Fuji for Digital Newbie?

[macjim]

On the m8 u hanker for...

The individual electronic components that are part of the m8 are at or will be reaching their end of life cycle.. Meaning that the original component makers of individual parts no longer make that part. Your luck is going to very in terms of finding replacements parts in the open market. The hw engineers that I used to work w/ hated going out into grey market to get parts once the manufacturers stop; think how bad it is for the small repair operations.

That m8 could be fine for the life of your ownership.. Just something u need to understand before u buy into the camera. The same can be said for any digital camera after it gets past 5-10 years for that matter, it is just that other cameras don't cost so much used after they are older than 3-5 years. I don't have a problem buying used digital cameras, but I tend not to buy ones past 5 years old.

Gary

I had an M9 and ended up moving to Fuji. The thing to remember is this: buying an M8 or M9 is an expensive one and can backfire on you, I know as that happened to me. The M8 & M9 are very different cameras to the Fuji ones, the M8 being an APS sensor camera and the M9 a full framed sensor. The other thing to think about is the specs: both M's are a bit behind the times in comparison with low ISO top limits and not very low bottom limits so they could be a bit frustrating to use.
Another thing to watch out for is this: both M cameras are, and this may seem silly, manual cameras so you might miss a lot of photographs while you learn how to use them. At least with the X-series cameras you have the option of using full auto, semi-auto and manual settings. You also win when it comes to ISO etc.
finally, both Leica's are not investments, I should know as I lost a lot of cash having bought a new M9 with a 35mm Leica lens, and then tried to sell it for cash. I ended up having to trade it in as I would have lost even more if I'd gone down the cash sale only. If you really want to buy a Leica I won't put you off as, in my experience, I experienced the chance to own this legend but it can bite back and cost you dearly, especially if it needs servicing or repairs. Many Leica M8/9 owners have had to have their cameras sent back for servicing as the rangefinder can become inaccurate over time.
As I said before, I would suggest you go for the X-E1 as it will,allow you to buy the prime lenses now then, when cash becomes available, you can either buy more lenses or upgrade to the next X-Pro model when they come out.

Cheers, Macjim

 

[giellaleafapmu]

I am going to jump back in here due to something I learned today about using the EVF on the X100 (and of course the XE1).

I always use the OVF. But, today I had a polarizing filter on the X100 and switched to the EVF to keep an eye on the polarizing effect.
Worked just fine until I tried to shoot a lady throwing stuff for her dog to catch. The lag in the EFV was terrible ! I missed every shot because the dog was a second (or 2 !) ahead of the viewfinder refresh. Ultimately I just looked above the hot shoe and shot that way and got one good shot off.

On the way home it occurred to me that I simply should have used the EVF to check the polarizer the switched back to the OVF to take the shot, but too late for that now.

Anyway . . . . if you are shooting fast moving stuff, it's quite tricky with the EVF. Maybe that influences your X100 vs XE1 decision ?

Or maybe the XE1 guys have a workaround for this ?


EDIT: Note that my complaint about the EVF lag is not due to using a polarizer. It simply happens that using the polarizer is how I became aware of the EVF lag.

Dogsports (or simply dog playing) are really a tricky subject to shot with anything which is not a fast DSLR. I have been shooting both dog ringsport and agility events (just for fun) and even using a fast DSLR is really difficult to catch the peack of the action such as a nice picture of a dog in the zig-zag or a dog exit the tunnel, not only they move fast but they are kind of erratic, even at 11fps and counting how long it takes to them between entering the tunnel and exiting it you get many pictures of tails exiting the frame... Ringsport is slightly easier but still it is not trivial with a slowish camera. I think the OVF might have helped but really you didn't have the right tool for the job and shouldn't feel bad at all for not getting the images you wanted.

GLF

 

[B-9]

I have 3 dogs, and all are actually well behaved for the camera. 2 are just generally uninterested in what im doing when I have the camera. My largest on the other hand, enjoys being photographed, and enjoys posing with his legs crossed, or sittiing with a goofy look.

On another note, no luck with eBay. Ive since moved my old M bodies to the classifieds.
So if anyone knows anyone looking a good user M body, push em my way ;p

Ive also managed to find a good deal on a store demo XE-1, without warranty, but the price difference, would easily allow me a mack warranty and some extra spending cash!

 

[B-9]

Has anyone used collapsible lenses on the X series camera's?

 

[GaryLH]

Has anyone used collapsible lenses on the X series camera's?

Generally not recommended. Possible for rear element to hit the sensor when collapsed all the way. I have heard of people using collapsibles but adding something around the inside cylinder to prevent lens from totally collapsing.

Gary

 

[jsrockit]

Certain lenses would collapse fine on the X-Pro1... what ones did you have in mind? Also, remember the adapter gives you room as well.

 

[B-9]

50mm f1.9 Serenar, one of my favorites. I like using the old Canon lenses, and I'm falling back on a small lens kit, Serenar 35/3.2, 50/1.9, and the 50/1.2. Along with a few pointless to sell lenses, like the cheaply had Industar 50/3.5 collaps and Leica Hektor 135.

If collapsible's are a no go, not a deal breaker. Might attempt it?

 

[willie_901]

The Fuji M adapter comes with a test mount so you can check the safety of the lens before you mount it on the camera.