Feedback from "longtime" users

[Tao]

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Appreciate feedback from anyone who has been shooting the X1 consistently over the last 3+ months; mainly interested in over-all camera build and durability. My number's coming up in the next few weeks, so it's decision time for me. Thanks, in advance.

[peterb]

The X1 is out?

[h00ligan]

Lol! Took the words out of my mouth.

[ezc203]

I think I was one of "commonfolk" to get my hands on the camera and I got it late February. High doubt anyone has had it for 3+ months. Unless....

[Douglasco]

I had my X1 on the 2nd feb and I am very pleased with it so far, I would recommend getting the handgrip for it as this makes a big difference to the feel camera.

[wda]

Mine also arrived on 2 Feb 2010 and none of the initial excitement has subsided. Like Douglas, I would not be without the handgrip nor, in my case, the external viewfinder. Once they arrived it felt like a mini-M8 in my hands!

 

Many see the X1 as a simple compact camera; it is very much more than that. For example, developing the best technique when using the two quoted accessories exercises your understanding of the various auto-focus modes. There is no clear-cut one-solution-fits-all-needs. I can develop this aspect further if needed, but it is fairly obvious when using the complete kit.

 

Auto-focus can appear slow, but for most of my shots it is more than adequate. It is certainly accurate and faster than my M8!

 

Image quality is the critical criterion for me and in this regard it is superb. Results are inseparable from those derived from my M8 while on those rare occasions when Auto ISO introduces high ISOs, the results are much better than from my M8. But, I rarely need high ISOs, so too much should not be made of this advantage.

 

Shorn of its accessories and ERC the X1 is sleek and compact. Kitted for my use it is still a usefully small camera and significantly lighter than my M8 or DSLR kit which still get used. There are many occasions when the weight and compactness of the X1 are paramount.

[jsrockit]

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To the OP , have you read all of the reviews? Have you looked at the threads om this site? There is so much info on this camera if you just look.

[eduardoho]

Where you from??? You must be kidding, right???....The only folks that got 3+ mo's of experience would be in Japan, when X1 was introduced in Jan'10. Got to their website, if you know how to read Chinese then you can read Kanji characters which is used with the same meaning as in Chinese writing, and then you got to guess on the Kana characters which is the Japanese idiomatic writings. I got mine on first week of March, so I don't qualify for what you are expecting. One of the most comprehensive English review of X1 in my opinion, is posted at lensTip.com. Or go to latest edition of LFI. Go there and read them, for I do not want to bore with you with the X1's attributes and/or tech specs.

[Tao]

Thanks to Douglas & WDA for comprehending the simple inquiry.

[phancj]

Think the camera has been on sale for a longer time than that, got mine in Singapore Feb and have been toying with it for 2 months + and really liking it!!

[thomsva]

I have used the X1 almost every day for 2+ months now. My only complaint about build quality is the battery cover. When it's closed the lid isn't 100% straight. The front corner sticks out maybe 0,5mm.

[jsrockit]

Thanks to Douglas & WDA for comprehending the simple inquiry.

 

We all comprehended the inquiry, we just didn't understand your laziness.

[Guest badbob]

Been using X1 for one month. Build is pure Leica. What more could anyone say about that? Durability is another thing. I handle my X1 carefully, which I have to do anyway because of the loose dials, so I won't be stressing the outer parts of the camera like some users. The image quality is the best for this size of camera, but with the fixed lens, you have to learn and practice the shooting style that gets the most from the X1, which means getting closer to some subjects than you would have to with a zoom camera.

[stephen.w]

I have used the X1 almost every day for 2+ months now. My only complaint about build quality is the battery cover. When it's closed the lid isn't 100% straight. The front corner sticks out maybe 0,5mm.

I have found the same thing with mine. It was the reason why I bought the hand grip (which I was initially hesitant to do). Other than that I am very happy with the camera.

[peterb]

Been using X1 for one month. Build is pure Leica. What more could anyone say about that? Durability is another thing. I handle my X1 carefully, which I have to do anyway because of the loose dials, so I won't be stressing the outer parts of the camera like some users.

 

Build is pure Leica?

 

Like an M or an R camera?

 

It has loose dials?

 

And with the questionable durability you have to handle it carefully?

 

Not the Leicas I used to own.

 

The IQ is 'pure Leica' . That I have to say from the various samples I've seen (the better ones anyway).

 

And the X1's IQ is perhaps the ONLY reason anyone would pony up $2k U.S) to buy it.

 

If the camera didn't deliver, this multi-grand puppy would have been DOA (whenever that is).

[jsrockit]

Build is pure Leica?

 

Like an M or an R camera?

 

It has loose dials?

 

 

Not like an M or an R, but it is solid. It's lighter, but not fragile. I use mine without a case and don't baby it. It's even been banged around a bit. The only thing that concerns me is if I hit the lens against something since it is a P&S style retractable lens and those tend to crap out easy if knocked around too much.

 

The dials are not loose as in there is play and they are about to fall off the camera. They are loose in the sense that there is not as much resistance as many would like.

[Infinite]

I have found the same thing with mine. It was the reason why I bought the hand grip (which I was initially hesitant to do). Other than that I am very happy with the camera.

 

Same with mine and found it difficult to open & close. I use the hand grip and never lock the battery cover which will open when removing the hand grip and close when installing it. Anyway I love the camera!

[peterb]

Not like an M or an R, but it is solid. It's lighter, but not fragile. I use mine without a case and don't baby it. It's even been banged around a bit. The only thing that concerns me is if I hit the lens against something since it is a P&S style retractable lens and those tend to crap out easy if knocked around too much.

 

The dials are not loose as in there is play and they are about to fall off the camera. They are loose in the sense that there is not as much resistance as many would like.

 

That sounds a lot better actually. From some of the postings and some of the reviews it seemed like while it there was no argument about what IQ its sensor and optic would bring there were mixed reports on it's 'gravitas'.

 

Lighter like a DLUX is good. Light like an old Ansco plastic camera was the image that I was conjuring up when I'd read these posts.

 

Since NOTHING has still been available to literally hold in my own two hands I've had to rely on the kindness (and accuracy) of the rest of you.

 

[ezc203]

The only thing that concerns me is if I hit the lens against something since it is a P&S style retractable lens and those tend to crap out easy if knocked around too much.

 

This was also my concern, until I started using the 75/90 Summarit Lens Hood. Doesn't really act as a hood (for flare and whatnots) because its exactly the same length as the lens post-extraction. But what I like about it is that it give the retractable lens a solid outer tube, that prevents it from being hit sideways (which will most likely ruin the lens).

 

With this new "lens tube" in place, I'm using the X1 as if it was a M3 or M4. And its been very reliable!

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[ezc203]

We all comprehended the inquiry, we just didn't understand your laziness.

 

I've noticed you like to provoke.