Why buy a Leica X1 or X2?

[johntech]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello Folks

I'm intrigued why does anyone buy a Leica when on paper there are "better" cameras at half the price?

I am at present looking for a Leica X1 (used) to try and see if I can find the magic!

Then I get cold feet and think your mad you can buy a Fujifilm --- or a Nikon--- etc.

for half the price and the spec and reviews knock spots of the Leica X1-X2 !

So my question is why should I buy a Leica?

Is it just red dot snobbery? or am I missing the point or is it the dot?

Your thoughts please.

Best wishes John

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[NZDavid]

Well, it's a good question. Why are Leicas so expensive? Partly, yes, it's the brand and Leica has always cost an arm and a leg. With "made in Germany" models you are also paying for higher labor costs. Leica M cameras and lenses are precision made tools of the highest quality. That doesn't mean they are 100% perfect and are not subject to occasional defects, especially the digital side of things. Other cameras may be faster and have more features, but Leica image quality is outstanding. Leica optics are still among the best in the world. They are used used on some Panasonic cameras which cost less than red dot Leica brand equivalents.

 

What are the advantages of the X1 or X2? Simplicity of design with easy-to-use manual dials for aperture in place of menu and LCD settings (but Fuji X series cameras also have these now).

 

Excellent quality fixed lens.

 

Excellent image quality.

 

Compact size compared with DSLRs.

 

Basically you are paying for minimalist design and high quality. But the X1 and X2 now have a few competitors such as the Fuji X100s and Sony RX1.

[Johanb]

Well I could answer why I bought one (X2).

 

After years of DSLR use ,the last one beeing a Nikon D7000, I wanted something small and compact but with good picture quality. Obviously there is now quite a lot of small cameras around that qualify as both small and with good specs. The thing that made me go for the Leica was the utter simplicity. I don't really buy in to the argument a lot of people have "you don't have to use all the bells and whistles". If the options are there I see them even if I don't use them. I don't want video, I don't want loads of settings that I never use like on the D7000 and I want manual dials for shutter and aperture.

 

What I don't get is why no other manufacturer does an X1,X2 for half the price. If you want the simple,small size camera with a relatively large sensor there is only the X.

 

I warn anyone looking to buy the X1 or X2 because it takes about five minutes of use before the thought enters your mind: "If they make a compact this nice, what are the M like then?".

[Ecaton]

Hello Folks

I'm intrigued why does anyone buy a Leica when on paper there are "better" cameras at half the price?

I am at present looking for a Leica X1 (used) to try and see if I can find the magic!

Then I get cold feet and think your mad you can buy a Fujifilm --- or a Nikon--- etc.

for half the price and the spec and reviews knock spots of the Leica X1-X2 !

So my question is why should I buy a Leica?

Is it just red dot snobbery? or am I missing the point or is it the dot?

Your thoughts please.

Best wishes John

 

Does it have to be truly jacket pocket size with the best IQ possible? If yes, you can choose between four cameras only: Leica X1 and X2, Nikon Coolpix A, Ricoh GR Digital. The latter two have 28mm equiv. lenses, the Leicas 35mm. I have the X1 and the Nikon, both are excellent. The X2 is the least convincing when considering its price with an IQ which I regard inferior to the X1`s. On the other hand, the X2 is the only one which works with an EVF. Used X1s can be had at reasonable prices these day. If jacket pocket size is not important, there are a number of other options.

[JDFlood]

I have both the Leica X2 and Fuji XE-1. The XE-1 has interchangable lens otherwise I am sure would be comparable to the Fuji fixed lens FX100s. I like both cameras, clearly the red dot commands some of the money. The Leica has much better auto focus and metering period! The Fuji has much better IQ and low light performance period! So, in a way it's kind of a wash... Both have manual controls the Leica's are a little better (small difference). So, I'll have to be honest, the red dot seems to be the primary difference... Wish I could combine the good parts of both cameras. So, would I buy them both again? I really want to say yes, I really like the Leica, to be able to say it is in my stable. But honestly, no, it is not nearly as light sensitive as the Fuji, or have as good an IQ... So, reluctantly I would get the fixed lens Fuji FX100s. I shoot a lot at night in the city and in the forest under low light conditions, and the Leica is at a significant dis- advantage there. Sorry fellow Leica owners. JD

 

 

I did a lot of research before buying the X2 about a year ago, and the obvious other similar camera was the FX100. Same sensor size, same target audience.

[mrware]

I don't really buy in to the argument a lot of people have "you don't have to use all the bells and whistles". If the options are there I see them even if I don't use them. I don't want video, I don't want loads of settings that I never use like on the D7000 and I want manual dials for shutter and aperture.

 

Agree 100%.

[Reminic]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Here's my 2 cents contribution (my experience)...

 

The X1's pocketability and low-light capabilities were what I was looking for, its lens quality and ease of control made it too good to resist for me two years ago, even if it was out of my initial budget. I haven't regretted it. Don't know for the other characteristics, but at least its ease of control remains unmatched - and that's an important factor when shooting!

 

When asked by people liking my pics what would be a less costly alternative to take this kind of pictures, I initially directed them toward the Fujis. I since stopped because I could'nt feel good recommanding something which felt that plasticy in the hand and whose maker doesn't seem really honest about its real iso capability. (I also had occasionaly recommanded the DSC R1 at bargain prices, two years ago). Since then, I stopped watching this market and the X2 came, and now when asked, I recommand... ...trying a 2nd hand X1.

[Bill W]

Agree 100%.

Same here on all the added bells and such. I have Nikon SLR's and the added features are seldom used. I have them for the avaialbeility of a zoom lens when the need arises. I am considering the x2 and get rid of some of my Nikon gear. I already have an M9 and MM. yes I really like gear.

[volk65]

Yesterday I went to a Leica store in Paris and bought a second hand X2 with Leica branded VF-2 viewfinder. I own a Nikon D700 with good lenses but I needed a lightweight camera for street photography. As others mentioned, there are many lightweight alternatives with good IQ. So why I chose X2? First, although second hand, it was almost impossible to tell that the X2 (and VF-2) I bought was used before. I paid 1500€ for the set including a nice leather case, extra wrist and neck straps and 8GB memory card. Second, and more importantly, 90-degree rotating VF was a big factor in my preference. I know that this VF is made by Olympus and some Oly models offer the same capability but I prefer the design and larger sensor of X2 to any Oly model.

 

 

 

Today I went out to try out the camera. The small size of the camera and the way the VF-2 can be used offer you an amazing freedom and stealthiness. The camera partially hidden under the brim of my baseball cap, I took pictures as if I were invisible. This VF, when tilted up, also gives you the opportunity to rotate the camera sideways and take pictures to your left and right without anybody noticing.

 

 

My only complaint is how Auto ISO works. The slowest speed for Auto ISO is 1/30 and it is not enough. I would like to set it to 1/60 or even 1/125, and set the maximum ISO to 800 or 1600. It is very easy for Leica to fix this with a firmware upgrade; I don't know why they didn't do it until now. So, when I need faster shutter speeds I simply use manual settings.

[HV25]

I was asking myself the same questions two years ago.

 

I bought the X1 because it's really portable, feels great to use and takes excellent pictures.

 

I've used DSLRs for many years but often left them at home because I didn't want to carry a big camera plus a lens or two. The X1 fits into the pocket of your jacket.

 

The haptic sensation of using the camera is what I love the most. The build quality, the materials used to build it and its design pleases the eye and the hands. Also its simple to use and as easy as possible to switch from auto mode into manual.

 

The quality of the pictures is in my honest opinion excellent. Of course it isn't the best money can buy but it beats many DSLRs. Intrigued by some of its features I bought a Nikon D800e a year ago. And whilst the quality of the pictures that come out of this camera is often sheer mindblowing I continue to use the X1 with a lot of joy as I can always have it with me and when using it never fails to put a smile on my face.

 

:)

[HV25]

Well I could answer why I bought one (X2).

 

I warn anyone looking to buy the X1 or X2 because it takes about five minutes of use before the thought enters your mind: "If they make a compact this nice, what are the M like then?".

 

So very true !

 

Except for the fact that the M is manual focus which puts it in a different camp.

[Peter_S]

Use (not "try") one for a good while, get used to it, learn its quirks and understand how it fits or does not fit your needs.

For me the X1 is the complementary camera to my analog systems and the M8. The X1 also is the perfect back-up camera, as it does everything well. I shot documentary projects and photo projects in the high mountains when my Ms refused to work. The lens is superb, has lovely rendering, and allows for portrait work if need to be. Settings are quick to change, fully manual override of settings is fast and intuitive. I also rather carry a compact 35mm FOV body than a 35mm lens and changes lenses.

 

As a primary system it is limited and Fujis "better" I suppose - but the X1 is smaller and so easy to carry with you all the time - and able to deal with every photographic situation.

 

Also, I tried really hard to prefer the M8 over it (different systems, impossible to directly compare). I often use them side-by-side, and often I am surprised by the quality of the X1 files. The theoretical advantages of the M8 in terms of sharpeness and clarity are often off-set by small focus inaccuracies. The X1 AF is slow but precise. What is in focus is sharp. The X1 files handle as much PP abuse as the M8 files, and the superiority of the M8 in b/w work is a bit of a myth IMHO - the X1 is really good here as well (says me, who loves the M8).

 

Finally, I find the dimensions, weight, feel and handling of the X1 are great and it is a joy to use.

[Paul Hart]

My only complaint is how Auto ISO works. The slowest speed for Auto ISO is 1/30 and it is not enough. I would like to set it to 1/60 or even 1/125, and set the maximum ISO to 800 or 1600. It is very easy for Leica to fix this with a firmware upgrade; I don't know why they didn't do it until now. So, when I need faster shutter speeds I simply use manual settings.

 

I agree. This simple change would be a great improvement.

[Kookie B.]

Why an X1? For me, it perfectly fit the bill for a travel camera and, ultimately, was a pretty easy decision, especially when compared to a Fuji X100.

 

The X1 is:

 

- Simple (yet flexible when needed)

- High IQ (APS-C sensor coupled with a fixed, excellent lens)

- 35mm FOV

- Light, small, unintimidating and unobtrusive (all black, able to fit into an average size jacket/cargo pants pocket).

 

Ed B.

[Guest badbob]

Hello FolksI'm intrigued why does anyone buy a Leica when on paper there are "better" cameras at half the price?

 

Many years ago I read a review of a Koss ESP9 electrostatic headphone, which said in part "For those people who like Porsche cars, Rolex Watches, Leica Cameras, ..... here is the Koss ESP9...."

 

So I was intrigued and started looking at Leica 'M' cameras in a large pro photo store, and they did seem quite expensive, so I didn't buy immediately. But I kept reading and researching, and my best recollection after all of that was that they did a low volume compared to Nikon et al, and their lenses had a much tighter spec than average for the industry, and their specs (especially optical specs) were more conservative than others. One thing that stuck out in my memory was a reviewer wondering why Leica would sell an expensive lens as a 'f2' when a different manufacturer might sell it as a 'f1.4', and apparently Leica in that instance wanted to say that the lens could only open as far as 'f2' while maintaining sharpness and good lighting edge to edge.

 

Eventually I got an M4-2 with 50mm f2 lens, and began to learn how to make best use of it. Certainly for most people, buying a Leica may seem extravagant since the images seem ordinary enough when you look at them, so unless a person has a lot of experience with Leicas, I don't think there's any one thing or even two things I could point to and say "See, this is much better than that..."

 

But once you do own and use one for awhile, you may become enamored of the subtle things here and there, the finishing touches etc. that are properties of Leica in general. But those things won't impress everyone, because they are subtle and are not necessary to obtain good quality photos.

[miatadan]

" But once you do own and use one for awhile, you may become enamored of the subtle things here and there, the finishing touches etc. that are properties of Leica in general. But those things won't impress everyone, because they are subtle and are not necessary to obtain good quality photos. "

 

I felt this way about the Leica CM, which I had in the past.

 

I recently sold a Nikon D600 body and lens as it was never with me to take pictures, does not matter how good camera is if not using it to take pictures....

 

Also will be looking for optical viewfinder ( either the Leica version or if Zeiss one exists for 35mm

 

Dan