Hopefully buying X1 soon advice required, Please!

[johntech]

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Hello

I am very keen to purchase a used Leica X1 in the near future.

Ever since I sold a Leica IIIG in 1976 for a £100 I have fancied returning to the fold but could not afford anything in the "M" digital range.

So may I ask a few questions ?

Are there any common faults to look out for with the X1?

I have seen a few reports of dust both on the sensor and the LCD screen. As a retired Panasonic camera repair man I feel capable of fixing these problems if I could get hold of the dismantling procedure. Has anyone ever stripped an X1? Does any service information exist on the net or in a dark cupboard somewhere!

Thank you in advance for any information.

Best wishes from the Yorkshire Dales in England

John

[Lee Martin]

It's a beautiful part of the world . I'm sure given our background you could, if necessary strip it down without any actual "tinstructions" would it be "comparatively" simple ?

As an aside, Bob Rigby Photographic in Macclesfield emailed me his week to say they had taken in a mint Fuji X100 "first model in chrome" that included the original Fuji case and lens hood. They are asking £425 but I'm sure there is a bit of movement on that . Just a thought, similar results I would suggest ,with extra features like EVF/ optical viewfinder. I'm sure you are familiar with the model anyway . Good luck finding what you wish for anyway.

[wda]

John, welcome to the forum!

 

First, dust is not a big issue with the X1. I bought, use and still have one of the very first X1 cameras sold in the UK and I cannot recall when I last saw any dust on the camera. Admittedly when it is not in use I keep it in a small case and I avoid taking it in obviously dusty places. So, in Yorkshire, you should have no problems at all.

 

Do consider getting a hand-grip and OVF. Mine lives with those accessories and gives me great security when carrying and using.

 

I suggest you buy from a dealer (try David Stephens in Manchester or Harrisons in Sheffield).

 

Good luck with your hunt and I wish you success.

[vsel]

Hello.

Just bought an X1. Through the years I have had M6 w/50 and 35 crons, Ricoh compacts, Digilux3, and Fuji X10 and XPRO1 w/18 and 35 mm. M6 w/ 35 cron has remained my favourite, but sold due to the time-consuming process of film. None of the other mentioned cameras have given me comparable direct control. Then I bought the X1, actually because I missed the 35 mm equivalent so much, and Fuji seem to be reluctant of bringing this to the X-system. Could have bought the X100 or X100s instead, but I never got attached to the other Fuji cameras, always longing for the directness and simpleness of my M6. Which, surprisingly, I have found in the X1 w/OVF. Yes, the AF is slow, but I kind of like it. Prefocus by AF or MF. Aperture and shutter. ISO if you like. It delivers a a simple way of taking pictures, almost meditational. The results are stunning. As wda suggests, get the OVF and a grip if you like. Get one if you are prepared to cope with its shortcomings and like the traditional way of taking pictures.

[nippa]

With the X1 check for peeling skin ; I had to return mine to Solms where the problem wasn't rectified to my satisfaction.

 

Look at the LCD for scratches ; it's rather soft and when hanging the camera around my neck my plastic shirt buttons scratched the surface ( the only camera I've owned where this happened.)

 

Check the operation of the circular control wheel. It's action can be erratic at times but whether this is hardware or firmware related isn't clear.

 

The Flash pop-up mechanism hasn't proven as robust as I would have hoped. Make sure that it is OK when you come to purchase.

 

Dust on the sensor has been reported so that's worth looking for.

 

Otherwise it's a simple camera that works well when you've time to spare for its focusing and buffer operation.

 

If all this sounds too negative one look at the results will justify your purchase. A great secondhand buy.

[wda]

With the X1 check for peeling skin ; I had to return mine to Solms where the problem wasn't rectified to my satisfaction. Comment: I chose not to send mine to Solms because it was in constant use. Instead I carefully secured it with a slight smear of contact adhesive.

 

Look at the LCD for scratches ; it's rather soft and when hanging the camera around my neck my plastic shirt buttons scratched the surface ( the only camera I've owned where this happened.) Comment: I attached a protective film which came from Germany. It has survived, protected the screen, and does not impair reviewing.

 

Check the operation of the circular control wheel. It's action can be erratic at times but whether this is hardware or firmware related isn't clear. Comment: this is a common irritation which I have learned to live with. Fortunately it does not affect results which is my main criterion.

 

The Flash pop-up mechanism hasn't proven as robust as I would have hoped. Make sure that it is OK when you come to purchase.

 

Dust on the sensor has been reported so that's worth looking for.

 

Otherwise it's a simple camera that works well when you've time to spare for its focusing and buffer operation.

 

If all this sounds too negative one look at the results will justify your purchase. A great second-hand buy.

 

Comments inserted above.

[NZDavid]

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Dust is an issue, especially if you live anywhere windy! But dust not exclusive to the X1, it seems to affect all digital cameras, whether they have a fixed or interchangeable lens. Having said that, dust particles may move, and you can always clean up an image in PP. I sent mine in to be cleaned, then it developed a sensor error and I traded it towards an M9. I still think the X1 is a lovely camera and has excellent IQ and ergonomics. I found focusing could be tricky with AF, but I generally prefer manual focusing in any case.