Sean Reid's X1 Part 2 Review is up

[peterb]

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Hey Sean,

 

Was just re-reading your review (for the umpteenth time http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/images/icons/icon7.gif ) and am curious about the observation of the acentric screws attaching both the shutter speed and aperture dials onto the top deck. Do you suppose it's an attempt to keep moisture out by preventing a direct line to the camera's innards from above?

 

Best,

 

Peter

[sean_reid]

Sean,

 

I don't know of any in APS-C - as you know, most APS-C cameras are historically have been DSLRs that use phase detect, so it hasn't been an issue. But as we get more EVIL cameras, I suspect that some of the big players will do something like that.

 

Regards,

 

Sandy

 

That's my sense of things too. I can see reasons why it might come but I don't believe it exists yet.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

Hey Sean,

 

Was just re-reading your review (for the umpteenth time http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/images/icons/icon7.gif ) and am curious about the observation of the acentric screws attaching both the shutter speed and aperture dials onto the top deck. Do you suppose it's an attempt to keep moisture out by preventing a direct line to the camera's innards from above?

 

Best,

 

Peter

 

Hi Peter,

 

I'm not sure. I suspect the reason may be simpler than that - more likely due to clearances, etc.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

Sony has done this on their mid range dslr. They have a separate sensor for the live view. There are pros and cons, some probably more dependent on the way they've implemented it vs. technical limitations....

 

Sony DSLR-A380 Review: 8. Operation (Live View): Digital Photography Review

 

terry

 

Interesting, I'll try to look at this and the IR link in more detail when I get some time later today. Thanks Terry.

[Jamie Roberts]

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

{snipped}

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:

 

Imants, thanks for the detailed response. It's true that there are few truly dedicated streetshooters around here. I love doing it myself but don't have the time (or, consequently, the dedication).

 

Some of the best shooters I've read about in NY are very "in your face" and make no apology for that whatsoever.

 

I also agree it's better to get shots often with a slightly longer lens, so that's another strike against the X1 maybe. I've successfully done some street work at 50 from the hip; framing is a little trickier though (and not as much crop room, though a full-frame helps a lot there... I was primarily thinking of the M8 when I mentioned 28s and 35s....).

 

Interesting on how your own work has progressed to a more determined shot.

[Jamie Roberts]

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

 

Thanks for the clarification, Sean!

[wda]

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They apparently did know this going in and they chose to use the sensor for file quality reasons even though they knew it would not be an AF speed champ. I'm not aware of any APS-C sensors (to date) that are designed to read out at 60 fps. But I'm not an expert on camera production so I can't be sure of that.

 

IMO: Quite simply, with the X1, Leica chose to accept modest AF speed in order to gain technical file quality. It was a conscious choice in the design, given what was available for sensor options. So the camera focused a lot like a typical small sensor camera but produces output that's quite different from those.

Sean, if your summary is correct (and I have no reason to doubt it), Leica will have produced an ideal camera for many people. Image quality has to be top priority.

[sean_reid]

Thanks for the clarification, Sean!

 

My pleasure.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[hexar]

Dear Sean,

 

I don`t want to push you on any disclosure of the talks you had with LEICA but do you think they can improve in the final version of trhe X1 the distance scale upto 6,8 or 10 metres ? Secondly what alternative would be your take for a 35mm focal length with fast AF. (Does not have to be pocketable)

 

Thanks in advance

HEXAR

[sean_reid]

Dear Sean,

 

I don`t want to push you on any disclosure of the talks you had with LEICA but do you think they can improve in the final version of trhe X1 the distance scale upto 6,8 or 10 metres ? Secondly what alternative would be your take for a 35mm focal length with fast AF. (Does not have to be pocketable)

 

Thanks in advance

HEXAR

 

I've asked them to improve the distance scale. Can they do this in firmware? I believe so.

 

Fast AF with 35 mm lens....is 40 OK too? What else is on the wish list for the camera you're asking for? SLRs considered?

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[hexar]

Ha ha... if only 32 (pentax K7 with 21mm limited) or 40mm (Pana GF1 with 20mm pancake) would be o.k. I would already have settled for that. Unfortunately the 35 mm is exactly the sweet spot for me . Coming from the HEXAR AF I know the ultimate pleasure this length gives me. So sorry I won`t make this an easy one.

DSLR is not a problem but a full frame nikon with a 35mm/f2 is to much over the top for me. (though from a photographical point of view this is my dream.

 

Thanks again for your thoughts. (I will keep stand by for further suggestions)

[hexar]

Dear Sean,

Distance scale till 8 meteres would already be great as this would about comply with the 7.22 metres hyperfocal distance with F4. Agree ?

[sean_reid]

Ha ha... if only 32 (pentax K7 with 21mm limited) or 40mm (Pana GF1 with 20mm pancake) would be o.k. I would already have settled for that. Unfortunately the 35 mm is exactly the sweet spot for me . Coming from the HEXAR AF I know the ultimate pleasure this length gives me. So sorry I won`t make this an easy one.

DSLR is not a problem but a full frame nikon with a 35mm/f2 is to much over the top for me. (though from a photographical point of view this is my dream.

 

Thanks again for your thoughts. (I will keep stand by for further suggestions)

 

Good luck. If you want exactly 35 mm then I think your choices are the X1 or a FF DSLR like a 5D Mk II. 32 mm is quite close...<G>

 

Or the M9...but you wanted AF.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

Dear Sean,

Distance scale till 8 meteres would already be great as this would about comply with the 7.22 metres hyperfocal distance with F4. Agree ?

 

I'm agnostic with respect to hyperfocal ideas generally but I'd be happy with marking through at least 5 meters. 8 would be nice.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[hexar]

I think Sean that the picture becomes more and more clear. The X1 is one of a kind for the time being and we have to live with its shortcomings. BUT distance scale extension in MF, shutter lag issue and something like a digital level would be software issues relatively easy to solve. Go through foto files of people and find 50% at least of not level taken pictures . An electronic level as can be found in a ricoh GR/ GX / GXR , Olympus EP1 and EP2 , Pentax K7 is soooooo helfull here . For the very exclusive price level of the LEICA X1 such feature that is really not a amature help only but a very usefull tool should be included.

Would you be prepared to bring this up towards LEICA in case you sympathize with an electronic level bubble ?

[jsrockit]

Go through foto files of people and find 50% at least of not level taken pictures .

 

What does this mean?

[hexar]

I am agnostic in respect of the LEICA M camera. Sean with wich camera can you focus faster , with a M9 and a 35mm lens or the X1 and AF ?

[hexar]

JSROCKIT this means that the horizon is not level !

[Guest stnami]

Some of the best shooters I've read about in NY are very "in your face" and make no apology for that whatsoever.

and it can bee seen in the faces of the photographed the angst, the mistrust in the eyes the harshness etc all this is very different from the 28/35mm photos from the past that have a sense of freedom and acceptance (this can be even seen in the images of the war photographers of the sixties).

Interesting on how your own work has progressed to a more determined shot.

This is probably because I am starting to shoot at the same level as I did in the days of film. The "I will shoot a few extra.....ah a couple more....ok one more what the heck I will pick the best one" mentality never lead to better photography nor a better experience. I shot less than a fifth this year than in 2006. Shooting 50 or 75 and staying in personal contact is not a drama, I hardly shoot from the hip , the people know I am there. We generally do what is comfortable but not necessary in line with the results we are trying to achieve.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[sean_reid]

I am agnostic in respect of the LEICA M camera. Sean with wich camera can you focus faster , with a M9 and a 35mm lens or the X1 and AF ?

 

I'm not sure but focus has never been a problem for me with RF cameras and I've been using them for a very long time.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean