The Pixii rangefinder camera is here — what do you want to know about it?

[Herr Barnack]

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For those who are interested, here is a brief article on the Pixii APS-C format rangefinder camera.  Apparently a full review is coming soon:
 

Quote

 

 The Pixii rangefinder camera is here — what do you want to know about it?

https://www.macfilos.com/2023/03/13/the-pixii-rangefinder-camera-is-here-what-do-you-want-to-know-about-it/

 

 

 

[benqui]

I like the idea a lot, the camera looks beautiful. The results look beautiful too, especially in b/w, but to be honest, for 3150 Euro I would prefer a M240 M-P. Not because it is full frame, but because I know that it works very good, it is a relible system and in case of a problem, I always can send it to Wetzlar (and I never had any problems with the customer service). 

[dpitt]

I like the innovative idea's of the Pixii. Any competition in the digital RF business will also reflect on Leica. The previous two models could be upgraded to current standard. I hope they can be upgraded to the 2023 model as well. This is something we did not see from Leica since the time of the Barnacks.
 

[Stuart Richardson]

I can't help but thinking that this is a more accurate update of the Leica CL than Leica's own CL line (which is not to disparage that camera, which has many admirers). Personally though, I just can't get past the sensor size. Not because of resolution or noise, but because of how it changes lenses. I had the M8 when it came out, and the subsequent M9 was a revelation. Even the original CL was a full frame camera. I do have an APS-C camera, but it is one that I think puts that sensor to its best use (being small!), the Ricoh GRIIIx. All that said, not everyone cares about that like I do. I think it is exciting that there is a new rangefinder out there. I used to be skeptical about not having a screen, but I tried a friend's Leica MD without a screen, and it was a revelation. Just like shooting the M7 with a quiet auto winder that doesn't push the shutter button up after each frame and infinite film. I hope they do one with the M10R or M11...

[Herr Barnack]

1 hour ago, benqui said:

I like the idea a lot, the camera looks beautiful. The results look beautiful too, especially in b/w, but to be honest, for 3150 Euro I would prefer a M240 M-P. Not because it is full frame, but because I know that it works very good, it is a relible system and in case of a problem, I always can send it to Wetzlar (and I never had any problems with the customer service). 

For €3150, I'd rather have 1/3 of an M11.

[tom.w.bn]

A comparison of the Pixii viewfinder vs. a Leica viewfinder would be nice.

[Chris W]

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I'm not sure it's 'cheaper than most second hand Leica Rangefinders'.

I've had an M8 and an M240 and iirc both were cheaper than RRP on the PIxii.

[Mattias Burling]

Been shooting with it for over a year now. Its a fun camera.

Edited March 16 by Mattias Burling

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Simone_DF]

I'd pick a Pixii over a M240 any day, and even over a M10.

Better sensor by a loooong mile, can be upgraded, smaller and lighter, snappier due to better processor, better connectivity, internal storage, USB-C port for charging on the go, lossless RAW compression, better value option for the long term because of the upgrade path: buy the body once, keep upgrading it at a very reasonable price over the years (if needed). This also means the body should not depreciate much, because you can always upgrade the processor and the sensor.

I do understand why people may prefer a Leica, but to me the Pixii has many advantages and the company is smart enough to offer something different to a standard M.

[Franklin Saint]

 

5 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

I'd pick a Pixii over a M240 any day, and even over a M10.

Better sensor by a loooong mile, can be upgraded, smaller and lighter, snappier due to better processor, better connectivity, internal storage, USB-C port for charging on the go, lossless RAW compression, better value option for the long term because of the upgrade path: buy the body once, keep upgrading it at a very reasonable price over the years (if needed). This also means the body should not depreciate much, because you can always upgrade the processor and the sensor.

I do understand why people may prefer a Leica, but to me the Pixii has many advantages and the company is smart enough to offer something different to a standard M.

I couldn't agree more. Saying it's a "fun" camera to shoot with almost marginalizes the experience - although it is a joy to use. 

The Pixii is earning its place in the Rangefinder continuum through innovation and quality. It makes the M system feel like the stodgy, establishment camera that it is. The upgrade path, connectivity, superior processor capability, and sensor performance make the Pixii a serious contender for your rangefinder dollars.

Aggressive power consumption is my only critique. I wish this camera were getting more attention in the press.

[jaapv]

5 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

I'd pick a Pixii over a M240 any day, and even over a M10.

Better sensor by a loooong mile, can be upgraded, smaller and lighter, snappier due to better processor, better connectivity, internal storage, USB-C port for charging on the go, lossless RAW compression, better value option for the long term because of the upgrade path: buy the body once, keep upgrading it at a very reasonable price over the years (if needed). This also means the body should not depreciate much, because you can always upgrade the processor and the sensor.

I do understand why people may prefer a Leica, but to me the Pixii has many advantages and the company is smart enough to offer something different to a standard M.

M10- so be it, but the M240 is ten. years old, at least two. digital generations ago.

[david strachan]

Yes, very boring but I'll stick to my M-P...not another, yet another, gassy upgrade (?).

...

[Chris W]

15 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

 

I do understand why people may prefer a Leica, but to me the Pixii has many advantages and the company is smart enough to offer something different to a standard M.

The elephant in the room is still the crop.

If it was FF I would be with you 110%. My best lenses are Leica 35 f2 and 50 f1.4. I'm really a 35 shooter, that's how I see the world.

The 'best' Voigtlander lenses (arguably) are the 35 and 50 APO Lanthar. So I'm repeatedly pushed to 50 and 75mm style shooting on the Pixii with either Leica or Voigtlander options.

The Pixii might be streets ahead of the M240 and M10, but the lenses I would need to add would all be third party, most likely things like 7 Artisans ands TT Artisan.

I had a 21mm Color Skopar briefly and found it to be less good than my Leica lenses.

[cboy]

Like the above post I'm still waiting for a FF version. Even a fully electronic one with either a sensor stack or global shutter would be better to reduce cost

[Simone_DF]

1 hour ago, Chris W said:

The elephant in the room is still the crop.

If it was FF I would be with you 110%. My best lenses are Leica 35 f2 and 50 f1.4. I'm really a 35 shooter, that's how I see the world.

The 'best' Voigtlander lenses (arguably) are the 35 and 50 APO Lanthar. So I'm repeatedly pushed to 50 and 75mm style shooting on the Pixii with either Leica or Voigtlander options.

The Pixii might be streets ahead of the M240 and M10, but the lenses I would need to add would all be third party, most likely things like 7 Artisans ands TT Artisan.

I had a 21mm Color Skopar briefly and found it to be less good than my Leica lenses.

Yes, understandable about the crop. I'm more of a 50mm shooter so it's not a big deal for me.

Which Color Skopar? The old F4 or the newer F3.5? I reckon the 4 was not designed for digital and shows the Italian flag issue, while the 3.5 is a newer design. I have the 21mm 1.8 Ultron and it's very sharp, I love it on my SL2s.

Also, there's nothing wrong with 7A or TTA lenses. Actually the TTA 28mm F5.6 would be a really good match, or the Voigtlander 28mm Ultron if a faster aperture is desiderable.

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[Simone_DF]

10 hours ago, jaapv said:

M10- so be it, but the M240 is ten. years old, at least two. digital generations ago.

Yes, I'm mentioning the M240 because it's more or less at the same price of a brand new Pixii. For the price I'd get a Pixii, I can't see any advantage in getting a M240 except the brand name.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Chris W]

The cheapest Pixii (32gb) is 2,899 Euro plus tax (which is 20% VAT in the UK). That's about £2600 plus 20%.

I'm seeing a lot of M240's between £1800 and £2,200, depending on condition. I paid £1800 for mine a couple of years ago.

The advantage of the M240 is that I can use my 35mm and 50mm lenses straight away. With a Pixii I'm looking at another £300 to £500 for a wide lens that'll get me somewhere near 35mm view.

So I keep reading this claim, but as far as I'm concerned the Pixii is at least £500 more than a used M240 and possibly £1000 more if you need to add a lens.

[Chris W]

3 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

 

Which Color Skopar? The old F4 or the newer F3.5? I

Yes, the f4. It was very soft other than in the centre and showed a lot of purple fringing.

[Simone_DF]

1 hour ago, Chris W said:

The cheapest Pixii (32gb) is 2,899 Euro plus tax (which is 20% VAT in the UK). That's about £2600 plus 20%.

I'm seeing a lot of M240's between £1800 and £2,200, depending on condition. I paid £1800 for mine a couple of years ago.

The advantage of the M240 is that I can use my 35mm and 50mm lenses straight away. With a Pixii I'm looking at another £300 to £500 for a wide lens that'll get me somewhere near 35mm view.

So I keep reading this claim, but as far as I'm concerned the Pixii is at least £500 more than a used M240 and possibly £1000 more if you need to add a lens.

You forget to mention that the M240 is an obsolete camera by today’s standards, while the Pixii is quite competitive.
Also the price of the M240 will keep going down, whereas the Pixii should stay somewhat stable due to sensor/processor upgrades. In the long term the Pixii will be cheaper and more performing. 

[Chris W]

20 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

In the long term the Pixii will be cheaper and more performing. 

Leica have been making and selling cameras for over 100 years. I had only had my Epson RD-1s (from new) for about three years when they discontinued it and spares were no longer available. Pixxi is an expensive, niche product being made in small numbers by a small independent in a tight economic climate (a war in Europe and slow growth, borderline recession). I admire your confidence that it will be supported for decades to come.

In any case, I would happily buy one if it was either full frame, or quite a bit cheaper. The M240 is both cheaper and full frame.