FurnitureMaker Posted June 29, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm sure this horse been beat to death but I'm digging for advice. For years Ive been a dslr guy. Currently own a 7D and a bunch of Canon L glass. Honestly it seems that I never have the right lens on the camera and I'm just to lazy to swap out glass, so I miss a lot of shots. The older I get the worse it gets so I'm thinking about ditching the 7d and getting an X1. The kids are grown and the grand kids are not into sports so speed is really not an issue. The one thing I do a ton of is printing. I'm not an internet photo guy. I print many 8 x12 and larger pictures.The frames in our home get new pics very often. So I guess the question is am I going to be disappointed by the quality this little camera produces compared to the Canon with L glass. I'd really like to hear from some folks that actually print what they shoot with the X1 Thank you Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Hi FurnitureMaker, Take a look here X1 or Not. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ecaton Posted June 29, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 29, 2011 I'm sure this horse been beat to death but I'm digging for advice. For years Ive been a dslr guy. Currently own a 7D and a bunch of Canon L glass. Honestly it seems that I never have the right lens on the camera and I'm just to lazy to swap out glass, so I miss a lot of shots. The older I get the worse it gets so I'm thinking about ditching the 7d and getting an X1. The kids are grown and the grand kids are not into sports so speed is really not an issue.The one thing I do a ton of is printing. I'm not an internet photo guy. I print many 8 x12 and larger pictures.The frames in our home get new pics very often. So I guess the question is am I going to be disappointed by the quality this little camera produces compared to the Canon with L glass. I'd really like to hear from some folks that actually print what they shoot with the X1 Thank you Don And what makes you think you would have the right lens on the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FurnitureMaker Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted June 29, 2011 And what makes you think you would have the right lens on the X1. Nothing knowing that its a fixed lens. My thinking is, it sure would beat lugging around lenses and gear that I'm to lazy to swap out anyways. 35mm is a pretty good all around family friendly focal length. As far as focal length goes its fine for portraits and landscapes. My biggest concern is print quality. I'm not a big techno junkie but since both cameras the 7d and the X1 have approximately the same sensor my theory would be the print quality would be equal. Leica glass is usually sharper than any Canon zoom so the second theory was that the image quality and sharpness would be equal or better. Both of these may be way off base but I'd like to hear it from the folks that actually own the X1. Call B and H and you dont get any advice other than they are different and both great. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 29, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 29, 2011 Full size sample images are available on the web, why not try printing a couple and see how they compare with your Canon prints? Even better, take your Canon along to a dealer, try a few shots with both cameras then print/compare. You might find the fixed focal length a bit limiting for all round use, but for general photography I guess I use a 35mm lens or equivalent about 75% of the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted June 29, 2011 Share #5 Posted June 29, 2011 Nothing knowing that its a fixed lens. My thinking is, it sure would beat lugging around lenses and gear that I'm to lazy to swap out anyways. 35mm is a pretty good all around family friendly focal length. As far as focal length goes its fine for portraits and landscapes. My biggest concern is print quality. I'm not a big techno junkie but since both cameras the 7d and the X1 have approximately the same sensor my theory would be the print quality would be equal. Leica glass is usually sharper than any Canon zoom so the second theory was that the image quality and sharpness would be equal or better. Both of these may be way off base but I'd like to hear it from the folks that actually own the X1. Call B and H and you dont get any advice other than they are different and both great. Don i have never shot with a 7D I have an X1, with all it's idiosyncrasies no one has ever faulted its IQ.... as I have read the posts - the X1 AF is much slower than a DSLR..never owning or using a DSLR that is not an issue for me. take a look at all the images on the internet (look at flickr or smugmug or this forum and search for X1) and see the quality of the images (not whether you like the photos or not)... I don't think you will be disappointed. there are a few forum members who have or had 7D's perhaps they will join in and alleviate your concerns..... you can also take an SD card and your 7D to your Leica shop and snap a few images with both and make your own comparisions.... once again I don't think you will be disappointed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt93 Posted June 29, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 29, 2011 I just sold my D3s, 24G, 35G, 85D, 70-200 VR II....well you get the idea, for the sane reason. I'm leaning hard towards the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lykaman Posted June 29, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, Furnituremaker & others on the Fence” - go buy the X1, go thro’ the learning curve & have a great time going back to the real photographic experience................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted June 29, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 29, 2011 I love to have my favorite shots printed too... in my silly home 50x70cm is the default frame size and the X1 images look great really. Don't worry. The X1 does deliver. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satijntje Posted June 29, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 29, 2011 Hi, I have an exzellent Canon 1d MIII with L lenses and a Leica x1 Guess what I use 99% of the time..... Yes, the x1 John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt93 Posted June 30, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 30, 2011 I like hearing the positive reviews from owners. I have heard a bit of both but am still leaning towards the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Essemmlee Posted June 30, 2011 Share #11 Posted June 30, 2011 My thinking is, it sure would beat lugging around lenses and gear that I'm to lazy to swap out anyways. 35mm is a pretty good all around family friendly focal length. Why not just sell all your current lenses and buy a top class L 35mm lens and leave it on the 7D all the time? Although I have an X1, and it is supreme for a carry all camera, it wouldn't replace the different quality of a fast 35mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECliffordSmith Posted June 30, 2011 Share #12 Posted June 30, 2011 Hi, In terms of image quality I would be surprised if you will have any complaints. The lens is sharp through the entire aperture range and at optimal settings (base ISO, F5.6) the amount of detail captured in the DNG files is remarkable. The dynamic range is also good. I think you really need to consider whether you are prepared to give up the perfomance, flexibility and functionality of the SLR you have for the compact X1 body. How much would you miss an optical viewfinder with communications to the camera? What about the depth of field? To get any significant separation of subject isolation you need to be shooting at F2.8 with a focus distance of less than a meter or so. Personally I find the camera perfect for my needs and have been on several trips with just the X1 and not regretted it at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FurnitureMaker Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted June 30, 2011 Why not just sell all your current lenses and buy a top class L 35mm lens and leave it on the 7D all the time? Although I have an X1, and it is supreme for a carry all camera, it wouldn't replace the different quality of a fast 35mm. I have a 35 and 24 both L and to be quite honest they are not all that great neither come close to the quality of even the ef 85 1.8. I did run over one of two camera shops left within 100 miles and got a great lesson. Every one Ive spoke to about Leica in general has had the same answer. "Its just different". The Shop owner sat me down and we went through some portfolios of local photographers while I pointed out the pics that really appealed to me. Not the subject matter but the photos themselves. One portfolio stood out over the others for the most part every shot was appealing to my wife and I. All the shots were taken on either an M8, an X1 or an AE1 (film) The B&W from the M8 and X1 were pretty close and just had a completely different feel than the shots from a 5D. The quality and clarity was IMO better with even the X1. The one thing I notice was the X1 photos were all static or composed no spontaneous shots at all. I assume this is do to the lack of speed. The film was different all together and I could definitely tell it was film. All the shots were wedding photos, not my favorite subject matter but did tell me what I wanted to know. The shop is not a Leica dealer but the owner let me play with his X1. All in all I'd say its ok and would in reality suit most any consumer that doesn't shoot sports and just wants an all around carry camera. We put a cactus V2 on the hot shoe and I got to shoot a few portraits of my wife with studio lights. I paid to have two prints made one 8x12 and one 11x14 Both shots were with my wife moving within the frame. Both came out looking as good as my 7d with a 85 f1.8 lens. The larger was done in B&W and it was far superior to any B&W I have ever done. The RAW file seemed easier to post process to B&W although I just watched as the shop owner did the PP in LR 2.7. The shop owner brought up another very good point about only needing a light weight tripod. After getting the approval to run with the X1 from the wife I bought a nice Gitzo ultra light tripod from the shop and ordered the X1 from B&H. I put all my gear up for sale on Craigs list for a flat 10K this morning and my have a buyer already. Thanks for the advice Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Essemmlee Posted June 30, 2011 Share #14 Posted June 30, 2011 Thanks for the advice Our advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. The X1 is a great camera, but the 7D and 35mm would be just as good. Fact. Heavier but better, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likealeica Posted June 30, 2011 Share #15 Posted June 30, 2011 I have an X1 and really enjoy it for the 35 mm range. I also have a Nikon D5000 with 18-70 for the wide angle range, a 50-200 for the tele range, and a 35 1.8 for normal low light stuff. When I carry the D5000, I seldom carry more than one of those lenses at a time. In short, both cameras do a job. Neither obviates the other. Just my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mah Posted July 10, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 10, 2011 Yes for X1! M9-P | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mah Posted July 10, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 10, 2011 X1 shot: Rye | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidhunternyc Posted July 10, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 10, 2011 I can help you out here. I made huge 12" X 18" prints with an Epson 7900 10 color press from photos I took with the X1. The quality of the prints are superlative! The X1 is up to the task. I did, however, eventually sell my X1. The reason for this is that I just could not do without a viewfinder on my camera. Street shooting in NYC and looking through the LCD was just way too amateurish and the Voightlander viewfinder did not frame my shots accurately. I sold the X1 and I'm waiting for my Fuji X100 to arrive in the mail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dehenderson Posted July 10, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 10, 2011 Don, I hear you. I got rid of my Nikon and multiple lenses. Too darn heavy. Moved to a Canon S95 (great little camera with RAW). Then, bought a Leica X1 four months ago. I have been sorely disappointed with the Leica. While others complain of its slow focus, I find the focus soft when shooting distances and all images are about one stop overexposed, requiring extensive work in Adobe Lightroom. My Leica X1 does not merit a $2,000 price tag! My counsel is either to gamble on the X1 or consider something else. I must point out that despite all the hype regarding the Fuji X100, its battery life is poor requiring you to carry a pocketful of spare batteries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 10, 2011 Share #20 Posted July 10, 2011 ....The Shop owner sat me down and we went through some portfolios of local photographers while I pointed out the pics that really appealed to me. Not the subject matter but the photos themselves.......The shop is not a Leica dealer but the owner let me play with his X1. ...... The shop owner brought up another very good point about only needing a light weight tripod. After getting the approval to run with the X1 from the wife I bought a nice Gitzo ultra light tripod from the shop and ordered the X1 from B&H...... Don Don, you found a dealer worth patronizing in the future. Not many would have the time or inclination to help you in the way he did. I do hope you enjoy your new X1 camera. I pre-ordered mine, so convinced was I that it would meet a specific need and I have never been disappointed with the results. It does reward you for mastering its manual operation. Consider also adding the hand-grip and external optical viewfinder. Both add immeasurably to my pleasure and to the camera's performance. As an aside, I am intrigued to know what furniture you make! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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