Should I buy an X1 or 2 ?

[johntech]

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Dear All

I should like to ask is there anyone on the forum who has changed from a Fuji X100 to a Leica ( that is to say an X1 or 2.)

Whilst the X100 is a first class camera I have never really liked it. Far too many variables to adjust.

I fancy the idea of the add on optical viewfinder and forgetting all the electronic variations.

In other words mimicking a film camera! Am I right or is it a silly thought!

I welcome your thoughts.

Best wishes from the Yorkshire Dales England John

[gbealnz]

Great idea, I did it too. Bought the X1, and now have the Leica Optical Finder (18707).

Could not be happier.

The X2 is "possibly" better, slightly bigger and newer sensor, but man oh man, the files I get from the older humble X1, very happy.

Plus, the X1 now is small change, they have become quite cheap.

Gary

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[goatsby]

Absolutely go for the X1. I had both and the X1 was hands down my favorite for many reasons. I wrote a short article which is linked below if you want to check it out.

 

https://uninspiredme.wordpress.com/2015/03/07/yesterdays-news-the-leica-x1-review/

 

Hope this helps!

 

AG

[Lee Martin]

The X1 and 2 are both excellent but I'd consider a used but mint condition Sony RX 1 also. You have the option of adding a digital or optical finder, the advantage of full frame and the first class Zeiss lens

[wda]

John, welcome to the forum!

I have owned the X1 since launch and used it constantly. I did not regard the upgrade to X2 worth it for me. They both have the same excellent lens.

 

The OVF is a very worthwhile addition and gives you a bright, if slightly displace, view for framing your shot. At close range use the LCD.

 

I also considered the current Leica X but ruled it out on size and bulk grounds. The X1 remains a superb compact precision camera shorn of frills. It would suit your desire for back to basics.

 

Shoot Raw if possible. Raw files give you so much more data to play with in post-processing. Jpegs discard much data during compression in camera.

 

I am sure you find a good specimen X1 a joy to use. Mine continues to see constant use.

[Douglasco]

Hi John

I just moved some photos from my old computer to my new one. As I was looking through them, I came across some of my favourite photos and they all happen to be taken with my since sold X1. It was a great little camera and I do miss it,

I have just put my xpro 1 one the market with my lenses and I will invest the money in either an X1 or an X vario.

[Trivette]

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I got the X2 because it is a more recent model. The inevitable obsolescence of any digital camera was a deterrent to getting an M, so the X2 will have to do for most of my digital needs, and I couldn't be happier. Even casual snapshots are consistently pleasing.

 

Leica X2, 1/50s, f/3.2, ISO 100

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[2wk]

I would say x1 too. I think 12mp is the sweet spot for that sensor. Plus the design of the camera body is much nicer without the hot shoe hump.

[bernie.lcf]

I have had both X1/X2 and a series for Fuji X100.

 

I think that the X1 sensor is a better match for the Elmarit lens as it does seem to produce slightly more pleasing images and 3D look (which probably is a combination of clarity, per pixel sharpness und contrast?).

However, the X2 is not a bad camera as such and it does have a few advantages:

- better flash mechanics which seems to break on the X1 after a while

- noticeably better screen (clarity) although they have the same resolution - odd, but true

- faster AF and overall camera speed

- EVF, if you must

- of course, more megapixels

 

Personally, I owned the EVF but never really liked it. I did not like it on the Olympus, I sure did not like it on the Leica. While it is not exactly bad, it is (much unlike the excellent Visoflex 020 for the T) nothing to write home about.

 

Since you will be using it with the screen off and just the optical viewfinder (which btw is a really good one), it comes down to whether or not the X1 file size is enough for your purpose and whether or not you notice the difference in AF speed.

 

Compared to the Fujis, you will be happy to hear that the Elmarit, very much in line with Leica's tradition, is a lens that you can safely use at all apertures including wide open.

The Fujinon on the X100 has not changed between X100 (original) and the s and t model. The x100t has upgraded the aperture to 1/3 clicks instead of 1/2 clicks. This lens should be stopped down. At f2.0 it will be... let's be diplomatic... quite dreamy close up.

[wda]

Yes, the Elmarit lens can safely be used wide open without fear of image degradation. That is one of the real strengths of the little camera.

[Guest DrPix]

Even Leica cannot manufacture/design a lens perfectly sharp on widest opening! Maybe only on their most expensive M lenses, I do not know! Two-stops down "rule" applies for all lenses in X-series. Elmarit on X1/X2 starts to be "sharp" at around f/5.6 - depending on distance to the object - and "holds" the sharpness throughout the frame until f/11. All this according to my experience, mind you!

[prk60091]

Even Leica cannot manufacture/design a lens perfectly sharp on widest opening! Maybe only on their most expensive M lenses, I do not know! Two-stops down "rule" applies for all lenses in X-series. Elmarit on X1/X2 starts to be "sharp" at around f/5.6 - depending on distance to the object - and "holds" the sharpness throughout the frame until f/11. All this according to my experience, mind you!

 

 

I must respectfully disagree.

 

I have had the x1 since shortly after launch and shot 1000's of images with it.

 

Like most leica lenses it is spectacular wide open.

[arshute]

John,

 

Looked long and hard at a used X100 and X100s as I already own an X20 and XF1 and like them. I wanted a camera to try out street photography and found a used X1 at a good price and have not been disappointed. It has a few quirks and takes a little getting used to but it is well worth it for the quality of the images and ease of set up and then making alterations all the main buttons you need are on the back. The only downside as people point out is lack of a viewfinder I have just ordered an Olympus VF1 off eBay to see how it goes, but over all I have been very pleased and it has really enthused my love of photography all over agin. Hopefully it should hold its value a bit more than the Fuji as well.

 

Allen.

[bernie.lcf]

The only downside as people point out is lack of a viewfinder I have just ordered an Olympus VF1 off eBay to see how it goes,

 

The VF1 is ok, but the Leica viewfinder for the X1 is dramatically better than the Olympus and well worth the money if that's what you will be relying on.

[wda]

Allen, I am sure the EVF will not work on the X1. There are no contacts for one.

[bernie.lcf]

Allen, I am sure the EVF will not work on the X1. There are no contacts for one.

 

The Olympus VF-1 is an optical viewfinder originally introduced with the Olympus Pen E-P1 camera and to be used with the infamous M.Zuiko 17/2.8 lens.

 

It is popular with Leica X1 users because it is dirt cheap. Apart from being made by Olympus, the matching 17/2.8 lens is rubbish - hence the cheap price and wide availability.

 

However, it is made of plastic, not very bright and not very accurate. It provides a 35mm view whereas the Leica does 36mm.

 

As I said, the Leica version is dramatically better. If you want a cheaper and smaller viewfinder, get a metal (round version) Voigtländer viewfinder instead.

[2wk]

A friend of mine uses the voigtlander viewfinder and it is fantastic on the x1. It's made of brass and, nice and bright.

[jaapv]

But not very accurate for framing....

[prk60091]

OVF is also not very useful for using histogram. I had the leica OVF and sold it weeks later. Basically useless

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[Trivette]

But not very accurate for framing....

An OVF can be convenient (less conspicuous) for street photography or when glare makes it hard to use the monitor. I usually have my 35mm Voigtländer OVF on the X2 in case I happen need it, but, yes, the framing is not accurate.