johntech Posted April 25, 2016 Share #1 Posted April 25, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello Folks I have been a keen amateur photographer for many years and have owned many film and digital cameras. Ever since the X range started I have been attracted to these models but for someone with a limited budget they are very expensive new. So my question is. Is it worth buying an original X1 camera now that 2nd hand prices are quite reasonable or is the camera simply too outdated? Ant thoughts welcome Best Wishes John Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 25, 2016 Posted April 25, 2016 Hi johntech, Take a look here Is an original X1 still worth buying?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Manoleica Posted April 25, 2016 Share #2 Posted April 25, 2016 Just look at the images in the X1 section.. It's a G R E A T camera... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted April 25, 2016 Share #3 Posted April 25, 2016 Limited budget means you need to look at older, outdated, simple fact of life. Is the X1 worth it? Only you can answer that, but like Len said, it's a great camera, very very under-rated. Try one, you'll be surprised. And like he said, take a look at the images within the X1 section. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted April 25, 2016 Share #4 Posted April 25, 2016 One other point:- buy/purchase from a registered Leica Dealer.. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted April 26, 2016 Share #5 Posted April 26, 2016 I purchased an X1 from a large used equipment dealer about 6 months ago. As you point out, the price was very reasonable. Aside from the fact that the images are great, the control set-up is the best of any small digital camera I have owned. The manual focus feature is not great....but that is about the only negative I can come up with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted April 26, 2016 Share #6 Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) Here is a photo I took yesterday, of my wife cleaning up the garden patch. I used the X1 because, of all my cameras, when convenience of use is a factor, it fits the bill best. The tiff file from the camera is sharper than the image, as posted. In the original file, you can clearly see the wrinkles in her shirt. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited April 26, 2016 by Wayne 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259727-is-an-original-x1-still-worth-buying/?do=findComment&comment=3033459'>More sharing options...
Wayne Posted April 26, 2016 Share #7 Posted April 26, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) One last thing: the feel of camera functions is also superior to any other similar compact camera I have owned. One thing that brings a smile to my face every time it happens is the auto extend and retract of the lens. In other cameras, including the very expensive Nikon A, the lens extension/retraction function sounds and feels like something that just has to fail in short order; with the X1, it is quicker, quieter, and just feels better. You do have to remember to remove the lens cap...but I would rather have a removable cap than the automated curtains included on most compacts. It seems like the curtains are the first thing to get damaged or quit working. I would guess they are about as cheap as they are going to get. If mine failed, and Leica could repair for the same money as I could buy a replacement, I would definitely get it repaired, rather than pitch it and buy another camera. This is the first time I have felt this way about a compact. It is in a different league.....as far as I am concerned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzX Posted April 26, 2016 Share #8 Posted April 26, 2016 I had a X 1 - it was an excellent camera with very good results regarding quality of photos and superb usability. An example of a photo with it - showing the fine details of the construction of an old iron bridge. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259727-is-an-original-x1-still-worth-buying/?do=findComment&comment=3033525'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 26, 2016 Share #9 Posted April 26, 2016 So my question is. Is it worth buying an original X1 camera now that 2nd hand prices are quite reasonable or is the camera simply too outdated? No camera is outdated, unless it's a camera that can't be used due to lack of suitable film or batteries (for a digital), and if it still works, it can still take photos. I sometimes use a Kodak box camera from 1903, it's not outdated yet. With the X1 my advice would be to check carefully for dust on the sensor - if there is any it will mean a trip back to Leica to have the sensor cleaned. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyalf Posted April 26, 2016 Share #10 Posted April 26, 2016 I have both X1 and X2. Imo the X1 is a better camera when it comes to handling. It has a dedicated sel-timer setting, and a AF macro. In terms of IQ the differences are small. X1 is keeping up very well with todays choices, except for speed performance. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntech Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted April 28, 2016 Hello Again Well thank you for all your advice! I passed my local Leica dealer today and there was an X1 for sale! So I bought it! Thats not the end of the story though. When the dealer found the box for the camera I discovered a little black bag in it containing a Leica viewfinder. Which the dealer had not discovered! As I had already bought the camera at that point he had no alternative but to let me have it in with the price of the camera (£399) My lucky day! So tonight I have updated the software that was still version 1. So thats the story so far I will report back when I have had chance to take some photos. Thanks again for the advice John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted April 28, 2016 Share #12 Posted April 28, 2016 Awesome, well done. The finder itself is a nice accessory, and while I haven't used mine much, it's nice to at least have. Turns the camera into a small, lightweight, point and shoot. Manually focus, hyper-focal distance, and then just view and shoot. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted April 28, 2016 Share #13 Posted April 28, 2016 That's a bargain + it's a Leica... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted April 28, 2016 Share #14 Posted April 28, 2016 A Lighthearted Fav"... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259727-is-an-original-x1-still-worth-buying/?do=findComment&comment=3034829'>More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted May 1, 2016 Share #15 Posted May 1, 2016 Congrats on your new-to-you X1. I also have the VF and the grip which I find very useful too. The files are rich, with deep colors and at one moment I had both the X1 and a Fuji X100, sold the Fuji, even though I prefer the Fuji's form factor, the look of the Leica files were always better to my taste in fact they look pretty similar to my M8 pictures. Mine needs to go to Leica for service, the tiny blue piece that holds the battery brokes so I will send it for that and an overall service, I agree it is better to invest some money to keep it in perfect order than paying 500-600 for another one with an unknown past. Oh, and shoot RAW ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 1, 2016 Share #16 Posted May 1, 2016 Rivi, My X1 suffered the same fate, battery clip broke. Leica fixed it for me, free, and quickly. It's the little things like this that make the difference. Gary 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 1, 2016 Share #17 Posted May 1, 2016 Fortunately the camera will work just fine without the battery clip. Btw, the Voigtlander 35 mm finder works just fine as well and looks delightfully retro. voigtlander 35 mm viewfinder 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted May 1, 2016 Share #18 Posted May 1, 2016 Gary, good to know it was a fast fix, do they check your camera too? Jaap, yes it works fine, even though the door seems to get a little pressure from the battery pushing out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivette Posted May 1, 2016 Share #19 Posted May 1, 2016 Fortunately the camera will work just fine without the battery clip. Btw, the Voigtländer 35 mm finder works just fine as well and looks delightfully retro. voigtlander 35 mm viewfinder I used the Voigtländer OVF on the X2 before I got the EVF. It worked quite well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 1, 2016 Share #20 Posted May 1, 2016 Gary, good to know it was a fast fix, do they check your camera too? Jaap, yes it works fine, even though the door seems to get a little pressure from the battery pushing out. Rivi, I didn't ask, and as far as I know they didn't. Mine went from NZ to Oz, a Leica repair facility there. It was arranged via Leica CS though, great service all round, very happy. I'd get it fixed, Jaap is correct the battery door will hold it, but that is the other weak area, and eventually it will wreck that section, so get it sorted soon. Great little camera, very under-rated. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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