JeTexas Posted July 6, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anyone who has read my posts knows I've been very happy with my X1, but I kept running into low light issues in the late evening due to the limitation of the f2.8 lens. I couldn't afford to just buy an M8 or M9, so instead I picked up a beat-up old M3 and a used Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 to see if I would like rangefinder shooting and whether or not a faster lens was going to make a difference in my photos. I was hoping I'd just find the rangefinder shooting a novelty and be content with the X1, but now I'm hooked. The fast glass is just so nice. I've now got a 28mm f2.0 and a 90mm f2.8 to round out my lens collection. Film has been fun, but the downside is that film is costing me money and slowing down my workflow. I'm also losing a little bit of sharpness and detail in my scans. I want to go back to digital. The 2x crop of the Micro 4/3 is just too limiting. The fact that I'd have to focus using an LCD on the NEX-5, which I already have a terrible time doing on the X1, rules that out. I feel like the X1 has a better sensor and processing than the M8, but it's the only digital rangefinder I can afford, and sadly, I'm going to have to sell the X1 to finance it. Does anyone know of any other affordable digital APS-C bodies that will take M-mount lenses that might be an option other than the M8? Also, if you have an M8 for sale or would want to work a trade deal for an X1, drop me a line. I'll be listing mine on eBay next week along with the custom macro converter and teleconverter I built for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Hi JeTexas, Take a look here Hesitantly moving from X1 to an M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mmradman Posted July 6, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 6, 2011 I think Samsung and Sony are only APS-C interchangeable mirrorless systems that can take M lens via adapter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted July 6, 2011 I didn't know Samsung made one. I'll check it out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted July 6, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 6, 2011 I didn't know Samsung made one. I'll check it out. It may even have built in EVF, model NX11 or something (guessing). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted July 6, 2011 Sadly it looks like the NX cameras only have an adapter for R lenses, M lenses won't fit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asoares Posted July 6, 2011 Share #6 Posted July 6, 2011 Hi, I am using a NEX 5 as a "sensor" to my Summicron 35mm f2 v4 for 4 months now and I am very pleased with the results and the usability of the set. Focusing is more easier and precise than you might think, and the new peaking focus function came just to optimise this. Best regards, António. [myprivatelight.net] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc4237 Posted July 7, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Epson RD-1 and its variants... Epson R-D1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia selling your X1 2nd hand can get you a 2nd hand Epson RD-1 (and maybe some spare $$) as compared to having to top up with $$ to get an M8. Mount should be the same as M8's however, the sensor can only manage 6MP as compared to M8's 10MP... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted July 7, 2011 Share #8 Posted July 7, 2011 You are in a true dilemma, you like rangefinder but these other "options" are not rangefinders and manual focusing on these workaround can never be as pleasurable. I think I would save for an M8 if I were you and ignore the other options that are available out there, or you'll end up with a digital M anyway and end up having to spend more on "interim" cameras. As for low light high iso performance of the M well the slower lens of the X1 is offset somewhat by its much better high iso results. I would also look at the ricoh gxr which has a dedicated M adaptor version coming out, announced some months ago. My two cents, CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted July 7, 2011 The Epsons seem to cost as much as the M8s on eBay. It also seems there's not a silver M8 to be found. I was really hoping to find a sub-$1000 option, so I wouldn't have to give up my X1, but it doesn't look like there is one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted July 7, 2011 I spoke too soon. I just bought a silver M8 through the classifieds on this site. Sales ads in the Buy and Sell forum please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 8, 2011 I spoke too soon. I just bought a silver M8 through the classifieds on this site. My X1 is officially for sale. Drop me a line if you're interested in it or the macro converter or teleconverter I built for it. Otherwise, it will be on eBay tomorrow. You didn't consider trying selling it through the Forum Buy & Sell? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted July 8, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 8, 2011 Anyone who has read my posts knows I've been very happy with my X1, but I kept running into low light issues in the late evening due to the limitation of the f2.8 lens. I couldn't afford to just buy an M8 or M9, so instead I picked up a beat-up old M3 and a used Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 to see if I would like rangefinder shooting and whether or not a faster lens was going to make a difference in my photos. Unless you are using 1600 speed film with a f/1.4 (which won't even look as good as the X1's high iso), you aren't gaining anything on the X1 regarding low light. The X1 is usable up to 3200...and can be handheld at lower shutter speeds than the M (due to the leaf shutter). I don't see the logic in this. The M8's high ISO sucks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buranca Posted July 8, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 8, 2011 Nothing really to add except that I find myself in a relatively similar position. The difference is that I am torn between an X1 and a M8 -and it is driving me nuts! I look forward to hearing about your transition and hope to gain some insight before pulling the trigger! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 8, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 8, 2011 Jeff, if you have Leica M lenses, get the M8. It will be a more versatile kit. One is a system camera; the other one a fine precision compact. Surely you know the purpose for buying one of these two cameras. That should help clarify your mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buranca Posted July 8, 2011 Share #15 Posted July 8, 2011 That should help clarify your mind. It did... I bought the M8! Still looking forward to how the OP goes with his transition as an X1 may well be a nice companion! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted July 10, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 10, 2011 I am with JS on this one. The strength of the M8 will be its LOW iso performance compared to the X1. I find the kodak sensor files from the M8 more pleasing than the X1 at base iso (not that the X1 files are bad, far from it). For low light shots I would go with the X1 any day, compared to the M8. I suspect the OP will end up using the M8 for shots at low iso, and the X1 for high iso. Best of both worlds. CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted July 11, 2011 I think my M8 should be arriving today. I wish I could keep my X1 as well, but I just can't afford both. I'm asking $1600 for my X1. I currently have it listed locally on craiglist, but if I get no bites I'll spend the money to put it on the forum classifieds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted July 12, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 12, 2011 Keep us posted on how the M8 works for you. I am still on the fence (for the longest time which normally isnt the case for gear) on the M but will buy the Nikon D3s replacement when it launches. Rets of the time for casual shooting and travel the X1 is fine. CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted July 12, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 12, 2011 I am with JS on this one. The strength of the M8 will be its LOW iso performance compared to the X1. I find the kodak sensor files from the M8 more pleasing than the X1 at base iso (not that the X1 files are bad, far from it). For low light shots I would go with the X1 any day, compared to the M8. I suspect the OP will end up using the M8 for shots at low iso, and the X1 for high iso. Best of both worlds. CJ The M8 allows to use lenses up to three stops faster, including quite affordable CV ones. So there goes the (one stop?) high iso sensor advantage of the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted July 12, 2011 Got the M8 last night and started playing with it. JsRockit was not exaggerating, the high ISO settings are REALLY bad. I don't have any shoots at work today, but I might try to stop by the park at lunch or something to get to know it better. Working from first impressions, the X1 wins hands down -- if only it had interchangeable lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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