So, then, what's the ideal X1 photographic situation?

[ChiILX1]

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I find that when one takes the aggregate of the naysayer's specifics on this forum, there is hardly a workable situation where the X1 performs well (I disagree however- I love my X1). They say it's not fast enough for street photography even though people buy it for a daily portable, laughable for weddings, too slow for sports, kids, low-light parties... the list goes on and on... (although I should note that in each of the above cases, some of you have posted remarkable photos disproving the naysayers- I specifically have the latest postings on the wedding thread in mind).

 

So this begs the question, then, did everyone just buy it for nature photography and eBay posts? I mean what else is left? Where does everyone feel like the X1 is fully 'in its element'?

 

Personally I find it ideal as a daily street photography tool and, although I've been tied up in grad school since I got it, probably great for traveling. But I'd love to hear what others have to say.

 

Another rephrase: If you had all the cameras you wanted, and had to choose one of them to take with you, and you chose the X1 over all the others, what (which) situation(s) would it (they) have been?

[Guest badbob]

I don't like SLR's at all, and I wasn't happy with a Panasonic Micro 4/3 camera either, so I looked into the X1 as a possible way to get high quality images with good portability, quiet and simple operation, etc. I would prefer to have some small amount of zoom, up to 90 mm anyway, because a lot of scenes I come across I can't get closer to, or there isn't enough time to get closer to, or I would be crowding the persons in the scene, and so on. Nonetheless, the X1 is good for many things. Landscapes, people and portraits, pets, night photos, low-light people photos, and lots more. When I review the images I got with the X1, I see immediately that nothing else I have looks as good as they do.

[JeTexas]

I've been using the X1 at work for low-light meetings and seminars. The excellent low light IQ lets me shoot with aperture on A and shutter at 1/60 with no flash. I do have to lighten then a bit in Camera Raw and sometimes adjust the shadow/highlight, but with no flash, it doesn't wash out the powerpoint presentations and computer monitors, so I'm able to preserve that. If you shoot one of these classes with a bounce flash, everyone is staring at a blank screen.

 

Then the most noticeable difference between the X1 and my Nikon DSLR in these situations is the noise. Wow, I never realized how obtrusively loud my D70s was until getting used to working with the X1 with the shutter sound turned off.

 

I would also say the X1 is perfect for any situations involving ridiculously hot models.

[ravinj]

X1 was my sole camera on my 10 day trip to Germany and Holland this year. I don't think I missed a shot that I wanted to take.

 

Inside a palace in Germany, my fellow tourists toting DSLRs were asked to switch them off. I was able to take shots with the X1 and no one was aware. This shot would not have been possible with a DSLR or a MFT. X1 worked here because of near silent shutter and small size.

 

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Same thing for street scenes in Holland: DSLR would have been too much in the face for these shots:

 

 

 

Natural beauty of Germany was easily captured by the X1:

 

 

And hyperactive kids are easily motivated by a candy to smile for the X1:

 

[ChiILX1]

I would also say the X1 is perfect for any situations involving ridiculously hot models.

 

Truly excellent! Undisputable! It is clearly way sexier than any other contemporary camera I have ever seen - and your example brings such a characteristic out of the realm of the irrelevant and 'purely aesthetic' into that of a truly valuable function! Brilliant

[phancj]

Discreteness of the X1 is incredible, from the silent shutter to the tiny size.

 

Ravinj, you show without a shadow of doubt the X1 IS suitable for candid street photography. I have experienced the same. In fact, I'll go on to say it does not compare unfavorably with even the digital Ms in this respect. IMHO.

[jsrockit]

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I use mine for "urban landscape" ...

[JeTexas]

I've carried only the X1 on my last trips to Paris and to Austin. I got incredible results, and I never really missed the zoom. My night shots in Paris suffered a little bit as I dealt with the learning curve of shooting at night while walking, but by Austin I wasn't missing a shot.

 

L1010893 by ffacker, on Flickr

 

I've shot a model with the X1 and aside from a bit of trouble framing in bright sunlight (I have a viewfinder, I just left it at home like a genius), it did wonderful.

 

YACHT05 by ffacker, on Flickr

 

I built my own macro converter for under $20, so that I can now do amazing Macro shots with it.

 

L1011625 by ffacker, on Flickr

 

The only time I find the X1 lacking is when I'm hiking or sailing, and I really want to zoom on a bird, squirrel, dolphin, etc. However, I'm sure that zoom problem will be remedied when I win the Leica Explorer contest and get my new V-Lux 2. lol

 

I think the X1 would also be a great dive camera, but I haven't found a suitable casing yet.

[ChiILX1]

I think the X1 would also be a great dive camera, but I haven't found a suitable casing yet.

 

EWA Marine has some pseudo "one size fits many" casings that may work:

 

http://www.ewa-marine.com/index.php?id=13&L=0