Fuji X-Pro or Leica M8

[jsrockit]

Hmm, my Ricoh GRD, GX100 is good at this. My Lumix LX1, G1, GF1, and G3 are good at this. My Leicas are good at this. Even the Contax G2 and that is over 12 years old. I'm knocking the Fuji. I think it is quite surprising that this is one area that the Fuji should not be weak given all that Fuji is striving for. For $700 less, Olympus really nailed the auto focus.

I understand that all of the cameras you listed are faster in the AF department (though the G2 may not be and which Leica?). Olympus did nail it though.

Listen Jsrockit, some people buy with their hearts hoping it will all be ok, but knowing there are short comings. Some people buy with their heads, hoping to get that warm fuzzy feeling, but knowing it won't ever really exist. I admit I've done both. The cameras that never fail to get me what I want, don't it for me emotionally when I pick them up. The cameras that I have an emotional attachment to, make me work, hard, and sometimes don't deliver.

Kind of like human love and relationships.

True. I guess for me is that there is no perfect camera. All of them have shortcomings. As someone who does not like using DSLRs, the Fuji is the closest thing to an ideal for me. The AF could be better, but I'll make due. I'm used to it after all...since I used the Leica X1 and the Fuji X100. The X-Pro1 feels great compared to the X1 for sure.

 

[kbg32]

neither is the M
you just zone focus both of them

From many perspectives, you are quite wrong.

 

[kbg32]

I had a Panasonic DMC LC-1 for awhile. Loved the IQ, even though it was 5mgpxls, the handling, the zoom range... I loved everything about the camera, but its autofocus and shutter lag were horrendousl! The Fuji reminds me of the LC-1.

 

[MiloMoskover]

Yes, I have been thinking the same! I loved the DMC LC-1 for its IQ and lens. The AF was a little slow, but the camera is almost 10 years old now. While the AF on the X-Pro1 is much faster, it still lags a little compared to many micro4/3 cameras. But, so what? The IQ on the X-Pro1 is amazing!

 

[kbg32]

Hopefully Fuji will get around this or better it with some new firmware update. But how far can it go? It has to be more then just a firmware upgrade.....

 

[Lax Jought]

yeah I dont blame you

I tried to follow Eric Kim's youtube clip on zone focusing but it still didn't really work out too well for me. Maybe my distance perception is out of whack, to be honest.

 

[Spyro]

you're probably overthinking it mate, in practice you'll probably only ever use 1 or 2 settings that match your usual shooting needs, something like 35mm, ISO400, f8, 3m, 1/250 for your typical partly overcast melbourne day. Take it from there, finetune and keep.

 

[Jubb Jubb]

@ Lax Jought, the Eric Kim video on it has made use zone focusing every time i shoot.
It is too easy. Just line up the distance with whatever aperture you are using on the focus tab, then all you need to do is compose and click the shutter. Easy as, and super quick to use. No need to focus for every shot.

 

[Deep Fried]

After seeing the X Pro1's poor AF, though fantastic IQ, I'd go with the M8. I still believe it is quite an impressive camera.

Because the M8 autofocus is so fast right?! LOL

 

[jippiejee]

Because the M8 autofocus is so fast right?! LOL

Well it least focus is spot-on without going a circus of buttons and procedures and settings. Just move that tab, often in less than half a second, and then responding immediately. It might not have the latest sensibilities that turn night into day, but focus is not one of its problems.

 

[jsrockit]

It might not have the latest sensibilities that turn night into day, but focus is not one of its problems.

Well, that depends on the lens used.

 

[jippiejee]

Well, that depends on the lens used.

Unfortunately with the xpro-1, it doesn't even depend on the lens used.

 

[JHutchins]

Unfortunately with the xpro-1, it doesn't even depend on the lens used.

But it does. I find that the 18 focuses easily in all circumstances. The 35 is a little more quarrelsome. The 60 I don't have & likely won't buy but I hear it can be irksome.

And for what it's worth, I'd say that while most M lenses are easier to focus on an M, the 75 Summilux is easier to focus on the X Pro 1 than on an M8 (what with focus shift, the low magnification finder &c).

 

[willie_901]

Unfortunately with the xpro-1, it doesn't even depend on the lens used.

This absolutely false.

 

[jsrockit]

But it does. I find that the 18 focuses easily in all circumstances. The 35 is a little more quarrelsome.

Exactly...

 

[Marac]

Sorry to be the odd one out (Im used to it though) but I would never pass up my Leica M8 for a Fuji. I shoot in B&W mostly though and really enjoy the B&W images from the M8. I have owned and sold the X100 and the X10 I have no desire to shoot with an AF Rangefinder. I own a Canon 1Ds2 for that kind of thing. I own a Leica RF because it gives me a feeling, & a certain Image that no other camera can ever give me.

Of cause, this is just my opinion, I would rather spend the money on an M6/7

And here we are a few months later and my M8 has developed the 'line of dead pixels' fault, the repair bill is way out of my range and how ironic is it that a very good friend of mine offered me a trade for my M8 and my Leica 24 f3.8 ASPH for a fuji X pro-1 with 18mm 35mm and a voigtlander 50mm f1.1 Behind my frustration though is a kind of excitement, however I will deeply miss my M8, rest in peace

 

[shiro_kuro]

Marac ,
Seems you got off easy with a trade : ) Now you can see if you like the XP1 without the headache of selling an M8 with problems. It also puts you in a better position selling the XP1 and get another M8 .
Enjoy your new camera

 

[Marac]

Yes I think I have been offered a great deal. My friend can afford to have it repaired and has an M9 and the new MM on order, and and and etc etc but he is always very kind to me and I totally appreciate his help and guidance. I would not be where I am today gear-wise had it not been for him.

Still I have a very sad feeling in my guts, I hope I can enjoy the Xpro1, he has included an adapter for my remaining M-lenses to work on the fuji.

On a lighter note, I spent a bit of time in Hawaii and also Japan so your ink and location made me smile Mr B&W

 

[maitani]

I'd take the M8 over the Fuji any day

 

[Teuthida]

. The X100's out-of-camera B&W files just crush the B&W I've seen out of the M8 and M9. They have a recognizable tonality that looks absolutely fantastic, like well-exposed ACROS developed in XTOL.
.

Wow. Amazing how different perceptions can be.

I own both, and love the x100, while grudgingly accepting the limitations of the m8 precisely because I shoot only b&w, and IMO the b&w files from the m8 completely blow the fuji's out of the water. MUCH more depth and tonality. the fuji's seem flat and lifeless by comparison.

IMO, the m8, with its extended IR senstivity, still produces the best B&W files of any camera made. Shoot at base ISO and they are simply stunning.