Peter 40 Posted December 23, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 23, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am in the process of selling all my Olympus equipment to purchase a replacement Leica digital camera. The X1 at first appeared to suit my needs being small with low noise being reported. However, since reading the recent DP review the cameras performance seems to be questionable. I know there isn't a perfect camera and I'm sure the X1 will turn out to be okay for most peoples needs. I have also since found out the X1 is now not going to be available in the UK until mid January so have started looking at alternatives. This brings me to my question, with the advent of the M9 secondhand M8's seem to be a really good buy but I have now experience of them, again there are negative reports online that I'm sure you are all aware of. If you were to remove the price factor from the equation, what would be your choice. A new X1 or the M8 with a 28mm 2.8 lens? The only reason I am moving away from my SLR's and lenses is the fact they get left at home most of the time as they are too much to carry around or take on holiday. I find myself using a pocket point and shoot most of the time. Any comments or advise would be greatly appreciated. Kindest Regards: Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 23, 2009 Posted December 23, 2009 Hi Peter 40, Take a look here M8 or X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
archi4 Posted December 23, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 23, 2009 I have been completely satisfied with no issues on my M8's. I would never hesitate and always choose the M8 - as long as the condition is excellent, and the seller is reputable. Interchangeable lenses and the excellent rangefinder. would always be my choice. regards, and best wishes for the holidays, maurice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 23, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 23, 2009 The X1 is a point-and-shoot type of camera, whilst the M8 is a purist's tool that will throw you back to the basics of photography. If that is your thing it will reward you with a superior photographic experience - but if you want a camera to take images without too much hassle or user input it will be disappointing - so it is really up to you and what you expect of a camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 23, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 23, 2009 The X1 is a point-and-shoot type of camera, whilst the M8 is a purist's tool that will throw you back to the basics of photography. If that is your thing it will reward you with a superior photographic experience - but if you want a camera to take images without too much hassle or user input it will be disappointing - so it is really up to you and what you expect of a camera. The X1 is no more of a point and shoot than the M8 unless auto-focus makes the X1 a P&S. The X1's focus is on the basics as well since it basically has the same dials and menu options as the M8. That said, I was thinking about the X1 as my digital camera when I was using the M2 as my only camera. However, the used prices for an M8 made me decide to go M8. There is nothing like an M. The rangefinder is comfortable and using these cameras is so fun. That said, I am still thinking of an X1 as a second camera. It's cheaper than a second M digital and lens, so... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 23, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 23, 2009 No viewfinder? LCD focussing? Autofocus? Retracting lens? Conceived as full- automatic, but with manual controls as well? The X1 is serious large-sensor point and shoot imo. That is not a negative qualification in my book, btw. The M8 is a rangefinder with mainly manual controls and AE stuck on - quite another animal... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica_m4p Posted December 23, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 23, 2009 Until I got an M8 I found my DSLR kit stayed at home and I used a point and shoot most of the time. Since getting the M8 though it's with me always. If you don't mind not having autofocus, and the slightly bigger/heavier format compared to the point and shoots, I'd suggest the M8. It certainly works for me as my every day, go everywhere, do anything camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocrat Posted December 23, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 23, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was in exactly your situation about a month ago, Peter. I'd firmly decided on an X1 to replace my truck load of Nikon equipment and to help me rediscover the joy of going out and shooting photos. But the more I thought about, the more I thought that I'd be making too many compromises. 1. No optical viewfinder on the X1 - the accessory OVF won't help you focus or meter. 2. You're stuck with 35mm... well that's a great all-round focal length but my own favourite focal length is 50mm. YMMV. At least with the M8 you can ring the changes. (Of course the risk is then that you get back into the vicious circle of acquiring new kit and wanting to take it all with you... though you'll never have as much gubbins with an M8 as you have with a DSLR.) 3. Depreciation - the X1 will depreciate rapidly and its very high asking price makes that hard to swallow, for me. A second-hand M8 plus lenses might cost double the price of an X1 but if you had to sell the system you'd get more of your money back (you might even make a profit!). 4. There's always a premium (and an element of risk) in buying the first generation of a new gadget, whereas if you buy an M8(.2) now you benefit from a relative glut on the second-hand market forcing prices down as the pros and early adopters flock to the M9. 5. The X1 is beautifully compact and that is its great strength; but the M8 plus a couple of lenses is also considerably more compact than an SLR plus lenses. I've found that I'm happy to carry the M8 around with me in a way that I'd long given up with my SLR. The X1 looks to be a great camera and the reviews have if anything made me think it's even more attractive but at the end of the day I think I'd have regretted going for it over the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppolla Posted December 23, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 23, 2009 I am in the same situation right now...but have chosen for M8... Down the road it gives more flexibility as you can change lenses....I am about to sell my Canon equipment and replace with Leica. My vote would be M8. PP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard Posted December 23, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 23, 2009 I find myself using a pocket point and shoot most of the time. Sounds like you have answered your own question here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted December 23, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 23, 2009 M8 - you'll soon get bored with a single lens camera and with an M8 you can access the full range of excellent optics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 23, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 23, 2009 Much as I am attracted to the X1 there is no way I would sell my system kit to buy one. You are talking about selling your DSLR kit; so the logical replacement would be the smaller rangefinder M8 system. Now is a goo time to buy one as those who rush for, or have a need for, the M9 offload their M8s. Good coded secondhand lenses for the M system may pose more problems because new stock is slow to be delivered, and those upgrading to M9 tend to keep their M lenses. So factor in the time element in building an M digital system. Having said that, don't rule out the X1 which many will find as a useful adjunct to the rangefinder systems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailronin Posted December 23, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 23, 2009 X1 is just an expensive point and shoot, without even modest zoom ability. M8 is a better platform. If cost is an issue (isn't it always!) the Panasonic GF-1 is "better" than the X1 because you can change lenses. In fact with a 4/3 to micro 4/3 you can use Leica glass on the Panasonic (ok so it's made in Japan Leica glass but it still meets the QC). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotdot Posted December 25, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 25, 2009 Wow, it looks like many people are in this situation: I just sold my entire Sony DSLR kit for a digital Leica. I would not listen to comments that address the X1 as a point and shoot in a derogatory way. It looks like a excellent product overall. In the end, I went for the M8 as well though. It really came down to the feeling of confidence when using the equipment. I know I was motivated to significantly improve my shooting when using Zeiss glass on the Sony, though it might only be marginally better than Minolta stuff. I just could not mentally get over the fact that frivolous features like "art filters" existed on the m4/3 cameras even if I would not touch them. Kudos to the straightforward design of the X1 on that front. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Morley Posted December 25, 2009 Share #14 Posted December 25, 2009 Go for a M8 and 28mm, and unlike with the X1 you can also always add other lenses later, obviously it will cost you more and you will finish up with a physically larger camera. I can't even understand where Leica are coming from making the X1 as a fixed lens camera. And must ask if its a stop gap measure? And how long before a interchangeable lens X2 comes along? with additional lens options? Whatever I must say I for one regard the X1 as a pointless no brainer! Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jockele Posted December 25, 2009 Share #15 Posted December 25, 2009 X1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole73 Posted December 26, 2009 Share #16 Posted December 26, 2009 I am in the process of selling all my Olympus equipment to purchase a replacement Leica digital camera. The X1 at first appeared to suit my needs being small with low noise being reported. However, since reading the recent DP review the cameras performance seems to be questionable. I know there isn't a perfect camera and I'm sure the X1 will turn out to be okay for most peoples needs. I have also since found out the X1 is now not going to be available in the UK until mid January so have started looking at alternatives. This brings me to my question, with the advent of the M9 secondhand M8's seem to be a really good buy but I have now experience of them, again there are negative reports online that I'm sure you are all aware of. If you were to remove the price factor from the equation, what would be your choice. A new X1 or the M8 with a 28mm 2.8 lens? The only reason I am moving away from my SLR's and lenses is the fact they get left at home most of the time as they are too much to carry around or take on holiday. I find myself using a pocket point and shoot most of the time. Any comments or advise would be greatly appreciated. Kindest Regards: Peter Peter, from a "neutral" point of view the decision between M8 and X1 is simple: the M8 is a system-camera with the highest class of lenses you can buy on the whole market, the X1 is (perhaps) the finest fixed lens camera that will be available on the market. I think the X1 can be a very nice 2nd camera as a companion for perhaps an... M8. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 28, 2009 Share #17 Posted December 28, 2009 I think the X1 can be a very nice 2nd camera as a companion for perhaps an... M8. Robert I agree... though I also think that the X1 can be the only camera for many people. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpmac55 Posted December 29, 2009 Share #18 Posted December 29, 2009 I agree... though I also think that the X1 can be the only camera for many people. I agree. The single lens argument can be somewhat negated if the image quality of the X1 is as good as it looks right now. A little cropping isn't so bad and likely won't affect the final image at all. So yes, there is probably a segment of the camera buying marketplace that will sign up for the best pocketable IQ camera that doesn't require the need to change lenses. To some, that is a major selling point. Heck, it's probably the major reason why anyone will purchase the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 29, 2009 Share #19 Posted December 29, 2009 I prefer using one camera with lens. 35mm is my favorite. That is why the X1 appeals to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted December 29, 2009 Share #20 Posted December 29, 2009 ..one camera one lens..sounds good to me. i've been waiting for my m9 for more than three months now and i'm still waiting so if you'd really like the x1, mid-jan is not so long for you to wait.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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