Ricardson Williams - Fuji XPro-1 Street Photography in China

 

Image Source: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128638

 

I'm intensely interested in the directions that Fujifilm is pushing photography. The XPro-1 is a break from the normal, as are several of Fuji's latest cameras. And the excitement continues with the announcement of the X100S. Fuji produces first-rate optics, and has for a very long time. Now they are pushing the standards of sensor technology, and fitting it all into product designs and form factors that appeal to serious photographers.

 

Ricardson Williams has posted some street shots from where he lives in China, taken with the XPro-1.

 

(Click Here) to read Ricardson's post on Rangefinder Forum

 

In my opinion, the Fujfilm cameras do a very nice job with color rendition. What would you expect from the company that brought us Velvia and Provia slide film? Obviously, they translate into black and white just fine, as well.

 

There is an adapter to mount Leica M lenses to the XPro-1. While I have seen a lot of information about the adapter online, I haven't seen too many pictures with Leica lenses on the XPro. Ricardson's shots were made with the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4. I imagine that the high quality of Fuji's optics, together with the autofocus capability, which you obviously don't get with the Leica M lenses, convinces most people to shoot with the Fuji lenses.

 

I'm watching for the first reviews of the X100S; it seems that it could be a very nice companion to the Leica M9.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

APhotoContributor Author Shares His Fuji XPro-1 Experience. He's Left Leica Digital Behind.

 

Image Source: http://aphotocontributor.typepad.com/aphotocontributor/2012/10/digital-kool-aid.html

 
Chris, author at the blog APhotoContributor, has posted a detailed summary of his shift from Leica digital to the Fuji XPro-1.
 
(Click Here) to read Chris' complete post.
 
Chris is a retired engineer, turned photographer and blogger. He was an initial beta-tester for the Leica M9, and took an amazing number of images (>100,000) with the M9. He always used the M9 in conjunction with either Canon or Nikon DSLRs, which he considered as more reliable. In particular, Chris had problems with the M9 hanging up while writing images to memory cards. I've never seen this with my M9, but I have maybe 1% of the M9 images under my belt that he does.
 
Chris says he's not a Leica hater, and continues to use a Leica MP (film camera) regularly. I would stretch to say that he's a "Leica-guy" hater, though. He includes a lot of disparaging comments about Leica photographers worrying more about whether their straps match their jackets than about their images, Leica photographers being those who "want to shoot in Cuba" (I admit, I'd love to shoot in Cuba), and being people who "wear a camera" instead of using it. He is also very rough on Thorsten Overgaard, a strong Leica digital proponent. To check out Thorsten's blog, (Click Here). I think Thorsten seems like a pretty good guy; Chris uses the phrase "king of dilettantes." Oh well, to each his own. Diversity makes the world more interesting.
 
On to the meaningful part of the post. Chris has been using the Fuji XPro-1, and is obviously pleased. He has had no problems with the camera writing files to cards, ever. He is a strong proponent of autofocus in digital cameras, and finds Leica's continued production of manual focus-only bodies an anachronism. Along those lines, he's not interested in adapting his Leica lenses (including the awesome 35mm Summilux) to the Fuji body. He is fond of the Fuji 18mm lens. According to Chris, the latest firmware update for the XPro was transformational, and made the autofocus on the camera "really good."
 
Chris also finds the XPro quieter than the M9.
 
Many times, critical reviews of the Leica M9 come from people who secretly wish they could have an M9, so go very far to find reasons why they'd never want one ("I'm sure those grapes were sour, anyway."). Not in this case. In fact, Chris still pairs his Fuji XPro-1 with the venerable Leica MP for street shooting.
 
Personally, I am very intrigued with where Fujifilm is going. I think the XPro-1 looks like a beginning of a great system. I'm not sure if I could get used to the hybrid finder system. Playing with it just a little made it seem a little clunky to me, but I certainly haven't given it a chance. In concept, it's a great idea. I also believe that Fuji is capable of making lenses that are every bit as good as Leica. They've made gorgeous optics for many, many years. I once had a Fuji G690 medium format rangefinder, with 100mm f/3.5 lens that was just plain incredible. Known as the "Texas Leica," the camera gave absolutely beautiful results, but was just a little too cartoonish for me to carry. It truly looked like a prop for a geeky photographer halloween outfit.
 
As you probably know, I do love my new (used) Leica M9. That said, I'm keeping my eye on Fuji. I think we're going to continue to see interesting new products from them.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 

Ashwin Rao on Steve Huff Photo: Leica M9 and Fuji XPro-1 in Paris

 

Paris, by Ashwin Rao

Image Source: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/08/24/taking-photos-in-the-city-of-light-the-leica-m9-and-fuji-xpro-1-in-paris-by-ashwin-rao/

 
Ashwin Rao, well-known proponent and user of the Leica M9, has shared an amazing set of images from a recent trip to Paris.
 
(Click Here) to read Ashwin's post on stevehuffphoto.
 
Ashwin presents many photos in this post, and links to even more. His work is always worth checking out.
 
Ashwin describes in words his impressions of the "City of Light," sharing with us the tastes, sights, and feel of the city.
 
I have never been to France, so maybe this post falls into my "traveling through the lens of others" category. It certainly makes me want to go. In fact, take a look at Ashwin's relative's blog to get even more of that feel.
 
(Click Here) for laviemaraisienne.com, a blog about city life in Paris
 
One point Ashwin makes, even though he's a self-admitted victim of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS), is to not neglect your existing equipment. I think he's right, that buying new gear tends to make us photographers shoot more. But, we should not forget the capabilities of our existing cameras. For me, some of my favorites are also some of the oldest.
 
On this trip, Ashwin took a Leica M9 and a Fuji XPro-1. Hard to believe that these two are no longer new, but September is expected to bring the announcement of an M10 and XPro-2.
 
Anyway, Ashwin shares that he used the M9 about 75% of the time, mostly due to familiarity. The XPro-1 came in handy in low light situations, because of its improved high iso noise performance. But, the XPro-1 reportedly has some focus-lag (I have not tried one, just handled a mock-up in Japan). So, Ashwin felt that he was less likely to capture the moment with the XPro-1.
 
While Ashwin remarked that the M9 has allowed him to select the classic 35-50-90mm focal lengths for most of his photography, I note that he also took along a 21 mm Super-Elmar. He didn't mention which lenses he used on the XPro-1, but I assume they were Fuji lenses, rather than using the Leica lenses with and adapter, since he referred to lag in autofocus.
 
I found Ashwin's images to be a wonderful taste of Paris. Thanks for taking us along, Ashwin!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Interesting Options Coming in September? New Lower Cost Leica M9, Fuji XPro Cameras

 

 
Leica M9
Image Source: us.leica-camera.com
 

I think it's still in the realm of rumors, but probably correct. LaVidaLeica has a post hinting at a Leica "ME," to be announced at Photokina in September. Reportedly, it will be along the lines of the M9, with a real rangefinder, and will cost less. Well, that will be interesting to see. I don't know exactly what they'll do to reduce the cost, but I'd like to see an affordable Leica M digital (along the lines of the Leica CL from the 70s). It won't invalidate the original M9 and new M10 (also expected to be announced), any more than the CL invalidated the M6 (it didn't).

 

(Click Here) to see the post on LaVidaLeica

 

There are also some rumors of new Fujifilm Xpro cameras to be announced, following on the XPro-1. I find the XPro-1 very interesting, but I think most users have some complaints. The biggest one is focus speed, from what I can tell. I hope Fuji has addressed the issues.

 

I have recently bought a used Leica M9. Even though I've spent my camera budget for the foreseeable future, I welcome all of these new additions. Looking forward to hearing the official announcements!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

By the way, new M9s are lower in price than I've ever seen right now: