Leica Rumors

Quick Leica M9 vs. Fuji X-Pro1 image comparison

By LR admin | Published: April 11, 2012

Today I will be comparing apples and oranges. The Leica M9 and Fuji X-Pro 1 are two completely different beasts. The only similarity is the way both cameras look. Well, actually there is more then that – both have optical viewfinders, similar megapixel counts (18MP vs. 16.3MP) and no anti-aliasing (AA) filter and that’s about it. I am not going in details to discuss the features and functions, instead I will just compare few images taken with the Leica M9 and Fuji X-Pro 1 cameras. This is not an easy task because Lightroom 4 currently does not support RAF files form the X-Pro 1 and the Silkypix RAW file converter (included with the X-Pro1) doesn’t support M9 DNG files. My only option at that point is to use JPG files taken directly from the X-Pro1. I may redo this test later with direct conversions from the RAW files. Obviously this is not a scientific comparison and it’s prone to user’s error. Click on images for larger view.

Posted in Leica M9, LR Reviews| Tagged Fuji X-Pro1| 134 Comments

Shortage of Leica M9 sensors

By LR admin | Published: April 10, 2012

Several readers have informed me that there is currently a shortage of M9 CCD sensors. Cameras sent in for sensor repairs were in some case replaced with brand new M9s as a result of this shortage. The 18MP sensor inside the M9 was initially produced by Kodak, but their sensor division was sold to Platinum Equity in November 2011.

Posted in Leica M9| 20 Comments

Cash for clunkers

By LR admin | Published: April 9, 2012

If you are located in South Florida, KEH will have a two day buying event at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre (house of the Leica boutique in West Palm Beach):

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| Leave a Comment

Using Leica M lenses on the Fuji X-Pro1 camera with the Kipon L/M-FX adapter

By LR admin | Published: April 5, 2012

I got my Fuji X-Pro 1 camera form Amazon two days ago and since I still have not received any of the Fuji lenses I ordered, my only choice was to try the new camera with Leica M lenses. I used Kipon L/M-FX adapter that can be purchased from eBay (check also Kipon’s website here).

The Fuji X-Pro1 mirrorless camera doesn’t have focus confirmation or focus peaking. The only helpfull feature if you are using manual lenses will be the zoom in the EVF. Make sure you switch to manual focusing (M) in order to enable the zoom feature (by pressing the dial on the back). I found it easier to focus when the lens is wide open (f/1.4 for example) or just use f/8 with zone focusing.

Because the X-Pro 1 will not recognize the Leica lens/adapter combo, you will have to enable “shoot without lens” option in the menu (can be found in the 3rd menu page).

You can change to the actual focal length in the camera’s menu – it will be saved in the EXIF data and it can be used as a reference later on (some of my samples do not have the correct focal length because I forgot to set it):

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| Tagged Fuji X-Pro1, Fuji X-Pro1 adapter, Kipon| 21 Comments