B/W Leica X1 test shots

[Douglasco]

Just found these test shots I assume they are genuine Erste Testshots mit der Leica X1 - StyleSpion

[barjohn]

On those images where one can see the bokeh it is horrible and harsh. Other than that they are fine.

[Megadust]

I have a feeling the X1 has a very particular look to it and we need time to get used to its style. All in all a nice selection of shots.

[jsrockit]

Bokeh, bokeh, bokeh! I'm becoming sick of this word.

[wda]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Bokeh, bokeh, bokeh! I'm becoming sick of this word.

I agree. The whole idea of subject isolation is to concentrate interest on the main point of the picture. Only if that fails does the eye wander around elsewhere and then only if a viewer has oodles of time to spare.

[lct]

Originally Posted by barjohn

On those images where one can see the bokeh it is horrible and harsh...

Agree about this picture but this other one looks acceptable assuming it's not been taken at full aperture. I can't seem to retrieve its exif data though.

[barjohn]

Here is an example of what I mean.Flickr Photo Download: Hamburg The eye is drawn to the awful background that almost makes your eyes water.

[khanosu]

Originally Posted by barjohn

Here is an example of what I mean.Flickr Photo Download: Hamburg The eye is drawn to the awful background that almost makes your eyes water.

The picture you are talking about is from the Hamburg set. What makes you think that the Hamburg set was made by the Lecia X1? As far as I know only the pictures in the X1 set were made by the X1. The Hamburg picture was posted on Nov. 17, the X1 pictures were posted on Nov. 22. I recall from some discussion somewhere that photographer had the camera only for a short time.

Take care!

Furrukh

[lct]

Doubled lines, bright OoF zones having sharp edges, poor results as well here. Now i'm not sure if it is an X1 pic and this other one looks better.

[lct]

Originally Posted by khanosu

The picture you are talking about is from the Hamburg set. What makes you think that the Hamburg set was made by the Lecia X1?...

You're right i don't know either.

[stylespion]

Hi there, these pics are made by me. so feel free to ask some questions about the X1.
@barjohn the Hamburg shots are NOT taken with the X1.

[khanosu]

Originally Posted by lct

Doubled lines, bright OoF zones having sharp edges, poor results as well here. Now i'm not sure if it is an X1 pic and this other one looks better.

As you suspect both of these were not made by an X1. If you look at the link posted by the original author of this thread there is a series of pictures in the beginning that all belong to the "X1 thread"; these are the only ones that are claimed to be made by the X1. The other pictures you and @barjohn are referring to are from other sets of the photographer taken at different times by some other camera/s.

Take care!

Furrukh

[khanosu]

Originally Posted by stylespion

Hi there, these pics are made by me. so feel free to ask some questions about the X1.
@barjohn the Hamburg shots are NOT taken with the X1.

Thanks @stylespion! We must have posted at the same time so I did not know about your post when I posted mine.

Take care!

Furrukh

[lct]

Originally Posted by stylespion

Hi there, these pics are made by me. so feel free to ask some questions about the X1. @barjohn the Hamburg shots are NOT taken with the X1.

Ah OK thanks. Are your X1 pics available in larger format with EXIF data by chance?

[barjohn]

The site is a little confusing so sorry if I selected pictures not taken with the X1. Perhaps you could post some where we can clearly see how it renders out of focus areas, along with the EXIF data.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by barjohn

Here is an example of what I mean.Flickr Photo Download: Hamburg The eye is drawn to the awful background that almost makes your eyes water.

I actually like that background... it is what makes the photo interesting... the stuff in focus is boring. (no offense to the photographer, but who knows they may agree).

[lct]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

I actually like that background... it is what makes the photo interesting... the stuff in focus is boring. (no offense to the photographer, but who knows they may agree).

May be you feel it interesting on this particular pic but you will get it each time with such a lens. Are you sure it will please you again and again? If so, you won't be happy with Leica lenses i'm afraid as they give generally (might i say fortunately) smoother backgrounds than that.
Edit: I have nothing to teach you here as i see that you own a CV 35/1.4 SC which bokeh is one of the smoothest available.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by lct

May be you feel it interesting on this particular pic but you will get it each time with such a lens. Are you sure it will please you again and again? If so, you won't be happy with Leica lenses i'm afraid as they give generally (might i say fortunately) smoother backgrounds than that.

Well, we all know that "bokeh" looks differently based on the background, light, objects, given on a particular day. It looks interesting in that photo, but you'll never be able to make that photo again. I don't understand your point in taking the "bokeh" in one photo and assuming that it'll never look good because of that one photo. I know what a leica lens looks like... I've used a M6 and summicrons extensively in the past. However, there is such a thing as a bad "bokeh", even with the best of lenses, depending on the circumstances.

[lct]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

...I've used a M6 and summicrons extensively in the past. However, there is such a thing as a bad "bokeh", even with the best of lenses, depending on the circumstances.

It is a way to state that all lenses are more or less equal bokeh wise and we cannot agree on this. Some lenses have smoother bokeh than others, suffice it to use both to see that. You know people who don't see bad bokeh are those who don't like OoF generally. I mean people who prefer wide DoF and don't feel the need to isolate subject matters from the background or foreground. Nothing personal of course as you own a prince-of-bokeh lens already.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by lct

You know people who don't see bad bokeh are those who don't like OoF generally. I mean people who prefer wide DoF and don't feel the need to isolate subject matters from the background or foreground.

That's not the case for me. Bokeh is a subjective thing IMHO. I like both photos with shallow depth of field and with a wide depth of field and use both. However, all I generally see around here are boring photos made just to show of a lens' bokeh. That seems silly to me. I'd rather be out with the X1 concentrating on what it can do, and not what little it can't do. Am I buying one? Probably not, but I think about it at times.