ptpdprinter
Mentor
I sincerely hope the Pixii II meets all of your expectations.
M.B
Member
Parked at Home - Santa Clara 2022
Polaroid SLR670m + Polaroid SX-70 B&W
What an absolute beauty. Very jealous. I love Lancia, Fiat and Alfa. Drive an Alfa myself.
I believe I used the same camera as you, modified SX70?
In my opinion, it was a brilliant review containing all 3!
swatch
Established
Unless user’s requirement is optical viewfinder, another option is Leica digital CL is APS-C cameras with software connection between camera and mobile apps provide similar features.
Yes, of course, for anyone buying the Pixii, the OVF and RF combo is essential.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Excuse me if I find this just a bit ironic ...
I have owned and used the Leica CL since 2018 and it is a wonderful camera. HOWEVER, the primary reason why I have ordered a Pixii is that the Leica CL viewfinder, specifically when used in sunlit circumstances, proves rather difficult to see with—I have to be sure to use a wide-brimmed hat to shade the viewfinder, and then have to deal with the brim getting in the way of the camera if I want a vertical capture—and an optical rangefinder is much more useful for me in those circumstances. The Pixii allows me to use all the same M-mount lenses that I use on the Leica CL with the Leica M Adapter L (I neither own nor use any L mount lenses) and is the same sensor format and resolution, so I can switch between the two cameras seamlessly when shooting, should I choose to do so.
BTW: The CL used with Leica FOTOs on my iPhone or iPad provides tethered remote operation of the camera for shooting and allows me to review what the camera has in its storage card, and download of said exposures to the iPhone or iPad as well. BUT it does not do this automatically for post-shot review, like the Pixii app does, nor does it allow you to set camera configurations for use when the camera is NOT tethered to the app, like the Pixii app does. The Pixii app does not permit tethered operation of the camera at all, it facilitates setting camera configuration and image review/download only.
So the use of the WiFi capabilities is completely different between the two cameras and their respective apps. Also, the Pixii is completely incompatible with native L-mount lenses designed for the CL. The two camera are not 'equivalent' at all.
G
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Thank you for the compliment! I've owned several Alfa Romeos over the decades too... This was my last, affectionately known as "FrankenSpider":
1979 Alfa Romeo Spider, "FrankenSpider"
Like your Alfa as well. What model is that?
The camera used for this photo was the Polaroid SLR670m by MiNT Camera ... the first of their series of Polaroid SX-70s updated and re-engineered to allow manual exposure control. It is designed to provide automatic exposure operation with SX-70 film as well as manual exposure setting with any SX-70 or 600 type Polaroid films.
(I also have the SLR670a model, automatic only operation tuned for 600 films, and the SLR670x model with automatic operation for both SX-70 and 600 films, manual exposure, and X-sync flash capability. AND an original, unmodified SX-70 as well. Yeah, the SX-70 and these derivatives are amongst my favorite cameras...
)An album of photos documenting my Lancia Fulvia Coupe and some of the restoration/upgrade work since I bought it a year ago is available for viewing here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVBfFhG
G
aizan
Mentor
Here's a question sparked by Pascal's initial review:
Does it make sense to buy a Pixii if you don't use social media?
I'm off Instagram and Facebook, so the only time I would make use of the Pixii's connectivity is to send photos during get-togethers like a Polaroid. But for situations like that, do I need an upgrade from a smartphone?
Me, probably not. I'd also miss the 28mm-e lens of the iPhone, which is perfect for social situations. But for other times, a rangefinder that's well suited for 40mm-e and 50mm-e lenses and doesn't have an LCD screen would be nice.
Does it make sense to buy a Pixii if you don't use social media?
I'm off Instagram and Facebook, so the only time I would make use of the Pixii's connectivity is to send photos during get-togethers like a Polaroid. But for situations like that, do I need an upgrade from a smartphone?
Me, probably not. I'd also miss the 28mm-e lens of the iPhone, which is perfect for social situations. But for other times, a rangefinder that's well suited for 40mm-e and 50mm-e lenses and doesn't have an LCD screen would be nice.
M.B
Member
Thank you for the compliment! I've owned several Alfa Romeos over the decades too... This was my last, affectionately known as "FrankenSpider":
1979 Alfa Romeo Spider, "FrankenSpider"
Like your Alfa as well. What model is that?
The camera used for this photo was the Polaroid SLR670m by MiNT Camera ... the first of their series of Polaroid SX-70s updated and re-engineered to allow manual exposure control. It is designed to provide automatic exposure operation with SX-70 film as well as manual exposure setting with any SX-70 or 600 type Polaroid films.
G
Alfa 159.
Yup, same camera, I had the black ”Ming” edition.
M.B
Member
I pretty much never use the app, still totally make sense for me.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Social media has nothing to do with anything.
The fact that the Pixii app will allow you to automatically move image previews or final files from the Pixii camera to the iPhone has nothing to do with social media and doesn't need to be used at all. It's simply a way for you to see what you've captured, if you want to use it, and you can send the resulting photo to others however you like if you so choose.
- It makes sense to buy a Pixii if you want a quality, 26Mpixel, APS-C format, digital rangefinder camera with a simple set of controls that takes M-mount lenses and are willing to pay about $3000 for that. That's all.
- If you want more features, if you want an LCD display, if you want an FF sensor, if you want Live View or any number of other things, it's the wrong camera for you.
Again: it's a 26Mpixel, APS-C format, digital rangefinder camera that takes M-mount lenses. Seems to work pretty well. Nothing more, nothing less. You like it, buy it. You don't like it, don't.
G
boojum
Mentor
It does make sense to me. We all seem to buy cameras for the same general reasons but for slightly different specific reasons. Yeah, to take pictures. But then the fine points and what really appeals to us at that level.
The physical format is pleasing. That it can use my small collection of M-mount lenses is good. I can spend foolishly but not forever so I keep that in mind and I do like value for money. So, for me, image quality seems good, very good, much like my beloved M9's CCD magic. It is reported to be well-made, that is important. It has had no glitches so far, excellent. There are five good reasons: physical format, lens compatibility, image quality, fabrication quality and reliability.
The cell phone link is not a big deal to me, yet. I am in one FB group, Pixii. Barth et cie are a smart group. They have thought this out. The cell phone link will be important and I can learn to love it just as I learned to love digital after film. The camera world may be heading in a new direction. Granted I am very enthusiastic about this camera. I believe I have been persuaded by its merits.
Yokosuka_Mike
Abstract Clarity
I love it! There are no smoke and mirrors, no rose tinted glasses, no BS, Godfrey always just tells it like it is!
All the best,
Mike
olakiril
Well-known
In general I agree with your overall points but this one is a bit harsh (If you are talking about the DearSusan v1 review that you quoted that is). Even with the v1 version he is quite pleased with many parts of it and the v2 review is even better.
He is also upfront about his opinion on rangefinders:
Also that last point might be great for those that still need a rangefinder-VF-styled camera but with a great EVF (which is a larger market gap than rangefinder cameras for me). If M.B. is correct and the rangefinder costs $1000, then using an EVF that doesn't cost more than $100 would also make that version of the Pixii much cheaper. It also gives them a clear expansion path that as is with just a rangefinder camera, doesn't really exist.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Interesting analogy. However, it’s all subjective. If I need to find a business while driving in an unfamiliar part of town or city, I’ll let Google or Apple navigation guide me. But whenever I travel on vacation or for photo outings, I enjoy an actual map. I love maps.
As to viewfinders, I always prefer the optical over the electronic. On my X-Pro1 I always use the OVF unless I’m within about four feet and I need the EVF for more accurate framing and to be certain of where the point of focus is. Why do I prefer the OVF? Again, it’s subjective. I want to see the world directly, albeit through glass. I do not want to see it on an electronic display.
M.B
Member
I find it very unlikely that they would make one without the rangefinder. An EVF camera with a Leica M mount is just like any other mirrorless, just more limited.
Pixii states that they don’t want to make the same camera as the rest. They want to focus on the photographers experience when using it.
To borrow a quote (paraphrase) from Leica when releasing the T,
”It for those that want more than the closest biscuit on the table.”
olakiril
Well-known
I don't necessarily agree with him, I also like the OVF the majority of times. Sometimes though the EVF can be very useful and the X-Pro series are great for that.
After R-D1 I lost hope for great OVFs to tell you the truth. I have heard M10 and onwards are getting really good. I also miss my SLR huge OVFs. EVFs have long way to go but newer ones in the professional market such as the Sony A1/A7sIII are offering some hope. Not the same I know, but still better than a tiny OVF or a low resolution/dymanic range EVF.
The EVF market is far larger it seems...
olakiril
Well-known
"Shooting experience" is always sth subjective. For me shooting experience is tied to the quality of the OVF/EVF, simplicity of shooting (like simple controls), restrictions (like lack of an LCD), and unique functions (like ability to load custom LUTs to the camera). Thus the "experience" is not tied to the rangefinder OVF.
Currently there is no camera that has a top quality EVF with the rest of the Pixii functions. There is not even a rangefinder-styled camera with a top-quality EVF for that matter. So the "for those that want more than the closest biscuit on the table" could apply to an EVF based Pixii as the DearSusan review mentions.
So, you want one of the only unique cameras on the market to become just another EVF digital camera? Honestly, the only reason this camera is able to exist is because it’s a rangefinder.
M.B
Member
What you describe would not be achieved by giving the Pixii an EVF, compared to other systems. Highly doubt you would want it, or them making it.
But I might be wrong, if so, don’t care
But I might be wrong, if so, don’t care