recommended workflow for Leica X1

[rudingshain]

One a trip to London I bought a second Hand X1 for 399 pounds. I want to use it as backup for my M8.2 with Elmarit 28 asph. So after a few days in work with the X1 AF only was a bit frustrating to me because focus was not where I want. Working with MF might be an opportunity in combination with an optical viewfinder. Image quality so far is quite good but still not on the same level as the M8 Elmarit Combo.

My question is ! what is your workflow including PP to get the best out of X1 or is the X2 a better choice.

spiegellos

[elgenper]

I got one very cheap too (there were quite a few for sale right after the introduction of the X2 and that Sony FF compact), as a backup for my M9. There are a few frustrations and several good things to be said for it.

To start with the good ones: manual exposure is even easier than with the M9. Use it intelligently, and far fewer of your shots will require lots of PP. High ISO is better than the M9 (but this is partly lost by the slower lens). Center spot AF is VERY accurate, and very selective; forget about multi-field, face recognition & c. Framing via the LCD (don´t own any accessory finder) is awkward in strong light, but far more exact than any RF window gives.

For the frustrations: it´s VERY slow when reviewing the shots, and the AF is quite slow as well. One has to give it the time it needs; there´s no lock that prevents one to shoot before it has finished focussing, so wait for the green signal... The battery capacity is quite low; one or two extras are mandatory for a day´s shooting. Also, once it turns off the display (even if it hasn´t gone to sleep), it takes several seconds to get it ready to shoot again. And, once it has retracted the lens....Zzzzzz.....

In all, I´d say the image quality matches that of my M9 + 35/2 Asph unless one really startys to pixel-peep - if used in the right way. The risk with P/S type cameras is that one doesn´t take it seriously enough when handling it, and then the results are sub-par - even with a Leica!

[Johanb]

I have the X2 and from what I can tell looking at X1 photos online I don't think there is much point in upgrading.

I haven't tried the AF on the X1 but on the X2 it is also slow. Very slow when coming from a DSLR. I usually just zonefocus if there's to much movement.

In PP the X2 files can take quite a lot of beating. But i guess it's the same. You can have a look at yanidel.net. He shoots both with M9 and X1 and is quite skilled when it comes to PP. I probably wouldn't manage a pepsichallenge between the two.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by elgenper

To start with the good ones: manual exposure is even easier than with the M9.

Hi, can you explain what you mean by this? How can it be easier?

[elgenper]

Originally Posted by earleygallery

Hi, can you explain what you mean by this? How can it be easier?

OK, I could have expressed it more clearly....

The actual setting process of the wheels/rings are more or less the same, but the meter readout is more informative on the X1.

Since one can see how far off one is on a scale (not just the ´over´ and ´under´ arrows), one can actually use a kind of zone system with it directly. With the M9 one has to first center the reading, then offset this while counting the steps on the appropriate wheel/ring.

Not a big thing, but still some difference.

[andybarton]

I have an X1 and yes, the focus is very, very slow. I have had some frustrations with the firmware too, but it is the camera that is always in my briefcase.

I have had no problem at all with the quality of the images that it produces. Here are links to a few recent X1 shots.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...sentinels.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...breakfast.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...iver-kent.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...ide-groom.html

[robert blu]

I agree the focus being slow, and I admit in a few cases I lost some good (at least potentially good) photo because of it. But due to the small size, easy of use I have the x1 very oft with me and this gave me opportunity to get some shots which I had not taken with a faster and bigger AF camera because probably in that case this camera had been left at home.
robert

[wda]

Originally Posted by rudingshain

... AF only was a bit frustrating to me because focus was not where I want. ...
spiegellos

Interesting. Not a speed issue, at all. May I suggest that you set your focus point to '1 Point' or 'Spot'. Place the single zone precisely on that part of the subject which is top priority for sharpness. Even when using the OVF I can guesstimate where that spot should be for medium to distant subjects. If you use multi-zone or Face Detection, AF will choose the nearest point IT thinks is where you want sharpness. That is where errors and disappointments occur.

Processing is a bigger issue. I use LR4 and work logically through the right-hand panel. Not all adjustments are tweaked. For optimum results I use the Develop Present 'Zeroed' to remove any default changes already made. Then I start afresh.

In my view, there is no set formula for successful processing. Devote some time watching Adobe or other on-line video tutorials; or work through a recommended primer. You will find the best combination of settings to suit you. I batch process when appropriate and then fine-tune selected shots. I hope this helps you.

I nearly forgot. Create Virtual Copies if you want two or more variations on an original. I do this when both colour and monochrome files are needed.

[rudingshain]

Thank you for your comments. X1 is a very nice piece of a camera and I think that we will be friends. The form factor is a big + and when the shutter speed is not to slow ( 1/30 and faster) picture quality is really good. Like everything it took time to get firm with the camera and it´s quirks. Manual focussing (Zone) will be my first choice. But next X should have a build in EVF. Now I use the same PP presets in Lightroom 4.3 as for the M8 with very good results. It is hard to point out which was the M8 only when you look to the fine detail. But when it comes to print I am sure no one can say which was the M8 and the X1.


spiegellos

[giulio74]

Originally Posted by rudingshain

Now I use the same PP presets in Lightroom 4.3 as for the M8 with very good results. It is hard to point out which was the M8 only when you look to the fine detail. But when it comes to print I am sure no one can say which was the M8 and the X1.


spiegellos

Is there in LR4.3 a present for M8 that you use for your x1 too, or do you have your own present for M8 that you use for X1?
thanks

[rudingshain]

Originally Posted by giulio74

Is there in LR4.3 a present for M8 that you use for your x1 too, or do you have your own present for M8 that you use for X1?
thanks

I have my own preset for the M8. I use Raw Photo Processor for developing the Raws first. Then the lens correction in LR esp. the 28 2.8 and after my preset. Thats it. For bw of M8 I use no IR filter and a special Tri X preset in RPP and not a Lightroom preset.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/28616805@N00/8122719439/

[giulio74]

Originally Posted by rudingshain

I have my own preset for the M8. I use Raw Photo Processor for developing the Raws first. Then the lens correction in LR esp. the 28 2.8 and after my preset. Thats it. For bw of M8 I use no IR filter and a special Tri X preset in RPP and not a Lightroom preset.


simple stair in Wetzlar | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

ah ok, thanks, I thought there was a default preset for our cameras, I use a my own preset too. What disappoint me is the lens distortion, are few days I have my X2 and I haven't found a good value to fix it, any suggestion?

thanks
G

[rudingshain]

I use the Profile of the Fuji X100 sometimes in LR 4. Disortion set to 195. not bad. Give it a try.

[gsgary]

Never held or used an X1, but can it be manual focused and AF turned off if so hyper focus could be the way to go for grab shots on the street

[prk60091]

Originally Posted by gsgary

Never held or used an X1, but can it be manual focused and AF turned off if so hyper focus could be the way to go for grab shots on the street

Yes you can. I do this often on my x1

[giulio74]

but the focus scale in the display is not too approssimative for hyperfocus settings?

[robert blu]

Originally Posted by giulio74

but the focus scale in the display is not too approssimative for hyperfocus settings?

No, of course it depends on aperture, if set at 8 or 11 it works with no problems.
robert

[prk60091]

Originally Posted by robert blu

No, of course it depends on aperture, if set at 8 or 11 it works with no problems.
robert

with any "hyperfocus" system the distance will always be approximate whether shot at f/8 or f/2.8 ... of course you get a larger DOF w/ f/8 or f/11 than f/2.8....

[robert blu]

Originally Posted by prk60091

with any "hyperfocus" system the distance will always be approximate whether shot at f/8 or f/2.8 ... of course you get a larger DOF w/ f/8 or f/11 than f/2.8....

yes, this is what I wanted to say but it works !
robert
PS: of course within the range !