X! Attitude

[macfast]

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Hello everyone,

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

I just returned home after a very interesting experience at the only camera store that stocks Leica products where I live. I have been doing my research for sometime and ready to purchase the Leica X1. I have had a couple of the Panasonic branded Leica's and ready to upgrade but was surprised at the feedback the local salesman provided when going in to the store to discuss. I had been looking at the Fuji X100 and had been trying to justify to myself my reasons for wanting to buy the X1. I have read a lot of reviews on the forums and done what homework I could, and the responses I have received from those who own the X1 is that it's a great and very capable camera. I have grown up around Leica's and I guess have come to love anything with the red dot. However, as soon as I expressed my interest in this camera I was given a very surprising response from a sales person who had an attitude right from the start. I initially mentioned my interest in the camera to which he said 'hang on a minute I'll get some advice from a colleague' sure enough he comes back one minute later and tells me that the X1 isn't a great camera, it doesn't produce sharp pictures, it has a small sensor, and all reviews of this camera are that it is overpriced'. I got the feeling it was more a not wanting to sell it to me, maybe I didn't look right - I don't know. He then when on to tell me that it's outdated and old now and the X100 is what I need. I couldn't believe the things he was telling me, in fact all I could think was, does he literally think I'm that stupid?

 

Anyways, my point of this was to get the thoughts of everyone else here. If you own the X1, what do you like about it, what don't you like about it? Is there any types of pictures you feel it's great for taking, and not great for taking? Any advice would be fantastic and I look forward to hearing form you.

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[phancj]

Take some pics side by side with the X100. I would have asked for a demo . Onyl way you'll know. Ah, remember to have a laptop ready to view the photos.

 

CJ

[Samuelson]

I have very little experience with real Leicas, having the X1 for a mere week now, and I can only compare the picture qualitiy to my outdated Canon 40D which is absolutely no match for the Leica X1 in terms of picture quality.

 

But what I can say for sure is, that a photographic tool cannot be reduced to a simple matter of technical capabilities.

 

I'm sure there are better piano chairs than the one that Glenn Gould was using in his artful career, yet it was the one, that was exactly what he needed for his touching piano playing.

 

Do you feel the same desire of making the pictures that fascinate you most with just any camera, or is there something that boosts your imagination when thinking of having the X1 in you hands?

Only you can find out, wheter the X1 is the right, inspiring tool that gets you the pictures you want to make.

[Bill Allsopp]

Take some pics side by side with the X100. I would have asked for a demo . Onyl way you'll know. Ah, remember to have a laptop ready to view the photos.

 

CJ

............or take your own memory cards in so you can view them at home on your own set up - that's what I do.

 

Delighted with my X1

[nickma]

Well I started out by buying the X100 last November. Loved the look of it, reminded me of my Hexar AF which is a brilliant camera, and was incredibly impressed by the optical and electronic viewfinders, which really are excellent. But within a couple of weeks I had sold it and bought a 2-month old X1 for more of less the same price inclusive of Lightroom. BTW, I don't care about the red dot, and I've never owned a Leica before. Here's why I changed...

 

Low light focusing: sure the X1 is at least as slow as the X100 in low light focusing, but it's hit rate is very high. The X100 was hit and miss.

 

IQ: Noise levels in the X100 may be slightly lower, but the glass isn't as good. This isn't a subjective comment, rather a fact: the X100 is more prone to flaring, ghosting, edge abberations. The X100 IQ is comparable with a decent consumer SLR. The X1's IQ is astonishingly good for a little 'un. Just look at the X1 Gallery on this site. Also look at this lens review for the tech perspective.

 

Complicated menus: I'm sure that once you've studied them over a period of time they become usable on the X100, but I didn't think they were up to the task of quick, intuitive picture taking. By comparison the menu system of the X1 is so accessible, and even workarounds for low light and action shots are really logical.

 

Plastic lcd screen: look at the number of X100s on ebay that are barely a few months old with a scratched LCD screen. I don't really care that it's much, much higher res than the X1's glass LCD screen (I predominantly used the VF on both cameras anyway), but I do care that surface materials on an expensive camera are not up to snuff.

 

So, in summary the X100 is gorgeous looking, technically brilliant, superficially desirable. (But, even if you were sold on the Fuji brand today, why would you buy the X100 when you could buy the far more impressive (on paper) upcoming X Pro 1 for the same money as an X1?) However, having used both, in my opinion the X1 is the better, less flashy, more intuitive camera with better IQ comparable to a Nikon D300 with decent glass.

[jippiejee]

Your salesperson was probably more interested in selling the X100 for the lucrative accessories and higher margins than possible with the X1. I've had the X1 for over a year now and it still my favorite travel companion. Especially in countries where photographing in the streets is a little problematic (Morocco for example), that beautiful light and compact X1 is also very stealthy. Nobody can hear the click of the shutter and know whether I took their picture or not. Lens is tack sharp and the files are very rich and a joy to edit, leaving plenty of data for some cropping if need to with the fixed lens. Get one and enjoy having it on you all the time.

[phancj]

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............or take your own memory cards in so you can view them at home on your own set up - that's what I do.

 

Delighted with my X1

 

I do bring the laptop (macbook air 11 inch) if I want to buy right there and then. Otherwise yes, the memory cards.

 

CJ

[Nevin Nevin]

Some clever guy (Warren Buffet) says, Never ask a barber if you need a haircut But since you have asked:

 

I have owned the X1 for two weeks. I can give a list (not a long one though) of its shortcomings compared to my a Ricoh GX200 (fitted with a 1/1.7" sensor) as a camera for street photography (35mm vs 24mm; understandably shallower DOF vs extensive DOF).

 

But it has some unique qualities as a tool for street photography (sharp images, spot on metering, the character of the high contrast B&W, and the red dot which interestingly has the magic to make passers-by less bothered when photographed, and so on). This takes me back to what Samuelson wrote: take the one which suits your photographic style. For me, the X100 can't be the choice even if it is much better (it's not) than the X1 overall cos it's much less discreet, for one thing. (But I must declare interest that I didn't make the choice. I was given the X1 )

[tom0511]

I have used the x1 for 1,5 years and also various mirrorless cameras (M9, m4/3, Nex, now Nex7), but not the x100.

2 comments:

1) the x1 is quite a bit smaller than a x100.

2) the X1 lens is sharp, nice contrast, the camera delivers great color (the Nex is fine as well bit I prefer the x1 slightly-talking about raw in LR). The x1 is slow in focus but a) the focus is very accurate and spot focus with the x1 let you focus on very small area in the image (eye in a face) which is great.

Also the x1 user interface is nice and simple-I like it.

Maybe there are better displays but the x1 display is ok.

[Mazantini]

Buy a friend a few days ago. Visor, extra battery, like X100 price. I did not want video. I have no hurry with the approach. Life is not for the rush.

I want a simple menu and good photo quality.

 

There are people who have bought it thinking it is a Leica M - As it is not even remotely, to return

Others have bought because "it is beautiful", but want a simple compact. No, the lack of zoom and the complexity of menus and operation make it back.

And others who have thought that a compact of 1000 € should be little more than make coffee ... and a camera with many limitations ... back.

 

I have still six months warranty and excellent treatment of Leica with registration and giving me the opportunity to get off ediion program twice.

Fuji would do this with you?.

" Please be informed, that your download-limit is reseted. Now you are able to reload the software in two more attempts.

 

Good luck by a further download and best regards. "

 

Leica X1

Sorry for my English.

[NZDavid]

That is an absolutely appalling attitude from the salesperson. Did you ask why they stock the camera if they don't want to sell it? Perhaps he makes more commission by selling other products. Why not email the official Leica distributor and raise the issue? A good salesperson should listen to the customer, not try to foist a product on you.

 

As for the X1, it is an excellent design, clear and simple to use, and produces top notch images, especially at high ISO. Its drawbacks are fixed lens, slow AF, and -- like most digital cameras -- is prone to dust on the sensor.

[Nevin Nevin]

And my bit more philosopical verdict in this thread.

[macfast]

I have very little experience with real Leicas, having the X1 for a mere week now, and I can only compare the picture qualitiy to my outdated Canon 40D which is absolutely no match for the Leica X1 in terms of picture quality.

 

But what I can say for sure is, that a photographic tool cannot be reduced to a simple matter of technical capabilities.

 

I'm sure there are better piano chairs than the one that Glenn Gould was using in his artful career, yet it was the one, that was exactly what he needed for his touching piano playing.

 

Do you feel the same desire of making the pictures that fascinate you most with just any camera, or is there something that boosts your imagination when thinking of having the X1 in you hands?

Only you can find out, wheter the X1 is the right, inspiring tool that gets you the pictures you want to make.

 

This quote I think sums everything up for me. The X1 appears to be a fantastic camera and there is something special about it. If it will inspire me to grow as a photographer over any other camera, than this is the camera for me. Thank you for your response.

[macfast]

That is an absolutely appalling attitude from the salesperson. Did you ask why they stock the camera if they don't want to sell it? Perhaps he makes more commission by selling other products. Why not email the official Leica distributor and raise the issue? A good salesperson should listen to the customer, not try to foist a product on you.

 

As for the X1, it is an excellent design, clear and simple to use, and produces top notch images, especially at high ISO. Its drawbacks are fixed lens, slow AF, and -- like most digital cameras -- is prone to dust on the sensor.

 

Hi David, as much as I would have enjoyed asking him that question, I wasn't in the mood to deal with this guys attitude. In fact, if it wasn't the only place where I live (Australia) that sold Leica's I wouldn't even consider going back there. In saying that, I'm going to see if I can pick up a second hand X1 (online) so I can then walk back in the the store with it hanging around my neck just to show this guy how amazing this camera is. What's funnier is he told me they didn't have one in the store to look at (I had only seen it on their website but it's not on display).

 

From everything I have read here so far, the camera produces fantastic pictures (colour, sharpness etc). I feel I can easily deal with the slow auto focus and until I can one day afford an M9 - the fixed lens will do. I will take your advice and email the distributor, I think it's only fair they understand that the people selling their product are completely uneducated. It's great knowing that there are people here willing to give honest and truthful advice. Thanks again.

[wda]

Macfast, I would urge you to follow NZDavid's advice and email Leica Customer Services, either in your country or Solms. Do this in the interests of future potential Leica customers who may not be so enlightened as you are in seeking the truth.

[macfast]

I have used the x1 for 1,5 years and also various mirrorless cameras (M9, m4/3, Nex, now Nex7), but not the x100.

2 comments:

1) the x1 is quite a bit smaller than a x100.

2) the X1 lens is sharp, nice contrast, the camera delivers great color (the Nex is fine as well bit I prefer the x1 slightly-talking about raw in LR). The x1 is slow in focus but a) the focus is very accurate and spot focus with the x1 let you focus on very small area in the image (eye in a face) which is great.

Also the x1 user interface is nice and simple-I like it.

Maybe there are better displays but the x1 display is ok.

 

Thanks for your comments. What subjects do you find yourself shooting regularly with the X1? You seem to have a lot of choice. I'm just curious how people use the X1.

 

I understand it's targeted towards the professional traveller but it appears to be used a lot more than just that. For me it will (if I can get one) be my only camera.

[rsh]

It is not a perfect camera, but with it, you can produce near perfect images. That is the ultimate goal.

[NZDavid]

Perhaps this is one reason Leica is reported to be considering opening more of its own boutique shops. Only trouble with that is they would be limited to major cities.

 

The X1 is more compact than the M9. I prefer RF focusing, but the fixed 35mm lens is superb, as is image quality. The priceof the X1 has actually come down slightly.

 

Macfast, good luck! I'd recommend looking at other dealers online. Our local one, Photo & Video International - New & Used Photographic Equipment & Digital Printing, may be worth considering because of the high Aussie dollar. The owner, Greg, loves Leica!

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[mrware]

That is an absolutely appalling attitude from the salesperson.

 

So true. If he had been decent, he could have sold an excellent camera, built a good relationship with a customer. If the thoughts on margins on the other brands vs Leica are correct, what short sighted thinking on the sales person's part. That customer relationship could turn into a high value lifetime customer plus referrals.

[macfast]

Perhaps this is one reason Leica is reported to be considering opening more of its own boutique shops. Only trouble with that is they would be limited to major cities.

 

The X1 is more compact than the M9. I prefer RF focusing, but the fixed 35mm lens is superb, as is image quality. The priceof the X1 has actually come down slightly.

 

Macfast, good luck! I'd recommend looking at other dealers online. Our local one, Photo & Video International - New & Used Photographic Equipment & Digital Printing, may be worth considering because of the high Aussie dollar. The owner, Greg, loves Leica!

 

Thank you David, I am very excited to get my hands on one very soon. I am very drawn to the black X1 so hopefully I can find one new, if not at a good price second hand. I will be sure to check out your recommendation - I'd rather buy from someone that values their customers and provides educated and quality advice!