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Leica x1 : still works

As this forum is still one I visit often, thought some of you might enjoy this; Yesterday’s News: The Leica X1 Review by Adam Grayson | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS AG

Mit der X1 immer noch ein Vergnügen! Harpa und X1 sind etwa gleich alt. Alle Bilder OOC.

Hello, There is a used Leica X2 in our area selling at US$650, There is a significant wear & tear on the LCD and got a light scuff on the chrome body. I'm wondering if this is a decent or fair price with this condition and if there ways for me to address these cosmetic issues to make it look pristine. Please also advise if it's worth replacing the LCD or just use an EVF and if there is a cost effective way to restore the light scuff on the body? Is there anything I need to watch out or look for when buying a used Leica X2? Appreciate your feedback. Thanks in advance.

Sharing my short article shooting Paris with classic Leica X1: https://www.juliuspictures.com/blog/2020/11/13/exploring-paris-with-leica-x1 I found this little old camera is amazing. I hope you all enjoy it.

Hallo zusammen, da ich mich über meine Neuerwerbung sehr freue, muss ich dies hier kund tun. Ich habe zuletzt etliche Jahre mit einer Leica X1 fotografiert, dann bin ich vor 5 Jahren auf eine M9 umgestiegen. Damit fotografiere ich regelmäßig und es macht mir eine Menge Spaß. Als Erbstück von meinen Eltern (meine Mutter war Fotografin) habe ich eine Leica IIIc (Baujahr 1949) mit einem Summitar (von 1951) 5 cm, 1:2, die sich - damit Objektiv - in einem sehr schönen und voll funktionsfähigen Zustand befindet. Damit habe ich in den letzten Wochen 2 Filme belichtet, um zu sehen, ob ich überhaupt noch analog und jede Automatik fotografieren kann. Es hat funktioniert. Da die Schraubleica nicht wirklich einfach in der Handhabung ist (Sucherfenster und Entfernungsmesser separat) habe ich über die Anschaffung einer M3 oder M2 nachgedacht. Für die M3 spricht, dass Sie über einen besonders großen Fenster verfügt. Für die M2 sprach ihr Aussehen (sehr schlicht - sehr schön) und die Tatsache, dass man mit ihr problemlos ein 35 mm Objektiv nutzen kann. Nun ist es eine M3 - Kauf per Ebay (trotz grundsätzlicher Bedenken) geworden und ich kann meine Leica-Optiken (meistgenutzt: 50 mm) für den Oldtimer nutzen. Ich bin gespannt darauf, sie in der Hand zu halten und den ersten Film zurück zu erhalten. Beste Grüße Dieter M.

Der einsame Mundharmonikaspieler in der Corona-leeren Einkaufsstrasse Leica X1

Taken by my wife when we were drawing back home with the 8 years old Leica x1 which we always have in the car when traveling.

I believe I have found a serious flaw and defect in my Leica X1 that I bought new four months ago. Every image taken of a distance scene, like a vista, has soft focus regardless of ISO, shutter speed or aperture. It's also that way regardless of auto-focus or manual set to infinity. Soft images. Additionally, every image is approximately one stop over exposed. I shoot everything in DNG. Ever since getting my Leica X1, I have found that images require extensive work in Adobe Lightroom. Anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences? This Leica X1 is too much aggravation for a Leica regardless of price.

X1

Here is a wish I have for a Leica X1 "V3 firmware": - pressing 2 seconds the play button activate the play function without powering On the camera, having the lens extended. Advantage: power economy, quick access to pictures, logical: as far as I to see pictures, why should the camera have extended lens. - Square format please - bigger screen loupe in manual focusing. - 50mm rectangular aid on screen with focal lenght in exif Beside that, I am so happy with my X1 !!!!

Since a few years m7 has been my "first" camera. Lenses: 12mm (CV) + 35 cron asph + 50 cron + 75 cv F2,5) . When travelling I was used to have a Nikon FM2 (with 50mm F 1,4) as back up. Reason of this choice was that with the 50mm I can focus up to 30 cm for details. Most of time leaving one camera in hotel an going out with one lens on the camera + 1 lens in the pocket depending on the daily expectations about what to shoot. Sometimes iso 100 in one camera and 400 in the other. Mostly B&W. Last winter I bought my first digital camera and I went for the x1, because of the sensor, OVF and the 35 equivalent lens (35 is the lens I use 70% of times on the m7). Last week I went for a short holiday in south germany and after a long thinking I decided to take with me the m7 (35-50-75) and the x1. Idea was to have a relaxing holiday and taking some pictures, not to make a journey in order to take "the best photo of my life". The idea was to use the m7 with an iso 100 B&W film and the x1 for some family color snaps and for the need of higher iso. Positive points (IMHO) : I appreciated many times the possibility to set the x1 at 800/1.600 iso and shoot in low light situation, which I could not have done with the m7 (100 iso in it). In difficult light situations I could chimp. But what surprised me was the fact that I almost never used the m7 because "easier" just to set to 100 iso the x1 and take pictures. Even if I had the m7 with me all the time! It seems me that having a digital camera beside the film one causes a kind of "laziness" which forces me to work with it. I do not like to go in direction of a film versus digital old annoying story, but I'm just curious if the members here who own both a film M and a digital M are using them in the same occasion. I think in future when holiday is the main point to use just the x1, if I have a serious project in mind to use again the film combo M7+FM2. Any comment about ? thanks and sorry for long post, robert PS: I am not sure if this had to be posted in the x1 forum or in film forum, it seems me here could be of more interest.

Our golden retriever dog likes his comfort during early morning sunshine indoors. (Leica X1)

I am interested in an X-1, but I have some questions. 1- I saw on the web that a version of L'room 3 was announced about December 20, 2011. Is this different from L'room 3, no suffix? Or did I read the date wrong? If there is something new on the block, will the Leica d'load be for this latest version? If the 3.6 moniker is really for the same version as 3, then never mind. I know that not much time has elapsed since then, but if anyone knows, it would be nice. 2- I have a Lumix FZ 35 and have been disappointed in the IQ - noisy at any ISO over 200, and not great even at 100. Is this due to the lens or the sensors? Does anyone have any experience in this? I have read a good deal of praise for the X-1 at higher ISO's, which would make (any necessary) cropping and enlarging more productive even with the fixed focal length of the X-1. And the menus of the Lumix drive me crazy. I find myself not using the camera much. 3- I used to have a IIIg screw mount with a 50mm summicron. I know that processing counts for a lot these days, but how does the IQ of the X-1 compare with the summicron, given that the print processing is reasonably competent? Thanks in advance for any information.

The hotshoe on my X1 is so tight that I practically have to force the Leica finder in each time I want to mount it. Taking it out from the hotshoe is another hassle. It is impossible to mount any of the flashgun that I have to the hotshoe. Does anybody else have the same problem? Any suggestion how I can 'loosen' it a bit? Thanks.

seit ca. 8 Wochen bin ich nun im Besitz der X1 in schwarz. Man muss sich natürlich an die Festbrennweite erst mal gewöhnen. Zum mitnehmen in einer großen Jackentasche ist sie noch geeignet und mit dem auto Objektivdeckel mit den 3 Klappen auch schnell einsatzbereit. Den Adaptertubus für eine Sonnenblende und 49mm Filter habe ich mir als erstes zugelegt.Damit ist sie natürlich nicht mehr Jackentauglich, aber ich nehme den Tubus dann einfach ab. Mit der Bildqualität war ich am Anfang nicht sehr zufrieden (RAW Bilder mit CS5 bearbeitet). Aber bei einem Vergleich mit meiner Pentax K-7 hatte die X1 doch einen kleinen Vorteil. Die Einstellrädchen verstellen sich leider schnell wenn man die X1 in die Tasche steckt. Ansonsten bin ich sehr zufrieden mit der kleinen schwarzen. Heute habe ich mal meinen Pentax Blitz auf die X1 gesteckt und siehe da der geht bis 1/250s hervorragend. TTL geht leider nicht aber bei Blitz stelle eh ich alles von Hand ein. Auch die Funkauslöser für die Pentax sind mit der X1 kompatibel. Da hier sowieso alle Blitze im M-Modus arbeiten kann ich mehrere Blitze zugleich auslösen. Auch hier blitzt alles noch mit 1/250s. Also kann ich meine vorhandenen Blitze für Pentax und Leica X1 nutzen. In der Colorfoto hat die X1 38 Punkte bei ISO 100 in der Bildqualität. Cannon 5D Mark II nur 36,5 und Nikon D300s nur 31,5. Ob das mal stimmt. Habe keine der beiden Kameras aber vielleicht kann ein Leser das bestätigen oder auch nicht.

from a short series about the music of my summer. Shot with a Leica x1. More images here, in my blog. Please feel free to comment.

This is my first post. I love my Leica X1 and took it all over Israel and Jordan this summer with fabulous results. However I am curious as why Israeli Airport security found my X1 and the leather case to be a "Security Threat" when it was scanned at the airport. Has anyone else had this problem? During the standard Israeli interrogation before check-in at the the airport (this is before I left for Israel, with the Israeli security at check-in) they ran my X1, with a lens cap and SD card inserted and the Leica X1 Camera case (the stock Leica dark brown leather case with the form-fitted soft padded interior and neck strap) through a scanner and told me "Your camera is a security risk" then proceeded to use that as an excuse to take me in a private room and strip search me. I gave them the Leica charger and an extra battery in case they needed to do more checks or turn it on. They spent about 30 minutes running the camera through a scanner in the room over and over again, arguing about the image on the screen (the lens cap intrigued them) and kept looking at the leather case, especially where the lens covering protrudes, the padding inside, and muttering in Hebrew. At the end they said they had to ship my $2000 Leica in an envelope and a box, and the leather case had to be shipped in another box, which I could collect in Tel Aviv. Upon my arrival in Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, the two packages arrived about 15 minutes after my luggage on the conveyor belt. I normally NEVER check a camera in my luggage as I have had them stolen before, so I was happy to see the box arrive. They had put everything in tightly wrapped plastic inside a box and an envelope. I noticed they had forgotten to pack the Leica charger and the Leica battery. At this point I just wanted to get out of the airport. Of course I could not find a replacement charger in Israel, at least not in a few days, and have now ordered a new battery and $100.00 charger on my return. I may send Israeli Airport Security a letter, but I doubt I'll get a refund. I was quite surprised and delighted as the single charged battery lasted quite a while during my trip to Israel and Jordan, at least for 200+ shots, which was wonderful. On my way out of the country I packed the leather case in my luggage and kept the camera with me in my carry on and had no extra searches beyond the regular intensive luggage scanning, opening, bomb searches, etc. So the case and camera together may have been the problem? Has anyone had this problem, in particular with the Leica leather case? I think they may have been using this as an excuse to strip search me...I was travelling alone, although I really don't fit the standard terrorist "profile", having a UK background with a USA passport, catholic and with a Scottish last name. Please don't let this become a thread about the necessity for heightened security checks and current political situation. I'm just curious if people have had this problem with the Leica padded leather cases when travelling. For me, this was the first time ever, and I used to travel with an M6. At most they used to ask me take my electronics and camera out of my carry on, but I have never had my camera deemed a "Risk" before. Thanks! And the camera arrived OK. =)

Hallo Zusammen, brauche kurz Euer Know-How. Ich kriege meine X1 i.M. nicht dazu, Aufnahmeserien zu machen. Woran könnte das liegen? Hintergrund: - Hauptschalter steht auf C - Frequenz auf 2 B/s (alternativ auch 3 B/s) - Kein Blitz - Kein DNG (ist auf JPEG extra fein - Alternativ JPEG fein - eingestellt) - Keine Aufnahmen über 1/60er Verschlusszeit - Sonst zu Testzwecken erstmal alles zurück auf "Standard" gestellt Trotzdem macht er immer nur EIN Bild! Bin für jeden Tip dankbar CU TheStig

Ich freue mich sehr seit kurzem Eigentümer einer Leica X1 zu sein. Eine wirklich tolle Kamera. Obwohl ich sehr überzeugt von der Kamera bin, empfinde ich im Rauschverhalten eine auffallende Störung. Um die genannte Störung hervorzuheben, habe ich ein Foto mit folgenden Einstellungen geschossen: ISO 3200 Blende: 2,8 Verschlusszeit: 1/60 Auflösung: 12,2 M Kompression: DNG + JPG Super Fein Film-Voreinstellungen: Standard* Schärfen: Gering Stättigung: Mittelhoch Kontrast: Standard Die JPG und DNG Dateien sind unter folgendem Link zum Download bereit: http://www.volkanbaga.de/downloads_leica.html Im gesamten Bild sind auffallend grell-blaue Punkte zu erkennen. Zudem ist dieses Verhalten im unteren Feld verstärkter zu verzeichnen als oben. Der untere Teil scheint auch heller belichtet worden zu sein. Auch bei ISO 1600, manchmal auch bei 800 kann man dieses "Rauschverhalten" noch erkennen. Bei meiner Suche im Internet nach einem ähnlichen "Rauschverhalten" bei der X1 konnte ich keine Beiträge hierzu finden, bzw. kein Foto mit ähnlicher Charakteristik sichten. Deshalb hoffe ich hier in diesem Forum, Meinungen von X1 Besitzern zu erhalten. Von meiner Canon 450D Spiegelreflexkamera kenne ich diese Art von Rauschen und einen helleren unteren Bereich bei ISO 1600 überhaupt nicht. Deshalb bin ich verunsichert, ob ein Defekt an der Kamera vorliegt. Dass bei diesen ISO-Einstellungen ein starkes Rauschen zu erwarten ist, ist mir klar, aber die strahlend blauen/roten Punkte finde ich unansehnlich. Da ich oft in dunkleren Lichtverhältnissen fotografiere, wäre es frustrierend, wenn ich mich damit abfinden müsste. Ist das Bild-Ergebnis normal oder ist von einem Defekt auszugehen? Vielen Dank! Volkan

I'm planning a trip to the south of France in the Fall and would like to travel lightly. Has anyone used the Leica X1 alone for travel photography and is the fixed focal length a problem? Trying to avoid lugging around my SLR and multiple lenses if possible, but will do so if I need more flexibility. Tough decision.

Hi there, maybe interesting for some of you? YouTube - Leica X1 - Olympus View Finder VF-1

Hi all, I bought a X1 3 days ago and I am liking it A LOT. The IQ is out of this world. I am using Leica's 36mm Viewfinder as I don't like composing on LCD and hope this will help me to save battery by not using the LCD at all. Yesterday it was my first day using this setup and I was able to get 330 shots (DNG+S.Fine Jpgs), 30% than the reported official battery life. Not bad. However, the only caveat that I had was focusing efficiently and accurately on on the subjects. I used the 1 AF Center point as I thought it would be easier to lock focusing and recomposing through the external viewfinder. When I got back home and check the pictures on my 24" screen, I noticed that several of my subjects where OOF to my surprise. Does any of you guys uses an external finder with your X1? If so, is there any best practice or tip regarding focusing precisely you could share with me? Thanks!

I was not sure wether to start this thread in the Post Proc section, but since this was shot exclusively on the Leica X1 I decided to start this here. For an upcoming job I was testing a few lenses and Tripod callibrations on my Nikon D3x. Having shot panoramas before, I am well aware of the pitfalls of some of the newer lenses or the crazy sunex optics. Mostly I resort to shoot panoramas with very simple 35 mm primes, so as the X1 is a rather new adition to my kit, I thought : why not mount this little machine on the Manfrotto nodal head in an attempt to shoot a Panorama with this nifty little gadget. The following Panorama Test : " Shadows of the Attic" was an experiment to see how stitchable the images would be the Leica X1 delivered as I carry this camera around as 35 mm backup as well. The Image was assembled from 14 angles shot horizontally in one row ( ISO 400, 8Sec, F16, Each one Bracketed +-3 EV ), captured at 15° intervals which would roughly give me a third horizontal overlap for the shots. Apart from the very good image quality of the single shots, I was amazed how well the Images from the X1 were processed by various stitching softwares. I mainly use Autodesk Stitcher, but on this occasion also took a leap of faith and attempted an automatic photomerger in CS5. Initially the results seemed to be rather impressive, without much tweaking. However, on closer inspection I discovered a few problematic areas that arent visible on first sight. Question now: Has anyone ever tried panoramas on the X1, and have u come across any significant problems ? to see a higher resolution image of this experiment, please see this lightbox version on my flickr.

Someone requested the details on how I built a macro converter for the X1. My total cost was around $20. I bought the step-up and step-down rings on eBay for $2 each. I also got the Nikon UR-E8 adapter tube on eBay for $8. A tube of epoxy was $5 at Home Depot. I already had a broken Nikkor zoom lens. Nikon wanted $200 just to look at it to see why it wouldn't focus, so I had bought a new lens and thrown this one in a drawer. I dissected it to remove the front element. I did have to dremel off a bracket, but unfortunately I don't have a photo of that. It's incredibly simple. The quality and grind of the element you find to use in yours will affect the sharpness and how close you can focus to your subject. Mine focuses at about 4-6 inches, which is a HUGE improvement over the X1's unassisted macro focus. Hopefully his photo will explain it all. Home Brew Leica X1 Macro Converter by ffacker, on Flickr L1011777 by ffacker, on Flickr