My interest in Fujifilm camera's was rekindled when they released the X-Pro1. When they announced and released the X-T1 this year I had to have one. Why, because it had everything that my old Nikon D300 doesn't have;
- Lighter
- Smaller
- More Mpix (16 versus 12)
- Lighter quality lenses
- Capable of mounting Leica and Nikon lenses (through the use of third party adapters).
- Tilt-screen
- Electronic View Finder (EVF)
So my Nikon gear went on sale, and the X-T1 with the Fujinon 18-55mm 1:2.8-4 R LM OIS kitlens found a way into my camera bag, and I skipped the Sony A7(r).
Kitlens
No aperture indicators on the lens.... Only focal length. Bummer
The 18-55mm kittens performs quite well (especially for a kittens). Especially since it's faster than your average 18-55mm kitlens (an aperture of 2.8-4 versus 3.5-5.6). There is one relatively large annoyance though with the lens; The lack of 'external' aperture numbers. The aperture ring on the lens has no F-stop indicators, so I have to check the viewfinder (or the screen) to see what the actual F-stop is. This is especially annoying since the aperture ring on the lens turns really easy. Just stare at the ring a bit to hard and the aperture goes from f/2.8 to f/22. Very annoying.
Several other X-Type Fujifilm lenses do have these aperture numbers on the lens. I just wonder why the kittens hasn't (or the 55-200 for that matter). Probably a cost issue.
The kitlens has fast and quiet auto-focus and the stabilization is working as it should. I didn't run into problems with it.
Macro
Initially, I wanted to get the Fuji 60mm macro for those close-ups. But since that lens is another €600 investment, so I opted for an F-mount adapter from Kipon for a couple of euros, and try my Sigma 105 mm Macro lens first.
Using foreign lenses on the X-T1 (or any X-series) eliminates the auto-focus feature on those lenses. Not really a problem since I used that lens in manual focus mode (on my Nikon D300 anyway). Another feature is that the aperture needs to be controlled on the lens itself (or on the adapter if its available). Other stuff, like (auto)ISO, shutter etc. works just fine.
Adding some extension tuber in the mix, and you'll end up with a macro cannon.
I do have some concerns about the strength of the lens-mount on the camera with this configuration.... If you know what I mean.
Out-of-focus problems
On several of my images I notices that the photo was out of focus. At least the parts that were supposed to be in focus. Thinking back to the time I made those photos I noticed that I did some recomposing prior to the actual shot.
This recomposing thing is something I use a lot with my Leica. I meter the light, then I focus on the subject, and after that I recompose for a better composition. Since the Leica is MF, and the exposure compensation button/wheel/interface is not easy to use I can get away with this since I don’t have to be worried that the focus will shift much.
This way of working might be troublesome with an auto-focus lens, hence the out-of-focus photos.
There are buttons on the back of the X-T1 for auto focus lock and exposure lock. So I guess that that I need to make sure that I use those. Never did use these on the D300. I guess that the M9 spoiled me with that :-)
Everyday use
I brought the camera + kitlens with me on our trip to Barcelona, and I'm quite pleased with the camera. Apart from the little annoyances (like the aperture ring), I enjoy the Fujifilm X-T1 a lot. A definite keeper.