Fuji X-E2 with M lenses

[lct]

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First contact with the Fuji X-E2 that i chose as my small digital back for M lenses until the Leica T has a built-in EVF and uses 6-bit coding for vignetting and color shifts corrections.

 

Lenses used for this thread are listed below.

 

No problem with 35mm lenses and above, let alone telephotos which are easier to focus than with a rangefinder. My late German made Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph doesn't fit the Fuji though contrary to M8.2 and M240 bodies.

 

28mm, 24mm and 21mm lenses listed below have no disturbing color shifts, and vignetting is easy to adjust in camera or PP. But they show more or less soft corners depending upon focal length and aperture mainly. Better shooting landscapes and brick walls at f/5.6 (28mm & 24mm lenses) or f/8 (21mm lenses) at least, or choosing cameras optimized for M lenses like Leica Ms or Ricoh GXR A 12 M mount.

 

The Fuji X-E2 itself looks somewhat plasticky and has not the elegance of the Leica T by far but it is small, light, fast and sharp enough to translate faithfully the character of the lenses.

The shutter/motor noise sounds a bit quieter than that of the M240 but it has more trebles in it so it is perhaps more noticeable i don't know.

The built-in EVF seems to have a better refresh rate than the M240's by a significant margin. Focussing is possible on moving subjects, focus peaking works fine with not too slow lenses but there is no image magnification which is the forte of the M240. Like the latter's, the Fuji's EVF is more or less unusable in bright light.

 

Those interested in crappy pics can find some links to a couple of snaps below. Raw files converted with Capture One 7.2.2, default settings, WB and contrast adjusted in Photoshop CS3.

 

- Fuji X-E2 & Skopar 21/4 @ f/4

- Fuji X-E2 & Elmar 24/3.8 @ f/3.8

- Fuji X-E2 & Elmarit 28/2.8 asph @ f/2.8

- Fuji X-E2 & Summicron 35/2 asph @ f/2

 

List of lenses (quickly) used for this thread:

CV 21/4, 35/1.4 SC

Leica 21/2.8 asph, 24/3.8, 28/2, 28/2.8 asph, 35/1.4 pre-asph, 35/1.4 FLE, 35/2 asph, 35/2 v4, 35/2.5, 40/2, 50/1.4 pre-asph, 50/1.4 asph, 50/2 pre-asph, 50/2.8 v2, 50/2.5, 90/2 asph, 135/3.4.

Minolta 28/2.8, 40/2

ZM 35/2.8, 50/1.5

[klaush]

Thanks for sharing.

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[luigi bertolotti]

What you mean that Summilux 35 preasph "does not fit" ? Cannot be mounted ? Cannot focus ?

[lct]

Cannot be mounted due to the shroud at the back of the lens apparently.

[luigi bertolotti]

Strange.... it is a known issue... but afaik it prevents its usage on M8 too...

[jrbelmuda]

Thanks lct, my wife uses XE-1, with all of our lenses, predominantly 35 lux fle, has used R lenses with Fuji adapter then M to R and all worked very well.

With recent update, focus magnification is handy Nd works well.

We also have M, Fuji works well in comparison but M still the clearly better IQ.

Still, would highly recommend it to anyone. Results and use are very good.

John

[lct]

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Strange.... it is a known issue... but afaik it prevents its usage on M8 too...

Not on my M8.2 though. I seem to recall that all versions of the 35/1.4 pre-asph are not equal on this point.

[lct]

...With recent update, focus magnification is handy Nd works well...

I did not notice it. Suffice it to press the rear dial. Thank you.

[steveclem]

I did not notice it. Suffice it to press the rear dial. Thank you.

 

Press the rear dial and turn it for 10x mag.

[Richardgb]

First contact with the Fuji X-E2 that i chose as my small digital back for M lenses until the Leica T has a built-in EVF and uses 6-bit coding for vignetting and color shifts corrections.

 

Lenses used for this thread are listed below.

 

No problem with 35mm lenses and above, let alone telephotos which are easier to focus than with a rangefinder. My late German made Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph doesn't fit the Fuji though contrary to M8.2 and M240 bodies.

 

28mm, 24mm and 21mm lenses listed below have no disturbing color shifts, and vignetting is easy to adjust in camera or PP. But they show more or less soft corners depending upon focal length and aperture mainly. Better shooting landscapes and brick walls at f/5.6 (28mm & 24mm lenses) or f/8 (21mm lenses) at least, or choosing cameras optimized for M lenses like Leica Ms or Ricoh GXR A 12 M mount.

 

The Fuji X-E2 itself looks somewhat plasticky and has not the elegance of the Leica T by far but it is small, light, fast and sharp enough to translate faithfully the character of the lenses.

The shutter/motor noise sounds a bit quieter than that of the M240 but it has more trebles in it so it is perhaps more noticeable i don't know.

The built-in EVF seems to have a better refresh rate than the M240's by a significant margin. Focussing is possible on moving subjects, focus peaking works fine with not too slow lenses but there is no image magnification which is the forte of the M240. Like the latter's, the Fuji's EVF is more or less unusable in bright light.

 

Those interested in crappy pics can find some links to a couple of snaps below. Raw files converted with Capture One 7.2.2, default settings, WB and contrast adjusted in Photoshop CS3.

 

- Fuji X-E2 & Skopar 21/4 @ f/4

- Fuji X-E2 & Elmar 24/3.8 @ f/3.8

- Fuji X-E2 & Elmarit 28/2.8 asph @ f/2.8

- Fuji X-E2 & Summicron 35/2 asph @ f/2

 

List of lenses (quickly) used for this thread:

CV 21/4, 35/1.4 SC

Leica 21/2.8 asph, 24/3.8, 28/2, 28/2.8 asph, 35/1.4 pre-asph, 35/1.4 FLE, 35/2 asph, 35/2 v4, 35/2.5, 40/2, 50/1.4 pre-asph, 50/1.4 asph, 50/2 pre-asph, 50/2.8 v2, 50/2.5, 90/2 asph, 135/3.4.

Minolta 28/2.8, 40/2

ZM 35/2.8, 50/1.5

 

Looking for a 'second camera' while my M9 is being repaired (again ), I looked at the EX-1 and EX-2 today for use with M lenses.

 

In my short evaluation, it's remarkable how many functions have been put into the camera itself. The artificial horizon / level indicator could be useful. I had not problems using the EVF (the EX-2 being better than the EX-1). OK, build quality may not be 'Leica' quality, but the camera doesn't feel cheap.

 

But with the lenses (28mm and 50mm Summicrons tried), my results echoed those above. The test subject was suitably demanding high-contrast signage (lettering). Remember that the APS-C sensor would only be seeing the centre of the field. At f/2, the 28 had noticeably smeary corners (the smear 'pointing' towards the centre) the 50mm hardly any. Stopped down to f/5.6, both lenses were fine. No difference between the EX-1 and EX-2, although the latter has a newer sensor and processor.

 

Unfortunately, it is the 28mm (42mm equivalent) I'd be likely to use most frequently, so, disappointed, I walked away from the dealer empty handed.

[cp995]

...My late German made Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph doesn't fit the Fuji though...

 

That's not correct

The pre-asph. Lux 35 doesn't fit to the original Fuji M-Adapter due to its internal Ring with contacts.

It's only a mechanical problem with this part!.

All other adapters don't have this restriction.

[lct]

Yes it does not fit the Fuji adapter.

[lct]

Nice results with the Macro-Elmar 90/4.

[algrove]

Those interested in crappy pics can find some links to a couple of snaps below. Raw files converted with Capture One 7.2.2, default settings, WB and contrast adjusted in Photoshop CS3.

 

Now this is news. You mean you admit to taking "crappy pics"? This is full disclosure!

[lct]

Just stating the obvious.

[zlatkob]

Judging from those photos, it looks very good with the Summicron 35/2 ASPH.

[intermediatic]

I am auditioning a Fuji X-E2. Thus far, it seems far superior to the Sony A7R I tried last year. No chromatic aberration whatsoever! Of course it isn't a full frame camera either. It also doesn't have that cheap feeling that the A7R has, which I would liken to an overly complex toy about ready to fall apart.

 

My only concern is that I feel like it doesn't have a razor sharp infinity focus. Still working on figuring that out. Could be a deal breaker, of course. Maybe it's just the kit lens, which I am using quite a bit.

[lct]

...My only concern is that I feel like it doesn't have a razor sharp infinity focus. Still working on figuring that out. Could be a deal breaker, of course. Maybe it's just the kit lens, which I am using quite a bit.

Better do your tests with a Leica lens and a good adapter IMHO. I have one Fuji lens only (18/2) and in spite of a respectable sharpness, distortion and CA are definitely sub-par. Also jpegs out of the X-E2 are not better than elsewhere and this little cam deserves the best raw converters.

[Doc Henry]

Hi All ,

Some questions please :

- With the adapter for Leica M lens, the information is transmitted ? electrical contacts ?

- One can use "aperture priority", the camera adjusts exposure ?

- Can we use optical Leica R (with a ring of course) ?

Thank you for the answer

Best

Henry

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[lct]

[1] - With the adapter for Leica M lens, the information is transmitted ? electrical contacts ?

[2] - One can use "aperture priority", the camera adjusts exposure ?

[3] - Can we use optical Leica R (with a ring of course) ?

1. As far as the Fuji adapter is concerned, there are electrical contacts on the latter allowing it to communicate with the body but there is no electrical nor optical link between the adapter and M lenses. Lenses are not recognized by the body but the latter has six profiles for 21 to 75mm lenses allowing to correct distortion, color shifts and vignetting separately for each of them. I don't use this feature personally as i have no distortion nor color shift problems with my M lenses and better results re vignetting can be achieved in PP.

2. Auto aperture and auto iso work the same way as other mirrorless cameras with M lenses. If you have an M240, both cameras work basically the same except that the Fuji works 100% in LV mode, has an 1.5x crop factor, a better EVF and is significantly faster.

3. R lenses are usable as well. I have no experience with that but many adapters for R lenses are available on the market (Novoflex, Metabones, Fotodiox, etc.). Better choose a model allowing for infinity correction. See Leica R Adapter to Fujifilm - Adapted Lens Discussion - Fuji X Forum.