X1 and M

[Patek Calatrava]

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Does anyone here have both the x1 or x2 and an M?

 

I would be interested in opinions about the value of owning both at the same time, the advantages of one over the other, other than the smaller size of the X. How about picture quality. I must say the IQ of the X is extraordinary for certain subjects such as cityscapes. I live in NYC and love photographing the city with my X1, especially at night.

 

I am tempted to buy an M to go along with my X, but at the same time not sure if my "bug" is a case of being over enthusiastic without a good reason.

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[kamuishirou1999]

Hi Patek,

 

I have the X1 and use it along side with the M6 and M-E. I believe others here as well have it in conjunction with their digital M's as well. The output from both is extraordinary. Since getting my M-E, there have been times where I had to leave it at home but took the X1 with me. I'm perfectly OK with doing that and I'll still be able to get the shot. The X1 makes a nice companion camera to the M.

 

Have you used rangefinder cameras before? Try it out before jumping into M. It's not for everyone. A couple of my friends have tried the M's I have and they were not a fan of the rangefinder.

[earleygallery]

The X and M are very different cameras.

 

The M has a different type of sensor, different metering, manual focus M lenses. Quality wise (because of the sensor and lenses) it should be better but whether you would notice or need the improvement is another matter.

 

The X is essentially a typical compact P&S but with a bigger sensor. Auto everything if you want it.

 

The best thing you can do is spend some time playing with an M at a dealers, see if you can try one out for a while, shoot some photos and see how you get on.

[therbert]

I have an M9 and X2. I often carry both and feel a little more free to put a 24 or 50 mm on the M9 because I have the X2 at the ready with a 36mm equiv. focal length.

[iedei]

i don't own an X1 or X2, but I did cross shop them before i bought my M8.1 (M8u).

 

the X1 and X2 are great cameras as point and shoots.....i dig the fixed lens and i think they put out great image quality. In the end, i felt compelled to go M8 due to the entire rangefinder experience.

 

point and shoot is great in NYC......but i think an M camera gives you an entirely different experience altogether. I often find myself floating around the city looking for photos in a completely different way. I do use my GRD-III for point and shoot (great, great camera, BTW) and used to use a D-Lux.....but the M slows down the process and gives you time to think about photos.......something which I have found extraordinary for my creative process.

 

I think having an X and M would be a GREAT combination if owned together.....however they are fundamentally different cameras which work differently in the city setting IMO. My bottom line to you is that IF you are feeling the itch, scratch it!

[Ralf]

I have an M9 and X2. I often carry both and feel a little more free to put a 24 or 50 mm on the M9 because I have the X2 at the ready with a 36mm equiv. focal length.

 

+1

[wda]

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Patek, welcome to the forum.

 

I have long advocated the twinning of the X1 with a digital M camera, provided you select your companion lenses carefully to give you maximum flexibility. That means treating the X1 as equivalent to 35mm and fit either a longer or shorter lens on the M body, depending on your expected applications.

 

Sometimes I use mine with an M8+75 or more often M9+50. At air-shows I often attach a 135mm to an M body, and use the X1 for closer wider shots. There are many useful combinations giving you very practical flexibility. Go for it!

[robert blu]

I have an m7 (12cv+35-50-75 mm lenses). The lens I use most of time is the 35. When traveling I like to use both the m7 and the x1. Why? Because I oft have a 100 iso film in the m7 and use the 800-maybe1600 iso possibility of the x1 for interior shots. I'm not a pixel peeping and for me quality is more than ok.

robert

PS: I suggest first to evaluate if a RF camera experience is ok for you.