What's it with the X Vario colours?

[peterv]

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I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but I couldn't find earlier related topics.

 

I'm wondering what X Vario users think are the reasons for this camera to produce such wonderful colours? Every time I see pictures made with this camera, I'm blown away be the colour separation, the liveliness and the freshness of the colours.

 

I suppose it's the lens? I don't think it's the sensor per se, from what I see in files from other brands using this sensor. I also don't have the impression it's some kind of secret Leica sauce. Heck, my S2 doesn't give me these colours. Also very nice of course, but different, less vibrant. The X Vario colours all seem to explode right off the screen.

 

Here are some examples:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/leicaxvario/

 

I don't think I've ever seen so much consistency in such different photographs. Could any of you lucky X Vario users please enlighten me?

[XVarior]

I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but I couldn't find earlier related topics.

 

I'm wondering what X Vario users think are the reasons for this camera to produce such wonderful colours? Every time I see pictures made with this camera, I'm blown away be the colour separation, the liveliness and the freshness of the colours.

 

I suppose it's the lens? I don't think it's the sensor per se, from what I see in files from other brands using this sensor. I also don't have the impression it's some kind of secret Leica sauce. Heck, my S2 doesn't give me these colours. Also very nice of course, but different, less vibrant. The X Vario colours all seem to explode right off the screen.

 

Here are some examples:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/leicaxvario/

 

I don't think I've ever seen so much consistency in such different photographs. Could any of you lucky X Vario users please enlighten me?

 

I'm one of the guys in charge to run that group Peter and the answer to your question can't be simpler. The camera is a sauce of many elements, lens, sensor, electronics... Thrown together by Leica and given to us as one product called the Leica XVario. The secret of producing vivid stunning images that keeps wowing me is "right exposure" do it right and the result can be stunning. I'll post on that Facebook group one image right now for you that I took today, all I did was exporting it from DNG to JPG in order to be able to post it. I was blown away... Once again.

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[Guytou]

I do not want to be registered on Facebook and I will not be able to see these beautiful photographs…

 

Guy

[peterv]

Guy, if you don't want Facebook, you could do a search on flickr to get an idea of the colours I'm talking about:

 

https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=vario+x

[Guytou]

OK Peter D Lux 2, thank you very much !

 

Guy

[wda]

Peter why not post some examples in this thread? Correct exposure and white balance should yield impeccable quality. Don't just rely on AWB; for many situations I always use a Pantone ColorChecker for perfect results, regardless of conditions.

[peterv]

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Good idea David,

 

here are some examples on Flickr of what I’m talking about. Outstanding individual colours with very precise separation.

 

I chose photos that don’t have heavy PP, that look like they are SOOC jpgs. In these pictures the colours really stand out and come to life in a way that looks very interesting to me. I guess it’s Peter Karbe’s lens design ...

 

The blue:

 

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The yellow:

 

 

The blues and reds:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/maxgor/14747413688/in/photolist-faVKRB-iu5eEg-oBd4xQ-o6ZYtB-otbmif-gYGeNE-mnGGpX-eN7mnr-nCzZhG-jnWrLK-nEqDSb-mpPAhv-mpMxwe-nDVGv4-jnZrAb-mnHyf6-gYH4tt-gYGbWN-f7MS6F-mCLsnj-gYH2PB-eTr3y9-eTr31Y-eTeWxe-eTeSCK-eTr8u5-eTrj2b-eTr721-eTeVLM-f48g6o-eTqNij-eTrkpy-eTraPh-eTeqpD-eTeXF8-eTrjYE-eTeW62-eTrmiE-eTrna9-eTeU5a-f48isY-eTrfWN-eTrhMN-eTr7VQ-eTeEFz-eTeKex-eTeSZi-eTr8nb-eTeDSV-eTeYiK

 

The cyan, which explodes off the screen and looks over exposed but nonetheless …

 

 

The pink/purple and the red hat:

 

 

All colours!

 

 

All colours!

 

 

I don’t like the composition in this one, but look at the copper and orange! The red letters make a 3D effect to my eye.

 

 

Orange!

 

 

The green, the purple and pink, even the blue in the under exposed background looks very much alive:

 

 

More examples here:

 

https://www.flickr.com/search?text=leica%20x%20vario&sort=relevance

[Guytou]

There are also the photographs of the group Leica X Vario :

 

https://www.flickr.com/groups/leica_x_vario/

 

Guy

[wda]

Peter, I think the quality derives from expertly designed lens which Peter Karbe intended to match the best current Leica M prime lenses; plus a skilful sensor and processing match. For much of my everyday work, I carry an XV and X1 in a small bag. My results are so similar in quality from these two cameras that only by reading the metadata can I be sure which model was used. That is commendable consistency.

 

Having said that, the larger sensor of my M9 just shows what incremental improvements in optical clarity can yield. The differences are very small, but just perceptible. I would have thought your S images would follow a similar pattern of likeness. But so much evaluation turns on individual perceptions. I just love the results I obtain from all my Leica kit. I feel that my post-processing skills have improved considerably over time, matched by vast improvements in modern software.

[tom0511]

I believe Leica puts a lot of effort in IQ and color. When Ihad a x100 and a x1 the x1 images just looked better colorwise. i also feel the new T shows very good color, just the right compromise between pop but still natural,

The S color doesnt pop as much but is more subtile IMO. Sometimes you need to approach a more contrasty tone curve if you want the same look.

Many people only look into resolution and noise comparisons and oversee color.

[peterv]

Yes, I think you guys are right about everything you wrote. As for the S, I get wonderful files, no doubt. And I think the S is more biased towards more natural colours, they are indeed a bit more subtle, and of course you can do a lot in post. Nowadays, with good skill, digital camera files can often be made to look great with the right light, subject, exposure, etc. It's just nice to know some do it better (more to one's liking) than others.

 

It's just that I happen to like the X Vario photos/colours a lot and they seem to stand out in a certain way. To my eye, it's the vibrant, fresh looking colours that are being rendered in a way that they are very present, but at the same time not exaggerated.

[XVarior]

Yes, I think you guys are right about everything you wrote. As for the S, I get wonderful files, no doubt. And I think the S is more biased towards more natural colours, they are indeed a bit more subtle, and of course you can do a lot in post. Nowadays, with good skill, digital camera files can often be made to look great with the right light, subject, exposure, etc. It's just nice to know some do it better (more to one's liking) than others.

 

It's just that I happen to like the X Vario photos/colours a lot and they seem to stand out in a certain way. To my eye, it's the vibrant, fresh looking colours that are being rendered in a way that they are very present, but at the same time not exaggerated.

 

Peter those are recents... for you ;-)

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Edited September 12, 2014 by XVarior

[peterv]

Many thanks, XVarior,

 

The colours in grapes are very subtle, beautiful rendering. The first with the neoclassical house reminds me of Dutch painter Carel Willink. Very nice atmosphere.

 

Carel Willink

[XVarior]

Many thanks, XVarior,

 

The colours in grapes are very subtle, beautiful rendering. The first with the neoclassical house reminds me of Dutch painter Carel Willink. Very nice atmosphere.

 

Carel Willink

 

have you seen this review done almost a year ago?

 

Rodrigue Zahr: Leica X Vario Review after 3 delightful months of ownership.

[peterv]

Thanks, nice photos and very informative.

[k_g_wolf ✝]

A great review, Rodrigue, thx for sharing. Your photographs are of an overwhelming quality and rendering.

 

Regards

GEORG

[AndreasB]

have you seen this review done almost a year ago?

 

Rodrigue Zahr: Leica X Vario Review after 3 delightful months of ownership.

 

After selling the Q for their very poor ooc-jpegs (don´t have the time for RAW development and I´m not able to create the same image like ooc-jpeg) I bought a X2 again and I´m happy with it. But after reading this thread and your wonderful review I am thinking about buying a used XVario in addition to the X2 for my next bicycletrip to Iceland!

 

After experience with X1/2/113 I totally agree with your review-update as I couldn´t create a characteristic Leica image from RAW :

UPDATE: After receiving too many emails and messages asking me how some leica XVarior photographers "me included" mange to get images that good and color-rich from the XVario, some ventured to say that they don't even get close using their M or S system.... The answer is Right Exposure. After long experience in shooting and PP works for the magazine, i can tell you that the secret to a good picture, a picture that would preserve the look of the camera system you're using is the right exposure. But we can fix exposure error in post you may ask, ok yes, and with DND / RAW files you can do wonders but then, believe me, the look and characteristics of your Leica are gonna be gone! That however doe snot mean that the corrected image won't be good, it can come out beautiful, but it will lose the fingerprints of the camera that created it. Expose well, and you'll have breathtaking results.

 

So the XVario seems to be perfect for me...

 

Thanks for the review.

[Manoleica]

It is a great camera....

[XVarior]

After selling the Q for their very poor ooc-jpegs (don´t have the time for RAW development and I´m not able to create the same image like ooc-jpeg) I bought a X2 again and I´m happy with it. But after reading this thread and your wonderful review I am thinking about buying a used XVario in addition to the X2 for my next bicycletrip to Iceland!

 

After experience with X1/2/113 I totally agree with your review-update as I couldn´t create a characteristic Leica image from RAW :

UPDATE: After receiving too many emails and messages asking me how some leica XVarior photographers "me included" mange to get images that good and color-rich from the XVario, some ventured to say that they don't even get close using their M or S system.... The answer is Right Exposure. After long experience in shooting and PP works for the magazine, i can tell you that the secret to a good picture, a picture that would preserve the look of the camera system you're using is the right exposure. But we can fix exposure error in post you may ask, ok yes, and with DND / RAW files you can do wonders but then, believe me, the look and characteristics of your Leica are gonna be gone! That however doe snot mean that the corrected image won't be good, it can come out beautiful, but it will lose the fingerprints of the camera that created it. Expose well, and you'll have breathtaking results.

 

So the XVario seems to be perfect for me...

 

Thanks for the review.

Glad to know. I almost sold my XV twice in order to finance other things but I ended up selling something else instead. I just can't let this camera go. It's irreplaceable.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Astropap]

Hi, all.  I'm new to Leica and new to this group.  I just got an X Vario this week.  I love the way it feels in my hand and the sharpness of the lens is amazing.  Just curious as to what in-camera settings you use for film mode, color space, saturation and contrast.  Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

Amy