Am I stupid for thinking about XPro 1?

[noimmunity]

series of M & LTM lenses that I use with it and my M6.

It seems to me there are actually two different questions here. One is whether or not to buy the 50 summicron? The other is whether to keep the M9 or replace it with an XPro-1?

The answer to the first question really depends on what lenses you already have and what your needs are. There are a lot of excellent 50s that are cheaper than the current 50 summicron. Heck, the current 50 Summarit is arguably better in every way but aperture. Not to mention all the other possibilities...

Comparing the M9 and the XP-1 is like comparing the M9 and the D7/800. These are really just two very different camera systems, neither of which is a replacement for the other. That doesn't mean you would need both any more than it means one is definitively better than the other.

You can certainly get insurance for your expensive M9 and lenses.

My intuitive sense, without having seen any of the details about your lens line-up, is that the 50 summicron idea doesn't come from real need at all. To test that hypothesis, you could go and get one of the respected gaussian formula 50s and see how much you really need to use it.

If money is a concern, you will be much better off in the long run to put a cap on your M system. That means decoupling from the road map of expensive digital M upgrades and giving up the quest for 'completion' in the M system.

I think you ought to keep your M system but re-assess what you expect from it: forego the 50 cron, rethink a reasonable=limited lens line-up, decide if you need an M9 or can do with an M8 (or should cash out now in preparation for the M10)... Then make a well-considered strategic move into another system like the Fuji X-mount that appeals to you and that can be used in parallel with the M.

 

[noimmunity]

Already there is every possibility that on a drawing board somewhere in the world is a camera system that will make the X Pro1 look punny. You will never win

Definitely, we should not approach the game with the misguided idea of "winning". But don't forget, the XPro is a system, the XPro-a1 body is not the final iteration and we can fully expect that bodies for the X-mount system will, too, continue to progressively incorporate new advances. The thing that appeals to me here is that the road map for progressive upgrades offered by Fuji is going to be significantly less expensive that that offered by Leica.

 

[thegman]

Generally speaking, I think one should always allow the heart to rule the head. If you really do fear the M9 failing, then talk to Leica about a warranty extension.

I don't know whether a Leica M9 is more likely to fail than a X100, but I think for certain it'll be more expensive to fix. After all, the most a X100 repair can cost is the cost of a used replacement, and the same is true for the M9.

Stick with the camera you *want*, but if the warranty situation keeps you up at night, see about insurance or a warranty extension.

 

[sleepyhead]

Reading this thread, there are numerous references to the Leica M10 that make it sound that it is a given, and that we know something about it already.

Pardon me if I've been living in a cave and missed some big Leica announcement, but is the M10 a given, and do we know anything about what it will be like (specs, form factor, etc.)?

 

[jsrockit]

The solid feel of the Leica or the stamped tin of the X-pro? Is this really much of a decision?

If you aren't a snob, then the decision is hard... (from a M9/X100?soon to be X-Pro1 user).

 

[dave lackey]

I have an M9 and series of M & LTM lenses that I use with it and my M6. My dilemma is a friend of mine who has had virtually all Leica M's and LTM bodies and lenses has been at me recently to exit my M9 this year before my warranty runs out. (Think I have 8 months or so left) He sold his and his users now are M8 + MP. Currently am on waiting list for a 50 Summicron and wonder if I should cancel that and put that money towards Xpro 1?
The Xpro 1 intrigues me because I have had numerous Fujis and have always loved their lenses. Think I always have that fear that I could be one of the M9 owners who gets a cracked sensor a month after my warranty runs out. But on the other hand M9 is everything I ever wanted in a digital camera but the money invested in it is significant. Head says sell and heart says I will regret it. Also know that Manual/Zone focus will be problematic with the Fuji and is an issue I will have to deal with.
Fully understand that I haven't held the Xpro 1 yet but I have the X100 and it stuns me every time I use it, and would use it more but I am a 50mm guy mainly not 35mm. Sorry for rambling in advance.

Always go with your heart... and extended warranty... enjoy life, it is far too short.:angel:

 

[RealXenuis]

The solid feel of the Leica or the stamped tin of the X-pro? Is this really much of a decision?

Hmm, that's a very helpful opinion..


You have two Leicas. One of them is lens dependent and the other sensor + lens dependent. Both of them are VERY expensive, and the other is nearing a refresh, yet you can still get extremely good value for while replacing with what might be considered an upgrade. Again, you HAVE the Leica film body that gives you all of the pleasure of using Leica, all the glass, and gives you no compelling reason to upgrade it.

If you are drawn to what the Fuji might offer, why not try it? There are at least two camps here: the camp that says we should make due with what we have and just go take pictures, never justifying getting the next gen of technology, and the camp that is ok with chasing the latest new technology, never happy with the last gen. I think for a lot of ppl, we fall somewhere in between. None of these perspectives are "wrong", as long as well reasoned (as opposed to "all non-leicas are made of plastic!"). I like upgrading occasionally with digital. There's no escaping that sometimes there are compelling leaps in tech that allow for, at least, an easier play with the digital raw files, if not an irrefutable increase in overall quality of the image - independent of the lenses. This is what digital has brought. Very few literally suggest that buying the newest body or sensor will make you a better photographer, but it's silly to argue that you can make the same quality of image with a 1mp image as you can with a 16mp, not that there isn't a message to be heard there.

If you're really happy with the images you get from your M9 and you really enjoy the experience and there's nothing unsatisfying or missing from it, then keep it. It will still be valuable if you decide to sell later. Just not as valuable as an M10 (and yes, Leica will make a next iteration of an M9). On the other hand, if you're not fully satisfied with it, why spend (and hold) such a valuable tool if you can pass it along to someone else, make a bundle off it, buy a camera you're really interested in and that will handle your amazing lenses, and still have a bunch of $$ left over, all the while STILL having a timeless Leica to shoot beautiful film with? I don't see how you can go wrong really.

 

[willie_901]

If you aren't a snob, then the decision is hard... (from a M9/X100?soon to be X-Pro1 user).

My thoughts exactly.

Don't be swayed by a false analogy. In this case the false analogy involves dissimilarity. The definition for similarity false analogies follows.

False Analogy: In this technique, two things that may or may not really be similar are portrayed as being similar. When examining the comparison, you must ask yourself how similar the items are. In most false analogies, there is simply not enough evidence available to support the comparison.

 

[hausen]

Funny how things work in life. Called in to my local Leica shop to see if there was any update on my Summicron and the Fuji Rep was there with Xpro1 and 3 lenses. Was able to hold it but there was no battery so couldn't shoot with it. He will be bringing it back in next week and I will be able to use it for 30 mins or so. Initial impressions were that it felt very light and plasticy. Is a lot bigger than I would have thought. Think M9 is safe so thanks all for thoughts and I will update with images when I get to have a play.

 

[jsrockit]

Initial impressions were that it felt very light and plasticy.

Light yes, but plasticky? Are you saying it has worse build quality than the X100... or that you expected it to have the feel of the M9?

 

[RealXenuis]

I've read a LOT of threads on this cam, an I don't remember anyone mention "plasticky" (and only ONE person mention "stamped tin"). Everyone else has said it has a great feel. I would suggest ignoring the more obviously extreme descriptives and posts.

 

[chris00nj]

I'm planning on getting an X-Pro 1, but if I already had a M9 (or even M8), I would just keep it. I really wouldn't live in fear that it will break.

 

[tbarker13]

Reading this thread, there are numerous references to the Leica M10 that make it sound that it is a given, and that we know something about it already.

Pardon me if I've been living in a cave and missed some big Leica announcement, but is the M10 a given, and do we know anything about what it will be like (specs, form factor, etc.)?

I don't think anything's been announced. But I think we all assume that Leica - like every other camera maker - understands that you cannot stand still in the world of digicams. Whether it's an M10 or M9.2, or whatever they want to call it - there will be a replacement to the M9.

 

[rf1552]

For me, when I found out the xpro-1 cant focus peak for manual lens, it was focus by wire and that it needs to spin as much as the X100 ( I had one and it broke twice due SAB), it was a deal killer for me.

Dont know why anyone planning on using M lenses would even consider the Fuji xpro1.

 

[RealXenuis]

Probably because they're making an adapter for them.

For me, when I found out the xpro-1 cant focus peak for manual lens, it was focus by wire and that it needs to spin as much as the X100 ( I had one and it broke twice due SAB), it was a deal killer for me.

Dont know why anyone planning on using M lenses would even consider the Fuji xpro1.

 

[rf1552]

Probably because they're making an adapter for them.

So with the adapter, do you to have zone focus only? I guess what IM asking is with no RF patch, how do you focus on xpro 1 with m lenses?

 

[RealXenuis]

Perhaps. No one knows!😱! There is much speculation, backed up by photos of an M adapter at an event somewhere. That adapter was generally viewed as a dumb adapter (rude!). But then again, there was some mention by Fuji of intelligence built in, so we are all left to wonder if in fact the adapter at the event was the one mentioned by Fuji and if so if it's a production model. On top of that, who knows what 3rd party adapters will arrive and when. So basically, no body knows anything, but they like to guess, then argue about their guesses. 😕🙄😕🙁😱😡:bang:

So with the adapter, do you to have zone focus only? I guess what IM asking is with no RF patch, how do you focus on xpro 1 with m lenses?