Experiences with the x1 in 3 months India

[Paul J]

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I think the colours, like most instances, are coming from the environment. The available colour palette, the rich colour of the subjects skin and the of corse the light. The light really does look different in different parts of the world. It's pollution, atmospheric haze, density of the air from so many things.

Edited March 23, 2012 by Paul J

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[Hektor6644]

Hi Thomas & Paul:

 

Thanks for your responses. I'm probably in agreement with Paul. The colors have more to do with the subjects and environment than anything else. I have noticed that the "Leica Colors" are reproduced in street shooting, structures, architecture, night photography, etc not under a bright sunlight and certainly not at midday

.

I have mow set the X1 with Vivid and medium-to-high in the rest of the picture controls settings. I'm also beginning to use the Low-Key filter with Nik Color Efex. The following two photos were taken from my front porch, a very tough area to photograph. These are probably the best photos I took from that location. That includes the D700 and D7000 with exce4llent lenses like the 14-24, 24-70, 24 1.4, etc. The X1 never seizes to surprise and amaze me.

 

The first image the picture controls are flat; the second one they are Vivid and medium-to-high:

 

http://www.hektorsphotos.com/LeicaX1/X1-Themes-Styles/X1-Architecture-1/i-XB2453p/1/M/L1020272-L.jpg

 

http://www.hektorsphotos.com/LeicaX1/X1-Themes-Styles/X1-Architecture-1/i-fbKf6PW/1/M/L1020272-L.jpg

 

The first photo has heavy post-processing and the second one very little.

 

Best regards,

 

Hektor

Edited March 24, 2012 by Ramesses

[wda]

Hector, a quick look at the pictures suggests that the shadows are very dense and could easily be lightened a little in PP. (I used Levels in Photoshop for quickness; normally I would use Lightroom.)

 

It is a question of personal taste and preference, but I do suggest you experiment using Raw capture and discover the extra scope you have for refinement in processing. The colours can be made exactly what you want them to be, but there is a learning curve.

[tmldds]

Thomas,

 

Thank you for sharing such a fantastic series! I have been shooting with my M9 for about 2 years and have finally bought a second-hand X1 at a very good price. I am looking forward to having a little smaller camera with a built-in flash for very occasional use.

 

Tri:)

[phancj]

I took loads of photos over many trips to India and found the X1 to be the ideal tool.

 

Reason is people are less likely to be offended by the camera, it looks like a toy.

 

i just got back from New Delhi yesterday and this trip I brought the Nikon D800 with the 35 and 85 1.4G. I had an irate old lady screaming at me not to take photos of her and another 2 who flatly said no when I asked to take photos of them. With the X1 this has NEVER happened. I did manage to get some nice photos this trip though but with the X1 I can get away with so much more candid photos.

 

Another thing may be if you look like you are fumbling with a tiny cam and using live view no one cares, but with a pro-looking cam and the viewfinder things are different. My method with the X1 is to hold it and pretend I am an idiot with the camera. Totally non-intrusive and that super silent shutter is a pure asset.

 

My two cents.

 

CJ

Edited June 23, 2012 by phancj

[NZDavid]

Superb pics from the X1, thank you for posting.

 

I am amazed at the quick service you got. Here in New Zealand it took three months for the round trip to Solms, twice. I no longer have the X1 but still think it is a very capable camera.

[thfloegel]

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Thank you tmldds & NZDavid.

I am still processing more and more of the many pictures I took with the X1 and will slowly load them up. By the way, I don't see any need for me to upgrade to a X2 as I'm perfectly happy with what I have got.

 

Best

Thomas