NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Share #1 Posted April 21, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I finally got a Leica X1 and have just taken it on a week-and-a-half long media tour to Germany, visiting the Hansgrohe factory in the Black Forest, with excursions to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums and Pforzheim. I was lucky: I got sick and caught an earlier flight home to New Zealand. It was almost the very last flight out of Frankfurt before they closed the airport! I am definitely undecided about the X1! I am quite pleased with certain aspects and results, but it has some serious shortcomings and is not an M. On the plus side, I like its compact size and the 35 lens is fine for general shooting. Ability to change ISO from 100 to 3200 is amazing. Results at high ISO far exceed those of the Ricoh GR-D or GX8. Automatic white balance is very effective. I didn't even use the flash. A few buttons are easy to nudge by mistake, but overall handling is pretty good and I really like the easy manual aperture and shutter dials, though yes, they do move very freely. So much easier than "press and select" menu selection. Battery needed recharging each day. On the cons side, you really need a separate viewfinder for bright light. It didn't matter so much in Europe in duller light, but does in NZ, where the LCD was impossible to use outdoors. Lack of lenshood also noticeable with bright NZ light and flare was apparent. But the main drawback is focusing. Some pictures focused first time; others took three or four attempts to lock on. I used spot focusing; maybe multizone is more effective, but I like to know what I am focusing on, and it is impossible to tell until you see the result on the computer screen. Rangefinder focusing is far more precise! I agree DNG + JPG is a waste of space. I found DNG colors were brighter, but shot in JPG only when overseas or it would have taken up too much space. I so far haven't used Lightroom, but stuck to good old Graphic Converter for Mac. So the verdict? I think the X1 is very useful as a digital travel and documentary camera for work, but for me, the focusing is a drawback, to the extent that some images were missed altogether. For landscapes especially I still much prefer the M6 and film! The dilemma? Do I keep the X1 or trade it in? As I do have the opportunity to use a camera for work and therefore make money out of it, and as I already have a good selection of superb M lenses, and as I like RF focusing, the M9 may be an option. I would love to post some pictures, but each time I hit "upload" I wait several minutes and nothing happens, or pictures are not separated and turn out low res, even at 240KB. I may try again later, or post each one separately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 21, 2010 Posted April 21, 2010 Hi NZDavid, Take a look here Got one, should I keep it?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #2 Posted April 21, 2010 Shower demo, ISO400, 125 @ f/8. Spot focus on shower heads is pretty good. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300375'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted April 21, 2010 Plumber's workshop, ISO800, 1/80 @ f.3.5 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300377'>More sharing options...
Big T Posted April 21, 2010 Share #4 Posted April 21, 2010 David I think that you should definitely get rid of the X1..... And being the great guy I am I will take it off your hands for $1,500 AUS..... All the best with your "decision"..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted April 21, 2010 Stylish mod designer bathroom, ISO800, 125 @ f/3.5. But where is the point of focus? 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300379'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted April 21, 2010 Beautiful Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, ISO 800, 160 @ f/4. Good color balance, focusing was tricky. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300382'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted April 21, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Look, no flash or tripod! Hoechst area, Frankfurt. ISO 3200, 100 @ f/3.2. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300386'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted April 21, 2010 You eat and drink well in Germany! ISO 3200, 1/60 @ f/2.8. Guesstimate focus. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300387'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted April 21, 2010 Here's what you get when you hand over the X1 for a group pic. (Myself at rear). Good white balance, overexposure because of window, but still acceptable, set to f/8 for greater DOF, 1/15, ISO 3200. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300388'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted April 21, 2010 Garden flare in New Zealand. A severe test, but lenshood would have helped. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300390'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted April 21, 2010 Last one from our regular walks on the Port Hills. Light wasn't the best. Main problem was inability to see anything in the LCD. A separate viewfinder is essential. 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/118866-got-one-should-i-keep-it/?do=findComment&comment=1300393'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted April 21, 2010 David I think that you should definitely get rid of the X1..... And being the great guy I am I will take it off your hands for $1,500 AUS..... All the best with your "decision"..... Thanks so much Trevor for your kind offer, I didn't realize the exchange rate had plummeted that much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted April 21, 2010 Share #13 Posted April 21, 2010 I sure as hell know that if the M9 was an option for me, I'd sell my X1. That said, the X1 serves a different purpose and only you know if it works for you or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 21, 2010 Share #14 Posted April 21, 2010 Here's what you get when you hand over the X1 for a group pic. (Myself at rear). Good white balance, overexposure because of window, but still acceptable, set to f/8 for greater DOF, 1/15, ISO 3200. David, had you preset the camera for image stabilization for this shot? If so, it would have kicked in, automatically, at 1/15th second. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 21, 2010 Share #15 Posted April 21, 2010 Garden flare in New Zealand. A severe test, but lenshood would have helped. It appears that the sun was quite low in the sky for this picture. If so, that would be testing for any lens shooting into the light and I doubt that a lens hood would have helped you. In such extreme circumstances, I try to use my left hand raised to act as a segment of a hood. If you have a friend nearby, they can shade the lens more accurately. It is surprising how good that trick is in some situations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 21, 2010 Share #16 Posted April 21, 2010 Last one from our regular walks on the Port Hills. Light wasn't the best. Main problem was inability to see anything in the LCD. A separate viewfinder is essential. You are preaching to the 'converted'. I ordered my viewfinder with the camera because I just knew it would be essential for my kind of work. For those photographers with less demanding needs, a viewfinder may be a luxury. But certainly not for me. David, a comment on focusing. I continued experimenting with focus modes and now have a surer grasp of which to use in certain circumstances. With spot or central zone focusing, I have become quite skilled in estimating where the central spot is in my external viewfinder. I focus on my choice of focus point and reframe to shoot. My success rate has risen quite dramatically. Try that technique. But watch parallax at closer ranges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 21, 2010 Share #17 Posted April 21, 2010 I sure as hell know that if the M9 was an option for me, I'd sell my X1. That said, the X1 serves a different purpose and only you know if it works for you or not. This argument has been well rehearsed in this forum. I still cannot understand why anyone should consider an M-camera and the X1 in the same breath. They are complementary tools, not singular alternatives except on 'cost' or 'budget' grounds. Ideally, work with both because each has overriding strengths. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted April 21, 2010 Share #18 Posted April 21, 2010 Well, my line of thinking is that, to me, the M9 is the ultimate camera. I love my X1 and my M8, but I would sacrifice them (knowing they are "apples and oranges") for an M9. The OP isn't happy with the X1 and has a chance to get an M9. To me, no brainer. My comment wasn't comparing one to the other. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted April 21, 2010 Share #19 Posted April 21, 2010 There is no comparison in the operation of the two cameras other than they are both capable of making great pictures...The question for the majority of the working world is do I pay $2000 or $7000 for a camera.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted April 21, 2010 Share #20 Posted April 21, 2010 It is quite simple really...the X1 is not up to scratch for PJ type of work, things happen too quickly for the camera to respond Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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