New Owner's Thoughts on X1

[symmetron]

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I've been a Leica user since 1985 starting out with a R4S and a 35-70 zoom. Over the years, I've spent my fair share of money on Leicas including the R3, R7, R8, Minilux, Mini, M6, MP, and recently, D2 and DL4. Like many others these days, I rarely shoot film. A few years ago, I jumped on the Nikon digital bandwagon and bought two D300 bodies and the Holy Trinity lenses-12-24,17-55, and 70-200. Also purchased a D3100 and P7000.

 

Most recently I was convinced after viewing some K64 and Provia slides that the Nikons just could not reproduce realistic skin tones like my film Leicas. The D2 is fine, but dated. The DL4 is very nice but I still believed I wanted (needed; yeah right), a newer Leica digital body system. I was offered an excellent deal on a factory demo M8 and a 28/2.8 aspherical lens. When I went to try the body and lens, I recalled why I got out of M series; I hated the focusing. It just wasn't for me, and the lens was a little stiff so focusing was jerky.

 

I decided to check out the X1. I also follow the reviews and the X1 has been slammed by reviewers for a number of reasons...slow focus being the stand out. However, the firmware update to 2.0 has gotten some positive reviews and I know that in spite of the other issues, IQ has been viewed as very high. I also wan't interested in buying a bevy of M lenses again and still only reaching 90mm after spending $10K so a fixed lens was adequate; interchangeability turned out not to be an issue. SInce I was ultimately interested in IQ, and in particular flesh tones, I went for the X1, trading my D3100 and P7000. Incidentally, the P7000 has some tremendous potential, but Nikon really dropped the ball on that camera..too bad; poor execution. Anyway, I bought the X1 yesterday and here are some thoughts.

 

IQ: Fantastic; really. I was very surprised and that's based on JPGs and haven't had time to process DNGs yet. Really excellent skin tones...much better than any Nikon and on a par with the best I've seen from any camera. Good depth in the images. Leica-like (whatever that means)

 

Autofocus: Fine after figuring out how to use the camera. I updated to firmware 2.0 and had no experience with 1.0, but it seems fine. Focus is spot on. Speed..fine (I'll talk to that later)

 

Manual focus: Checked it out but it seems better and as awkward as any digital camera other than an M series or dSLR.

 

Controls and Use: Once you figure it out; it's very fine. The camera is not for the novice.

 

Menus: Straightforward--all business; no smiley faces

 

Exposure: Probably the biggest surprise. Excellent..really. Good dynamic range, minimal highlight issues, good metering. Surprising for a P&S.

 

White balance: Really very good; better than any P&S I've used and at least as good as my D300

 

ISO: Very good. Didn't really go above 1600 and shot mostly at about 800 and less, but it seemed fine. Didn't really notice any noise and I'm sure if shooting DNG, it could ne easily managed.

 

Construction: Fine; not a "go to war" camera, but not sure any Leica is these days except the film Ms. I didn't notice some of the issues about doors opening and things being loose...if they did, it didn't bother me. The shutter speed dial could be stiffer, but it's not a show stopper.

 

Overall; Very positive. I recommend the camera for someone who wants Leica quality, but doesn't want to jump into an M commitment. Not saying the IQ, resale, and durability are M-like, but it's fine never the less. Really, since I don't own an M and I can only compare the images as seen on a computer (which is a poor comparison), the difference appears acceptable. Or put another way, the X1 produces fine images and I can't imagine anyone being dissatisfied with the results. Most of my observations were based on using it indoors.

 

Price: Overpriced like all Leicas..no surprise. I'm sure there are those who will say the X100, or other camera is a better deal, but I don't care. The results speak for themselves.

 

Conclusions: I've read that many criticize the X1 for not being fast enough as a "street camera". Here's my take. Many or most good street shots involve some patience, composition, and time waiting for the right moment. Which means one has some, but possibly limited time, to setup, compose, and pull the trigger. The X1 is fine in this respect. If you're a street shooter who does the quickdraw, and needs instantaneous AF, it's probably not the right camera. For that, you'll need a modern, high-end dSLR.

 

Would I recommend the X1, yes, but only to other Leica owners who know what they're getting themselves into. Like on dpreview.com (where they always nuke Leica, they would never appreciate a camera like the X1 as they never have appreciated any Leica for that matter), some people will never appreciate the IQ from the X1.

 

If you're interested in people pictures with great skin tones, good exposure, and excellent IQ, this is a great camera. Haven't tried it outdoors so can't comment on landscapes,etc., but I expect it's very good there as well.

 

caveat emptor: We'll see what happens over the next weeks and months. Hopefully I'll feel the same about the camera.

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[NZDavid]

Thank you for such a detailed post. Do you still own some other gear -- and which do you find yourself using most?

 

I agree IQ, especially for skin tones, is excellent. Like many others I find AF can be tricky so I am veering towards an M9, but the X1 has many good points.

 

I can't agree that the controls are not for novices. What could be simpler than two dials and setting one or both to A? Back in the '70s and earlier all cameras had these two simple control systems -- aperture and shutter speed -- but usually without the A.

[symmetron]

My comment concerning "not for the novice" applies to the fact that to get the true measure of the X1, one should have some real understanding of exposure, in particular, and white balance, metering patterns, etc. Otherwise, the camera is overkill for a novice even though setting both the aperture and shutter speed can be set to A.

 

Some cameras, in particular P&S, are dumbed down and constrained by fixed combinations of settings, scene modes, etc. which will produce acceptable results for someone inexperienced or not interested in adjusting various settings...which is fine. In many cases there is little or no flexibility to adjust the various settings. However, the X1 doesn't constrain a user to those situations. The flexibility of the X1 setting domain is one its true discriminating capabilities. Many if not most P&S are not designed with this strategy as a primary operating mode, but offer setting capabilities as secondary modes and are generally awkward and even difficult to use or set.

 

So to fully appreciate and even justify the expense of the X1, one should have some experience in photography to fully exploit it's capabilities. Otherwise, buy a different camera as the X1 probably exceeds one's interests or needs.

[robert blu]

 

So to fully appreciate and even justify the expense of the X1, one should have some experience in photography to fully exploit it's capabilities. Otherwise, buy a different camera as the X1 probably exceeds one's interests or needs.

 

I fully agree with you. For the ones who have been used to manual or semi manual cameras X1 is simple to use. For the digital natives, used to point and expect that the camera makes all the appropriate choices it is not so simple, even if with Auto (times and opening, auto wb and auto iso) it works reasonably well.

 

robert

[hmisbell]

This review of the X1 is really good, and certainly confirms my experience. It is interesting to compare this review to that by Nelson Tan at

 

NelsonTan.com - Gear Reviews

 

Clearly, the X1 speaks to a photographer with more than a passing acquaintance with the nuts and bolts of making a good if not fine photograph.

[prk60091]

This review of the X1 is really good, and certainly confirms my experience. It is interesting to compare this review to that by Nelson Tan at

 

NelsonTan.com - Gear Reviews

 

Clearly, the X1 speaks to a photographer with more than a passing acquaintance with the nuts and bolts of making a good if not fine photograph.

 

while i agree with some of what nelson wrote in his review: it is as I understand it inaccurate in one important aspect. He incorrectly claims that the x1 does not have an anti-aliasing filter- which i have read is not true.