Best Non-Leica body for Leica lens IQ

[srtiwari]

Having just sold my Leica M9, and not quite able to reach up to the Typ240/Monochrom levels, my Leica M lens lie unused. What would be the best (current) compact, mirror less digital body for using Leica M lens, until the Typ240 becomes available ? (of course, I'll have to sell lot more stuff to actually be able to buy one !)

Acknowledging that nothing is quite a Leica M8/M9/Typ240 or Monochrom, please choose from amongst these 'also-rans'-

 

[ddhytz]

Ricoh GXR M module and Sony NEX can use Leica M lenses.
I would choose Ricoh GXR-M.

 

[mdarnton]

The Nex7 is on my list when I get $$$ for another body for it's good, built-in eyelevel viewfinder, it's high resolution, and especially, focus peaking with manual focus (that is, with my Leica's lenses). Also, if you care (and I do) it's got a separate mic input plug.

 

[lewis44]

OM-D ***It has a Dandy Sensor & IS, plus built in VF

 

[perzpective]

I'm still figuring out this very same question myself. But if I pulled the trigger today, it'd be the Ricoh GXR with M Mount. But I've got hope for the eventual release of the X Pro 2 equivalent. Curious with Fuji's mad scientists are conjuring up back in that laboratory of theirs.

 

[Mark Schretlen]

Without any doubt, the GXR-M is the one. I wish it was full frame.

 

[music_healing]

I ve used Lumix GF2, OMD, Nex 5N-7 and Fuji X Pro 1 (havent tried GXR M mount yet)

all my lens is LTM and M mount ..

I finally use the most is Sony Nex 5N .. Remove the AA filter, UV filter and IR filter ... + external VF + Hawk helicoid adapter
work like a charm..
colors look a bit Provia, sometimes very superia look..
BW is so spot on .... even OOC Jpeg (I deliberately shoot all BW in ISO 1600 - 6400) and in < 10 R prints.. it is so film like ..

I finally keep the Nex 5N for daily use .. never fail to impress me up to ISO 12800

just my 2 cents
William Jusuf

 

[segedi]

Without any doubt, the GXR-M is the one. I wish it was full frame.

Yep, the GXR is the best alternative for image quality. Nothing beats the Leica for user experience, but the photos from the GXR are fantastic.

At full size I can make out the people on the far shore...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/segedi/7792432324/in/photostream/

 

[ddhytz]

I finally use the most is Sony Nex 5N .. Remove the AA filter, UV filter and IR filter ...

Interesting. How difficult would it be to remove the AA filter?

 

[splitimageview]

X-E1...excellent EVF and ergonomics, no AA, fantastic sensor, with a Hawk close focusing adapter...alternatively for slightly more, X-Pro1 for the OVF and framelines with the Fuji M adapter.

Having used both the NEX 7 and the X-E1 for this application (and several micro 4/3 models prior including OM-D) both are excellent choices but I prefer the handling and sensor of the Fuji.

OM-D has great in body stabilization but falls short of the other two due to larger crop factor and sensor that doesn't quite match up.

 

[Classique]

Nex 5N with EVF. It's a joy to use leica lenses on this tiny but capable camera (so tiny that I had to add leather grip to make it more ergonomic - now it's perfect). Add hawk's close up helicoid and your leica lenses will focus as close (or closer) than normal SLR lenses.

 

[kutitta]

I ve used Lumix GF2, OMD, Nex 5N-7 and Fuji X Pro 1 (havent tried GXR M mount yet)

all my lens is LTM and M mount ..

I finally use the most is Sony Nex 5N .. Remove the AA filter, UV filter and IR filter ... + external VF + Hawk helicoid adapter
work like a charm..
colors look a bit Provia, sometimes very superia look..
BW is so spot on .... even OOC Jpeg (I deliberately shoot all BW in ISO 1600 - 6400) and in < 10 R prints.. it is so film like ..

I finally keep the Nex 5N for daily use .. never fail to impress me up to ISO 12800

just my 2 cents
William Jusuf

Another vote for Sony NEX 5N with full support to the music healing's comment even though I didnt try other systems but studied the reviews and compared the shots taken with them

 

[kxl]

I went with the Sony NEX6

 

[YYV_146]

NEX7 if you aren't shooting wides. The 5N is good but can't compete with the 7 in terms of dynamic range and detail. High ISO is still better than the M9 by about 1/2 stops IMO, but the Fuji X cameras obviously win in this aspect.

 

[GaryLH]

In order - best is first (imho), I happen to have all these different cameras. The Ricoh and Fuji are the only two system that support the three main types of lens correction.

- Ricoh gxr a12 m module plus evf
-- configurable lens correction
-- no problem w/ super wides
-- focus peaking + mag view
-- apsc 12mp sensor
--- good up to 1600
-- everything from 15 to 135 no problem in rf glass

- Olympus omd
-- camera body stabilization is absolute best
-- menu system the worst
-- mag view only
-- m43 16mp sensor
--- good up to 1600
-- I mainly use this setup for tele work - Leica glass 35 to 135, I have never tired anything shorten than 35, but I have never heard any complain.

- Fuji xp1/xe1
-- customizable lens config for Leica m mount lenses
-- configurable lens correction
-- Fuji m mount adapter as well as third party
-- mag only
-- native af lenses are much better than Sony and some would push close to Leica quality at much lower price point
--- good third party lenses like Zeiss
-- 16mp xtran apsc sensor
--- good iso to 3200
-- second gen body my have focus peaking and split image (project 2014 for new body)
-- lenses wider than 28 in rf type may have issue ymmv. I am ok up to 21 myself.

- Sony Nex 5n (Nex 6 should be better) plus evf
-- focus peaking + mag view
-- 16mp apsc sensor
--- good up to 1600 (3200 grey zone ymmv)
--- the new Nex 6 maybe be good up to 3200 from what I have read
-- thinness and lightest body - can adapt just about any legacy lens
-- best movie implementation
-- the most non-traditional camera UI setup (some all it more iPhone like)
-- good support of super wides rf lenses

Gary

 

[agfa100]

Another one for the Ricoh GXR with M module.....

 

[aleksanderpolo]

It would be GXR-M

 

[ajvin]

Ricoh GXR with M module....I have one and use my leica and CV lenses on it.....awesome results

 

[TKH]

Ricoh GXR M the best, forget the rest.

 

[porktaco]

i'd say the xe-1. you can use it in a very similar way to an RF. integrated VF, put to eye in the normal place, shoot. the controls are, to me at least, very intuitive. you can shoot at 6400 (if you look at the five photos i posted on sunday, they're all at 6400 i think) just fine thank you.

i hated the nex UI and general ergonomics, but the sensor is fantastic.

i've always been intrigued by the GXR, though. i love the photos i see from it. apparently it tops out at 1600... sad face. also, unless you get that clunky EVF, you're shooting from the back of the camera which a) i don't like and b) gives you away if you're shooting in a darkened environment