Fujifilm X-T1 Short-Term Project, Update 3

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Desert Sunset – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Ektachrome 100SW” – Day 14

Part 1 Part 2

This is the third and final installment of this series. As a reminder, I photographed only with my Fujifilm X-T1 from the announcement day of the Fujifilm X-T5 (November 2) until the release date (November 17). Why? First, even though the Fujifilm X-T1 is eight-years-old (and approaching nine), it is still such a great little camera. It took three years for Fujifilm to bring this model to the market because they wanted to get it right, and it was one of their most important cameras ever released. The Fujifilm X-T1 was one of the first, if not the first, Fujifilm cameras that widely appealed to professional photographers. It was Fujifilm’s most successful model at the time—outselling all the previous cameras—and launched the extremely successful X-T line. The X-T5 is the latest iteration. This project was intended to give me a better understanding of how the X-T5 has evolved from the original model. It also allowed me to demonstrate that previous models, including the original X-T1, are still really good.

I wanted to try some things with the X-T1 that I wasn’t able to do in the first 10 days, including wildlife and low-light. I had been sick, which made this a much more difficult project than I had anticipated, so I tried to make the most of the last five days. In the end I didn’t do everything that I wanted, but I was able to do a lot, and I’m happy with how it all came together.

I was really impressed with the Fujifilm X-T1—even in 2022, it is an excellent body that’s quite capable of capturing beautiful photographs. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting with it, more than I thought I would. The only shortcoming that I encountered was in dim light, the autofocus tended to hunt. This didn’t prevent me from getting the pictures, but it did make me work a little harder to do it. Otherwise, the camera performed exceptionally well in a whole host of situations. If you have one, it’s definitely a keeper. If you are in the market for a used Fujifilm model, this is one that I have no problems recommending. Is the X-T5 better? Sure. Is the X-T4 better? Yeah. Is the X-T3 better? Affirmative. Is the X-T2 better? I’m certain that it is. But, the X-T1 is still really good, and the newer iterations aren’t miles ahead—each new model is marginally better than the previous, which means that the latest is only four small steps ahead; ahead indeed, but the ol’ X-T1 holds its own surprisingly well.

I hope that you enjoyed this short-term project as much as I did!

Day 11

Curling Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome“
Leaf Abstract – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Color Negative Film“
Monochromatic Leaf – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Monochrome“
Hanging Leaves – Buckeye. AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”

Day 12

Ka-Chow – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
American 4×4 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Bougainvillea Bunch – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Bougainvillea Palm – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Work Ahead – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Fallen Flags – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Fallen Signs – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
It Better Not Flood – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Big Yellow Cat – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
168 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Golden Saguaro – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Bird Home – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”

Day 13

Evening Light Saguaro – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Desert Peak – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Bougainvillea Over Wall – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Twin Bulbs Hanging – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Pigeon Tiles – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Bird in a Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodak Portra 160”
Little Birdie – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodak Portra 160”
Curious Birdie Hiding – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodak Portra 160”
Vulture – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodak Portra 160”

Day 14

Sunset Over a Desert Ridge – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Ektachrome 100SW”
Purple Mountains – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Last Light on Desert Mountain – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a… B2 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Evening Light on a Desert Hill – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Deflating Rainbow – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Deflating Balloon – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Perched at the Top – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – Buckeye, AZ – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Waiting to Hum – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – Classic Kodak Chrome”

Day 15

Carts – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Monochrome”
Red, White, Blue – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
CVS – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Lightning Rod Bird – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
November Palm – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Waiting is the Hardest Part – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodak Portra 160”
Urban Bloom – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodak Portra 160”
Blossoms in the City – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”

Day 16

Bolsey – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
X100V – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Classic Kodak Chrome”
Piano Hands 1 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Monochrome”
Piano Hands 2 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Monochrome”
Singing – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Monochrome”

17 comments

  1. leftj · November 21, 2022

    How do I cancel my subscription to Fujixweekly? John Leftwich leftj@aol.com

    >

    Reply
  2. fotoeins · November 21, 2022

    If the X70 is my “gateway” into the Fuji ecosystem, these are the kinds of posts that provide some answers to questions I hadn’t yet asked. That is, if I replace my present full-frame system, what are my choices? Thanks for providing a visual response.

    Reply
  3. Gary Rossbach · November 22, 2022

    Thank you! 

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    div>I waited and waited for a suitab

    Reply
    • Ritchie Roesch · November 22, 2022

      You are welcome!

      Reply
      • Gary Rossbach · November 22, 2022

        You bet! T5 just now arrived. Unboxed and charging. I’m guessing the AC charge adapter will work with the dual battery charger. Hope so. Commensurate in size and weight with my X-T3. Initial impression is like it a lot. More of why I bought Fuji in the first place – size, weight, excellent glass, and the dials…I’m not much on endless menus.
        I have the Arca-grip on my T-3 which is a boon for hand carry with the 18-55 or my 14mm, so I think I’ll order one. I’m now going to have to go to WR lenses I think.
        We’ll see how the initial shots look. Now heif or jpeg? Plus RAW. Thoughts? Thanks!

      • Ritchie Roesch · November 25, 2022

        Because I often use Clarity, and HEIF disables Clarity, I’m sticking with JPEG. I hope you’re enjoying your X-T5!

      • Gary Rossbach · November 22, 2022

        Way way way behind uploading my catalogs.
        Way.
        Aviation is X-E2.

  4. Jim Mitchell · November 22, 2022

    Good article & something a bit different. Love the photos too; thanks for taking the time.

    Reply
  5. Johan · November 27, 2022

    I am shooting a local event today, and take the X-T1 with me as a second camera. Despite the age, and the older technology, it is still an excellent camera!

    Reply
    • Ritchie Roesch · November 28, 2022

      It really is! Absolutely nothing wrong with using it in 2022 and for years beyond. Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  6. David · December 24, 2022

    Very nice article Ritchie !
    I’m still using my X-T1 for 7 years !
    Love it !.. still amazed by it’s sharpness and it’s overall image quality !
    Sometimes wondering if I should go for X-t5…for IBIS, new film simulations, better EVF, better AF…
    If I do so I will for sure keep the T1 (certainly hidden, because of my wife wanting me to “sell the old one if I buy a new !” )😊

    Reply
    • Ritchie Roesch · December 27, 2022

      Definitely keep the X-T1 if you buy the new camera. I appreciate your kindness!

      Reply

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