Which Fuji for an M9 user?

Recommendations?
You essentially want to save bulk for a hiking trip, so find the smallest camera and lens that have the specs you are happy with and see how much you actually save. If you are happy with the result, see if the interface is something you can live with.
 
A slightly different approach - now that the x70 has been released.

Pair a x70 w/ external ovf w/ the x100t plus tcl. This give u the 28, 35 and 50 as well as provide a backup camera. They have the same interface and thus easy to use w/ one another. The x70 also has a wcl adapter that provides a 21fov if I remember correctly.

Gary
 
X100T and make it work. And especially because, as you've hinted, you might take the M9 as well anyway. I use the original X100. Took that and the Monochrom, 28 and 50 on my last overseas trip. Fixed focal length camera is liberating. Haven't used the wide attachable lens. Might be good for New York or Italy, but I couldn't be bothered.

With the X100 I have panned a cyclist at 1/30s and aperture on A, resetting the manual controls in less than 2 seconds from f5.6 and shutter speed A. Forget true manual focus on mine but I think the T is better. I bought the X100T for my son, but haven't got to use it.
 
coming from three fujis (x100s, xpro1, xt1), a bunch of their lenses, and now a bit of experience with m240, two things you said resonated with me;

-a camera that gets out of my way
-manual controls

No matter how much i tried, I could not get excited about the OVF's. Always having to rely on AF and never really knowing what locked focus was just too much for me to get over. I really really tried to like the OVF, theyre wonderfully bright, accurate framelines, lots (sometimes too much) information, but I cant get over my issues. As such, these have been used primarily in EVF by me.

To that end, the XT1 is the one I'd probably suggest for now, even with the new Xpro2, just because it has the bigger EVF. You could also wait for the next XT generation. The only caveat to this is if you feel like doing lots of high-f-stop zone focusing where you can forget about focusing or af and then just use the framelines. My only caveat here, is to just stay out of the menus. The new and improved XT1 while significantly more capable, is also more complicated than when it was first released. So many AF settings, tracking settings, face detect, eye detect, and certain things when used together dont work well, and trying to remember it was too much for me. I recently sold mine it became too much to bother with. (and I'm not that old...hah)

Otherwise the x100t might be a fair option, especially given its size and wonderful lens. I've no experience with the faux-RF patch in OVF mode, but it seems like it might be OK. Some people say it's gimmicky but I dunno. The Xpro2 with M glass and the "RF" patch might make for a fun experience as well.

For native fuji lenses, i'd recommend the XF14 for its small size, lightweight, amazing performance (sharpness and distortion), and the clutch focus with DOF scale almost feels manual to me. The XF23 also has that, but I never quite warmed up to its rendering and size\weight. The 23mm on the x100 series is really special imo. Its nice with the WCL as well. The TCL always scared me away due to its size. Otherwise, even after the firmware upgrades that "fixed" the pitch of the fly-by-wire focusing, i never liked how the non-clutch lenses focused. They're OK for doing small adjustments when using AF+MF but to go from infinity to a few feet, bleh. Awful imo.
 
I've always thought of my X-Pro1 as an automated replacement foy my M9. Same size, viewfinder on the left, with aperture ring and shutter speed dial. But lighter and more nimble.

Personally, I think nothing will take you further from the M9 experience than an EVF, especially one centered in the body. Framelines and OVF are so much of the RF experience, which means X-Pro or X100. And the X100 is too small to feel like an M.

Of course, the OVF means no manual focus, except hyperfocally, which I particularly enjoy. But for manual exposure you'll be right at home.

John
 
John

Agree in general, but manual control and "getting out of the way" didnt work for me in OVF with fuji unless I was zone focusing on the 14mm. Too much guessing at what the camera might do. Maybe I just have trust issues, same reason I never used their multi-zone metering, but at least the EVF offers visual feedback on focusing. Maybe the x100t / xpro2 hybrid OVF solves my issue, but I dont know. With the EVF I can live with the momentary VF blackout and not being able to see outside the framelines in exchange for focusing confirmation. The XT1 does have the centrally located VF, but the camera's narrow enough for me that I can also see with my left eye as well. In the end, I was able to shoot and react much faster on the XT1 that I am with the x100s/xpro1 (i.e. it demonstrated that it really did get out of my way while still allowing me manual focus control), which led me to that recommendation over the OVF models.

I make it sound like I dont like fuji, but nothing could be further from the truth.
 
John

Agree in general, but manual control and "getting out of the way" didnt work for me in OVF with fuji unless I was zone focusing on the 14mm. Too much guessing at what the camera might do. Maybe I just have trust issues, same reason I never used their multi-zone metering, but at least the EVF offers visual feedback on focusing. Maybe the x100t / xpro2 hybrid OVF solves my issue, but I dont know. With the EVF I can live with the momentary VF blackout and not being able to see outside the framelines in exchange for focusing confirmation. The XT1 does have the centrally located VF, but the camera's narrow enough for me that I can also see with my left eye as well. In the end, I was able to shoot and react much faster on the XT1 that I am with the x100s/xpro1 (i.e. it demonstrated that it really did get out of my way while still allowing me manual focus control), which led me to that recommendation over the OVF models.

I make it sound like I dont like fuji, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Personal preferences aside, the OP is hoping to at least partially replicate the M9 experience. It's hard for me to see how recommending an EVF to him is at all sensible. Maybe it's a better solution for you (and perhaps even for him), but I can't see anyone representing it as M9-like. But maybe I'm taking his request too literally.

John
 
In the end, I was able to shoot and react much faster on the XT1 that I am with the x100s/xpro1 (i.e. it demonstrated that it really did get out of my way while still allowing me manual focus control), which led me to that recommendation over the OVF models.

I make it sound like I dont like fuji, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Not sure I understand your point since every model of the Fuji cameras that has the ovf feature so far from the x100 and xp family also has an evf that u can switch to if u want to double check such issues as u have mentioned.

Gary
 
Personal preferences aside, the OP is hoping to at least partially replicate the M9 experience. It's hard for me to see how recommending an EVF to him is at all sensible. Maybe it's a better solution for you (and perhaps even for him), but I can't see anyone representing it as M9-like. But maybe I'm taking his request too literally.

John

maybe we're reading the original post differently?

He wasnt asking to replicate the m9 experience, but instead was looking for an M9 alternative that provides a transparent tool whilst retaining the ability to make manual adjustments to avoid menus. By your own description, manual focusing with the OVF has its difficulties. Also reviewing the OP, besides the x100, the three other cameras he suggested were EVF models.

I still stand by the XT1 + XF14mm as being just about as close to what he was asking for; manual controls, manual focus capability, quick verification of focus, iso dial, aperture ring, DOF scale, top plate adjustments for single, continuous, brckt, pano, etc, and top plate adjustment for metering mode. In other words, it's probably the camera that has the most external tactile adjustments on the outside of the camera so he can avoid going into any menu.
 
I use an XE-1 with my Voigtlander 35mm Color Skopar and Canon FD 24mm 2.8 and 50mm 1.8. (I've used my FD 28mm f/2.8 some, but will generally opt for the 24mm on the x-e1)

I for the most part use a ton of zone focusing, ESPECIALLY with the 24mm f/2.8 as the DoF at F8 goes from about 4 feet to infinity.

I've never owned a fuji lens with this camera and have never used autofocus with it.

edit to add, i've been wanting to try the X-pro 1 as i think i might like the OVF with my selection of lenses. naturally i'd like to try the x-pro 2 as well but i think thats out of my price range.
 
Of course, the OVF means no manual focus, except hyperfocally, which I particularly enjoy. But for manual exposure you'll be right at home.

John

With the X Pro 2 you can have Ovf and manual focus. The erf mode is fantastic for this.

Shawn
 
Maybe the x100t / xpro2 hybrid OVF solves my issue, but I dont know.

Here is the XP2 ERF mode...

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That is with the EVF square being the lower zoomed in view. You can also have focus peaking active in that square. If you are in monochrome mode (ACROS IS NICE) that square is monochrome so the red focus peaking will really jump out. You can focus basically by watching for red in that corner.

You can also have the digital rangefinder function in that corner but that one is harder to see at that size.

BTW, you can also have it show the full captured view to check overall focus and framing.

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The XP2 framelines are more accurate than the XP1.

The ERF mode works in manual focus and single point AF. It also works fine with adapted lenses.

Shawn
 
If you are looking at an X100 don't even consider the original X100 or the S, go straight to the X100T. Fuji got *almost* everything right on the third iteration. The M262 is now my main camera but the X100T is my alternate camera. So small and light there is not excuse not to bring it along anywhere you go.

I've locked my X100T down so nothing gets in the way. Auto ISO and manual mode just like on the M series. The X100T is actually a nice companion to the M. Totally silent shutter should you ever need it, built in flash and ability to shoot close up. All while giving you the RF-esque VF and the option for EVF should critical framing ever be necessary.
 
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