As soon as I heard “I borrowed the X-Pro3 from...” I immediately knew the direction this video was going to go

I just watched 16 minutes of “I own a Leica, so let me justify my expense.” Two totally different cameras with completely different use cases that really shouldn’t even be compared. But, watched the whole thing, because I like the videos. Keep it up!

Benj, Your take on the viewfinders is interesting. As an old Leica user, I had in hand a system of (vintage) Leica lenses. I was completely sure I was going to buy a Typ 240 until I saw the X-Pro3's finder! It humiliated the Leica's for my glasses-wearing eyes. Brighter, sharper, a mile of eye relief, a ton of space outside the bright lines that I could actually use, built-in diopter adjustment, as many or as few informational icons as you want, correction for angle-of-view change with (much closer) focus distance.... it was not a short list of advantages. It handed the Leica finder a doleful drubbing. And the finder is what these cameras are about. I bought the Fuji. ----- Yeah, the Fuji's finder is .52, compared to .73 for the M10. That may be a major thing for you. And it's clearly what you are used to. But we should remember why it is that Leica finders are mostly in the .71-ish range. It's not that Leica thinks that glasses wearers not being able to see the 28mm lines at all and having to shift around to see the corners of the 35mm lines is a good thing so much as it's about the rangefinder. Viewfinder magnification determines effective rangefinder base as well as how clearly the user can see the patch. South of .7, focusing 90s becomes a bit dodgy. Which might be why Leica no longer offers a .58 finder option. Absent the focusing limitations, I'll bet a Fuji-ish .58 option would be pretty popular. ------- Then there's the matter of this manual focusing thing. The Fuji doesn't even have manual focusing in OVF mode, in any practical sense. The only way you can focus the Fuji for-real manually is "groundglass" style - when you are using the camera as an SLR. (Or in that little display in the corner of the finder. Which is still "groundglass, SLR-style" focusing.) You could fairly compare that to using the Visoflex, I suppose. But why bother, because the whole point of these cameras is the optical finder and what that means to freeing your mind to worry about stuff that matters instead of focusing. Real-world, "manually" putting the patch on the subject and pressing the button until it turns green then re-composing or lining up the patch and then re-composing seem like pretty similar methods to me. Even though one technically is "autofocus" and one isn't. If you want to talk about "manual" focusing, those two methods are what you would need to compare. I can't say which is "better", BTW. Both have largely the same limitations and both require the photographer to learn some skills. OK, some difficult skills. But there's a point to the effort. The Fuji does have the "bail-out" option of switching to for-real autofocus. That is a thing, but maybe not as big a thing as it sounds. ----- Yes, I'm happy with the Fuji system. All things reasonably equal, it's what I reach for first. I'm certainly not selling it anytime soon. That said, I have been shooting a little film in my Leicas lately. It's fun. As I write this I'm shopping for a 246. Not to replace the Fuji and not for professional reasons, but just for personal, emotional ones.

just picked up an X-pro3 last week and i couldn't be happier with it

That fuji lens hood is breath taking. And looks way better in worn condition than perfect... **runs over to scratch up my own fuji lens hood**

I think the XPro3 win the lens category because it can adapt all Leica lenses as well via adapters. Leica mount can’t adapt anything. Just a thought.

Even if it was twice the price of the current X-Pro3, a full frame X-Pro would sell to a lot of photographers who want to adapt their Leica lenses without stretching to the M10 price point.

X-pro is the Contax G-series of this era. Well-said. I just wish it was full frame.

While I agree on some points, you're definitely biased towards Leica😅Like the experience for instance, usable range for viewfinder on Leica is very limited, shooting wide angle or tele brings no joy, whereas X-Pro can give EVF when you need😉And yeah, giving a point for the whole sensor just because it's bigger, c'mon🤔

I picked up an M-E (later model M9) this past summer and it's been interesting contrasting it against my main workhorse, the X-T3. I thought your comments towards the end hit the nail on the head for my experience; the M-E is no question a more involved, challenging shooting experience. It's reminiscent to me of shooting film, where I need to take more care. It's not how I would choose to shoot everything, which is why I pick it up way less than my X-T3 or X100V, but sometimes I want that highly tactile experience of holding a hunk of brass in my hand, moving a focus tab, and turning metal dials to set my exposure. Using most modern mirrorless cameras is like shooting fish in a barrel. The M-E feels like using the most high-end crossbow ever made. It feels that much more satisfying to produce a great image out of it than *because* it is more challenging. My hope is that at the end of COVID I will be able to take it out and do some street photography and really become adept at using it. It won't be for everyone, but I find it undeniably fun.

Can you review the lightsaber in the back pls

Did anybody expect an unbiased review?

I'm glad you brought up depreciation. One of the things people don't consider when evaluating the price of a piece of kit is the rate a depreciation. What you spend on a camera or lens is not the initial purchase amount. It's the initial purchase amount minus the resale value over time. For instance, I bought my XT-2 back in the day for about 700 dollars. I sold it about 8 months later for 650. So, in reality, I only spent 50 dollars on that camera to use it for eight months. WAY cheaper than any rental. This is a huge factor to consider when buying Leica. If you're able to resell it after three years for only a thousand or so less than what you bought it for, then it's actually not that expensive of a purchase. Leica lenses in particular hold their value incredibly well, so you can't really go wrong if you buy one used. Obviously, you have to have the money to make the initial purchase, but it's certainly not a nonsense long-term investment.

Gaffers Tape on my Leica so the Wife still thinks I'm shooting on a Fuji.

One thing that I find really cool about my X Pro 2 is the ability to place the focus spot almost anywhere on the frame. When I was shooting film on my M4, especially with a shallow DoF lens like a 90 mm Sumicron, I had to locate the point of interest (e.g. the subject’s eye) at the centre of the frame, focus, then recompose. In a dynamic situation, there might not be time to recompose. Meanwhile, with the Fuji, you can reposition the focus spot with the little joystick and get composition and critical focus all at once! Small thing, but part of the all-important shooting experience. Another thing. I agree totally that manual focus with a focus-by-wire lens sucks. However, if you use a rangefinder lens with an adapter, and the Fuji OVF, the experience is actually pretty good. My only reservation is that my 1970 35 mm Sumicron is softer and noticeably less contrasty than the Fuji f/1.4 35mm. Great if you’re into nostalgia, but not a go-to for my purposes.

Great video. Started to shoot Leica a year ago with a Q2 and got sucked into the Leica ecosystem completely. Since then I love the M line and still see shooting with it 10 times as often compared to other much more advanced cameras. I fully can understand why people love Fuji. Was thinking about that as well but finally jumped on the Leica train and never regretted it since then. Thanks a lot for your videos. Greetings from Vienna, Austria. Stay safe!

Nice comparison. the two cameras look really similar yet the leica still looks much more clean and better. However, for the price of the x-pro 3 you can not even buy a used m 240.😣

I’m running a Similar camera kit, the previous generations of both cameras from this video. I’m using the M240 and X pro 2, need autofocus and video every now and then, otherwise it would be a Leica only kit.

Very good video! For me the use and being inspired by whatever camera + lens we use is the most important, makes me wanna go out and use more often. Ive bought limited xpro2 graphite 2 weeks ago with 35 1.4 and love that combo for photos and just having fun outside, also got 18-55 zoom to use for other stuff and thats enought for me. I am selling x-t30, 23 & 35 f2, 55-200 - it was good for learning and trying. But xpro2 with 35 1.4 feels more old school and it just affordabale without breaking the bank too. Anyway. Cheers pal.

Love your lighting man!

When Fuji won a category it was compared to other cameras. When Leica won a category it was not compared to other cameras. Just sayin.

Interesting video! These actually compete against each other very well!

can the M10 do long exposure (more than 30") with high iso? (3200 and above)

So cool to see you talking about the X-Pro3! I’ve made so many videos about this cam haha...I would love to try the Leica at some point!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really enjoy your channel 😊

You summarized it well.. ultimately it is gear love - phrases like “shooting experience”, “makes me want to pick-up and shoot”, “love the way it feels in my hands”, “involving”, “slows me down”, “I have to work it”, “feels like I am doing something”, “love the weight of it”, “love the way it looks”, “Leica pop” all of this tells me it is really is all about human-camera interaction and preferences. Well, I hope you compare it it an old Fuji GFX 50r (to keep the rangefinder-esque criteria), a Leica would still score on OVF and perhaps design with experience split right in the middle, objectively speaking.

my question: is there a single lens that can give the X-Pro 2/3 a full experience as digital rangefinder, with manual focus, parallax correction and EXIF?

I've been shooting Fuji for the last 5 or 6yrs & I love em but I've always had a Leica itch. So I recently scratched that itch with an M8 & boy am I hooked. Now I'm hankering after the M9 Mono. 👍

I have used both and I believe it first depends your budget as they are both great cameras!!! From all the M numbers, I now use an SL and I truly enjoy the outputs and shooting at ease!!!! Thank you for this!!! When the M14 comes out, Im back to the M and I say goodbye to the SL!!! Cheers

Love the comparison. THanks as always Benj!

Nice comparison, thanks ! I used other brands too but when I tried my first Leica (an M9) I became addicted to the Leica experience :) now use an M10-P, and a Q2 when autofocus is needed

Worth mentioning Leica M-mount glass can be used on Fuji bodies without issues, but as far as I'm aware, only M-mount lenses can be used on Leica bodies. While I shoot Fuji myself for multiple reasons, I started noticing I'm gravitating more towards fully manual lenses even though I have absolutely no issues with the Fuji prime lenses at all. I'm a huge fan of both of these brands, it seems like both Leica and Fuji want to put the fun back into photography. They're both reviving that nostalgic feeling of shooting with range-finder film-cameras but they achieve this goal with different methods.

You don’t need to make such a video man. You already know the results and we already know you are a Leica Fanboii :D

So the x-pro wins just in the categories the leica doesn’t take part in? ^^

Great video but Id love to see more examples - sample photos, sample videos, sample stuff showing the viewfinders inside the fuji and leica

Excuse me could u tell me What's the best for recording KZfaq videos like urs !!

As a Fuji user since the xt1 I was able to try out an m9 for a bit and while that was a truly remarkable experience, it made me anxious to actually use it because of the price point. As much as I love brassing, the idea of accidentally brassing someone else’s camera made my stomach turn. Great videos as always! Keep ‘em coming!

Really nice video. I began with a nikon FM2 and Trix during almost 15 years before to switch to digital with the Canon 5D MK2 and 8 years ago, i sold it for Fujifilm with several bodies : XE1/XT1/X30/XPRO2/X100V (all sold then) and now i use the XPRO3 and X100V. ... BUT Leica remains my dream camera this whole time. The M10 series convinces me to jump in and I ordered a M10D a few days ago, can't wait anymore. Your video confirmed my choice ! Thanks

You should make a video comparing a Leica camera with a similarly priced Fujifilm camera, something like the M10 vs GFX 100S with a nice GF lens. That would be very interesting to see what you're getting for the SAME price from both brands 🙃

Could you Tell how M10 Raws/jpegs compare to the M240?

Thanks for the info. I was torn between xt-30 ii and X-pro 3. X-Pro3 is a 3 years old camera while x-t30 ii is newer, price also a factor, finally I went for the xt-30 ii. By the way, may I know the lens model attached to the X-Pro3 in this video, thanks.

This was an interesting comparison. I'd like to see a video of shooting with the two side by side, commenting on the experience, then comparing the images from the two. I started shooting with Leicas in 1968 and I've had my current M3 for 40 years. My wife feels my best work has been with the Leica and she can look back an pick out the ones taken with it. We were actually in a camera store, I had an M8 in hand and my wife was encouraging me to buy it. I could easily afford it but I just couldn't justify it. While I am very comfortable shooting true rangefinder, it only works best with a narrow range of focal lengths, the Summicron trinity of 35-50-90. Anything outside of that range becomes a challenge. To me the advantage of the X-Pro is you are able to shoot OVF in that range, but you can also go way outside that range and shoot EVF. This is a big advantage of hybrid viewfinders. Yes, the Leica is wonderful, but I can easily hobble along with Fujis at a significant savings. To put my experience in perspective, I have a BFA from Art Center LA and worked for years as a full time professional.

hope other companies release their own digital rangefinder versions. really tempted to get the xpro3 but might wait for the next one.

Awesome video, thanks Benj!

What I heard was "If I pay more and it's more difficult to use, I feel like a better photographer".

My experience as a photographer for the last 30 years using many different camera brands. In the film days it was first the Minolta Dynax 700i, a fully automatic camera with great eye AF and it had this expansion card system where you could get settings to do certain things. Then I moved onto an Contax G2, ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Olympus system, then Nikon, then settled with Canon all the way until the first 6D.IT was around the time of the Leica S2 and Leica M8 that I seriously started considering Leica. Now I have a little bias, considering I really wanted a Fuji X Pro 1 when it came out but the store I purchased cameras didn't have any in stock. I got a X-E1. Within a few months, I accidentally dropped the camera and the sensor turned upside down and green. I contacted Fuji, there was nothing they could do. I got so frustrated I went to a local used camera shop and asked if they had a Leica... The rest is as is said, history. I shoot a Leica M, Leica SL2/SL2S, Q, S typ 007 and as well, Lumix, Sigma, Blackmagic and RICOH. I would say 80% of the time I would go to an M and at least consider taking it before any other camera. As you said, the rangefinder (where the actual M comes from, Messsucher) is something that isnt for everyone. However nothing good ever is.

The X-Pro 3 has a X-Trans Sensor that is doing very good work with Filmsimulations. I think it's not well thought out to just give the point to the Leica due to the size of the sensor alone.

Superb comparison, thanks for sharing your thoughts on both system!

Great comparison! I own and love my XPro-3. If I was going to buy a camera that I'd keep for 10+ years I'd probably go Leica. However at my age a 10+ year camera is probably not a good investment ;) You did make me realize what a Leica wannabe I am, and what partially drove me to the XProX model to begin with.

Doesn't the X-Pro3 have a digital split image? How does that compare to the rangefinder patch on the M10 (happens to be my camera)?

Great video I recently went a little crazy and picked up quite a bit of gear as I got back into photography (all of it used thankfully) including an xPro3 and Leica MP (film). I like my xPro3 and love love love my MP. I would love to see some more comparisons specifically would love to see Q2 vs XPRO3 (with 18/23/35/56 lenses). Mainly because I am seriously considering make that specific move :)

One of the things I’ve often wondered about with the Leicas is the focus-recompose technique when using really fast lenses (as you often do). Do you find your focus ever slightly off because of that? Or have you learned to compensate by slightly front/back focusing after you recompose?

I relate to the paying more for a harder experience... I am currently working with an ALPA SWA with a digital back and a film back.... every shot takes a while....

Great Video - thank you. I love both cameras 👍🏻

Ur dropping the best videos atm

Hi Benj, IMHO shooting film with a Leica is a great experience that is not forcing me to regret not using my EOS1 but for digital I prefer my X-Pro3. Don’t you think that the love we have for our film experience with our M bodies and lenses tend to translate into the digital space without too good reasons? The only issue I have with Leica (film) + Fuji (digital) is consistency in muscle-memory.

What kind of lens is on the Fuji?

But seriously, thanks for the great reviews. Hope to see a Q2 review soon. Maybe a head to head with the X100v?

Great comparison!

I have that same brass grip for the X-Pro3 and it’s so sick. Yeah I really wish that Fujifilm would offer lenses that are simply not focus-by-wire. That’s a tall order, I get it, but I would love to have that experience plus more lenses with zone-focusing indicators. I was actually thinking today how dope it would be for Fuji to incorporate an actual rangefinder patch in the next X-Pro model. Or at least firmware updates so we can have a representative “rangefinder” mode for manual focusing, in addition to peak highlights and split image. Tall orders, again, but fun to think out of the box.

I owned both (but with the Leica being typ 240) and I love each of them differently. Btw FYI I bought the M240 based on your video. Great video as always!

I think for many the prices of Leicas are difficult to grasp/justify especially when they come with so many technological handicaps so to speak but I fully understand what are you driving at in this video having both Leica and Fujifilm systems; that feeling of cooking your own meal as you note is something special and the fact that the cooking utensils you are using are arguably art in themselves makes the feeling even more gratifying and want to cook. First time I've commented on your videos but have been a big fan. Keep it up.

What lens have you got mounted on the X Pro? Thanks in advance.

This video is amazing!!! I like your style a lot... on your videos We can actually see the cameras, specially this kind of classic, amazing, beautiful cameras!!!

I would probably buy an M10 and a 35mm Summicron if I had £10000 to spare as I love the “simple” rangefinder experience. However I bought an M6 and the Voigtlander Nokton which scratches that itch. For digital I have an XPro2 which again satisfies my need for pared back photography, and I love the results. Having said all that, each to their own, use what you love to use

Benj, do you ever have any issues with dust on your sensor? Leica does not have an internal dust cleaning mechanism like some brands.

Great video, thanks! I always cringe a bit, though, when people claim to critique design but then just talk about the aesthetics. Aesthetics are a small part of design, but really the core is how the product is used. I.e. how well does it fit in your hand, how’s the button placement, how are the dials, how well does it fit your workflow.

Thanks Benj, great video! But, manual focusing? In my opinion Fuji has the best focus peaking system by far. It is so easy to use it even in dark situations.

Very interesting commentary. But to be honest, I'm not sure I learned anything. As someone who uses the XPro2 (along with Nikon and Olympus) I can appreciate the quality and nuances that the Leica purports to offer. I'd love to try/own a Leica... but I'd be hard pressed to spend 4X the amount for what the XPro2 can competently deliver. So while I can appreciate all the fine points of a Leica, it really does come down value-for-price proposition for each individual to decide on: is that premium increase in cost worth the experience the price offers. As for long term value, I note that a used XPro2, for example, sells for about $1000 Cdn on eBay, or about 40% of its original selling price 6 years ago. A used Leica M10 sells on eBay for about 50% of its new price. So, Fujis hold their value - at least for these rangefinder-esque models - not too badly either. Finally, I'm not sure all those evaluation categories are equally weighted. If you added a weighting function, the two cameras might come out a lot closer on a normalized basis. For example, yes, battery life is important, but carrying 2 or 3 extra, inexpensive batteries is hardly a deal breaker. :)

can you use your presets on photoshop or only on lightroom?

Think if I had 12,000 doll hairs to buy the Leica and a lens or two I would buy the Fuji and lots of lenses, instead...

loved this video, having a film Leica I'd really like to see a comparison between the m6 and another maybe slr film camera, great videos as always, thanks

Great video! Enjoyed watching! Can’t wait to see if the universe puts a Leica Q or Q2 in your hands in the near future to try! As you are an avid Leica user, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

Would you say the Fuji is a good camera for both professional and personal work? Weddings, portrait and product? or would you go for something more like an xt3/4

I should have picked up an M9 a couple years ago. Prices for copies with a clean or replaced sensor are creeping back over $4k and approaching $5k..... copies with a corroded sensor are still in the $2k-$3k range. Wild... I bought my used GFX 50R for less than that.

Enjoyed the video and thought you gave an objective overview. From my perspective, FWIW, I’d think a better comparison would be the Leica SL (or SL2S) to the XPro 3. It’s just hard matching up a manual focus rangefinder with the auto focus mirror less. I do shoot with both brands, like them for different reasons.

“More difficult experience” isn’t exactly right I would say. As long as you’re sure about the settings for light and using zone focus all you have to do is press the shutter. And there’s not AF point it has to find

Special Note: The Fujifilm TX1 was really being the 1st (vs. Hasselblad X-Pan Panorama Camera), but due a Collaboration with Hasselblad, Hasselblad named the Camera "X-Pan", and later came the X-Pan2, the same way, after the Original Fujifilm TX2. Into the 80-90s, Fujifilm also had the "Texas Leica" Professional Cameras into various Format Sizes being avialable, which looked like a Leica, but due sheer Size, Texas Leica into the US, therefore. Fujifilm does have a long heritage with Medium Format, and also TV Lenses for the prof. Video Gear, being used into TV Studios. So the Fuji-Hasselblad Collaboration was quite ordinary, back into the heyday, the same way, Leica did it with Minolta (think Minolta CL, CLE Series - and the M-Mount Rokkor Lenses) /edit: 1st Sentence slightly updated into ( )

Great video and great comparison and I would love both please.

Fuji did not make a version of the Xpan. They made the Xpan. It's the same camera, with different branding.

Where has this product been all my life?! Works like a charm!

I own three Fuji cameras and recently purchased my first Leica (240). There are things I love about both, but if Fuji could figure out a full frame camera with the same form factor I would be all in on Fuji. Just miss the full frame, but didn’t want to go back to a time when I was carrying around Canon Mark Iv’s

has anyone shot the x-pro 3 with the hybrid viewfinder and a rangefinder lens? Does that give you a similar all be it not the same experience as a rangefinder camera?

Id love to try a leica Because im 99% sure id walk away feeling like leica hype is just hype.

Would love to see M10 vs M10-R with image comparison. Also 28mm Summilux vs. Summicron is it worth it???

Interesting video for two different and highly idiosyncratic cameras. For me, the takeaway is just how highly subjective camera preference is. I have the X-Pro3 which I enjoy very much, particularly when using the ovf to focus on composition. But for people deadset on having a real rangefinder the xpro is no substitute. For me, the other "objective" comparison points are debatable.

When u got to the lens category it totally threw me off. Does it not count for anything that you can basically natively mount M mount lenses on the fuji with their adapter and then you have access to M and FX mount glass? Would have totally put the check on Fujifilm for lenses. And I'm a Leica fanboy too.

Love this kind of video

Love it, thanks for this, I also shoot both and agree with you.

I don't need full frame Fuji..but if they put real rangefinder in there..I'll definitely would buy one

Camera bodies use to be purely an interface, a handling experience, because film used to drive image quality (and optics of course). Leica was a top dog for that very reason and that continues today. Just now we have to deal with sensor output too that cant just be changed out with a different roll of film.

What an odd comparison. The Leica is better at everything except the features it doesn‘t have and price. Have you tried a manual lens or even an adapted M lens on the Fuji? It makes more sense to conpare them in the same shooting setup. Of course the Fuji has the better AF, and of course the Leica has the better MF experience because that‘s their main focusing method.

what constitutes a good lens anybody?

I’ve never lost value with my m lenses. I’ve only bought used and after a few years all my lenses have actually appreciated. Something that can’t be said for other camera systems. Investments indeed.

I have an M10 with 35 Lux FLE and 50 Lux asph, and I’ve been thinking about switching to Fuji X Pro3. So called “Leica experience” is hyped by everyone but there are things they don’t tell you, like the stiction on the 50 asph, the 0.7m MFD, the focus shifts, and sometimes the RF focusing is cumbersome when all you want is to just get the shot. I will be selling my Leica system soon.

Can you make a Review of the Pixii plus cam please?

How much did you use the Fuji. Because you don’t sound like you used the camera

Not much to say really, but as someone who shot Weddings on Fuji for years (release of xpro1 through to xt3) but now shoots Leica, I agree with all of your points. At this point in my wedding photography career, I derive so much pleasure from getting results I love from a minimalist camera, where I have to work harder and earn my shots. Anticipation beats burst mode and AF when satisfaction comes from craft and process.

Having shot both systems, pretty much agree. The Fuji is the 80% solution and is more practical in many (maybe most) respects, but the Leica experience forever has my heart. It’s just unbelievably enjoyable to shoot.

Leica M10 has brought meaning to photography again. Having come a full circle, now I want the simplicity and the joy of being creative. "The liberation of limitation" -Alan Schaller.

Hey great review! Fuji shooter here :) What impresses me about Leica is that the lenses are so small. Without compromising image quality. And I also like the colours a lot.