X1 reviewed by Steve Posted

[h00ligan]

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Thanks for the info John, I'll read more.

 

This is the problem with this freaking forum.. it keeps making me want more Leica stuff for which my wallet hates me. I think m8.. the i read and think.. but the m8.2 is soooo much better.. which leads to - just go nuts on the m9....which frankly is a far cry of the grand or so I started with

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[nhabedi]

the lenses are large and heavy with their metal construction

 

Obviously, a sturdy metal construction will always be kind of heavy. However, M lenses really aren't large. In fact, compared to similar prime lenses for SLRs, they are usually quite small - which is one of the benefits of rangefinders.

 

A compact DSLR with a zoom lens that ranges from 28mm to 100mm will weigh far less and be far less bulky than carrying around an M8 and 3 lenses to cover the same range.

 

That's like saying a truck is less bulky than a Porsche because you'd need lots of Porsches to transport the same amount of freight. Apples and oranges.

[Don Helmudo]

Edward, that´s the problem with any forum, the "wanting" (Here´s my advice: stay away from this forum ).

 

The M8 is relatively small compared to standard DSLRs. To give you an impression I just took some Pictures showing a NIKON D300 (my wifes, because I think it´s a monster in terms of dimensons) with a Nikor 18-70mm 1:3,5-4,5, the M8 with the 1,4/35 Summilux and the NIKON D3000 with the Sigma 1,4/30mm.

 

 

 

 

 

I already had the M8 when I bought the D3000. I saw it in a store and was amazed just how small it was and just had to have it. The images with the 1,4/30mm Sigma are great. Of course the pictures taken with the Summilux have more depth and almost look 3D but have to admit the I shot a lot of pics with the M8 that are out of focus. It´s hard in low light conditions to get the focus right having almost no DOF on 1,4. Okay, enough off topic.

 

I pre ordered the X1 and hoping for my dealers call every day since then. Big sensor, great at high ISO and I am sure the it will still focus faster AND more accurate than I can do with my M8. And you can put it in your jackets pockets. You can´t do this with an M8, although it´s smaller than a DSLR.

 

Still the M8 is a true Leica M! I thought of selling it because the Nikon performs similar plus easier focus and so I put it on ebay. I have stopped the auctions because I could not stand the thought of not having it anymore. It is so much fun having complete manual control over everything plus focusing with the range finder and this unique shutter sound that it is just worth having it for this feeling.

 

I want the X1 to take it every were I go if I can´t take the M8 (for work, trips with the kids, going out with frinds etc.) But if you do not mind carrying a Camara which is a little bigger, than you should think about the M8. It is really affordable now. I got mine for 1870,00EUR (2700 USD) last fall and I recently saw one on ebay for 1620,00EUR (2300 USD).

[barjohn]

A lot of users here that have owned or own an M8 used it primarily with the 35 Cron or Lux which is effectively a 45mm lens. The new Ricoh GXR is an effective 50mm and very small and compact with solid build quality and virtually all of the benefits of the X1 without all of the same draw backs.

 

Here is a brief but simple comparison:

1. Same Sony CMOS sensor (according to various sources that claim to know)

2. AF performance appears to be comparable (based on my measurements of the GXR and DPR's measurements of the X1

3. Lens quality appears to be comparable based on manufacturers published specifications, comparing DNGs from both cameras and DPR's published test of the X1

4. Lens construction is better on the GXR in that it is solid metal non-collapsing with built in lens shade (like Leica 50 Cron) and it is slightly faster and a Macro for more flexibility

5. MF on the GXR is superior with both a distance scale and a DOF indicator with more resolution and distance markings and focus on the lens barrel rather than on a dial in the back

6. Much better 3" LCD with 920K resolution versus 2.7" 230K resolution LCD on the X1

7. The flexibility to use an EVF with high resolution with shooting information in the viewfinder or an optical VF if one prefers. X1 only allows an optical VF

8. Snap modes with fixed preset distances for very fast street shooting on GXR, X1 doesn't have this feature

9. Virtually no shutter lag in manual mode with .15sec for GXR (I could not record consistently faster numbers with the GXR between 1/2 press or full press with the camera set to the same values as Sean used) and .219 sec for 1/2 press and .502 sec for a full press on the X1

10. No play lag at all on the GXR for play back and 3 to 5 seconds on the X1 Instant zoom feature on the GXR to preset value

11. Excellent grip and feel with excellent ergonomics with all controls falling readily to hand on the GXR you need the optional hand grip for the X1 according to Steve and Reid's reviews

12. X1 has simpler menu system with dials for aperture and shutter speed the GXR has a more complex menu system but it is also more flexible and tailorable and in manual mode there are two dedicated dials, one for aperture and one for shutter speed and with EVF you can see the values in the viewfinder

13. The X1 will shoot 6 shots in continuous mode to 4 shots with the GXR but the buffer empty time is faster on the GXR

14. Both cameras are whisper quiet with barely audible clicks when the shutter fires

15. Both cameras have bugs in their firmware that need to be fixed and AF performance needs to be improved on both

16. The X1 lens and sensor are fixed with no possibility of improving until a new model is released, the GXR has changeable sensor/lens modules and the camera can easily change characteristics by changing the module to take advantage of advances in sensor technology or when a different lens characteristic is desired (faster, zoom, more compact, different field of view) The GXR can be turned into a small compact P&S by changing to the S10 module

17. The GXR cost less by almost 1/2 (without adding the hand grip to the X1)

18. The X1 is better looking than the GXR (in my opinion) and it has the red dot

19. The X1 has a 35mm field of view and for some people that is important; however that is not to say that a 35mm field of view module might not become available for the GXR in the future. If 50mm or 28mm is your thing well the X1 will never be able to give you that

20. You can get the GXR now, the X1 by Feb 2011?? (actually who knows when)

 

Maybe this will help you with your decision or then again maybe it will make it more difficult.

[nhabedi]

M9 compared to MicroFourThirds cameras (much smaller sensors - green rectangle):

 

 

M9 compared to smallest full-frame dSLRs (same sensor size - blue rectangle above):

 

 

Image source: The Online Photographer: The World's Most Compact Full-Frame Camera

[GFONG]

A lot of cameras are better than Leica in term of specification and functionailities. BUT these cameras could not produce the Leica like photographs.

 

IMHO, when considering Leica X1, we should use our heart not brain..... LOL...

 

My head says no. My heart says go....