Lensmate filter adapter for X1?

[h00ligan]

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I think the idea is that you could have a very small system back and equip it when going on longer walks with a neckstrap or similar.

 

I certainly wouldn't leave it on all the time, but it would be great when I was going out specifically to shoot.. but i'm biased as the az sun ruins everything.

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[jsrockit]

I guess I'm just shallow and intrigued by miniturization... People are right though... if you need the solution, you need it no matter what it looks like. Me, I use my X1 as is and it hasn't let me down in anything other than AF speed. I haven't had any flaring issues.

[h00ligan]

flaring isn't an issue for me, it's the need for a polarizer here. 2.8 isn't fast enough to be an issue aka nd filter.. but a polarizer is a MUST here. I've been toying with the idea of just hand holding a big one.. this would be a lot easier.

[JeTexas]

Edward, I'll post a macro shot for you when I get home this evening. A few of my early attempts are posted in the X1 Photo Thread, but I've refined the way the lens mounts for a little bit better results.

 

The added bulk of the lens barrel is a pain the butt. I much prefer carrying the X1 around without the lens barrel. However, I hobbled it together for two reasons.

 

The first and most obvious reason was to shade the lens and give me the ability to use a polarizer when shooting in bright sunlight out on the water. With the filter on the end, the hood gives also gives me additional protection from water and sand.

 

The second reason is that I work professionally in both photography and video. There's one thing that has held true over and over for the past ten years -- the bigger your camera, the more respect you get. I've actually been shooting all web video for the past two years with this tiny little Canon HF100. However, when I'm working with new people, I still have to lug along the gigantic Panasonic DVCPro unit. If I only showed up with the baby Canon, they would question why they were even paying me and weren't shooting it themselves with their own camcorder.

 

The same issue is proving true for the X1. The IQ and low-light performance far exceeds my aged Nikon D70s, but it's too small. The average joe has no clue what an APS-C sensor is or that his point-and-shoot isn't the same as my X1. If I screw on the lens barrel I get a little more respect than if I just look like the guy from the communications department interrupting everyone's project to take photos with my point-and-shoot. I know, it sounds stupid, but that's just the way it works. If I have a large portion of clients involved in a shoot, I'll still carry the Nikon as well just for looks despite the fact that unless I'm doing outdoor construction shots on site, I have no need for the zoom.

 

I will admit though, I added the vented hood purely out of M envy.

[JeTexas]

Here's a macro shot. You can take it up to full size on Flickr.

 

Leica X1 Macro Test by ffacker, on Flickr

[h00ligan]

Does af work with the macro setup? I'm assuming it doesn't which is fine for macro stuff outside of bugs, which I don't care about shooting.

[JeTexas]

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Does af work with the macro setup? I'm assuming it doesn't which is fine for macro stuff outside of bugs, which I don't care about shooting.

 

The answer is yes and no. At certain distances, like around 6 inches from the subject, the macro autofocus works. If you get too close or too far, you have to manual focus -- and of course, you lose focus ability on subject more than 2 feet from the camera. The converter is purely for close-up macro shots.

 

And just for reference, the element I used was from a broken Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX Zoom lens although I imagine any front element would give similar results.

[JeTexas]

Here's my hackjob macro converter.

 

Leica X1 Macro Converter by ffacker, on Flickr

 

L1011625 by ffacker, on Flickr