Other digital options for Leica M glass?

[seanbonner]

I shoot film with my M2 & M7 and just use my iphone for any digital shots, but I've been thinking of dipping my toe into other digital options recently but not convinced enough to dive in full force with a new Leica M or MM or whatever. As there are several adapter options now for using Leica M glass on digital cameras, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with this, suggestions for just kind of messing around, or advice.

Is it worth it to try something like the Xpro-1 or a Micro 4/3's digi with an adapter or better to find a used M8 or what? Again, this would be not be main shooter, but rather just something to start experimenting with digital to see if I want to invest more time/$$$ in it down the line. Thoughts?

 

[kutitta]

I have had the same thought in mind for a while and after a bit of research, I have decided to get a Sony NEX 5N, especially after the price drop in Australia following the release of NEX 5R.

I also received some positive feedback from a friend of mine using NEX 5N with the legacy Olympus manual lenses (which I also have some). He especially praises the focus peaking feature as well as the high ISO capability.

X-Pro-1 is a great camera for sure, but the price difference between the two cameras is really substantial, at least for me.

 

[craygc]

+1 for the Nex 5n... The Nex 5n with Leica glass is great; and the EVF is very worthwhile. If you're shooting RAW then the only real difference you're getting with the Fuji is form factor. A micro 4/3s camera is going to crop your existing lenses a little too much to be useful.

 

[Lss]

Is it worth it to try something like the Xpro-1 or a Micro 4/3's digi with an adapter or better to find a used M8 or what?

It depends on what you are looking for and what works for you. If you are mainly/only looking to use the M mount lenses, M8 makes most sense in my opinion. I have been using NEX and MFT in addition to M mount rangefinders and much prefer the latter. The alternatives are certainly capable cameras.

 

[twopointeight]

The M8 or M8.2 is the closest way of working to your M7. Pretty simple. The others are more computer than camera.

 

[rbelyell]

ive had m4/3 and while its fine for slr legacy glass i personally found the results with RF glass were not in the same league as what i achieved with the gxr m mount. thats a personal strongly held observation based on my actual experience. i am also a huge fan of the new fuji X line and love my x100 and x10. while i have no personal experience with the xpro, from my extensive web viewing, FWIW, i do not think the results are as good as i get from the gxr. ditto compared to any of the sony line. the gxr is a fabulous tool in every regard, and is inexplicably fairly consistently overlooked in these kinds of discussions. its express purpose and its design is specifically intended and geared solely for use with M lenses, unlike any of the other non leica products, and it shows in the results.
tony

 

[Godfrey]

I shoot film with my M2 & M7 and just use my iphone for any digital shots, but I've been thinking of dipping my toe into other digital options recently but not convinced enough to dive in full force with a new Leica M or MM or whatever. As there are several adapter options now for using Leica M glass on digital cameras, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with this, suggestions for just kind of messing around, or advice.

Is it worth it to try something like the Xpro-1 or a Micro 4/3's digi with an adapter or better to find a used M8 or what? Again, this would be not be main shooter, but rather just something to start experimenting with digital to see if I want to invest more time/$$$ in it down the line. Thoughts?

Certainly. An M8 is certainly one option, and with prices now edging under $2K it's a terrific camera to get involved with. And it is a rangefinder camera, if you prefer that type of camera.

If you're looking to experiment with a "mirrorless" TTL camera, the one to have for Leica lenses is a Ricoh GXR with A12 Camera Mount and VF-2 viewfinder. For about $1200 or so new, this is the best performing APS-C digital body with the widest range of M-mount and LTM lenses—it was designed specifically for them, so that's not a surprise.

All of the other APS-C cameras in the class ... the Fuji Xpro1, the Sony NEX, and the Olympus/Panasonic Micro-FourThirds ... can be used with M-bayonet lenses too but present some imaging difficulties with shorter focal lengths and certain lens designs. They're not terrible, but not as good as the GXR for these lenses: they do better with the lenses that were designed for them specifically.

It's a good thing to become skilled with digital capture and image processing, and can positively influence your film work too. I've been shooting more film again, recently, in both 35mm and 6x6 formats. I find it much easier and more productive to work with my film images now that I am very comfortable and practiced with modern image processing applications and techniques, and the quality of my work has improved because of it.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I also went round and round even to the point of ordering a Nex7. I wound up with a nice M8.2 and I'm REALLY glad I did. At least for me its the best way to stay in touch with RF work.

 

[Sykomor]

The NEX-C3 and 5N are excellent for leica glass, even wa. We don't know yet if the new 5R or 6 are going to be equally good. I bought a C3 kit for $300 and sold the lens for $180 and I'm very pleased with the results though I wanted a 5N to be able to put an EVF on it. You can't do that with the 3C but you get the smallest possible body.

Edit: I gave my old NEX-5 to my son. The CV wides (21/4 and 28/3.5) were awful on it.
One more thing: The C3 is rather noisy but the 5N is fairly quiet.

 

[IEDEI]

get an M8. there's no substitute, really.....the M8 is tremendous value for money these days and is still a fantastic camera in every way. Get one in good shape and don't look back.