X1 wedding photography

[ndjambrose]

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Weddings tend to create two sets of difficult shooting conditions on a consistent basis.

 

The first is low light. The second is a fleeting moment.

 

Working effectively in these situations demands a camera with zero focus lag, near zero shutter lag, and the ability to set focus without looking at the LCD. It also requires a camera that can be hand-held at low speeds in challenging conditions, under pressure, and very quickly.

 

1. The X1 has slow AF speed and perceptible shutter lag. I've read numerous reviews that suggest it's generally too slow for candid street photography. That being the case, it would therefore be even worse for weddings, at least for pure reportage.

 

2. Shooting at arms length while looking at the LCD offers the least likelihood of a steady image at low speeds, and using the finder accessory prejudices adaptive focusing, since you can't see the focus points. Plus shooting with attention on the LCD makes it hard, maybe even impossible, to track action and reaction in the general scene, except for when people are lined up and waiting for static shots.

 

3. The X1 is on the small side for professional grade flashes. If it's unbalanced in the hand then focusing becomes difficult - and pretty challenging to frame vertically. Composition will be hard generally since the flash prevents an auxiliary finder (although I guess with adequate flash output you could switch to zone focusing and compose on screen, but kiss goodbye to subtle, nuanced shots with gentle additive flash). Smaller strobes which would suit the X1 don't have adequate power output, aren't directional, and don't recycle quickly enough or run for long enough periods.

 

Taken together, the above would not make me want the X1 as a wedding camera.

[ndjambrose]

If you set it to manual focus and manually set a good f' stop for DOF with a 24/ ie, 35mm lens ... what slows you down then?

 

Outside in good light - not much. Inside, in low light.... well.....

 

(Nice to see you here, Marc. Quite ironic to be talking gear, not intent :-)

[mwilliamsphotography]

Outside in good light - not much. Inside, in low light.... well.....

 

(Nice to see you here, Marc. Quite ironic to be talking gear, not intent :-)

 

LOL!

 

Yeah, hard to escape it Neil. But I did say that it all depends on a photographer's approach and that the decisive moment doesn't need to be captured in a rapid burst of fire-power, etc. etc.

 

There's a famous quip from a national advertiser ... when told that the ad agency had a whole portfolio of ideas to present, he replied, "How about just one good one!" : -)

 

As mentioned, I sure wouldn't select this camera as a main wedding tool ... for most of the reasons you and others have mentioned. Yet, some of these APSc sensor quasi-pocket cameras are getting interesting for some side-line stuff.

 

However, I admit that I get bored using the same tools all the time and like to mix it up a bit just to challenge myself. I'm now goofing around with a Sony NEX, and will use it with my M glass as soon as the adapter arrives ... little bugger is lots of fun.

 

-Marc

[Guest stnami]

Maybe if we close our eyes , clench our fist real hard and pray.............it will be all perfect. Alternatively we can pretend

Sure in the right hands most cameras wiill come up with the goods but it would be misleading if we recommended the X1 as a wedding camera to a novice or "I want to shoot my daughter's wedding" amateur.

[mwilliamsphotography]

Maybe if we close our eyes , clench our fist real hard and pray.............it will be all perfect. Alternatively we can pretend

Sure in the right hands most cameras wiill come up with the goods but it would be misleading if we recommended the X1 as a wedding camera to a novice or "I want to shoot my daughter's wedding" amateur.

 

That is true for most cameras ... LOL!

 

-Marc

[brill64]

..not my wedding but whilst the photographer was barking his instructions at this newly-wed young couple with his professional looking canon, i couldn't resist pointing my x1 in their direction since it was so quiet and unobtrusive. regardless of what some people here may think, it handles highlights and colours really well and i would definitely have the x1 in my pocket at a wedding, pro or not.

 

Leica x1 1/320 f2.8 iso100

jiuzhaigou valley, sichuan, prc

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[h00ligan]

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Maybe if we close our eyes , clench our fist real hard and pray.............it will be all perfect. Alternatively we can pretend

Sure in the right hands most cameras wiill come up with the goods but it would be misleading if we recommended the X1 as a wedding camera to a novice or "I want to shoot my daughter's wedding" amateur.

 

The world is ending! I agree with you completely. I'm sure talented people could do it, but there are much much better tools.

[ChiILX1]

So the point just has to be made.... I agree AF is slow etc etc rehash.... but let's not exaggerate...

 

Anyone who argues the X1 is sort of only cut out for photographing flower pots and cornfields... that it isn't cut out for any ie street photography is just wrong. Has there ever been a Leica that wasn't? Demonstrations attached.... if this one can capture the decisive moment then the X1 can do it too...

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[Guest stnami]

Yea ........ it is a all manual camera and doesn't rely on "The Waiting Game " ........... Mrs Z. Focus and her friend Manual were still a couple and it twas before Mr A Focus had an illicit affair with the young lass Leica

[mwilliamsphotography]

Interesting points of view expressed here. Beyond defending or denying this specific camera, are there other related discussion points?

 

IMO, the notion of "there are better tools" to shoot a wedding is part and parcel of the movement to standardize and homogenize photography in general, and wedding photography specifically. Iconoclasts beware, LOL!

 

Of course, there are better tools. The questions that come to mind are ... who defines "better tools", and are they really needed?

 

While Neil Ambrose makes excellent points about wedding conditions defining the tools, he self-admittedly doesn't fall into the camp wedding photography tools as described by others ... he takes a vintage 1962 Rolleiflex to all of his weddings and considers it "essential kit." Not exactly what most would deem a "low light" or "fleeting moment" machine ... as defined by today's digital wonder-cam specifications. Not his only wedding tool to be sure, or even his main one, ... but that was the point I was trying to make ... the X1 could be one in the bag ... it's pretty small after all.

 

As to use by the novice or "I want to shoot my daughter's wedding" crowd ... there are thousands of Brides with tears in their eyes because of this self-inflicted "digital shutterbug phenomena". Whenever I'm asked about "What camera should I use to shoot my daughter's wedding?", my reply is always ... "The camera that the pro you hire uses". Those who just don't have the money for a professional, I invite to assist me and learn before learning at the expense of such an important life event ... or have one of my assistants shoot it with them. Wedding photography is far less about what gear is used, and more about people skills, timing, ability under pressure, and observational abilities.

 

People are getting these do-it-all cameras without ever really knowing much about the basics of photography, light or lighting, or composition, or much else for that matter. There is a reason most beginner photography courses require manual cameras. My new assistants often first come to me with a ton of enthusiasm and almost zero discipline. I usually have to empty their cup before being able to teach them anything.

 

Just a POV based on experience.

 

-Marc

[ndjambrose]

Anyone who argues the X1 ... isn't cut out for any ie street photography is just wrong. Has there ever been a Leica that wasn't? Demonstrations attached.... if this one can capture the decisive moment then the X1 can do it too...

 

Thing is, given the choice between an X1 and a Leica 0, I'd rather have the 0. What makes the difference for me is shutter lag and immediate focus, which is why mechanical cameras often have the edge. But, in reference to the example posted, this isn't really a decisive moment. It's a snap at an arbitrary moment and in the easiest of conditions -- good light, and outside. In those conditions you could take that shot with a pinhole camera and get equally interesting and usable results.

 

Neil Ambrose ... self-admittedly doesn't fall into the camp wedding photography tools as described by others ... he takes a vintage 1962 Rolleiflex to all of his weddings and considers it "essential kit."

 

That's true, Marc - I guess I like mixing it up for similar reasons to you.

 

Actually, the Rolleiflex has some real advantages for certain uses. The gigantic viewfinder eliminates all doubt about focus or composition, the depth of field scale is accurate for easy zone focusing, and the camera is interesting to people, and therefore disarming. Plus it's pretty steady at low speeds, and there is a definite quality gain on pushed or high-speed film due to negative size - so 3200 is fully workable. Most important for me though - it's mechanical, so has instant response.

 

I completely agree there's always room in the bag for something else. And no reason that couldn't be the X1.

 

For a while I tried a G10 as an extra. Perfectly brilliant for some things (macro was amazing) but I struggled with making it take the shots in the way I saw them. By the time I'd forced the focus point to where I wanted it the moment was gone, or if I'd managed to get focus and composition, there was a delay in releasing the shutter. In the end it felt too difficult - the camera was fighting me, not working for me. I can see the G10 (or the X1) working well for setup shots, but I found it hopeless for reportage.

 

I learned that I prefer immediate response and manual control over auto features. For which reason the Rolleiflex makes a better extra for me, and a nice counterpoint to my main M setup.

[Guest stnami]

Marc......... funerals even friends and direct family I do not have any dramas with...... weddings on the other hand except those that are very, very informal and even those are no go zone for me. Using a 35mm at a funeral one needs to tread carefully, zooming with one's feet with a 50mm is a lot more discreet along with the 85-105mm range. At funerals is probably the only place where I use a very shallow DOF exclusively thus favouring the 1.4/1.8mm lenses and manual focus.

[mwilliamsphotography]

Marc......... funerals even friends and direct family I do not have any dramas with...... weddings on the other hand except those that are very, very informal and even those are no go zone for me. Using a 35mm at a funeral one needs to tread carefully, zooming with one's feet with a 50mm is a lot more discreet along with the 85-105mm range

 

This is exactly what defines the personal approach and style of a wedding shooter.

 

My most frequent compliment from wedding clients is "Oh I love that shot, I didn't even know you were there." These are usually shot with a 28 or 35mm lens on the M9, or 24 to 35mm with a DSLR zoom. The look is definitely different than shots made with a telephoto at a distance ... which I personally rarely use for candids because it feels impersonal to my eye. I don't worry about zooming with my feet ... I try to already be there ... which is what anticipation is all about.

 

I'm confused about the X1 ... do you have to use AF? Can't you just manually zone focus the thing? I don't grasp why the X1 would be hard to grip in one hand ... I thought it was small and they made a aux grip for it?

 

Also, I still don't understand the 6 seconds between shots comment ... the specs say it shoots 3 FPS. (?????).

 

Exactly how much shutter lag is there?

 

-Marc

[Guest stnami]

Funerals give one a narrower arena to work in, plus respecting the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed requires a lot of eye contact and hope, can't play the stealth game here. The 50 gives one that take two paces back space to work in.

I used the X1 a few times loved the IQ but just wouldn't use it enough too narrow a arena of application in my case , not sure what that six seconds caper the poster is on about http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leicax1/page10.asp

[Dan States]

Indoors in a church or banquet hall it would be easier to use the ur leica than the X1. It simply wont focus in any reasonable time in very low light and manual focus is very difficult because of the interface and the fact that the distance scale is wildly inaccurate. I love my X1 but if I'm getting paid for a job I would not risk a clients package on my "favorite" camera just to prove it can be done. If you are a guest, knock yourselves out and shoot a brownie if you like!

 

Best wishes

Dan

[h00ligan]

This is exactly what defines the personal approach and style of a wedding shooter.

 

My most frequent compliment from wedding clients is "Oh I love that shot, I didn't even know you were there." These are usually shot with a 28 or 35mm lens on the M9, or 24 to 35mm with a DSLR zoom. The look is definitely different than shots made with a telephoto at a distance ... which I personally rarely use for candids because it feels impersonal to my eye. I don't worry about zooming with my feet ... I try to already be there ... which is what anticipation is all about.

 

I'm confused about the X1 ... do you have to use AF? Can't you just manually zone focus the thing? I don't grasp why the X1 would be hard to grip in one hand ... I thought it was small and they made a aux grip for it?

 

Also, I still don't understand the 6 seconds between shots comment ... the specs say it shoots 3 FPS. (?????).

 

Exactly how much shutter lag is there?

 

-Marc

 

Two thoughts: manual focusing of the x1 is inaccurate and cumbersome due to the wheel and yes you can zone but, in low light the result may not be great. Second point is, the x1 will crack out 3fps...but then locks out due to write time(6 seconds is probably accurate after burst shooting). The io controller is slow, no matter the card, that's where the delay arises - not shutter lag.

[wda]

....

I'm confused about the X1 ... I don't grasp why the X1 would be hard to grip in one hand ... I thought it was small and they made a aux grip for it?....

 

-Marc

Perfectly true, Marc. Unfortunately a lot of owners convince themselves that they don't need this vital accessory. The X1 can be held in one hand, safely, discreetly, and swung into use with consummate ease.

[ChiILX1]

I prefer and recommend the thumbs up and some even praise having both.

[Guest X1FORME]

That is a beautiful photo! With an X1? How much post processing was needed? Great work!

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[glenerrolrd]

But the AF can be really slow and once the buffer fills ..its over. Sean Reid ..on Reid reviews covers the limitations in detail. He worked hard to show you various settings to get around this for street shooting.