About to buy an X1

[unitedhowl]

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Hi guys

 

This is my first post. I've never bought a digital camera, and have held out by still shooting film all this while, I'm not a pro, just an enthusiast. Recently I was actually thinking about investing in an old 35mm compact, like the minilux or even a CM so I had a point and shoot, however I've now been swayed, thinking it's time to make the digital jump and go with the X1.

 

I'm not quite comfortable framing with the LCD which is why I'm going to get the optional finder for the X1. I've been reading all about the slow focus etc etc in general with the X1, but what I'd love to know from people who use it is: How is it as an experience focusing with the finder on the X1. Is the little light the only indication that you are in focus? Is it a bit odd to use?

 

Thanks for your help!

[JeTexas]

Yes, the little green light is all you have to go by. About 90 percent of the time, it's fine. Remember, with digital you can immediately see the photo you just shot, so if it's bad, you can reshoot.

[unitedhowl]

Thanks for the info. When using manual exposure, does the finder indicate any sort of metering?

[Julian Thompson]

No - I found the finder terrible to be honest and resorted to using the screen. Once I got over the initial shock of doing this (I shoot M9 and M7 too!) it is great and my X1 gets into positions and places that the M's would not go. I would say buy X1 and try it - then, and only then, invest in the finder if you think you need it.

[unitedhowl]

Am gonna purchase it next week, so quite excited. Will do as you say and try without finder to start with.

 

Sorry for more silly questions, am gonna be spending a lot on this little machine and just want to know a couple of more things.

 

The images I've seen from the camera are amazing. As I said I'm not used to digital, and have been browsing some forums where people have posted their favourite settings for the x1 and a lot of them mention 'sharpening' settings. Can someone explain why one would need a sharpening setting on the camera and when you've applied them.

 

Thanks again for such informative answers.

[wda]

Unitedhowl, welcome to the forum!

 

Opinions are very divided on the viewfinder option. I use mine all the time and only resort to using the LCD where I want precise focusing and framing, mostly indoors. All other times the OVF is perfect. It is extremely clear, with a highly visible boundary frame and close focus parallax marker. Moreover, in bright conditions, when the LCD is difficult to see, the OVF makes shooting with the X1 a joy.

 

Regarding focus confirmation, the light is mostly visible but I tend to listen to the muted 'beep', which I think is set in the menu. If there is time I re-frame and shoot.

 

The renowned focus time lag ceases to be a problem once you have a little experience with the camera. It is not significantly different to most contemporary digital compact cameras. Unless your only interest is quick reaction shooting, the lag is really not a big problem.

 

Good Luck and enjoy your X1!

[wda]

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Am gonna purchase it next week, so quite excited. Will do as you say and try without finder to start with.

 

Sorry for more silly questions, am gonna be spending a lot on this little machine and just want to know a couple of more things.

 

The images I've seen from the camera are amazing. As I said I'm not used to digital, and have been browsing some forums where people have posted their favourite settings for the x1 and a lot of them mention 'sharpening' settings. Can someone explain why one would need a sharpening setting on the camera and when you've applied them.

 

Thanks again for such informative answers.

I only process the Raw files which ignore in-camera settings for sharpening etc. If you seek the highest quality pictures, do learn to use Raw which processes easily and very well in LR3 which comes with your X1. You have so much more scope because the processing is 'non-destructive', unlike the Jpegs which discard information yet many favour.

[JeTexas]

Can someone explain why one would need a sharpening setting on the camera and when you've applied them.

 

Thanks again for such informative answers.

 

The sharpening settings are really just a matter of style and taste. For instance, you might want to shoot very high-contrast and sharp black and white photos to get a certain feel.

 

You can, of course, apply sharpening in post-production, but if you utilize the camera setting, it usually creates a sharper image without the jagged edges or noise that might result from sharpening in photoshop.

 

Personally, I shoot in color with the settings on normal, then I adjust things after the fact. However, some people want a certain look or feel to a shoot, so you can set the camera up to capture things the way you want and save yourself the post processing.

 

It's a bit like shooting with different brands and speeds of film.

[unitedhowl]

Thanks guys, will report back when I get the beast.

[BB W]

Promise to report back once you've had a chance to use it. I was bowled over by the image quality. First thing - charge the battery and then take your time. Looking forward to hearing more from you, united howl.

[unitedhowl]

Thanks BB W.

 

Will definitely report back, very excited!

[BB W]

I don't blame you for being excited - for most people this is a pretty big camera purchase...financially. One of the things that appealed to me was the straightforward nature of the camera's controls.

 

Using this camera is a learning experience for me. Right off the bat, I got some great shots...but it is quite a different type of camera from what I have been used to. My only "serious" digital cameras have been the Olympus E-P2 and E-PL1, with an electronic viewfinder. Lately my Olympus PEN camera has been a bit lonely, though I still recognize it as a great camera with interchangeable lenses.

[NZDavid]

Yes, the little green light is all you have to go by. About 90 percent of the time, it's fine. Remember, with digital you can immediately see the photo you just shot, so if it's bad, you can reshoot.

 

Not always. You may have to wait until you see the pic on the computer screen later. As has been mentioned many times, the LCD is very hard to see in bright light. That's not everyone's experience, and it depends on where you are, but it is a problem. I think it's a shame most compact cameras no longer have optical viewfinders. The little Voigtländer finder is well built and cheaper than the Leica one for the X1.

[phancj]

Am gonna purchase it next week, so quite excited. Will do as you say and try without finder to start with.

 

Sorry for more silly questions, am gonna be spending a lot on this little machine and just want to know a couple of more things.

 

The images I've seen from the camera are amazing. As I said I'm not used to digital, and have been browsing some forums where people have posted their favourite settings for the x1 and a lot of them mention 'sharpening' settings. Can someone explain why one would need a sharpening setting on the camera and when you've applied them.

 

Thanks again for such informative answers.

 

Actually I set the sharpening to medium low, and use software to sharpen when necessary. I find the in-camera sharpening too harsh sometimes, just my two cents worth. All my jpegs right out of camera are on the medium-low setting, and I am not a fan of the overly-sharpened look, smacks too much of "digital" if there is such a thing?

[unitedhowl]

This happens to be my only fear about the images I've seen, they seem way too sharp for me.

[RichardM8]

The general consensus in various reviews seems to be that the standard settings for JPGs are a little oversharpened. Although the opinions on this vary greatly, the OOC JPG output of the X1 is not seen as one of its strong points.

 

I agree with that from what I've seen from my own X1 and I see the JPGs as debris on the memory card. Without wanting to start another debate on this (there have been enough) I think shooting JPGs with the X1 is kind of missing the point of this camera.

[phancj]

This happens to be my only fear about the images I've seen, they seem way too sharp for me.

 

When you put the sharpening to medium low I find that almost all images are great and have the right sharpness. The default is too sharp IMHO.

[ptu]

I agree with that from what I've seen from my own X1 and I see the JPGs as debris on the memory card. Without wanting to start another debate on this (there have been enough) I think shooting JPGs with the X1 is kind of missing the point of this camera.

 

I could not agree more. I just wish in fw update there come the option to shoot only with DNG. 99,5% of the times I shoot raw.

[unitedhowl]

What happens when you turn the sharpening off altogether or is that not possible?

 

Heading to the Leica store in Mayfair to try it out.

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[phancj]

What happens when you turn the sharpening off altogether or is that not possible?

 

Heading to the Leica store in Mayfair to try it out.

 

You can turn sharpening off, or simply use raw. But I do think the jpegs are useable and very nice compared to other cameras, although this opinion is obviously not shared by all. I find the color rendition and image quality very good in the jpegs right out of the camera, though if I want to do more PP I use the raw files then.