Fuji X-T1 to ship in new color, kit bundle; feature-enhancing firmware update coming soon

 

 

When we published our Fuji X-T1 review a few months ago, we found plenty to love in the deliciously retro-styled camera, calling it "an enthusiast's dream, and a clear Dave's Pick!" Now, there's even more to love, as the X-T1 hits our radar again thanks to the announcement of a new body color option, a new lens bundle, and an upcoming firmware update that will add a whole raft of new features.

The Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver is slated to arrive this November, just in time for the holiday season, and will carry a US$200 premium over body-only pricing for the X-T1 Black, for a final list price of US$1,500. As well as the new body color, which is achieved in a triple-layer process that starts with a black primer undercoat, a thin-film graphite silver coat, and a glossy clear-coat finish, the Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver will debut three new features which are also coming in a firmware update for the X-T1 Black.

 

No two ways about it, the Fuji X-T1 looks very handsome indeed in its new Graphite Silver body.

This new variant of the Fujifilm X-T1 will include a high-speed electronic shutter function up to 1/32,000 second (but only without flash, and rolling shutter is likely to be an issue), a Natural Live View mode that will help with low-light framing by disabling exposure preview and film effects in the electronic viewfinder image, and a new Classic Chrome film simulation as first seen in the Fuji X30. (All three of these features are also included in the simultaneously-launched Fuji X100T fixed-lens compact; we've now confirmed that they will also be provided to owners of the X-T1 Black via a firmware update.) The Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite Silver will also ship with a leather strap and aluminum hot-shoe cover in its product bundle.

 

Rear view of the X-T1 Graphite Silver.

And if you prefer a traditional black camera body, the Fuji X-T1 will also be shipping in a new bundle later this month. The new X-T1 Black bundle will include Fujifilm's XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens, providing a generous zoom range of 27-206mm equivalent in a single optic, while matching the weather-sealing of the camera body for an all-weather shooting experience. Pricing for this new bundle is set at US$1,900, about US$300 below the combined list pricing for both lens and camera body when purchased separately, so this is a pretty sweet deal!

Place your pre-order with a trusted Imaging Resource affiliate now:

• Fuji X-T1 Graphite, Body-only, US$1,499: ADORAMA | AMAZON | B&H

• Fuji X-T1 18-135mm kit, Black, US$1,899: ADORAMA | AMAZON | B&H

And finally, we come to the new firmware, slated to arrive in December 2014 for both X-T1 Black and Graphite Silver owners. This will be available free of charge, and add a whole raft of features as follows:

• AF Area direct selection – Users can select the focus area with the 4-way controller, without pressing the Fn Key.

• Function replacement for the AE-L/AF-L buttons - The currently locked AE-L/AF-L button function will now be interchangeable, depending on the user’s preference.

• Focus Area size variability during MF – Users will be able to change the focus area in Manual mode during One Push AF with the AF-L button.

• Macro Mode direct selection – Users will be able to directly turn ON or OFF the Macro function in Auto Focus mode to expand the distance measurement range to the short-distance range. This will be possible without accessing the pop-up menu screen.

• Q Menu customization - The update will render the items and layout of the Q Menu, used for quick access of frequently-used items, changeable to the user’s preference.

• Video frame rate selection - In addition to the existing 60fps and 30fps selections, 50fps and 25fps, as well as a 24fps selection will become available to users. 50fps and 25fps allow video editing in the PAL region, such as Europe and elsewhere, without converting the frame rate. The 24fps will offer movie-like video capture and play back.

• Video manual shooting – Users will be able to select ISO sensitivity prior to shooting videos, as well as adjusting the aperture and shutter speed during video shooting.

• Phase Detection AF support for One Push AF - With One Push AF, operated by pressing the AF-L button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF with quicker focusing speeds.

• Metering area focus area interlocking - The update will enable users to interlock the AF area position with the metering area when spot metering is selected.

• Expansion of the Program Shift setting area - The update will enable the current Program Shift, in which the low-speed side is 1/4 second, to be shifted to a maximum of 4 seconds.

Fuji X-T1 Black owners will also receive the electronic shutter, natural live view and Classic Chrome film simulation of the X-T1 Graphite Silver in this firmware update.