X1 is the perfect travel companion

[richam]

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After reading many threads on why people went for the X1, or wish the X1 had more features to their liking, I thought I'd provide my take on why I bought it. I have an M8 and Dlux-4, which have been my companions on several organized tours. Both have shortcomings for this purpose.

 

The M8 is by comparison bulky and slow to operate (e.g. requiring manual focus even in low light). And you have to change lenses (adding to the bulk and weight in the bag) from time to time to get the most out of it. Changing lenses often means spending time later on cleaning the sensor if you want to avoid image spots. So I found myself on tours avoiding lenses other than my standard 28mm Elmar. In fact, the 28mm Elmar with an equivalent 35mm field of view served so well for 95% of the shots I was taking that it stayed on the M8 most of the time. Organized tours often force haste upon one ("bus stop for photos; everyone back in 10 minutes").

 

The DLux-4 is a wonderful little camera but the images just don't match M8 quality. In high contrast situations, the shadow noise is excessive; noise is even worse in low light. And with such a short focal length, narrow DOF is next to impossible. And there are many options to think about no matter how well you study the manual and practice.

 

So along comes the X1. Simple, light, fixed lens, quick and easy to operate. And quality image results that rival (although don't quite match) the M8. Once I checked out the high ISO results, I was sold. I had downloaded somewhere (dp review maybe) some sample X1 photos. When I ran Noiseware Professional on the ISO 3200 image, I could not tell the difference between it and the ISO 100 image. The autofocus is slow, but accurate. And I got the 36mm viewfinder, which is bright and easy to use in low light. So I am very satisfied with the X1 performance so far. We plan to take some more tours this summer, probably starting with the Dalmatian Coast. I'm taking the X1 with DLux-4 as backup. Will leave the M8 at home, along with the sensor cleaning kit.

 

I would not be interested in an interchangeable lens "X" nor in a zoom model, especially one that would reduce the aperture to less than f2.8.

[CoolPixeler]

I tried a lot of compact as spare for my reflex (a Nikon D3 today). My best companion before the X1 was the DLux 4.

and now... Yes! RICHAM "X1 is the perfect travel companion".

Sometimes when i am tired to carry many kilos of reflex and interchangeable lenses, i go just with the X1 and i feel so light, so free...

 

 

My flickr

Another gallery

[wda]

Michael, I largely share your assessment; the X1 is a perfect compact travel camera. However, for a serious tour there is a strong argument for using it as a companion to the Leica M8. If you have a useful lens on the M8 which complements the fixed focal length of 36mm, you have quite a versatile outfit. It is also superior to the DLux4.

 

Currently I use my M8/50mm Summicron together with the X1 for mainly photographic tours, with my 75mm Summarit as a second lens for the M8. Alternatively, I could use a wider angle lens if that is the requirement. If you choose not to take your M8, which is a superb camera, then the DLux4 offers a different kind of complementary camera with the advantage of a zoom lens. For everyday mixed travel/shopping/non-serious photography outings, the X1 can be considered an ideal companion capable of the highest quality results as you have no doubt already discovered.

[richam]

David, some points to ponder. Thanks for the input.