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X2: Serious camera or hobbyist's camera?


Herr Barnack

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It could be any of those things depending upon what the camera is pointed at and, to a lesser extent, what the end technical requirements are.

 

Or indeed who is doing the pointing? ;)

 

Did I not hear that the X1, and one must therefore presume the X2 following on, the only "compact" recognised for use by Magnum?

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Carlos, such is the camera's quality simplicity and versatility, that it could serve any of your listed purposes. For me, its older brother the X1 produces excellent personal photographs, while giving me the extended option of using its images commercially. While it can be an effective point and shoot camera, it rewards a more knowledge-based photographer who can exploit its superb lens (common to both X1 and X2) and APC size sensor in the recommended Lightroom post processing. The X2 can also take the optional EVF for eye-level framing. The hand-grip adds a useful level of security in use. Hope that helps.

 

In case you miss it, do look at Dr Pix's thread 'X1 on a cruise' to see some outstanding examples of its capabilities as a travel camera.

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I agree with most of the comments above, although I'm curious as to why you ask the question.

 

Here's a pro photographer who used a camera phone to shoot a wedding;

 

Capella Pedregal Nokia Lumia 1020 Wedding by Joy Marie Photography | Joy Marie Photography | Destination Wedding Photographers

 

The X2 is a camera. How it's used is up to the person using it.

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Did I not hear that the X1, and one must therefore presume the X2 following on, the only "compact" recognised for use by Magnum?

 

Brian, I think it might be Getty that you have in mind. They did indeed include the X1 in one of their lists of "approved cameras" (though Getty now accept photos from camera phones so I'm not sure the lists have the meaning they used to). I can't imagine Magnum would have a policy on which cameras are recognised or not.

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I agree with most of the comments above, although I'm curious as to why you ask the question.

 

Here's a pro photographer who used a camera phone to shoot a wedding;

 

Capella Pedregal Nokia Lumia 1020 Wedding by Joy Marie Photography | Joy Marie Photography | Destination Wedding Photographers

 

The X2 is a camera. How it's used is up to the person using it.

 

The reason I ask is that I am looking at getting a digital camera as I do not have one (I'm a freak, I know). :D I have always shot film and will continue to do so, but digital does offer certain things that film cameras cannot do, such as changing ISO from shot to shot.

 

If money were no object, I would get the M Monochrom. Unfortunately, money is an object. The X2 is affordable, so I am looking at it. The X Vario is not of interest to me due to the zoom lens; I like the simplicity and smaller size of the X2.

 

My other concern is print quality. I Want a camera that can produce exhibit qualty prints at 11x14 inches and 16x20 inches. I am unsure if the APS-C size sensor is up to that task since I have never worked with a digital camera.

 

A friend preaches to me "Get a Nikon D800 and use your Nikon glass." I hardly use my Nikon kit any more, having fallen hard for my M rangefinder. While the X2 is not a rangefinder, it is more like an M camera than a big bulky D800 is.

 

M cameras fit the way I work these days more than SLRs do. I am hooked on the quality of Leica glass, so I want to stay with Leica gear. That is the main reason for my interest in the X2.

 

I am just concerned about print quality with the X2 at the sizes I need to print.

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X2 was my first digicam (shooting film for 40 years), and the APS-C sensor will produce excellent photos. I often print up to 12x18 on 13x19 paper. If you buy new, Leica toss in a copy of Lightroom for post-processing, and it does everything I need to get decent prints. And LR's also a database, so you can organize your photos pretty well. Post-processing has a learning curve attached. The 35 mm-equivalent lens is a gem, and the focal length suits my style of shooting, it may not be what you want. I use an optical viewfinder slotted into the hot shoe, or the Leica electronic VF -- don't like shooting zombie-style using the screen on the back. Tricking it out with the handgrip is a good idea, much easier to handle.

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earleygallery,

 

I'm not sure what you mean by limitations; can you elaborate a bit?

 

I have been researching the X2 and it sounds like it would be a good choice for the way I shoot. I am a little concerned about autofocus performance in low light, though.

 

The X2 is nearing two years old so I am wondering if there is an X3 lurking just around the corner. Makes me wonder if I should wait to see...

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Carlos,

Why not consider the X-Vario. I shoot with R8 and R9 with DMR backs and therefor am very critical of the resultant image. I bought the X-Vario about two months ago and am very, very pleased with the results from the APS-C sensor. The Vario is more versatile than the X1/2 since it has the zoom lens, which is an excellent performer. I consider the X-Vario a professional camera.

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Carlos,

Why not consider the X-Vario. I shoot with R8 and R9 with DMR backs and therefor am very critical of the resultant image. I bought the X-Vario about two months ago and am very, very pleased with the results from the APS-C sensor. The Vario is more versatile than the X1/2 since it has the zoom lens, which is an excellent performer. I consider the X-Vario a professional camera.

 

I agree ...... the XV is an X2 with a super quality zoom lens ....... OK you can't stick in a pocket, but that is a small price to pay for the added flexibility of 28-70mm.

 

I never considered the X2 or X1 because of the limitation to one focal length .... the XV does not compromise on image quality despite the zoom ..... photos are very comparable to M9 images and should look good at 20x16 and up with no problems.

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Hmmm... Okay, I will also look at the X Vario. It needs the EVF2 to avoid zombie style shooting, but it is worth looking at. The XV will also accept filters (43mm) and/or lens hood, which is good. It's a pisser that the X2 has no lens hood threads.

 

Dammit, why doesn't Leica just make a digital rangefinder with the specs of the X Vario that will accept M lenses? :confused: Those of us who can't fork over $7-8 large for an M240 or an M Monochrom would sure as hell buy one! It could be priced at around $3500-4000USD to avoid cannibalizing M240 and M-M sales.

 

I would think they could sell about a billion of them...

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Hmmm... Okay, I will also look at the X Vario. It needs the EVF2 to avoid zombie style shooting, but it is worth looking at. The XV will also accept filters (43mm) and/or lens hood, which is good. It's a pisser that the X2 has no lens hood threads.

 

The X2 does. Unscrew the collar that holds the lens cap, and screw on a Kiwi hood. The Kiwi hood is also threaded for 49mm filters.

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Dammit, why doesn't Leica just make a digital rangefinder with the specs of the X Vario that will accept M lenses? :confused: Those of us who can't fork over $7-8 large for an M240 or an M Monochrom would sure as hell buy one! It could be priced at around $3500-4000USD to avoid cannibalizing M240 and M-M sales.

 

I would think they could sell about a billion of them...

 

They do! It's called a secondhand M8 or M9.

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The X2 may not be a "serious" camera to those who tend to be concerned about such things, but it can certainly make "serious" images.

 

My X2 isn't "serious" and in fact it looks like a clown. And I'm absolutely fine with the fact that no one might take it "seriously." I've turned it into a little workhorse that's designed to make images. It may be ugly, but it's wholly functional for me and thankfully nobody pays any attention to it. The 'blob' is a 'grip' made from silicone caulk. Unfortunately the optional and overpriced Leica grip requires taking it off every time you access the battery and SD card. But the camera is not very ergonomic without some sort of grip.

 

I have a 35mm Summilux glued to my M4 these days and so the 35 focal length of the X2 is fine by me. I'm personally not a big lens changer in the field as I like the freedom of having less stuff with me. I also don't like zoom lenses and don't own any myself. I don't know how to use them very well (they make me pause all the time.)

 

The lens of the X2 is really quite good. And I believe the sensor is a Sony 'standard' 16MP APS-C. Don't be concerned about printing large, it's not an issue. Depending on subject matter and the type of print (and type of paper, etc.) you will be printing a lot larger than you would normally print from 35mm film anyway.

 

As Chuck Albertson says above, just get a Kiwi if you want to use filters and a hood (and as I've done.) Plus you have the added benefit of helping to seal out dust because the lens is always advancing and retracting when starting up and shutting down. That seems to be what sucks in the dust into the camera body which can then get on the sensor. Plus you won't need to keep removing the lens cap all the time (a poor original design on the X2.) Anyway, you can easily modify the camera to where it works for you.

 

It's not the fastest kid on the block (use a DSLR if you want real speed and an OVF) and it doesn't have a lot of extra features like the Sonys and Fujis. Plus there are some oddball operational design quirks to it. But it has a great lens and is very minimalist in its operation (if you like that sort of thing.) And none of the quirks are deal breakers (at least not for me.) Otherwise it's an overpriced 16MP APS-C single focal length camera and which does have a lot of competition in that market. You probably should compare with what else is out there and determine what suits you best. But don't worry about the files and their potential print quality, they're perfectly fine (I wouldn't use one if that wasn't the case; and I also use the D800E.)

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earleygallery,

 

I'm not sure what you mean by limitations; can you elaborate a bit?

 

 

Others have responded to this but just to clarify, yes I mean the fixed lens, lack of a viewfinder, clumsy tube adaptor to use a hood or filter, 'slow' AF.

 

If you can live with/work around these issues then you can benefit from the excellent image quality it's capable of.

 

I really wish they'd made the X1/2 with an optical viewfinder (built in) a fixed mounted lens with a normal filter thread, and focus and aperture rings on the lens barrel.

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It is the unfortunate lack of built in VF (optical or electronic) that has primarily limited my interest in what are otherwise excellent Leica compacts (including the XVario which is otherwise an outstanding camera).

 

I cannot compose a photograph Zombie style (especially now I'm at to an age where I need reading glasses). Also, I don't want to have to use an external optical or electronic VF in a compact camera.

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Calarts99's photo of his X2 demonstrates the point very well.

 

Design a compact camera lacking in some basic features, but have them as 'options' instead. Add those features (lens hood/filter adaptor & viewfinder) and you no longer have a compact camera.

 

You now have a camera that isn't all that much smaller than the smallest DSLR's, and yet is much more limited in what it can do, the worst of both worlds.

 

It's a shame because the lens and sensor are great.

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Calarts99's photo of his X2 demonstrates the point very well.

 

Design a compact camera lacking in some basic features, but have them as 'options' instead. Add those features (lens hood/filter adaptor & viewfinder) and you no longer have a compact camera.

 

You now have a camera that isn't all that much smaller than the smallest DSLR's, and yet is much more limited in what it can do, the worst of both worlds.

 

It's a shame because the lens and sensor are great.

 

I agree, and the optional EVF is a piece of crap. Although it does work and you can at least frame and know that focus is properly locked, etc..

 

I took this camera in on trade when I sold my M9. Otherwise I doubt I would have ever considered it in the first place. However, it does have very good optical quality and the files are quite good. I normally print 17x22, etc. from it. And I also use it for a special purpose only: urban still life subject matter and where speed isn't an issue. But I have now been replacing it with the Merrill DP2 which is even worse in respect to having no finder. There's no EVF option, either. I use an external optical finder for pre-framing only and then a convoluted Hoodman setup with a homemade attachment bracket and loupe for composing off the LCD.

 

But even with all the add-ons I've had to do, they are smaller and lighter than say the D800E (especially with the large AF-S G lenses), and obviously more mobile than with a 4x5 film camera, etc..

 

If the OP really wants a small and quick compact camera, they might consider looking at the Fujis instead. At least those have a viewfinder solution that's more streamlined and better quality.

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