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The Phoblogopher Review


michaelbrenner

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Recent Leica X Vario review. First Impressions: Leica X Vario (Typ 107).

 

A few new tidbits. Worth a quick look.

 

reasonable. I broadly agree

nitpicking about the placement of buttons is not really my thing,they are all ok for me. The only one I would change is to disable the play button when using the EVF as I hit it with my nose :(

 

I do agree with no AEL button being a pain. The substitute is to twirl the exposure dial, but an AEL button is more convenient. Perhaps Leica can give us this user defined in Software (e.g. the unused down on the direction key). Only having full stops is not an issue for me due to the exposure latitude of the camera.

 

I think the author hit the nail on the head about the AF. Leica was working for accuracy rather then speed or estimation, so it gives up more then it should. There is also a bug where sometimes the rectangle lights green instead of red, this is a firmware update issue, although no biggee for me as I can see this instantly on the LCD/EVF and refocus.

 

I expect improvements to AF in firmware. Fuji had the same philosophy but changed it to speed up the X100 and xpro1 over time.

 

Of course the main event is the IQ which is simply outstanding. Build comes in a close second, its just a beautiful camera to use.

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There's no flash sync speed on the shutter dial because it doesn't need one! It doesn't have a focal plane shutter (like an M) so flash will sync at any speed.

 

Except with radio triggers, where the triggers will be the limiting factor for flash sync speed.

I didn't know the XV has a leaf shutter. That's fantastic.

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I love the way the MF ring has stops but not having a display of AF distance scale means I can not use the AF to get an approximate distance from which to start MF and home in. Also, need DOF display based on distance, aperture and focal length.

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Nitpicking but finish-wise, I'd like to see a vertical leatherette strip in each of the two blank areas behind each strap lug. I'm going to cut & fit my own to solve this.

 

Also second a firmware update that improves autofocus bug as mentioned above & an option to user deactivate the flash mode button.

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There are indeed a number of firmware improvements that the XV desperately needs.

The AF bug; a manual focus DOF scale view like the X2 has (this may be more complicated as it will have to take zoom into account); an AEL lock on the 4th position; a deactivate option not just for the flash mode, but the entire silver ring buttons, there's nothing more frustrating than rasing to one's eye and seeing e.g. the EV scale! Oh, and a 43mm solution for those who like to add a filter, but don't like a vignette.

They did it with the X1/X2 so come on Leica get busy and make a great camera even better, you know it makes sense!

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There are indeed a number of firmware improvements that the XV desperately needs.

The AF bug; a manual focus DOF scale view like the X2 has (this may be more complicated as it will have to take zoom into account); an AEL lock on the 4th position; a deactivate option not just for the flash mode, but the entire silver ring buttons, there's nothing more frustrating than rasing to one's eye and seeing e.g. the EV scale! Oh, and a 43mm solution for those who like to add a filter, but don't like a vignette.

They did it with the X1/X2 so come on Leica get busy and make a great camera even better, you know it makes sense!

 

What is the 43mm issue ?

Filters are available from Zeiss, B+W and Hoya and a step up ring on the front of these would solve all issues, no ?

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There are indeed a number of firmware improvements that the XV desperately needs.

The AF bug; a manual focus DOF scale view like the X2 has (this may be more complicated as it will have to take zoom into account); an AEL lock on the 4th position; a deactivate option not just for the flash mode, but the entire silver ring buttons, there's nothing more frustrating than rasing to one's eye and seeing e.g. the EV scale! Oh, and a 43mm solution for those who like to add a filter, but don't like a vignette.

They did it with the X1/X2 so come on Leica get busy and make a great camera even better, you know it makes sense!

 

What is the 43mm issue ?

Filters are available from Zeiss, B+W and Hoya and a step up ring on the front of these would solve all issues, no ?

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I am aware of the availablity of non-Leica filter makes, Harold. The problem is as I understand it that the slim B+W has no hood threads and the others require a step-up ring and thus a non-Leica hood. I consider that rather an inelegant "solution". I can't see Leica producing a totally new hood for the XV, so we are faced with either no filter (my general method) or the filter + ring + non-standard hood, or Leica producing a 43mm slim filter with hood threads, this latter being difficult to achieve.

If Leica can't do anything then we need a manufacturer to produce a 43mm threaded wider angle hood of similar shape. I admit I have yet to search for one, but perhaps there is one out there somewhere?

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What is the 43mm issue ?

Filters are available from Zeiss, B+W and Hoya and a step up ring on the front of these would solve all issues, no ?

 

read my contribution > #7 > "leica XVario accessoire".

B+W 43mm 3mm height, no vignetting. >>> Danger ! with Step-Up-Ring not funktioning !!!

 

br kmhb

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I am aware of the availablity of non-Leica filter makes, Harold. The problem is as I understand it that the slim B+W has no hood threads and the others require a step-up ring and thus a non-Leica hood. I consider that rather an inelegant "solution". I can't see Leica producing a totally new hood for the XV, so we are faced with either no filter (my general method) or the filter + ring + non-standard hood, or Leica producing a 43mm slim filter with hood threads, this latter being difficult to achieve.

If Leica can't do anything then we need a manufacturer to produce a 43mm threaded wider angle hood of similar shape. I admit I have yet to search for one, but perhaps there is one out there somewhere?

 

B+W filter 43mm XSPro-slimline, plus B+W lenshood 43mm = vignetting

B+W filter 43mm XSPro-slimline, plus Quenox Step-Up-Ring 43/52mm plus JJC lenshood 52mm = no vignetting :)

see my contribution > #7 > "leica XVario accessoire"

 

br kmhb

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@kmhb - I had noted your solution of filter, ring, and JJC hood - couldn't get to it when writing the posting.

From what you say, the B+W XSPro-slimline has female threads so allowing a step-up ring and thus a hood to be fitted.

 

Any chance of a photo showing the complete ensemble?

 

Is 52mm the absolute minimum or would say 49mm or even 47mm do the trick?

 

I still think Leica should have thought seriously about that and made the accessories accordingly!

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@spylaw4,

 

wanted to exchange the B+W Clear filter into a UV-filter. UV no longer available. (Clear filter already on the road again to me.) Once shipped, I will provide an example photo available.

for the 49mm variant I can test for lack of anything to say.

for leica note I agree with you absolutely. But with accessories I am looking for alternatives first, such as the EVF* (*olympus VF2)

 

best regards kmhb

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@kmhb - I had noted your solution of filter, ring, and JJC hood - couldn't get to it when writing the posting.

From what you say, the B+W XSPro-slimline has female threads so allowing a step-up ring and thus a hood to be fitted.

 

Any chance of a photo showing the complete ensemble?

 

Is 52mm the absolute minimum or would say 49mm or even 47mm do the trick?

 

I still think Leica should have thought seriously about that and made the accessories accordingly!

 

hello,

please send me an PN with your e-mail adress. sorry, the sample images export, "XVario ensemble", is not functioning.

 

br kmhb

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