tommm Posted February 25, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 25, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) N00b intro - hi from a quite--a-while lurker. Ex D-Lux3 owner, soon to be X1 owner. I bloody lost the D-Lux3 the night before I left for a week in Havana, Cuba, where I'd planned to take pics. Had to make do with a little panny. The week after my return, Leica announced the X1. With demo pics taken in Havana. No brainer. The D-Lux3 served me well. I've always valued a smaller, discreet camera since I took an SLR and a little Olympus to South Africa in the early 90's, and I saw how a larger, noisier machine can change a photographic situation. When i got back, I worked as an assistant for a pro shooting still life food ads with a large format 10x8 and 5x4 film camera and Hassleblads... so I learnt to use a larger one too...high quality images with precision lighting, settings, composition etc. It's pretty obvious why the idea of owning a Leica camera has grown on me... discreet, high quality, simple, direct control and I love the classic style it has. But the prices were impossible! And film had kinda frustrated me - it's only really worth it if you print yourself and I didn't have the time, so it waned as an activity, and I never prioritised getting it. When digital came along, I played around with a few cheapies, but I was soon looking at the D-Lux3 - affordable-ish, and it took good shots... it had a Leica quality about it, and I've done more photography in the last few years than in the decade before. I get on with digital photography - I get on with shooting from an LCD (a bit like the back of a large format! And you can experiment with angles in social situations), I prefer photoshop to the dark room... it's kinda brought photography back to life for me. But it's always been just a hobby... I want to carry a camera in my pocket, take decent shots of friends, bands, random things I see etc. In my work I have opportunities to take photos of art and theatre, but I don't want to 'be the photographer' in a situation, I want to photograph situations I'm in. I suspect the X1 is the best tool available for me. I've studied the arguments against - the limitations of the X1, the other options... The D-Lux3 autofocus timing was almost always ok for the photos I took, but the quality in lower light limited. I've thought about the fixed lens, and would like to have seen an interchangeable system, but I quite like the challenge of really getting in tune with a camera that has those fixed parameters - it gives you the opportunity to really master it as a medium. I would love an M camera. I'd like to get into using an optical rangefinder... I get the feeling you can stay more involved in the scene with your other eye - bit like LCD shooting. But I can't afford an M9. I've heard the arguments about getting an M2/M2.2, but I can barely afford the X1, never mind the £2K +lens cost of that option. And when (not if) I get an M series, I'd want a full frame camera that uses the lenses as they were intended. The bottom line for me is the quality of the photographs I take. I want to take pics that me, friends and family love. The 4/3 sensor cameras do that, but not as well as the Leica X1. And they're not a Leica - yes, there's a style thing going on here too. The combination of the lens, the sensor, the simplicity of controls, the design and the images I see from others... it's the camera I want next. I love photography and want to do more. So it's my treat to myself. I've even shelled out on a Voigtlander 28/35mm minifinder. Can't wait to get it. The dealer says Leica have been quoting end of Feb... Sunday. I put my deposit down in September! In the meantime, I've been watching slideshows on Flickr - there are two Leica X1 groups there, which is a bit of a duplication of effort... but these are links to the photos the members have uploaded to the pools: LeicaX1 Slideshow | X1Leica Slideshow (can you use html here? would be nice to embed flickr slideshows) Oh... and here are some of the pics I took in Havana with the little Panasonic DMC-FX40 I had to buy at Gatwick the morning after I bloody lost my D-Lux3. I want to go back there with my X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 25, 2010 Posted February 25, 2010 Hi tommm, Take a look here N00b intro... why I'm waiting for an X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stephen.w Posted February 25, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 25, 2010 Great post. I am also waiting for the X1 and my photographic needs/ambitions more or less match your own. I had kind of talked myself out of it and talked myself into saving for a used M8.2, but I'm now I'm not sure. Since my first lens would've been the f2.8 28mm Elmarit anyway, perhaps I should just stick with the X1. The only trouble is that I like doing street work (at the moment just with my baby Canon Ixus 970IS) and need to find a way around the autofocus issue (either practicing with the half-press and anticipating situations better, or zone focusing with the manual focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
damnsharp Posted February 25, 2010 Share #3 Posted February 25, 2010 Thanks for the intro Tommm. I can imagine Stephen the doubt. Have you looked at the images taken by Mark Gay (Money Circus) or Stewart Weir (Images by Stewart Weir) because they make great street photo's with the X1. From my photo experience I allready used the half-press focus way. And now I am going to try and get used to the zone-focussing. Also I registered me with blipfoto to make and publish one picture a day. I desided to go for the X1. Got him yesterday so now testing and "playing" with it and waiting for the VF to arrive. Good luck with your choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbrenner Posted February 25, 2010 Share #4 Posted February 25, 2010 Excellent summary. I started to transition from the SLR world to the compact world when I acquired a Leica D-LUX 3. I thought that it would be my "last" camera (for awhile at least) as I could not at the time see how the technology could get better in such a small package. Then the D-LUX 4 came out. I decided to hold out until the state-of-the-art had reached DSLR-quality with full control in a compact size, and wha-la, out comes the X1. So, time to say goodbye to my professional-level Nikon equipment (it's on eBay even as you read...) to finance acquisition to the X1 and (finally) complete the much-anticipated transition from large, heavy DSLR-world (back-aches, where to put the extra lenses, dealing with people's reactions to such an intimidating system, etc.) to the true DSLR-quality "stealth mode" (X1 fits in a compact belt case, no more carrying around the huge Domke bag, no more back ache, no more "deer-in-the-headlights" reactions from DSLR intimidation factor, camera fits in my "go bag" for trips, and so on). When I started using my D-LUX 3, I immediately noticed that I became much more "invisible" as compared to the DSLR (Nikon F5, D70, D200, D700). Also, the shutter noise difference is incredible - if the X1 is as silent as the D-LUX 3 and has at least comparable shutter lag and autofocus, speed, and is not too much larger and heavier, all will be well. To sum up, the X1 appears to fit exactly what I've been looking for - an easily portable stealth camera to get candid shots in fluid situations WITHOUT affecting the situation but while capturing DSLR-quality images. The only area of uncertainty for me is the finder - lots of positive remarks on the other threads - never having used one, I'm of course intensely curious, but not sure if $350 is a price premium I'm willing to pay (with the D-LUX 3, the shooting process is remove camera from belt case, remove lens cap while turning on camera, snap shot, turn camera off, replace lens cap, put camera back in belt case - no idea how a view finder would fit (or if it would fit) into the process - my hope is that the X1 finishes writing to the memory card before actually powering down as the D-LUX 3 seems to.). The key event that tipped me over the edge from DSLR world to high-end compact world was when I did a serious, unbiased comparison of the images my Nikon system (D700 + 17-35 2.8 / 28-70 2.8 / 80-200 2.8) to the D-LUX 3(!), and yes the Nikon pictures were better, but not *that* much better (100 ISO, good lighting), especially when considering casual photography vs professional. With the IQ of the X1, the decision to fully transition has become a no-brainer (for me, at least). It's a bummer to get rid of all that equipment (I'm sure all of you who have had a bevy of professional lenses understand where I'm coming from) but not having to lug it around is well worth it if I can still get excellent IQ with a *single* piece of lightweight, unobtrusive equipment! To conclude, I think Leica made a bold move with the D-LUX, and the X1 is the natural evolution for a niche market desperately in need of filling. I think the X1 will not only do well, but that, like the D-LUX 3 and 4 before it, the X1 will provide Leica with a hard-to-beat competitive advantage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommm Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted February 25, 2010 Cheers. Yep - it seems that the X1 is a tool that's appealing to people with very specific reasons for thinking it'll be right for them. Carrying around a load of clunky equipment only to see people baulk at your kit when you try to take a decent photo of them is a good reason to go down the compact route, but as you say Michael - it's all been about the quality (of Len, of Sensor). The streetwork/lag issue's interesting - for me, with the D-Lux, I'd always use the half-pressed method, usually because I didn't want the object in focus to necessarily be in the centre of the frame, so playing around with locking the focus on at the right distance before allowing the shot to happen sounds sensible, although you are limited to what happens in the right focal zone - i.e. if the action is somewhere else, you have to refocus. I just wish it'd bloody turn up, thassal! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted February 25, 2010 Share #6 Posted February 25, 2010 And I'll bet those luscious shots of Havana in the X1 brochure had some additional influence in your decision, no? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inunnguaq Posted February 25, 2010 Share #7 Posted February 25, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why are viewfinders so expensive? 2 pieces of glass with air in between, often in a plasticbox,- or am I missing something. cheers inunnguaq Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommm Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted February 25, 2010 @Peterb yeah... as I said in my first paragraph But my commitment to buy has survived 6 months of scouring all the reviews, looking at all the alternatives, looking at every X1 photo I can find online etc. Am still convinced it's the right camera for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappde Posted February 25, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 25, 2010 Why are viewfinders so expensive? 2 pieces of glass with air in between, often in a plasticbox,- or am I missing something.cheers inunnguaq Actually they are more complicated then that. Some are made up from 5-6 elelments. One of the front elements (usually the second), has a concave mirror on its back around the edge, that has to reflect the correct image of the brightline that is etched on one of the innermost lenses. You have to align all these elements in order to heve an accurate finder. Even the older Galileian finders have more than two elements. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted February 25, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2010 Hi Damiaan, I have seen Mark Gay and Stewart Weir's images - they are excellent. I have until the call comes in from my Leica dealer to make my choice I took these street photos in Paris last weekend with my baby Canon P&S. Hopefully the X1 will allow me to do the same kind of work while producing a much higher IQ. 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/113626-n00b-intro-why-im-waiting-for-an-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1239215'>More sharing options...
michaelbrenner Posted February 25, 2010 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2010 The streetwork/lag issue's interesting - for me, with the D-Lux, I'd always use the half-pressed method, usually because I didn't want the object in focus to necessarily be in the centre of the frame, so playing around with locking the focus on at the right distance before allowing the shot to happen sounds sensible, although you are limited to what happens in the right focal zone - i.e. if the action is somewhere else, you have to refocus. I've been experimenting with the zone method with great success on the D-LUX 3 and hope to use the same method on the X1 (the D-LUX 3 has a depth of field indicator on the LCD, and I really hope the X1 firmware is updated so that it too will have this very useful feature). I found getting shots of close-in fluid situations (e.g. my sister and her husband playing with their baby during a Christmas visit) was not feasible using the D-LUX's slow autofocus and so switched to the zone method. Shutterlag is evident but liveable. Hope the X1 shutterlag is less! Also, I'm really looking forward to the low-light capabilities of the X1 as many family candids must be done indoors under spotty lighting conditions without flash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inunnguaq Posted February 25, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 25, 2010 Actually they are more complicated then that. Some are made up from 5-6 elelments. One of the front elements (usually the second), has a concave mirror on its back around the edge, that has to reflect the correct image of the brightline that is etched on one of the innermost lenses. You have to align all these elements in order to heve an accurate finder. Even the older Galileian finders have more than two elements. Thanks a lot for explaining this. inunnguaq Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
damnsharp Posted February 25, 2010 Share #13 Posted February 25, 2010 Michael, I've tested shutterlag with the next site (Shooting Digital : Ed Schwartz : Shutter Release Test) and with pre-focussing the time was below .1 and without pre-focussing the time was .4 Settings AF Macro, Focus 1 Point H Camera not on a tripod but held aprox. 40 cm from my screen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbrenner Posted February 25, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 25, 2010 Michael, I've tested shutterlag with the next site (Shooting Digital : Ed Schwartz : Shutter Release Test) and with pre-focussing the time was below .1 and without pre-focussing the time was .4Settings AF Macro, Focus 1 Point H Camera not on a tripod but held aprox. 40 cm from my screen. Thanks:) I used the web site to time my D-LUX 3 shutterlag: .125 pre-focus, hand; .625 autofocus at 40cm / 16in, tripod, no zoom, .650 autofocus at 37cm / 95in, tripod, no zoom. AF, Focus 1. I took an average of 5 trials (no outliers, it's pretty consistent). The AF Macro was *much* slower on the D-LUX 3 than the X1 so I just used regular AF. Hope that helps anyone else out there thinking of moving from the D-LUX 3 to the X1. Note also, it was a WELL-LIT area. The D-LUX 3 does terrible in AF in low-light, so no point (X1 couldn't possibly be worse...). Of course if you want to compare under low light anyway, I have a light meter... bear in mind I can only go to 1600 ISO, just let me know the lighting type (sorry no studio lights available to me). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbrenner Posted February 25, 2010 Share #15 Posted February 25, 2010 PS - A low-light comparison on AF would need to be done soon as my D-LUX 3 is up for sale on eBay to help fund the purchase of the X1... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappde Posted February 25, 2010 Share #16 Posted February 25, 2010 So it's my treat to myself. I've even shelled out on a Voigtlander 28/35mm minifinder. Can't wait to get it. I have that finder on my X1. It works just great. Nice framing, good bright line and eye relief. Keeps the camera pocketable!! And perfectly fits with the "Leica lines" of the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommm Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share #17 Posted February 26, 2010 I have that finder on my X1. It works just great. Nice framing, good bright line and eye relief. Keeps the camera pocketable!!And perfectly fits with the "Leica lines" of the X1. The photo you posted was one of the reasons I got it. The other viewfinders just seemed too bulky - this one seemed the perfect size for the X1. Plus I quite like the idea of having a little extra space in view, so I can keep an eye on what's happening just outside the frame... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.