rkglover Posted June 1, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted June 1, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was surprised to discover a week ago that someone had been in my car during the night. I always lock my car and remove valuables, but last night in a rush I left my camera bag in my trunk and did not lock my car. Of course the ONE night I do this a thief gets in it and steals my Sony A700 with CZ16-80 attached. That's the bad news. The good news is that the thief left the Think Tank camera bag and one lens in it - a Sony 100 2.8 macro. The even better news is that the A700 was listed on my policy for $950 - the amount I paid for it new, and the CZ 16-80 was listed for $699, for a total of $1649, which I am receiving with no deductible. Â I am leaving for Israel/Greece in a few weeks and was thinking about taking the stolen camera/lens with me on the trip. I have a Sony A900 and a Sony A55 and I've selected other lenses to take with me, and I had planned to save the insurance money to purchase the new Sony A77 later this year. Â Then I got to thinking about the X1, which I have wanted for a long time but never acquired. I also considered the Fuji X100, but from the reviews I saw, the X1 images were much higher quality. So I decided to go to Houston Camera Exchange and think about getting the X1. They had the solid black one in stock and I was hooked from the moment I put it in my hand. I'm out an additional $500 or so over the amount of the insurance proceeds, but now I'm excited, thinking about ways that I can use the X1 on my upcoming trip, and also thinking about how much gear I can leave at home! I've briefly considered taking the X1 and my Leica D-Lux 4 only and leaving the heavy DSLR gear at home, but I don't see that happening. Still, I think the X1 is going to be great and I can't wait to use it on my trip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 1, 2011 Posted June 1, 2011 Hi rkglover, Take a look here Stolen Camera Gear = New X1!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted June 1, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted June 1, 2011 Welcome to the Leica Forum, rkglover! Sorry to read about the theft you suffered; there is an obvious moral in your story. However, congratulations on buying an X1. Master it before you depart on holiday, as well as you can in the short time; by shooting - shooting and more shooting! Fine tune your technique and remember closer subjects always look sharper than distant views; with any camera. So try to include some point of interest in the near/mid ranges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share #3 Â Posted June 1, 2011 I really appreciate the suggestions, David. The theft was upsetting, to say the least, but the insurance company settled my claim quickly and I am very happy to own the X1! I plan to practice as much as I can with the before we leave on our trip, and I spent a couple of hours last night becoming familiar with the buttons/menus/etc. I'm hoping to capture some very nice images with it on our trip and thereafter. I hope someday to have the funds to acquire an M9, but not at the expense of having my gear stolen again! ________________ Randy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted June 2, 2011 Share #4  Posted June 2, 2011 Welcome  David's advice is super  I'd also shoot some stuff in lower light, with the flash on, to get a feel for the timing (which is on the slow side) of focus/flash/write Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted June 2, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted June 2, 2011 Just go with the X-1 and leave the dslr gear at home. Very liberating and a single focal length concentrates the mind on the photography and such a (fairly) small camera does not attract so much attention. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #6 Â Posted June 2, 2011 Just go with the X-1 and leave the dslr gear at home. Very liberating and a single focal length concentrates the mind on the photography and such a (fairly) small camera does not attract so much attention. Â I am seriously considering leaving DSLR gear at home, but I'm thinking I will need a viewfinder. Any suggestions on which one to get? I realize there are many threads on this topic and I've started reading them, but I am short on time and would really appreciate any suggestions. Based on what I have read so far, I am leaning toward the Voigtlander 35mm viewfinder as an alternative to the Leica 36mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solar B Posted June 2, 2011 Share #7  Posted June 2, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) As long as your realistic about the limitations of a 35mm f2.8 lens then you will be fine  with just the X1 ... viewfinder wise i have not tried the Voightlander , i use a DL4 one  but i do rate the 36mm dedicated one quite highly.  Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 2, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted June 2, 2011 I am seriously considering leaving DSLR gear at home, but I'm thinking I will need a viewfinder. Any suggestions on which one to get? I realize there are many threads on this topic and I've started reading them, but I am short on time and would really appreciate any suggestions. Based on what I have read so far, I am leaning toward the Voigtlander 35mm viewfinder as an alternative to the Leica 36mm. Randy, although I have nothing against the cheaper alternatives, why risk compromising on quality and performance. The Leica viewfinder is designed for the camera, is big and bright and accurate. I have used it from the beginning and would not be without it. Grab one if you can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #9 Â Posted June 2, 2011 David and Brian, thanks for the responses. I ordered the Leica OVF. Will probably still take a small DSLR with me to Israel/Greece, but I intend to put the X1 to good use (at least within the limitations of my skills as a photographer). Â -------------------------------- Randy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 2, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted June 2, 2011 Randy if you do take both cameras, it will be interesting to see the relative numbers of pictures you take with each one. For Switzerland last year I used the X1 in conjunction with my M8. I took well over 3,000 pictures in one week, almost equally divided between the two cameras. In fact most were taken with the X1 which was more readily available for the unexpected opportunities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #11 Â Posted June 2, 2011 David, after thinking about it some more I am going to take a small DSLR and a couple of lenses along with the X1. I want to take some wide angle shots and some medium telephoto shots, so I will probably take my Sony A55, Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, and Minolta 135 f/2.8, along with the X1. I may throw in my Sony 50 f/1.4 as well. The D-Lux 4 will probably stay at home for this trip. I will report after I return from my trip! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidhunternyc Posted June 27, 2011 Share #12  Posted June 27, 2011 I really appreciate the suggestions, David. The theft was upsetting, to say the least, but the insurance company settled my claim quickly and I am very happy to own the X1! I plan to practice as much as I can with the before we leave on our trip, and I spent a couple of hours last night becoming familiar with the buttons/menus/etc. I'm hoping to capture some very nice images with it on our trip and thereafter. I hope someday to have the funds to acquire an M9, but not at the expense of having my gear stolen again!________________ Randy  Who is your insurance company? I'm looking for a company that is fast and speedy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted June 27, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted June 27, 2011 David, after thinking about it some more I am going to take a small DSLR and a couple of lenses along with the X1. I want to take some wide angle shots and some medium telephoto shots, so I will probably take my Sony A55, Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, and Minolta 135 f/2.8, along with the X1. I may throw in my Sony 50 f/1.4 as well. The D-Lux 4 will probably stay at home for this trip. I will report after I return from my trip! Â Honestly I would bring dl4 and X1 thats it. if you are lugging that much DSLR stuff there may be no need for the X1? Just my two cents. Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share #14 Â Posted June 27, 2011 Who is your insurance company? I'm looking for a company that is fast and speedy. Â My insurance company is SafeCo. I've had very good results with this company so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share #15  Posted June 27, 2011 Honestly I would bring dl4 and X1 thats it. if you are lugging that much DSLR stuff there may be no need for the X1? Just my two cents. CJ  Didn't take the dl4, but did take the relatively small Sony A55 with several lenses, including a CZ 16-80, Tokina 11-16, Sony 50, Minolta 85, and Minolta 135. We were on and off the bus for most of the tour, so I was able to leave my bag on the bus for each stop and choose a lens for the Sony (in a couple of places I stuck the 135 in my pocket). I did take enough shots with each lens to make me glad I had them. I was also very glad to have the X1. I took about 1/4 of my shots with it, and was very pleased with the image quality. It was also great for occasions where I wanted to walk around in the evenings without lugging the SLT over my shoulder.  Also I've compared the images from similar shots taken with the Sony and the X1, without looking first to see which camera took the shots, and in every case so far the shots from the X1 have been my favorites. I don't regret taking the Sony, however, as I found ample use for it as well. The panoramic function in camera worked well in a lot of cases where I didn't have time to set up and take multiple shots to stitch together. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hart Posted July 4, 2011 Share #16 Â Posted July 4, 2011 I also considered the Fuji X100, but from the reviews I saw, the X1 images were much higher quality. Â I'd be curious to learn which reviews these were, because I haven't seen any that leant unambiguously in favour of the X1. Â Until I recently sold my X1 I owned both cameras, and there was little to choose between them in terms of IQ. The versatility of the X100 swung it for me, but the X1 has a lot going for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share #17  Posted July 4, 2011 I'd be curious to learn which reviews these were, because I haven't seen any that leant unambiguously in favour of the X1. Until I recently sold my X1 I owned both cameras, and there was little to choose between them in terms of IQ. The versatility of the X100 swung it for me, but the X1 has a lot going for it.  It's been several weeks since I looked. A current search shows reviews are coming out very even, but there was one review with images that swayed my opinion and I can't find it now. My recollection is that after comparing the images in this particular review, I found that I preferred the X1, and I have not been disappointed in its performance. Of course the other factor that came into play as far as the X1 vs. X100 was that there were no X100's readily available for purchase. In any event, I had no intention then or now of starting a discussion on the comparison. The X100 looks like a great camera and has many points in its favor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #18  Posted July 8, 2011 Master it before you depart on holiday.  this is very good advice..whichever camera you choose  +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkglover Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share #19  Posted July 8, 2011 this is very good advice..whichever camera you choose +1  Can't say I've mastered the X1 but I definitely enjoyed having it along with me on the trip. I took about 3500 images over a two week period in Israel and Greece, and about 1/3 of them were with the X1. I found that I used it more often as the trip went on and I became more familiar with it. One of my favorite shots was this one, which I took at 5:45 AM just before our bus departed at 6:00 AM to take us to the airport for our return flight. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/153197-stolen-camera-gear-new-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1728152'>More sharing options...
wda Posted July 8, 2011 Share #20 Â Posted July 8, 2011 Randy you have produced a very 'painterly' effect suggesting use of a Topaz filter or similar. Am I wildly off the mark? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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