Leica X2 - 28 days later ...

[colonel]

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Well its only three weeks but I liked the title more ...

 

After being generaly enthusiastic about the capabilities of this camera, I have had a chance over the last few weeks to start pushing it more to the limits of its capabilities.

 

I will therefore concentrate in this post principally regarding low light and difficult focus situations.

 

The camera does take some time to master and good focus and exposure technique is critical.

In terms of focus, moving objects do not seem to be tracked, e.g. the X100 appears to simulate the time between pressing the shutter button straight down and shutter activation, where a linearly moving object (towards and away from the camera) will be. I am not sure that the software on the X2 does this, so the correct technique for action is to use the autofocus to prefocus on the right plane.

 

The autofocus is quite precise, and the good news is that it works accurately even without the focus assist light (which I keep off permanently so as not to disturb my subjects). The spot focus is very useful and works nicely with spot exposure for people photography.

Generally at 36mm and f2.8 focus hold and recompose works well.

 

In terms of pushing the camera to its limits, I have been using f2.8 and ISO 3200 recently, with quite slow shutter speeds.

Frankly I have been a bit surprised and have started to gain some new major respect for the camera. Of course at 3200 there is plenty of noise at the pixel level, but the balance between detail and noise can be found to a very satisfactory point in Lightroom.

 

 

The great thing is that the lens remains sharp at f2.8, in Leica tradition.

Example of f2.8 at ISO 3200:

 

 

 

 

The recovery of shadow detail is not bad, and subtle lighting can be rescued :

 

 

 

 

I like the maintenance of the colours as you see them, even at the edges of its capability (f2.8, ISO 3200, 1/40) - steadiness is assisted by using the EVF:

 

 

 

Of course I am not saying the X2 is the professional equipment to use for wedding photography:

 

 

Or could it be ; )

 

In summary, mastering the camera takes time, but understanding it and optimizing (i) focus, (ii) exposure and importantly (iii) post processing, really does uncover a gem and remarkably competent in low light.

 

best rgds

[jip]

What a great series of images, I've already got 3 leica's and need to sell one, but I would love to get an X2, actually all the Leica products. Ha ha!

 

Thanks for sharing!

[Bill Allsopp]

A Fine set of images, I aslo find the X1 very capable at 3200 and, correctly edited in Lightroom, virtually noise free.

[colonel]

What a great series of images, I've already got 3 leica's and need to sell one, but I would love to get an X2, actually all the Leica products. Ha ha!

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

All these cameras require a bit of love and attention to get the best from, so my advise, for what its worth, is to spend some quality time with each one.

 

best rgds

[metalbernd]

Thanks for sharing, and I like that the X1/X2 section get more visitors.

[robert blu]

Nice to know you are satisfied user of the camera, as I'm of my x1 !

robert

PS: you are correct, it takes some time to be able to get the maximum out of it (them) but this, IMO applies to most of cameras

[tpkoester]

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Very nice pictures. I love the first one most. Thanks

 

I have my X2 for some time now. I find it - like with every other camera I had before - very rewarding to get into the difficult situations and learn your way thru these conditions with YOUR camera.

[Digitom]

Thanks for sharing all this informations and pictures. More I read about, I like the X2 more and more. I have been at Leica Event Days in Wetzlar last weekend and had chance to try out some of the functions and the menu. Very fine made camera, a good structured menu and sure X2 is worth the money. I was not a fan od X1, but X2 with EVF attracts me. Another post told about the decision between silver or black, and when/if I will buy it, I would have the same "problem". The ISO 3200 performance shown here is really great. Lower noise only will be shown when using M with a lens better then f2.8 maybe. But then look at the price to pay, compared to X2...