stephen.w Posted March 16, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica X1 Photography by Jim Radcliffe One of the camera's detractors on the DPR Leica page took the X1 out shooting this past weekend and changed his opinion (somewhat) on account of some of the camera's strengths - especially its low-light capabilities. His biggest reservation continues to be the X1's fixed focal length, which doesn't really bother me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 16, 2010 Posted March 16, 2010 Hi stephen.w, Take a look here Jim Radcliffe's impressions of the X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted March 16, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 16, 2010 Stephen, thank you for posting the link. Quite a fair and honest report with a fair dollop of subjectivity. That is fair enough, but if a photographer clearly wants a zoom lens he should rule out non-conforming cameras, which Jim Ratcliffe has done. There are times when I need an alternative focal length to the X1's 35mm equivalent focal length. Accordingly I find the X1 is a very good partner with an M8 or others in that illustrious line. Today I was out with the X1 and my M8 with 28-35-50 TriElmar; that combination covers three focal lengths with only the TE28 overlapping with the X1. As the TE28 is the weakest of the three TE focal lengths, the X1 covers that end of the range. Often I need the TE35 (47mm) or TE50 (67mm) which gives me very flexible cover in fair to good conditions. For other situations I can substitute faster primes if necessary. So, although the X1 is a superb little camera for those situations when a bigger kit is not appropriate, it is also a viable partner to any other M camera. In that way, the X1 can become part of a very flexible outfit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFONG Posted March 16, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 16, 2010 Leica X1 Photography by Jim Radcliffe One of the camera's detractors on the DPR Leica page took the X1 out shooting this past weekend and changed his opinion (somewhat) on account of some of the camera's strengths - especially its low-light capabilities. His biggest reservation continues to be the X1's fixed focal length, which doesn't really bother me. Agree. I don't think the fixed focal length really bother the buyers. We all knew about it before making the purchase.decision. I believe most of the buyers do know how to position this camera. If anyone expects to use this camera to shoot sport,quick moving objects, macro and telephone, I think it is unrealistic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpmac55 Posted March 16, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 16, 2010 Honestly, I never saw so much attention given to a camera from folks that just don't like what you get for the money. I couldn't be bothered nor would I ever justify making the time. I mostly peruse Leica or range finder forums because I own Leica cameras. If someone wants to invest in lenses and perhaps with a new format, the X1 isn't for you. Why folks continue to knock the camera for it's simplicity and frankly unrivaled competition goes beyond my sense of reasoning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted March 16, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 16, 2010 .............. but one shouldn't gloss over the shortcomings when it comes to actually take that moving photograph......... hey a spare 2 grand and I would buy it for still life/scenic stuff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_in_dallas Posted March 16, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 16, 2010 Honestly, I never saw so much attention given to a camera from folks that just don't like what you get for the money. I couldn't be bothered nor would I ever justify making the time. I mostly peruse Leica or range finder forums because I own Leica cameras. If someone wants to invest in lenses and perhaps with a new format, the X1 isn't for you. Why folks continue to knock the camera for it's simplicity and frankly unrivaled competition goes beyond my sense of reasoning. I, like you, am a fan of Leica. Have been since the 1960's. When given the chance to use any camera we have even a mild interest in I believe most of us would take that opportunity. I was offered the camera and took the opportunity. You can read specs and stare at numbers all day and those facts and figures will tell you less that one good photo from the camera. That's what I wanted to see as do many others. The X1 is quite marvelous at what it does. The high ISO and lack of noise is the best of any compact camera on the market today. And following your comment about not liking what you get for the money is key to a lot of buying decisions. I would like to have an X1 but not at the current price point. That, of course, is my option, a personal decision. If $2000 meant nothing to me I would have one, it's that simple. I did not knock the X1 in my review. I related my personal experience with it, something entirely different. Personal experiences with camera gear is always something I prefer to read regarding any camera I may have an interest in rather than a review from sites whose entire existance and income is based on camera reviews. I just don't always trust them. How many review sites have you been to that simply post the Leica press release? There are tons of those sites out there. I'll always prefer to get my reviews from a user rather than a review site. I may not always agree with their opinion but I have to consider that their expectations may be different from mine and respect that. The X1 is an excellent camera for what it is. I think we can agree on that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted March 16, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Honestly, I never saw so much attention given to a camera from folks that just don't like what you get for the money. I couldn't be bothered nor would I ever justify making the time. I mostly peruse Leica or range finder forums because I own Leica cameras. I agree. If I don't care about a camera, I don't bother with threads about it. That said, I believe what bothers people about the X1 is what it could have been... meaning it could have had faster autofocus, it could have had a better LCD (ran into that problem today in the bright NYC light), and it could have been cheaper. I can understand why people are upset... it falls short of the camera everyone wanted; a small camera with a good lens and a big sensor that has fast AF (or at least properly implemented MF). Personally, the manual focus scale doesn't bother me as much as the dial used for MF... you have to turn it a billion times to focus... that sucks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpmac55 Posted March 17, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 17, 2010 I own three Leica cameras and a few lenses for my M8. I sold off my Canon DSLR gear and so far am happy with my decision. The X1 isn't perfect, is expensive to me but perhaps not to a very wealthy man. So price is subjective to me. Most X1 bashers, perhaps some folks reading this, jumped on the X1 without even holding one in their hands. They perused the stats, read reviews and hopped from forum to forum spewing how bad the X1 stacks up against other cameras (of which they probably never handled either). Opinions are helpful but some people go beyond being constructive. They take the fun out of buying a new camera. They try to make you feel like an idiot to buy such an expensive camera that doesn't even change lenses. That was a selling point for me so you can image how much I like reading that over and over. How many cameras are in play right now from Leica, Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc.? My initial point is I don't know how or why people visit forums and lock in a camera they may have considered but passed on. That's it. Nothing personal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_in_dallas Posted March 17, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 17, 2010 Opinions are helpful but some people go beyond being constructive. They take the fun out of buying a new camera. They try to make you feel like an idiot to buy such an expensive camera that doesn't even change lenses. That was a selling point for me so you can image how much I like reading that over and over. How many cameras are in play right now from Leica, Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc.? My initial point is I don't know how or why people visit forums and lock in a camera they may have considered but passed on. That's it. Nothing personal. John, I did not take any of your comments personally. I know there are lots of windbags in all of the forums who are highly opinionated about gear they've never touched. I may be guilty myself. I've never let the opinions of others take the fun out of my gear buying or use thereof. My point was that I will always test a camera when given the opportunity. I had doubts about the X1's capabilities from the photos I saw posted online. Many of them could have been taken with just about any camera. It was only after using the X1 under very low light conditions and pushing the ISO that I realized it had a lot to offer in that area. It's still not the camera for me but if money was no object I would certainly buy one. In the areas it excels in it is the leader of the pack. I just can't lock into a fixed focal length lens. Just too limiting for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpmac55 Posted March 17, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 17, 2010 Jim - with your talent, who needs a fancy camera? I on the other hand need all the help I can get. Frankly, I'd much rather read about your technique and game plan when you leave the house with camera bag in tow. Your loyal following is no fluke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted March 17, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 17, 2010 John, I did not take any of your comments personally. I know there are lots of windbags in all of the forums who are highly opinionated about gear they've never touched. I may be guilty myself. I've never let the opinions of others take the fun out of my gear buying or use thereof. My point was that I will always test a camera when given the opportunity. I had doubts about the X1's capabilities from the photos I saw posted online. Many of them could have been taken with just about any camera. It was only after using the X1 under very low light conditions and pushing the ISO that I realized it had a lot to offer in that area. It's still not the camera for me but if money was no object I would certainly buy one. In the areas it excels in it is the leader of the pack. I just can't lock into a fixed focal length lens. Just too limiting for me. Whatever camera you are using you sure get the most out of it...I go back to your site regularly for inspiration. Keep it up! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted March 17, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 17, 2010 I got as far as "I sold my Leica M8 because I found it to be too limiting due to the manual focus and fixed focal length lenses I was using." and decided I have better things to do with my time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted March 17, 2010 Share #13 Posted March 17, 2010 Really liked the pics on the site, but D-Lux 4 pics also look impressive. The ergonomics of the X1 look far superior, which goes to prove Leica got it right first time. I'd be tempted if this camera was ever available in NZ. Looks like everyone in Texas drives a SUV! (much like here). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 17, 2010 Share #14 Posted March 17, 2010 .............. but one shouldn't gloss over the shortcomings when it comes to actually take that moving photograph......... hey a spare 2 grand and I would buy it for still life/scenic stuff Imants, why not buy a movie camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted March 17, 2010 I am with Imants, I would like a camera with the X1's ergonomics and sensor size, but more geared towards street work and moving subjects more generally. Panasonic have thrown down the gauntlet with the GF1, showing other manufacturers that contrast detection autofocus can be quick. I bought the X1 and am happily working my way around its minor foibles, but eagerly look forward to a second generation camera in a few years time, or an offering in this market segment from Canon or Nikon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted March 17, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 17, 2010 After reading Jim Radcliffe's review of the X1 and in particular noting all the the post-work he did (tweaking sharpness, contrast, noise reduction, lens aberration correction etc.) no offense to what Jim was able to bring out of the X1 (which was the best I've seen yet from the camera by the way) I was left with one question. With all the software firepower of the digital age why would anyone need a Leica in the first place? Except for that elusive quality we call Bokeh that contributes highly to the distinct look of Leica images, it seems possible to make ANY image produced by any reasonably made camera utterly spectacular. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappde Posted March 17, 2010 Share #17 Posted March 17, 2010 Oh, crying out loud! What a bunch of whining wusses around here! The X1 is a camera, plain and simple, nothing else. It is what Leica wanted, what Leica thinks the public wants. It costs what it costs and what the public is willing to pay for it. If it won't sell well then it will join a long list of other cameras, cars and so on that did not sell well. Get over with it! Move on! All this Leica could have, should have, why this, not that, is so so lame. This should be about pictures, techniques, places and how the particular camera did it or didn't do it and how to overcame it if it can be and so on. All that BS about Leica in our society, can I use the camera safely in the sewers, and so on makes me throw up. You guys remind me of the waiting room of a proctologist full of nursing home residents after a bed bout of diarrhea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted March 17, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 17, 2010 I love the X1 pappde, but like all cameras, it has its shortcomings. Unfortunately, photographers that hang out on forums like to geek out about gear (me included). If you want to learn technique, the best place to do so is in a classrom or with a good book. Forums tend to be gear orriented. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpmac55 Posted March 18, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 18, 2010 I love the X1 pappde, but like all cameras, it has its shortcomings. Unfortunately, photographers that hang out on forums like to geek out about gear (me included). If you want to learn technique, the best place to do so is in a classrom or with a good book. Forums tend to be gear orriented. I had to think a minute but you're right, most camera forums are about gear. Almost any forum is about gear, even my bicycle ones. Still, there isn't always the harshness present like there is with the X1 although this site is perhaps the most constructive. I'm about to deep six dpreview. A good thread now and again but frankly, not always an old time Leica crowd to learn from. To pappde point though, the rants get old really fast, especially once you pulled the trigger on a camera/X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted March 18, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 18, 2010 After reading Jim Radcliffe's review of the X1 and in particular noting all the the post-work he did (tweaking sharpness, contrast, noise reduction, lens aberration correction etc.) no offense to what Jim was able to bring out of the X1 (which was the best I've seen yet from the camera by the way) I was left with one question. With all the software firepower of the digital age why would anyone need a Leica in the first place? Except for that elusive quality we call Bokeh that contributes highly to the distinct look of Leica images, it seems possible to make ANY image produced by any reasonably made camera utterly spectacular. We could all live off oatmeal and a multi vitamin but I think we'd prefer some variety. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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