leicarox Posted June 11, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 11, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Managed to pick up an X2 over the weekend. Quick review & a couple of questions... :-) Focusing: I only played with an X1 briefly and the X2 focuses much faster in comparison. I do find however that most pictures are slightly out of focus! I'm getting a few that are razor sharp/in focus, but most are not. :-( This is pretty much defeating the whole experience for me. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? Of the few pictures I took on the older X1, all were in focus. Manual focusing was worthless IMO. Perhaps only useful on a tripod for a stationary scene? Build quality: Is it really made of metal? It's so light! I'd swear the whole thing is plastic. LOL. The silver looks great however. It doesn't feel nearly as rugged, beefy or "metal" like as the M8/M9. It is very easy to port though, and is small enough to fit into a loose shorts pocket and not be bogged down on the weight. Usability: It powers up fast enough for me, but it takes about twice as long to power down and get the lens retract. I found that somewhat annoying. The top knobs definitely have a much tighter click, which is good. It would be great if there were ISO and exposure compensation dials, but I'm not sure where they'd fit. The power lever is pretty tight. A few times it's clicked all the way over into continuous mode because you have to give it enough oomph. I love the simple, flat list menu. The only menu control that seemed sort of annoying was setting exposure compensation. Overall I loved the ergonomics though: nice and simple. Using the camera without an EVF was easy enough IF I could count on it focusing. Bottom line: Am I expecting too much from an APS-C? It just doesn't seem sharp enough to me. There's a golf course short or something that Steve Huff took comparing the X2 with the X100 and others and it has that sort of feel too it--just slightly out of focus compared to the others. (well, the NEX didn't look so hot in that comparison to me either) I'll try to post a couple shots tonight. At this rate it's either total user error, or? I'm very tempted to return it and get into an M8 or even X1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 11, 2012 Posted June 11, 2012 Hi leicarox, Take a look here Quick X2 review (and questions). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Moonshine Posted June 11, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 11, 2012 Not sharp enough? wow..hearing that from many users..Mr Huff now says its very sharp and that he had a flawed sample earlier. What EVF are you using? i'm looking forward to mine in a few days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeputt Posted June 11, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 11, 2012 Good to know. I still haven't ordered one. QC problem maybe? Huff did yet another piece on the X2 (and X100) and mentioned the sharpness difference in the first X2 he had to test and one that he just bought for himself. Different firmware versions, although I can't see how that made a difference. Worth a read if you haven't seen it... For those who were waiting..the new comparison – Leica X2 and X100! | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK! Posted June 11, 2012 Share #4 Posted June 11, 2012 >Focusing: >I only played with an X1 briefly and the X2 focuses much faster in comparison. I do find >however that most pictures are slightly out of focus! I'm getting a few that are razor >sharp/in focus, but most are not. :-( This is pretty much defeating the whole experience I have owned an X1 for more than two years now and a couple of days ago bought an X2. I did not do an exhaustive evaluation but my first impression is comparable to yours: Many of my X1 pictures over the years were out of focus because of the slow AF. But when they are sharp, than they are really sharp! Just fantastic! Up to now from the X2 I did not yet get so many absolutely sharp pictures. AF is much faster but sometimes I think the X1 took more time but focus hits distance in perfection. With the X2 I see many pictures that are sharp but obviously focus is slightly before or behind the intended object. I probably use the X2 in more demanding situations (light, moving objects, ...) but I am not sure whether this fully explains my impression. Any explanations/experiences welcome... - TK! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicarox Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 11, 2012 Not sharp enough? wow..hearing that from many users..Mr Huff now says its very sharp and that he had a flawed sample earlier. What EVF are you using? i'm looking forward to mine in a few days. Not using an EVF...didn't seem to need one (if it would focus LOL.) Yep, really unsure on sharpness, it's like it may as well be a 4mp camera most of the time. The strange thing is that there are a few that come up RAZOR sharp in focus, and then the ton of duds. Will do a bit more experimenting but so far... :-( Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicarox Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted June 11, 2012 Good to know. I still haven't ordered one. QC problem maybe? Huff did yet another piece on the X2 (and X100) and mentioned the sharpness difference in the first X2 he had to test and one that he just bought for himself. Different firmware versions, although I can't see how that made a difference. Worth a read if you haven't seen it... For those who were waiting..the new comparison – Leica X2 and X100! | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS Thx for the link! I wish he would post the full size jpegs and not just a couple crops. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicarox Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted June 11, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) >Focusing:>I only played with an X1 briefly and the X2 focuses much faster in comparison. I do find >however that most pictures are slightly out of focus! I'm getting a few that are razor >sharp/in focus, but most are not. :-( This is pretty much defeating the whole experience I have owned an X1 for more than two years now and a couple of days ago bought an X2. I did not do an exhaustive evaluation but my first impression is comparable to yours: Many of my X1 pictures over the years were out of focus because of the slow AF. But when they are sharp, than they are really sharp! Just fantastic! Up to now from the X2 I did not yet get so many absolutely sharp pictures. AF is much faster but sometimes I think the X1 took more time but focus hits distance in perfection. With the X2 I see many pictures that are sharp but obviously focus is slightly before or behind the intended object. I probably use the X2 in more demanding situations (light, moving objects, ...) but I am not sure whether this fully explains my impression. Any explanations/experiences welcome... - TK! Thanks for your input TK! I'm also wondering if the slower focusing is simply more precise. You'll lose action shots, but at least planned shots will be in focus. For me, the planned ones are just always a bit off, except for a rare magic one. I'd rather compose slower and get more in focus :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeputt Posted June 11, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 11, 2012 Maybe a silly question, but I've never even handled an X1 or an X2. Is there any way to fine-tune the focus like you can with DSLR cameras? I know it should be done during production, but it sounds like it just might need tweaking. Maybe the equipment used for this in Germany isn't calibrated correctly...? Just brainstorming here, but it makes me nervous about ordering one. Hopefully this will all be sorted out while I am unloading other equipment to fund my X2 purchase. Leicarox, I'm curious, what firmware version is on your X2? Does it match the production version in the Huff article above? Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicarox Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted June 11, 2012 Maybe a silly question, but I've never even handled an X1 or an X2. Is there any way to fine-tune the focus like you can with DSLR cameras? I know it should be done during production, but it sounds like it just might need tweaking. Maybe the equipment used for this in Germany isn't calibrated correctly...? Just brainstorming here, but it makes me nervous about ordering one. Hopefully this will all be sorted out while I am unloading other equipment to fund my X2 purchase. Leicarox, I'm curious, what firmware version is on your X2? Does it match the production version in the Huff article above? Jeff Firmware version "1" Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeputt Posted June 11, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 11, 2012 Firmware version "1" Well, that's one variable eliminated. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicarox Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted June 11, 2012 (edited) What's the slowest shutter speed you guys are using typically to get sharp images on the X1/X2 ? These seems sharper than what I typically get: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/L1110208.jpg http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/100cropcar.jpg Edited June 11, 2012 by leicarox Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andystac Posted June 11, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 11, 2012 I'd write a longer reply to this but having way too much fun with this camera. my advise is just buy the dang thing from a vendor with a good return policy and try it for yourself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nryn Posted June 12, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 12, 2012 Well, the camera is a blast. I'm not at the point where I'm taking my images too seriously--still trying things out, getting comfortable with it. I can say, though, that I'm experiencing some of these blurry photos in conditions where I'm fairly certain the problem isn't with me as a photographer. At EOF 35mm, I should be able to take a photo at 1/30s and have it come out very sharp. I can take a very sharp photo with my M9 at 1/15s using a 50mm lens. As someone else mentioned, every once in a while a photo out of the X2 is crazy sharp. But it's only once in a while. I'd say 70% of my photos are botched. In any case it's either me (while doubtful, I'm not ruling that out) or early firmware. I figure it'll get sorted out before I start using the camera productively. I can upload images if anyone is interested. I took some today of a row of nuns in an airport--plenty of light, f/5, 1/30s. Blurry. Firmware 1.0. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andystac Posted June 12, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 12, 2012 well, me and few others have been posting very sharp examples, so far my unscientific count shows more people not having problems. quality control or user error are the only things that come to mind. maybe I'm lucky but not experiencing any problems whatsoever. i have posted other 100% crops but heres the latest. 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181565-quick-x2-review-and-questions/?do=findComment&comment=2037945'>More sharing options...
nryn Posted June 12, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 12, 2012 Sure. I get (as mentioned) sharp photos as well just not as often as I'd expect. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andystac Posted June 12, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 12, 2012 the above is at 1/50sec.forgot to post that. so far 300 something shots all sharp.the inconsistencies you are describing seem like a camera issue, maybe it is a quality control problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard69 Posted June 12, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 12, 2012 It's more a user problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andystac Posted June 12, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 12, 2012 hey spaniard, the above lego crop was originally meant for you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard69 Posted June 12, 2012 Share #19 Posted June 12, 2012 hey spaniard, the above lego crop was originally meant for you! Hey Andystac, thanks.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted June 12, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 12, 2012 AF or shaky hands? 16MP or 12MP shot the P&S style at arms lenghth without IS ain't the same. Test it on a tripod to see whether AF is off. For sure the X2 is less forgiving as compared to he X1 when it comes to hold it steady. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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