rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Share #1 Posted April 16, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well...first time poster here...been lurking a bit. I am currently a Fuji X100T shooter and love the little guy. If there were anything close to a perfect camera for me, that would be it. You may or may not know that Fuji is sort of touted as the "poor man's Rangefinder" camera; sort of an approximation of it. It has a glass viewfinder with superimposed framelines that move according to focus distance. It doesn't have a focus patch, it has a small patch of the EVF in the lower right corner of the viewfinder so that you can see if you are in focus. So...I've always wondered; what is it about the Leica Rangefinder? Is it really that great of an experience? Is Fuji's implementation just as serviceable? I HAVE to know...I can't wonder any longer, and since I'd most likely be getting in at the cheapest price point; either an M-E now, or an M240 in 2 years...I thought that renting an M-E and 50mm Summarit would be a good real-world test. If I can bond with this combo in 4 days time (or just know that it would work for me) then the question would be settled in my mind and I could either pursue it or let it drop forever. In either case, the uncertainty would be gone...whew! So, glad to post here for the first time. It's coming a week from today and I'll give a full report of my impressions as a Leica-outsider when I'm done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Hi rpavich, Take a look here Can't stand wondering any longer...Renting an M-E and Summarit. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Lenshacker Posted April 16, 2015 Share #2 Posted April 16, 2015 If you have never used an optical rangefinder camera before- 4 days is not a lot of time to get used to it. The M8 is going for under $1500 these days, probably would sell to close to the same in a year. How much is the 4-day rental? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 16, 2015 Share #3 Posted April 16, 2015 I'm at this for fourty years, not four days - and still learning... Seriously, One really needs a bit of time to get really comfortable with a rangefinder system, as it does require a different mindset. The Fuji has a nice optical viewfinder, but it is not the same thing at all. The advice of getting a used M8 and an affordable lens, for instance the Elmar-M 50 mm collapsible last version, is sound, chances are you will never want to sell the camera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted April 16, 2015 Share #4 Posted April 16, 2015 Rp. Admired many of your images and posts on the Fuji forum(s), welcome here. Gotta agree, 4 days won't be enough, I'm like jaapv, more than 40 years with Leica (45 actually). The M8 would also be the choice to test drive the concept. Great camera, old, but sound. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted April 16, 2015 I know..I won't master anything in 4 days...heck..I expect that my shots will be out of focus most of the time and I'll miss most of them...I fully expect that. But I have to know if the "experience" is hype or not. If it's SO different that it's worth forking over several thousand dollars for it. That's all I'm trying to figure out. PS: 4 days with the camera and lens and insurance was $300.00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbf Posted April 16, 2015 Share #6 Posted April 16, 2015 rpavich, If you are using the Fuji X100, then you are not used to shooting with the 50mm field of view. I would suggest you rent a 35mm with the Leica, or both. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted April 16, 2015 Share #7 Posted April 16, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) The advice of getting a used M8 and an affordable lens, for instance the Elmar-M 50 mm collapsible last version, Not sure I'd want a 50 on a cropped-frame camera as my introduction to RF photography but I agree that an M8 is the best value for money digital RF camera (IMO a used M6 or M7 is even better value for money). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted April 16, 2015 Share #8 Posted April 16, 2015 4 Days won't be enough to master the camera. In fact it won't be enough to master any camera. However, it will be more than enough to know if you like the system! Enjoy your time with it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adespen Posted April 16, 2015 Share #9 Posted April 16, 2015 While it may take you a lifetime to grow out of love with the rangefinder way, it doesn't take long to realise the difference. IMHO 4 days should be enough to figure it out. Skip the M8 and go for an M-E with a 50. I did. best of luck. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted April 16, 2015 rpavich, If you are using the Fuji X100, then you are not used to shooting with the 50mm field of view. I would suggest you rent a 35mm with the Leica, or both. I've shot a lot with 50mm but the 35mm was unavailable until mid may so I thought that I could rent the 50mm and it would answer the questions that I had knowing that ultimately I'd be choosing a 35mm lens when buying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted April 16, 2015 4 Days won't be enough to master the camera. In fact it won't be enough to master any camera. However, it will be more than enough to know if you like the system! Enjoy your time with it. That's the plan! Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted April 16, 2015 While it may take you a lifetime to grow out of love with the rangefinder way, it doesn't take long to realise the difference. IMHO 4 days should be enough to figure it out. Skip the M8 and go for an M-E with a 50. I did. best of luck. Thanks! I'm really looking forward to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 16, 2015 Share #13 Posted April 16, 2015 Not sure I'd want a 50 on a cropped-frame camera as my introduction to RF photography but I agree that an M8 is the best value for money digital RF camera (IMO a used M6 or M7 is even better value for money). Actually I liked that lens a lot on my M8 - but an old Summicron 35 or even Summaron would be a nice combo as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 16, 2015 Share #14 Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) I've shot a lot with 50mm but the 35mm was unavailable until mid may so I thought that I could rent the 50mm and it would answer the questions that I had knowing that ultimately I'd be choosing a 35mm lens when buying. In that case, better to rent a 28, which will give you approximately a 35mm (37mm) field of view. The little Elmarit rental costs a bit more than the 50 Summarit…if it's available. Jeff Edited April 16, 2015 by Jeff S Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted April 16, 2015 In that case, better to rent a 28, which will give you approximately a 35mm (37mm) field of view. The little Elmarit rental costs a bit more than the 50 Summarit…if it's available. Jeff Wouldn't a 35mm just be a 35mm FOV on an M9 or M-E? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 16, 2015 Share #16 Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) Wouldn't a 35mm just be a 35mm FOV on an M9 or M-E? Indeed, but you wrote (I thought) that you might rent a lens for the M8 and later end up getting a 35 on the M-E. If so, then the 28 rental on the M8 would provide you with a good idea of the FOV you'd eventually get if you bought a 35 for FF. Jeff Edit….I now see that you would rent the M-E, in which case I'd suggest renting a 35 if you can. But if you buy an M8, the 28 would be ideal until you decide if you want FF. You won't lose much on a lens sale. Edited April 16, 2015 by Jeff S Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted April 16, 2015 Indeed, but you wrote (I thought) that you might rent a lens for the M8 and later end up getting a 35 on the M-E. If so, then the 28 rental on the M8 would provide you with a good idea of the FOV you'd eventually get if you bought a 35 for FF. Jeff Edit….I now see that you would rent the M-E, in which case I'd suggest renting a 35 if you can. But if you buy an M8, the 28 would be ideal until you decide if you want FF. You won't lose much on a lens sale. No..that was someone else that mentioned the M8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted April 16, 2015 Share #18 Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) I'd just pony up the extra $50 or so and rent the 35 Summicron to really get a feel of what the combo will be like compared to the X100T. With a .72 viewfinder mag the experience is a bit too backed off with a 50mm for me. I have the X100T too, it's the only version I have had that I am not totally happy with due to the lack of seeing the menu on the LCD in anything but LCD or eye controlled view mode....they have really blown it on that one. I thought they would have fixed it on this last FW but did not so I might just sell it. The X100T is a serious consideration over a digital M though for me, the lack of sound which is key for some of the work I use it for. Edited April 16, 2015 by KM-25 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted April 16, 2015 Share #19 Posted April 16, 2015 You do understand the sensor corrosion issue with M9, ME, & MM? I have no trouble with my M9, but I have doubts. I you want a 35 mm field of view, get a 28 mm for an M8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpavich Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share #20 Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) You do understand the sensor corrosion issue with M9, ME, & MM? I have no trouble with my M9, but I have doubts. I you want a 35 mm field of view, get a 28 mm for an M8. Yes, which is part of the reason I chose it. Because of that I expect more bargains to be had, and so if a person was willing to risk that, it would be worth it, money wise. Edited April 16, 2015 by rpavich 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.