Leica lenses on Fuji XT1

[JakeStone]

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Things like this: The performance of Carl Zeiss & Leica M lenses on the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 by Jan Vogelaar | Fuji RumorsFuji Rumors tell me nothing and show me nothing. I want to see some proper photos taken by a proper photographer. Not by some camera nerd who just goes to the park and takes photos of his children. This is why I hate reviews by Steve Huff.

 

I am so sorry having bothered you with profound information.

Have fun and bye.

 

Jacob

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[k-hawinkler]

Concerning the original question, a good starting point could be:

The performance of Carl Zeiss & Leica M lenses on the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 by Jan Vogelaar | Fuji RumorsFuji Rumors

and

http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2011/12/en_CLB41_Nasse_LensNames_Distagon.pdf

(starting at page 11)

 

Regards

Jacob

 

 

Hi Jacob,

 

Many thanks for the pointers!

Very interesting reads indeed!

Much appreciated!

[k-hawinkler]

Ok, let’s back up here :-).

 

Is it possible to use a 35mm Leica lens on an XT1? Yes. It will be roughly equivalent to a 53mm lens on a full-frame body. You will need to manually focus the lens since the M lenses only work that way.

 

For the flickr site, what do you like in particular about the photos? That might help a bit.

 

-jbl

 

 

That's true for field of view, but not depth of field, no?

[lct]

DoF is the same as with other 1.5x crop cameras i.e. 1.5x shorter than full frame at the same focal length, subject distance and aperture.

[paulsydaus]

OP, what equivalent focal length are you aiming for? 35mm or 50mm? If it is the former, you would need to buy the 24mm lens. If it is the latter you are ok to choose the 35mm. But if you are really aiming for the "Leica look" you would be better off hunting around for a used M8 at a good price. I can't really see the point of putting manual focus leica quality lenses on other brand CSC cameras.

This is because:

1. The "Leica look" is a combination of both lens and sensor design.

2. Leica lenses are designed to be used with a rangefinder.

3. Wide angle lenses like 24-35mn will exhibit softness when used on other senses.

As I said, you should sell all your current gear and buy a used M8 if you are serious about getting the "Leica look"...

[k-hawinkler]

DoF is the same as with other 1.5x crop cameras i.e. 1.5x shorter than full frame at the same focal length, subject distance and aperture.

 

Exactly.

[run23]

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For what it's worth, I rented an XT 1 for the long weekend to play around with and used my Summilux ASPH 50 and Zeiss 35, but I preferred the Fuji lenses (especially the 35mm 1.4). I really only did "play around with the camera" type shooting, and didn't dig too far into camera adjustments, but the M-Mount lenses seemed to underperform relative to how they look on my M9.

 

Manual focusing was very easy, and the camera overall is fantastic. It was fun to shoot with the M lenses, but the Fuji lenses really impressed me.

[indergaard]

but the Fuji lenses really impressed me.

 

Fujinon lenses are superb value for the money. The 14, 23, 35 and 56 especially. The 18 and 27 is great for their size and weight, and the zooms are good apparently (haven't tried them).

 

Do yourself a favor though, and use Capture One Pro to convert the raw files. Lightroom (and ACR) is still a very bad option for raw processing for the X-Trans raw files. C1 Pro is by far much better for X-Trans files.

[jbl]

I got to use my mother’s XT1 a bunch this weekend and I liked it. It has some things user-interface-wise that I didn’t like, but overall it’s a nice camera.

 

I’m not buying one, but I liked it.

 

-jbl

[Guest]

After selling my Contax RTS, I tried to purchase the Leica T, but the delivery period was too long and my holidays were approximating. So I got me the X-T1. Best camera ever.

 

Then I purchased my old neighbor's M collection, including several lenses manufactured between 1948 and 1965.

 

For Leica M lenses on Fuji X, an adaptor is necessary. Novoflex provides both M39 screw mount and M240 at reasonable prices.

 

And now? Imagine the feeling of grandfather's lenses working fine with a 2014 digital body! Even Visoflex lenses work with the 14024 adaptor.

 

I don't need automatic aperture or fully automatic programs. So if this is what you're looking for, better save your money for something different. But if you're an ambitious hobby photographer who just wants to get rid of films, chemistry and all this stuff, this is it!

 

(Sorry for my horrible english!)

[LucisPictor]

Why not using an X-T1 (or X-E2) with Fuji AF lenses AND/OR Leica M glass, depending on the mood you're in?

 

The Fujis work great with Leica M lenses if a precise adapter is used. Of course, old Leitz lenses are different from modern AF ones, but you know that beforehand, don't you?

 

I can only roll my eyes to someone who uses a 1930s Summitar on a modern digital body and then is surprised about the peculiarities.

 

On the other hand the huge difference on the price tag between a, let's say, Fuji XR 1.4/35 and a Leica Summilux-M 1.4/35 does definitely not show in their performance on a Fuji X-T1.

The Fuji lens is by no means any worse there.

 

That's why I use M-lenses on my Fujis in focal ranges for which I cannot get an AF lens (e.g. 90mm).