Backpage Posted January 11, 2011 Share #1  Posted January 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I continue to be surprised by all the complaints about the X1.  Before I go on (and I will), let me say that I have always been sort of a basic camera guy. At the risk of dating myself and soon that will require carbon-dating, my first real camera was a Nikon-F plain prism. That coupled with a Luna Pro meter and knowledge of “Sunny 16” allowed me to take many (well exposed) pix. I then traded into the world of Leica…a CL and then onto “M” series cams. Despite antibiotics and shock therapy, I still can’t rid myself of the desire to use a Leica.  Now to the point, I think the X1 is great. But it does often require the shooter to think about what he or she is doing. I’ve only had mine a week, but now that I better understand it…especially manual focus…it’s just a pleasure to use.  Yes, in certain situations the AF is a little quirky. So learn how the manual focus works. Yes, it’s a bit slow digesting too many RAW files all at once. But given most of us are not making prints and just posting to the Web, set the camera to JPG. Wish the X1 had a zoom or interchangeable lenses…that’s why god gave you feet.  Without meaning to insult anyone, I wonder how many forum members had/have unrealistic expectations regarding this camera, or should trade it for one of the many wonderful Canon, Nikon P&Ss. Or get a D-LUX5.  Consider yourselves lucky, you own a terrific camera. Learn to use your tools. Otherwise you risk losing a thumb.  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 Hi Backpage, Take a look here Unrealistic Expectations??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robert blu Posted January 11, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted January 11, 2011 I own the x1 only since a couple of weeks and do not find the limits of the camera a problem at all. But, as Backpage, I have a lot of experience with manual camera or let say with cameras which need to think in advance what to do. In this case the x1 work perfectly and for me the x1 autofocus is not slower than it is the rolleiflex manual focus, with my "not new eyes" ! If I have to shoot a cyclist I'll focus on the track where he will be a couple of second later just half pressing the button... I like this camera, more exactly I love it (her?) . robert PS this is my first digital camera ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted January 11, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted January 11, 2011 Well if all you are doing is posting to the web almost any camera will do. For me the cost of the X1 with it's limited feature set and fixed lens was a deal breaker. But then I own a M8 with a full set of lenses. Â The one thing it has going for it is IT IS a Leica and not some rebranded Panasonic. But then I do own a LX5. Â Good Luck with your X1. It's just not a camera for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firesuite Posted January 12, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted January 12, 2011 Well said backpage! Â I knew myself what I was getting into before I bought my X1, knew its limitations, its strengths, had mine for about 3 mos now and its my new favorite camera, old favorite was my Canon 5D with several pieces of L glass. Â Its certainly the closest I'm ever going to get to Leica nirvana unless I spend what would be the equivalent to the cost of a medium size family car to replace all my Canon equipment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 12, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted January 12, 2011 be careful, backpage, you'll soon be labelled a leica fanboy. Â I have this experience for the looongest time since I got it in early Feb. To the leica bashers they'll take EVERY opportunity to flame us whenever possible. it's ridiculous to expect the X1 to be perfect, well nothing is somehow the price tag appears to be the biggest catalyst. For that price somehow many expect it to be fast like a DSLR, have zoom lens, and still be so small. It's hilarious how unrealistic many can be. Â I agree with everything you said, and I have said it oh too many times. Â On the flip side, I am also finding new appreciation for the DSLR. YEsterday I went to snap some photos with my new 35mm f/1.4G Nikkor and the shots came out superb. Now I do wish for a 1.4 lens on the X2........ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdawkins Posted January 12, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted January 12, 2011 The X1 wasn't for me; however, in selling the camera I realised that it was actually not the camera but my lack of patience to understand its uniqueness in order to get the best out of it. Â We all have shared agreements on many things in life, but individual perceptions are somewhat difficult to define - not least express to someone else through the medium of a forum where most people type away in haste. Â Now that I have had time to really think about the X1 it is actually the prime lens that I believe was limiting me and my unique needs. I love primes to bits and have many for my other cameras, but when walking around with the Leica I felt restricted in the sense that I had bought the camera as an all rounder. Â So, it was my bad judgement for my needs and of course for others the focal lenght is heaven. But it is a truly amazing piece of kit, and those that love it have clearly made the correct choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 12, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted January 12, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Guys and gear, sometimes all of us succumb to impulse...haha.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted January 12, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted January 12, 2011 There's not much evidence of unrealistic expectations on this forum. It is indeed a fantastic camera especially if you compare it to the technology of 30 years ago. Â I'm pleased with mine, but look forward to the firmware update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 12, 2011 Share #9  Posted January 12, 2011 To the leica bashers they'll take EVERY opportunity to flame us whenever possible. it's ridiculous to expect the X1 to be perfect  On the other hand, trying to pretend that the camera is better than it is (with regards to autofocus, for example), is also ridiculous.  It's a camera that can take excellent photographs. But not in every circumstance. In that respect, it's just like lots of other cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 12, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted January 12, 2011 There's no questioning the fact that the AF is slow. Everyone knows it's slow...how can they NOT know? it's been on the forum and ANY other forum since its release. Â The question then is whether the AF is fast enough for one's use, and for me it is. Not so for others. We pick tools for out use, there's no swiss army camera, least of all the X1: fixed lens. That ought to say it all. Â Whats funny is we see this AF speed being brought up repeatedly thousands of times??!! Â Like you said, nothing is perfect. Â If the firmware improves the AF speed, more people may buy it. Or maybe not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 12, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted January 12, 2011 I own the x1 only since a couple of weeks and do not find the limits of the camera a problem at all. But, as Backpage, I have a lot of experience with manual camera or let say with cameras which need to think in advance what to do. In this case the x1 work perfectly and for me the x1 autofocus is not slower than it is the rolleiflex manual focus, with my "not new eyes" ! If I have to shoot a cyclist I'll focus on the track where he will be a couple of second later just half pressing the button...I like this camera, more exactly I love it (her?) . robert PS this is my first digital camera ... Â Robert, Â Welcome to your first true love (digital camera that is..) Â Perhaps you are not spoilt by the blazing lightning fast autofocus that is the standard in DSLRs now. Anyone who switch from DSLR is going to find that the X1 is slloooowwwww but like you said you just work around it. Certainly beats complaining..... Â Of course it may interest you to know that there is possibility of a firmware upgrade that according to some increases AF speed. Â Not that it matters to me much. I find the X1 speed not fast but adequate. If I need lightning speed I use my DSLR. There's no way ever the X1 being its size and its correspondingly less competent electronic innards is going to be a AFS or USM camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted January 12, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted January 12, 2011 Thanks phancj, you used the correct word: adequate ! I read a lot about this camera and at the end I decided to verify myself why all this complaining! Of course it depends a lot, beside the photographer experience, on the kind of photography you are going to make. In my case no children, no jumping animals make things easier ! robert PS: Yes, the x1 is lovely, I hope my m7 does not suffer of jealousy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 12, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted January 12, 2011 I like the way you personify your cameras, like my wife who claims she is sure her car is a girl. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjphoto Posted January 12, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted January 12, 2011 I bought a blackie before the Holidays, and i love it. I love how simple it is to use. Just two dials, shutter and aperture. Simple is always best. Â The photos are wonderful out of this thing. Â Now, where the hell is the firmware update? Â Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firesuite Posted January 13, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted January 13, 2011 PS: Yes, the x1 is lovely, I hope my m7 does not suffer of jealousy! Â My 5D has been extremely jealous lately Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 13, 2011 Share #16 Â Posted January 13, 2011 I shouldnt put my D300 in the same dry box. It may just decide to do something nasty to the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosecpf Posted January 13, 2011 Share #17 Â Posted January 13, 2011 I have a X1 and I like the camera a lot. I am really hopeful that this firmware upgrade will make the X1 the camera it should have been in first place. Â In terms of unrealistic expectations, I had realistic expectations based on Leica's website and X1 brochure: "Spontaneous as life itself" and "Auto-focus excellence: The autofocus system built into the X1 provides fast, ultra-precise focusing, enabling photographers to react in an instant" Â Unfortunately I could not experiment those claims in real life usage. I guess Leica should have been more faithful to the camera's capabilities in their description. Â For static subjects (not that spontaneous), this camera is a winner, best in class. but unfortunately I gave-up on using it for people photography, specially indoors. Â I am hopeful though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 13, 2011 Share #18 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Quite right, too many people have unrealistic expectations for this camera. It emphatically is not an M (which I actually find easier to use because of the RF), nor a real alternative to one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted January 13, 2011 Share #19 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Without meaning to insult anyone, I wonder how many forum members had/have unrealistic expectations regarding this camera, or should trade it for one of the many wonderful Canon, Nikon P&Ss. Or get a D-LUX5. Â It is not about learning to use the X1 properly. The AF is dead slow and it is completely realistic to expect it to be on par, AF wise, to lesser cameras. That is a fact. It is sad that a $2000 camera cannot focus as fast as a $300 P&S from Canon. I love the X1, but I will not make excuses to cover up for its shortcomings. I'm not being unrealistic, I'm just being honest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightwrangler Posted January 13, 2011 Share #20  Posted January 13, 2011 It is not about learning to use the X1 properly. The AF is dead slow and it is completely realistic to expect it to be on par, AF wise, to lesser cameras. That is a fact. It is sad that a $2000 camera cannot focus as fast as a $300 P&S from Canon. I love the X1, but I will not make excuses to cover up for its shortcomings. I'm not being unrealistic, I'm just being honest.  And it never came up to you that focussing on a sensor eighth the size of the X1 might only be eighth as challenging. I am not saying Leica couldn't do better. But don't compare apples and oranges…  Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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