Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/08/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I got some information today from Japan on the H-blad V-pan/Fuji tx-1. OK, so it is off topic, but there might be a connection. The designation in Japan is the Fuji-X-1, price is body Yen 160,000, 45/4 lens Yen 45,000 and the 90/4 is Yen 55,000. The total brings it to Yen 260. 000 (about US$ 1,790). The pictures are faxed copies from a press info kit, so some of the details are lost in the ether waves. And the text is in Japanese. I have managed to figure the following; the lenses are fairly advanced designs. the 45/4 is a 8 element design and used in the 24 x 36 setting it gives you the 45 mm focal length, used in the “panorama” 24 x 63mm setting it equals a 25 mm lens. The 90/4 is a 9(!) element lens, in 4 groups with two cemented pairs. At 24 x 36 mm it is a 90 and at the panorama setting it is a 50 mm lens. The body looks like a Contax G1/2 that has been pulled out a bit, The eyepiece looks like a Contax G piece. ASA dial on the front, full electronic panel (looks like LCD display) showing speed, battery and what seems like a “bracketing function. Obviously it has auto advance and rewind etc. I cant figure out the absolute size of the camera, but from the shots it looks like it would be about 50% longer than a G1. The Leica connection that I referred to before, comes from the “full frontal view”. The bayonet looks strikingly like a M-bayonet and at the top of the lensmount opening there is a round “roller” that looks very close to a Leica M focusing roller!!!! Going back to the track with the “new” M6 and “other cameras” with M-mount. It would make sense. Both the Fuji lenses looks like they have manual focusing ( black rubber rings where the focus would be). If this would be the “Electronic M camera” cheers for Leica. I like my M-cameras and I will always use them, but an alternative camera with some specialized features ( higher flash synch, auto- everything, even a panorama function, although most of the M lenses would not cover the panorama setting). Well. this is still speculation, at least until the “Official” stuff appears, either in the Photokina Presskit or the at the ‘kina itself. Can anybody else throw some light onto this subject, I like the concept, the little I have seen of it and having used Fuji lenses in the past on several GSW and GW I have no problem with the quality of that manufacturers lens- range. The price seems awfully good and if it can be kept at that level, it would certainly provide us with a worthwhile alternative “M” or “G” type camera. Cant wait to lay my hands on it! Tom A