X-Pro-1 & Legacy Manual Focus lenses - Are you successful?

M

Mr_Toad

Fluffy Marsupial
Local time
6:45 AM
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Messages
302
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah
View My Gallery
Hi, All,

STATUS: Got my tax refund and promptly "invested" it in an X-Pro-1 body (only) and Kipon "Leica M to Fuji X" adapter. ...as a digital back to the wonderful Voigtlander M/LTM lenses I purchased from fellow RFF'ers.

QUESTION: If you are using legacy, manual focus, adapter-attached lenses on an X-Pro-1, is it difficult for you to focus those lenses...using the XP1 viewfinder, the images, etc?

REASON: I'm wondering if my aging eyes are up to the focusing task, albeit with the button-magnified image.

😱

Thank you!

Robt.
 
Thanks, Mr. FurCafe,

So, you don't find it difficult to focus the lenses? The glass is great, of course...but is it a challenge to USE the old glass on the XP1 body, and still get a crisp focus?

Robt.
 
It's not hard, though the EVF is "jerky" compared to an old fashioned prism. It's nice that the X-Pro1 gives you the option of magnifying the view for critical focus.

That said, using legacy lenses was not a major reason for me to get the X-Pro1 & I don't see myself using manual focus very often. I anticipate using them mostly for macro, studio, etc., which is a tiny percentage of my photography.

Mr_Toad said:
Thanks, Mr. FurCafe,

So, you don't find it difficult to focus the lenses? The glass is great, of course...but is it a challenge to USE the old glass on the XP1 body, and still get a crisp focus?

Robt.
Click to expand...
 
I've been using my ZM 21 and summicron 35 on the X-pro. Images are great. The focusing is annoying at first; somewhat jerky, and you need to zoom in for accuracy, which requires pressing down on the control wheel. However, give it a few hours and it will become second nature. The resulting images are more than sharp enough, and the manual lenses give the camera a lot more soul. I have much more fun shooting with legacy glass on the x-pro than with the 35/1.4 and 18/2, although those are simply outstanding.
 
Yes, I am successful.

I find it easier to focus with the X-Pro 1 than a Leica in two scenarios:
1. Low light - the EVF is brighter than the ambient light, so you get a clearer picture.
2. Long focal length lenses. Since you get a magnified image, it is easier to focus, then a tiny frame line.

There is a flickr group that showcases results of legacy lenses on the X-Pro 1


Leitz Tele-Elmar 135/4:
7097809437_1b0142725e_z.jpg
 
I'll ask again here... why?

Even manually focusing the Fuji lenses is a crap shoot. Personally, I think it's futile.

Buy a used M8 instead if you must use M lenses.
 
Uhhh...because I think digital Leica's are an overrated and overpriced product?

How's that for a suitable reply?

🙄

To be honest, I did consider it...but I kinda wanted all the odd, fiddly bits that are found in the XP1 menus.

Robt.


AusDLK said:
I'll ask again here... why?

Even manually focusing the Fuji lenses is a crap shoot. Personally, I think it's futile.

Buy a used M8 instead if you must use M lenses.
Click to expand...
 
Dave said : "Even manually focusing the Fuji lenses is a crap shoot. Personally, I think it's futile."

manual focus with M lenses is actually far easier than with the Fuji lenses - the throw is so much shorter Vs the Fuji version... I have no problem with M lenses on the XP1, even in very poor light; and as has been stated it is much better for the longer focal length.
 
AusDLK said:
I'll ask again here... why?

Even manually focusing the Fuji lenses is a crap shoot. Personally, I think it's futile.

Buy a used M8 instead if you must use M lenses.
Click to expand...

How is it crap shoot? It's not scale focus.

As for why:

Leica M8
  • a 6 year old sensor with noisy results over ISO 800,
  • the need to use IR filters,
  • 6-bit coding required on lenses
  • Loud shutter cocking
  • Cost: $2,200 used
Fuji X Pro-
  • new sensor, with remarkable performance at ISO 6400
  • no need for ir filters or 6-bit coding
  • quiet shutter
  • optical viewfinder magnification
  • Cost: $1,700 new
If Leica made the X Pro1 and charged $3500, people would be hailing it as remarkable camera at such a bargain price.
 
Mr_Toad said:
Hi, Chris,

Those rhinos are incredible animals...

Too bad they're disappearing because a few stupid people think their horns can be ground up and used to treat impotence.

R
Click to expand...

Agreed, plus they go after elephants too. Recently 22 elephants were killed by poachers in a helicopter. They took their tusks and genitals for sale in Asia. It is gross to see the photos.
 
chris00nj said:
... If Leica made the X Pro1 and charged $3500, people would be hailing it as remarkable camera at such a bargain price.
Click to expand...

Hahah, Leica would never have launched such a faulty beta product. They'd have sent some of those engineers back to the works grinding glass for a week, have halved their salaries and have told them to start all over again until they had a decent reliably working product.
 
Yes, I am having success with the Leica M glass on the X-Pro 1. I actually enjoy the process, though it is slower to manually focus. I do wish the EVF refreshed faster as, under magnification for critical focus, the bouncy image drags a bit making focusing somewhat more difficult. Here's a sample image, though, for fun. 🙂
7117810249_2de69f0604_c.jpg

There's lots more in my Flickr Photostream.
 
jippiejee said:
Hahah, Leica would never have launched such a faulty beta product. They'd have sent some of those engineers back to the works grinding glass for a week, have halved their salaries and have told them to start all over again until they had a decent reliably working product.
Click to expand...


Har de har har
 
Last edited:
How are you folks finding the image quality with M lenses, especially the wider ones? I saw earlier stuff about smeary corners, etc., but the people in this thread seem pretty happy.
 
I am on a 2 day course with a UK pro photographer in 2 weeks and he tells me that he has 2 X Pro 1 bodies and uses both Leica and Fuji lenses. He seems delighted and says that he has heard of quite a few people who have given up their Leica bodies in favour of the Fuji, but who still use the Leica glass. I will see just what this means in terms of images when I see him. I will report back on what I see.

Ray
 
rayfoxlee said:
He seems delighted and says that he has heard of quite a few people who have given up their Leica bodies in favour of the Fuji, but who still use the Leica glass.
Click to expand...

Seems strange that not many are satisfied with results from M glass on the X-Pro1, but this guy has heard of quite a few that have already given up? Damn, that was quick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom