It all depends on what aperture you're using for your shots. At smaller apertures, it probably won't matter much (except with very long lenses). However, when your DOF is shallow as with a very large aperture lens, like the 56 f/1.2 or with a long lens like the 100-400 at close range, then recomposing can throw off critical focus. It might be subtle, but with a portrait, it could be the difference betwee a tack sharp image and one that's a bit soft.
12 years ago, my Canon 20D with 9 AF points and 8Mp already had a joystick. Fuji, what took you so long?
Simply because getting the UI right often takes multiple tries and a lot of feedback from users. Take a look at Sony, who has had some of the world's worst UIs in their cameras (and other consumer electronics for that matter). They are gradually improving, as evidenced by some of their latest cameras, but they still suck in relation to many other cameras out there, most certainly including Fuji IMHO.
Cameras have been around for centuries. It is pretty well known what a good UI looks like, yet every manufacturer is trying to reinvent the wheel, mostly to distinguish themselves from the rest. But it often doesn't work out that well, just like car manufacturers who constantly change the UI just to look snazzy without much consideration of functionality. But then again, if every camera looked the same, then it would be a bit boring. But I'd take boring over "difficult to use".
I would disagree since it doesn't take a rocket scientist or user feedback to realize that there are UI elements that are universally incorrect. If it doesn't fit a human hand, you don't need your customers to tell you that. Fuji tried to disregard modern ergonomics, modelling their bodies on film bodies from the past with outdated handling.
Doesn't really matter because a thumb rest at the side of the camera is ergonomically inferior to one that is closer to the hotshoe like you get with an accessory thumb grip.
And yet, that very aspect of their design is what's very appealing to many photographers who came out of that era. I've owned film cameras in the past, but photography as a primary hobby didn't really happen until the digital era (with DSLRs). In spite of that, I really appreciate what Fuji has done in utilizing some of the analog controls (dials) found in legacy cameras but doing so in a way that improves, rather than degrades the usability of the camera (at least IMHO). I far prefer that design to the menu intensive UI that so many other manufacturers have adopted. I'm sure we not on the same page here, but I largely like Fuji's ergonomics -- much more so than the Canon cameras I used for 10 odd years previously.
To get a good UI you first have to get a user to help in the design. For a camera that would mean a committee composed of real photographers - each representing different aspects of photography, street, landscape, sports, advertising, studio, etc.
I find the Pro2 UI just fine. Normally I am in single shot, single focus and use the center point and focus - hold down the shutter and recompose. Unless you distance from the subject is small even wide open - that is fine. When I use the joystick is when I shooting at the race track and focus on the head horse - which may not be in the center.
'Modern' is not synonymous with 'better'. Fuji's ergonomics have been a signature feature of their design and have been very popular. If you use enough different types of cameras you can adapt to them all, though we all still have preferences. I've tried both the analogue approach and the 'modern' menu plus scroll wheel approach. It's entirely personal but for me, I prefer Fuji's dedicated external controls. I can honestly say that I haven't enjoyed many cameras as much as the XT1. Modern or not, vive la difference.
Perfectly sums up my feelings as well, Rod. I never really enjoyed photography nearly to the extent I do now largely because the X-T1 is simply a blast to work with and to use. It's hard to pin down exactly why, but the camera and controls are incredibly intuitive and easy to use, and most importantly, fun.
