Erwin Puts on the X1

[RichardM8]

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I'm glad I've learned to accept the X1 for what it is... some of my best photos have come from this camera. I'm a huge fan... VF or not.

 

At the end of the day that's the only thing that counts! Same here.

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[tom0511]

You can allways put an external viewfinder on a small camera if you want.

 

But its kind of hard to reduce a camera in bigger size (because of an integrated optical viewfinder) when you dont want to use the optical viewfinder.

 

So as long as an OVF would add size to the x1 I prefer it the way it is today.

[JanCderidder]

don't forget that 90% of all photographers in the world have been brought up with LCD viewfinders and "chimping" It's what they are used to, some of the more aspiring ones wanting to switch to a higher end/better IQ solution wouldn't know what to do with a OVF and would consider it a waste of space.

 

This group of presumably young people might be part of Leica's focus group for the X1

[prk60091]

don't forget that 90% of all photographers in the world have been brought up with LCD viewfinders and "chimping" It's what they are used to, some of the more aspiring ones wanting to switch to a higher end/better IQ solution wouldn't know what to do with a OVF and would consider it a waste of space.

 

This group of presumably young people might be part of Leica's focus group for the X1

 

in my uninformed opinion - i think the resistance to LCD viewfinders is because of aging eyes....

 

the older you are - the more likely you need reading glasses- which means you really can't see the LCD w/o glasses and if you are wearing readers- you can't see what you are shooting..... whereas with an OVF no reading glass issues....

 

my wife is one of those who refuses to bring with her reading glasses anywhere (or acknowledge that she needs readers) and as a result i am continuously reading menus to her....... I wear contacts so its a non-issue to me

 

I further think that the people who complain about not being able to see the LCD in bright sunlight are looking for a reason why they can't see the LCD.....I went to the zoo this past weekend - bright sunlight no OVF on my X1 and I didn't have an issue framing on the LCD- I also turned up the brightness on the LCD to the maximum setting and brought a spare battery "just in case". I also think that the fact that this is a "crappy LCD" doesn't help the situation - if it had a retinal display like my iphone 4- much less resistance and probably way more expensive

 

So you are probably correct that Leica tested the X1 on younger folks- who don't need readers as much as us oldsters...

[jsrockit]

the older you are - the more likely you need reading glasses- which means you really can't see the LCD w/o glasses and if you are wearing readers- you can't see what you are shooting..... whereas with an OVF no reading glass issues....

 

This is a completely legitimate argument against an LCD... no way to dispute this.

 

I further think that the people who complain about not being able to see the LCD in bright sunlight are looking for a reason why they can't see the LCD.....I went to the zoo this past weekend - bright sunlight no OVF on my X1 and I didn't have an issue framing on the LCD-

 

I actually like using an LCD... and on my X1 do so regularly. However, this is not a myth. In the bright summer light of NYC, there have a been several times where I cannot see the screen and HAVE to use the OVF. It really does happen and sunlight is different in different parts of the world.

[jaapv]

in my uninformed opinion - i think the resistance to LCD viewfinders is because of aging eyes....

 

the older you are - the more likely you need reading glasses- which means you really can't see the LCD w/o glasses and if you are wearing readers- you can't see what you are shooting..... whereas with an OVF no reading glass issues....

 

 

 

I think that may be part of my problem with LCDs.

[JanCderidder]

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There was this Magnum photographer who only used LCD screen to roughly compose, never checked the exact format but just pointed briefly and made the shot. He wrote an article on using LCD's within photography in which he compared it to the old Leica 0 way of taking shot.

 

Very interesting article, maybe about 5 years ago or so, but I can't remember the guys name, he is pretty accomplished though. If I recall well he shot with 4 Oly's 5060 or 8080's ...

[jaapv]

Olympus 5060, I just read his name yesterday - I'll post it tomorrow, I think .

[prk60091]

This is a completely legitimate argument against an LCD... no way to dispute this.

 

 

 

I actually like using an LCD... and on my X1 do so regularly. However, this is not a myth. In the bright summer light of NYC, there have a been several times where I cannot see the screen and HAVE to use the OVF. It really does happen and sunlight is different in different parts of the world.

 

i live in Chicago Metro area and the sunlight should not be that different in Chicago as in NYC but I concede the point different conditions lead to different results.

[prk60091]

There was this Magnum photographer who only used LCD screen to roughly compose, never checked the exact format but just pointed briefly and made the shot. He wrote an article on using LCD's within photography in which he compared it to the old Leica 0 way of taking shot.

 

Very interesting article, maybe about 5 years ago or so, but I can't remember the guys name, he is pretty accomplished though. If I recall well he shot with 4 Oly's 5060 or 8080's ...

 

 

Alex Majoli?

and is this the article you refer? Rob Galbraith DPI: Alex Majoli points and shoots

 

very interesting article and photog

[JanCderidder]

Lazarus, thanks this was the guy although not the exact article, the article is very good though, thanks for sharing

[jsrockit]

Love that story... but have never seen anyone else (pro photojournalist photographer anyway, not amatuer or artist) adopt his methods. I wonder what he uses now...

 

Oh yeah, more: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844-7845

[bill]

Re viewfinders.

 

I have said this before, when referring to the D-Lux 4.

 

I use a SBOOI viewfinder for the following reasons.

 

 

• It avoids glare in sunny conditions
  
• It gives a clear view in dark conditions
  
• It does not ruin my night vision in the same way as an LCD screen does
  
• It does not illuminate my face and make it obvious that I am planning to take a picture in the same way that an LCD screen does
  
• People ten feet behind me have no idea what I am framing up, as they do with an LCD screen
  
• It shows me exactly what I am looking at - there is nothing between me and my subject except glass - no circuitry, no LCD, no interpretation, pixellation, smearing or anything else
  
• It enables me to keep my camera close to my face, and my body, thereby avoiding it being knocked by passers by when trying to frame up
  
• It gives me a more secure hold by enabling me to press my camera against my face for added stability
  

 

...It's not just about performance on a sunny day...

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[mhoersch]

And not just about needing glasses, either...

[andym911]

interesting article....i agree with most of it.

 

Funny thing is that my first real camera I owned was the TC-1 which is truly a tremendous camera....I still have it and use it.

I did not get on over time with the X1 even though the IQ was excellent and sold it.

a very personal choice I believe

 

andy

[wda]

Re viewfinders.

 

I have said this before, when referring to the D-Lux 4.

 

I use a SBOOI viewfinder for the following reasons.

 

 

• It avoids glare in sunny conditions
  
• It gives a clear view in dark conditions
  
• It does not ruin my night vision in the same way as an LCD screen does
  
• It does not illuminate my face and make it obvious that I am planning to take a picture in the same way that an LCD screen does
  
• People ten feet behind me have no idea what I am framing up, as they do with an LCD screen
  
• It shows me exactly what I am looking at - there is nothing between me and my subject except glass - no circuitry, no LCD, no interpretation, pixellation, smearing or anything else
  
• It enables me to keep my camera close to my face, and my body, thereby avoiding it being knocked by passers by when trying to frame up
  
• It gives me a more secure hold by enabling me to press my camera against my face for added stability
  

 

...It's not just about performance on a sunny day...

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

I agree entirely, Bill. But would like to make an additional point. I spend much more time selecting and framing my pictures than the time spent actually 'shooting'. Engaging with my subject is more intimate, enjoyable and direct than through a shared outstretched camera LCD. As a result I always feel happier with my results which capture more closely exactly what I saw and wanted to capture. Of course the OVF needs to be perfect optically, unlike some in-built optical finders which are a pain to use and never show all that the sensor sees.

 

The only time an LCD serves my purpose well is when using my Digilux 2 or X1 at floor level. An oblique view of the LCD avoids painful grovelling in pursuit of my picture!

[bill]

Spot on, David, particularly this:

 

Engaging with my subject is more intimate, enjoyable and direct than through a shared outstretched camera LCD.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[tom0511]

As of today I do like both kinds - viewfinder and display.

 

In case of the x1 we should mention that besides the positives for an optical viewfinder there are also advantages of display:

-more accurate framing

-more precise regarding placing the focus point and focusing on the right spot

-no prarallex problems

-same valid when doing spot metering for the exposre

-more flexible positioning of the camera possible

-you can shoot without hiding your face when using the display from lower or higher position

-you can check exposure and exp values

-immediate control of result without changing position of the camera

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[NZDavid]

An interesting blog, as always from Putts, thanks for the link.

 

I also have real trouble seeing the LCD in bright light. But I would prefer to have LCD and a separate OVF, bright and clear, to a dinky built-in one. Better yet would be to do away with the built-in flash (I've hardly used it), as neat as it is, and replace with a large clear optical viewfinder. But I doubt if it will ever happen.

 

Putts' comments on design are interesting. The TC-1 is a 90s camera -- not that old! It's amazing the extent to which computer-driven design -- modes and menus of all kinds -- have taken over, and the extent to which more features (art filters, scene modes, video) are seen as essential.

[sblitz]

having an ovf on the x1 creates the rangefinder experience -- seeing the scene outside the frame. lcd viewing is basically slr or p and s. having said that, and being a bit older, the lcd view affords moving the camera to angles that my body won't contort to if only a viewfinder view was possible.