johnbuckley Posted January 8, 2011 Share #1  Posted January 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) So I am a longtime M user, and have for a few years had a D-Lux 4 just to have a pocket-sized camera for the moments when you need one. I will admit that when I got an X1 just before Christmas, I wondered if I'd made a mistake. The files seemed nice, but it was both bigger than the D-Lux 4 and, because of the fixed lens, seemingly less flexible. And I'll admit, it took me a bit of time and practice to realize how complex -- I mean this as a compliment, not as an M-user's insult -- this little camera is.  It was when I was processing some raw files taken over the holiday that I began noticing just how impressive this camera really is. I hope the moderator will forgive my posting these two pretty ordinary pictures here, but I do so for a reason.  The first of these considerably down-rezzed filesvwas shot at f/2.8 in a hotel room en route to our ski house out West; the second is in the ski house. In both cases, the lighting sources were quite diverse, and yet with just a little bit of work in Lightroom, these produced files that are, I believe, pretty comparable to what is available through my M9. And thus a little lightbulb went off, and I began to get it. This is a remarkably sophisticated camera, it will take a considerable amount of practice to master -- as much, perhaps, as when I first switched to a rangefinder almost a decade ago -- but I believe that, notwithstanding its limitations, the end results will be worth it. JB Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/141222-how-i-became-a-believer-in-the-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1552448'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 8, 2011 Posted January 8, 2011 Hi johnbuckley, Take a look here How I Became A Believer In The X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ravinj Posted January 8, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted January 8, 2011 This is a remarkably sophisticated camera, it will take a considerable amount of practice to master -- as much, perhaps, as when I first switched to a rangefinder almost a decade ago -- but I believe that, notwithstanding its limitations, the end results will be worth it. JB Â Welcome to the world of X1. One either "gets" the philosophy behind it or does not. Glad to see you get it. Now enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 9, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted January 9, 2011 Hey John, Â I know EXACTLY how you feel. Â Having used the camera for almost a year I am still amazed at some of the pictures that are coming out of the camera. Try some very dimly lit shots and do not worry about what you see on the crappy LCD. During post you will immediately recognize how the X1 renders the darker shots so much more competently than most cameras. The amount of tonal and detail preservation in the darker shades is phenomenal. Â The only limitation I feel with this camera is its fixed lens, good for travel and general photography though. If they can somehow make a tri-elmar version I will not think of an M9. Or leica can rip off the ricoh idea of replacement sensor/lens modules. Â Enjoy the X1, as I am sure you will. Â BTW went to your site and saw your photos with the Ms, superb! Â And do think about joining the X1 photo challenge, the deadline for shooting is end of the month that leaves you plenty of time. Theme is "weather". Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted January 9, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted January 9, 2011 I've had mine for about a month, apart from a couple of try-out weekends with a demo one. I endorse what John says - there's more to this little beauty than meets the eye, and I can see that I'll need quite some time to get the best out of it. With a deep breath I left the M behind and took just the X-1 on holiday to Thailand over Xmas/New Year. There were only a couple of occasions when I felt the need for either a wider or a longer lens, but CJ's tri-elmarit idea is appealing. Technically though that would be a real challenge for Leica seeing how complex the mechanics of those lenses are. A zoom however would destroy the X-1's USP and simply bringing out a new version with a Summicron lens seems to me simply like change for change's sake. Maybe the module idea has some merit, but would need a complete re-design of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 9, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted January 9, 2011 Hi, Ravinj, as I am new to Leicaworld, would you care to enlighten me what the philosophy behind the x1 is? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted January 9, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted January 9, 2011 Hi John, I'm happy to read that there are satisfied happy user of this camera ! I'm since a couple of weeks one of them! It is a simple camera but you need to know it (her?) to get the best! As with most of the cameras. And this is part of the pleasure of photography, at least for me... robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share #7 Â Posted January 9, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) My sense is that the best way for me to take full advantage of the X1 is to put away the M for a few days and shoot only with it. In other words, to rethink how I was approaching the X1. At first, I was thinking of it as comparable to the D-Lux 4 and was disappointed it was limited in certain ways compared to it. If, however, I think of it as an M9 with only the 35mm lens to choose from, I think I will get into the spirit of it better. Yes, I need to learn more about how its multiple-field focusing works, etc. And yes, to me it is as difficult to imagine it as an "action" camera as my first rangefinder experience revealed a rangefinder was ( before learning.) It's hard to explain, but I now understand that this is a special camera, with special demands, very much in the spirit of the Barnack/Leitz tradition, not a limited little digicam... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinj Posted January 9, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted January 9, 2011 Hi, Ravinj, as I am new to Leicaworld, would you care to enlighten me what the philosophy behind the x1 is? Â Hi Ivan - Surely, you jest! The enlightenment has to come from within. If someone needs to get an "explanation" of the X1, then perhaps the camera is not for him/her. Since you are an experienced photographer, I would take your comment as a very diplomatic sarcasm. Thank you for being polite. Â I personally found it instructive to read these interviews where X1 is discussed: Â Stefan Daniel Interview, part 3 Tom Grill Interview on Stock Photography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
h00ligan Posted January 9, 2011 Share #9 Â Posted January 9, 2011 Ravin, Ivan bought an x1... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinj Posted January 9, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted January 9, 2011 I know. I was responding to his question/comment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
h00ligan Posted January 10, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted January 10, 2011 gotcha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 10, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted January 10, 2011 hi Ravinj, thanks for the links! Â My original question was perhaps a little 'tongue in cheek' but as I also said I am new to leica world and its perhaps somewhat elite culture ..... Â Perhaps if you would induldge me and explain how you see the 'philosophy' behind the x1 it would help me on my path of understanding... Â Friendly regards, Ivan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DwF Posted January 10, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted January 10, 2011 My sense is that the best way for me to take full advantage of the X1 is to put away the M for a few days and shoot only with it. In other words, to rethink how I was approaching the X1. At first, I was thinking of it as comparable to the D-Lux 4 and was disappointed it was limited in certain ways compared to it. If, however, I think of it as an M9 with only the 35mm lens to choose from, I think I will get into the spirit of it better. Yes, I need to learn more about how its multiple-field focusing works, etc. And yes, to me it is as difficult to imagine it as an "action" camera as my first rangefinder experience revealed a rangefinder was ( before learning.) It's hard to explain, but I now understand that this is a special camera, with special demands, very much in the spirit of the Barnack/Leitz tradition, not a limited little digicam... Â John, Â Thanks for posting this thread, and I agree that the best way to learn this camera is to put the M away for a bit and go out with the X1. I would suggest this especially to someone looking to get into this camera having shot zooms or DSLRs even more. I imagine many M shooters go out with a single focal length and stick with that, at least sometimes. Of course there are the other features that will come quicker with use as well, like the metering. Â I also had a break through today related to dynamic range and tonalities that I will post at some point. I know what I'd have gone through to get a similar result with film! Â David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted January 10, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted January 10, 2011 I still love my X1, but using the Ricoh GXR w/ 28mm module has killed a little bit of the love for me. The Ricoh has comparible high ISO, with menus that stay out of your way too, but ALSO it has fast AF. Until the firmware for the X1 comes out, I most likely won't use it much and instead will use the Ricoh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 10, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted January 10, 2011 So I am a longtime M user, and have for a few years had a D-Lux 4 just to have a pocket-sized camera for the moments when you need one. I will admit that when I got an X1 just before Christmas, I wondered if I'd made a mistake. The files seemed nice, but it was both bigger than the D-Lux 4 and, because of the fixed lens, seemingly less flexible. And I'll admit, it took me a bit of time and practice to realize how complex -- I mean this as a compliment, not as an M-user's insult -- this little camera is. ..... JB Â John, how refreshing to read a positive thread on this superb compact Leica. I agree entirely that the experience is rewarding once you master its handling etc. Â Regarding the multi-field focusing option, I think this is fine for tripod work, but because it defaults to the nearest object in view it can become frustrating. This is why I have settled on the single frame focusing point and am content to reframe my shots as required. Â As to your comparisons with the D-Lux 4; they are very different cameras, both in capabilities and performance. Having discovered the quality advantage with the X1, why not consider using your D-Lux 4 for those personal subjects in which it excels, saving the X1 for your quality work? I also have the D-Lux 5, purely for this purpose; mainly a versatile pocket camera for family and social occasions. But it would never replace my X1 which is a companion for my Digital Ms or as a serious walk-about camera when combining a trip with non-photographic priorities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted January 10, 2011 Share #16 Â Posted January 10, 2011 Regarding the multi-field focusing option, I think this is fine for tripod work, but because it defaults to the nearest object in view it can become frustrating. This is why I have settled on the single frame focusing point and am content to reframe my shots as required. Â It is possible to move that frame around the screen, which i guess would be handy if you have the camera mounted on a tripod. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 11, 2011 Share #17  Posted January 11, 2011 John, how refreshing to read a positive thread on this superb compact Leica. I agree entirely that the experience is rewarding once you master its handling etc. Regarding the multi-field focusing option, I think this is fine for tripod work, but because it defaults to the nearest object in view it can become frustrating. This is why I have settled on the single frame focusing point and am content to reframe my shots as required.  As to your comparisons with the D-Lux 4; they are very different cameras, both in capabilities and performance. Having discovered the quality advantage with the X1, why not consider using your D-Lux 4 for those personal subjects in which it excels, saving the X1 for your quality work? I also have the D-Lux 5, purely for this purpose; mainly a versatile pocket camera for family and social occasions. But it would never replace my X1 which is a companion for my Digital Ms or as a serious walk-about camera when combining a trip with non-photographic priorities.  May I digress, since I know you have the dlux5. I am thinking of getting the lx5/dl5 for my wife but am confused as to whether there is any difference. Some says the jpeg engine processing is different, others claim the only difference is the badge grip and LR. I would not pay any extra if its just the badge, have you or anyone tried shooting and comparing? Will sure save me some time at the camera store!  Thanks, CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgay Posted January 11, 2011 Share #18 Â Posted January 11, 2011 Hi, Ravinj, as I am new to Leicaworld, would you care to enlighten me what the philosophy behind the x1 is? Â Ivan, I took your question at face value. Â The philosophy is clearly MEANT to be less is more: working within the limitations of the X1 should free the photographer from head scratching about choice of focal length and settings. Â However the X1 doesn't quite pull that off because of things that get in the way. Even the slow autofocus would not be a problem if the AF/MF button toggled quickly between AF and MF - without the inadequate Macro setting in the way. Â Second element of the philosophy is, I reckon, portability with quality and here the X1 does deliver. It's the first camera that's small enough and worthwhile enough for me to carry everywhere - since the Ricoh GR1. Â So, only two legs to the stool of Leica X1 philosophy, I'm afraid. The third, the user provides. Â Regards, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 11, 2011 Share #19 Â Posted January 11, 2011 Mark, Â You brought up a pertinent point. Â The shutter speed and aperture dials are superb. The kind of simple accessible controls. Some say they are loose but I find them fast and easy. I love physical controls and hate menus, especially multi-tiered ones. Simply frustrating and slow things down. Â As for the switch between AF,macro and MF, you are quite right. I wish for them to be a kind of physical switch too. That will improve things. Better still, the one point/spot focus have a dedicated toggle. I do not care for face recognition/11 point. Not reliable at all IMO. And they should kill the IS/VR in the X1 coz to me its just something for the marketing brochure. Basically simplify everything to the bare minimum. MAy even speed things up given less taxing on the processor. Â They may also allow the cursor for focus to be moved with the dial alone, and not having to hold down the a button for a second or two before being able to do so. Will speed things up too. Â The size of the X1 is small but I am sure if properly designed these 2 switches can go somewhere? Â Just my thoughts. Not expecting leica to jump on ideas here. Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
h00ligan Posted January 11, 2011 Share #20 Â Posted January 11, 2011 I think user profiles with hardware toggle would be the answer here. For quick cycling through presets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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