Fuji X-Pro or Leica M8

[Jamie Pillers]

I just received an X-Pro1 today. I had the X100 for about a year before this. Here's what I think will affect someone trying to make the decision between digital M or X-pro1. Its the manual focus issue, and not the image quality issues.

I was very comfortable with the X100's so-called manual focus characteristics. But that was because I was focusing the built-in auto-focus lens on the X-100 with a button-push snap focus kind of method... not at all like manually focusing with a focus ring.

Now comes the X-Pro1. 'Manually' focusing the X-Pro auto-focus lenses is the same as with the X100.... quick and precise, but again, not at all like an M-camera. The new problem created by the X-Pro1 is when you mount a true manual focus lens. Then the real quirkiness of Fuji's manual focusing tools becomes a pain if one is in a hurry to focus. Since a manual focus lens (like your M glass) has no auto-focusing capability, there is then no 'snap focusing' possible. Instead you have to use the viewfinder magnifying feature to check focus, a relatively cumbersome process if you are in a hurry. This will be a complete turn-off to someone that wants an M-type experience. There's just too much fiddling involved trying to focus a manual-focus lens. I'm not saying you can't accurately focus a manual focus lens on the Fuji, but its definitely not a seamless process.

Personally, I can live with the X-Pro1's focusing quirkiness because I'm happy using autofocus or snap-style zone focusing with the Fuji X-Pro lenses in quickly changing situations. I'll save manual focus lenses for portrait, macro, or landscape photography.

If you expect to use your favorite Leica glass AND be able to focus it quickly for, say, street photography, I wouldn't recommend buying the X-Pro1. Using manual focus lenses on the X-Pro1 will, I think, be limited to situations where the subject is stationary.

 

[GaryLH]

If you expect to use your favorite Leica glass AND be able to focus it quickly for, say, street photography, I wouldn't recommend buying the X-Pro1. Using manual focus lenses on the X-Pro1 will, I think, be limited to situations where the subject is stationary.

But just like any other camera like Ricoh gxr or sony Nex, u came zone or set hyper focal focus on the lens and shot away. The main issue due to smaller sensor size compared to ff, u need to use a higher fstop (1.5 stops more).


Btw did I bump into u about 2 weeks ago with your family in Oakland, College Ave area?

Gary

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Yep... that was me (us)! 🙂

And I agree with your point. If one is comfortable with zone or hyperfocal distance focusing, then it all works well.

 

[GaryLH]

Yep... that was me (us)! 🙂

And I agree with your point. If one is comfortable with zone or hyperfocal distance focusing, then it all works well.

Cool. I was tempted to ask that day if u were posting on rff. Nice meeting u... Anyway have fun with the new camera. 😀

Gary

Btw. I was not comfortable with either zone or hyper focal until I bought a Rolli 35T... 🙂

 

[willie_901]

I enjoy the X100 and XP1.

While I enjoyed the M lenses I owned, I don't miss them.

It's pretty clear to me that if you can't live without M lenses, you should just get a M body. This assumes an optical finder where one can see outside of the frame is a requirement.

 

[Shade]

I actually voted for the xpro1 before, but since I have used the xpro1 for a few months I have decided that I changed my mind with my answer. Why? Well, perhaps its because I personally think the xpro1 doesnt deliver what I first thought it would.. The colours are great out of Fujis and I hold on to that belief whenever I buy a Fuji canera, but I personally think thats just it. Theres nothing else special about it.. Sure its a nice camera, but just "another dSLR in a rangefinder style body" kinda thing..

Dont get me wrong Im not a Leica fanboy, O love my EM-5 for all sorts of purposes..

But now I think the output of the M8 is simply different and better to my liking. That being said, I also prefer it than my m9. Call me wierdo but with enough light I have no hesitation picking up the M8 of all the other cameras I have. Not necessarily better, but I just like it more.

 

[jsrockit]

Sure its a nice camera, but just "another dSLR in a rangefinder style body" kinda thing...

Exactly what it is really... but the ergonomics are an important difference from a DSLR for many of us here at RFF. Nothing quite feels like a Leica M, whether film or digital.

 

[StenSture]

I voted M8. I would never trade it for a Fuji. Leica is a camera but Fuji is a computer. But, of course, play around with them and buy the one you fall in love with. The statement Leica produces lousy images is just daft.

 

[jsrockit]

I voted M8. I would never trade it for a Fuji. Leica is a camera but Fuji is a computer. But, of course, play around with them and buy the one you fall in love with. The statement Leica produces lousy images is just daft.

Can you explain how the M8 is not a computer?

 

[StenSture]

I guess you might know what I mean...

 

[SausalitoDog]

I've found that you are almost always better off buying the later technology. That would be especially true in this case where you could buy the body with the better sensor and if you really have to have Leica glass, you can buy an adapter and use it on the Fuji.

Tom

 

[Lss]

I've found that you are almost always better off buying the later technology. That would be especially true in this case where you could buy the body with the better sensor and if you really have to have Leica glass, you can buy an adapter and use it on the Fuji.

You don't get rangefinder focusing with the Fuji, which means it's not even close to giving the same performance or experience.

 

[SausalitoDog]

You don't get rangefinder focusing with the Fuji, which means it's not even close to giving the same performance or experience.

I totally grant you that the experience is different. Focusing manually with the Leica lens is special.

The focus with the xp1 is slow but very accurate and in situations that allow that extra time, your performance is on par with the best.

For me, offsetting the poor manual focus experience is the addition of the hybrid VF.

I have not tried using an M adapter and I'm not really sure how good/bad or pleasing that actually is - maybe someone who has tried it will chime in?

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Viktor Sebastian]

Just use what works for you.

 

[jsrockit]

You don't get rangefinder focusing with the Fuji, which means it's not even close to giving the same performance or experience.

Right, one of the only reasons to buy a M8 over the Fuji is (primarily) the mechanical RF of the M8. If you lust after that, the Fuji will never scratch that itch.

 

[kanzlr]

I just got my X-Pro1 and I have to admit it is nice, but it is not even close to a Leica.

Too many controls, too light a feel, too small a viewfinder...but the AF works nicely, image quality is great, and I do not mind the lighter weight on travel.

Still, it is not comparable to a rangefinder. Not even close.

 

[willie_901]

If you get the M8, some RFF members have suggested you should hold a few thousand dollars in reserve in case the LCD screen fails. Leica will upgrade you to a M9 at a discount if you can afford the upgrade fee. So set aside money or the M8, IR filters and funds for a M9 upgrade. Or you can assume your M8 LCD screen will never need replacement and proceed ad you would with any other camera purchase.

 

[fubircu]

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[jsrockit]

If you get the M8, some RFF members have suggested you should hold a few thousand dollars in reserve in case the LCD screen fails. Leica will upgrade you to a M9 at a discount if you can afford the upgrade fee.

Do you think someone who is buying the M8 has M9 money lying around? They might, but they made the decision not to use that cash when they bought a M8 initially. Leica's discount is small too... and it assumes that everyone of its customer has thousands just lying around waiting to buy a "cheap" M9. BS really.

 

[willie_901]

I don't.

In the M8/LCD thread I expressed concern in about M8 owners who who might be stuck with a seriously compromised camera because they saved and sacrificed just to buy a M8 and literally could not afford the M9 upgrade. I was told anyone who bought a M8 without having the means to upgrade was being naive and my criticism of Leica abandoning people who could not afford the upgrade was unfounded.