Sgt93 Posted July 7, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted July 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I received my black (is there any other color!?) Leica X1 from B&H Photo yesterday quickly and packaged perfect as always (thank you B&H). I opened the box and removed the packaging to reveal an amazing presentation by Leica. The "un-boxing" of the X1 is quite a nice experience. Â I looked over the books and pamphlets and downloaded my LR after registering my camera on the website. I have always used Aperture so comparing LR will be interesting. I also un-boxed the Leica 18709 leather case which is a well crafted little treat. I may take the 18709 to a leather shop (or do it myself) and have it "aged" to create a better worn look. Â I also examined the body of the Leica and tried to get accustomed to the feel of such a small camera. Will i end up getting a grip or half case with a grip (thinking a Luigi half case)? Probably. For walking around chicago it will make the experience and handling of the X1 so much easier as I do not have the smallest hands (no pun intended). The Leica X1 is small and light. The feel is completely new to me and I wish there was just a little more weight to her. I found that when I pressed the shutter release, I would slightly jerk the camera. Leica, please either make the shutter release lighter (less pressure to actuate) or add a little more weight to the camera. Â I charged the battery (Leica please take note and ship with a nicely charged battery) and it seemed to take forever to charge. The upside to this was that I was able to read the manual and applied my Giottos screen saver (a great little product). Â Once I saw the little green light on the charger, I placed my battery in the camera and applied power generating life to the X1. My initial thoughts of the menu system is that it is nice and straight forward. I played with the menu and settings and took several pictures in different film modes (color, B&W etc) and played with the auto and manual settings for quite some time. Â My kids were running around the house so I snapped several pics of them and quickly learned that this camera is not my D3s, which I already knew. I was bound and determined to find some settings that would allow for me to take mediocre action shots and was able to do some decent pics while playing with the manual mode and aperture priority settings. Â I took several B&W pics of art that is hanging in my residence and loved the results. The pictures have that "Leica" edge to them and are gorgeous for my first attempt with the X1 as a new user. I did find myself jerking the actuator a bit as I feared while I handled the camera while the battery was charging. This obviously yielded in some lost pics but I got better with practice. I feel as thought the shutter release button is like a "NY Trigger" on a pistol requiring 5lbs of pressure to actuate. Â Overall, the image quality is Leica, there is no doubt about it. I need more practice and time with the camera and this will happen at the end of the month when I go to St. Croix. My initial reactions is that this camera has lots of capabilities in such a small package. Do i wish there was a 2.0 or lesser lens on this little delight.......yes. I am so use to shooting in f/1.4 that I spoiled myself. I can only hope that the X2 will have an f/2.0 lens at the minimum (Leica please take note). Stay tuned for further review after some use. -Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Hi Sgt93, Take a look here My initial review of the Leica X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
phancj Posted July 7, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted July 7, 2011 The shutter is very light and doesnt require a lot to depress, much less add camera shake when doing so. You may want to check yours with the store to see if it is normal, especially so when you are coming from using the D3s. The DSLR has a much heavier shutter and a whole lot more noise and shake. Â I also use 1.4s exclusively now (mostly 35mm f/1.4G and 85 f/1.4G) for Nikon but I can tell you that once you are used to the dimunitive size of the X1 there's no going back to the brick of dslr unless absolutely necessary. Â Enjoy. Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted July 7, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted July 7, 2011 Congratulation on your new camera. Yes, the x1 is small and light and in the beginning it happens to move it when pressing the shutter, which in my case is not very hard to press. With some exercise you'll learn not to move the camera. When quick shots are required the best in my experience (limited, I have no kids) is to work manually. Increase iso untill you can balance aperture (possibly around 8 at least) and time and than fix the distance. In this case the response is almost immediate. Enjoy your camera and ...post a few pictures ! robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 7, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted July 7, 2011 Don't press the shutter, but squeeze the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted July 7, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted July 7, 2011 enjoy your camera as noted above- squeeze the shutter i must sound like a walking advertisement for a thumbs up- but a thumbsup and/or grip and/or case with grip make the x1 into a better handling machine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dsg Posted July 13, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted July 13, 2011 I have both the X1 and the D3S as well..I dearly love both cameras.I bought a sumtuous black leather half-case for the X1 by Artists and Artisians...Its about $175 and worth every penny.I have had Luigi and they are excellent but I think I really prefer the A&A case better than Luigi...Its really sweet on the X1 and goes on and comes off in an instant Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest badbob Posted July 22, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted July 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Having the 18709 aged sounds like a great idea. Mine tends to show scuffs easily, especially where the lens protrudes. If you can do something to reduce the visibility of the scuffs when they happen, I'd like to hear about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt93 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share #8 Â Posted July 22, 2011 I am half tempted to try saddle soap on it to see what it does. A little afraid though lol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnolio Posted July 23, 2011 Share #9  Posted July 23, 2011 The shutter is very light and doesnt require a lot to depress, much less add camera shake when doing so. You may want to check yours with the store to see if it is normal, especially so when you are coming from using the D3s. The DSLR has a much heavier shutter and a whole lot more noise and shake. I also use 1.4s exclusively now (mostly 35mm f/1.4G and 85 f/1.4G) for Nikon but I can tell you that once you are used to the dimunitive size of the X1 there's no going back to the brick of dslr unless absolutely necessary.  Enjoy.  CJ  agree 100%. magnolio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest drpix Posted July 30, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted July 30, 2011 It's a hugely overpriced camera with nice sensor and lens; the rest - ergonomics - is a joke (like continously stopping down aperture; in-between shutter times, etc.....). I've been beta testing this camera and pointed out several flaws but nobody listens at Selms (they know better). Still, the camera is capable of fine images (see my pics at Leica's Scandinavian site) but I can tkae even better pics with a small Canon 1000D and Canon 24/2.8 (RAW in DPP) for half the price! Andrzej Leica-camera.dk | LEICA X1 Andrzej i Burano www.audiomix.se/photo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc4237 Posted July 31, 2011 Share #11  Posted July 31, 2011 It's a hugely overpriced camera with nice sensor and lens; the rest - ergonomics - is a joke (like continously stopping down aperture; in-between shutter times, etc.....). I've been beta testing this camera and pointed out several flaws but nobody listens at Selms (they know better).Still, the camera is capable of fine images (see my pics at Leica's Scandinavian site) but I can tkae even better pics with a small Canon 1000D and Canon 24/2.8 (RAW in DPP) for half the price! Andrzej Leica-camera.dk | LEICA X1 Andrzej i Burano www.audiomix.se/photo  duely noted. your review is much appreciated albeit being a beta tester.  P.S. just move on if the camera ain't for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt93 Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share #12 Â Posted July 31, 2011 I'm getting quite use to the X1 and it is a great little camera. It makes photography interesting again. Headed to St Croix in a week and hope to take a few pics Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted July 31, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted July 31, 2011 I am confused you are 'beta testing' a camera that has been out for almost 2 years ? Your photos are amazing . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest drpix Posted July 31, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted July 31, 2011 I WAS beta testing for two years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc4237 Posted July 31, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted July 31, 2011 beta tested, but you are here to tell owners who have been using this camera for 3mths - 2years that their tool is a joke ?? Â wow~! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest drpix Posted August 1, 2011 Share #16 Â Posted August 1, 2011 Better late than never:) In my "criticism" I only say that camera's ergonomics sucks! Definitely NOT a "tool"; rather an expensive toy. Leica is NOT a holly cow; they make some outstanding lenses but very often their cameras seem like being designed by Porsche egineers but NOT photogrpahers. One reads chants about how great X1 is and very seldom severe ergonomic flaws are brought up (for example - continuous stopping down of the aperture blades which makes exposure assestment virtually impossible). Of course the camera is capable of delivering stunning images (mostly thanks to the lens and sensor) but so are many other cameras for half the price. So wake up Leica lovers: criticise, complain, demand - for the money you have the right to get properly designed "tools" not hybrids consisting of half of jewels and half of rubbish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebear Posted August 1, 2011 Share #17 Â Posted August 1, 2011 Everything has its flaws; nothing is perfect. The X1 is certainly not perfect but sometimes you have to give a little to get a lot. At the end of the day, for me, this camera is about being compact and very portable but at the same time producing images of amazing quality that equal or even surpass a DSLR.. I can live with the flaws, even at the price I paid on ebay. Those who can't should move and perhaps try the X100. I hear it isn't perfect either..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted August 1, 2011 Share #18 Â Posted August 1, 2011 .... I hear it isn't perfect either..... Â Perfection is not for this world ! Everything could be improved. It is the reality of life! robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt93 Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share #19 Â Posted August 1, 2011 Also, the shutter release is fine and I just had to adapt from going from heavy SLR's (D3s etc) to a light weight camera. It's truly a joy being able to carry such a nice compact camera around that takes great photos. Can't wait for St Croix. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted August 1, 2011 Share #20 Â Posted August 1, 2011 Better late than never:) In my "criticism" I only say that camera's ergonomics sucks! Definitely NOT a "tool"; rather an expensive toy. Leica is NOT a holly cow; they make some outstanding lenses but very often their cameras seem like being designed by Porsche egineers but NOT photogrpahers. One reads chants about how great X1 is and very seldom severe ergonomic flaws are brought up (for example - continuous stopping down of the aperture blades which makes exposure assestment virtually impossible). Of course the camera is capable of delivering stunning images (mostly thanks to the lens and sensor) but so are many other cameras for half the price. So wake up Leica lovers: criticise, complain, demand - for the money you have the right to get properly designed "tools" not hybrids consisting of half of jewels and half of rubbish. Â You mean cameras arent toys? Â Learning new things every single day! Â Also, you are absolutely right, for half the price you can get a dslr with good image quality and also more value for your money coz you get more materials like plastic, magnesium alloy and glass. The X1 is a damn rip-off coz it's so small and there arent much materials used in it. No blings on it either. They should add jewels on it for that price. That way we can justify buying such a toy. Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.