phancj Posted May 11, 2012 Share #1 Posted May 11, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) So glad I got the X1 and enjoyed it for over 2 years, it's still going strong and I am pretty sure I will not be getting the X2. IMO it's not much of an upgrade. Think I will be using the X1 alongside the Nikon D800 for another 3 years minimum. Unless something truly revolutionary pops up! CJ 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 11, 2012 Posted May 11, 2012 Hi phancj, Take a look here X2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
nickma Posted May 11, 2012 Share #2 Posted May 11, 2012 Nothing there to interest me either, other to to reaffirm my long term commitment to the X1. The crops on Reid Reviews show stronger AA filtering on X2 than on the X100 and GXR's A16 zoom unit, and slightly inferior resolution from what I can see, (albeit this could change in production models). The A16 looks truly outstanding. Given I thought my own and others' comparisons of X1 v X100 put the X100 and the Leica X1 neck and neck in terms of resolution (with a nod to Leica on colours, rendering and native lens integrity) it may be that the additional pixels in the X2 simply don't translate into real world improvements. It looks that way to me. Current flash works fine to fire a Metz slave. I love the OVF, shoot 80% of the time through it, and don't see significant additional value in the rebadged EVF. So in my case that leaves low light autofocus as the principle draw. I'm now used to using a saved user profile with a predefined distance and hence variable DOF based on aperture set in manual focus, with 800 ISO, +1EV as a user profile, etc. It's a brilliant workaround that gives me 90% of the shots I need. So whilst whisper quiet instantaneous low light focus would be nice, I'm not sure the X2 quite gets there anyway (comparable AF speed to a X100 with latest firmware we are told). So the X2 may be a fair choice for someone who might have already been contemplating an X1, but I can't see it a viable upgrade path for a X1 user who already works with the strengths and weaknesses of the X1. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebear Posted May 11, 2012 Share #3 Posted May 11, 2012 I won't be rushing out to buy one for a while at least. A larger sensor doesn't always mean better IQ; the control wheels on the X2 may be "clickier", the AF quicker and there's an EVF option but otherwise not a lot seems to have changed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 11, 2012 Share #4 Posted May 11, 2012 Only the leather covering holds appeal for me. But not at a high upgrade price! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted May 11, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted May 11, 2012 One can easily replace the skin with leatherette of choice. CJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted May 11, 2012 Share #6 Posted May 11, 2012 I think it's safe to say don't be fooled by it's appearance. Or lack of change in appearance. I have an X1. To me it's almost perfect. If it has faster and more robust operation then it's a winner in my eyes and I think I might upgrade, in time. The only thing hampering the X1 is the autofocus. If theta is sorted this camera is going to be a really big thing. If it has even better image quality, which I really believe it will, then I will definitely upgrade. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budhudson Posted May 11, 2012 Share #7 Posted May 11, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) If there is quicker AF on the X2 will this have been acheived by software manipulation or a mechanical improvement? Just thinking that if it is software then could this be a future firmware upgrade for the X1? With faster AF the X1 is my (not everyones) perfect compact Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted May 11, 2012 Share #8 Posted May 11, 2012 The X1 - and the X2 - are not even on my radar because of the lack of a zoom lens. However good the lens may be, it's a limiting factor. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nippa Posted May 11, 2012 Share #9 Posted May 11, 2012 Why didn't they call it the X1a? A change of sensor and an Olympus viewfinder doesn't make it much of an upgrade. Comments about autofocus speed by DPR Staffers indicate that it's nothing special and to be honest after Firmware V2.0 I found nothing apart from Leica's build quality to moan about. Now if they'd built a Monochrome only X1 that might be worth considering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budhudson Posted May 11, 2012 Share #10 Posted May 11, 2012 Now if they'd built a Monochrome only X1 that might be worth considering. Cat amongst the pigeons? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted May 11, 2012 Share #11 Posted May 11, 2012 Dpreview.com is right that the X2's protruding hotshoe ruins the clean lines of the X1 a bit. The only meaningful improvement in the X2 to me seems to be the AF speed, but that isn't enough to get me to upgrade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickma Posted May 11, 2012 Share #12 Posted May 11, 2012 If there is quicker AF on the X2 will this have been acheived by software manipulation or a mechanical improvement? Just thinking that if it is software then could this be a future firmware upgrade for the X1? With faster AF the X1 is my (not everyones) perfect compact I believe these things are highly sensor dependent, unlike in 35mm cameras, so it's unlikely I'm afraid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Lane Posted May 11, 2012 Share #13 Posted May 11, 2012 I have only had my X1 a few months, but I do not feel cheated in any way by the annoucement of the X2. Given the difference in price between the two, and that the X2 appears to be a minor upgrade, I would buy the X1 again. No regrets whatsoever - I love the X1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralli`fto Posted May 11, 2012 Share #14 Posted May 11, 2012 I have only had my X1 a few months, but I do not feel cheated in any way by the annoucement of the X2. Given the difference in price between the two, and that the X2 appears to be a minor upgrade, I would buy the X1 again. No regrets whatsoever - I love the X1 I agree on this. Used my X1 for about a year or so and was actually contemplating on upgrading to the X2 but after the announcement, I guess my X1 will still be staying with me for a lot longing. Only thing that will be of interest is if the X1 can be "upgraded" to use the EVF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted May 11, 2012 Share #15 Posted May 11, 2012 Well whats different? Faster AF will be welcome as will the electronic viewfinder..but that's no great leap forward...maybe for leica but its almost old hat by now ...but...12 to 16mp is not a big difference....in fact I will be surprised if the high iso performance improves at all My sensor is a dust magnet, but as basic layout is still the same will it be any better on X2? Why not a sensor based cleaner? The retractable lens seems unnecessarily complicated. But with the grip and viewfinder(s) it is surely not a compact camera..so what's with still keeping the retractable lens..? And the 24mm has a bit of barrel distortion...just enough to be noticeable...and there is no auto software cure in LR, which comes bundled with the camera?! Since the X1 was launched we have had the X100 and X pro1.....I would have liked a lens that can take filters and a lens hood (the X100 has all those). (I had my first look at the x100 the other day and it feels imo more solid ) I hope the flash is better than the X1, mine broke as did many others...and why bother with the flash I almost never used it and when I did there seemed to be quite a delay.... But the X1 was/is a nice little camera and if one can afford it then why not? hopefully Leica made a better X1 in the X2 and if that's the case...well great and goodluck...me I am waiting quite a bit longer to see what the market will offer us in the next year or so....and if nothing gound breaking gets released..well then I'l wait for the X3:) The one thing the last 2years have taught me is that perhaps its better to stay away from version one (X1, X100, xpro1 etc ) rather wait for version 2 and that goes for the rumoured leica evil too... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted May 11, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted May 11, 2012 Yes Ivan but then the version 3 will address even more issues .....how long should we wait? thing is to enjoy the camera. The X1 has been and still is a very nice camera to use IMO, and i enjoy it tremendously. I was amongst the early adopters and I am satisfied with it. Could it be better, sure. But it is good enough for what it is. My Nikon D800 is amongst the first few hundreds (from serial number on my cam at least) and it has been nothing short of amazing. Thoroughly satisfied. if we wait for the second incantation we may have skipped potential enjoyment. I settle on certain features or specs that I want and read reviews to understand the downsides. That way I am in it with eyes wide open. Havent felt unhappy with virtually ALL my gear since I do the necessary research and plan accordingly. Luck also almost certainly play a part so I do not end up with a dud. CJ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvak Posted May 11, 2012 Share #17 Posted May 11, 2012 Considering that the X1 has been discontinued and is now replaced by the X2, it is very unlikely that X1 owners will ever see any more firmware upgrades for their cameras. I too am very disappointed at the announced X2. To my mind, the clip on EVF (at $575 additional cost) is absurdly unnecessary, particularly since it is a glaring non-Leica product in spite of being named after the antique "Viso-Flex". The identical viewfinder, which is actually manufactured by Olympus, only costs $275. This is just insulting! The extra optical viewfinders for the X1, either from Leica or Voigtlander, were simple and efficient and were much more in line with the minimalist retro style of the X1. The higher pixel count imager of the X2 is OK but reports are coming in, that coupled with the 24mm Elmarit, it may not actually improve resolution over the X1. Improved autofocus is a plus but then again the X1 with V.2 firmware also had significantly improved AF to the point that I did not feel I missed any shots. It is a shame and unacceptable that for the price, the LCD screen still remains at 2005 vintage! Sadly I don't see any significant improvements in the X2 to induce any X1 owner to upgrade and even worse, Leica failed to keep pace with other cameras offering better specs at much lower prices and thereby will not attract any new buyers to the X line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 11, 2012 Share #18 Posted May 11, 2012 Considering that the X1 has been discontinued and is now replaced by the X2, it is very unlikely that X1 owners will ever see any more firmware upgrades for their cameras....... I seem to recall that Leica did offer a firmware update for the M8 after production ceased. But there is little incentive to do so, despite the wishes of some owners. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted May 11, 2012 Share #19 Posted May 11, 2012 ...Sadly I don't see any significant improvements in the X2 to induce any X1 owner to upgrade and even worse, Leica failed to keep pace with other cameras offering better specs at much lower prices and thereby will not attract any new buyers to the X line. +1 robert 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted May 11, 2012 Share #20 Posted May 11, 2012 Good news for X1 users. Prices for used ones won't fall as a minority only will "upgrade" to the successor. A pop up VF in lieu of the flash and a faster lens would have been true improvements over the X1 and worth a USD 2000 price in 2013. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.