Fuji X-Pro1 — Leica M and Zeiss ZM Lenses Will be Possible
B&H Photo has the 16-megapixel Fujfifilm X-Pro1 and the Fuji 18mm f/2, 35mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.4 lenses available for pre-order.
The new Fujifilm X-Pro1 (see specs) is another ALLVIEW camera with an intriguing 16.2-megapixel APS-C “X-Trans CMOS” sensor design without an anti-aliasing (blur) filter, which means that the full Goodness of Leica M and Zeiss ZM 'glass' should deliver stunning results, assuming that Fuji has used ultra-thin sensor cover glass.
There apparently will be an adapter for mounting Leica M, Zeiss ZM and Voigtlander M-mount lenses onto the Fuji X-Pro1.
What remains to be seen is whether wide angle M-mount lenses suffer from strong color shading and severe loss of resolution as they do on the Sony NEX-7. My guess is that the absence of an AA filter on the X-Pro1 also means that the sensor cover glass is quite thin, which bodes well for lens performance. However, the anti-dust system inserts 3 layers of glass into the equation. How this plays out remains to be seen.
If wide angle lenses perform on the X-Pro1 to a level similar to that on the Leica M9, then I say the answer is yes— Fuji has modeled the X-Pro1 on the Leica M9, but added vastly superior usability features, like an ultra-high res optical and electronic viewfinder, ultra high res rear LCD, and autofocus (for the Fuji lenses). When one can shoot Fuji AF lenses along with high performing M glass on a body priced to be affordable (compared to an M9) so that one can carry 2 or 3 bodies, well that’s a serious breakthrough.
Control layout
The X-Pro layout is strikingly similar to the M9 and this is a Good Thing.
The one thing I strongly dislike in the design (from experience with the Fuji X100), is the exposure compensation dial, which I am forced to tape down (literally) to avoid accidental changes.
Also, the Fuji menu system is atrocious, deeply flawed (like Sony NEX), but perhaps the X-Pro1 will be better than the X100. If all it does is offer a “My Menu” facility, that might be enough.