Trade M8 for Fuji X-Pro 1?

[kknox]

I have a very early black M8 with about 18k actuations. I bought it used, and as we know the value has dropped. I'm worried about future cost of repairs. I have a chance to trade straight across for a mint in the boxs Fuji X-Pro 1, with a 34 1.4 lens, new M adapter & new in the box leather case from a dealer with a warranty.

My questions are, do any of you have both systems & do you like the Fuji? I know the Fuji is not state of the art either, but it has nice color rendition & a great set of lens available. How do you like the output with your Leica lens. My thought is to shoot the Fuji for color, & my other film M cameras for B&W film. I want to use my 28, 35, 50 & 75 lens on the Fuji.

I don't like the M8 for low light, anything above 640iso is horrible. I would like a used M9, but cost is still to high.

Your input would be greatly valued. Thanks in advance.

 

[twopointeight]

I had an M8.2 for a couple of years so I know the camera. I now shoot with a pair Xpro1 bodies plus Canon gear for certain situations. Bottom line, sell the M8, the Xpro trounces it, particularly with high iso, and repairs if needed. I just used both the Xpro and the Canon side by side for a large group shot this evening. Xpro 1 wins again.

 

[thegman]

I can't speak for either camera, but I would not worry about future cost of repair, either camera will continue to depreciate a lot, and if you need a repair in a few years, chances are you'd be better off just replacing either one.

If you'd prefer the Fuji, by all means get it, and I'm sure high ISO performance is a lot better with it, but if the main concern is repairs, then I'd probably rather ride my luck than use sell a camera I liked, and get another just for that.

 

[Monochrom]

Hi, i´d never let go an m8 in favour of a fuji xpro...

good luck!

 

[Eric T]

I own both. I use the Fuji X-Pro1 often. I use the M8 only rarely and mainly as an infrared camera. Both are great cameras but the Fuji is much more versatile with a superior sensor.

 

[NicoM]

The X-Pro1 (and all other Fuji X bodies) are wonderful cameras, but are no substitute to a rangefinder. If you're okay with an EVF, go for it!

 

[GaryLH]

If u have never used a evf type camera, rent the Fuji from someplace like lensrental..

I don't own an m8. I have owned many a film rf including an m6. Not everyone likes a non rf experience. While the ovf of the xp1 is as close to an rf experience w/o being an drf, it is still different. There are times u will need to use the evf for certain situations.

On the plus side to the m8
- much higher iso
- a larger range of native focal lengths including zooms that are normally associated w/ dslrs.... Try shooting a m9 w/ a 200f2.8 legacy lens 🙂.. W/ precise focusing via evf w/ or w/o mag view and/or focus peaking.

One thing that I would point out.. There is a rumor about a xp2 by end of 2015. Is is just a rumor.. But who knows when it will be announced. Could happen at this year photokina or next years???

Gary

 

[wafflecakee]

If you're expecting the xpro1 to shoot anything like an m body you'll be disappointed. I hated shooting the xpro1. If I don't enjoy shooting a camera, even if it's brilliant, ill throw it out the window.

 

[OurManInTangier]

If you're expecting the xpro1 to shoot anything like an m body you'll be disappointed. I hated shooting the xpro1. If I don't enjoy shooting a camera, even if it's brilliant, ill throw it out the window.

I'd agree with the sentiment here, though certainly not the littering😉🙂. Whilst I love the versatility of the XPro and find I can set it up to work enough like my old M bodies to suit my approach it is a very different beast from the M bodies, digital or otherwise.

I've had both the M8 and M9 and wouldn't ever want to suggest to someone coming from that path that the XPro is a true continuation, it isn't. It could be, and often is, described as a great camera (IMO with some truth) but like many modern cameras will either work with you or seemingly against you depending or you as an individual as Wafflecake attests.

I'd suggest sticking with your M8 until you've had a chance to have a good play with one, long enough to try out the EVF both indoors and out, decide whether the OVF is close enough to a true RF experience or just leaves you cold. Whether the lens MF system is too hokey or if using the snap focus way of manually focusing is something you could use etc.

As Gary suggests, renting can actually work out as a very cheap way to discover if a camera is going to suit you and its something I do to avoid having to resell and potentially lose a little money and a lot of time.

I can't help myself but say you will be astonished at the usable high ISO's especially compared to the M8 where I found even 640 was pushing it to the extreme.

 

[jsrockit]

If the main reason that use the M8 is do to with it having a mechnical RF, the X-Pro1 will not scratch that itch... it just is not as fun or easy to focus a X-Pro1 manually. However, if you can get past this, the X-Pro1 is the better overall camera with its AF lenses.

 

[goamules]

...I don't like the M8 for low light, anything above 640iso is horrible. I would like a used M9, but cost is still to high.
...

If the main thing you want is improved low light ability, yes, the Fujis do that, and a lot of things, well. Everyone talking about the M8 body, rangefinding, etc., pretty much avoided what the OP asked. Does the Fuji do better in low light? Yes. Do people that use them like them? Yes. Do people that hold on to their Leicas try to rationalize their decision by steering people away from any other choice? Yes.

 

[Baby of Macon]

I've used both and they each have limitations, but different limitations. I suspect you may be being offered the deal because the XT 1 is going to eclipse the X Pro 1. If you like using the Leica, then I don't think I would change.

 

[MCTuomey]

i'd try the xp1 and keep the M8 until you're sure which you prefer to keep, if possible. as it is now, you're guessing ...

 

[Kwesi]

...How do you like the output with your Leica lens. My thought is to shoot the Fuji for color, & my other film M cameras for B&W film. I want to use my 28, 35, 50 & 75 lens on the Fuji.

I don't like the M8 for low light, anything above 640iso is horrible. I would like a used M9, but cost is still to high.

Your input would be greatly valued. Thanks in advance.

Hi There,
I have an xpro 1+ xf 35lens and the same M lenses you have( 90 instead of 75 ) I also have an M7 and an M9. My thoughts are that the xpro 1 with the M lenses will give you sublime images and if that was your only camera i would say go for it. the OVF works great with the native lens. its so frustrating with non native lenses that its really only practical to use them with the EVF.
The OVF frame lines stop at 60mm. There is no real time manual focus aid in the OVF.
Essentially given your current setup, all you are buying is higher iso capability.
if that is not the key determinant then my suggestion is to trade the M8 and a lens or film body that you are not using and get a full frame digital M. thats the only way that you can work seamlessly between your film and digital bodies.
Hope that helps.

 

[kknox]

I did trade the M8 today, for the Fuji. The M adapter with my Zeiss 25 2.8 zm is fantastic on the X-Pro1. I can scale focus my wides, the EVF is different. The 35 1.4 Fuji lens is fantastic. So with the option of using all my M lens, subject to the crop factor, I do have the flexibility to have AF with the 35 1.4 lens.

I do thank all of you who contributed great answers.

 

[willie_901]

Thanks for the update.

Enjoy your new camera.

 

[MCTuomey]

Congrats on the fuji! I can imagine how good the ZM 25 will be on xp1 ...

 

[Kwesi]

Congratulations!
The xPro 1 is truly a photographer's camera.

 

[burancap]

In a very round-about way, I basically made the same move. Though I suppose I miss the M, I have never really looked back! I also shoot the ZM25 on it.

 

[JohnL]

i never had a digital Leica - couldn't justify the price. I still have an M7, the last of my film Leicas, but don't use it any more and will probably make up my mind to sell it someday. I now have (besides some other stuff) a Fuji X-Pro 1 with the 18-55mm zoom lens, and use this for virtually all my "normal" photography. All I carry most of the time is this, a flash (Fuji EF42), a couple of filters and a Canon close-up lens, which gets me near macro territory. I only carry another camera when I am doing interiors / architecture (occasional paid work) when I use a 5d2 with various wide-angle lenses or when I am shooting wildlife when I use a 50d or 7d with longer lenses.

The XP1 is NOT a rangefinder, but I find it as reliable and fast to focus as any other camera I have used - I have just as many keepers, if not more. The way I have it set up for focus is Manual, but with the AFL/EFL button (not the shutter release 1/2-press)set to do autofocus. You can fine-tune with the ring on the lens if you want to but I have almost never found it to be necessary, with the caveat that you need to keep an eye on the distance scale (in the VF) to be sure you actually focused on what you meant to. If you have time, for really precise focus, do a final check with the EVF and focus peaking. Myself, I use the OVF about 90% of the time.

This separates focusing from the composition/exposure phase. I only have to focus again when something moves - me or the subject. Being already in focus is by far the fastest AF you can get. Just my $0.02.