Experience using zone focusing with the Leica X1

[l4me]

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Hello,

 

I mainly work using zone focusing which I extensively used with my Ricoh GR D 3 ("snap" mode) and I was extremely happy with the camera's capabilities in that regard.

 

Now, I know that the depth of field will be smaller with the Leica X1 due to its sensor size and, therefore, I won't have the same latitude than with the Ricoh GR D 3.

 

 

The following question is for those using zone focusing with the Leica X1 updated with the Firmware 2.0. Also, I would be particularly interested to hear comments from those who are using -- or used -- Ricoh's GR D 3 in "snap" mode.

 

 

• What are your good and, especially, bad experiences using zone focusing with the Leica X1 (again, updated with the Firmware 2.0)?
  

 

N.B. I already read a lot of comments on that matter here and on other forums as well as Sean Reid latest comments on his web site. I am more or less sold to the X1. However, it is a SIGNIFICANT investment for me. I am therefore looking to minimise the chances of being disappointed by some stupid detail I would miss. Finally, I will obviously try to get my hands on a X1 to try it for myself -- that is if I can.

 

 

Thank you for your time.

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[Ivan Muller]

Actually now its even easier with the firmware update. Works like a charm, for me..

 

There are three presets, and I put one of them on 'zone focussing' and at f11 everything from about 1.8m to infinity is in focus. And one can 'save' it. f11 in my experience is still pretty sharp. Continuous shooting works well but not when you take one shot only, when it takes too long for camera to be ready for next shot.

 

The x1 is a great tool but it takes a lot of practice to get the hang of it, and if you are not prepared to do it, it might well disappoint you, like it has a lot of people on this forum....

 

Since getting one in November last year it is the only camera I have used for my personal work. What sold it to me initially was the image quality, which is really good enough, the viewfinder which can be better, but is a massive improvement on my previous compact cameras. I also like its limitations, one lens only, which I think photographers under estimate for its ability to 'concentrate' the mind.... less really is more. To get more speed out of the camera I turn off the lcd, which is also great because its one less distraction. so in a way, many of the cameras shortcommings, are actually advantages, in my opiinnion.

 

But, I got mine cheap, and I really dont know if I would pay full price for it. The camera is just a tool, and I believe one can bend any camera to do the photgraphers will. I often read about guys that are so glad they gave up their dslr's & megazooms for a small M systems with fixed lenses...... but they could have done that with their dslr system as well.....! I bet my 5d and 35mm f2 lens is not much bigger or heavier than an M9......and I can use mf too....

 

There are many nice cameras out there, buy one that fits your budget, get to know it very well and I am sure if you work hard at it you will make great images.

[michaelwildi]

Hello,

 

I mainly work using zone focusing which I extensively used with my Ricoh GR D 3 ("snap" mode) and I was extremely happy with the camera's capabilities in that regard.

 

Hi

You own a Ricoh GR D, so you don't need a X1. The Leica's IQ is better, but if you like yours Ricoh pics, stay with it. It's an awsome little camera: fast, built like a tank and pocketable. I own both, the X1 and the Ricoh GR II and some other camera systems. The Ricoh is always with me while the X1 is only used when best IQ is requested (for large prints or picky customers).

Best, Michael

[l4me]

Continuous shooting works well but not when you take one shot only, when it takes too long for camera to be ready for next shot.

 

The x1 is a great tool but it takes a lot of practice to get the hang of it....

 

 

Ivan,

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

It has been a while that I agree to the idea that less is more.

 

I have pretty much eliminated all other cameras for financial (e.g. Leica Ms) or technical (e.g. Ricoh GXR with the A12 28mm module and Sigma DP2s) reasons.

 

Could you maybe give me one example where it took you some time to get the hang of it?

 

Again, thank you for your time.

[stephen.w]

Good:

depth of field indicator for selected aperture;

manual focus lock;

selected focus point remembered by camera when you turn it off and on again.

 

Bad:

discernable shutter lag

mushy shutter release

[l4me]

You own a Ricoh GR D, so you don't need a X1

 

Michael,

 

Thank you for your insight.

 

I unfortunately don't have the Ricoh anymore, I had to sell it in order to finance my current camera.

 

Also, there are many reasons for which I am currently not considering other cameras -- reasons which are too long to elaborate here and will most likely divert this thread from its original intent.

 

That being said, if I come to the conclusion that the X1 will not work for me, the Ricoh GR D 3 is likely the camera I will return to.

 

P.S. If you're curious or interested about those reason, I will be more than happy to discuss those via PM.

[l4me]

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The Ricoh is always with me while the X1 is only used when best IQ is requested (for large prints or picky customers).

 

Michael,

 

Since it has been mentioned here, what is the difference in terms of shutter lag in-between the the Leica X1 and Ricoh GR D 3?

 

Is the Leica X1's shutter lag better, identical or worse?

 

Thanks… again

[l4me]

Michael,

 

Since it has been mentioned here, what is the difference in terms of shutter lag in-between the the Leica X1 and Ricoh GR D 3?

 

Is the Leica X1's shutter lag better, identical or worse?

 

Thanks… again

 

I found a satisfying answer for myself.

 

The Leica X1 shutter lag is better (i.e. shorter) than the Panasonic GF1 with the 20mm f1.7 kit lens, equipment I currently have.

 

I hope this might help someone else.

 

In the meantime, further comments on the original question will be much appreciated.

[Ivan Muller]

Before, with most of my cameras, like the 5d for instances, you pick it up and everything works the way it should.....

 

With the X1, it takes some time to figure out...

 

1. where the centre and focus points is when looking through the optical viewfinder

 

2. to switch off lcd and use highspeed single af point for fastest af and operation( thanks to Erwin Puts)

 

3. In my case to hold the finger just 'righ't on the shutter releas so that the shutter would trip every time

 

4. To trust face detection, when I use the ovf

 

5. To realize that 'motor drive' works well when you want to use all 6 or 3 etc exposures but that when you use it one exposure at a time it takes much longer before its ready for the next shot.

 

6. to realize that you have to prime the af etc before you press the shutter when you are in a hurry

 

7. to get used to not chimping after each image because auto exposure is actually pretty accurate and also that the focus, once achieved, is usually spot on.

 

8. to realize that auto iso doesnt allways work so well because it chooses min shutterspeed selected, in my case 1/30 which sometimes is to slow.....

 

9. To remember parallax when using ovf...

 

10. And then sometimes it just doesn't work for some reason or that I forgot to use the 'right' setting.

 

11. But relax, if you have made up your mind, you wont be sorry! Its a great camera that can do many things very well and MF actually works very well with hyper focal distance focusing, and then the camera becomes very fast and predictable.

 

Look at my X1 galleries on my website and on the Leica forum ' communities' galleries and you will get a good idea of the type of photography I do with this camera.

 

In my case I got the camera and I am in no position to switch so I 'have' to make it work and so far so well........

[ricardojh]

Thanks Ivan! You provided a lot of good suggestions to help quicken the learning curve (for me). Rich

[Ivan Muller]

My pleasure!

[l4me]

Ivan,

 

Thank you very much for this detailed reply.

 

Your list made me realize that I am already familiar with this type of camera as I have been working with Ricoh's GR D cameras since 2006. This is good news.

 

The only difference for me will be the X1 shallower depth of field for zone focusing compared to the GR D III although I will be quick to adapt to it since I have been using zone focusing with my Voigtländer Bessa R3A as long as I had it.

 

Again, thank you for your input!

[terrycioni]

I will assume we are talking about firmware V 2.0 on the X1 and go from there. I have a Ricoh GRD III and a GRD I - I sold the GRD II awhile back.

 

The image quality from the X1 is of course better - especially from 400 ISO and up. The GRD III is a great little camera - but no match for the X1 IQ.

 

Something I totally like about the Ricoh's is their implementation of "snap mode" (hyper focal) set-up.

 

Prior to the release of the X1 firmware I had hoped for something similar to Ricoh's 'snap mode'. The new X1 firmware has an excellent implementation of zone focus shooting and the focus scale is very good - it changed the usability of the camera for me. I do use AF - but for the most part shoot zone focus.

 

Of course you will have less depth of field than the GRD III/II/I (smaller sensor, shorter lens).

 

I can say in the instance of the new X1 firmware Leica listened to their users - simple as that.

 

In short and IMHO the X1 has very good implementation of zone focusing. Is it perfect NO, it is as usable as 'snap mode' on the GRD.

 

Shutter lag on the X1 in Manual Focus Mode (zone focus set-up) is well managed and better than most similar cameras I have had the opportunity to test.

 

Cheers, Terry

[l4me]

In short and IMHO the X1 has very good implementation of zone focusing. Is it perfect NO, it is as usable as 'snap mode' on the GRD.

 

Shutter lag on the X1 in Manual Focus Mode (zone focus set-up) is well managed and better than most similar cameras I have had the opportunity to test.

 

Cheers, Terry

 

Terry,

 

Thanks, A LOT, for that!

[ChiILX1]

I've had amazing experiences using it, wrote a mini article about it HERE and we've been commenting on it ever since!