Comparson

[1750Shooter]

Can anyone give me a comparison of the X-Pro1 vs an M8? I've never used an X-Pro, I have borrowed an M8, & the digital workflow is beginningnto become appealing. Currently, my primary is an M5 with a complement (28,35,50,85,100, & 135) of Canon lenses. That leads to my second question, how would I manually focus these lenses on an X-Pro? Thanks for your input.

 

[weather]

Haven't used an m8 before but I was at one time making this comparison myself before I purchased the x pro 1.
What it comes down to is that they are two different camera's. The m8 a digital rangefinder and the xpro1 a rangefinder style mirrorless camera.

The conclusion I came to is that even though I would love to work with a true rangefinder with leica's build quality, the m8 just doesn't deliver the IQ that the xpro1 does, the sensor is also old technology and requires special filters to get results from.

I use manual m mount lenses on my xpro1 and I even use the Fuji lenses in manual mode. Despite what people say, given time and practice it is a pleasure to use.
I use this focusing technique to get the maximum benefit of the OVF and EVF.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnZEam7FMyw

The newest firmware for the xpro1 included focus peaking, very handy and quick!

The m8 is sexy, but I just don't think is makes sense for its cost, inferior image quality and sensor problems.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[willie_901]

These two cameras are rather different. There's really no comparison. Picking one over the other invokes compromise and the advantages and disadvantages of each are somewhat subjective. With your lens collection the M8 has a distinct advantage in terms of usage... especially for B&W work.

Focusing these lenses on the X-Pro 1 involves purchasing a M adapter. The Fuji adapter is convenient with regard to EXIF info and framelines setup. Other adapters work very well too. Some work better than others as some units require a small amount of shimming to avoid focusing past infinity.

Another concern is if the lens optical design works well with the sensor's micro-lenses in the color filter array. Some lenses smear at the edges with shorter focal lengths. Others don't. I do not know how well your lenses work with the X-Pro 1.

Focusing would be done several ways. In OVF mode you could focus by switching to EVF mode. This takes a flip of a lever by the lens. It is very quick. Then you could visually inspect focus in the finder. A push of the selector wheel on the rear of the body zooms 3x and then 10 X digitsl zoom. If you turn focus peaking on you see a sparkling white outline around the edges of objects in focus. This can be very useful. For some subjects you see the DOF as well because high contrast objects at different distances will have sparkled outlines. For some subjects to will only see focus peaking on one subject. The peaking is present in the zoom modes as well. When focus is set you can switch back to OVF mode. I'm not sure what frame lines are visible and how many different focal lengths can be stored in the menu system.

Of course once you adjust how to using the engraved markings on the lens barrel with the APS-C format, you can zobe focus as well. You can also prefocus using a set point. Most of the RF techniques apply in general but not specifically.

 

[wpm]

I just bought an M 8.2 after having used the XPro for about a year. Just had to satisfy that GAS. I've only had it a week and am getting more and more comfortable with it.
I find the XPro much more flexible and it continues to amaze me. The more I use the 35mm, the more I'm impressed with it. I'm just now getting my feet wet with the M 8.2. Different feel and more of the rangefinder "experience." I'm liking what I see from it but if I had to choose between the two, I'd have to lean toward the Fuji. The b&w files on both are great and more than enough for what I do. Colors on the Fuji are great.

 

[Avotius]

So I used to have a M8 and while it was a decent camera, I did not get along with it very well because of the somewhat dimwitted operation. It was slow and everything on it felt obsolete, not that it really matters when you can get a good final image, but now I have an XE1 and I am good with my choice.

The problem is you have a good set of Canon lenses, and while yes you could use them on the XPro1 it would not be the same. There is focus peaking but it is best used on the back screen rather than the viewfinder I find. Adapted lenses do work, it just takes a little getting used to.

 

[jsrockit]

The reasons to get a M8 these days:

• You absolutely love a mechanical RF camera...
• or you love M mount (LTM) lenses.
• The M8 is one of the only digital cameras on the market that feels close to a film camera in feel.

The reason I went Fuji instead (i've used the M8/M9 in the past)?

• Close-Focus
• OVF (Leica like viewing experience) or EVF (SLR VF accuracy)
• Lighter than M
• Cheaper than M
• High ISO

The Fujis are better for my needs... but I miss a mechanical RF at times.

 

[JeffNYC]

The reasons to get a M8 these days:

• You absolutely love a mechanical RF camera...
• or you love M mount (LTM) lenses.
• The M8 is one of the only digital cameras on the market that feels close to a film camera in feel.

The reason I went Fuji instead (i've used the M8/M9 in the past)?

• Close-Focus
• OVF (Leica like viewing experience) or EVF (SLR VF accuracy)
• Lighter than M
• Cheaper than M
• High ISO

The Fujis are better for my needs... but I miss a mechanical RF at times.

Perhaps another Leica RF is in your future ;-)

 

[jsrockit]

Perhaps another Leica RF is in your future ;-)

Sure, maybe. But not a M8, M9, or M240. I couldn't pay that much for a camera I wouldn't use often.

 

[nongfuspring]

The updated version of the X-E1 is going to be announced in a couple of weeks. If it has the split image manual focus assist from the X100s that it is expected to it could make a great alternative to an M8 so long as you're ok with an EVF.