Which body for a mirror-less shooting platform for classic lenses?

Came from the Minolta CLE with its 3 Leica-M Mount lenses (28+- 40 + 90mm).

Then played with a NEX-5 (not 5N!) and wasn't really satisfied - I missed a viewfinder that much. So got the NEX-7 and got bothered with a lot of things. The camera wasn't right for me.

Now I have the X-E1 with 18 + 35 Fuji lenses. I love the Fuji so far, but as the RAWs aren't 100% supported yet, hope for better support. I'm still waiting for my M adapter. But, seriously, I like those Fuji lenses so much and know that a lot of RF lenses have the corner smearing issue with it.
I think I'll keep the X-E1 as it gives me a lot of fun working with. If my RF lenses won't work the way I like, I may sell the RF stuff and concentrate on a single system.

I think the GXR gives the best performance with M lenses. NEX-6 will be great too, if you like the UI.

The Fuji is a class of its own. It works fine with some lenses. If you wanna know which, better wait a few month...
 
A little story:
I was looking for a Voigtländer Heliar 15mm for my Ricoh GXR. On eBay I didnt find one with a price tag I like and so I started this night a call on the biggest German photo forum, dslr-forum.de .
In the first twenty minutes I received two offers. Both are used lenses with original papers from this summer. Both are from owners of Fuji X-E1. Both told me that the results with there new cameras were horrible because color smearing and no sharpness under f8...
 
Well I am still undecided but there is a glimmer of hope that I may make a decision sometime...I must have an EVF

The NEX-5n is great and cheap but becomes very expensive with EVF
The NEX-7 is expensive and I don't need that many pixels
The Ricoh is obviously the enthusiasts camera and said to be the best in terms of absolute results and focussing ability but it is expensive and getting quite hefty with EVF (which is apparently not as good as Sony).

So I wait for the NEX-6 which seems like the appropriate compromise....in the meantime there is plenty of film in the fridge.
 
If SLR lenses are important to you, I'd be looking at one of the newer FF options from either Canon or Nikon (or Sony, which is pricier, but has the EVF, which may suit you better for focusing with peaking etc).

They are not cheap camera, but they're not crazy money either. If your priority is M/LTM glass though, forget the DSLRs.
 
Mirrorless shooting platform for classic lenses?

Any updates to this thread from last fall?

In my case, I'm interested in practical shooting with lenses in these mounts:
- Contax/Yashica
- Olympus OM
- Nikon F mount

Looking for the most practical manual focus, and from reading here and elsewhere, it sound like focus-peaking on the Nex 5n is pretty good. I'm ready to work without EVF.
 
Since u are looking to use all slr designed type of lenses, actually, there are a number of cameras that could work... Including the nex7. Wide angle issues are normally associated w/ wide angle rf lenses. If u plan to use the Sony then, the nex5n and nex6, people have said to have no problem w/ wide angle rf lenses.

Another alternative would be to wait to c if Fuji next gen xp2 will have both focus peaking and the split image from the x100s.

On top of that, given you are interested in using slr lenses, the new speedbooster adapter will let u use those lenses at their ff focal length plus a stop better in terms of f-stop. They have adapter for both Fuji and Sony Nex. There seems to be some mixed feelings about it though. I have found a thread on getdpi that has a lot of example from this type of setup,,

http://www.getdpi.com/forum/sony/43130-speed-booster-nex.html

http://www.metabones.com/buy-speed-booster

Gary
 
It also should be noted that in the time since most of the first page was posted, there have been updates to the RAW processing methods Adobe Lightroom uses for Fuji cameras, which removes that drawback against the X Pro 1 and XE 1
 
A lens is a lens. I use the same lenses I use on my M9 with my GXR-M. The field of view is altered, the DoF to FoV coupling is altered, but the lens' qualities are not. They perform just as sweetly, or poorly, on any capture format they cover. I'm not missing anything when I put my Nokton 50/1.5 on the GXR. I'm not gaining anything when I put it on the M9. Same lens, different imaging model.

The FoV and DoF differences between the two cameras, and differences in the camera body's imaging qualities, means my lenses obtain another quality: for little extra money, I get a whole different range of imaging tools.

If I put the same lens on a Micro-FourThirds or NEX body, why not use the dedicated lens for the body? Because a) I have the lens already, and b) I like its imaging signature and handling of the lens already. I choose not to buy lenses I can only use on one camera except in particular circumstances.

G
 
My question, asked a different way:

I want to shoot with older, manual focus, SLR lenses. I'm looking for a body that will make focusing and framing most practical...

The Sony NEX 5n focus peaking had good comments six months ago. Does any newer NEX body, or a camera body from anyone else, have a more effective manual focusing solution?
 
Ok here goes
- Olympus omd (micro43 sensor) best 8! Terms of using tele lens due to best in body image stabilization system, but is 2x instead of 1.5x (50 turns into a 100 instead of a 75). One of worst menu system out there. Will have no problem w/ any slr lens. Not focus peaking., mag mode
- Sony Nex 5n, 6, and 7 will work w/ any slr lens, for us peaking is available as well as mag mode w/ all these models. Nex6 & 7 have build in evf. 5n has external evf capability. No in body image stabilization.
- Ricoh gxr m module , if correct slr to m adapter is available should not have any problem w/ any slr lens focus peaking and mag available. No in body image stabilization.
- Fuji xp1/xe1 - should be no problem w/ any slr lens, currently mag only. Next gen should have both focus peaking and split image focusing. No in body images stabilization.. Size and weight are sufficient to provide a more balance feel (lens not nose heavy) when large lenses are used vs any of above other cameras so far mentioned..

So I use the Olympus omd w/ tele lenses.. Because of that image stabilization system. My Leica 90f2.8 ends up a 180f2.8 and the 135f4 becomes a 270f4.. Has a more slr feel..

In terms of your question specifically about the Nex series, for your slr lenses they will all work and they all have focus peaking. The main different is 16mp with better high iso vs a 24mp (nex7) w/ not as good high iso performance.

Gary
 
Gary, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

This would steer me towards the NEX 5n... It has enough pixels, focus peaking makes focusing as good or better than any of the other cameras mentioned, and it's relatively cheap today used.

Thanks!
 
ColSebastianMoran said:
Gary, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

This would steer me towards the NEX 5n... It has enough pixels, focus peaking makes focusing as good or better than any of the other cameras mentioned, and it's relatively cheap today used.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The 5n does not come w/ a evf though. If u want an evf, u will need to add the cost to your total outlay.

Good luck
Gary.
 
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