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Is an original X1 still worth buying?


johntech

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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  Is it worth buying an original X1 camera now that 2nd hand prices are quite reasonable or is the camera simply too outdated?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

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Limited budget means you need to look at older, outdated, simple fact of life.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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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A Lighthearted Fav"...

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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 :))

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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.

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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.

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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

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