Don Morley Posted March 10, 2015 Share #21 Posted March 10, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been using my X-Vario for about seven months now and have come to love it at least as much as my M240's. The lens filter size is 43mm and I am perfectly happy with a fairly cheap Hoya. BUT one big word of warning whichever make of filter you decide on it must be a super slim version to avoid vignetting whenever the lens is being used at it widest zoom angle. Beyond that I also quite often find it better to use manual focus on difficult subjects as you do then get automatic focus magnification much like with the M240, and used this way the X-Vario becomes very easy to focus with far greater accuracy than with the fairly pedantic AF. My own view is this is the camera body set up Leica should also have made and offered in interchangeable lens form, not least as though I also have a Leica T which uses the same Sony sensor, I just do not like having to make so many choices by touch screen. Perfection in future X-Vario terms for me would for instance be if I could interchange the still absolutely brilliant standard zoom whenever necessary for such as the 'T' newly listed wide and or telephoto zooms so as to give me something wider or longer, indeed if Leica were to offer a version like that AND perhaps even provide the X-Vario with a better EVF I think I would be in heaven. Not that it it likely to happen though as I would no longer need my M240's then and I rather think Leica are very probably aware of that marketing risk! Don Morley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Hi Don Morley, Take a look here The X-Vario in use. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
williamgm Posted March 10, 2015 Share #22 Posted March 10, 2015 I'm sure the X-Vario would be a perfect replacement for/addition to my much-loved Digilux 2, but for the lack of built-in viewfinder. Leica managed to fit an electronic viewfinder in the Digilux (quite an advanced feature for its time, I imagine); with the X-Vario if we want a viewfinder we have to use an awful plastic thing on top of the camera (which we also have to pay extra for). After years of using cameras with viewfinders of various types, trying to compose a photograph using a screen held away from the eyes (especially in bright/sunny weather) just doesn't suit my way or working. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 10, 2015 Share #23 Posted March 10, 2015 Although a slightly smaller four-thirds sensor, have you considered the new Leica D-Lux (typ. 109)? It has a simply superb inbuilt EVF which is really bright and sharp. The lens doesn't quite reach 90mm, but it is fast and of excellent quality. Just a thought, built on your slight digression from the original thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 10, 2015 Share #24 Posted March 10, 2015 While we're digressing, I'll chime in with a desire I have had for the X-Vario. I've yet to try the Leica (or even the Olympus) EVF2, but I would like to think that Leica would/could adapt the new VisoFlex to the older X-Vario, I mean all it would require is the correct "foot-plug" fitting. From what I read the two (old EVF2 - VisoFlex) are significantly different, with the VisoFlex being way better, is this correct, or just me wanting the latest/greatest? TheX-Vario and it's older brother the X1 are going on a decent sized trip in a few months and I figure I'll find and buy an EVF of some sort for the XV along the way. A couple of years ago when I purchased (used) the X1 I felt that the "stretched out arm" viewing of the LCD would annoy the daylight out of me, but in reality it wasn't too bad and I got used to it quite quickly, I blended in with all the other tourists. I am doing the same with the X-Vario, except I find on bright sunny days the LCD "difficult" at best. Any thoughts? Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted March 11, 2015 Share #25 Posted March 11, 2015 While we're digressing, I'll chime in with a desire I have had for the X-Vario. I've yet to try the Leica (or even the Olympus) EVF2, but I would like to think that Leica would/could adapt the new VisoFlex to the older X-Vario, I mean all it would require is the correct "foot-plug" fitting. From what I read the two (old EVF2 - VisoFlex) are significantly different, with the VisoFlex being way better, is this correct, or just me wanting the latest/greatest? TheX-Vario and it's older brother the X1 are going on a decent sized trip in a few months and I figure I'll find and buy an EVF of some sort for the XV along the way. A couple of years ago when I purchased (used) the X1 I felt that the "stretched out arm" viewing of the LCD would annoy the daylight out of me, but in reality it wasn't too bad and I got used to it quite quickly, I blended in with all the other tourists. I am doing the same with the X-Vario, except I find on bright sunny days the LCD "difficult" at best. Any thoughts? Gary The EVF really transforms the X Vario, but in "tourist mode" it still works well enough, not to mention is much more convenient to stash and retrieve from a bag. I tend to leave the EVF on my X Vario almost always and am half-tempted to just epoxy the darned thing on there permanently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 11, 2015 Share #26 Posted March 11, 2015 Although the EVF2 has been subject to much criticism, mainly when compared to later technology viewfinders, it still serves its purpose well for framing and composing the picture in bright outdoors lighting. Assessing ultimate sharpness is another matter; but for selecting a shot it is fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share #27 Posted March 11, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) The new EVF can not be fitted to the x-Vario as the bus speeds are different. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted March 11, 2015 Share #28 Posted March 11, 2015 Although the EVF2 has been subject to much criticism, mainly when compared to later technology viewfinders, it still serves its purpose well for framing and composing the picture in bright outdoors lighting. Assessing ultimate sharpness is another matter; but for selecting a shot it is fine. I agree, though wouldn`t mind a much faster refresh rate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted March 11, 2015 Share #29 Posted March 11, 2015 +1 Though I would not consider attaching it permanently just in case the camera it has to return to the mother ship! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted April 19, 2015 Share #30 Posted April 19, 2015 Excellent work ! May I ask how you insert the discreet watermark ? thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlindstrom Posted April 24, 2015 Share #31 Posted April 24, 2015 The EVF 100% changes the handling of Vario. I tried shooting it in "tourist mode" and it just doesn't work for me at all. While back in the day I used X2 in "tourist mode" almost always, disliking the EVF, with the XV it's a different story. I think it's due to zoom lens.. I just feel absolutely stupid trying to zoom wit the XV at arms length. With EVF it turns into mini-SLR and works fantastic. For me the combo of Leica grip, EVF, lens hood and Gordy's wrist strap make it perfect. With those it feels like a real camera, whilst still being relatively small & light weight. If I just could disable the damn play-button, it would be perfect. My "aerodynamic air splitter" keeps hitting the damn button.. //Juha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted May 4, 2015 Share #32 Posted May 4, 2015 EVF-2 is good for more than just framing. Its a bit grainy, but I have no problem using it for critical focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 5, 2015 Share #33 Posted May 5, 2015 Me too, having just last week secured an EVF2. Now I find the X-Vario competing on an almost equal footing with my T (and VisoFlex). Hard to justify two similar cameras actually, but equally hard to establish (If) which one to part with. I love them both. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie.lcf Posted May 5, 2015 Share #34 Posted May 5, 2015 I think the X-Vario does a lot of things "nicer" than the T. I prefer having some kind of aperture ring - the wheel on the X-Vario is ok, but I would have preferred a standard ring around the lens. However, the wheel on the T and having to check the display (which automatically requires you to have the display in the mode that displays the aperture) is the least preferred solution for me. Change of EV value is also nicer on the X-Vario because once again, the T requires you to have the wheel configured that way (preventing you from setting it to ISO, zoom level or anything else - and, you've only got two wheels available on the T). So, what's left? The T's lack of AA filter gives you that extra edge of detail in the images and you will have to like the user interface. The aperture range of the X-Vario is not significantly different from a T with the standard zoom. If you do need a larger aperture, you'd end up scratching your head with both the X-Vario and the T. The T has a single choice (Summicron-T 23, equivalent 35mm) which may or may not fit your requirements. The X-Vario obviously does not take other lenses. If you are happy with the equivalent of 35mm, you may buy a Summicron-T 23/f2.0 for 1600 or another camera (X 113) with a Summilux at f1.7 for about 1800 - minimal price difference and really not an easy choice. If you own an X-Vario, there is no choice. If you own a T, you might still end up with an X 113 - after all, you probably already have the Visoflex 020. If you are unhappy with 35mm, you don't exactly have much better choices with the T. You can adapt M lenses which are going to be so expensive that X-Vario users can throw in an M8 for not so much more money. (of course, you can use all those "lesser" lenses out there, but why would you) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 5, 2015 Share #35 Posted May 5, 2015 'Dagnamitt" Bernie, LOL, why do you always make such good sense, LOL. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie.lcf Posted May 5, 2015 Share #36 Posted May 5, 2015 I learned the hard way, gbealnz :-) You don't want to know how much money I wasted on rubbish or learning through spending or buying the right thing via a series of buying something cheaper and ending up spending 3 times the money. (and neither does my wife :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted May 5, 2015 Share #37 Posted May 5, 2015 A lot of wisdom here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manie_de Posted July 29, 2015 Share #38 Posted July 29, 2015 ... 3. There is no AE lock button. Again this could be easily solved with customisation even if it was just the info button. I current get around this using shutter speed dial after using the internal light meter (aka. M6) but, although great fun, it is not the most efficient workflow. Note that the problem I am trying to solve here is to have the point of exposure meetering off a different point to the focus. ... Just a quick question about the AE lock button. Is it possible now to assign AEL to a custom button with firmware 1.1 ? Regards, Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guytou Posted July 29, 2015 Share #39 Posted July 29, 2015 Just a quick question about the AE lock button. Is it possible now to assign AEL to a custom button with firmware 1.1 ? Regards, Martin Hello Martin, No, it was not planned. If it is not already made, it is advisable to read the excellent site of Gerd Waloszek about X Vario. In the section "information > firmware" he describes the modifications brought by this update. http://www.waloszek.de/overview_lxv_e.php Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manie_de Posted July 29, 2015 Share #40 Posted July 29, 2015 Thanks a lot, Guy ! Will take a look at the linked site ASP. Regards,Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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