X1-The greatest travel camera ever!

[Guest X1s]

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Every camera requires the photographer to compromise something, make choices to capture an image.

 

I am sure not everyone who uses a canon 5dm2 would think M9 is the perfect camera. Similarly, not everyone in this forum would enjoy shooting a 5dm2.

 

I believe for me the x1 isvthe best camera travel or otherwise.

 

Everyone has an opinion, I for one would say that the X1 is not that great of a travel camera at all. I say this because for me personally if I'm traveling on vacation with my family, I want to be able to just point and shoot, to capture all or any moments without having to think about the shot or put any real thought behind the shot process. As we who own the X1 know, it lags in the area of speed ie; focus and processing, for those reasons alone, I would have to disagree with the X1 being a (Great) travel camera, its ok, but I can think of better camera's suited for personal travel and family shots on the road. The X1 has its place, but it is so limited with the 36mm equivalant focal length. However it is remarkable at iso 100 ... and then iso 1200 and above for low noise. Its pic's equal that of some of the NEW DSLR's!!, but, as I said, it has its place. Personally for a weekend trip or birthdays, I'm really liking the jpegs out of the VLUX 20, it hasn't seemed to really have caught on here in this forum, or the public for that matter, but I'm very impressed with the shots rite out of the box with (ZERO PROCESSING)...... thats my take on a travel camera ..... especially with the 300mm zoom.

 

Emma

[RichardM8]

The only thing I don't care for is the leather case. The camera fits very tightly into it (maybe too tight...the built-in flash always seems to pop up when I pull the camera out), - - My only other complaint is the lens cap...haven't lost it yet, but it is just a matter of time.

 

I really like the leather case. The fit gets more easy after some use. The case will look better too after a while. And if you use this case, you can stop using the lens cap IMO. The leather dome from the case provides more then enough protection for the lens. So much more convenient! My lens cap never made it out of the X1 box.

[phancj]

Hey Harry,

 

I do not feel the perceived "shutter lag" you described coming from a D300, which I presume should have negligible shutter lag. I feel the AF is slower than the D300, but there is no perceivable shutter lag, at least not to me. And I have been nailing mores shots (and better ones at that). Could it be that you have a defective set?

 

I find the AF very accurate though a tad slow, and the reviews of images is really slow. That should be Leica's top priority as that pisses me off a little.

 

To me the high iso performance is critical as I like doing low light shots during travel so I contend that this is a big plus for the X1, and something you should consider seriously when deciding against your M8.

 

I get a strange feeling you are really not used to the X1 yet, it took a while for me to get used to it too, but once I do, wow! Cannot leave home without it haha...

 

I actually thought of getting a used M8 as a less expensive option for travel compared to the M9. Trying it at the store, I notice there is some vibration on the shutter, like something really heavy fell inside. It is not unlike the Sony Nex, I felt the same. The X1 has a wonderful shutter that not only is silent, but you cannot feel any vibration at all.

 

And the AF is something you may enjoy instead of MF, as you can take 300 shots and not feel tired. If I do MF all day I'll feel eye strain for sure.

 

The weight for me is a big, big issue during travel. The M8 is extremely well built but feels like a brick, a heavy one. The X1 is weightless haha...

 

End of the day I really feel the quality of the X1 photos can equal and in low light beat the M8 IQ (from my trial at least). What the M8 has over it would be the flexibility of changing lenses, and for me the 35mm equivalent during my travels is perfect and I am not found wanting of more lens options. Your needs may differ.

[ravinj]

CJ - you are still not getting it, my friend. X1 is the worst travel camera, bar none. I wanted a point and shoot for my vacation/travel needs where I could snap my moving kids and other "decisive moments". That is what travel photography is about - snapping moving objects all the time. I am very happy with my Canon S90, I can keep snapping away with it.

 

As the great Leica philosopher, Erwin Puts said in his comparison of D3 vs M8.2 - "The Nikon scores with speed and dynamic automation, the Leica needs skill and dedication."

Nikon D3 and Leica M8.2

 

X1 cannot even take pictures of birds. The only time I was able to shoot a birdie with an X1 when it sat absolutely still - the birdie knew that the X1 is waaayy.. slow, so it was kind enough to pose for me.

 

(Images below scaled down and jpg quality reduced to 50% to keep in line with the size rules of the forum):

 

X1 cannot capture this moment:

 

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Nor this:

 

 

Nor this:

 

[phancj]

Dearest Ravinj,

 

Yup, my bad for starting this thread....how could I not see the X1 is quite possibly the WORST TRAVEL CAMERA??!!

 

Saw the photo of the breakdancer in NYC too, perhaps you should have posted that one too, amongst others.

 

Therefore, it is with the deepest regret that I should inform the moderators to have the title of the thread changed as well, that way everyone will be happy.

 

Meanwhile, woe will befall anyone who tries to take my X1 away from me while I am traveling.

 

Actually I must concede the pundits who talk about the X being too slow for this and that I think they did influence my shooting style somewhat, now you have given me a fresh perspective so I am going to shoot ALL shots including fast action ones and see what I can get.

 

 

Thanks again Ravinj for your kind correction. Still looking out for your shots in the forum. they are a true inspiration to fellow X1ers.

:)CJ

[hteasley]

I guess captures of birds defines the weakness well? I'm pretty sure the X1 would not have gotten this shot (M8, 35mm C-Biogon)

 

 

My issue is that for every shot that I love, like this:

 

 

I get a lot of shots like this, where even with full-auto and unmoving subjects, it doesn't come out. Focus doesn't lock well, or shutter lag is enough that I move the camera right as the capture happens (which will be a hard habit to break, if I ever can).

 

 

I want to be able to capture family pictures with it, and when it fails to correctly grab a shot like the above, it makes me irritated. Lesser cameras could have grabbed that more effectively.

[phancj]

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Hi Harry,

 

I think Ravinj has demonstrated many times o the X1 being capable of taking birds,even though personally I am not inclined towards that hobby so I cannot contribute.

 

I am curious: with your family shot, what were the settings exactly? One thing about the X1 I notice from months of using it (6 & half to be exact) is that the X1 differs from P&S in the sense that to take the best pictures (and they are really good) you got to learn what settings to use, there really isnt an auto everything with this camera. Settings done correctly are of paramount importance, unlike P&S where tolerance for error is larger. I am sure the same with an M.

 

Just trying to help, coz your experience is so drastically different from mine I am curious.

[JanCderidder]

"I guess captures of birds defines the weakness well? I'm pretty sure the X1 would not have gotten this shot (M8, 35mm C-Biogon)"

 

dadadidada.....

[ravinj]

dadadidada.....

 

Jan - I like the tune, but quite frankly, these birds are getting on my nerve.

 

"I guess captures of birds defines the weakness well? I'm pretty sure the X1 would not have gotten this shot (M8, 35mm C-Biogon)"

 

I never knew that the camera was supposed to correctly grab a shot. I thought it was the photographer who was supposed to do it.

[anupmc]

I want to be able to capture family pictures with it, and when it fails to correctly grab a shot like the above, it makes me irritated. Lesser cameras could have grabbed that more effectively.

 

In this particular case, clearly the X1's focus isn't the issue, your shutter speed simply wasn't adequate to capture your cute kiddies in motion.... I don't see any XIF data, if it was manual, I'm guessing you selected the speed to get the exposure right and compensate for the mixed lighting? With the X1, you could have pushed ISO much higher and increased the shutter speed, and have it wide open. If it was auto, well then, you get what you get

[RichardM8]

And yet another thread turning sour...

 

C'mon peeps !!! Get off it !!!

 

 

I wonder what the people from Leica will think if they see all this scrolling over their screens.

 

If you don't like the X1, SELL THE D*MN THING, DON'T BUY IT and/or STOP TELLING PEOPLE WHO DO ENJOY IT WHY THEY SHOULDN'T, THAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND PHOTOGRAPHY, THEY SHOULD BY AN M INSTEAD, THAT LEICA MUST HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS WITH THIS CAMERA etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

Raised voice off...

 

Richard.

[hteasley]

In this particular case, clearly the X1's focus isn't the issue, your shutter speed simply wasn't adequate to capture your cute kiddies in motion.... I don't see any XIF data, if it was manual, I'm guessing you selected the speed to get the exposure right and compensate for the mixed lighting? With the X1, you could have pushed ISO much higher and increased the shutter speed, and have it wide open. If it was auto, well then, you get what you get

 

Well, my understanding was that auto was a bit of a distinction for this Leica. I get better results the more manual I set it, but then I begin to wonder why I'm not using the M8 in the first place.

 

It does seem to have incredible depth, but my getting what I want out of it is far less successful than I would hope. It's like my 50mm Nokton 1,1: capable of greatness, but often frustrating.

[hteasley]

I never knew that the camera was supposed to correctly grab a shot. I thought it was the photographer who was supposed to do it.

 

"It's a poor craftsman that blames his tools" is often a pithy way to counter an argument, but not really germane when the discussion is about the quality and utility of a tool. I like to think I've posted a sample (small as it is) that shows I'm capable of getting quality shots using the X1. The criticism is in its limited range of effectiveness, the limited types of shots where it is a dependable camera, and if it has virtues that distinguish it from the M8 sufficiently.

[ravinj]

I'm pretty sure the X1 would not have gotten this shot (M8, 35mm C-Biogon)

 

As soon as you said that, you disqualified yourself from being taken seriously so far as the X1 is concerned. You keep comparing the X1 to the M8.

 

The fact is that the likes of Nikon D3 surpass the M8 in every aspect. The M8 is also limited in its utility compared to Nikon's best cameras. D3 will allow you to nail more decisive moments that the M8 or M9 ever will.

 

So what is the point? Should we all dump all of our Leica gear?

[hteasley]

As soon as you said that, you disqualified yourself from being taken seriously so far as the X1 is concerned. You keep comparing the X1 to the M8. The fact is that the likes of Nikon D3 surpass the M8 in every aspect. The M8 is also limited in its utility compared to Nikon's best cameras. So what is the point? Should we all dump all of our Leica gear?

 

Whatever. Read what I wrote: not only have I admitted I'm new to the X1, with barely more than a thousand activations[1], but my main criticism of the camera (shutter lag) is well observed in many reviews of the X1, and isn't the strongest criticism one can make about a camera. I've posted shots from it that I love. The X1 is very criticizable; not sure that's a controversial statement.

 

A grip: get one.

 

[1] I guessed it at between 6-700 shots before, but my Lightroom library has 715 X1 shots, and I know I've deleted several hundred already.

[ravinj]

Whatever. Read what I wrote

 

Yeah, whatever. You should read what you wrote.

[RichardM8]

but my main criticism of the camera (shutter lag) is well observed in many reviews of the X1

 

Indeed it is. So it's fair to assume that you knew that before you bought it?

[hteasley]

Indeed it is. So it's fair to assume that you knew that before you bought it?

 

The implied observation is that I'm expressing buyer's remorse with the X1, which interpretation is not to anyone's credit.

 

Done here, there's a forum dynamic that I'm just going to leave alone.

[JanCderidder]

The X1 is clearly a camera with which you will feel comfortable... or not, I can imagine people having trouble with the X1, I however feel as if it's an extension of my eyes, body and arms. I'v hardly used any other since I acquired it months ago, but then anything that needs fast AF'ing is not my thing anyway, and any 35mm focal view is my perfect lens be it on whatever other brand, I think it's mainly the size and simplicity that really appeals to me, in fact for my part the AF could be slower and I wouldn't worry about it.

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[Guest stnami]

Yeah, whatever. You should read what you wrote.

hit the nasty testy button again ravinjie, tsk tsk better get shootin and stop flappin...........