Jump to content

Travel with X1 - Should I worry about reliability?


leicadude

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Folks,

After much reading and comparison to similar models and knowing how much I love my D-Lux5, I am planning to buy an X1 next week.

 

Now, I have taken my D-Lux5 around the world and it's been flawless for the past 9 months of use. No issues.

 

Should I be worried about the reliability of the X1? I have heard some reports of flash sticking. Are there other issues? Any major concerns? Planning to take it on a trip to London in few weeks...

 

Thanks for the thoughts!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Folks,

After much reading and comparison to similar models and knowing how much I love my D-Lux5, I am planning to buy an X1 next week.

 

Now, I have taken my D-Lux5 around the world and it's been flawless for the past 9 months of use. No issues.

 

Should I be worried about the reliability of the X1? I have heard some reports of flash sticking. Are there other issues? Any major concerns? Planning to take it on a trip to London in few weeks...

 

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

With close to two years of usage on my x1 I have taken it as my sole camera on every trip (6 trips) and not a single issue. Enjoy London

Link to post
Share on other sites

Reliability is a perpetual concern with ALL digital and computer products. Some more so than others. The X1 has fantastic IQ, even in low light. Despite its fixed focal length, you'll get some great travel shots. The D-Lux 5 is also an excellent camera and I've had no problems with it whatsoever. I did with the X1, unfortunately, but still like the camera design. The D-Lux 5's 24mm wideangle is very useful and this compact travel camera is undoubtedly capable of first class results. Google "Hivemind pictures with Leica D Lux 5" (and also X1) for some examples. Bear in mind you will be able to make bigger prints with the X1, but the D-Lux 5 also produces very good 11 x 17" prints.

Link to post
Share on other sites

rudedog, I own one of the first X1 cameras delivered and haven't had any malfunctions whatsoever. Apart from a minor cosmetic issue, slight skin peeling which I fixed rather than lose use of camera, it has performed flawlessly. In your situation I would take both cameras, using the X1 for all serious shots and keep the D-Lux 5 for those occasions when you need a longer focal length or slightly wider. It is also useful insurance. A small pocket tripod is handy for impromptu indoor short time exposures without flash.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Definately take both cameras.

Use the DLux5 for macro shots in restaurants etc and for video.

It's surprising how those little close ups can bring back memories later.

 

As for the X1 , apart from cosmetic problems it seems a reliable camera. After 2 years it remains one to pack in the bag even if its not used as much these days - I'm not a lover of prime lenses!

Link to post
Share on other sites

The beauty of having both X1 and LX 5/D Lux 5 is the ease of carrying both of those along. They take up less vertical space than one M body with lens attached in that you can place them side by side in a laptop bag. You will kick yourself for not having a back-up if you need one!

 

On one trip I inadvertently broke off the battery door on my LX5 and was happy to have back-up, although I was able to tape the door shut for the remainder of that trip.

 

My two cents.

DwF

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Reliability is a perpetual concern with ALL digital and computer products. Some more so than others. The X1 has fantastic IQ, even in low light. Despite its fixed focal length, you'll get some great travel shots. The D-Lux 5 is also an excellent camera and I've had no problems with it whatsoever. I did with the X1, unfortunately, but still like the camera design. The D-Lux 5's 24mm wideangle is very useful and this compact travel camera is undoubtedly capable of first class results. Google "Hivemind pictures with Leica D Lux 5" (and also X1) for some examples. Bear in mind you will be able to make bigger prints with the X1, but the D-Lux 5 also produces very good 11 x 17" prints.

 

Thanks for the link

 

Makes me realise what the X1 is really capable of and what i am not (yet)

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hello all

 

Until last weekend i would have said no to the question in this thread title

 

However, now having just returned from a trip to Egypt i would have to say 'maybe'

 

I was hit by the "sticking pop up flash" problem that has been identified elsewhere

 

Very annoying as i still had 4 days left of my holiday/trip

 

A bit embarrasing to use a rubber band to hold the flash down when in daytime shooting mode (which still activated sometimes even in closed position)

 

Other than that - nothing to report

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ahah. After reading this post, I decided to check my X1. I bought it last June, but frankly I don't use it much because... and I don't think I have ever used the flash. Well, the flash wouldn't open unless I giggled it 7 or 8 or 9 times. So, the seldom-used X1 is already on its way to Allendale.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...