X Pro 1 owners that also own Leica M digital: Why?

[eleskin]

So all of those of you who own an X Pro 1 or any X series: Do you still use a Leica M digital and why? How do the two compare? Do you hold on to the M for the rangefinder experience? Do you use the X Pro for high ISO and auto features? Which works best for what situation (Low light focusing, etc,,).

I like the X Pro and high ISO and auto features. White ballance is great, but for for ultimate control I still feel the M has the advantage.

 

[majid]

My M9 is a special occasion camera, as is my X-Pro1, the X100S is my everyday-carry jacket pocket camera, replacing its X100 predecessor. The X100S is compact, has autofocus and excellent image quality, if not in the same class as the M9.

I once took both the M9 (with 50mm 'lux ASPH) and my old X100 at a wedding, I used the M9 when f/1.4 was absolutely required, with low expectations, but was surprised when the pictures turned out to have lower noise because of improvements in Leica DNG handling in Lightroom 3, unlike my previous experience with poor high-ISO noise performance from the M9 with LR2.

 

[BCMielke]

I don't have an M yet, but I am 1st on the list so I hope soon. I love the feel and "connectedness" that they M system has. That's part of the rangefinder experience.

I have the X camera for the whole family when we go on trips. If I handed of the Leica to anyone else in my family the would be lost. When I hand them the X-Pro I make two changes and the camera is ready for anyone to take photos. That way when my daughter and I are out hiking in Yosemite I am in photos or when we are together on Spring Break I can hand the camera to a stranger and still get quality results. Both cameras are used in different situations.

 

[NicoM]

Thought I'm happy with how the Fuji X sustem performs, I think I still want to eventually own a digital M camera. If I did buy a digital M, I don't think I'd keep the Fuji.

 

[swoop]

I'm considering an Xpro1, but only if it's available with a tele lens which I know fuji has planned for later in the year. I currently with with a Leica M9 and occasionally have a DSLR with a 70-200 just for getting shots in the distance. I'd really like to replace that with something smaller like the Xpro1 or OM-D.

 

[macjim]

I sold my M9 after buying the X-Pro1. I'm now awaiting delivery if the X100s.

 

[wintoid]

I pretty much use the M9 most of the time and the XPro stays on the shelf. The exception is when I know weight will matter. For example, the other day, we took our kids to a zoo, and you end up carrying all sorts of bags, and children etc etc. In that case, it was nice to just have the XPro slung around my neck.

If I'm honest, I do also spend less time fretting about it. I use the M9 with no strap, and I keep it in my shoulder bag, so I literally pull it out of the bag, raise it to my eye, click, and back into the bag. Only slows me down a teeny bit, but it shows I'm not completely relaxed about the cost of all this stuff. The XPro just swings on a neck strap and I don't worry about it 😀

But to answer the question of WHY I use the M9, I think the best answer is I just enjoy manually focusing

 

[noimmunity]

I'm just going to repeat what has already been said.

I use the M-E because I love the RF viewfinder and coincident image manual focus on M mount lenses. The results I can get with a couple of special lenses on the M-E, like the ZM C Sonnar especially, and the Leica 24 Elmar M or the CV 35/1.2, produce more pleasing photos to my eyes than any other combination.

I use the X-Pro1 for lowlight events, for times when I need AF, and soon for times when I want tele lenses. The X-Pro1 is also good for times/events when I don't want to worry too much about what might happen to my camera.

Right now a DP Merrill is almost certain to come with me along with either one of those cameras before I'd pair them up with each other.

I did a comparison of three cameras for candid portraits. The M-E with C Sonnar always pleased me more than the X-Pro1 with XF 35/1.4, while the DP2M was better than both at low ISO in monochrome. Unfortunately, those comp photos are not available on this drive. Here's the ZM C Sonnar on the M-E versus a Minolta M Rokkor 90/4 on the X-Pro1. The 90 M Rokkor is clearly outclassed by the C Sonnar, visible in spite of missing the nail with focus (hard to do at that focal length at MFD).



@ Berlin HKW X-Pro1 by areality4all, on Flickr


@ Berlin HKW M-E + C Sonnar by areality4all, on Flickr

 

[viboons]

I like to have 2 bodies compliment each other and also back up. Xpro1 is used for high ISO, auto focus, let other take myself photo. 2 bodies also keep lens change minimal and if need to in dusty environment, I use Xpro1 because of sensor cleaning feature. My M8 is used most of the time when Xpro1 is not needed.

 

[ShinX414]

i mainly use the X-Pro1 for high ISO purposes or when i to 100% frame sth. I do enjoy the AF of the X-Pro1 but i tend to prefer manual focusing over AF. For some reasonn i just prefer the image output of the M9, not caring about CCD or CMOS, i just feel mor drawn to it. But i admit that the colours of the Fuji is ore pleasing in my eye.
Now comes the most surprising thing: My fav is actually the R-D1! I guess it's mainly the feeling of all those manual control buttons and switches.

 

[Howarthp]

It's funny this conundrum. I have an M9 and a wonderful selection of lenses. I also have the XE-1. I'm holding on to the M9 but I don't really know why. I also am on a waiting list for the M240 and don't really know why. It's remarkably difficult to let go of a Leica. I sold an M6 recently but it was difficult to do even though I'd never used it.

I like my XE-1. I like the idiosyncrasies of all my cameras. My keeper shots are from all types. However, I have quite an investment in Leica which I question could be put to better use elsewhere...

 

[Snowbuzz]

The prints I get from the M8 are startlingly good. My X-E1 has higher resolution, but doesn't have that sharp, 3D 'pop' to my eye. I use the X-E1 for high ISO and long exposures. It is also very convenient when used with adapters: I use lenses from my Canon system on it, so I can do macro and telephoto.

 

[wintoid]

I finally sold my XPro1 last week and now have just the M9

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I like to have 2 bodies compliment each other and also back up. Xpro1 is used for high ISO, auto focus, let other take myself photo. 2 bodies also keep lens change minimal and if need to in dusty environment, I use Xpro1 because of sensor cleaning feature. My M8 is used most of the time when Xpro1 is not needed.

This^^^ . XP1 also gives you reach with long 3rd party lenses. So: Leica: wides, primes, moderate ISO or pix w/strobes where I want the maximum chip-related real estate. Fuji when I want 6 fps, high ISO, teles or video. They compliment each other well.

This week I took a picture of an entire grade school off a ladder with the M9 and 28/2 lens. I cropped to fill the frame in post so that the final 11x14 picture is about the central 1/3 of the Leica's frame. The image is still very sharp...