AJB Posted June 14, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 14, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello I am a forum newbie, though my wife has been what I believe is called a lurker for a while. We are just interested in views really. We take a lot of street and horticulture pictures and have become tired of lugging a Canon SLR and a couple of lenses around. Compacts can be fun but IQ rarely delights. The X1 now seems to represent good value now that the X2 has emerged - would experts agree? I have just purchased from a dealer (who was excellent) a black X1, less than six months old, for just over £800. This included the brown leather case, detachable viewfinder and the handgrip. Pristine with all boxes etc. Guaranteed. At this price it is half the cost of an X2 (with case etc) and pretty close to our original purchase intention which was a Fuji X100 with a case. The Fuji is a bit larger in terms of handbag real testate but has the built in viewfinder. It makes for an interesting economic debate as to what represents best value, as the 3 cameras seem to have very similar IQ. I would be interested in any expert perspectives as we are new to Leica (apart from a brief foray with an early digital some years ago). AJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 Hi AJB, Take a look here Used X1 now provides value?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
nickma Posted June 14, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 14, 2012 Excellent buy, email Leica AG to get the camera re-registered under your name - which they will as it's within warranty. That'll qualify you for a free Lightroom 3 download which I have learned to like a lot for my post processing workflow. It also means if you get any problems within the first 2 years since when it was first bought (so 18 mnths left) they'll fix it for you free of charge. I can't tell you how invaluable the OVF is to complete the camera. It would literally be half the camera it is without it for me. I think these can be had for less than £200, a lot of money, but very worthwhile. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfowler Posted June 14, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 14, 2012 I think you made a good choice considering the cost is great and with a warranty. I personally went with the X2. I don't see any real difference in IQ at all between either one. I like the fact that mine is 16meg size and not the 12. I had many DSLR's and just don't want the weight any longer and chose this route. The 35 is a great focal length. It meets pretty much anything I do. If I want to go beyond and do stuff like shooting the moon or such then I will use my Nex 5n. Its small and serves the job well. But since I don't shoot the moon much and most of my shots area landscape or portraits - then the Leica X2 is the best there is. I like again the size of the pics. I had a Canon 5D classic and it was only 12meg as well. I had prior Canons that produced 18megs and such and I was used to that file size and wasnt happy with the 12meg. Thats probably one of the most important reasons I went with the X2. File size gets more detail in a 16 meg file when blown up from my experience. This is my first Leica as well. I am very pleased with it. The IQ is just mind blowing for a little camera of this size and it just puts a lot of DSLR's to shame. I just took this shot yesterday and I was really happy with the image. I love the color, contrast, clarity and focus was very good. The green and skin tones are just right on the money. What a wonderful camera. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181741-used-x1-now-provides-value/?do=findComment&comment=2039835'>More sharing options...
wda Posted June 14, 2012 Share #4 Posted June 14, 2012 Welcome to the forum, AJ! I think you will be very pleased with your purchase which is very good value. Considering your interests, I have used mine for some horticulture shots which are first class. However, be prepared to accept that the X1 cannot compete with a DSLR for very close plant portraits. I get around this by choosing subjects which look good and fill the frame at the minimum focusing distance. In practice, that is all I need. I like contra jour pictures and use my free hand to add protection against direct sunlight entering the lens. It is possible to find work-arounds for most general situations. I am sure you will be very happy with your purchase. Take time off to master its little idiosyncrasies! Good Luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted June 15, 2012 Share #5 Posted June 15, 2012 X1's are a steal now at half their original price and that of a X2. Wish I had waited as my X1 is only a year old and I'd like to upgrade to an X2, but not at losing $1K. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satijntje Posted June 15, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 15, 2012 X2will be half Price when X3 comes on the market and so on....... John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherylmeek Posted June 15, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 15, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello I am a forum newbie, though my wife has been what I believe is called a lurker for a while. We are just interested in views really. We take a lot of street and horticulture pictures and have become tired of lugging a Canon SLR and a couple of lenses around. Compacts can be fun but IQ rarely delights. The X1 now seems to represent good value now that the X2 has emerged - would experts agree? I have just purchased from a dealer (who was excellent) a black X1, less than six months old, for just over £800. This included the brown leather case, detachable viewfinder and the handgrip. Pristine with all boxes etc. Guaranteed. At this price it is half the cost of an X2 (with case etc) and pretty close to our original purchase intention which was a Fuji X100 with a case. The Fuji is a bit larger in terms of handbag real testate but has the built in viewfinder. It makes for an interesting economic debate as to what represents best value, as the 3 cameras seem to have very similar IQ. I would be interested in any expert perspectives as we are new to Leica (apart from a brief foray with an early digital some years ago). AJ Here are some thoughts having used both cameras GeekMeek: My thoughts on the new Leica X2 vs the X1 I hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
s38 Posted June 15, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 15, 2012 Here are some thoughts having used both cameras GeekMeek: My thoughts on the new Leica X2 vs the X1 I hope this helps. Thanks for the review Cheryl!! What kind of case are you using? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted June 15, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 15, 2012 Welcome to the forum, AJ!I think you will be very pleased with your purchase which is very good value. Considering your interests, I have used mine for some horticulture shots which are first class. However, be prepared to accept that the X1 cannot compete with a DSLR for very close plant portraits. I get around this by choosing subjects which look good and fill the frame at the minimum focusing distance. In practice, that is all I need. I like contra jour pictures and use my free hand to add protection against direct sunlight entering the lens. It is possible to find work-arounds for most general situations. I am sure you will be very happy with your purchase. Take time off to master its little idiosyncrasies! Good Luck Cannot compete with closeup? tsk, tsk, tsk... Just playing around and I can get a close as I want and so far I can get a DOF that is razor thin at 1/4": Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181741-used-x1-now-provides-value/?do=findComment&comment=2040853'>More sharing options...
Spaniard69 Posted June 15, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 15, 2012 Nice shots. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted June 15, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 15, 2012 In regard to the OT, the X1 is absolutely an amazing value. It was at the original price and now mint cameras and accessories can be purchased as a bundle for half that. The camera is simple but can be used in as many sophisticated situations as your mind can take you. I just walked out to the back yard, got this close-up/macro of a tomato plant in bloom. Easy and fast. I miss nothing of my Nikon DSLRs except for the telephoto capability. Landscapes work quite well, IMO. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181741-used-x1-now-provides-value/?do=findComment&comment=2040900'>More sharing options...
wda Posted June 15, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 15, 2012 Cannot compete with closeup? tsk, tsk, tsk... Just playing around and I can get a close as I want and so far I can get a DOF that is razor thin at 1/4": Perfectly acceptable close shots. But some DSLR macro users would expect the coin to fill the frame. That is the difference. I do not expect my X1 to compete with that degree of close up photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted June 15, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 15, 2012 Perfectly acceptable close shots. But some DSLR macro users would expect the coin to fill the frame. That is the difference. I do not expect my X1 to compete with that degree of close up photography. Neither would I without a lot of preparation. The point is, with a simple pocket foldable 4x magnifying glass, I can produce interesting closeups. With a Kiwifoto extension tube, step up ring and closeup lenses, I can get consistently good images closeup and it is only limited by my creativity. Telephoto? Digiscopes and the X1/X2 work fine. Tethering? No problem. Studio work? No problem. Carry all the time kind of camera? No problem. My only reason for posting these quick snapshot closeups (nothing special at all and took less than a minute) is to say, yes, absolutely, the X1 is a very versatile camera limited only by the photographer's space between his/her ears. At half the original price, the X1 is a terrific value. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnturnerx1 Posted June 17, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 17, 2012 Currently, I think the most difficult decision is whether to buy the Fuji X100 or X1/X2. Last year I had that difficult decision and purchased the X1. The IQ of the images is staggering, though I have had recurrent problems with Chromatic Abberation, though rarely. I'm totally sold on Leica at this point, and sold my heavy Canon T2i and Nikon D200. I compared images taken with these cameras and the X1 and there is simply no good comparison. Regarding X2, I would never buy it. I'm waiting for a better lens, better LCD, and viewfinder. See my posts on CA (chromatic abberation) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted June 18, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 18, 2012 Currently, I think the most difficult decision is whether to buy the Fuji X100 or X1/X2. Last year I had that difficult decision and purchased the X1. The IQ of the images is staggering, though I have had recurrent problems with Chromatic Abberation, though rarely. I'm totally sold on Leica at this point, and sold my heavy Canon T2i and Nikon D200. I compared images taken with these cameras and the X1 and there is simply no good comparison. Regarding X2, I would never buy it. I'm waiting for a better lens, better LCD, and viewfinder. See my posts on CA (chromatic abberation) According to your own posts the alleged CA issue occurred in exactly 2 images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherylmeek Posted June 18, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 18, 2012 Thanks for the review Cheryl!! What kind of case are you using? This one leica x2 case - Google Search Apologies for not spotting your question. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
s38 Posted June 19, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 19, 2012 This one leica x2 case - Google Search Apologies for not spotting your question. No problem, thanks very much! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJB Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted June 20, 2012 We have been using the camera for a week now on a motorbike trip down to the south of France with a group of friends. We won the bike club photo competition (and got second place) at our first go. When travelling light, as is necessary on a bike, an SLR and lenses is too heavy and bulky so most people use little zoom compacts. Having viewed (on a mac) lots of photos taken by a variety of people, mostly on compacts, the X1 IQ really stood out. The other thing that has impressed people is the ability to select part of a shot and blow it up - whilst still retaining excellent image quality. My wife is a bot confused about framing with the external Leica viewfinder (which came with our set) though no doubt she will get used to it, and exposure compensation for shooting towards bright light seems to take some getting used to compared with our Canon. Slightly annoying aspects in practice are the leather case has no provision for the external OVF and is even a tight fit if you want to use a wrist strap let alone the full strap. We would not "upgrade" to an X2 as in my view Leica have not moved the screen technology on far enough (compared with say an iPhone 4S retina display) and there is no getting away from the fact the the Fuji X100 has a superb viewfinder solution built in. However, the X1 is a superb camera and for just over £800 including case, OVF, grip (which we left at home) etc, something of a bargain for the image quality it delivers. It is even converting me to an interest in photography! AJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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