daveleo Posted December 26, 2009 Share #21 Posted December 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) thank you Steve .... that AF speed is just fine for what i shoot, and that is a beautiful little camera !!! i will be checking for you next reports. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 26, 2009 Posted December 26, 2009 Hi daveleo, Take a look here Leica X1 video with AF demo. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TEBnewyork Posted December 26, 2009 Share #22 Posted December 26, 2009 I said this in another forum but will repeat here. I don't think that these focus tests can be used as a gauge to how well the camera focuses. There is a huge contrast difference between the bobble head and the background with those lights. All of the shots (except for the one it didn't lock on) included the high contrast edge of the bobble head in the focus box (there wasn't a shot of just the head without the "edge"). This isn't realistic of many shooting opportunities. The one place it didn't lock focus was on the solid background without contrast in the distance. It is unknown if this is because there wasn't contrast or if the AF macro had something to do with that. In any case if you are using this test to determine that the AF is fast enough for you I think you need to see the AF in a normal situation. I am not bashing the X1 here and actually have one on order. I also own a GF1 and the had the E-P1. I've played a lot with CDAF and can construct situations where it will focus fast (high contrast) and where the cameras can't lock at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 26, 2009 Share #23 Posted December 26, 2009 The video shows average use... nothing wrong with that. People wouldn't be happy with this camera if the AF was the best ever and the ISO 3200 photos were perfect...there would still be something wrong with it because it is a Leica and costs $2000. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
c6gowin Posted December 26, 2009 Share #24 Posted December 26, 2009 ... I've played a lot with CDAF and can construct situations where it will focus fast (high contrast) and where the cameras can't lock at all. Can't disagree with you on this one Terry. As you have said, one can learn the types of situations where the camera will focus fast or not at all. Once, you know how the camera behaves in certain situations you can use it accordingly. The big hope is that the X1 af works acceptably in most situations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted December 26, 2009 Share #25 Posted December 26, 2009 This is sadly a correct statement. nahabedy had the X1 as his symbol and I posted the first (enthusiastic) comment. Later I began to realize that this model is nothing more then a stepping stone into the LEICA system for the ones ready for it. Asking the triple ammount of the street price level at which the DP2 does not find customers, directs either to a 2nd hand M8 with any a 25-28mm lens (buying a high ISO M10 later) or to a M9 with a 35mm. The M5 - CL accountants' nightmare made sure that almost 30 years later a X1 without proper manual focussing or speed will meet the real wolrd. IMO this is unfortunatelly not a Boxter, but a one cylinder Harley Davidson. You've used one extensively? I own the M8 and have played with the files from the x1 and frankly the x1 files are much cleaner with better color. Sorry, but no way would I say the M8 produces better results within confines of the focal length of the X1. I can also say with confidence that the AF speed of the X1 is way faster than the accurate manual focusing of a RF camera. Until the camera is widely distributed and used negative opinions from pundits are worth what they cost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanosu Posted December 26, 2009 Share #26 Posted December 26, 2009 You've used one extensively? I own the M8 and have played with the files from the x1 and frankly the x1 files are much cleaner with better color. Sorry, but no way would I say the M8 produces better results within confines of the focal length of the X1. I can also say with confidence that the AF speed of the X1 is way faster than the accurate manual focusing of a RF camera. Until the camera is widely distributed and used negative opinions from pundits are worth what they cost. I agree. The X1 files are far better than my M8 at ISO 1600 and 3200; also the X1 is faster in AF than I can accurately manual focus with the M8. For really fast work one has to use zone focusing and here the M8 has an advantage with the beautiful distance scale right on all the lenses. For me all this talk about slow AF is a mute point; AF is for slow moving subjects, Zone focusing is for fast moving subjects. A better distance scale on the X1 will go a long way into making it a really nice camera for fast moving subjects in reasonably good light (ISO 3200 performance is a great advantage here). Take care! Furrukh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted December 26, 2009 Author Share #27 Posted December 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The real world test should be trying to shoot a kid at play within two to three meters of this camera............. GUYS...as stated, this was a first look video and in my review I will have 2 or 3 more tests of the AF in a video. I can tell you right now though, the X1 is NOT a camera you want to shoot action with and it is not meant for that. Want a camera to shoot running kids? Get a freaking Nikon D whatever, not a X1, EP-2, etc. I just did a side by side with my E-P2 and both AF at the same exact speed. The GF1 is faster than both though. The X1 is for those who want a compact camera with VERY high IQ. It's not for speed demons, but rather those who do not mind the slower pace (M shooters) of composing and shooting. For those who want to lift and fire like with a super fast DSLR, forget it. This camera will NOT work for you. I am taking my time with this one and should have something up soon including the rest of the AF tests via video. I am also collecting some of the best images I have taken in recent months, so go figure. So, for now.. X1 = Action camera? Nope! X1 = best IQ in the compact class? YES, no question. X1 = slow as a turtle AF? Slow-ish, yes. But more like E-P1 and E-P2 AF speed, (and Terry, even in low light, low contrast situations) X1 = Better than M8 with a 24 Elmarit? Answer in my review...soon. X1 = Expensive? Yes it is. Thanks for the comments! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted December 26, 2009 Share #28 Posted December 26, 2009 Thanks ................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuno Cruces Posted December 26, 2009 Share #29 Posted December 26, 2009 People wouldn't be happy with this camera if the AF was the best ever and the ISO 3200 photos were perfect...there would still be something wrong with it because it is a Leica and costs $2000. I really want to like this camera, maybe because it is a gorgeous Leica that costs just €1500. Despite the emotional response though, it troubles me that the camera has a smaller, lower resolution screen than the D-Lux 4 that I already own. And it saddens me that Leica would put out a camera with flawed manual focus (the lens stops down uncontrollably during focus, according to dpreview). I really hope some of these issues can be sorted out through firmware updates and in future models, but voicing our concerns is more often than not part of what gets them fixed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglasco Posted December 27, 2009 Share #30 Posted December 27, 2009 It should not matter that the X1 has a lower resolution screen than the D-Lux 4, its just a preview screen. it is the final in camera image that counts. how many times have you taken pictures with the D-Lux 4 looked at the screen and they are nice and bright, then when you look at them on the computer they are nowhere near as good as they were on the preview screen, that as been one of the issues on the forum with the D-Lux 4. I have the D-Lux 4 and it is a cool camera but I will get the X1 for its image quality and I think having a fixed lens will take me back a few years too when I used to enjoy my photography and not worry about all the gimmicks that seem to be on cameras lately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiOnara Posted December 27, 2009 Share #31 Posted December 27, 2009 X1 = Better than M8 with a 24 Elmarit? Answer in my review...soon. Ur such a tease!!! Look forward to your findings Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuno Cruces Posted December 27, 2009 Share #32 Posted December 27, 2009 (...) Oh, come on. The screen in a live view camera is not a gimmick: it is a manual focus aid. Having a prime instead of a zoom is easily justifiable: a prime can be much better than any similarly sized zoom. How is the smaller, lower resolution screen of the Leica X1 any better than the one on the Leica D-Lux 4? Or is it really better not to even have a nice, bright screen, as that might get your hopes a little too high when previewing photos? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted December 27, 2009 Share #33 Posted December 27, 2009 GUYS...as stated, this was a first look video and in my review I will have 2 or 3 more tests of the AF in a video. I can tell you right now though, the X1 is NOT a camera you want to shoot action with and it is not meant for that. Want a camera to shoot running kids? Get a freaking Nikon D whatever, not a X1, EP-2, etc. I just did a side by side with my E-P2 and both AF at the same exact speed. The GF1 is faster than both though. The X1 is for those who want a compact camera with VERY high IQ. It's not for speed demons, but rather those who do not mind the slower pace (M shooters) of composing and shooting. For those who want to lift and fire like with a super fast DSLR, forget it. This camera will NOT work for you. I am taking my time with this one and should have something up soon including the rest of the AF tests via video. I am also collecting some of the best images I have taken in recent months, so go figure. So, for now.. X1 = Action camera? Nope! X1 = best IQ in the compact class? YES, no question. X1 = slow as a turtle AF? Slow-ish, yes. But more like E-P1 and E-P2 AF speed, (and Terry, even in low light, low contrast situations) X1 = Better than M8 with a 24 Elmarit? Answer in my review...soon. X1 = Expensive? Yes it is. Thanks for the comments! Best IQ is an absolute statement, without having touched the Ricoh GXR:confused:. Up to ISO 400 the DP2 looks like a match, and its AF lock speed and shot to shot time all of a sudden no longer unacceptable? Since the X1's doesn't seem to be faster. Seems that the crowd is much more tolerant with a Leica batched product than a mondane Sigma one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglasco Posted December 27, 2009 Share #34 Posted December 27, 2009 I did not say the X1 screen was better all I am implying is that it will not make much difference to the end result of your photographs. How did everyone cope with less resolution on the earlier digital camera screens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradhusick Posted December 27, 2009 Share #35 Posted December 27, 2009 The X1 should be at least as good as the GF1 in focusing, LCD screen, image quality and every other aspect. It is twice the price of the GF1 with a prime lens. I love Leica products and use them extensively, but it cheats the customer when you don't measure up on similar functions in a similar form factor. I am not asking the X1 to do things that DSLRs do, just be as good as or better than the competition. I am willing to pay extra for the red dot, but not this time. Perhaps they will improve it the next time around, as they did with the M8, M8.2 and finally the M9. "Good enough for my purposes, I know others are better" is not and should not be the guiding principal for Leica or their customers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 27, 2009 Share #36 Posted December 27, 2009 Or is it really better not to even have a nice, bright screen, as that might get your hopes a little too high when previewing photos? I have to admit that the DLUX 4 tricked me with its super bright screen at times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
like_no_other Posted December 27, 2009 Share #37 Posted December 27, 2009 @Steve Thanks for your first AF Video demonstration! It has helped to get an inpression of what the camera can do. This must have made some peoples days. If I may address a wish to you for your next video. Could you try to demonstrate how I can manual focus with the X1? Somewhere I read that manual focussing is not exact. Regarding X1-AF: I would like to use the camera like I used a film point and shoot compact camera: frame with the optical viewfinder and rely on the camera that it finds the corrrect distance. This worked perfect with small Olympus film cameras a lot of years ago and should work as well with the modern X1. Regarding video shooting: I got a bit seasick in your first video.You moved and turned the camera a lot around while talking about different things. Maybe you could synchronize that a bit in your second video? Thanks a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Mitchum Posted December 28, 2009 Share #38 Posted December 28, 2009 I really hope some of these issues can be sorted out through firmware updates and in future models, but voicing our concerns is more often than not part of what gets them fixed. Exactly. People are doing themselves and others a disservice when they defend its faults because then Leica has no incentive to fix them in the future. There is too much blind loyalty. If you want Leica to continue making high quality products then you will criticize them when they fail to get things right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiOnara Posted December 28, 2009 Share #39 Posted December 28, 2009 Ever get the feeling of going round and round in circles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappde Posted December 28, 2009 Share #40 Posted December 28, 2009 Ever get the feeling of going round and round in circles Yeah. It is dizzying. Wasn't this thread about a quick demonstration about the X1 autofocus? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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