Sell the sizzle not the sausage...

[davidhunternyc]

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Well, to be honest, I bought the sizzle and when I opened it for the first time, I thought it was a sausage. I could see why if you to just look at it you might think it is a sausage. It is small, plain, simple, and the plastic vulcanite and lens don't feel high-end to me. Even the metal parts look thin to me but no worse than the micro 4/3rd cameras out there. Yet, when I started shooting with the X1 and I got to feel the weight of the camera in my hands and just really use it, the sausage started to sizzle. This Volkswagen turned into a Porshe. Wow, very substantial for such a little thing. And, in the end, I look at the image quality of the photos and I am just amazed.

[Nicoleica]

Dear Mr Dibbler,

I've been considering purchasing an X1 for a while now. My local Imp purveyor has one in stock most of the time, and so I have been able to examine it quite well. Although I agree that the images that it produces are quite excellent, I have delayed purchasing one to date for several reasons.

These are mostly minor. Paint instead of chrome, odd manual focus controls, and it feels too light to me. But those are all small things that I'm sure I would adapt to in a short time.

 

But the one major obstacle as far as I am concerned is the lack of a built in optical viewfinder. I know that I could attach an external finder, but that is an inconvenience at best.

 

I note that in another thread, the idea of replacing the flash with a pop-up viewfinder has been mooted. But why have a pop-up viewfinder when a full time fixed one would be far simpler, and could even improve the looks of the camera. Having a proper optical viewfinder is important to me. Maybe it's because I'm ancient, and set in my ways, but I just cannot feel comfortable adopting the zombie position to take a photograph.

 

So at present, neither the sizzle nor the sausage have tempted me. May I please have a rat-on-a-stick?

[Guest badbob]

Both persons posting here must have been spoiled by really super-high-end cameras. I can't even imagine. I've owned 2 Leica 'M's and one Leica 'R', as well as several well-made Panasonic cameras. But when I took the X1 out of its box it looked and felt like a beautiful and expensive thing. Completely opposite impression. Maybe a person has to have familiarity with handmade items to appreciate the X1's build.

[msbel]

If you want superb IQ in a compact size, and have a weakness for all things Leica, there is no choice but to do it. It's a $2000 combo meal of sausage and sizzling red dots.

 

If you went to look at it that many times, you want it

[bill]

So at present, neither the sizzle nor the sausage have tempted me. May I please have a rat-on-a-stick?

 

Inna bun ok...? :D:D

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Jeff S]

Having a proper optical viewfinder is important to me. Maybe it's because I'm ancient, and set in my ways, but I just cannot feel comfortable adopting the zombie position to take a photograph-on-a-stick

 

Exactly for me. Sean Reid's essay on 'seeing the subject' captures this well. He's in the same camp.

 

My first criterion for a camera's viability (for me) is how it allows me to see. If I can't get along with that aspect, nothing else matters. I tried a Dlux4, despite my better judgment, and it lasted a couple of weeks.

 

Glad we have choices.

 

Jeff

[bill]

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I'm selling my E-P1 for the same reason. I have really tried, and I love the results that the camera is capable of, but that bloody screen is a killer.

 

I have a SBOOI for my D-Lux 4 and that does the trick for me.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[prk60091]

I have only shot 100 +/- frames with this amazing instrument. Carpenters use specialized hammers for certain tasks ands other hammers for other tasks. I use my desktop for heavy duty photo editing my laptop for other tasks, my iPad for others and my iphone for others. Not every tool is right for every task or for every user. A camera is a tool no more no less. A leica is an exceptional tool.

 

I feel as if this tool the x1 was made for me. I have never felt at one with any camera until this camera. I grew up with cameras. My father owned a small shop and I got to play with every camera in the store from "classic leicas" to the newest in the store. This is my all time favorite camera. I understand not everyone feels the same, after all there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream but the fun is in the discussion and comparison.

 

This is a different class of camera and I think designed that way intentionally. From the placement of the manual focus to the prime lens everything sings to me. If I can figure out how to post a photo from my iPad tonight I shall otherwise It will have to wait until I fire up my desktop.

 

Originally what drew me to the camera was it's looks and spex.

[stephen.w]

That's why I opted for the X1 over the GF1 - the poor electronic viewfinder means you're forced to compose with the LCD screen. I'm using the X1 with a Voigtlander VF and even though an external viewfinder is an inconvienience, as far as connecting you with your subject is concerned, the combination is a joy. If you can use the SBLOO with the zoom lens on the D Lux 4, why not with the prime on the X1?

[JanCderidder]

I'm selling my E-P1 for the same reason. I have really tried, and I love the results that the camera is capable of, but that bloody screen is a killer.

 

I have a SBOOI for my D-Lux 4 and that does the trick for me.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Viewfinder works for you using a D-Lux. You do know that an external viewfinder can be used on the X1 don't you. It should work similarly to the D-Lux, only with a better IQ, or is there something I am overlooking here?

[bill]

Viewfinder works for you using a D-Lux. You do know that an external viewfinder can be used on the X1 don't you. It should work similarly to the D-Lux, only with a better IQ, or is there something I am overlooking here?

 

Of course it would, but yes, you are unaware of a couple of other points that mitigate against my buying an X1. Firstly I am by nature a 50mm person; the X1 is a little too wide for my tastes. Secondly, it simply doesn't "fit" in my lineup; I use D-Lux 4, LC-1, M2, M7, R7, II, III and Olympus DSLR already; I simply have no need, or maybe "niche" that would be satisfied by an X1. I watch with interest for future developments, however; I love the form factor and the IQ and the "slow" handling does not particularly bother me.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[JanCderidder]

Bill,

 

absolutely clear. I thought it was just about the viewfinder, and yep any new camera needs to suit your needs and wishes and perhaps most important of all your perception. I do see how the X1 isn't everybodies cup of tea. For me, my preferences and type of photography it's a perfect fit all way round.

[stephen.w]

Of course it would, but yes, you are unaware of a couple of other points that mitigate against my buying an X1. Firstly I am by nature a 50mm person; the X1 is a little too wide for my tastes. Secondly, it simply doesn't "fit" in my lineup; I use D-Lux 4, LC-1, M2, M7, R7, II, III and Olympus DSLR already; I simply have no need, or maybe "niche" that would be satisfied by an X1. I watch with interest for future developments, however; I love the form factor and the IQ and the "slow" handling does not particularly bother me.

 

Bill, have you considered Ricoh's large sensor offering (I forget the model name) coupled with the 50mm lens module? It might be perfect for you.

[stunsworth]

I'm selling my E-P1 for the same reason. I have really tried, and I love the results that the camera is capable of, but that bloody screen is a killer

 

That's why I bought the EVF for my GF-1.

[fotografr]

I like to carry a camera pretty much wherever I go and would prefer it to be small and light. I had been carrying a D-Lux 4 but the image quality from that camera, while very good, was not good enough to consistently produce images I can use professionally. I switched to carrying the X1 and have already used it to shoot a book cover. In other words, I'm highly satisfied with the image quality--which is what I bought it for.

[wda]

Bill, looking at your current inventory the answer is clear. Wait until X1 Zoom is launched. It will replace your DLux camera.

[bill]

Bill, have you considered Ricoh's large sensor offering (I forget the model name) coupled with the 50mm lens module? It might be perfect for you.

 

Bill, looking at your current inventory the answer is clear. Wait until X1 Zoom is launched. It will replace your DLux camera.

 

Gents, thank you for your concerns, but I don't suffer from GAS. I am completely happy with what I have and am more likely to slim down my inventory than add another, incompatible system. I certainly wouldn't see an X1 Zoom as a replacement for either my D-Lux or LC-1; even if it has a clip-on EVF it will still not get anywhere near either of those cameras for handling and portability vs image quality.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[biglouis]

Bill

 

I'm a bit surprised that you haven't considered the GF-1 with the Lumix 20/1.7 if you are a 50mm type person. Yes, it is a little wider but the IQ of this lens is simply outstanding. Also, with the GF-1 like the EP-2 you can add a EVF which I have found to be considerably more useful than an optical viewfinder.

 

You can get a good impression of the results using the GF-1 and 20/1.7 in my Flickr stream if you search using those parameters.

 

I keep checking out the X1 and I really am in two minds. I tried it again the other day when I was in the Leica shop in Mayfair. In a way, it is an ideal camera for me. Most of my urban stuff is shot using my 28/2.8 on the M8. My problem is that I am reluctant to spend £1300 on an experiment - maybe the solution is to buy one second-hand as they are increasingly coming up? However, I can't shake the feeling that if people are selling them so quickly, then there must be a problem with the camera.

 

LouisB

[Nicoleica]

However, I can't shake the feeling that if people are selling them so quickly, then there must be a problem with the camera.

 

LouisB

 

Not intending to offend anyone in any way, but I believe that the main reason why so many may be on the 'previously enjoyed' market is just a sign of the times.

 

It used to be that if you were intending to spend a substantial amount of money on a camera, that you would visit one or more shops, try a few cameras out, and then decide which one you liked best, and was best suited to your needs.

 

Nowadays, the trend seems to be for people to look at a brochure, or even just a picture on the internet, and then purchase a camera based purely upon that minimal information. Without ever having seen the actual camera, or handled it beforehand.

 

Sometimes this practice is forced upon them, as sadly, many dealers don't keep high-value items in stock anymore. (With the low margins and short shelf-life these days, many cannot afford to do so.)

 

Much of the time, these people are happy with their purchase. But there will be quite a few cases where people realise that they made a mistake, and the camera is not as they had expected, or does not suit their needs in some other way.

 

This trend does not seem to be restricted only to cameras. Just look at how many 'hardly used' items are up for sale these days.

 

Some call this progress. I'm sorry to say that I don't.

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Hallo,

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[jsrockit]

I see all types of cameras for sale right after they come out... I wouldn't call it a reflection on the usuefulness of that camera... I mean, people sell top of the line Nikons, Canons, and even Leicas too...