X1 for Christmas!

[Le Samourai]

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Not a massive surprise as I bought as a gift to myself, it's my first Leica, in fact it's my first decent camera full stop. Probably more camera than I need to be honest being the rank amateur that I am. That said I intend to fully imerse myself in photography in 2011 (my new hobby) in an effort to get out and about more and hopefully meet new people. First impressions are very good, the camera looks and feels gorgeous, I have no buyers remorse whatsoever given the massive indulgence buying the camera was in the first place, i had to work hard for the money to buy it but I just fell in love with the thing I've only been messing around at home with it at the moment but I'm very much looking forwards to going out shooting with it when I familiarise myself with it. Anyhow I'll be lurking around here from now on so expect an avalanche of stupid question lol.

 

Regards

 

Dan

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[Rusted Chrome]

Congratulations. I know you will enjoy learning to get the most from the camera. Just keep on shooting!

[phancj]

Congrats, Dan! Sure you'll have as much fun as I did almost a year!

 

CJ

[enboe]

Congratulations on the X1. It's a wonderful tool, very capable in most photographic endeavors. The very best thing you can do is review the manual and get out there and shoot, shoot, and shoot some more.

 

Some prioritized accessory thoughts, from my experience:

 

1) a Microfiber cloth, to keep the lens and screen clean. $5 is cheap insurance to ensure you get the most out of your optics.

2) a lens cap leash. $2 to help keep track of the lens cap.

3) Photoshop Elements. $50 on sale, $70 normally, very powerful editing software.

4) an optical finder for the hot shoe, 36mm or 35mm angle of view. This one is pricey, so it can be deferred, but eventually it is a wonderful addition. Being able to optically view the image and shoot with the camera nest to your body is much more to my liking, and much more like shooting with an M or screwmount Leica.

 

Enjoy.

[Bill Allsopp]

I hope you enjoy your camera for years to come.

It will make great images when you learn how best to use it in each situation.

[mah]

X1 shot:

 

I wish you a Merry Christmas | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Guest badbob]

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Your X1 will serve you well. Best of all, it will not distract you with lots of buttons and attention-grabbing features. The layout of the camera and the menu is perfect for concentrating on photography.

[NZDavid]

+1 and enboe has some good suggestions.

[grober]

Welcome to the ward, Dan!

 

Most of the other inmates are harmless . . . just watch out for the older ones clutching their R9s . . . they're the most dangerous.

 

-g

[Le Samourai]

Hey thanks for the replies guys, will be buying a bright line viewfinder next month, followed by a hand grip . Was thinking about getting a Hama lens pen rather than a microfibire cloth, not sure now? What would you recommend for cleaning the lens?

[grober]

Hey thanks for the replies guys, will be buying a bright line viewfinder next month, followed by a hand grip . Was thinking about getting a Hama lens pen rather than a microfibire cloth, not sure now? What would you recommend for cleaning the lens?

 

Don't overclean it. I've had my X1 since March and haven't cleaned the lens yet. If it isn't visibly dirty, don't touch it.

 

-g

[phancj]

I use lenspen, works well...but yes, do not need to clean unless you can see visible stains/dirt.

[enboe]

As a wise man once said, "when given a choice, choose both."

 

I definitely agree with the advice not to over-clean the lens. Depending on your shooting conditions, you could likely go for months between cleanings. I cannot speak for the lens pen, but defer to others here who have the experience.

 

The cloth works especially well for me on the back screen. I am left-eye dominant, so I get a nose print every frame when using my optical finder. A wipe of the cloth once it gets bothersome, and I'm back to shooting.

 

I have found the back screen to be acceptably durable. I shot for 9 days in Florida rain and humidity, accumulating around 750 frames, and only have one micro-speck of wear to the screen. This is without any case or screen film, and using my handy 1-quart ziplock bag (TSA humor here) as rain protection. I did make sure NOT to wear any type of jacket or shirt with metal zippers, rivets, buttons, spikes, etc.

 

So, have fun shooting, and share your experiences here. There's surely more to be discovered about this wonderful little machine.

 

Eric

[ChiILX1]

Congratulations on the X1. It's a wonderful tool, very capable in most photographic endeavors. The very best thing you can do is review the manual and get out there and shoot, shoot, and shoot some more.

 

Some prioritized accessory thoughts, from my experience:

 

1) a Microfiber cloth, to keep the lens and screen clean. $5 is cheap insurance to ensure you get the most out of your optics.

2) a lens cap leash. $2 to help keep track of the lens cap.

3) Photoshop Elements. $50 on sale, $70 normally, very powerful editing software.

4) an optical finder for the hot shoe, 36mm or 35mm angle of view. This one is pricey, so it can be deferred, but eventually it is a wonderful addition. Being able to optically view the image and shoot with the camera nest to your body is much more to my liking, and much more like shooting with an M or screwmount Leica.

 

Enjoy.

 

Some alternative suggestions-

 

2) a small pocket on your camera bag strap at your shoulder for your lens cap (like a cell phone pocket)

3) The lightroom that came with it or aperture

4) The Voigtlander Viewfinder