Dan States Posted March 31, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 31, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I spent a few hours walking the streets of Chicago today trying out the new firmware in daylight conditions. Leica had mentioned improved AF performance in low light as almost a secondary change to the MF function updates, so I expected little to no difference in street shooting. Instead I found a dramatically better level of responsiveness in all daylight conditions. The X1 was always capable of fast auto focus, but the conditions had to be 'just right'...bright light, still subject with decent contrast....In those cases the lens would rack pretty quickly...trouble was those situations were often far between when street shooting. Today I shot primarily at F2.8 or in Aperture priority at a shutter speed that would demand full aperture. In nearly all of my 140 or so shots the focus action was not just acceptable, but actually FAST. The camera seems to be able to rack focus at full speed in nearly all outdoor scenarios. Shadows and backlit motifs were no problem, and moving objects like people buzzing by on bicycles were a fast lock and shoot. In nearly all cases I found the AF to be as fast as my LX5...which I consider pretty darned quick. The camera has gone from what I would call logy to pretty snappy. I'm wondering why Leica has downplayed the daylight AF improvements so far? Best wishes Dan PS, a few results from todays shooting are on my flickr page linked below. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 31, 2011 Posted March 31, 2011 Hi Dan States, Take a look here Comments on Auto Focus performance with V2 firmware. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest stnami Posted March 31, 2011 Share #2 Posted March 31, 2011 This will put a smile on many a dial Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick parker Posted March 31, 2011 Share #3 Posted March 31, 2011 Is it any faster when it's on 1 point H mode? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted April 1, 2011 Yes, and thats not what I had found in the first version. With V1 I honestly could not see any advantage to the high speed mode...now you can see and feel the difference when you shift between options...particularly in moderate light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinglj Posted April 1, 2011 Share #5 Posted April 1, 2011 I endorse Dan's comments . The autofocus performance in all light conditions is much better . It transforms the camera for me . It is odd that Leica appear to have underplayed the level of improvement . On the other hand I really can't see the improvement in the JPEG quality . I have compared some V1 and V2 test shots and they appear identical . shinglj The Rolling Road Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted April 1, 2011 Share #6 Posted April 1, 2011 Guys all this improvement seems like too good to be true. Can someone go out and take pictures of subjects at f/2.8? *take pics at close range: 1...5 m I would have guessed that they sacrificed a small accuracy in focus for such fast response. Would be good to have an V.1 to make the tests. But I also guess that for Leica to decide to implement this, it means that everything is within acceptable limits. Amazing nevertheless Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nippa Posted April 1, 2011 Share #7 Posted April 1, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) The improvement I find is in taking successive shots. Once the camera is set at an approximate range it can then focus quickly on new objects but the time taken to refocus from say 2 feet to infinity is still as long as ever. At least that's my experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightwrangler Posted April 1, 2011 Share #8 Posted April 1, 2011 Same experience and opinion here. It looks like Leica has changed the algorithms of the focus logic. It just locks really fast between shots when focus difference is not too huge and contrast is sufficient. The hunting is way less. This leads to a considerable acceleration in everyday use, but it also explains the different perceptions. It depends a lot under what circumstances, light condition and pre-focus situation the AF is used. Anyway - at least for me - it is a huge improvement, although i must admit i was never one of those complaining too much about the AF before the firmware update. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted April 1, 2011 Share #9 Posted April 1, 2011 Same experience and opinion here. It looks like Leica has changed the algorithms of the focus logic. It just locks really fast between shots when focus difference is not too huge and contrast is sufficient. The hunting is way less. This leads to a considerable acceleration in everyday use, but it also explains the different perceptions. It depends a lot under what circumstances, light condition and pre-focus situation the AF is used. Comparing this to the description of the original AF implementation in this old thread, it appears to be just an extension/improvement of Leica’s original algorithm rather than some radical departure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peekpt Posted April 1, 2011 Share #10 Posted April 1, 2011 It's faster than before, but still slow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted April 1, 2011 Share #11 Posted April 1, 2011 Wow, just learned something. After downloading V2 I did not bother trying different AF settings, since there was no real difference in speed with V1. Thanks to Dan's thread I just tried different AF settings under good light conditions and can only confirm his observations. Set to 1 point h AF is quite fast, an can be even snappy (contrasty conditions). And spot AF is improved as well, but seems to deliver enhanced AF speed a little less reliably then the 1 point h setting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycioni Posted April 1, 2011 Share #12 Posted April 1, 2011 I agree with Dan as well. My experience so far is the X1 AF V.2 has improved over V.1. I was surprised because Leica has not made a point of this improvement. Albeit my experience like Dan and others has been in relatively good light - with good contrast, etc. The camera has a snappy feel to it in general operation, that said one would have to have two X1 side by side one with V.1 and the V.2 to quantify the difference, but why bother - I am enjoying the X1 just a little bit more than before V.2. Cheers, Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiILX1 Posted April 1, 2011 Share #13 Posted April 1, 2011 It is odd that Leica appear to have underplayed the level of improvement . They were probably aware that any claims they make on AF would be taken to task in unfair ways by trolls on this forum (which they link to on their site) so better to surprise. Also, conditions vary so much that it really has to be judged for ones self I suppose. Thanks for posting this Dan. I agree. I'm a lot more confident on the street with the camera now because of the improvement in AF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted April 1, 2011 Share #14 Posted April 1, 2011 I guess I'm a troll. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiILX1 Posted April 1, 2011 Share #15 Posted April 1, 2011 No I didn't say that. I could just see them saying "50% increase!" and there be 20 threads bashing that claim. Better to understate sometimes and surprise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elviskennedy Posted April 1, 2011 Share #16 Posted April 1, 2011 My testing indicates that low light focusing is 10% faster with the new firmware as you can see here; ElvisKennedy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiILX1 Posted April 1, 2011 Share #17 Posted April 1, 2011 Excellent thank you! Plus a 35% increase when subject is at same distance! Great news! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbonedeedo Posted April 1, 2011 Share #18 Posted April 1, 2011 By not touting the performance increase, they are also NOT acknowledging it was ever 'slow' to begin with... If they were to say here's this huge improvement, they'd be implying there was a problem they new about all along Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardcor Posted April 2, 2011 Share #19 Posted April 2, 2011 Excellent thank you! Plus a 35% increase when subject is at same distance! Great news! What attachment do you have on your lens ? it looks differant? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiILX1 Posted April 2, 2011 Share #20 Posted April 2, 2011 I have this adapter 49MM Lens Adapter Tube for Leica X1 X-1 Digital Camera | eBay with this filter set Hoya 49mm Introductory Filter Kit GIK49GB B&H Photo Video and this hood. Aluminum Lens hood For Leica M ( L)M 49mm | eBay It's great when you know you are going out to take photos. Not so great for portability, so I just take them off when I want to pocket my X1. It's a quick screw on / off. Lambda has a similar setup but with the SBLOO instead of my Voigtländer 35mm black brightline and it also looks great! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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