For my kind of work: X1, M8 w 28, or Fuji?

For my kind of work: X1, M8 w 28, or Fuji?

  • Leica X1

    Votes: 20 16.0%

  • Leica M8 w VC 28mm

    Votes: 55 44.0%

  • Fuji F100

    Votes: 50 40.0%
  • Total voters
    125
Frank Petronio

Frank Petronio

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I don't need super fast focus but I do shoot wide open in crappy light. I like 35-40mm focal lengths.

Which should I get?

Right now I use a G1 w the 20mm but I'd like to get 2-stops more speed and a little less highlight burn-out. I've also liked everything from TXP in a Hexar or M-body w 40mm -- to a Nikon D70-80-D300 w 35/1.8 or 50/1.2.
 
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If you're not in a hurry and you don't mind spending $1000+, why not wait for the Fuji X100? If it sucks, you can always pick out something different. If it's awesome, then it will have been worth the wait, right?
 
All of the above appear to be decent solutions... but perhaps the M8 would be the best choice (though it won't give you two more stops vs. the G1). The Fuji's perfromance is unknown right now... you can deal with that later if it turns out well. The X1's AF is dead slow right now... a lot slower than the Panasonic. It's a great camera, but I think you'll find it frustrating. Both of the Leicas will give you better latitude, but the 1.7 lens negates most of or any high iso gain you'd get with the X1 and the M8 will be a step back regarding high ISO noise.
 
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The M8 accepts a lot of 1.2-1.4 lenses in focal lengths near your ideal. If you liked 35mm & 50mm lenses on the Nikon digital bodies, 35mm & 50mm will offer a bit more field of view on the M8. Down the road of course. If the 28 proves not to be your lens for all reasons.
 
Frank have you tried the RD1? RD1 plus anything fast that's 50mm or wider is a lot of fun. Unless your concern is big prints, I don't know why an M8 over the Epson.
 
M8 with faster lens

M8 with faster lens

I haven't been on this site much for some time, and this is the first post that caught my eye.

I have the M8 and an X1 as well. The M8 does really well at 640 ISO with a fast lens and steady hand. And it makes beautiful pictures. You can't really go wrong with that camera.

As for the X1, I really like this camera. It is slower but if you are off your game with the M8, that camera is slow too. As for the X1, you can learn to work with it if you plan ahead, pre-focus on something comparable in exposure and distance to what you will be shooting. It takes really nice pictures.

Good luck,
David
 
Given the work of yours I have seen (though only on the web) I would say it does not matter - you manage to produce great work with just any camera ;)

Still - I would probably rule out the X1 - if the AF is slow you get for about the same money as a used M8 a body with APS-C sized chip and rather slow lens. X100 ? nobody knows. If the lens delivers and the chip manages to save the highlights it would be my choice. if it doesn't - just get the M8 and some nice lens (maybe CV 20/2.0 ?).

Until you decide just keep shooting the 4x5 TXP :)
 
Why not just go Full Frame....

Why not just go Full Frame....

I've reached the point where I feel the need to do Full Frame before I die (Heart Surgery last week), and it's justifiable price/wise...

Canon 5D's are becomining a glut on the market with low shutter counts, selling at $900 to $1100.

Shoot without a crop factor
Shoot primes with adaptors
Shoot a "relatively" small body FF sensor.
Shoot 12 Mp

Don't know about you, but I'm just going to have to try something where I don't spend all that time trying to figure out the crop factor, or dealing with smeared corners "wide open" on smaller sensors... etc.

Also don't know about how you do it, but with your subject matter, I'd also rather spend more time concentrating on the subject matter (ladies), than playing mental masturbation with my equipment. No insult or pun intended.... Well OK... a bit:angel:
 
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kuzano said:
I've reached the point where I feel the need to do Full Frame before I die (Heart Surgery last week), and it's justifiable price/wise...

Canon 5D's are becomining a glut on the market with low shutter counts, selling at $900 to $1100.

Shoot without a crop factor
Shoot primes with adaptors
Shoot a "relatively" small body FF sensor.
Shoot 12 Mp

Don't know about you, but I'm just going to have to try something where I don't spend all that time trying to figure out the crop factor, or dealing with smeared corners "wide open" on smaller sensors... etc.

Also don't know about how you do it, but with your subject matter, I'd also rather spend more time concentrating on the subject matter (ladies), than playing mental masturbation with my equipment. No insult or pun intended.... Well OK... a bit:angel:
Click to expand...

I use a D700 with Zeiss 35/2 ( as well as Leica R 50 cron and v2 28/2.8 ). The 5D with the Zeiss will produce very nice images.

Sorry Frank for going a bit off topic. I tried the M8 and didn't like the crop factor after going FF with the D700. Haven't tried the X1. I do have the GF1 and 20/.17 and love the camera, especially for B+W. I will have a X100 when they comeout eventually--I'm on a list.
 
All of your choices are viewfinder cameras- so I am assuming you do not want a reflex camera.

Go with an M8 for the choice in lenses. The 35/1.7 Ultron is a good, fast lens and not too expensive. The 35/1.4 Nokton is fast, although some find the Bokeh harsh.

For 50- I'm a sucker for a Sonnar, and you have to use an RF to get a real choice in Sonnars.
 
The X1 reportedly has excellent low light performance at 1600 and 3200 ISO. Since you shoot in low light, the X1 would be a better choice over the M8. Of course, the M8, with its interchangeable lens capability, is much more versatile overall.
 
M8 w/ 35/1.2 Nokton should serve you well ... (Not that I have used this combo but it sounds promising :))
 
M8 / with the 35 1.7 Ultron if you can find it...its a gem that lens
or as Gabor just said...the nokton 35 1.2

:)- H
 
ferider said:
Full frame DSLR and fast 35. Why not ?
Click to expand...


+1

Using a 28mm in close quarters like when you shoot in a Hotel room or similar will lend too much lens character (distorted lady bits and the like). I've tried the M8 and 28 for the same and was mostly disappointed. Some things looked cool but there also where too many overlong fingers and feet and elbows and nose and..... you already know all this. A D700 and fast 50 or 35 would be much kinder. The 5D classic is not a bad option on the cheap. I think that camera body is at it's bottom price right now. In other words a safe buy in case of the need to sell.
 
So many people just ignored the part where he said he likes 35-40mm focal lengths. I would imagine that meant equivalent to that focal length on 35mm.
 
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