Fujifilm X-Pro 1

[Ryan]

So, you just thought you wanted a Fuji X100. In reality, you've been waiting on this... A pseudo-rangefinder with interchangeable lenses for less than the $12k a Leica M9 kit ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Gear Journal, click here.

[scottybaccus]

Still trying to take the wind out of my X10 purchase, aren't you!

The X100 was cool, but lacked versatility. The X10 is a swiss knife for those of us on a budget. I was wishing it had interchangeable lenses. Now I see where to focus my angst.
I am a long time fan of the Fuji Film line. Maybe I'll be able to afford one of these someday.

[Rolleiflex]

Very intriguing. Overall it sounds like Fuji has done their homework and really listened to and improved features based on customer feedback from the x100. It will be interesting to hear how it performs in real world use.

[bobx]

very cool. i think this is gonna start a whole new wave of cameras. nikon, canon...they'll all have something similar soon. i know this would be much nicer to haul around that the d90 ive got now..

[stink tooth]

^

Ummm there are many similar options out there already form the others, Canon is the only 1 that has not jumped on board yet with the M 4/3's format.

[Ryan]

The Fuji x-pro 1 isn't a micro 4/3 camera... It has a APS-C sensor... So, it should be much better at high ISO than a typical 4/3 camera.

To me, the most important thing here is how the camera handles manual focusing. If they have come up with a more reliable and faster way to focus than the typical "focus peaking" zoom thing that everyone else uses, then I am in for sure.

At the end of the day, I just want a cheaper alternative to use Leica glass. I can't afford an M9...

[stink tooth]

^

I know I understand it has a APS-C in it. I was getting at versatility/over all size package the 4/3's format is a very attractive option is all.

Have you considered a 4/3's rig with an adapter ring with a focus confirm chip for your leica glass. Not to mention the availability of actual D-vario leica glass for the format as it is. Only big draw back to most of the smaller 4/3's rigs is the lack of an optical (or even Electronic for that matter) eye level view finder.

[Ryan]

I have thought about the new Olympus OM-D. Two questions have yet to be answered though:

1. How is manual focus achieved? If it is the typical Oly zoom focus thing through the LCD, I'm out. That said, the view finder here looks really interesting. If the zoom focus thing actually works through the EVF, that just might be usable.

2. High ISO. Micro 4/3 cameras typically suffer here and I don't really want to replace my X1 with a camera that is unusable over ISO 600. Sure, leica glass is fast enough to keep the ISO down, but I still like to have the option in really low light to use crazy ISO.

With my Leica X1, I can use ISO 1600 all day long. In fact at that ISO level, the performance is better than even the Nikon D300S. It's just that I don't have an interchangeable lens platform to work with and I'm stuck with a an equivalent 35mm at relative slow speeds - f2.8.

Essentially, what I want is a Leica M9 with better high ISO performance for about a sixth the price. But I'd settle for a cropped frame camera so long as it was small, but still had a view finder. I think we are getting closer... I'm just not convinced a micro 4/3 camera can give me the high iso capabilities that i want.

[stink tooth]

I will say with Oly, my EP-1 dose not seem to get noisy until I am pushing past the 1200ISO range even then its barley noticeable until I am in the 3200 range. But then again I dont shoot indoors at all 97% of what I do is all out side stuff.

I hate the fact I dont have a view finder


I agree with you that this new fuji is proly the best thing out there right now for what you want to do with it. Just wondered if you had looked into the m4/3's format is all as there are quite a few guys out there running their old manual Leica M and R glass on them with great results

[Ryan]

I have played with a few and the Oly is def. my favorite. I just can't stand shooting with an LCD. Even on my X1, I added an optical view finder.

Right now, the best non-leica digital to shoot Leica glass with is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1FCwJMdWVM

The manual focusing isn't bad at all... But again, no real view finder.

[Rolleiflex]

Ryan,

I'd be real interested in hearing your thought on the X-Pro 1 now that you've had it a while. One of its short comings that I've read about is the manual focusing.