Paul J Posted January 14, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've just bought and started using an X1. Coming from someone who shoots a Canon 1Ds mkIII and a P65+ on a H Series Blad I'm absolutely blown away with the quality. My eyes popped out of my head when I looked at the shots on my 30" monitor. I just can't even imagine how this kind of quality is available in something this size. So ridiculously sharp, detailed and perfect colour rendition. I'm really, very, surprised. I mean, I knew it was going to be good but it really has surpassed my expectations by a considerably great deal. Forget 100% even the 200% crops look astounding! So far haven't found AF speed a problem. Was bowled over by the 4 frame continuous burst. For all the complaints about it being slow to operate I've really found it be the contrary. I would love to see a 1.4 or 1.8 lens on this thing. An Exposure compensation dial on the top would be nice. Â Only quibble I have is I'd like to be able to shoot DNG only. Not DNG + jpg. Obviously a very minor quibble. Â I'm sold, I'm now buying an M9. Â edited to add - Despite most people complaining about the price of this camera I have to say I actually think it's incredibly well priced for the quality and form factor. I believe it's worth every penny I have spent on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 Hi Paul J, Take a look here X1 First Impressions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
HV25 Posted January 14, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted January 14, 2012 I completely agree with all points. Â My experience has been very much the same. Â Nearly a year after buying the X1 I'm still fascinated by this camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted January 14, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Good to hear your positive feelings about the X1, I agree about the faster lens being desirable. I'm interested how exposure compensation works, and why it would be desirable to have it to hand. I say this as I always use the shutter speed and aperture to vary the exposure, and these dials are already on the top. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share #4 Â Posted January 14, 2012 I suppose it's from habit/laziness of using a dSLR all a these years. I love the convenience of shooting in aperture priority and then just guessing the difference with exposure compensation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 14, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Paul, welcome to the forum and Leica ownership! Several members crave for a faster lens, but... are you prepared to sacrifice the compact quality for a slightly bigger package? It is a difficult trade-off. When pushed, I use a higher ISO and post-process it more carefully. Â Am delighted to read a genuine enthusiastic first report. All too often we see the severe critics, often before they have owned or used the X1 very much. In your case you set out your bench-mark with bigger system cameras. So you must be impressed! Wishing you continued happiness with your X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share #6 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Hi there David, Â Thanks for the warm welcomes. I'm happy to find a forum with enthusiastic and friendly people. Â Yes point taken on the size v fast lens ratio. Though I would definitely sacrifice some of the small size for a faster lens. I would also love to see another version with a 50mm equivalent and it would be a dream to also have another in a 90mm equivalent. At this rate I'm that satisfied with the results from the camera that I'd like to incorporate this camera into my work. Â I'm completely converted though and next step will be an M9 with Noctilux. For the first time i think I understand "religion". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted January 14, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Â Only quibble I have is I'd like to be able to shoot DNG only. Not DNG + jpg. Obviously a very minor quibble. Â I'm sold, I'm now buying an M9. Â My only gripe so far too, I bought mine a week ago. I already have an M9 - you'll love it I'm sure. Â This thread may be of interest http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-x1-forum/218223-dividing-opinions-x1-test.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 14, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Paul, I take your point regarding a faster lens. I would like one too. Get a lot more enthusiasts and Leica might listen! Â Should a version of the X1 appear with a faster lens I would be very tempted; but I would be reluctant to give up my existing X1. Incidentally it is more than capable for many professional purposes. It was one of the first compacts to be approved by Getty I believe. Certainly I have used it for stock and illustrative purposes. Its non-threatening appearance wins ready acceptance among strangers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted January 14, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted January 14, 2012 Welcome to the forum Paul. Yes, I'm satisfied user of the x1 too. It's not perfect but does perfection exist? I'm using the almost daily and sometimes beside my m7 when traveling. The 35mm equivalent is ok for my style of shooting andto the high quality of the files when I need the 50mm look I slightly crop the image, of course if I do not need to make very big enlargements. It is not the same but better than nothing! robert PS: most of the photo in my "km zero project" in my blog are made with the x1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted January 14, 2012 Share #10 Â Posted January 14, 2012 My only regret is I don't have one yet.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share #11  Posted January 14, 2012 My only gripe so far too, I bought mine a week ago. I already have an M9 - you'll love it I'm sure. This thread may be of interest http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-x1-forum/218223-dividing-opinions-x1-test.html  Yes, I already saw that amazing shot. Incredible lack of noise for such a high ISO. perfect. I'm wishing for the faster lens more for the wide aperture effects, bokeh and such.  Paul, I take your point regarding a faster lens. I would like one too. Get a lot more enthusiasts and Leica might listen!  Should a version of the X1 appear with a faster lens I would be very tempted; but I would be reluctant to give up my existing X1. Incidentally it is more than capable for many professional purposes. It was one of the first compacts to be approved by Getty I believe. Certainly I have used it for stock and illustrative purposes. Its non-threatening appearance wins ready acceptance among strangers.  Great to hear you're using it professionally. I look forward to using it also, I can really see how it's going to fit in. I crave the effects from wide aperture rather than low light capabilities. I'm not greedy, i don't need 0.95 as I'd be happy with f1.2 yes I agree it's looks are really quite disarming.  Welcome to the forum Paul. Yes, I'm satisfied user of the x1 too. It's not perfect but does perfection exist? I'm using the almost daily and sometimes beside my m7 when traveling. The 35mm equivalent is ok for my style of shooting andto the high quality of the files when I need the 50mm look I slightly crop the image, of course if I do not need to make very big enlargements. It is not the same but better than nothing!robert PS: most of the photo in my "km zero project" in my blog are made with the x1.  Thanks for the warm welcomes I actually like the way it's unperfect. Similar to cars in the sense that every review I read of a super car for example, where the manufacture irons out all the imperfections and quirks of a super car and turns it into an every day use car, well it never goes in the cars favour and it's always talked about losing it's soul.  As you've mentioned cropping, I'm really confident in doing this, a 200% crop from the x1, which is something I never bother to look at is just incredibly detailed. But i would love a 50mm model. I don't like to crop in the pure sense. There's something about getting it in camera that is important to me I suppose.  My only regret is I don't have one yet....  Well I hope you do get one, I really think everyone who loves photography should be given one at birth by Leica. Ha. It has me excited about shooting again and the camera really does make your want to shoot for the sake of shooting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted January 14, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted January 14, 2012 ... But i would love a 50mm model. I don't like to crop in the pure sense. There's something about getting it in camera that is important to me I suppose. Â I understand and agree with you, I just crop the x1 photo only in exceptional cases, as last resources...ciao robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share #13  Posted January 15, 2012 I understand and agree with you, I just crop the x1 photo only in exceptional cases, as last resources...ciaorobert  It's certainly great to know we can do it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share #14 Â Posted February 4, 2012 It was only such a short while ago I wrote this post and now I own a M9 kit. Â The X1 is dangerously good! Prepare to find yourself intrigued by the Leica brand should you chose to buy the camera! Â I've been playing with the X1 a fair bit and I only love it more and more. I'm mainly using it on manual focus now and I'm really quite quick using it too. Many have complained about the MF but i don't think they've really given it a chance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted February 4, 2012 Share #15  Posted February 4, 2012 It was only such a short while ago I wrote this post and now I own a M9 kit. The X1 is dangerously good!  Hmmm, this is scaring me ! Enjoy your kit ! robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_L Posted February 4, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted February 4, 2012 I have been working my mind so hard at not buying the X1 by selling M8 and lenses. And then this... Enjoy the camera, who knows that you will find it sufficient... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted February 12, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted February 12, 2012 Paul, welcome to the forum and Leica ownership!Several members crave for a faster lens, but... are you prepared to sacrifice the compact quality for a slightly bigger package? It is a difficult trade-off. When pushed, I use a higher ISO and post-process it more carefully. Â Am delighted to read a genuine enthusiastic first report. All too often we see the severe critics, often before they have owned or used the X1 very much. In your case you set out your bench-mark with bigger system cameras. So you must be impressed! Wishing you continued happiness with your X1. Â David, with a grip and external viewfinder attached its already much bigger, although 'better' for me because its easier to hold, and more steady with the viewfinder close to the eye as opposed to arms length viewing of the lcd. Â Personally I don't care for a faster lens but would love a lens that could take a filter and lenshood a la x100 and a IS lens would be 1st prize... even if it is bigger... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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