Selling M6TTL for X100s

[pipeclayed]

I know that ultimately this is a decision I'll have to make, but I keep changing my mind as to whether or not it's a good idea so I thought I'd put it out there (here!) and see if writing it helps clarify my thoughts.

I have been shooting primarily with my Leica M6TTL with a Zeiss 35mm for about four years now. It hasn't skipped a beat and I absolutely love it... but, as you all know, film is getting more expensive and I am starting to feel silly (and poor!) every time I send film off to be processed (I do my own B&W, but I don't need the hassle of DIY colour processing). I also have a 28mm lens, but to be honest I don't really use it much / at all; the 35 covers 99% of my shots.

I have played with an X100 in a shop and it does seem like a good camera. I don't love it as much as the M6, but in practice I would probably shoot more often with it (because there is no cost involved and because it's more flexible in different lighting conditions). I think I would get used to the X100 after a while and hopefully shooting with it would become as 'second nature' as with the Leica.

But... a part of me worries that I will regret ditching the Leica. It's the first camera I have really loved using. The problem is that I don't see any point keeping the Leica and getting an X100s. It's also a slightly too expensive option.

Has anyone here sold a film Leica for the X100? Do you regret it or did you never look back?

Any advice or anything I've not thought about, please let me know!

 

[user237428934]

Do you like using manual focussing with the rangefinder? The X100 is nowhere near when you are looking for a similar feeling.

 

[pipeclayed]

Do you like using manual focussing with the rangefinder? The X100 is nowhere near when you are looking for a similar feeling.

Yeah, I do.

That said I also zone focus quite a lot.

And apparently the AF on the X100s is quick and the MF improved.

But yeah, it won't be the same... another reason I'm very torn.

 

[Jubb Jubb]

Why not sell the 28mm? Especially if you don't use it.

 

[bonatto]

Keep the M6, get a used x100, when the price of the x100s comes down, give that a try.

The x100 is a great camera, but it's no M6.

 

[gavinlg]

Give it a go. You can always get another m6. Only downfall of the x100/s is the aps-c sensor. The x-trans color filter will make it a nicer camera than the bayer x100 though...

 

[Rvl]

I have the Xpro1 and 2xNikon S2 with 50 and 35
Since I got the Xpro1 , I havent used anything else
I used to have M3,M2,M4 and M6
Zone focusing is not so easy on the Fuji`s, I have to guess alot
I will get the X100s for the 23mm f2(35mm) lens and as a backup camera and the 56mm f1.4 when it comes out

If I was you I would keep the M6 and get either the Xpro1 or the X100s
But hold off a couple of months on the X100s , find out if there any bugs
I like the black color of the Xpro1
I like the smaller size of the X100s

Thanks

Robert

 

[iuseruby]

I had used the x100 for about half year and now using leica m2 and summicron 35mm as my main camera. And I'll not change my leica to the new x100s for any money. X100 will not a perfect choice if you're using pre-focus, zonefocus alot. Manual focus on x100 is just horrible compare to leica. Battery's life is far from ideal. I'm usually have had 2 spare batteries with me. IQ is just ok (full frame dslr give better result). x100 is really good as second body for low light, color and for snapshots.

 

[edge100]

Zone focusing is not so easy on the Fuji`s, I have to guess alot

I have heard this numerous times from various people, and I have to ask: why?

I have both the X100 and the X-Pro1 and I have never, ever found it difficult to set the lens to f/8, set focus distance to 12 feet (or whatever) using either the LCD or the hybrid OVF, and then just walk and shoot (i.e. zone focusing). The Fuji's are VERY conservative about their DoF indication (about a stop, in my estimation), so you're getting more in focus than the camera indicates, but that's about the only quirk they have.

I get that there's no DoF scale on the lenses, but the LCD is right there. I can't see how this necessitates "guessing" regarding zone focusing.

 

[edge100]

I had used the x100 for about half year and now using leica m2 and summicron 35mm as my main camera. And I'll not change my leica to the new x100s for any money. X100 will not a perfect choice if you're using pre-focus, zonefocus alot.

See my post above. Why? The X100 certainly doesn't manually focus as fast as an M2 + 35 'Cron. But how does this affect zone focusing, when you're not actually changing focus rapidly? I'd also point out that the M2 + 35 'Cron doesn't autofocus as quickly as the X100.... 😉

Manual focus on x100 is just horrible compare to leica. Battery's life is far from ideal.

This is absolutely true.

IQ is just ok (full frame dslr give better result).

This is a judgement call. The X100 is 12MP. If you compare it to 12MP FF DSLRs (5D classic, D700) with good 35mm lenses, I'd say the X100 is very competitive. It's not going to outperform a D800E or 5DIII, but it's really not meant to, is it? It costs far less than those cameras, and has a totally different gestalt.

 

[thegman]

How about trade for an R-D1? If you don't want to keep shooting film, then that'sa cheaper way to get a digital range finder.

Or trade for a used X100, which is worth a lot less than you M6, and also get a M2 or M4-2, M4-P or other less expensive Leica for when you want to shoot film.

I've not sold film cameras to go to an X100, but I did to go to a D7000, which I gave up on pretty quick, and it cemented me as film user. Probably not what you want to hear...

 

[zupstermix]

I am also planning to get an X100 when the X100s arrives. That would hopefully mean a lower price for the X100. I have an M2 and use it as a main camera. And I would not sell it for an X100 or X100s. But the X100s is terribly tempting. But then again, the price is crazy as well.

 

[agricola]

Adam
I had a look at your website. They are so good they made me feel a bit of a dope.
The thing I noticed was your use of depth of field. That will not be the same (as you would know) with a 23mm lens on an APS-C sensor such as the x100s.
I am going through the same process myself - have an M4 which I love.
The x100s sure looks tempting - I have an order in for it.

best of luck

 

[zwarte_kat]

Digital is so much cheaper than film. Digital cameras depreciate, but not not as fast as the rate in which you buy film (unless you shoot very rarely).

Consider this weird comparison: It is cheaper to buy batteries and THROW THEM AWAY AFTER USE, compared to using Portra film and shooting the same amount of shots. So I wouldn't worry too much about battery life, it's adequate and changing a battery is faster then changing film. What I prefer about the M6 though, is that it's always "on".

An Xpro is still smaller an lighter than an M6. X100 is even smaller than that. The included lens on the X100 is way smaller than the Zeiss.

Focussing can be frustrating on the X100 compared with the M6, but in reality, most shots will be focussed faster with an X100. In the dark environments that can pose a problem with the X100, it is hard to focus with rangefinders as well, or you wouldn't even be bothered to shoot because your ASA film wouldn't handle it. It is a psychological thing. When the X100 struggles, it is frustrating because of the camera, and you have no control. With the M6, it's because of you. People rather have control, even when it means that the results suffer. So the X100 will give you better focussing, while the M6 will make you happier. The human mind is far from rational!

You'd need a very very nice scanner to match the X100 IQ with your M6 at similar ISOs. Over ISO 800, there is no contest IMO. I'll say this though, the Fuji lens is not that good at 2.0. The Zeiss is much better I think. Do keep in mind that the X100 has a macro function, which is very handy.

Zone focussing is about the same, except no readings on your lens. Just focus on something a few meters away and lock it.

As for me, I just bought an M6, while I already have the X100! I think it is a beautiful camera, and very nice with chrome Zeiss lenses (I have the sonnar). I enjoy focussing and shooting with it. The X100 is not like that, but it's the closest thing for digital, except for the digital Ms obviously. And I like the look of film. I like to go out during the daytime, walk around with the M6, and take a picture every now and then. The X100 is for everything else. Parties, events, quick snaps.
They compliment each other quite well.

One thing you could do is buy a used M8 and use that 28mm!

In the end. I would get the X100s when it hits the street 2nd hand, and keep your M6 for a while. It won't depreciate, and you won't have to buy film for it if you don't shoot. I am sure you will want to take it out every now and then!

 

[thegman]

Just looked at your site, and see you're in London. On another thread here, I just saw a recommendation for this lab:

http://www.snapsphotoservices.com/

Very cheap, maybe that would be enough to keep you shooting film more.

 

[Lss]

Why? The X100 certainly doesn't manually focus as fast as an M2 + 35 'Cron. But how does this affect zone focusing, when you're not actually changing focus rapidly?

I often keep changing the prefocus distance as I move and observe what happens. If I stand in one place, then there is usually less need to keep changing the focus distance. While I haven't used the X100 properly and would prefer having a distance scale on the lens, its zone focus implementation looks quite usable.

 

[Rvl]

the DOF is the white scale
http://www.finepix-x100.com/sites/all/modules/x100/content/images/x100/viewfinder_1.jpg

 

[bobbyrab]

I'd say without question, as your UK based, get the X100 as a refurb from Fuji, there's a thread with a link on the X100 forum here on RFF, and it has a code that gives you an additional 10% off, taking the price below £500 for an as new camera with full warranty.
I love my X100, and while high iso is always welcome, the usable 3200 on the X100 really covers everything you really need.
One of its great strengths I think is the file colours which set it apart from my Canon files, the X1pro files haven't impressed me as much colour wise, and I imagine the 100s will have a more mainstream look, but then it's only every me that bangs on about the colours, you may not share my opinion there.
As much as I love my X100, it's not a replacement for my M6, have a look at the x100 B&W conversion thread here. It's not bad but it's not the same as B&W film from an M. As you have the unused 28, sell it and you can have both.

 

[bobbyrab]

I just had a look at your web site, nice photos btw, and can see that colour is quite important to you. I so love the colour from my Fuji I want to convince everyone else about this great little camera. As your London based I don't mind hooking up centrally and letting you have half an hour with it to see for yourself how you get on with it, I think it's difficult to refuse at £500. Email me if you like.

 

[sparrow6224]

DO NOT SELL YOUR LEICA. I had a gorgeous M6TTL which I sold in a moment of madness and really I could think of nothing else but getting one back. I had to dedicate enormous amount of time (waiting for price) and selling stuff etc to get it back.

I looked at your work. I definitely know the feeling of color processing being too expensive; I shoot b/w film but for color I'm limited to DSLR. You have a real feeling for color even in street work and portraits both of which generally look better to me in b/w.

Find a way to save your pfennigs and get this camera while NOT selling the Leica. Please....

Btw one alternative slightly cheaper is the SONY NEX 7. Both cameras have superb image quality but NEX 7 tests slightly better in color depth and dynamic range, according to DXOMark. You can put your Leica lenses on there. You can buy it bundled with an 18-55 zoom which is pretty good as well. (Although that puts is v. close to the x100s in price.)

The X100s is much more like a real camera, of course.

Also look at the GF and G series cameras from Panasonic and the Olympus OM-D and the Olympus Pen cameras. All excellent for less dough. The Lumix G and the Oly OM-D come with electronic viewfinders built in. The others, it's an add-on.

Probably you've looked at all of this already, just saying, you know, in case.