The Online Photographer

Mike, just want to tell you that I had exactly the same experience with the Zuiko 12-40 on the E-M1. No user guide for the lens, so I ended up googling. Yup, a push-pull focus ring. Well-kept secret. You're not alone :)

The X-T1 is an excellent camera that will work for many. For some of us it is not a consideration at all - for one main flaw.
It is too damn small for our hands!

The X-Pro1 is just a bit larger, more the size of a Leica M4 and fits much better.

Am hoping Fuju gets around to the much improved auto-focus and such in an X-Pro1 sized body. That is when I'll buy the next Fuji.

Told you, Mike. When I held the X-T1 in my hands for the first time at B&H about a month ago, I decided that no other camera has ever been a better match for me ergonomically. I decided on that visit to B&H that I would own both the X-T1 and the Ricoh GR. Well, I have the GR and I'm working on the X-T1. I already own the X-E1. The only question now is whether the X-T1 can completely replace my Pentax K-5 for things like shooting sports (auto racing). If it can, then I can sell off some Pentax gear to speed up the purchase of the Fuji.

I tried the X-E1 last year and saw the writing on the wall. The trade on on my Canon gear gave me an X-E2, an X-T1, three lenses and sundry accessories. All I basicaly need. Only last week's purchase of a 10-24 had me actually paying anything.
Here's what I like. I'm planning a trip to Maine and Nove Scotia in a few months and my backpack with all of the above is under 5kg. I can make 17 inch wide prints at 6400 iso and the detail is fine. I can make 24 wide prints and the detail is fine. These Fujifilm lenses are quite something. And though I can't believe I'm saying it, the jpegs are very good indeed.
There are niggles but nothing I can't work around.
I looked at a D800, but my conclusion was that by the time I set up the camera on a tripod to take advantage of all those megapixels, I would probably have lost too many shots. My guess is that if you don't wait a good five seconds after mirror lock-up, most SLRs lose 20% or more of their resolution due to mirror slap. The 5DII was particularly appalling with a 400mm lens. I used to carry a big heavy beanbag to sit on top of the rig.
Try some street photography Mike. Just hold the camera at waist level and press the shutter as you walk by. Even when standing in one place and looking down at the flip-out screen you are almost invisible.

"And I promptly became confused, because I somehow got it into manual focus mode and, for a longish time, could not figure out how to get it back to AF."

Don't be embarrassed. You're in good company. I also have had more than one very similar moment of slack-jawed bewilderment with that lens. (And I have a couple of medium-format lenses that feature the same nutty push/pull AF switch, too.) It's as if completely separate design teams produced each of Fuji's X lenses, isn't it? But that 23mm is sure a lovely lens.

It's taking me a rather long time to make the controls of my X-T1 second-nature-familiar. I'm sure that part of the delay is due to my sporadic use of the camera, roughly only 3-5 days at a time separated by using other cameras in other modes. But part is certainly due to some design hitches that seem to interfere with the camera's ergonomic fluidity. Small quibbles that I am sure you'll soon learn for yourself.

But the X-T1 is a superb camera that I think you'll love. (Sounds like you already do.)

I shot with the xp1 for almost two years and loved it. Now I have the xt1 which I initially purchased for a backup and for long tele shots with the EVF.
Right, now the xp1 has become my backup cam. The xt1 with the 23mm? It's magic. You're gonna love it!

Last year I rented the X-E1 for a few days and while the camera was impressive I could not warm up to the sensor. I still have the raw and jpg samples and revisit them occasionally using Lightroom, but still no go for me.

If Olympus can resurrect the 'PEN' name for a series of digital cameras then why can't Fujifilm call this a "FUJICA"?

(I still have a ST605n)

Now, just imagine a FF body with an X-PRO form factor that would accept M glass with a well-integrated adapter...

Not only does the camera come with an instruction book, my Fuji lenses came with a 'Owner's Manual'. I have the 14mm which shares a manual with the 23mm, and I've just checked that it covers the focusing ring.

Note that other lenses work differently: the 27mm and the 18-55mm focus from a ring which only works when the body is in MF, and you can AF at a press of button, then adjust manually.

Maybe I missed the article about it, but I've long been wondering why you haven't been shooting the X100, Mike. It has a great 35mm equiv. lens, the hybrid viewfinder, a built-in ND filter, a silent leaf shutter, and lots of dials. It seems like it would be right up your alley.

[It is indeed right up my alley--I had a chance to try a borrowed one briefly, thanks to Jeffrey G. It's really just a case of "so many cameras, so little time." --Mike]

Yep, I was convinced I had broken the 23mm somehow! My other lens focused correctly. At least you figured it out! I took mine back to the camera store where the owner was ready to swap it out when he "got" it! I think you will like it. A Lot! And you can set it to shoot in a square format! The auto focus and spot meter could have a smaller area for me and the 60mm hunts too much but other than that its great!

The Fuji with PDAF sensor (XT-1/XE2/X100s) appears to be identical to the XPro-1/XE1 sensor.

They're almost certainly the Sony 16Mpx APS-C sensor with a custom XTrans color filter array (and custom PDAF pixels in the newer cameras). Unlike like the Xtrans true beleivers there isn't any magic in the sensor beyond the standard Sony magic but there is quite a lot of marketing.

The XT-1 is one camera I though Mike would like as soon as he got his hands on it. I have a friend (another D700 then onto Fuji user) who has one and it does feel nice in the hand. I didn't suggest it, of course, because I know Mike doesn't really need another camera.

I have no delusions nor reason to put on a pretence of objectivity. I got an XT1 and it is exactly what I wanted it to be. I have several things I don't like about it, but it is an excellent camera with excellent lenses. I had an OMD EM5 and I hated the way I could not bend it to my will. This is what I wanted the EM5 to be.

"which turns out to be neither as big nor as heavy as I had feared from anecdotal reports".

You are in good company: there is still people that says that the E-M1 "is no more a MICRO 4/3 because is big as a dslr".
BTW they never had one in their hands, of course, but internet opinions are great because they are independent of real facts...