First Fuji advice

[alick]

So I've been lurking in the background for a few weeks now and keep coming back to all your very interesting forum topics.

I'm going on my first Safari in Kenya at the end of the month and have decided to use it as an excuse to buy a new camera. I've been using a Nikon D60 18-55mm kit lens for years now, but want to make a change.

 

My dilemma is this, do I go:

x-t1 with 18-135mm (very good deal on amazon atm in the uk)

x-t1 with 18-55mm (not WR and will I regret not going to 135mm?)

 

x-t10 with 18-135mm (camera will not be WR)

x-t10 18-55mm

 

I don't think I will be caught in heavy rain but I have been told it can be quite dusty on safari.

Are there any other suggestions?

I was nearly ready to hit the order button on the x-t10 with 18-55mm, but the x-t1 has some seriously good discount with the imminent release of the x-t2.

 

Many Thanks in advance,

 

Alick

 

[darknj]

I would clearly go for the X-T1 version, the dust can be a really bad thing for your lens and camera at some point.

 

In that respect, I would go for the 18-135 lens. That's if you are fine with a lower IQ than other lenses on the Fuji line up. As said often, the lens by itself is not bad, but when compared to the others, that's where it really shows.

 

Still, my most used lens on my X-T1, love the WR, love the 5 stops OIS and love the focal range, I can point that lens at anything and still being back a good picture.

[Tikcus]

You might find neither lens is long enough, I've never been on a safari but a family member goes on safari in Uganda a few times a year, he took an x-pro1 with XC50-230 lens and the X-S1 bridge camera until recently when he purchased the XF100-400 and 1.4TC. Which has now retired the X-S1

Most of the time he shoots at the maximum focal length, he advised you can't physically get that close to the animals (and for safety I guess for some of them you wouldn't want to)

[alick]

Thank you for your responses.

 

My budget can't stretch to the 100-400 but I have been told the same, the longer the lens the better. 

 

My wife will use the camera from time to time and I was wondering if the x-t10 or x-t1 would be easier for her to use? Or are they pretty much the same camera but the x-t10 doesn't have WR?

[Tikcus]

Thank you for your responses.

 

My budget can't stretch to the 100-400 but I have been told the same, the longer the lens the better. 

 

My wife will use the camera from time to time and I was wondering if the x-t10 or x-t1 would be easier for her to use? Or are they pretty much the same camera but the x-t10 doesn't have WR?

 

XT1 and XT10 are basically the same camera but for a few differences

 

no weather resistance

slower sd card maximum write speed

smaller buffer (less continuous photos)

smaller viewfinder

no iso dial

 

iso can be assigned to one of the function buttons, to avoid menus.

 

for the other differences, you'll have to decide if they are worth the extra money or not.

 

 

Depending on your location you may be able to hire the xf100-400 for your trip, also the XC 50-230 is generally pretty cheap 2nd hand, there are loads of examples from that lens on this forum

[aceflibble]

A second hand T1 costs about the same as a brand new T10. That solves that dilemma.

In terms of handling, the T1 and T10 are basically the same camera. I sold my T1s for T10s, back when you could still sell a T1 for more than a T10 was worth, and I've yet to run into a single instance where I've wished I had the T1s still. Same images, same AF, basically the same handling in 99% of situations. But now that T1s have dropped in value further, the T10 is pretty pointless. A used T1 is simply a better unit, with no drawbacks now they cost the same.

 

As far as lenses go, yes, more zoom range is nicer for travel, and there's no benefit to the weather resistance of the T1 if you don't use a weather resistant lens as well, but just be aware that you are taking a hit on optical quality with the 18-135. If you're thinking of this camera system as being something to replace your Nikon system for all of your shooting, and not just this one trip, then the 18-55 is the better purchase. Only you can know which is more valuable to you; range and WR for this trip, or better optical quality for life afterwards. Bear in mind there is the XF 55-200 which matches the 18-55 for optical quality and the two together obviously give you more range than the 18-135.

Of course, coming from the D60 and the Nikon kit 18-55, any of these Fuji lenses and bodies will give you a significant step up in image quality compared to what you're used to. So you can't really pick wrongly, here. Whatever you get will produce sharper, cleaner images than your current Nikon.

 

Do be aware that, although the T1 & T10 have good AF systems as far as mirrorless cameras go, they're still behind any SLR made in the last five or six years. They both chew through batteries far faster than any SLR, too, so make sure you have plenty of spares. Also be aware that even 135mm on an APS-C body for safari isn't terribly long. If you're just interested in the landscapes, both the 18-55 and 18-135 will be fine, but if you want to get clear shots of any of the wildlife out there, you'll probably find 135mm comes in very short. Personally, I wouldn't do it with anything shorter than 300mm, and I'd opt for 400mm+. This is another shortcoming of mirrorless: few long lenes, and the ones that are around are pretty expensive. I'd strongly recommend you take a look at the XF 55-200 as a secondary lens, if you want to capture more than just the view.
Last word of warning is that 'weather resistant' does not mean 'weather proof'. Even if you get the T1 and a WR lens, make sure you have a plastic bag you can dump the system in if you do happen to be caught in rain, and it would be a good idea to have a second bag ou can put over the body and lens, with a hole cut for the front of the lens, to prevent dust. Otherwise, expect dust to get in. It just will. I've had dust get into my T1s. I've had no more but no less dust get into my T10s. I've had just as much dust get into my Canon 1D bodies, arguably the toughest and best-sealed SLRs around. That's just the nature of these things. Weather resistance helps, but it's not a guarantee. Prepare yourself for dust.

[macabee]

I would go for the XT-1 c/w 18~135,I use this combo and I am very satisfied. If you can stretch your budget, consider the Fuji XF 2x TC WR Teleconverter.

 

Cheers

[alick]

Thank you again for all the advice.

 

I think I'm leaning towards the x-t1 with 18-135. A lot of reviews call it the perfect travel lens, and I guess that is what I'm looking for. 

Is there a Teleconverter that is compatible with the xf 18-135? 

 

Currently I can get a x-t10 with 18-55mm lens for around £350 less than a x-t1 with 18-135mm lens.

 

I worry that I would regret not spending the extra money to get the length of the 135mm and WR x-t1?

[BigPix]

.....no TC for the 18-135 ATM

[Tikcus]

 

Is there a Teleconverter that is compatible with the xf 18-135? 

 

 

Not from Fujifilm.

 

Fujifilms 1.4X and 2X teleconverters only work with the XF50-140 F/2.8 and XF100-400 F/4.5 - 5.6

[aceflibble]

Again, a used T1 costs the same as a new T10. That takes care of your cost worries.