I went down to the Dubai Souk with a photography mate - Bernard and my new acquisition, the Fujifilm XT along with the kit lens (which is damn good in it's own right) and the 56 mm. I came across both Bernard and the XT during the Gulf Photo Plus Photography Festival in Dubai in March this year. Before I go further, I would like to caveat something. I am not writing a full blown review here. There are a number of websites who have done extensive technical reviews which the reader can easily research on the web.
From a shooting perspective, one of the best "not so techy" reviews out there so far, in my opinion, is the one posted by David Nightingale recently. So stop right here if you haven't read it. Read it and then come back to my post.
(Click here to read David's review)
A compelling and accurate write up. I don't think I can add any comments of substance to the review but what I can do is - vouch for the veracity of that review. Why? because first, I have the privilege of being very much acquainted with David and two, I pretty much went through the same shooting and conversion experience as David (albeit I was not included in the top ten list who were given a free kit (lol).
You have got to respect Fujifilm's marketing strategy. Not only have they improved their camera line over a short period of time, they take on board the suggestions given to them by serious photographers all over the world and they give photographer pros and wannabes (like myself) the opportunity to test the camera out, no holds barred, no conditions attached. How much better could that get? During the Gulf PHoto Plus Week this march, I discovered that Fujifilm had set up shop and was loaning it's various camera models and lens to all GPP participants for free. Of course, I wasn't going to forego that opportunity so I borrowed an XT with the Kit lens as a lark. I had just bought the Sony Alpha 7 with the 35 mm lens and I didn't' think that the XT shooting experience could be any better than the Sony.
I was wrong.
It's far, far better.
For all the reasons that David Nightingale has laid out in his review.
And because when I shoot with it, my heart fills with joy. Really.
And because they offer a much broader range of lens. More options than Sony. Much better glass. (What was I thinking when I bought that camera? Ah yes, I got lost in the full frame, lightest camera argument)
My only request right now is if Fuji can update their firmware to allow for better HDR shooting. I want to be able to shoot 5 exposures one EV apart.
But I digress - back to the photo walk on saturday. Both Bernard and I were shooting with the XT, I was using the 56 mm and he was using the 55-200 mm. Bernard was full of fantastic photo stories and information and the XT was doing it's thang. An all around amazing morning that I hope to repeat again.
We shared our images after the fact and both of us had images which were beautifully rendered, skin tones and all.