Buying an X-Pro 1 in late 2015

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I recently sold all my stuff except for Leica and have rededicated myself to the M digital and film world. I'm quite satisfied with this decision; the M is the camera I've historically enjoyed the most and it's nice to keep it simple for once. My only bodies are now an M6 and an M9.

I do need one live view camera, though, mostly for "scanning" film with a macro lens, but also for occasional lens testing. The mirrorless system I like is Fuji's, and my macro (an old Pentax) is affixed to a Fuji adapter. So I figured I'd just pick up a used X-M1 or X-A1 for a couple hundred bucks and call it a day.

But then I realized that the X-Pro 1 is down to $400 used, which seems crazy cheap for such a nice camera. I started thinking maybe it would be nice to have one, for some fun with adapted M lenses, or to shoot with the 27mm pancake, if a few hundred bucks materializes in the coming months. And its sturdier, metal body might be better suited for supporting my rather heavy marco lens on the copy stand.

My fear, of course, is that I'll get hooked back on Fuji and will start slavering for an XP2 when it comes out.

Anyway, is it worth the extra two Benjamins to pick up a used XP1?

 

[back alley]

would the tilting screen be more advantageous for scanning?

 

[harpofreely]

Don't do it. Stick to your original plan & keep things simple. Get the cheapest tilt-screen Fuji X cam you can find, and weld it to the camera stand.

 

[lxmike]

Watch out Fuji X kit is very addictive😀 good luck whatever way you choose

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

would the tilting screen be more advantageous for scanning?

Nah, the camera is pointing down, like so:



Thanks for the warnings, y'all! lol

 

[f16sunshine]

I finally let go my xpro1 over other fujis as I was not using the ovf and the xpro1 does not have a pop up flash.
After all these years of hating those little built in flashes on cameras, the fuji one comes along and changes my mind.
It's articulated and hinged so it can be bounced. It's not often I need flash but when it's needed it's there !
Being able to bounce it easily with a finger tip is genious.

There is an xa1 in the classified right now btw 😉

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I noticed that! If it and the 27 are still around on Monday, when my ebay auctions end, I may well be interested.

You have what now, an XE-1?

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi John
Yes, I'm using XE1's.
The XA1 is great. I just need two of the same bodies and so go with the XE1's.
I actually prefer the Bayer sensor output from the XA1.
It's a close call but the color seem nicer.
I just can't keep so many digital cameras 😱

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ Is that a prelude to offering me one in the Xmas exchange (place smiley face here)
Peter

 

[willie_901]

The X-Pro1 is completely practical and the 27 XF lens was my default lens for this camera.

The X-Pro1 AF is slower and less sensitive then the newest bodies. The AF speed difference disadvantage can be minimized by understanding the AF system and using appropriate parameters in different situations. The 27 mm lens is one of the best as far as AF goes on the X-Pro1because the mass of glass to be moved is small as is the distance it must move to achieve focus.

 

[burancap]

I would not hesitate, even this close to a possible Mk.II version. At current going rates, it is a steal for what it is.

 

[Landberg]

It is really slow but great!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

FYI, I ended up finding a good price on a used X-Pro1...and, of all things, a Zeiss Touit 32/1.8. That is sort of an unexpected outcome.

 

[willie_901]

mabelsound

Good find!

There will be a learning curve to climb in order to get the best AF performance with the X-Pro 1. It's complicated. There are two different modes (EVF/OVF), three different focus modes and optimum AF parameters can be different for each mode. Much of what you might read on-line is out of date because it was posted before the most recent firmware.

o make sure the camera and lens have the most recent firmware
o start simple with no automation (except for aperture or shutter priority)
o do not use any energy saving menu options
o the Fujifilm manual is useful but make sure you have the manual updates that cover the new firmware's features
o Google will discover useful third-party guides to supplement the Fujifilm's X-Pro 1 AF manual sections.

 

[rybolt]

One of the joys of the XP1 for this kind of work is the Preview Exposure in Manual feature. Go to full manual exposure and activate the feature in the setup menu. The XP1 isn't quite as accurate as the XT1 for this feature but it's pretty good.
Also, if you're able to make yourself a 18% grey slide you'll find it very handy for metering your dupes. Put it in the holder, meter, put the slide or neg in and shoot and you should have a perfect dupe.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I bought my X100 right before or shortly after Fuji issued the X100S, and wound up with a camera that I like a lot... even if I'm not too crazy about the color rendition of things. Given the wild price of the X-Pro 1 these days, I may get one next week... but first I must earn it. 🙂

Hence, I'll be unloading some gear (for cash). I do have some accessories that I bought for the X100 and never used (or tried and didn't find them useful). Those will go to the Xmas exchange... as soon as I find them! 🙂

Any more praise for the X-Pro 1?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Awesome advice, thanks, guys! I've had other Fuji X cameras so it should come pretty naturally...I'm a one-point focus-and-recompose kind of person, so I should be in good shape. Willie, I'm surprised about the energy saving thing...does that slow the camera down?

 

[CliveC]

Are you shooting street or action? The X-Pro1 isn't great at that, despite its hybrid OVF and rangefinder looks.
But if you are the type to take your time and compose and don't mind a slow autofocus, the X-Pro1 is still a great camera.

I really wish the camera had received some of Fuji's later focusing updates, including coloured focus peaking.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

A bit of street, no action. Like I said, I will mostly use this with an adapted macro to scan film, but it should serve as a nice backup to my M9 as well. Curious about the Touit, which seemed to get good reviews.

 

[cz23]

Congrats on your X-Pro. Mine is a color companion for my MM. It's always a pleasure to go back to. I miss shots because of the AF, but no more than I miss with manual focus Ms. No big deal; there's always another picture. For focus/recompose, be sure to set your AF mode on Area rather than Multi.

What a great camera at today's prices. Enjoy!