Otus vs Leica?

[mgrayson3]

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Thank you! I've been waiting for someone to mention Rodenstock whenever Otus hyperbole got out of hand. I never saw the point in comparing these lenses as their use cases are so different. Otus is manual focus on FF, Rodies excel on tech cams, and S lenses autofocus on ... the S. and I'm sure the new Phase One lenses are sharp as hell. But the S optics hit all my buttons. I don't want a bigger cam, worse ergonomics, or slower lenses. That rules out everything else except possibly the Fuji. We'll see.

 

--Matt

[Photoskeptic]

Matt, you are so right on about the S lenses. If the S hadn't the issues which have cropped up over the last few years then I would still own it. Let me say that all three lenses are simply awesome in their designed systems. I was privileged (lucky) to have owned them all at the same time. Seriously, it takes a loupe at 100% to discern the winner. And the winner could very much depend on what each individual photographer values in an image!

[Jeff S]

 That rules out everything else except possibly the Fuji. We'll see.

 

 

 

The Fuji GFX may turn out to be a solid competitor to the S system.....indeed, we'll see if it lives up to expectations.  Preliminary reports are very encouraging.  Leica needs to sort its S lens issues before late March/early April when the GFX is currently expected (and the X1D should more readily available).

 

Jeff

[mgrayson3]

The Fuji GFX may turn out to be a solid competitor to the S system.....indeed, we'll see if it lives up to expectations.  Preliminary reports are very encouraging.  Leica needs to sort its S lens issues before late March/early April when the GFX is currently expected (and the X1D should more readily available).

 

Jeff

 

I would put it differently. Fuji needs to produce optics of extraordinary quality and character. I certainly can't tell from their infomercials. On paper they look good - f/2.8 primes, f/4 zoom, The S 120 functionality looks to be split between the 120 f/4 macro and the 100 f/2 prime, but without knowing prices and weights (and characters), it's all academic. 

 

Then there's professional support. What is Fuji's presence in rental houses? Overnight loaners? I'm just ignorant. Leica has a good coverage where I live. Certainly Hasselblad does, too.

 

Well, it will be an interesting few months on the MF front!

 

--Matt

[2wk]

Fuji knows how to make extraordinary lenses. They made the lenses for Hasselblad.

[Jeff S]

Not only that, but they have a stellar reputation for supporting customers with timely and frequent FW updates, lens roadmaps, as well as communications regarding product issues.  Leica would do well to emulate.

 

Jeff

[xiaubauu2009]

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Fuji knows how to make extraordinary lenses. They made the lenses for Hasselblad.

 

 

well, some people just didn't realise Fuji is a huge player in MF territory. Leica is considered a small potato compare to Fuji. Think Xpan (Fuji manufactured or properly designed as well), GX680 etc etc etc etc even 617 territory.

[Paul J]

I would say one of Fuji's strongest points is their Medium Format cameras. Fuji in the 80's and 90s was a heavy hitter in pthe pro market and they have never managed to recapture their success on that level until more recently, albeit with what is considered more amateur cameras because their infrastructure has always been based on medium format cameras to maximise film. I had the GX-680, that camera is absolutely incredible. It literally had everything but the kitchen sink and it's lenses are second to none and wiped the floor of my "small" Mamiya RZ and Hasselblad V. It was the hard core pro system to end all systems and no one would dare make a camera like this again, but was really very large. I also had one of their GA645zi snap shot cameras, it was brilliant and then then there are 6x7, 6x9, 6x17 cameras too which are really impressive and people have great things to say about, not to forget their large format lenses too.