Interview with Nathan Smith - Fuji X-T1 (Second Opinion)

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Thanks Toby for the great interview. Really enjoyed doing it. :)

[@photorectoby]

My pleasure! We really need to do a Nik tour one :)

[@KateHannon]

Toby, do you ever take a breath. I'm into this over a minute and a half, and you still haven't let this man speak. I'll have to come back and watch this when I have more time. ;-)

[@Txwhitacre]

Its nice to see people talk about what they love to do and why.

[@craigbaron1581]

having been a Canon EOS user for many years i decided to swap Canon 5Dk2 et al for the Fuji XT1 only just 4 weeks ago. from the moment i opened the box i knew i had made the right decision. i have returned from a 2 week family holiday and the images of the family and scenery with the 23mm 1.4 are so sharp and clear that it is simply so noticeable the quality over any canon lenses I've had (50 1.4 85 1.8 16-35 2.8 etc...) its not as simple as lens quality; but rather the whole experience incl. moving to zoom rather than using a zoom lens. It feels like I've gone back in time to the 90s using the likes of Minolta X700, Nikon F301 etc. anyone thinking of buying this body just do it. This review is so accurate; even the downside to the body and lenses. Nathan; you're attitude towards reviewing is spot on and thanks for straight talking without any agenda. You've only inspired me to increase my usage of such a wonderful camera. only question i have is if i go down 16mm 23mm and 56mm route is there any usage really for the 35mm?

[@danielbatts9386]

Incredible review. The best on the TX-1 without question. I've read a lot of great reviews and watched video reviews on the TX-1 and most agree with the high quality of the camera. There have also been many negative reviews, but much of that may be due to skill level of the photographer than the camera. Having a seasoned photographer like Nathan give such an in depth review from extensive use, not just trying the camera out for a couple weeks like most reviewers, has definitely sold me on the TX-1. As I'm 50+ now, carrying a heavy bag around all day has become too much. Thanks for the great video.

[@photorectoby]

Daniel Batts Awesome. I am glad we could help. I too have been very tempted to pick up a Fuji lately.

[@HarryBouman]

Great interview! Wouldn't mind seeing more of these!

[@NickMach007]

Good interview. Enjoyed hearing Nathan's take on the Fuji!

[@rembeadgc]

Great interview with a very gracious and learned professional.

[@franktechniek]

Thanks Nathan for sharing your thoughts in this nice interview. You will love that upgrade that gives you the 1/32000th shutter speed. I think you would also like the x100t, similar specs, 3 stops ND, flash sync 1/1000th and even faster with higher f-stops.

[@photomusicman9413]

How big is the EVF on the x100T compared to the X-T1 please?

[@Max8ksa]

great interview... 👏 👏 👏 I enjoy watching it

[@elgrande1100]

Great review!!! Im getting myself one by Christmas or by the end of the year, even though I'm a beginner in the photography world... I found these reviews very helpful from B&H, Steve Huff photo, and a few others who are not bias to their products as the "fuji guys", I don't believe in their advertisements... I believe people wants to hear more from professional photographers feedbacks than those representatives from the company!!! Thank YOU all!!!

[@uncatila]

I just ordered a used one for street photoes

[@Thalestin]

great interview, thanks :)

[@HKarlsson]

Great post CameraRec Toby ,more stuff like this and you're golden! I share it with friends/fellow plus users so more people can see this.. :)

[@HKarlsson]

***** Wow, you've made me convinced that I at least must try the Fuji sometime. But, a big plus for me is that I have learned the basics with a DSLR, I think it's easier to learn, if you learn with something that everyone uses? Or am I wrong thinking like that? However, great interview. And by the way, your work is awesome. Period.

[@kayaws3773]

Terrific interview! Really good spectrum of coverage from fairly deep technical feature/function comparisons between DSLRs and mirror-less to very pragmatic advice on how to make an informed decision as a photographer. I find it interesting that the photography industry seems to be evolving into these almost religious debates pitting full frame against cropped sensors, mirror-less vs. DSLR, etc. In the end I think we all win though as industry consolidation and the emergence of the likes of Sony, Fuji and Panasonic among other "upstarts" apply increasing pressure on the traditional camera dynasties to drive more rapid innovation and a much broader range of options across every price range for photographers. I've personally begun shifting into the Fuji X system, and although I'm not ready to sell off all my Canon gear quite yet, I have to say that Fuji is really on a roll. You hear a lot of pro photographers say that, more than any other company, Fuji really LISTENS to photographers and develops products and solutions that meet their needs. Seems like a simple formula yet it's certainly less evident at the big shops (Canon in particular).

[@photorectoby]

Terrific Comment :) - No really you sum up this discussion nicely and I do agree that as consumers we will benefit from the choices!

[@SuperMikeBishop]

Great interview.

[@hankdu]

Very informative video. Thank you.

[@photographerjonathan]

I have always loved the look of the fuji images and cameras, but have always been reluctant to by the XT1 for other reasons, for me shooting in manual mode with the XT1 and it's dials, is a slower process, than with regular DSLR controls, also the shallowest depth of field is f1.8 equivalent, and that is with only one lens, the 56 f1.2, and you are paying an f1.2 price for a lens that gives you f1.8 depth of field, so it's way more money than a Canon or Nikon 85 f1.8 lens, so even though I love allot of things about the fuji XT1, like the size and weight, view finder, and the look of the camera, I haven't made the move to fuji, but I still want to go mirrorless as soon as possible, maybe with a Samsung Nx1 with 4k video and 28mp sensor and regular dslr controls, or maybe with a Sony full frame mirrorless, i'm waiting to see what comes from Sony in the next couple of months, like the rumored A9, or an A7r ll or A7s ll, that will hopefully have the IBIS, and also a fully articulating TOUCH SCREEN, then I can have my full frame sensor and depth of field, in a camera that is half the weight of my 5Dlll, but one thing about the apsc cameras, it's close to the full frame image quality, but with smaller lenses, so I am still considering apsc for a second camera, but what i really want, is for my walk around camera to be the same as my photoshoot camera, and that is why my 5Dlll doesn't cut it for me, because i never want to carry it around, i use my cell phone, and use the 5Dlll when i do a shoot, light weight and mirrorless are the future, and personally i love electronic view finders like the XT1 more than optical, I love seeing my exposure in the view finder, and i also love with mirrorless that you can shoot in live view with the back screen, and the camera is just as fast

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Sounds like you've thought this out a lot (that's good, just don't overthink it! :) ) It IS true that the 56mm f1.2 gives you the depth of field of a $500 85mm f1.8 lens, but it gives you the aperture and double the light of the $2100 Canon 85mm f1.2 lens, and the Fuji is on sale right now for $849, so for what it gives you it's a great price, and the sharpness edge to edge is much better than most 85mm lenses. Also, the Canon is dog slow in focusing. If you're interested in video, most agree that video is not the X-T1's strong point. But with the BEST (today) EVF finder, and incredible glass, the X-T1 is a fantastic stills camera, and most of the time the single f-stop change in DOF won't matter (it's actually a benefit on the wide angle side, when you normally WANT more depth of field. But good luck with whatever you decide (just decide!! ) Ciao!

[@bray4940]

Thank you Toby. Another great video. Wondering, why didn't Nathan go with the 16 - 55 f2.8 vs. the 10 -24 then wanting 18 - 55 too? Seems like the 16 - 55 with the f2.8 would cover a great range without carrying 2 lenses. Or, do you get that much more panorama between 10 and 16? Thanks.. By the way, my wife thinks you look like Prince William..

[@JohnGilbert49]

I just purchased the Fuji X-T1 and waiting for it to be delivered. But I have a question that I have not seen addressed in all my research prior to my selection. Will I have more problems with sensor dust on a mirror-less camera than with a camera that has a mirror?

[@Nathansmithphotography]

I would say less. Obviously with either camera you can get dust in the chamber when you change lenses. While the mirror does "protect" the sensor, it also flaps up and down with every photo, so you run the risk of the mirror blowing dust around in the chamber. I currently use both DSLRs and the Fuji, but I use a rocket blower before any important shoot, and almost never have an issue with either camera. I try to get them professionally cleaned at least annually.

[@frkadeath]

Toby, i don't want to be mean, but what is with his lips?

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Good question. I had 1/2 my lower lip cut off years ago due to skin cancer. I used to have a bigger smile :)

[@conawayjb]

Nathan Smith Photography one thing to think about when recomending a step up from a point and shoot is the fuji xm-1 with the 16-50mm which is only $599. if you go to dp review and compare it to any camera in its price range dslr or mirrorless it completley blows them out of the water. It has the same sensor as the xt-1 and all you really lose is the viewfinder and the manual dials but for a point and shoot user that would be a bonus. I compared it to a canon 6d full frame and was amazed at how it kept up.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

conawayjb Good suggestion. I hadn't considered the XM-1. My only issue is that I really like to shoot with a viewfinder, so I think for that price point I'd rather have a DSLR, being that the lenses are both plastic at that point. But if you wanted to go with Fuji that would be a great camera to start with. (Although maybe I'd get a used X100S, but that's another story :)

[@photorectoby]

conawayjb The XM-1 is nice but I have a hard time recommending it over the Sony a6000. Sony gives you a viewfinder and really strong video features at the same price point. I do like that the XM-1 shares the same lovely sensor as the X-T1 but for most casual photographers moving up from P&S I think the sony would be a better choice.

[@juang4618]

CameraRec Toby The X-E1 kit can be had for $650 from BH now. The 18-55 fuji is superior to the sony kit lens. The drawback with sony is lack of dedicated lenses and lack of commitment to their lineups. This could change, but Sony is a huge electronics company where imaging is just a small part of their business and it shows.

[@TheDevilakshmi]

Nathan Smith, you pooh poohed anything smaller than full frame in one of your videos at the same time extolling the virtues of full frame. Now you are grinning like a school girl with your XT-1. What gives? LOL Anyhow, your work speaks for itself, have fun with the XT-1, just let me know when you switch to a GH4.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Good question. ( I see my past has come back to haunt me :) ) That video (May 2013) I recently pulled, and it dealt mainly with the GH3 in response to a prominent mirror-less guru who claimed that the DSLR was dead, which it certainly isn't. Interestingly, this person responded with threats and profanity to my ONE video, while not disputing anything I said. But anyway, while I love the Fuji X-T1, as of today, I'm not ready to give up my full frame DSLR for reasons mentioned in the above video. And PERSONALLY, I do still photography and don't care about video. The GH4 for example, is a fine camera, and if you want 4K video it's terrific. DP Review said "It's in terms of video that the GH4 really stands out." DP Review also said "If you're only interested in stills then it's not quite such a compelling proposition". For some people it's a great camera. But for me, I did shoot for years on an APS-C sensor, and was shooting BOTH FX and DX prior to the Fuji (now I'm shooting FX and Fuji APS-C), so I can handle losing one f-stop of shallow depth of field. But, again PERSONALLY, I feel Micro 4/3 is too small for professional still photography (1/4 the size of a full frame sensor), and losing a FULL 2 f-stops of shallow depth of field is too much for me. But if it works for you go for it!

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Nathan Smith Photography The guru....I think I know who you're talking about. Maybe the first name starts with T and last name starts with R? ;-) I sort of lost interest in that guy's videos after awhile because over time it just became more and more self promotion and less humble "let me tell you what I think" type of stuff, which is more my taste. Anyway...regarding the X-T1. I'm glad to see more and more working photographers validate this (and others like it) camera's usefulness. Not that I needed the validation for myself because I've already sold all my DSLR gear and only use the X-T1 now (with 56mm, 18-135mm, 10-24mm and 18-55mm), but being human, it does make one feel better when others decide to use the same equipment. Having said that, I was always very pleased with my Nikon DSLR cameras and especially the D700....but over time, I just got tired of the size and weight. The X-T1 is not tiny, but I don't want it to be 'tiny'. The overall size/wight of the system as a whole is a good balance and certainly less bulk and weight than my DSLRs were.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Hooked on Photography I don't know who T...R is, but the video I made on the GH3 is in the past. Glad you're happy with the X-T1. I love mine, although I must confess at the last wedding I was shooting about 1/2 X-T1 and 1/2 Nikon D700. I had been shooting with the X-T1 mostly for a couple of hours, loving the experience, and it has (currently) the BEST EVF out there, but then I picked up my Nikon D700 with the 85mm f1.4 and put it to my eye and thought "I'm not ready to give this up". I'm REALLY curious to see what Fuji does with the X-Pro 2 that is supposed to be out in 2015. If they can give us X-T1 quality with an optical AND fantastic EVF that will be something.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Nathan Smith Photography Oh, ok. I thought for sure you might be talking about someone I knew of who made a video asking if DSLRs were dead. I guess that's been about 2 years since I saw that video now. I'm interested in a newer, refined X-T1 in the future. The new firmware coming takes care of some of my wants like associating the spot metering to the selected AF point, like Nikon has always done...as well as some other useful changes. What I truly want on the next X-T1 version is a toggle lock/unlock on the ISO dial instead of the current always locked setup unless you press on it to move the dial. I hate that. I either want it totally unlocked or locked with a button that can be pressed once to totally unlock it. A more improved sensor would be good too....but not that there's anything wrong with the current sensor. Just interested in more and more progress with high ISO and better dynamic range like Sony always does for updating the sensors it makes for Nikon. Seems every 3 years is a reasonable time frame for good improvements in those areas.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

I personally don't know why people have a hard time with the locked ISO dial, but I also shoot Nikon, which has had a locked ISO setting forever.