Best Non-Leica body for Leica lens IQ

[raid]

It is the crop that I find annoying. I would never replace a full frame sensor camera with a camera that has a smaller sensor. It is just my personal opinion.

There are no gimmicks to either the GXR/m or the Fuji, unless a 1.5 crop is the gimmick. They are superbly thought designs at prices affordable to those of us who, as Bill Pierce affirmed recently, counting himself among this group ethically if not owing to financial constraints, are not able or willing to be in the market for a $4-9k digibody for our otherwise cherished RF lenses. In the case of the Fuji 35 1.4 and the Ricoh 33 2.5, I don't feel as though my primAry digibodies are especially in need of "upgraded" IQ from lenses from other systems. I'm glad to have those lenses to augment what the GXR and XE1 can do with their own matched optics, and to have the pleasure and challenge of manual focus. A considered look at Johan's photos above should show that there is no gimmick to getting splendid results with good lenses on adaptive CSC cameras. It depends as it always has on the vision and skill of the photographer.

To the OP, I would endorse either Ricoh or Fuji as a more than acceptable surrogate during the waiting period for the obviously desired 240, as long as you are willing to learn their navigations, ingenious implementations, and limits.

 

[srtiwari]

Hmmm.. curious post. You seem to have sold your body without knowing what your personal gear roadmap looks like. So, I would guess that you haven't any immediate need to replace your M-9. That said, just wait. The next six to eight months will have some very interesting announcements with regards to mirrorless bodies. I suggest that you not buy anything.

Here is the rest of the story. I actually also own the OM-D system, with the M adapters etc. The body is simply fabulous, but I am not so happy with the IQ. I am hoping the APS-C size and the new Fuji bodies might bring up the IQ enough. Of course, there are also rumblings about what the next generation of Olympus bodies will be like. So, like you said, I'm waiting...

 

[thegman]

Film.

Cheers,

R.

I clicked this thread to say this, spend a lot less on a Bessa and use the lenses as they were intended. If you're really set on digital, I don't really know, but I'd go APS-C not m4/3, it's just too much of a crop I think.

 

[johannielscom]

Oh well, I'd say you don't need a full frame body at all.

Full frame is just an overrated gimmick anyway...





Oh, and ask me again when that next-generation full frame Ricoh GXR does materialize...


EDIT: There's a comparison between the M240 or Monochrom and the GXR-M on my website. Makes more sense than you'd think at first glance...

 

[srtiwari]

I clicked this thread to say this, spend a lot less on a Bessa and use the lenses as they were intended. If you're really set on digital, I don't really know, but I'd go APS-C not m4/3, it's just too much of a crop I think.

I know now that you did not read the entire thread
I already have 4 M and 3 LSM bodies. Its the digital that I'm talking about...

 

[burancap]

Been there, done that. Sony Nex _ without reservation!

 

[anerjee]

I've tried both the Ricoh GXR and now have the Epson. In my view the Ricoh has a better sensor but the Epson is more fun to use, and is surprisingly nifty in it's b&w rendering, especially at higher ISOs.

I sold the Ricoh because I did not like the focusing -- someone called it the "predator" mode, and I agree with that characterization. Nothing beats the clear and direct experience of looking through the 1:1 view of the Epson RD1.

 

[peterm1]

I would not complain about this. Taken with a Panasonic GF1 and a Voigtlander 40mm f1.4.

Nice bokeh.


Fiefy by yoyomaoz, on Flickr

 

[Pioneer]

Zeiss Ikon without a doubt. Of course that isn't digital but it is still the best non-Leica body out there.

A Pentax Q with an adapter also works but all Leica lenses then become telephotos. My Lux 50 becomes a Lux 250 on the Q.

 

[rinzlerb]

Full frame NEX that is about to come out. None of the others mentioned are full frame. You have to think about the crop factor. Especially on the m43 cameras. I have a NEX 7 and would highly recommend it. If you don't want to spring for the full frame NEX, prices will be low on NEX 7s after the upcoming release.

 

[kanzlr]

I'd recommend a Ricoh GXR M or a Konica Hexar RF + high end scanner.

at least thats what I use

 

[dct]

I'd recommend a Ricoh GXR M or a Konica Hexar RF + high end scanner.

at least thats what I use

Hexar RF & scanner is also my solution, for the moment

 

[philipaloft]

I'm happy enough with Nex 5n.Especially as it's an interim measure for you - price has gone down significantly.
Already it's image quality is as good or better than I was getting with film - time to concentrate on content.
I've found a cheapo helicoid adapter works OK - I'm sure the Hawks is better- just resisted spending the money. However I've had to fashion my own helicoid lock because I got caught too often with a moved helicoid causing mis-focus.
And I too would be interested in learning more about 5n filter removal - pros/cons.
Philip

 

[budajoe69]

For using M lens on a mirrorless digital, there are a few excellent options currently…my suggestions:

Olympus E-p5 — A beautiful, classically styled camera - the current Vf-4 is brilliant, and probably one, if not the best electronic viewfinders currently offered — I love that it tilts 90 degrees so you can shoot from various angles. You can take if off as well and minimize the form factor. Relatively a bargain with the current incentives going on with the VF package.

The zoom features, along with the high resolution VF4 make focusing very easy with manual lenses. Focus peaking is there if needed, but I find it unnecessary. It's a great feeling knowing that you can nail focus, with absolute confidence, with the fastest of lenses.

5 axis IS is incredible - it lives up to the hype — allowing for incredible hand held shooting at ridiculously slow shutter speeds.

Current image quality from the M4/3 sensors is just great (and especially olympus JPEG) — very competitive with the large sensors of today — The fuji x trans has a stop better ISO, can provide a shallower DOF, but otherwise, the advantages of the larger sensor formats are rather minimal, considering all other features being offered.

=======================

Maybe the X pro 1, image quality is 2nd to none, but the electric vf, which you'll need to use with adapted lenses, isn't the greatest. Can be had cheap currently.

The biggest thing the fuji has going is 1), a very special rendering in JPEG, just gorgeous colors — & 2), the low noise at higher ISOs like 1600 & 3200 — (& the optical vf, but you can't use that for adapted lenses.

=======================

Maybe the new sony full frame mirrorless, haven't used it but seems like a nice option, biggest sensor, but also bigger bucks.


Good luck!