If photography were like the Tinder dating world, I would be a serial left-swiper. So many pictures of new gear pass my desk, I rarely give a second glance to the items much less the specs anymore. And then one fateful day, the Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition caught my eye. I had already been drooling over the new Fuji X100T that was announced earlier that morning when I saw it. I paused, did a double take and virtually right swiped and saved the new X-T1 to my favorites.
Admittedly, I am wooed by its good looks. I mean, who wouldn’t be? The equivalent of a dark-haired, green-eyed, chiseled jaw, well-toned, swoon-worthy man with an Australian accent, the X-T1 is certainly a handsome looking specimen, a looker among its camera peers. Though it looks almost identical to its predecessor, the regular ol’ X-T1, the new graphite silver coating sits on top of the magnesium body and shines with a clear glossy finish giving it a ‘smooth and luxurious’ look. This resilient three layer finish with 80 points of weather sealing makes it dust-resistant, water-resistant and freeze-resistant down to -10°C. (Which I never anticipate ever experiencing).
I’ve been toying with the thought of ditching my DSLR lately. I mean, my Canon 5D Mark II has served me well. We’ve weathered the storms of weddings, portrait sessions and photo shoots over the years and it has been a good partner for me. Call it an upgrade, call it a mid-life crisis, but I’ve found myself just not that excited to lug around that big DSLR and its menagerie of lenses on my aching shoulders anymore.
Lifting the XT-1 from the packaging, my shoulders were already ecstatic. The X-T1’s a light weight, coming in at just 15.4 oz (body only) and I could fit that and two lenses – the Fujinon 10-24mm and the Fujinon 56mm comfortably into my Undfind 10″ Bag. I could certainly carry this kit around all day without discomfort.
Along with the spiffy new look, the Fuji X-T1 Silver Graphite Edition came with a firmware update (also made available to existing X-T1 owners), so the XT-1 is not only a looker, but it also has some substance – good looks and a brain. This looks promising. But I’ll dig deeper into all that that upon the full review.
[REWIND: FUJI’S NEW GRAPHITE SILVER X-T1 ISN’T JUST FOR SHOW, IT DOES INCLUDE SOME UPDATES]
So far, the first date has gone well. The various buttons and knobs are intriguing, making the X-T1 somewhat of a new puzzle to figure out, so I’m doing something I’ve never done before with this one – I’m reading the owner’s manual, cover to cover. After all, if I’m in this for the long haul, I better figure out exactly what makes this thing tick.
I took the Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition out for a quick spin the night I received it and then again the next day while waiting for my portrait sessions to begin. One thing that I like is that the Fuji X-T1 is the strong, silent type. The camera has a ‘silent’ mode that makes the electronic shutter less obtrusive – not completely silent, but very, very quiet. I also really liked that I could automatically switch from EVF and LCD by putting the camera up to my face.
I’ll have to admit, I think I’m being swept off my feet, but I’m gonna play hard to get until I see more. For now, here are a few quick shots SOOC:
Is this a match made in heaven or should I just stay with my tried and true DSLR? This is what I’m going to find out in the next few weeks while I let the Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition woo me.
Let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions about the X-T1 or anything in particular you want me to test out.
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