An X1 experience in the 10/05/12

[asoares]

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Two years with a X1.

 

[Disclaimer: please don't take this post too seriously... it's just to decompress the tension immediately before the 10/05/12 event...]

 

Please allow me to share my experience of two years with an X1.

I bought my X1 in May 2010. Since then, I have had a love&hate relationship with this camera, which I realize is not an original feeling at all.*

Although I'm seriously into photography (I'll have a photobook published next month) I am a "backup camera" guy. Let me explain: my "main cameras" have been what most photographers call backups. Since 2005, my cameras were a Sony DSC/R1 (which I still use), a DLUX4 (which I don't use anymore), a Leica X1 (which I use almost everyday) and a NEX 5N (that I sold recently) plus a Leica 35mm Summicron v4.

I tried to sell my X1 twice, for different reasons. The first time, in the beginning of 2011, I decided that I could not support anymore that miserable, unreliable camera (...) and take the opportunity to change my (photographic) life... As I couldn't afford, or even justify the investment in an M9, I decided myself for a surrogate of it: to cut a long story short, I ended up with a NEX5+summicron 35mm v4. And I wanted to sell the X1 to finance this, but nobody made me a fair offer for it. Sudenly I gave up to sell the X1 as I realised how complementary would be a 35mm and a 50mm, fostering two very different ways to photograph.*

One year passed and the 10th May fever rised. Two months ago I was attacked by a temptation to buy a second-hand M9, looking for some mad guy or girl that wanted badly to buy an M10 (or whatever M it comes/came) and was drunk enough to sell his/her M9 for less than 3500€... No way, of course (and, thinking better, rangefinding is not my way to photograph, I'm more into the Hasselblad way... that's why I ordered an NEX 7 for my Summicron...). But the 10/5 fever attacked me too and I thought it would be a good idea to upgrade... to an X2. Thus, I am trying to sell the X1 again, for the second time...

Let me finish by saying that I love my X1. A lot. I hope nobody gives me enough for it... .*It has quirks: I hate when I miss a shot due to the slow AF and I hate when the image results out of focus due to focus not locked at infinity. But I still love it.*As far as accessories, my X1 is equiped with a ThumbsUp and a home-made sling. Both increase substantially the usability of the camera. The setup accomodates quite nicelly in my hand, leading to a very flexible use for different situations. I really like the feelling: right thickness, weight, size, handling.*

Ah, forgot to say... it gave me, and stills gaving me, an outstanding image quality.

 

Regards and happy 10/05/12

António.

 

PS. If the X2 has similar form factor, a summicron or summilux, better AF, and an even better sensor... oh my...

[wda]

António, interesting! Don't forget that you can pre-focus manually if focusing time is critical. Lock the setting (remember to unlock it afterwards). If you can make yourself wait until you get focus confirmation, you will never miss-focus a shot. Manual focusing with a rangefinder is generally no quicker than using AF on the X1.

[dave.gt]

António, interesting! Don't forget that you can pre-focus manually if focusing time is critical. Lock the setting (remember to unlock it afterwards). If you can make yourself wait until you get focus confirmation, you will never miss-focus a shot. Manual focusing with a rangefinder is generally no quicker than using AF on the X1.

 

David,

 

How do you lock the MF?

[asoares]

António, interesting! Don't forget that you can pre-focus manually if focusing time is critical. Lock the setting (remember to unlock it afterwards). If you can make yourself wait until you get focus confirmation, you will never miss-focus a shot. Manual focusing with a rangefinder is generally no quicker than using AF on the X1.

 

Thanks for the tip. In fact I've been zone focusing with MF lock when I feel I will need it since the firmware update. However, there's always those times when the camera is in the AF mode and you need to get that picture whtout the time to change.

[asoares]

David,

 

How do you lock the MF?

 

MF mode -> adjust focus distance in the wheel -> press delete/focus key for a couple of seconds. That's locked. To unlock press the key again.

 

Regards,

Antonio

[asoares]

Now that the fuss is over, I am happy. I'll keep my beloved two years old X1, perhaps for more two years (or until an X3 or an EVIL Leica shows up).

 

Regards,

Antonio.

[andybarton]

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Doesn't always work, though...

[spylaw4]

I have to admit that I"m a little underwhelmed by the X2 (there, I've said it). I expected and hoped for a little bit more, like an extra f stop. However, operational speed improvements might just tip things in the X2's favour.

I suppose I can just about see usefulness of an EVF for some types of shot, and as an experiment for later, but it's probably not for me. I"ll stick to my 36mm optical finder - clear and instant.

One blessing, at least I'm assuming this without seeing the X2 or hearing more feedback (I'll get that later today hopefully), is that it looks to be the same size, so current accessories should fit.

[satijntje]

I believe that the success of the X2 and the willingness of X1 owners to make the swap depends on the way the AF has improved. If there is no real improvement, one might be better of with a second hand X1 (and spent the remaining 1000 Euro for a Berlin weekend)

 

John

[dave.gt]

I have to admit that I"m a little underwhelmed by the X2 (there, I've said it). I expected and hoped for a little bit more, like an extra f stop. However, operational speed improvements might just tip things in the X2's favour.

I suppose I can just about see usefulness of an EVF for some types of shot, and as an experiment for later, but it's probably not for me. I"ll stick to my 36mm optical finder - clear and instant.

One blessing, at least I'm assuming this without seeing the X2 or hearing more feedback (I'll get that later today hopefully), is that it looks to be the same size, so current accessories should fit.

 

Yes, at first, I was underwhelmed at first, hoping for a faster lens but the ISO has been increased from 3200 to 12,500 and that is good enough for me.

 

Increase AF performance, increased memory (over twice as much), faster burst rate, same compact form and size, still a beautifully designed/feeling camera and higher resolution all for $1995! I say that I am happy now and look forward to purchasing an X2 down the road alongside the X1. And for film, the IIIF.

[Sjriley]

I have just bought a second hand X1 (Aug 2012) and I have to say that it gives the best images I have ever had. I would say I am an amateur photographer for definite, but I have owned canon dslrs with using the L lenses and the 50mm 1.4 EF, along with various m 4/3 cameras, and can say that the X1 trumps them all in image quality and colours. It is definitely a slow camera. Focusing speed is slow for sure, but I use it to photograph my 1 year old daughter without too much difficulty. I would say they the image quality and the Leica "pop" that people talk about is definitely evident in the ooc jpegs without much effort at all. I sold all my Canon gear 2 years ago and now am considering ditching the m4/3's gear too. That's how good this camera is, in my opinion. I've read about the comparisons between this and the X2, and have to say that I'd rather stick with the X1. 12mp seems a real sweet spot for this sensor and lens combo and the same images from the x2 just don't seems as "analogue" as the ones I get from the x1. I'd love an m9, but until funds allow, I'm extremely happy with the x1. For me, image quality and colour rendition are the most important. Even compared to the x100, any dslr etc, the x1 seems to have something extra in that respect.

[paul6001]

I appreciate the drama you've been living through for the last few months. . . . But isn't it better than a boring, straightforward, steady performer? You spend this much on a camera, it should do more than perform . . . it should make your life exciting, as well. Sure the X100 would provide a steady stream of high quality pix, but without the ups and downs that make the X1 more than a camera but a way of life. The steady performance of the Sony . . . how bourgeouse. Give me the Leica anyday.

[paul6001]

I appreciate the drama you've been living through for the last few months. . . . But isn't it better than a boring, straightforward, steady performer? You spend this much on a camera, it should do more than perform . . . it should make your life exciting, as well. Sure the X100 would provide a steady stream of high quality pix, but without the ups and downs that make the X1 more than a camera but a way of life. The steady performance of the Sony . . . how bourgeouse. Give me the Leica anyday.