The X1: Now an AMAZING street photography machine!

[gjames9142]

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It's probably ridiculous to argue over aesthetics. I would simply make the point that this whole tendency to shoot wide open really took off when Mike Johnson invented the term bokeh out of Japanese whole cloth. Shallow depth of field has been used forever by film-makers as an essential of story- tellling, emphasizing a particular subject.

Street photographers have usually used great depth of field -- from HCB to Winogrand, or Lee Friedlander, whose lenses get wider and wider and whose work gets better and better. The rendering of deep perspective on a two-dimensional plane induces in me a certain physical satisfaction because it does something the eye cannot do in the real world. That said, I am not sure that the OP's shots are real street photographs, in that they are not dealing with a complex state of flux. I also keep bumping into the limitations of the X-1 in this domain, even with the improved firmware. I am going to work more with MF and a smaller aperture, but there is still a noticeable lag, The M9 beats it hands down, although I took part in a ridiculous thread where a couple of posters thought the whole thing was about science and rigourous testing rather than actually using the camera in the field. Or the street.

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[ChiILX1]

I think the OP used 16 as an example

 

Yes I did thanks Peter.

 

When I started playing with it I put it at F16 because it had the widest DOF, just to start trying it. But with varying weather and light it's great to open it to something like F8, still having deep DOF, and the advantages form my original post largely remain. When I'm walking place to place in the city I like this method because it seems to always be ready. In the last few days the light has really varied so when I first step outside I will half shutter the X1 after setting the aperture and focus, just to see what the X1 chooses for a shutter speed. I'll then turn the aperture dial to have the widest DOF while still being confident that if it gets cloudier or sunnier and would go as much as two stops slower or faster, that it would still take an unblurred photo. I also pay attention to the automatically selected ISO in the same way, which is another feature new to 2.0.

 

As far as the manual focus wheel getting bumped- one post already mentioned there is the lock, which is a great option. As for myself the Thumbs Up protects my wheel so that it is never bumped.

 

This has become an interesting thread. Even If I shoot wide open a lot its nice to hear about other techniques people use, and I'm pretty sure thats what the original poster had in mind.

 

Yes definitely what I had in mind. I've found more often than not in life that usually it's worth sticking one's neck out to criticism just to get a good discussion going and share everyone's ideas. I also like shooting wide open with the X1. I sometimes shoot shutter priority too. I think sharing the many ways to use this camera, and when we find a particular way useful, benefits everyone.

[ChiILX1]

Here are some more images I took using this method. Some are spur of the moment photos. In the case of the dog's ear blowing in the wind, the two girls under the umbrella, and the green mill, my spidey sense tingled and I raced to take the shot before it was gone. I only had a second or two, and in the case of the umbrella, didn't even want to be seen (I shot it form the hip). I think that some of these kind of photos are only possible using this method, or at least will only consistently turn out ok using it. I didn't have time to compose them. Generally, when just walking around the city, this is my new default method. I find capturing a photos is much quicker, and I have more confidence to take it. Before FW2.0, I knew I would have to bring it up to my eye, draw attention, compose, wait for autofocus, possibly miss focus, and likely miss it (in these quick situations). ow I have the confidence that I can capture them and it feels like a whole new ballgame. The umbrella is at F12, the others at F16.

 

Again, in other situations I love opening up and taking more time to compose, etc.

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Edited April 20, 2011 by ChiILX1

[robert blu]

The two bicycle shots are real top shots ! Bravo

robert

[gjames9142]

I have to say that I still find the X1 painfully slow, even with a careful setup. I keep missing shots. especially when trying to shoot a quick sequence. The M9, on the the other hand, is pretty much right on -- it allows for the capture of a complex set of relationships. The first two are M9. The third is X1 and juist okay, although the AF isn't quite there.

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[ChiILX1]

I have to say that I still find the X1 painfully slow, even with a careful setup. I keep missing shots. especially when trying to shoot a quick sequence. The M9, on the the other hand, is pretty much right on

 

Hi James,

 

Although I agree the X1 has mediocre AF speed, the M9 has none. Yes clearly the MF is faster on the M9. But in the particular situation & method of street shooting I'm raising in this thread, that doesn't matter. Zone focusing with a profound depth of field works the same on the M9 as the X1, except the X1 has the nice indicator now. Just frame and click, or just click from the hip.

 

So for zone focusing and shooting from the hip on both cameras, which is the technique I'm bringing up here, they are equally quick, unless the M9 can take pictures before I press the shutter button.

[Ecaton]

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Hi James,

 

Although I agree the X1 has mediocre AF speed, the M9 has none. Yes clearly the MF is faster on the M9. But in the particular situation & method of street shooting I'm raising in this thread, that doesn't matter. Zone focusing with a profound depth of field works the same on the M9 as the X1, except the X1 has the nice indicator now. Just frame and click, or just click from the hip.

 

So for zone focusing and shooting from the hip on both cameras, which is the technique I'm bringing up here, they are equally quick, unless the M9 can take pictures before I press the shutter button.

 

For zone focusing and especially for shooting from the hip, an M9 (or any M) is faster, and sometimes just the decisive moment faster. No need to look at a screen to set or change distance, its on the lens barrel. And secondly, the X1 has a quite pronounced shutter lag, the M literally none.

Edited April 22, 2011 by Ecaton

[phancj]

Let's not forget about the near silent X1 shutter, and its innocuous-looking tiny form factor. Big plus for discrete and non-intimidating shooting IMO.

 

I have experimented with street shooting from the hip and the X1 performs admirably, no discernible shutter lag, and almost silent. And the X1 shutter is very easy to press compared to DSLR/M9, so that reduces the lag(if at all).

 

I think one has to try out the new firmware to actually see the degree of improvement in MF, the settings are so easy and everything is set out so clearly one just needs a reasonable estimation of distance and cannot go wrong.

Edited April 22, 2011 by phancj

[andybarton]

And the X1 shutter is very easy to press compared to DSLR/M9.

 

? I think that you are clutching at straws, now, CJ.

 

... its innocuous-looking tiny form factor. Big plus for discrete and non-intimidating shooting IMO.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-x1-forum/177929-show-your-x1s-pimps-mods-addons.html#post1681165

 

Just what I was thinking when I looked at this thread...

[phancj]

I have to say that I still find the X1 painfully slow, even with a careful setup. I keep missing shots. especially when trying to shoot a quick sequence. The M9, on the the other hand, is pretty much right on -- it allows for the capture of a complex set of relationships. The first two are M9. The third is X1 and juist okay, although the AF isn't quite there.

 

Just by looking at the 3 shots you posted it is clear to me that with the X1 you managed to get so much closer to your subjects and the shot looks far more intimate and involved, without any of your subjects really noticing you. Your 2 M9 shots are taken at such a distance they are really not the same kind of shots.

 

My two cents.

 

CJ

[phancj]

? I think that you are clutching at straws, now, CJ.

 

 

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-x1-forum/177929-show-your-x1s-pimps-mods-addons.html#post1681165

 

Just what I was thinking when I looked at this thread...

 

And how so Andy? It takes so much less effort to press the X1 shutter, and is much less clunky. Thats my experience, yours of course may differ.

 

I was testing the M9 & M8 (worse) together with the X1 I bought so switching between the 2 cameras it was pretty evident that the M8/9 requires much more movement and there is always a "thud" which is totally absent in the X1.

 

Having said that the M8/9 allows for interchangeable lenses which is very attractive to me.

 

But when you are close to your subjects the sound of the shutter is a VERY relevant issue IMO, the X1 emits an almost inaudible "tick", not so in the M9.

 

I was snapping away in my store the other day experimenting with the X1 and shot numerous shots of the same subjects no one noticed at all. NO ONE. I know for certain if I take a flashy M9 with that gorgeous looking M lens it looks so damn professional people are going to notice it so much more. There is a considerable amount of "bling factor" in the M9 which I feel will affect the kind of portraits I want to take.

 

The X1 nay, people think it is a tiny "toy" camera and do not take notice.

 

And btw, my X1 is sans VF, grip, half case, etc,etc. To keep it tiny and not obvious which is why I got it in the first place.

 

I know for certain from looking at the hundreds of portraits taken with the X1 compared to my DSLR shots most of the subjects tend not to pose when I point the X1 at them. Shots looks totally natural and much less contrived. Not so for the DSLR.

 

And the most common question is" You mean you have taken the photo?"

 

CJ

Edited April 22, 2011 by phancj

[Ecaton]

And how so Andy? It takes so much less effort to press the X1 shutter, and is much less clunky. Thats my experience, yours of course may differ.

 

I was testing the M9 & M8 (worse) together with the X1 I bought so switching between the 2 cameras it was pretty evident that the M8/9 requires much more movement and there is always a "thud" which is totally absent in the X1.

 

Having said that the M8/9 allows for interchangeable lenses which is very attractive to me.

 

But when you are close to your subjects the sound of the shutter is a VERY relevant issue IMO, the X1 emits an almost inaudible "tick", not so in the M9.

 

I was snapping away in my store the other day experimenting with the X1 and shot numerous shots of the same subjects no one noticed at all. NO ONE. I know for certain if I take a flashy M9 with that gorgeous looking M lens it looks so damn professional people are going to notice it so much more. There is a considerable amount of "bling factor" in the M9 which I feel will affect the kind of portraits I want to take.

 

The X1 nay, people think it is a toy camera and do not take notice.

 

And btw, my X1 is sans VF, grip, half case, etc,etc. To keep it tiny and not obvious which is why I got it in the first place.

 

CJ

 

The discussion was about someone claiming the X1 being as fast as an M9 for zone focusing, which it isn't.

[phancj]

Nope.

 

It is about the X1 being an amazing street photography machine.

 

Shutter sound, tiny size, are all relevant in this discussion.

 

CJ

[ChiILX1]

Ecaton- I am perplexed by your post.

 

The X1 has no shutter lag at all when in manual focus mode. None. Do you own one? Then Andy saying that CJ is clutching at straws by saying so is also just weird.

 

To put the X1 in zone focus mode before you leave takes a few seconds, just like the m9. Sure it's a couple seconds longer but this is preparation in the context I'm bringing it up here- like preparing your bag. It's not done in the field. The whole point was to do it before you leave in order to be always ready- but youre acting as though I said to do it once you see your shot! Besides, while it's longer on the X1 the x1 gives you information the m9 doesn't about what is going to be in focus- the actual DOF since FW2.0. This is what started this whole thread. Variable DOF based on aperture isn't on any M lens I own or have seen.

 

From starting a thread about MF zone focusing and its zero lag time based on 3 new firmware features, and getting criticized based on autofocus speed, lag time, and made-up comparisons to the m9, I'd say it's you two who seem to be grasping at straws- not CJ

Edited April 22, 2011 by ChiILX1

[andybarton]

And how so Andy? It takes so much less effort to press the X1 shutter, and is much less clunky. Thats my experience, yours of course may differ.

 

You know that I don't have an X1, but I cannot see how it could possibly be any easier to push the shutter on one of those than on, say, an M8 or M9 (or any M for that matter, with a winder).

[andybarton]

Then Andy saying that CJ is clutching at straws by saying so is also just weird.

 

No it's not - if you read my response to CJ, you will see that I wasn't referring to shutter lag at all.

[phancj]

Precisely Andy. You do not use the X1.

 

I speak from experience: When I was about to buy an M the first thing that struck me very obviously is how "heavy" and clunky the shutter button is in the M8 (less so in the M9).

 

The X1's shutter is on the other hand very quick and deft and almost totally silent and vibration free. I cannot put it into words really you need to put the 2 cameras together to get what I am saying. To me the X1 has much more stealth in the shutter compared to M9/8. That I am 100% certain.

 

Of course some will argue they prefer a heavier shutter but thats another discussion really.

 

One just need to place the finger on the shutter button on the X1 and press lightly when ready. The finger moves thru a much longer distance in the M shutter. That takes time too. Plus the M shutter is much more audible.

 

CJ

Edited April 22, 2011 by phancj

[andybarton]

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[earleygallery]

Besides, while it's longer on the X1 the x1 gives you information the m9 doesn't about what is going to be in focus- the actual DOF since FW2.0. This is what started this whole thread. Variable DOF based on aperture isn't on any M lens I own or have seen.

 

You haven't looked hard enough then!

[andybarton]

Every M lens I've ever seen has a DOF scale on it.