X-M1 or X-T1? You Decide

I have returned to photography after a multi-year hiatus. I've mentioned this. I purchased a used X-M1 and have been pleased as punch.

Last year, as I began to entertain thoughts of hanging out my shingle for photo work and sales of images, I found a better Fuji camera, an X-T1* at a bargain used after much searching (there is an X-T2* and an X-T3* now, so the earlier model is getting cheaper by the day!). 

Why? Control. The X-T1* is in the range of Fuji mirrorless cameras that can operate completely manually if you desire, much like the SLRs of old. I am acquiring better lenses and bought a used prime 35mm* lens as well, which is Water Resistant, much like the X-T1.

Last week, I grabbed both cameras as I headed out to take the youngest to school as it was foggy and I knew there'd be some lingering on the drive home. I had the kit lens from the X-M1*, the XC 16-50* on that camera and the 35* on the X-T1*. (I have the underrated XC 50-230*, but I recently broke the mount and am awaiting the part so I can shoot with that again. It is my favorite lens of the 3!) (now fixed, yay!).

So, the images:

X-M1

Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS

ƒ/8 FL:3.25 mm SS:1/400 ISO:400

X-T1

Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR

ƒ/2 FL:35 mm SS:1/1700 ISO:200

X-M1

Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.

ƒ/9 FL:21.1 mm SS:1/400 ISO:400

X-T1

Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR

ƒ/2 FL:35 mm SS:1/4000 ISO:200

X-M1

Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.

ƒ/8 FL:32.5 mm SS:1/400 ISO:400

X-T1

Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR

ƒ/2 FL:35 mm SS:1/4000 ISO:200

X-M1

Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.

ƒ/5 FL:32.5 mm SS:1/85 ISO:400

X-T1

Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR

ƒ/4 FL:35 mm SS:1/160 ISO:200

All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas

Springfield, Ohio

Springfield, Ohio

Work has me traveling (not far!) to another not-so-bustling location: Springfield!
 

One of the most recognizable buildings is the old City Building, which is now a Heritage Center for the county.

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5 FL:50mm SS:1/120 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:16 mm SS:1/4 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:45.2 mm SS:1/320 ISO:200

The Heritage Center of Clark County occupies a 50 feet by 462 feet, 56,000 square foot, three story, brick and stone building in the center of downtown Springfield, originally constructed in 1890 for city offices and a farmer’s market. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

The architect of the building was Charles Creager, a native of Springfield, who also designed buildings such as St. John's  Lutheran Church, the Clark County Courthouse and the old downtown Post Office.   The architectural style is known as Richardsonian Romanesque.  The distinguishing characteristics of this style include broad roof planes, uniform rock-faced exterior finishes, decorative flashing ridges, eaves close to the walls, short and squat chimneys, corbels, deep-set windows and large, arched entryways without columns or piers for support.  

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:50 mm SS:1/750 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.0 FL:25.6 mm SS:1/220 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:50 mm SS:1/450 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.0 FL:16 mm SS:1/160 ISO:200

 One of the things I've noticed is the several ghost signs around the downtown core:
 

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.6 FL:113.8mm SS:1/27 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/6.7 FL:230mm SS:1/38 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/160 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/140 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/100 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:63.2mm SS:1/110 ISO:200

A few churches dominate some views....
 

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/6.2 FL:161.8mm SS:1/56 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.6 FL:107.3mm SS:1/210 ISO:200

 And while there is some clear decay still visible,
 

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.3 FL:37.1mm SS:1/400 ISO:200

They have made some nice spots as some renewal is taking place.
 

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/52 ISO:200

One thing that makes Springfield unique is the old National Road, the first federally-funded "highway" which ended here for about 10 years when funding ran into problems (as can happen, amiright?). It was extended further west, but that decade helped Springfield immensely. I won't bore you with the stories here, as there are links in that Wiki article I linked above, but one bit of interest I learned from some locals is that this statue,

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/4000 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/100 ISO:200

Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/300 ISO:200

 The Madonna of the Trail, was moved from just outside of downtown along US 40 to this location with much fanfare (and controversy, as the current park-like setting was not even started when they moved her) to what may have been a more accurate original location. Maybe.

There were 12 of these statues placed along the route, here's a link to info about that.

East towards Columbus, there is a tavern that is on the National Register of Historic Places, the Red Brick Tavern, which dates back to the glory days of the National Road.

Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.0 FL:32.5 mm SS:1/180 ISO:200

All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas