X1 Firmware v2 Upgrade [Merged thread]

[JeTexas]

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You guys crack me up. You act like the X1 is an unusable atrocity of nature without new firmware.

 

Maybe mine came with some special magic focus, but after constantly shooting with it for the past six months, I have no trouble grabbing shots. I now use it at work 90 percent of the time.

 

New firmware would be icing on the cake, but what kind of action are you guys trying to capture, skydiving? And are you sure you wouldn't be missing all these same shots with another camera?

[Guest stnami]

Sky diving is actually pretty easy with the X1 it is the dim lit street with the subject 3-5 meters away in a hurry that is the problem. Remember it is is contrast detect AF so low even light is the problem. Evidently looking at your site it is not the what you shoot and what you are shooting is well within the X1 range and that works for you others have needs where the camera struggles. I have had a few students with the X1 they understand it's limitations and work accordingly, other needs are met my different cameras, for the above scenario a rangefinder is ideal for those that want to use manual AF users use other gear

Ps for images of porsches, ladies etc you should be using a medium format camera eg a S2 or a hassie etc

[h00ligan]

And are you sure you wouldn't be missing all these same shots with another camera?

 

yup, as I don't.

 

I acknowledge I need to anticipate better, however the x1 is slow - as stnami cited, and also on io.. i would say the io speed issue is as much of one as the af issue.. one is bearable, together they are annoying.

 

What kind of stuff are you shooting at work? IIRC it was static objects in good light?

 

Again, I don't assert the x1 is a bad camera.. but saying it isn't slow comparatively (release date, price, other compacts with aspc) is ridiculous to me. Whether the slow matters is contingent on experience, subject matter, need. I am sure the first is something I need to improve, the last two aren't changing as of now.

 

I pulled it out at a reunion... had a group of people lined up iso 1600 f 2.8 - friend of mine's comment "that must be the slowest autofocus ever"

 

He shoots a rebel xt and film, and has been photographing for 20 years.

[JeTexas]

At work I shoot lots of old people shaking hands, people receiving awards, lots of buildings and refineries, charity events, training sessions, people in hard hats looking off into the distance, etc. -- the completely uninteresting stuff that winds up in corporate brochures and annual reports.

 

However, I've carried it on the streets at night with good results, and it does great out sailing until just past dusk. However, after dark there's just not enough speed in the lens to offset the motion of the ocean, but I'm not sure any camera can do that.

 

Maybe I'm not seeing the big shortcomings since when I'm shooting in the challenging low-light scenarios, I'm just shooting for fun, so I'm not worried about missing shots.

 

But I still think the issue has been blown out of proportion.

[Dan States]

Mass hysteria....get a grip people.

[h00ligan]

Flippant dismissal, accept reality people

[phancj]

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At work I shoot lots of old people shaking hands, people receiving awards, lots of buildings and refineries, charity events, training sessions, people in hard hats looking off into the distance, etc. -- the completely uninteresting stuff that winds up in corporate brochures and annual reports.

 

However, I've carried it on the streets at night with good results, and it does great out sailing until just past dusk. However, after dark there's just not enough speed in the lens to offset the motion of the ocean, but I'm not sure any camera can do that.

 

Maybe I'm not seeing the big shortcomings since when I'm shooting in the challenging low-light scenarios, I'm just shooting for fun, so I'm not worried about missing shots.

 

But I still think the issue has been blown out of proportion.

 

Your post reflects my sentiments exactly.

 

I havent been in a situation where the X1 has let me down, probably because I am realistic.

 

From what I am seeing here I think the DSLR is the way for many here. Really. And if one minds the bulk then go for the GF1 at the expense of IQ. The ricoh is faster than the X1 after the FW update but still slow.

 

So if there is no Fw update I assume everyone here will dump the X1? Their loss coz I'll buy a few for my siblings and family.

[h00ligan]

I've got one you can buy now.. lightroom for download and everything!

[phancj]

Isnt better to wait when everyone is dumping theirs??!! Like maybe no FW update??

[Guest stnami]

Texas show the dim lit street with the subject 3-5 meters away in a hurry, there are none on your site.........not long exposure stuff

[h00ligan]

Isnt better to wait when everyone is dumping theirs??!! Like maybe no FW update??

 

 

There'll be one.. however I'm sure some (maybe even me if I still have the camera) won't be satisfied.

 

I almost want to take it off the market until the firmware comes.. however.. it's going to take a while to sell anyway.. and if the loss would be too big (imo) I'll keep if for what it is good for..

[h00ligan]

I doubt it.. but I don't think it is regional characteristically either, as I'm a subject of HRH, heh.

[phancj]

Peter,

 

Dont believe there can be any difference based on location, my take is pp in the States tend to be more vocal and express their feelings more spontaneously, while Europeans are largely more conservative.

 

Also, Americans generally demand more for their buck compared to Europeans.

 

I could be wrong though, just my view.

 

CJ

[elbonedeedo]

Here's an interesting thing

As far as I can tell all of the people moaning about the X1 seem to be From US

Now I'm in UK and am happy with my X1 and don't seem to have any of the problems people are obsessed with

Can there be a difference in European sourced cameras?

Dunno. But I'm in the US and am happy with mine.

[jsrockit]

Ok, I like my X1. Yes, I like it... even more so now that I got the leather from the black X1 on my grey X1. That said, I think it comes down to this:

 

People who only use the X1 are happy with its AF and people who use multiple AF compact cameras know that the X1 is worst in class. There is no way around this. Yes, you can deal with its shortcomings and we all do. However, when I use cameras like the Ricoh GXR and the Panasonic G2, it makes me realize that the X1 can be so much better than it is.

[phancj]

I am using DSLR besides the X1 guess I concede the slower AF as a given since it is different kind of AF. But I can see your point of having multiple compacts so I guess you have more basis for comparisons.

[Ecaton]

Here's an interesting thing

As far as I can tell all of the people moaning about the X1 seem to be From US

Now I'm in UK and am happy with my X1 and don't seem to have any of the problems people are obsessed with

Can there be a difference in European sourced cameras?

 

Interesting observation. Criticizing an iconic brand seems to be more of a sacrilege in Europe. It simply has to be good, it's a Leica eventually.

Remember when Lexus came to the US and turned out to be the better car than Mercedes, Americans dumped their German makes and stormed Lexus dealerships. Until this date, Lexus market share is still insignificant in most European markets (and to be fair, European car makers have caught up big time in the quality department).

It is also amusing to observe how Sigma's DP series got slaughtered in camera fora because of sluggish AF performance. Funny enough the USD 600 priced DP2, after FW upgrades, focuses as fast as the X1 in decent light. But it's a Sigma, not a Leica, to which different levels of forgiveness apply.

[Ecaton]

Ok, I like my X1. Yes, I like it... even more so now that I got the leather from the black X1 on my grey X1. That said, I think it comes down to this:

 

People who only use the X1 are happy with its AF and people who use multiple AF compact cameras know that the X1 is worst in class. There is no way around this. Yes, you can deal with its shortcomings and we all do. However, when I use cameras like the Ricoh GXR and the Panasonic G2, it makes me realize that the X1 can be so much better than it is.

 

How did you get the "leather" from the black on your grey?

[phancj]

Interesting observation. Criticizing an iconic brand seems to be more of a sacrilege in Europe. It simply has to be good, it's a Leica eventually.

Remember when Lexus came to the US and turned out to be the better car than Mercedes, Americans dumped their German makes and stormed Lexus dealerships. Until this date, Lexus market share is still insignificant in most European markets (and to be fair, European car makers have caught up big time in the quality department).

It is also amusing to observe how Sigma's DP series got slaughtered in camera fora because of sluggish AF performance. Funny enough the USD 600 priced DP2, after FW upgrades, focuses as fast as the X1 in decent light. But it's a Sigma, not a Leica, to which different levels of forgiveness apply.

 

The car comparison aside dont you consider the X1 being "slaughtered" right now for its AF? Dont think anyone is giving it a break even though it has a lot of other aspects going for it. So I think the red dot doesnt accord any privilege at all. IF anything it incites hate like traffic cops to red sports cars haha...just look at the gazillions of threads on its AF!

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Hallo,

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[Ecaton]

The car comparison aside dont you consider the X1 being "slaughtered" right now for its AF? Dont think anyone is giving it a break even though it has a lot of other aspects going for it. So I think the red dot doesnt accord any privilege at all. IF anything it incites hate like traffic cops to red sports cars haha...just look at the gazillions of threads on its AF!

 

If I recall correctly, all those who use(d) an X1 praise it or its stellar IQ, i.e. file quality, optical performance, manual controls, compactness, sleek looks but want Leica to make it an even better tool. And I think the expectations expressed in this forum as regards magnitude of AF speed improvement are reasonable.

The critique, some of which may sound harsh, is addressed to Leica, who agreed that among others, AF speed needs improvement and made customers believe that a respective FW upgrade will be available in late 2010.