X1 or not

[DWHITE25]

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I have a decision to make and so far it hasn't been an easy one. I've decided to take my photography hobby more seriously and I need to purchase a big boy camera. I have always been around cameras, but never personally graduated much past a P&S. I have experience with SLRs, but would prefer not to have people look at me like I just pulled an AK-47 out every time I want to take a picture. The quality of the picture and the technique behind getting it is paramount to me. That being said simplicity it also important.

 

I've narrowed it down to the X1, but given my beginner status wonder if a G11 or D-Lux 4 would be a better option.

 

So far I love everything about the Leica community and that has considerable sway over me. The other factor is that I have an expense account for these kinds of purchases so I'm not as concerned about the money. That being said I don't want to appear as a brand snob either.

 

Ultimately I just want the best camera that I can use and grow into to.

 

Thoughts

[ezc203]

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

 

Secondly, you ask a question that's very difficult (or damn near impossible) to answer for anyone but you.

 

Thirdly, for what it's worth, these are my thoughts:

 

The X1 is an outstanding camera, one of my favorites. It is a very logical step up from a P&S. You have the brain-dead automatic mode (it's handy sometimes when you wanna be lazy) but there's also the fully manual controls (MF is a bitch, but you learn to deal with it).

 

A few words of caution, the X1 is not a particularly snappy camera. It has a relatively slow process (composition, focusing, thinking, shooting). But if the X1 suits your shoot style, you'll LOVE it.

 

Just for fun, here's a photo. Nothing special just a little sample of what I like about the X1 - great bokeh from the 24 elmarit and excellent ISO (this one is at 800).

 

 

...

[ravinj]

My question to you is, why have you narrowed it down to the X1? Did you consider Panasonic GF1? Even though the image quality of the X1 is better than the GF1, the panny is not that far behind. High ISO story is obviously in favor of the X1.

 

For persons of normal means, buying the X1 is a substantial investment, expense account not withstanding. If money is no object, you can always get the M9. and the technique behind M9 is very different from X1. You will either love the X1 or hate it. There is no middle ground. Go through the threads on this forum and you will get an idea.

 

If the most important criteria for you is a compact camera with the highest image quality in the smallest package, AND you think the premium is worth it, then X1 is a no-brainer as of today.

 

I have the X1, I like it and it was worth the price for me. YMMV.

[phancj]

My suggestion is to also go to the X1 photo forum or the LFi to see samples posted.

 

Basically you really have to consider what you plan to shoot with this camera.

 

This camera is great for:

Almost everything, landscapes, portraits, stills, architecture, travel snapshots, etc,etc

The portraits & landscape shots in particular are awesome, which is amazing for a camera this size.

 

Not so good for:

Fast moving subjects, macro, telephoto shots, and birds (unless your name is Ravinj coz he speaks to them)

 

I would recommend this camera for daily use, traveling, I think its phenomenal. But I use my DSLR for macro(very often for product shots at work) and sports(almost never).

 

So the X1 is my perfect camera outside of work. Your considerations may be the same, or not.

 

My two cents worth.

[aesop]

...forget the X1 and get two big-boy M9s, DWHITE25. I would also recommend purchasing *all* of the following lenses:

 

21/1.4 ASPH

35/1.4 ASPH

50/0.95 ASPH

90/2 APO ASPH

 

There is enough in this outfit for you to grow into - let us know how you get on (with the auditors as well). And welcome to the forum.

[DWHITE25]

I truly appreciate all of the advice and the welcome. Based on your comments, I've decided to pull the trigger on the X1.

 

I've done my due diligence and you all are correct, ultimately it comes down to me. I've read the Pros and Cons, but from what I've seen so far the images are nothing short of amazing especially coming from my background.

 

The M9 is probably wasted in my hands. I just hope to be able to capture some shots worthy of posting on the forum in the upcoming months.

[ravinj]

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I truly appreciate all of the advice and the welcome. Based on your comments, I've decided to pull the trigger on the X1.

 

Well, that was easy. You will not be disappointed with the image quality.

[harryliem]

...forget the X1 and get two big-boy M9s, DWHITE25. I would also recommend purchasing *all* of the following lenses:

 

21/1.4 ASPH

35/1.4 ASPH

50/0.95 ASPH

90/2 APO ASPH

 

There is enough in this outfit for you to grow into - let us know how you get on (with the auditors as well). And welcome to the forum.

 

That is my only dream... but most dreams have never become true...

I am happy with my X1.

Compact, light weight and best IQ in any kind of light condition.

[ezc203]

Congrats on your decision, hope to see some photos from you soon!

[Guest X1s]

I truly appreciate all of the advice and the welcome. Based on your comments, I've decided to pull the trigger on the X1.

 

I've done my due diligence and you all are correct, ultimately it comes down to me. I've read the Pros and Cons, but from what I've seen so far the images are nothing short of amazing especially coming from my background.

 

The M9 is probably wasted in my hands. I just hope to be able to capture some shots worthy of posting on the forum in the upcoming months.

 

Hopefully? DWHITE25.... you Do [understand] the real world limitations of the X1, and then move forward, with total confidence in the camera's ability to perform. Only by having a thorough and complete understanding of the X1, will you be able to enjoy it, and not get caught up in some of these threads here that cast doubt on either the persons ability too use the X1 or the X1's limitations.

 

Emma

[fotografr]

If you really want to take your photography to the next level, my suggestion would be to consider a combo like a used M8 with either a 28mm or 35mm lens. The X1 is a good notch above the P&S category, but it pales in comparison to the M8. This would add a bit to your final cost, but since you have an expense account for it I think it is worth serious consideration. The M8 (and M9) also represents a system that you can grow into, as you said, by adding some phenomenal lenses.

[jsrockit]

The X1 is a good notch above the P&S category, but it pales in comparison to the M8.

 

Pales only in the fact that you cannot change lenses and doesn't have a viewfinder / rangefinder... outside of that... you will get just as good of images from an X1 than with a M8 and a 28mm lens... nerd res charts aside.

[JanCderidder]

Not wanting to start anything here.... and not that I have any knowledge of photography but I have the M8 and the X1 and the X1 is such a better camera.... (for me personally) but then I never got into the M8 hype.

 

I do believe the M9 might be better, if only for the interchangeable lenses, but then again I use the 35mm 99% of the time anyway.

 

As for the VF I find my VC on the X1 good enough, I have learned to live well with it.

[jsrockit]

I'm not going to go that far JanC... I just meant that both cameras will allow you to make wonderful photos in the same fashion...

[JanCderidder]

I'm not going to go that far JanC... I just meant that both cameras will allow you to make wonderful photos in the same fashion...

 

True, the "touch and feel" thing of the X1 I really appeals to me, small, light... etc. making it a better tool for my personal preferences...

[RichardM8]

Not wanting to start anything here.... and not that I have any knowledge of photography but I have the M8 and the X1 and the X1 is such a better camera.... (for me personally) but then I never got into the M8 hype.

 

Now that's a pretty rare view Jan. Refreshing...

 

A few days ago I was at my Leica dealer and played around with an M8.2 for a while. Again, as I always do when I have the chance because I am fascinated with - indeed - the hype that to surrounds the Ms.

 

And every time I am struck and impressed by the look & feel of them. The way the controls move, click & feel. Superb engineering pouring from every angle. The small lenses. Beautiful. But also weird. The viewfinder still looks awkward to me at best compared to the current FF SLRs. I still fail to grasp the 'magic' from the RF system. And, as good and famous as the manual M focus is, not having AF as an option is a minus I think. Purist or not. I used manual Zeiss Distagons' on my Canon SLR and that worked fine. But to say 'you don't need AF ever' is a step too far imo.

 

But at the end of the day I must admit that a Leica M has a very strong wannahave factor.

[phancj]

Now that's a pretty rare view Jan. Refreshing...

 

A few days ago I was at my Leica dealer and played around with an M8.2 for a while. Again, as I always do when I have the chance because I am fascinated with - indeed - the hype that to surrounds the Ms.

 

And every time I am struck and impressed by the look & feel of them. The way the controls move, click & feel. Superb engineering pouring from every angle. The small lenses. Beautiful. But also weird. The viewfinder still looks awkward to me at best compared to the current FF SLRs. I still fail to grasp the 'magic' from the RF system. And, as good and famous as the manual M focus is, not having AF as an option is a minus I think. Purist or not. I used manual Zeiss Distagons' on my Canon SLR and that worked fine. But to say 'you don't need AF ever' is a step too far imo.

 

But at the end of the day I must admit that a Leica M has a very strong wannahave factor.

 

I tried the M8 too last month and found the RF rather easy to grasp. I also tried shooting in dim lighting it was tolerable but not comfortable. This is probably due to my age and eyesight.

 

I took an SD card there to store the images I shot. I would say that the images from the M8 are comparable to the X1, with the high iso on the X1 being better.

 

Sharpness is similar, tones are pleasant in both but the M8 had a heavy shutter adding vibration but the X1 shutter is so soft its perfect.

 

Of course the big advantage of M8 is the ability to use the lux, I did not try it but have seen enough images to know what the great lens can produce.

 

AF is a big plus for me, cannot imagine taking hundreds of photos daily with MF. Too strenuous.

[jsrockit]

The beauty of the M's focusing is in zone focusing... on a nice sunny day with a wide angle... you preset focus and then go shoot... it's better than autofocus for the most part.

[tom0511]

I would suggest that you ask yourself if just a 35mm lens is fine for you or not.

What do you shoot? Do you want Tele here and then? Do you want more extreme wide angle here and then?

If so, m4/3 for example the E-P2 might be the better choice. I use both and even though there are different opinions on this I do say the IQ at lower ISO is minimal, at higher ISO its there but then you can shoot the m4/3 at 1 stop lower ISO since you get more DOF. And you have IS.

The other thing is the AF- the x1 AF is certainly slower - so if you have small kids or like to shoot things like sports or action this might be another no go for the x1.

 

I love the x1 and its user interface and simple menu-structure. However I also have a fast DSLR for those times when I need tele, or speed.

 

If 35mm FOV is all you need and if you can live with a slowish AF then the x1 is a wonderfull camera IMO.

Frienkly if I had to decide for just one camera system it would not be the x1 but the E-p2 with a 17/2.8 plus 1 ot 2 zooms.

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[Scola77]

You made a great choice. It took me a few weeks to get acclimated with the camera, but I can now say with certainty this is my favorite to date. I have owned several Nikon DSLRs (including the d700, d300s, d70s, d200) and several P&S cameras. The X1 gives you the quality of a DSLR (better IMHO) with the convenience and form factor of a P&S. Sure there are tradeoffs due to its size (slower focussing, stuck in 35mm) but these cons are greatly overshadowed by the pros. I pretty much lived in the 50mm fixed domain with my DSLR, so shooting with a 35mm has been a joy. I get the wide shots and if I need to be a tad bit closer, I simply walk closer. Much easier than swapping lenses for every possible scenario. And the quality, oh my! Nothing beats that Leica look.

 

I do have a Nikon d5000 strictly for sports (my 2 young kids who play soccer, t-ball and other fast-paced stuff), but everything else gets the X1 treatment.

 

Enjoy!