Sean Reid's X1 Part 2 Review is up

[coup de foudre]

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Dear Sean,

 

Is there an embargo on your teleconference you had with LEICA yesterday? There must be interesting issues you disucssed with them. Could you tell us something about their comments on your review and their intentions/possibilities to tweek the shortcomings ?

Best regards

HEXAR

 

hexar,

 

i think Sean is telling us all he is able to and has been very forthcoming with us. i don't believe we have any right to know what Leica thinks of his review -- that really is none of our business.

 

i'm sure he will let us know as soon as anything has been updated and/or fixed. but, please. don't shoot the messenger... he is really trying to make it a better camera for photographers. i understand your impatience as you've been waiting so long for something like this, but there's only so much one man can do.

 

he's been wonderful to share as much as he has, especially when you consider he has other reviews to do (the X1 is not the only camera that has been introduced), work to do, and a life to live.

 

be patient. the camera is not due out for another month or two.

[Guest stnami]

It's downright easy and accurate to hip adjust an M with a 24 or 28 or 35, so no-one sees you put the camera in someone's face.

They see you

 

Jamie nobody on this site is a dedicated street shooter they take some street shots and that's about it. The m8/9 is made to cater for the dedicated specific image/style orientated pro and the camera enthusiast . The X1 is created for sedate experiences take the shot while going out, home environments etc

Most of the street stuff here is people walking by people (Mitch is a repeat offender there). Then we have the sneak up on the destitute/homeless shot, the blurred pretty girl, the back of the head shot and the "I took this while you weren't watching" shot. Lets not kid ourselves

The 50/75 length is more suited to our streets than the 28/35, no longer is it about taking that extra step forward into someone's space but keeping that unwritten distance of personal space. Nine times out of ten you end up with the desired image by thinking not trying to emulate those of the past.

A DSLR with a 50(aka75) is noticed as much as a rangefinder., the reality is that people notice all cameras big or small> The big zoom is more often seen by the onlooker not the subject and then people start to scatter.

I rarely streetshoot maybe about 10 years ago now I prefer to go out and get the shot I need, not a happy accident, a chance shot. So I may walk the streets for days and take a shot or two or even none. The best part about working this way is that one gets to learn how people react to cameras by observing what unfolds, camera phone and P&s cameras seem to get the most "I am annoyed" looks usually because of the physical proximity of the combatants. But no matter this thread is about a camera not what it is used for:rolleyes:

[sean_reid]

Sean, I would like to see that Eggleston movie!

My students probably too.

 

 

Thanks ,

 

 

 

Marko

 

 

Here's a Netflix link. I'm sure it is also available elsewhere too:

 

Netflix: Rent as many movies as you want for only $8.99 a month! Free Trial

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Guest stnami]

i don't believe we have any right to know what Leica thinks of his review -- that really is none of our business

But what Sean says impacts upon his readers, so if he is writing to please one or the other there will be discrepancies.............. none of us are impartial. So it is important to question where the reviewers is coming from and their relationship with the product reviewed.

[sean_reid]

Dear Sean,

 

Is there an embargo on your teleconference you had with LEICA yesterday? There must be interesting issues you disucssed with them. Could you tell us something about their comments on your review and their intentions/possibilities to tweek the shortcomings ?

Best regards

HEXAR

 

It's not an embargo per se but obviously not everything we talked about can be public knowledge right now. I can say that we discussed each of the problems I list in my review and also that Leica's work on the X1 firmware will certainly not end with the introduction of the camera. That's as much as I can say for now.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

Sean I was writing about the days when their style was most eminent, not as individuals. The public no longer tolerates someone sticking a camera in one's face. Sure hop into some nice safe environments,markets, tourist spots, friends etc and all is great but even Mary may get the shits with her image on a web site and will bypass the law in order to have her image removed. Most here will never place themselves is a iffy situation and will keep their distance.

 

Then again this site is about cameras and pixel peeping not photography

 

Yes but you and I (and Wayne once upon a time) sometimes do actually talk about photography. I still work in that style (in public, close to people, etc.) and find that its still quite possible. I imagine it varies according to the city, how one is perceived, etc. You might remember that I once wrote and essay called "Photographing Strangers".

 

Are you finding the situation you describe to be true in Australia? Are your students or are they not interested in that kind of work?

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

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And on the other hand they instantly see the super zoom someone with a dSLR is toting, and which is why hip-shooting with an M is so great, and why Leica may need to rethink the way their manual focus range on the X1 works (I don't know; I haven't seen it; just going by the reviews I've read). I can't believe it's not trivial to set it up for f4 and 8 feet and just shoot.

 

It's downright easy and accurate to hip adjust an M with a 24 or 28 or 35, so no-one sees you put the camera in someone's face.

 

It is easy to set the camera to F/whatever and a certain distance and shoot. The focus scale needs more detail after 2 meters though.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

 

i think Sean is telling us all he is able to and has been very forthcoming with us. i don't believe we have any right to know what Leica thinks of his review -- that really is none of our business.

 

i'm sure he will let us know as soon as anything has been updated and/or fixed. but, please. don't shoot the messenger... he is really trying to make it a better camera for photographers. i understand your impatience as you've been waiting so long for something like this, but there's only so much one man can do.

 

he's been wonderful to share as much as he has, especially when you consider he has other reviews to do (the X1 is not the only camera that has been introduced), work to do, and a life to live.

 

be patient. the camera is not due out for another month or two.

 

Thank you! Thanks so much for describing almost exactly how I feel about this.

 

Between the review and threads like this I think I've covered about as much as I can about the X1. I will, however, be adding a section that talks about AF challenges, in general, with various cameras/sensor sizes. I'll add the comparison (file quality/ISO noise) section to the X1 review but otherwise I also need to finish the GF1 review and get started on the S2.

 

I will indeed let people know if official firmware is introduced for the X1 and report on what improvements it makes.

 

Thanks so much, once again, for a wise and considerate perspective.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

But what Sean says impacts upon his readers, so if he is writing to please one or the other there will be discrepancies.............. none of us are impartial. So it is important to question where the reviewers is coming from and their relationship with the product reviewed.

 

As always, I am writing for my readers. You should know that by now but if you don't I certainly don't have the energy to argue about it. Leica, for what its worth, tends to see my reviews as a "report card" (a phrase from one of their engineers). They know that I will write about strengths and weaknesses as I observe them. An "all negative review" is no more honest than an "all positive review". If a review doesn't look at both strengths and weaknesses it isn't thorough.

 

With any manufacturer, I am willing to follow up my reviews with discussions about how the camera or lens can be improved. Certain manufacturers make a point of following up on this and some do not. I did a lot of work, for example, to get improvements made in the M digital cameras and I've also communicated a lot with a Japanese manufacturer in an effort to improve the functionality of certain cameras they make.

 

It is indeed possible to report honestly on a camera and to then offer the maker suggestions on how that camera could be improved. Photographers benefit from this. I think that approach is constructive and I will continue to follow it.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Guest stnami]

Not just Australia, but Asia is heading the same way. People there are sick of being treated like tourist trophies and as subjects of photogournalist prejudices. The shooting from the hip style has done more harm than good in taking photos of places and the people. Places like Moscow, Ventianne, Kazakhstan etc things can get nasty quickly where as India(a place that is shot to death} is easy but to get a good shot is hard work. South East Asia still has an innocence about it but for how long. It depends on the district and why one shoots but the level of hostility is on the increase.

 

Australia is my backyard so I am never in a hurry here and only shoot when I need an image. Still there is less and less photographers around plenty of happy snappers.

 

Nine out of ten students will never be in a situation to pursue photography as a career or even be exhibition photographers, that is just the nature of the digital age. Most students are more inclined to follow the multimedia line where the still image is part of the whole. These days one teaches film/ darkroom photography as a experience, if Occupational Health and safety officials even allow you.

Most students want THE IMAGE but are also willing to discard it for the next one, point, shoot, look and delete is pretty much the norm. They have been brought up on computers, the web and digital which is very different to the experiences of forum posters here

[Guest stnami]

All I said was that readers have the right to question any reviewer you just happen to be the reviewer on this thread. Not every reader of this thread knows you

[sliversurger]

Sean,

 

Thanks for the updated X1 info with firmware 1.0. Since your suggestion to me about the GF1, I've been reading up quite a bit on it. Can't wait to see what your findings.

 

John

[coup de foudre]

All I said was that readers have the right to question any reviewer you just happen to be the reviewer on this thread. Not every reader of this thread knows you

i said something because sometimes i think people get over-excited and anxious and come across ruder than they mean to be.

 

i completely empathise with hexar's questions, but think his way of phrasing could be a little off-putting, even though he doesn't mean it to be. it's the excitement of being so close, yet so far.

 

i worked for a manufacturer for many years as sales manager... i also did tech support (lovely that, men just love to get that from a woman when it has to do with electronics) and was the one who got all the questions when so many other things were happening with a launch. i also dealt with all the reviewers, etc. so i guess i empathise with Sean as well.

 

sue me.

[sean_reid]

All I said was that readers have the right to question any reviewer you just happen to be the reviewer on this thread. Not every reader of this thread knows you

 

OK

[sean_reid]

Not just Australia, but Asia is heading the same way. People there are sick of being treated like tourist trophies and as subjects of photogournalist prejudices. The shooting from the hip style has done more harm than good in taking photos of places and the people. Places like Moscow, Ventianne, Kazakhstan etc things can get nasty quickly where as India(a place that is shot to death} is easy but to get a good shot is hard work. South East Asia still has an innocence about it but for how long. It depends on the district and why one shoots but the level of hostility is on the increase.

 

Australia is my backyard so I am never in a hurry here and only shoot when I need an image. Still there is less and less photographers around plenty of happy snappers.

 

Nine out of ten students will never be in a situation to pursue photography as a career or even be exhibition photographers, that is just the nature of the digital age. Most students are more inclined to follow the multimedia line where the still image is part of the whole. These days one teaches film/ darkroom photography as a experience, if Occupational Health and safety officials even allow you.

Most students want THE IMAGE but are also willing to discard it for the next one, point, shoot, look and delete is pretty much the norm. They have been brought up on computers, the web and digital which is very different to the experiences of forum posters here

 

It is very different. It must also very depending on the part of the world and the specific photography department but I imagine what you are seeing is happening all over.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Guest stnami]

In some places the photograph still has its esteem place on the mantelpiece,............strangers taking your photo oh no! Take a portrait for me for me ..... yes.

 

.............. then the Polaroid still holds it magic. The next time I am taking a pogo printer along

[Guest malland]

...Most of the street stuff here is people walking by people (Mitch is a repeat offender there).

 

Imants:

 

Actually, most, but by no means all, of my walk-by shots are done because that's one of the things I'm interested in, for reasons that should be clear in you look at my book project. Here are a few of my favorite walk-by shots, for which I don't think I have to apologize:

 

On Black: Bangkok by Mitch Alland [Large]

On Black: Bangkok by Mitch Alland [Large]

On Black: Bangkok by Mitch Alland [Large]

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

Bangkok Hysteria©: Book Project

[Guest stnami]

Who asked you to apologise?......

[Guest malland]

Who asked you to apologise?......

What are offenders supposed to do, that word not having the most positive of connotations?

 

—MItch/Bangkok

Walks in Bangkok (GRD3)

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Guest malland]

...Sure hop into some nice safe environments,markets, tourist spots, friends etc and all is great but even Mary may get the shits with her image on a web site and will bypass the law in order to have her image removed....

Forget about Mary, what about Raylene? I have problems with gratuitous pictures of beggars and street people posted on the web: confronted with this on a forum, I've seen people give the absurd answer of saying that, "I'm showing the problem, showing how it is", although their pictures usually have no redeeming social or artistic context or function.

 

But coming back to Mary and Raylene, posting pictures on the web of people who would not wish to appear there is indeed an issue. Most photographers will say that they would avoid pictures that show make fun of the subject, that the subject is in a public space; but the issue is a lot more complicated than this.

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

Walks in Bangkok (GRD3)