I'm not complicated) lens, that would give me the corresponding longer focal length. For portraits, there really isn't enough lens compression with teh 56/60 at the moment. A minimum of 85 would take care of that.
Morgan, that 56mm on the Fuji bodies IS an 85mm :) You'll get the same focal length with it as if you put your 85mm lens on your full frame body.
Dave, I'm well aware that it's a equivalent 85mm. However, I'd like a real 85mm lens, to get an equivalent focal lenght of 127mm approx. The difference in lens compression between 85 and 127mm is huge, and the equivalent 85 just doesn't cut it :)
ahh ok - i thought you were after an 85 equivalent, didn't realize you were looking for more like a 130 etc.
Nice street work by the way, just saw your site! :)
No, I'm really looking for a fast prime that gives me that 100+ equivalent focal length! Thanks for the compliment, just a beginner in street photography though :)
Dave, the focal length will be 56 on any format you mount the lens on, you'll not get a compression of 85 unless you use 85, on the other hand the field of view will be the same with 85mm on full frame sensor.
but if you wanna use it for portrait you still get big stretched noses :)
Cheers,
Not sure i follow you completely, but that 56mm on the cropped Fuji bodies will give you a focal length and associated compression as well as field of view of the equivalent of a full frame camera with an 85mm lens.
Try to put two subject equal in size behind each other and shoot them with different focal lengths, on both sensors the compression will be the same, field of view will be different of course. The same applies to human face where nose is closer to your camera than ears.
If you wanna take head shots and your favorite FL let's say 135mm, you should use the same 135mm on both sensors to get the same compression, but on APS-C you have to take few steps back where sometimes the lens's sweet focal distance will be off.
Would like to like the camera, but Fuji needs a better flash system (like Nikon has or Olympus) - a remote function via masterflash on the camera. Nice would be shutter speed of 1/8000.
I would like to switch fron Nikon FF to fuji. But the fuji flash system is a mess. I would like a flash systems like nikon or olympus hat - with a masterflash on the camera. Nice would be 1/8000, too.