Jump to content

X1 for 24 hours


andym911

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Anybody remembering the D-Lux ? It had a unique design, very good workmanship, came with a nice leather case and was expensive, therefore exclusive. It even had an optical viewfinder.

 

After six months it was technically outdated. I still keep it as a collectors item, because I didn't want to sell it at a high loss.

 

I don't want to bash the X1, but compact cameras have a short life cycle. Even if they are made by Leica. I wanted to buy the X1 as a present for my wife, but she prefers to use the D-Lux 4, because it has zoom and video capabilities. :(

 

It turns out that the X1 is a compact camera with a gorgeous picture quality but a small community of interest. A used M8 is the better investment.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 93
  • Created
  • Last Reply
I have the D-lux4 and the X1, the focusing speed is the same on both cameras

 

In that case, either I wasn't using this particular example correctly (I didn't even see the manual until I got back to the shop), or there is variance between cameras, which I doubt.

 

For street photography, using autofocus, the X1 (that I used) would be pretty useless.

 

However....

 

For static subjects, it's remarkable.

 

1. The lens is fantastic. Sharp enough right from corner to corner. Very little distortion, at all.

2. The AWB is spot on

 

Another example from Thursday. Straight out of the camera, no PS or LR apart from the cropping. ISO 100. f5.6 1/60 AWB

 

1. Full frame

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

2. Top left hand corner

 

 

3. Bottom right hand corner

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Andy for street photography, of the type you tried to illustrate, you would be far better off using an M2, or an M3, or M4, or M5, or M6, or M7, or M8 or or M9, even one of the pre-Ms, depending on your budget. Each is relatively unobtrusive and quiet. I doubt very much that Leica designed the X1 for fast response street photography although for certain scenes in that genre it would probably do quite well.

Link to post
Share on other sites

David

 

I know. I haven't got any intention of buying an X1, but was offered the chance to borrow one for half an hour.

 

But, this is the kind of thing that people WILL be wanting to do with it. The lag makes that all but impossible, which is a crying shame, given the quality of the files it produces.

 

Maybe fw 1.1 will sort it all out?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry, Doug, I have no idea. There was a green cross in the middle of the screen, if that helps :o

 

As I said, I was handed the camera and told to go out and use it. Some time with the manual would have been beneficial, no doubt.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think the X1 will produce great images that are admired by a lot of people. The problems are to do with usage obviously. These problems can be overcome. Expect an X2 that is cheaper and better in all areas except IQ.

I can't imagine Leica selling too many of these but the IQ will attract buyers.

Link to post
Share on other sites

IQ is truly excellent......up there with the M8.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

but your pictures are beautiful! I really like the shots of your children.

 

Ultimately, one is going to have to make a decision whether you can live with the limitation of the camera (autofocus, shutter lag) in trade off for a slightly better IQ quality. It will be interesting to see if there is lot of X1 on ebay in six months time.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Is this ineffective with the X1?

 

Many street photographers don't use AF at all, preferring to have a camera zone focused for

immediate shooting...no focusing time for the camera...

 

I've often worked with a Nikon, zone focused, shooting "blind" from my waist.

 

What kind of success..or failure...have you had with zone focusing the X1 Andy?

 

Thanks.

 

Mark

 

BTW, that's one of the few problems with the Panasonic GF1/GH1, almost impossible to zone focus with the Panny lenses. But with those cameras the AF is s fast that's the preferred way to go.

Link to post
Share on other sites

thanks for the comments on the images..

 

regarding zone focussing I have not used it at all, although its pretty simple to do...just set to MF, pick a distance and off you go.

shot about 50 images this afternoon with the SBLOO viewfinder on it and the EVF switched off..much more fun...hit the focus on all shots with the AF...starting to warm to the little devil actually...files are definitely TOP and similar to the M8 files in post processing...

 

cheers

andy

Link to post
Share on other sites

and a color shot for your reference....

 

andy

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

regarding zone focussing I have not used it at all, although its pretty simple to do...just set to MF, pick a distance and off you go.

shot about 50 images this afternoon with the SBLOO viewfinder on it and the EVF switched off..much more fun...hit the focus on all shots with the AF...starting to warm to the little devil actually...files are definitely TOP and similar to the M8 files in post processing...

 

cheers

andy

 

Hi Andy,

 

this is good and valuable information. I intend to use the X1 the way you described above.

Still waiting for mine, already bought the 36 mm viewfinder.

Thanks for the interesting photo's and comments,

Peter

Link to post
Share on other sites

Mark

 

actually no I don't.....as I already own it for my older cameras I just thought it will do the job.

 

Won't be spending the cash on a new one and I must admit I do love the build-size-clarity of it....bought it about a year ago for a reasonable price...not many of them around I believe.

 

I guess the new one will be lighter though

 

regards

 

andy

Link to post
Share on other sites

...compact cameras have a short life cycle...

 

Any digital cameras, surely? Which makes it hard to justify forking out megabucks for a camera that will devalue like crazy and become obsolete as soon as you buy it .... easier perhaps to justify the X1 over a new M8 or M9?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...