Carstenw: My understandig is that the AF is not inaccurate, but slow, which I can work with I think. Unless I've got the wrong impression that is - because accurate AF in low light is something I will need.
Aleksanderpolo: I'm thinking of just going with the 35/1.4 for now. I rarely use the 14mm, and I didn't really mind 35mm on crop before I bought the 5D. The 14/2.8 and 23/1.4 on the Fuji roadmap seems more interesting than the 18mm. But of course if I find that I can't live without something wider than 35mm, the 18mm will have to do until those get released.
olegunnaro wrote:
...This is my portfolio, and is pretty much the kind of work I do. Will the X-Pro 1 be sufficient for that kind of work? Disregard the sports picture, as I can borrow equipment for the times I need to dabble with sports.
*)5D II, 35L, 135L, Samyang 14mm, Speedlite 430 EX II
I use 5d2 as well and considering the same thing(though I'm not a journalist). By looking at the few images you have on your site, I think the X-Pro1 will suit you very well. My guess is that you'll need the 35mm & 18mm, probably not the 60mm.
aleksanderpolo, parallax error will not be an issue for those photos if the X-Pro1's parallex correction is turned on, which it should be.
The only way to know sure though is to try one for yourself for a week or 2 to get used to the camera and learn to use as it is very different from a SLR. Don't sell your 5d2 yet!
I'm just about to sell off my Canon-equipment* and buy the X-Pro 1. I pay my bills as a freelance journalist where I usually don't have a photographer with me, and do photography assignments now and then. Most of the time I'm a one man show though.
I've been searching the web for photojournalist impressions of the camera system, but haven't really found much. So I'm wondering if anyone here do editorial work with the X-Pro 1? If so, what are your thoughts?
This is my portfolio, and is pretty much the kind of work I do. Will the X-Pro 1 be sufficient for that kind of work? Disregard the sports picture, as I can borrow equipment for the times I need to dabble with sports.
*)5D II, 35L, 135L, Samyang 14mm, Speedlite 430 EX II...Show more →
The low light abilities of the X-Pro1 would likely serve you well. The only possible deal breaker I see is that a number of you're images are taken at a very close distance to the subject where focus is very critical. This is exactly the point where the X-Pro1 will hunt and fail with regard to AF since it's around where the camera must be put into Macro mode to AF and where focus becomes much more accurate in EVF mode vs OVF (and EVF is not great on the X-Pro1, mostly due to the slow refresh rate that will not keep up with reality without stops and stutters). The ideal camera for you would likely be a true rangefinder with good high ISO capability (probably the Leica M10 with Sony CMOS sensor when it shows up, though it will be pricey). Otherwise, I suspect you may have trouble with focus in these situations as compared to the accuracy of you're 5DII. Another option you might consider would be the Fuji X100. It's been refined quite a bit since it was released, offers a silent shutter, terrific lens and for this type of work would be nice to have in the bag along with the DSLR (it's much smaller than the X-Pro1 with lens, cheaper and more accurate imo due to continuous refinement - it's a mature product whereas the X-Pro1 is still very beta).
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll keep on to my 5D II for now, I think. I need to be able to focus with predictable accuracy at short range.
The X100 is on my radar, but I'm having problems fitting it in to my kit - since it would be very hard for me to let go of my 35L. Guess I'll have to re-think what I need.
The M10 will be way out of my price range when it arrives, unfortunately.
I wouldn't write it off just base on what you read on the web either, really ought to at least visit a camera store & try it yourself. The weight/size reduction over the 5d2 and the quality of the sensor+lens(35mm f/1.4) are huge pluses, to me at least.
I personally find the EVF great, but maybe that's because I haven't tried the state of the art EVF on the nex-7 yet. Nevertheless that doesn't change the fact that EVF works fine for me.
Regarding close focusing, if it starts to hunt, that means you'll need to put it in macro mode. But then again camera like M9 can't even focus when it's getting too close, so to me it's actually a bonus. I also find the AF on the X-Pro1 to be more accurate(but slower) than the one on the 5d2.
Never tried the x100 but that also sounds like a fantastic camera if 35mm equivalent is all you shoot or you just want to have a lightweight 2nd body.
Been reading a lot of reviews along with this thread. I'm considering moving from the NEX-5N to the X-Pro1 but I'm troubled by some of what I'm reading on the practical use of this camera. I'm also quite excited by the possibilities.
Can anyone tell me about their experiences using legacy lenses with third part adapters? Or, legacy lenses with the fuji adapter (M Mount). Specifically, I'm wondering how well manual focusing will work wide open in this situation. I understand that it is currently a problem when manually focusing using a native lens for this camera in that the aperture will fluctuate during manual focus resulting in focus shift when shooting wide open. But I have several lenses that I can adapt such as the stellar Voigtlander 35/1.2 ver 2. How well this lens will perform under manual focusing on the camera may make or break my decision.
Of course, another option is to go to the NEX-7 or just stay with the 5N but like the rangefinder like camera.
shinew7911 wrote:
I wouldn't write it off just base on what you read on the web either, really ought to at least visit a camera store & try it yourself. The weight/size reduction over the 5d2 and the quality of the sensor+lens(35mm f/1.4) are huge pluses, to me at least.
I personally find the EVF great, but maybe that's because I haven't tried the state of the art EVF on the nex-7 yet. Nevertheless that doesn't change the fact that EVF works fine for me.
Regarding close focusing, if it starts to hunt, that means you'll need to put it in macro mode. But then again camera like M9 can't even focus when it's getting too close, so to me it's actually a bonus. I also find the AF on the X-Pro1 to be more accurate(but slower) than the one on the 5d2.
Never tried the x100 but that also sounds like a fantastic camera if 35mm equivalent is all you shoot or you just want to have a lightweight 2nd body....Show more →
What happened with the X-Pro1 EVF with me (and others) is that when you lock focus, it freezes the image which could result in the loss of capturing the right moment when photographing people. You might want to see if you're EVF reacts similarly (I don't know why it would not).
The M9 is actually calibrated for a very close distance - 1 meter I think. Most folks complain about this since the M8.2 was calibrated for a further distance and provided more accurate framing with objects further from the camera. The upshot though is that all digital M's besides the M8.2 should actually be ideal for close subject matter. Of course, there will always be the difference between using a TTL system (SLR/EVF) versus a rangefinder.
rji2goleez wrote:
Been reading a lot of reviews along with this thread. I'm considering moving from the NEX-5N to the X-Pro1 but I'm troubled by some of what I'm reading on the practical use of this camera. I'm also quite excited by the possibilities.
Can anyone tell me about their experiences using legacy lenses with third part adapters? Or, legacy lenses with the fuji adapter (M Mount). Specifically, I'm wondering how well manual focusing will work wide open in this situation. I understand that it is currently a problem when manually focusing using a native lens for this camera in that the aperture will fluctuate during manual focus resulting in focus shift when shooting wide open. But I have several lenses that I can adapt such as the stellar Voigtlander 35/1.2 ver 2. How well this lens will perform under manual focusing on the camera may make or break my decision.
Of course, another option is to go to the NEX-7 or just stay with the 5N but like the rangefinder like camera.
Earlier in this thread, I did relate my experience using adapted lenses on the X-Pro1 and compared the experience to using the same lenses on the NEX-7. Unless you use the EVF, the X-Pro1 OVF is currently "broken" when used with adapted lenses in outdoor lighting as the frame lines do not show up as they are supposed to. Both the X-Pro1 and NEX-7 have issues with traditional wide angle rangefinder lenses so you're 5n is better for that case. Otherwise, the EVF in the NEX-7 provides superior MF as compared to the X-Pro1. The X-Pro1 OVF could be pretty cool to use once Fuji fixes the issue noted above.
Tariq - thanks! Ah well, I guess I will stick with the 5N for now and wait and see if Fuji comes through with a firmware fix that addresses some of these issues. Unless I sell my Voigtlander and buy into the Fuji X system totally, I'll play the waiting game . . .
Bob, what has concerned me about the XP-1 with adapted M mount lenses, based on some test results posted early in the XP-1 release, is the inconsistency of peripheral sharpness from lens to lens. I found this one quite informative: http://picabroad.com/2012/03/24/fuji-x-pro-1-grand-test-with-leica-m-mount-lenses/ and be sure to read the comments. He has updated it somewhat in regards to the Kipon adapter he used.
Thanks Ron. In fact, I've read that post on the inconsistency and on the CV12 and I've concluded that my mileage may vary. It seems to me that there is no perfect solution right now. Perhaps a firmware update to the XP1 will change that opinion if it happens.
I'm sure the X-Pro1 will receive many firmware updates throughout it's life, just as the X100 has.
One of the best, in-depth reviews of the X-Pro1, including it's use with rangefinder lenses is Sean Reid's review. His is a paid subscription site but well worth the read before any prospective purchase.
No experience with the third party lenses, from what I've read, most likely it's best to stick with Fuji lenses for the focal distances they offer in terms of quality and usability. The lenses are very reasonably priced for their quality IMO.
Tariq, I checked out the image "freeze" issue with the X-Pro1, it does freeze for few milliseconds, but it's between the time when the camera is just about to lock on to AF till it gets locked. I've never even noticed this till today because I don't move around my camera until the AF is locked when I half press the shutter to focus(I also use OVF about 70% time). I can see this could be problematic for photographing sports, but this is not a camera for this type of shooting. For street shooting, one tip I found somewhere on the web works quite well is just to press the shutter all the way down and trust the AF.
As for min focus distance, yea I think m9 is about 1 meter, but on the x-pro it's .26 meter under macro mode. Anything under 1 meter, which is where the m9 stops focusing, is best suited using the macro mode on the x-pro1. That's why I tend to consider the remaining focusing distance as a bonus than a hassle.
Edit:
Just saw this DigitalRev video that compares Fuji X-Pro1 vs Sony NEX-7 vs Oly OM-D E-M5 under low light belly dancing. Kinda informative actually that shows the Fuji's biggest strength & weakness that's inline with my experience:
rji2goleez, I haven't tried a Fuji X-pro1 yet but I do have a Sony Nex 5N. However, as I understand it, the only manual focus assistance in the Fuji is a magnified view. With focus peaking and touch screen to touch and magnify areas on 5N, I can manually focus much faster on the Sony Nex 5N compared to the focus dot confirmation system in my Nikon D7000. I wouldn't know until I tried it with the Fuji X-Pro 1 but I'm assuming that I would manually focus slower on this camera.
Woa, on the second page showing the system, is that a waist level prism attached to the lens in the back right? Pretty interesting. Visoflex or something similar?
Most if not all the stuff in the back that's OOF looks like non-Fuji gear that can be used with the XP1. If you have an M-adapter, I imagine you could also use a Visoflex, and thus a whole lot of longer Leica lenses.
You don't need a Visoflex to use longer SLR lenses as there are adapter for those such as Leica R to Leica M, M42 to Leica M. Nikon F to Leica M and so on...so it's easy to make any of the longer SLR lenses work using multiple adapters. There are also direct, single adapters to make that work with the X-Pro1 now as well which would be the easiest way to go (Leica R to X-PRo1).
