Am I tormenting myself AGAIN?

[satureyes]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hey all - my 1st post here, so be gentle

 

I'm a pro photog (at least people tell me I am) and have a whole bunch of DSLR gear, but I also have a D lux 4 and a couple of other P&S cameras.

 

I've just had the urge to seriously consider the X1. I love my DL4 (my 1st Leica) but I tend not to use it much these days - the smaller Canon S95 seems to be carried with me daily now.

 

I love my DSLR's too - but the X1 looks delicious - I've been pouring over the forums here and it certainly can deliver top notch images - BUT - should I cast aside my DL4 and part exchange it for a X1?

 

I think I may be about to get flamed and told to read the forums...

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[enboe]

Welcome, and thank you for your query. You will get a good diversity of viewpoints here.

 

The X1 is a very different camera. It is not optimized for high-speed autofocus, and is a fixed wide angle focal length. This is very different than the gear you mentioned. It would be useful to know the types of photography you wish to use the X1 for.

 

A couple of thoughts. You may want to try picking up a 35mm equivalent fixed focal length prime for your DSLR and try shooting with just that lens for awhile. Alternately, try renting a rangefinder with a 35mm. See if you like the fixed focal length style of shooting. You could even try shooting with the S95 at the default wide setting, just never touch the zoom.

 

Enjoy.

[h00ligan]

Yes the x1 af is slow, compared to a dslr...but the op wants to replace a dl4 with it, so I'm not sure that is an issue for a 'pocket cam'

 

The only two questions here are IMO, can you live with the fixed focal range and do you shoot macro? The dl4 doesn't focus any faster and the x1 and iq is miles ahead of other it or the canon..the mfd is long though...fwiw I've had all three, the canon went lacking in three weeks and I didn't like iso performance on the dl4.

 

That said you're probably more experienced than me, a non pro. Good advice to see about shooting with a prime.

[satureyes]

thanks for those words - I have an issue with deciding what 'type' of photos I want to take - for me that takes from the beauty and spontaneity of photography.Not everything stands still - so to say that I am going to buy a camera to take still or slow moving objects is a little strange in my head.

 

I rarely zoom with my compact and tend to prefer shooting at the wider end of things, i've never been a fan of compact zooms and I like to shoot wide open, so to get the good f stops I dont zoom in much at all. I have enough lenses with my DSLR's that I can set at 35mm .

 

The main reason I want this camera - at the moment - is because there's times I want to shoot top notch images but dont have my DSLR's with me - and the S95 is good but lacks the IQ and that 'pop'. Plus its a bit rubbish at ISO 1600 and above.

 

I've not really answered your questions though. Oh dear!

[h00ligan]

Well by recent accounts, the af is set to receive a speed boost (read 'my impressions of firmware 2.0'.

 

 

 

Zone focusing when in good light takes care of a lot of speed issues, not sure if you like that style of shooting.

[jsrockit]

The main reason I want this camera - at the moment - is because there's times I want to shoot top notch images but dont have my DSLR's with me - and the S95 is good but lacks the IQ and that 'pop'. Plus its a bit rubbish at ISO 1600 and above.

 

Well, it is a good deal larger than the S95, but outside of that, I think the X1 will be just what you are looking for.

[awarenao]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Well, it is a good deal larger than the S95, but outside of that, I think the X1 will be just what you are looking for.

 

Hi everybody, this is my first post, but I've reading you, long time ago...

Today I just received my Leica X1. I bought it throught Ebay from a Germany Dealer, I'm still learning everything about the camera, but my very first feelings are pretty good about this gorgeus machine!!!

 

I tormented myself a lot... until I got this sexy camera on my hands...

And what about the very first moment when you open the marvellous box? I my G-d!!!!!! I'm really happy mates!!

 

I hope to stay here for a long time, thank you guys!!!

[ChiILX1]

All pros and cons aside I think the best answer to this question is the many, many people on here who bought a X1, found themselves leaving the DSLR at home all the time, and ended up selling their really nice Nikon or Canon sets and sticking with the X1 all the time. I may argue they are the happiest out of all of us on this forum and I always love to see a post from them.

[satureyes]

I know - its inevitable that I will end up with an X1 before the end of the year - I was kind of hoping to convince myself otherwise but I dont think its going to happen.

 

I really dont want to part with my DL4 - but I find I'm using it less now I have the S95, but the DL4 looks so lovely... however its some valuable money towards a new purchase if I can get a good part exchange on it

[Dan States]

I know - its inevitable that I will end up with an X1 before the end of the year - I was kind of hoping to convince myself otherwise but I dont think its going to happen.

 

I really dont want to part with my DL4 - but I find I'm using it less now I have the S95, but the DL4 looks so lovely... however its some valuable money towards a new purchase if I can get a good part exchange on it

 

Looking at your excellent body of work I'd say you would do well with the X1. Much of your photography is precise and deliberate, with a strong theme. The X1 is a great companion in those situations. If you were a quick-draw artist or needing fast operation I would stick with the Dlux4 or even better, the new Dlux5/LX5.

 

Best wishes

Dan

[satureyes]

why thank you for your kind words - I never really look at my work that objectively - but I am still not sure I want to base an expensive camera purchase on a 'style' of photography and limiting myself in other areas.

 

I actually REALLY want to nail street photog - but I have an issue with taking photos of people who mean nothing to me. I need to connect with the subject I'm shooting and snapping folks as they do their daily lives isnt connecting. I think thats why I tend to be more deliberate with my shots.

[Dan States]

why thank you for your kind words - I never really look at my work that objectively - but I am still not sure I want to base an expensive camera purchase on a 'style' of photography and limiting myself in other areas.

 

I actually REALLY want to nail street photog - but I have an issue with taking photos of people who mean nothing to me. I need to connect with the subject I'm shooting and snapping folks as they do their daily lives isnt connecting. I think thats why I tend to be more deliberate with my shots.

 

You can use the X1 for street photography. I have. It is sometimes very good, especially in multipoint focus mode, but often misses focus or locks on after the moment you wanted to capture has passed. You should buy from a retailer that allows you to return the camera if it just doesn't work for you.

 

Best wishes

Dan

[satureyes]

Thanks Dan,

I just want to have the security of a camera with high IQ and not thinking that I should have brought my DSLR's with me.

 

Street Photog is something I am not particularly good at - evey time I try I seem to attract unwanted attention - even with a compact camera

[Ecaton]

Thanks Dan,

I just want to have the security of a camera with high IQ and not thinking that I should have brought my DSLR's with me.

 

Street Photog is something I am not particularly good at - evey time I try I seem to attract unwanted attention - even with a compact camera

 

To capture the moment, the X1 is not a perfect tool. AF is too slow. And MF shooting is cumbersome, because of MF distance setting requiring to look at the screen, unlike eg a Sigma DP which has a distance scale on the control wheel. Further, the distance control wheel is too flimsy, with the slightest touch making it move and thus requiring constant checking (via screen again).

[Sausalito]

Saturyes-

 

The X1 is my first Leica. I was asking myself those same questions. I had stated many times that I would give an eye tooth for a pocket sized camera that had a full sized sensor, so I went ahead and bought the X1 when it first was available in USA.

 

How do I feel now? A little conflicted but mostly very happy with it. The fixed lens doesn't bother me... zoom with my feet as in the old days... maybe a 50mm "normal" would have been better, but who is to say -- this works very well and it's pretty darn sharp. This camera is a bit bigger than the S95 but will definitely fit in most pants pockets and almost any jacket. How important is that? (the best possible camera for any shot is the one you have with you).

 

Having used it now for a couple of months as my "walk around" or vacation camera, I'm really pleased with the results...when I get the shot I want, it is sharp and the file is large enough to do whatever you want with it -- the S95 is not in that league. Have I missed some shots ... yup, but some of them were just because I am still not completely familiar/comfortable with the camera size shape when I use the SLR every day.

 

If you have serious doubts, my advice is to buy a used one on ebay and resell it if you really don't like it. If you like it, wait for the X2 or whatever and then splurge on a new one. I think you will grow to like it as the best pocket camera available today.

 

good luck

 

tom