Not overly thrilled w/X-Pro 1 in hand...

David_Manning

David_Manning

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I've been really interested in the X-Pro 1, and I've been driving my wife crazy with the puppy-dog looks and leaving the computer browser open to X-Pro 1 sites. I mean, I've been laying it on pretty thick.

I was at the local camera dealer this week, and they had one in stock with a 35/1.4 attached. Naturally I had to fondle it.

Guess what? I'm NOT so in love anymore. It's bigger than I imagined (and I knew it was larger than the X100 anyway), boxier, and with the 35 mounted, not nearly as compact as I was hoping. I went home and tried out my X100, and I like it better! It's smaller, same VF, perfect focal length for me, and so I'm not so hot after the XP1 anymore. That result was utterly unexpected...I usually love buying new cameras.

I guess at the end of the day, the X100 is the perfect compact for nondescript, quiet shooting, and if I HAVE to have several focal lengths, I can default to the 5Dmk2 and primes (which is not much bigger than the X-Pro 1 with lenses and hoods attached).
 
When I saw one I wasn't so much put off by the size ... I really didn't like the look of it.

It didn't look like the relatively expensive piece of kit that it is to my eyes!
 
David_Manning said:
I've been really interested in the X-Pro 1, and I've been driving my wife crazy with the puppy-dog looks and leaving the computer browser open to X-Pro 1 sites. I mean, I've been laying it on pretty thick.

I was at the local camera dealer this week, and they had one in stock with a 35/1.4 attached. Naturally I had to fondle it.

Guess what? I'm NOT so in love anymore. It's bigger than I imagined (and I knew it was larger than the X100 anyway), boxier, and with the 35 mounted, not nearly as compact as I was hoping. I went home and tried out my X100, and I like it better! It's smaller, same VF, perfect focal length for me, and so I'm not so hot after the XP1 anymore. That result was utterly unexpected...I usually love buying new cameras.

I guess at the end of the day, the X100 is the perfect compact for nondescript, quiet shooting, and if I HAVE to have several focal lengths, I can default to the 5Dmk2 and primes (which is not much bigger than the X-Pro 1 with lenses and hoods attached).
Click to expand...

Buddy, serious? You clearly do not have a 5D2. Comparing an X-Pro 1to a 5D2 is like comparing a Toyota Yaris to an M1 Tank! If you think the 5D2 is slightly larger than an X-Pro 1,I have a very compact 4 X 5 Speed Graphic to sell you. Lol!
 
compare_mini.jpg
 
I'm no Leica fan but the Leica is so much easier on the eye ... they are very close in size!
 
I didn't mean to offend anyone with my own first impressions!

That being said, if you look at the comparison photo with the M, the M's lens already has a hood attached. Throw the 35/1.4 XP1 hood on, and it magically SEEMS much bigger. I won't even mention the 60mm with the hood.

And...well, it just seemed really boxy. Crazy I know. I have been looking at it online for a while now, and even been looking at the videos from the Australian launch on Vimeo with Michael Coyne.

Maybe my expectations were too high. I just read the writeup in the new BJP issue about the Magnum guy (forgot his name just now) who liked it, so I just KNEW it was perfect.
 
So I have both the X-100 and the X-Pro 1, as well as the 5D2. Both the X-Pro and the X-100 are wonderful cameras, equally capable and produce quality photos. Yes the X-Pro is larger and not as pretty, but the dog has interchangeable lenses AND I can shoot with my L and M glass, which makes me happy, happy!

So, when I travel light, I take the X-100, otherwise you'll find the X-Pro in my bag with a mess of lenses.

Get the difference?

If I'm off to feed my family it's the 5D2. Simple.
 
David_Manning said:
I didn't mean to offend anyone with my own first impressions!

That being said, if you look at the comparison photo with the M, the M's lens already has a hood attached. Throw the 35/1.4 XP1 hood on, and it magically SEEMS much bigger. I won't even mention the 60mm with the hood.

And...well, it just seemed really boxy. Crazy I know. I have been looking at it online for a while now, and even been looking at the videos from the Australian launch on Vimeo with Michael Coyne.

Maybe my expectations were too high. I just read the writeup in the new BJP issue about the Magnum guy (forgot his name just now) who liked it, so I just KNEW it was perfect.
Click to expand...

I was in the same mood as you (read the same BJP article!), but after trying one, was far from impressed.

Lenses are small and nice, but somehow lacked substance.

The AF was too slow for the price, by far my biggest gripe.

The rear scroll wheel on the brand new, right-outta-the-box unit I was given was very loose. So loose, in fact, the rep pulled it from, the shelf for a warranty return after tryouts.

Some of the other buttons were less than quality, again, for the price.

Each to their own, but not the camera for me. My compact DSLR with pancake lenses is less boxy and easier to hold:

http://camerasize.com/compare/#258,229

So I'm still looking for a compact RF-style product with an OVF.
 
It does feel bigger than I thought

It does feel bigger than I thought

I agree-it does feel bigger than I thought. I was looking for something with a little more convince than the m9 (ability to auto focus, automatic, etc) for snapshots and travel. The focus seems slow.

I will admit the pics posted do seem okay.

I might look at the OMD again.
 
dmc...you hit the nail on the head. When you travel light, you reach for the X100. Me too.

I was thinking I could reach for the X-Pro 1 when traveling light. Not as much, I found out...for me anyway.
 
Just to be specific...I'm not against the X-Pro 1. I think the X100's focus is fast enough for what I use it for, and the image quality is top notch (I usually degrade it with b&w grain anyway). I assume the XP1 is more of the same.

My friend's M8, which looks thick, seemed more compact than the XP1. Maybe it was the 35 'Cron he had on it.
 
Seriously, the X-pro is a chunky solid camera, reminiscent of cameras of yore. Anyone who thinks it feels plasticky has not truly held it. It is a tank, a solid piece of iron. Mine takes a beating and keeps working. My 35/1.4 does not have any of the slow focus issues everyone that does not own one claims it has. But the real beauty is shooting with L and M glass. Sweet.
 
I prefer the larger size of the X Pro, it makes the camera easy to handle, and allows the use of larger buttons and controls which can be found and operated by touch.

The X Pro is large, but it is by no means heavy. I have been using Leica M cameras for a long time, and the X Pro with a lens attached is much lighter than any M camera. The Fuji lenses may seem to lack physical substance, but they possess technical substance, and offer excellent performance, particularly for the price. I prefer the Fujinon 35/1.4 to the Summicron/Summilux lenses I often shoot, and a new Fujinon costs a lot less than a used Summicron in good condition.

I can carry the X Pro around my neck all day and scarcely notice it, I can't say the same for the other cameras I use.
 
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