The Price of Waiting

[markpsf]

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....is reassessment...and indecision.

 

I have an order in for the X1. I have a non-refundable $500 deposit on the camera and I'm 17th on the waiting list at a U.S. Leica dealer.

 

In the last few months I sold my Nikon equipment, focused in on two cameras, my

familiar and very good Panasonic GH1, and a mint quality used M8.2. I'm loving the Leica.

 

So now I'm debating as to whether to stick with the 8.2 and still add on the X1

(eventually.... the Leica production line gods be willing!) as my super lightweight camera or sell the 8.2,

move up to the M9 and use my deposit for a 50mm Leica lens (I have a 28 and 35).

 

I'm not looking for the "right answer" from this forum. There really is none. I guess I'm just unloading some of my internal debating to, hopefully, understanding eyes and ears.

 

Mark

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[SJP]

I would stick in there & wait for the X2, the picture quality looks pretty great (= understatement) and it has the right focal length i.e. effectively 35mm. If I had to get rid of Leica stuff (no reason to admittedly) the last things to go would be the M8 and 28 cron, again effectively 35mm.

 

If I had to choose now the X2 and the M8 would be close contenders, probable winner would be the M8 but still. The M9 is too expensive for me, not that I can't afford one but my brain is resisting. There is a limit to what I find reasonable apparently. M8 is well worth the money, same applies to most of the lenses. X2 is pretty good value as well, nice lens, good performance as far as I can judge, small/portable and most importantly it is good that Leica is going against the grain of "gizmos". Keep it simple is what we want (or should want).

[jsrockit]

Either way you can't go wrong IMHO. To me, the M9 is the ultimate camera. I like rangefinders the best, prefer digital these days, and this is the best camera in that class. If I wasn't such a wimp, I'd buy one. However, having just got back into photography about 6 months ago after a 10-12 year hiatus, I am still a bit thrifty with my camera purchases. If you know you will fully enjoy the M9 and it'll be brought with you most of the time, I say go for it. If not, keep the M8, sell the GH1, and buy the X1.

[markpsf]

Thanks Stephen.

 

I assume you meant X1! If so,an interesting slip!

Some have said they'll wait for the X2.

 

Mark

 

 

QUOTE=SJP;1236302]I would stick in there & wait for the X2, the picture quality looks pretty great (= understatement) and it has the right focal length i.e. effectively 35mm. If I had to get rid of Leica stuff (no reason to admittedly) the last things to go would be the M8 and 28 cron, again effectively 35mm.

 

If I had to choose now the X2 and the M8 would be close contenders, probable winner would be the M8 but still. The M9 is too expensive for me, not that I can't afford one but my brain is resisting. There is a limit to what I find reasonable apparently. M8 is well worth the money, same applies to most of the lenses. X2 is pretty good value as well, nice lens, good performance as far as I can judge, small/portable and most importantly it is good that Leica is going against the grain of "gizmos". Keep it simple is what we want (or should want).

[Dan States]

Leica will be announcing the X2 about the same time the X1 is actually available in the usa. Around 2012.

[Clandrel]

I was also thinking about getting an X1, but decided not to.

 

I don't wanna be in a position where being lazy (the smaller X1 is easier to carry) makes me not use my lovely M8 as much as it deserves to be used.

 

I recommend buying more glass for your M8. It even holds it's value more than the X1 will. Look to the future. You will probably get an M9. And badabim: You have all the glass you need...

 

C

[jpmac55]

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Mark - I shared the same frustration. The wait does this. Lord knows the money could go toward a sweet Leica lens and wiser investment. I often think good lenses are just borrowed gear. You usually get back most of your investment. We're not hobbyist photographers for the money though.

 

My rationale for waiting in line for the X1 hasn't abandoned me:

 

It's image quality rivals DSLR's and can fit in my pocket or briefcase. That's it. Not small like a deck of cards but just large enough to feel good in your hands.

 

No lenses to mess around with or start investing in. I seldom change lenses on my M8, certainly less than I use to change lenses on my Canon 40D. I don't miss the DSLR gear at all.

 

A pocketable camera that takes great shots in dimly lit rooms. Come on.

 

I don't like taking the M8 everywhere, that's why I've owned a Canon G9 and a Leica Dlux4. The X1 replaces those for everyday use. I've held back buying any more lenses for the M8 because I think the X1 will become habit forming. It's already intoxicating and I don't even own one yet.

 

That said, if you do pass on on buying the X1, can I have your spot in line? That's me standing a few places behind you.

[markpsf]

I thought of you when I posted this John.

 

I'm not making any rash decisions so I'll probably keep my place (just one ahead of you I think!)

 

My reasoning is similar tho I know that if I easily had the dough I'd go for the M9 and X1!

 

 

Mark

 

Mark - I shared the same frustration. The wait does this. Lord knows the money could go toward a sweet Leica lens and wiser investment. I often think good lenses are just borrowed gear. You usually get back most of your investment. We're not hobbyist photographers for the money though.

 

My rationale for waiting in line for the X1 hasn't abandoned me:

 

It's image quality rivals DSLR's and can fit in my pocket or briefcase. That's it. Not small like a deck of cards but just large enough to feel good in your hands.

 

No lenses to mess around with or start investing in. I seldom change lenses on my M8, certainly less than I use to change lenses on my Canon 40D. I don't miss the DSLR gear at all.

 

A pocketable camera that takes great shots in dimly lit rooms. Come on.

 

I don't like taking the M8 everywhere, that's why I've owned a Canon G9 and a Leica Dlux4. The X1 replaces those for everyday use. I've held back buying any more lenses for the M8 because I think the X1 will become habit forming. It's already intoxicating and I don't even own one yet.

 

That said, if you do pass on on buying the X1, can I have your spot in line? That's me standing a few places behind you.

[jpmac55]

My reasoning is similar tho I know that if I easily had the dough I'd go for the M9 and X1!

 

 

Mark

 

Mark, I hear you on the dough! I've purposely ignored the M9 because I don't want to go there yet. I'll plot that course down the road.

 

I think my M8 will last longer if the X1 lives up to expectations.

[digitalfx]

I was also thinking about getting an X1, but decided not to.

 

I don't wanna be in a position where being lazy (the smaller X1 is easier to carry) makes me not use my lovely M8 as much as it deserves to be used.

 

I recommend buying more glass for your M8. It even holds it's value more than the X1 will. Look to the future. You will probably get an M9. And badabim: You have all the glass you need...

 

C

 

 

Funny, I just came to the same conclusion. I've had an X1 on pre-order since first announced and I am going to cancel for the same reason. I fear it will make me leave the M8 behind most of the time and I'll regret it. I think I'll use the savings to "justify" the M9.

[jpmac55]

Funny, I just came to the same conclusion. I've had an X1 on pre-order since first announced and I am going to cancel for the same reason. I fear it will make me leave the M8 behind most of the time and I'll regret it. I think I'll use the savings to "justify" the M9.

 

 

Bypassing the X1 and applying the dough toward an M9 follows the line of Mark's original dilemma. How can anyone argue with that? I should probably do the same but the X1 will weigh on my brain until I get one. I know me.

[grober]

I've had an X1 on pre-order since first announced and I am going to cancel for the same reason.

 

Good. Maybe you're the one on the waiting list ahead of me, eh?

 

I should live so long to actually get my long-ordered X1 . . .

 

-g

[markpsf]

One reason I resist canceling is that I have this absurdist image of cancelling and then three days later finding out they just issued great new firmware and made sure the dials were right on all of the cameras, not just some. Of course this absurdist image sets all of this and the delivery sometime around the summer solstice.

 

Mark

[daubsphoto]

Mark--I hear your indecision. I'm not even on a wait list, and these ideas keep running through my mind as well. I could sell one of my M lenses and pay for the X1, but I can't justify getting rid of my Canon DSLR's b/c I use the Canons most often for work.

 

I keep coming back to this question: Do I need a P&S +? Now the M8 is my almost daily carry camera for streets etc., but it makes a shitty P&S for casual shots of friends and family. It's big, you can't hand it across the table to get an image of yourself and whomever, and if it is too dark you're screwed b/c there's no flash. And I never carry a flash for it.

 

So I see the X1 as that camera that can provide superb IQ on "real" photos in a package that will make it an EVERY day carry while also allowing me to not rely on my phone's cam to shoot quick fun images of the non-artistic every day funny things that happen in life.

 

Still....I could just buy something cheap for the P&S....but then I'd have to carry one cam for real images and one camera for fun...or maybe EP1/2 (but they don't have a flash) or......or.....or..... Indecision

 

srd

[Ecaton]

....is reassessment...and indecision.

 

I have an order in for the X1. I have a non-refundable $500 deposit on the camera and I'm 17th on the waiting list at a U.S. Leica dealer.

 

In the last few months I sold my Nikon equipment, focused in on two cameras, my

familiar and very good Panasonic GH1, and a mint quality used M8.2. I'm loving the Leica.

 

So now I'm debating as to whether to stick with the 8.2 and still add on the X1

(eventually.... the Leica production line gods be willing!) as my super lightweight camera or sell the 8.2,

move up to the M9 and use my deposit for a 50mm Leica lens (I have a 28 and 35).

 

I'm not looking for the "right answer" from this forum. There really is none. I guess I'm just unloading some of my internal debating to, hopefully, understanding eyes and ears.

 

Mark

 

Hey, am 1st on a waiting list and for another USD 500 you can have my slot Now the good news: the Euro is in a sorry state and might collapse if the wait for the X1 continues for some time, such that your USD 500 might pay for entire new camera:).