M mono for B&W and X-Pro for color?

[eleskin]

80% of all my shots are always black and white, so maybe the M monochrome is the most logical choice. I would love to have both the M Mono and the new M as well, but my bank account cannot handle two cameras. So I am thinking M mono for 80%, and my X-pro and M8 for the color. Down the line, if I want full frame, the M9 will be even cheaper. So how do all of you feel about this choice? I have to think about this very hard because $7-8K is not a small price. I want to make the right choice and I would love to hear what all of you think.

 

[noimmunity]

I see that you must have ruled out film.

Otherwise, I would suggest using a film M along the new M240, and forget both the Fuji and the MM.

In digitaland:

The MM + Fuji pair looks pretty awesome. The MM is going to be, in all likelihood, inherently immunized against upgrade-fever (of course, one can always innoculate oneself spiritually, but that's another matter), while the Fuji X series promises an upgrade path towards which mortals can aspire.

What's not to like?

 

[jsrockit]

Great advice noimmunity...

 

[NicoM]

I'd still get the new M over the Monochrom for shooting black and white unless you need the higher ISO of the Monochrom or you want the purity of just being able to shoot black and white with a camera.

 

[eleskin]

M is no slouch

M is no slouch

The M is no slouch based on some of the samples I have seen converted to B&W. So that is something I have to consider. The Fuji I own so that is academic. Film: I started in 1987 in college and still use film, only in 8x10 though. Based on 26 years of experience, digital M's have given me some of the best Black and White ever. I have an M6 as well, but frankly I am more pleased with what my M8 has done.

 

[noimmunity]

Great advice noimmunity...

Next beer's on me!

 

[MCTuomey]

If I shot 80% B&W, and if I was invested in Leica glass and preferred the handling of digi M bodies, it seems simple to me. I'd buy an MM.

If I shot B&W less than color, and if I was invested in Leica glass and preferred the handling of digi M bodies, I'd buy an M 240.

 

[segedi]

Since my Monochrom order had been taking so long to come in, I canceled it. That and I knew the M 240 would be fine for B&W, so why bother? Then get a call a couple weeks later to say the Monochrom was in... so I rushed to pick it up. And love it. The High ISO is just wow - but I have had some horizontal banding at ISO 10,000 in a very dark lodge/pub/saloon.

So then I wanted to cancel the M 240 pre-order, but couldn't - it arrived and my deposit wasn't refundable. So I sold some more things, including almost all of my Canon gear, and now I have both.

The ISO isn't as high or as nice looking on the color images on the new M - as expected. The B&W is pretty close though, especially converting from RAW.

I know your wallet doesn't want to hear this, but the combo is great. Can use the same lenses, no crop factor, best of digital B&W (IMO) and a solid new, quiet shuttered, long battery-lasting color image machine. If I could have canceled my M 240 order though, I probably would still be happy as a clam - Monochrom for B&W and M7 for color film.

Rambling aside:
Yes - you should like the Monochrom very much. Especially for the high ISO stuff. And you shoot mostly black and white - this is the best B&W experience available. Period.

No - you shouldn't worry about a color body right now. That 20% you use for color? I think the Monochrom will keep you too enthused to worry about it. Get a Sony RX100 if you really need a fallback.

 

[hausen]

I am really impressed with the colour from my RX1. Monochrom and RX1 would be an interesting kit. Both FF and save serious bucks on M240.

 

[hepcat]

What's not to like?

Not being able to focus the Fuji manually through the optical viewfinder. and an auto focus system that is capable of missing focus at least as often as it gains it.

 

[GaryLH]

Not being able to focus the Fuji manually through the optical viewfinder. and an auto focus system that is capable of missing focus at least as often as it gains it.

Have u used one since the latest fw updates. Yes it will miss af.. But your statement is a bit of over the top.. It is contrast af not phase like a dslr. The best of the contrast detect are in m43 IMHO and I have had missed af there as well..

Manual focus can still be done via the evf.

If it is Fuji is not an rf, then fine it is not an rf... Never meant to be a traditional rf.

Gary