Jump to content

joined the party


jlindstrom

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

After a mentally difficult choice, I joined the ranks of X users again yesterday. I part-ex'd my M240 + 50lux and 28/2 ultron for a big pack of gear.

 

X Vario

X Type 113

2 x grip

2 x hood

Visoflex for Type 113

SF-58 Flash

Epson 3880 printer

Slik Carbon monopod

Spyder 4 elite photo pro calibration kit

Sandisk extreme card

 

The reason for all this was relatively simple, I didn't use the M enough. That means missed shots when it counts, since I was out of practise. Naturally when I got the shot, it was fantastic. But shooting anything moving with a ranngefinder, when you're out of whack just doesn't work..

 

It was quite difficult decision still, because I enjoyed the shooting experience so much (usually when shooting landscapes or such, not moving object). What helped was that I've previusly owned the X2 and liked it & regretted selling it.

 

Also now for the first time I can calibrate my screens and also have the means for proper printing! So interesting times ahead.

 

I specifically bought both X's, so I'll have more reach with Vario and more low light capabilities with the X. And since they share most of accessories, including batteries and combined weight around the same as my previous M-kit I can have both of them with me easily.

 

The grips & hoods are in backlog, but should arrive quite soon. EVF I've got for both and I think especially the vario needs it. That's been my first gutt feeling ever since I touched it the first time after it's release. From quick test yesterday with my olympus evf-2 (which I already had for M240), I was quite right. And I think the grip will make it even better.

 

Quick question, are people using polarizers with their X's?

 

Oh, both cameras are black and have a Gordy's wrist strap attached to them :-)

 

//Juha

Edited by jlindstrom
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

I use a polarizer with my X2 quite often for landscape. It's strange perhaps, but I use a polarizer with digital far more often than with film. I never really liked what I felt was a compression of tones that the polarizer rendered with film. Somehow with digital, it just doesn't seem that the files are as adversely affected. Go figure. I'm probably just nuts.

Brent

Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the party... (not a very cheerful or active one though) anyway, I have the X 113 too and what I decided to use is a BW ND filter so I can shoot at 1.7 most of the time and to protect the front element. I also use the hood and the got the Visoflex (on its way as we speak). I am in the process of selling my Fuji X100 and XE1, I might be interested in a minty XV. I don´t know but for some reason the XV get much more love than the X113 in the forums... (?)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the party... (not a very cheerful or active one though) anyway, I have the X 113 too and what I decided to use is a BW ND filter so I can shoot at 1.7 most of the time and to protect the front element. I also use the hood and the got the Visoflex (on its way as we speak). I am in the process of selling my Fuji X100 and XE1, I might be interested in a minty XV. I don´t know but for some reason the XV get much more love than the X113 in the forums... (?)

 

Rivi,

Sent you a private message regarding my Leica X vario.

Rob

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it's because quite many here already have the X1 or the X2. Out of those X1 seems to have more like a cult following but at the same time people who like the X2 don't see big enough changes to upgrade. Can't blame them though.. had I kept my X2, I wouldn't have probably upgraded either.

 

But as a "new buy" there were enough reasons to choose the Type 113 over X-E for sure.

 

//Juha

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Actually I still have my X1 and I will never sell it. Initially I bought it for my wife but she wanted a pocket zoom, so we trade my new Hasselblad Stellar for the Leica, the good thing is that both stayed in the same house :) Anyway, I think the X1 delivers amazing IQ, better for my taste than the Fuji X100 and is a very fun camera to use. I decided to keep the X1, X113 and get rid of both my Fujis, I never felt for any of those... Many people swear the X1 has better IQ than the X2, maybe a myth I don´t know... and for me more than an "UPGRADE" vs the X1 I see the X 113 as a completely different camera; the body is different, the lens... Love both!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Actually I still have my X1 and I will never sell it. Initially I bought it for my wife but she wanted a pocket zoom, so we trade my new Hasselblad Stellar for the Leica, the good thing is that both stayed in the same house :) Anyway, I think the X1 delivers amazing IQ, better for my taste than the Fuji X100 and is a very fun camera to use. I decided to keep the X1, X113 and get rid of both my Fujis, I never felt for any of those... Many people swear the X1 has better IQ than the X2, maybe a myth I don´t know... and for me more than an "UPGRADE" vs the X1 I see the X 113 as a completely different camera; the body is different, the lens... Love both!

 

The really big question is why did you ever buy the Stellar !!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think now would be the only time to buy with an 75% reduction !

 

Exactly, I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for it, but if someone is willing to pay $25000 for a M240 Kravitz edition, the Hassy price do not seems too crazy.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Been playing a bit with both now. There's a quite clear difference in how the different EVF's work. The Visoflex in Typ 113 work nice & fluent, but the VF-2 in X Vario is a bit frustrating. It causes definite lag in operation, regardles of which functions you use. Forget using VF-2 for anything fast paced.. for static subjects it's very nice and makes the use of the camera much more logical.

 

At times it feels like the camera is struggling to figure out wether things should happen on lcd or the evf.

 

The X typ 113 feel quite fantastic in every way.

 

To be continued..

 

//Juha

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

The first real test for actual use will start tomorrow. Winter holidays and flying to Teneriffe. The whole kit of gear joining me is attached..

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

The Df & 70-200/4 VR is there pretty much only for the trip to zoo & mount Teide. Together with X Vario they'll cover 24-200, which should be quite nice :)

 

Grips & hoods have also arrived and especially grips changed the handling of X cameras in a fantastic way.

 

//Juha

Link to post
Share on other sites

Danmitch: the Typ 113 hood is a generic 43mm hood from Ebay. I was trying to buy 2 x X Vario hood from my dealer, but instead they had ordered hood for x vario + x typ 113 from Leica. Naturally Leica's answer had been:"There is no hood for Typ 113 available". I couldn't be bothered arguing with dealer about telling them to get 2 x vario hood, so I took the refund and bought this one for 1/10th of the price :-)

 

gbealnz: Leaving today, but I'm already starting to get 2nd thoughts about taking the Df at all. Should it remain in the bag, it will be the minority. I'm thinking Vario for days and X for evening/nights.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

The first real test for actual use will start tomorrow. Winter holidays and flying to Teneriffe. The whole kit of gear joining me is attached..

 

[ATTACH]492220[/ATTACH]

 

The Df & 70-200/4 VR is there pretty much only for the trip to zoo & mount Teide. Together with X Vario they'll cover 24-200, which should be quite nice :)

 

Grips & hoods have also arrived and especially grips changed the handling of X cameras in a fantastic way.

 

//Juha

 

Looks a lot like my kit, excite I don't use zooms on my Df (and I also use an M Monochrome).

 

Love the X and XV, which together form my travel kit.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

End result: Df stayed at home, XV covered about 95% of the shots and X113 the rest.

 

What a fantastic travel kit! Didn't do much shooting in the dark and thus XV with it's versatility covered most. As a whole, I missed the long end of the Df only in a handful of situtations..

 

The combination of grip, evf and hood with it's dedicated lenscap are a 100% must for the XV. They completely change the cameras ergonomics. Now, if they would only disable the play-button in firmware when evf is activated! Sure, it would need 2 button presses for review, but that's a lot better than missing shots pressing play with your nose.

 

If you want to see some pics: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6JknUE

 

//Juha

Edited by jlindstrom
Link to post
Share on other sites

End result: Df stayed at home, XV covered about 95% of the shots and X113 the rest.

 

What a fantastic travel kit! Didn't do much shooting in the dark and thus XV with it's versatility covered most. As a whole, I missed the long end of the Df only in a handful of situtations..

 

The combination of grip, evf and hood with it's dedicated lenscap are a 100% must for the XV. They completely change the cameras ergonomics. Now, if they would only disable the play-button in firmware when evf is activated! Sure, it would need 2 button presses for review, but that's a lot better than missing shots pressing play with your nose.

 

If you want to see some pics: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6JknUE

 

//Juha

I will likely take the same kit you took with me to Korea in June.  I also shoot Leica M (sold my Df kit), but as this is a family rather than a photography trip I'm debating leaving the M Monochrom and M-E at home and going all XV and X.  I agree on the EVF and hood, but I prefer the X Vario protector (half) case over the grip, and also use a much longer than standard strap for across the chest carry.

Edited by asiafish
Link to post
Share on other sites

100% agree about the strap, I wear mine across the chest as well and need a longer replacement dearly. I didn't even think about it previously as I was so accustomed to have a small man bag hanging across the chest.. with Vario I found myself not carrying it and thus the problem popped up it's ugly head.

 

Was thinking the A&A Voigtländer style strap but was then also suggested the street strap. Have to investigate a bit.. street strap is interesting since it doesn't apparently get twisted at all.

 

I'd go with the 2 X's to Korea and then leave one at the hotel only walking with what's more suitable.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...