Fuji Xt1 and Leica M Lenses

[guardado1213]

Anybody have any experience with using Leica M or Voigtlander lenses on their Fuji Xt1? Fuji seems to have made great advancements on focus peaking on the XT1 and while I enjoy using the my Fujinon 18mm and 35mm, I think it would be a worthwhile investment to add some of my M mount lenses to my Fuji kit.
I've been considering buying the Fuji M mount adapter or the Kipon adapter with the helicoid.

 

[SuperUJ]

Among my M mount glasses, I only have problem with my copy of the CV15mm (screw mount, actually). 50/35 Cron/Lux all works well with my X-E2. I settled with Fuji M mount adapter as the switch lens button is worth the money and it is pretty well built adapter as well.

As for focus peaking, I shoot RAW + JPEG and set it to B&W, then set focus peaking color to red. It works very well for me. The only thing that I lose is the great JPEG files. I have been a RAW shooter anyway. Hope it helps.

John

 

[rbelyell]

i just receved my xt1 yesterday. i've used the rd1 digirangefinder for m lenses hetertofore. i have to say, though ive only taken a handful of shots with only the summarit 75/2.5, i found manual focus a breeze with the huge bright xt1 vf. you can set it to magnify the center of the frame, either by button or simply by rotating the focus ring. this by itself works well. i use it with the split screen focus aid, which is like some old time film slrs ive used. the in focus parts shimmer as well. this is the easiest and most 'fun' digital manual focus experience ive had, not including the rd1.

 

[guardado1213]

Among my M mount glasses, I only have problem with my copy of the CV15mm (screw mount, actually). 50/35 Cron/Lux all works well with my X-E2. I settled with Fuji M mount adapter as the switch lens button is worth the money and it is pretty well built adapter as well.

As for focus peaking, I shoot RAW + JPEG and set it to B&W, then set focus peaking color to red. It works very well for me. The only think that I lose is the great JPEG files. I have been a RAW shooter anyway. Hope it helps.

John

What kind of problems are you experiencing with the CV 15mm LTM. I only ask because i have one as well and was hoping to use it as a wide angle lens.

Yeah I've tried manual focus on my native lenses and it seems very easy with focus peaking on red highlights. I'm thinking of using the dual screen option that brings up the typical view along with a zoomed in version side by side.

 

[GaryLH]

Second, do M lenses perform well on an XT1? Answer is mixed.

It is a mixed result w/ just about every mirrorless camera out there except the Leica's..Usually the wider the lens fov, the more u encounter comments about mixed results. A lot really has to do w/ how picky u are..

W/ that said the way I have my xt-1 setup when I use any legacy manual focus lense is
- set raw or jpg+raw
- use monochrome mode (so u can c focus peaking better)
-- the raw image still has all the color info for your photo editor to work w/.. At least for Aperture (never tried it in LR)
- set weak to medium focus peaking
- use red mostly for peaking color
- also use center mode split image (available when u set mf mode) sometime in conjunction w/ mag button.

This give u three methods of focus at your finger tips as needed.

Gary

 

[SuperUJ]

What kind of problems are you experiencing with the CV 15mm LTM. I only ask because i have one as well and was hoping to use it as a wide angle lens.

Yeah I've tried manual focus on my native lenses and it seems very easy with focus peaking on red highlights. I'm thinking of using the dual screen option that brings up the typical view along with a zoomed in version side by side.

Images come out too soft, but the same lens works great with M240. Perhaps, I've one too many adapters (LTM to M to XF).

XF native lenses are pretty impressive, but most XF wide angle ones (except the 18mm 2.0) are too big for me.

John

 

[guardado1213]

Thanks for sharing your setup Gary! I'll definitely try this out and see if suits me.

I don't think I am too picky but i would have to see what results i get. I'm not one to fret about soft images as i tend to think it gives the photo some character. Now this makes me want to try out my Elmar 50mm 3.5 LTM and see the results 😀.

It is a mixed result w/ just about every mirrorless camera out there except the Leica's..Usually the wider the lens fov, the more u encounter comments about mixed results. A lot really has to do w/ how picky u are..

W/ that said the way I have my xt-1 setup when I use any legacy manual focus lense is
- set raw or jpg+raw
- use monochrome mode (so u can c focus peaking better)
-- the raw image still has all the color info for your photo editor to work w/.. At least for Aperture (never tried it in LR)
- set weak to medium focus peaking
- use red mostly for peaking color
- also use center mode split image (available when u set mf mode) sometime in conjunction w/ mag button.

This give u three methods of focus at your finger tips as needed.

Gary