Puts' review of the X Vario

[Jeff S]

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Part One

 

The comment comparing the 50 APO Summicron performance is interesting.

 

Jeff

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[barjohn]

I found his review (with the exception of AF speed) was in line with my observations in use. This lens is one hell of a performer. With proper sharpening it appears to out resolve the RX-1R based on comparison of Digilloyd's images taken with each. In use, I am finding it better and better as I get used to its handling quirks and adjust my techniques to match its requirements. I am not surprised that the lens performance is as good as Put's has measured. It really is a great lens.

[colonel]

Part One

 

The comment comparing the 50 APO Summicron performance is interesting.

 

Jeff

 

Interesting. Puts is one of the few reliable and knowledgeable reviewers.

[Guest badbob]

I find the lens unusually good. The detail is so good that if one adapts to the speed etc., there would be little incentive to use anything else.

[microview]

Has poor old Erwin fallen out of favour? A good few thank-yous to Jeff but then no more than three reaction replies! It is, after all, an intriguing and positive review - or have all potential customers already bought their cameras? No-one seems to be posting pics anymore either.

[colonel]

Quite a few pics in the photo sections.

I think folk are just enjoying their camera

[saibaiwei]

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The review was most enjoyable to read. Thank you for the link!

 

The X Vario in my opinion is one of those cameras where one needs to use it to really appreciate it's qualities. Reading it's specs on paper just isn't the same as using it in person.

 

Just want to say that, if it wasn't for all those who bashed this camera before it was even released, don't think I could have gotten my hands on one so quick. Thank you to all you naysayers whose opinions were mostly based on, well, specs!

 

Makes me wonder, is max aperture of f/3.5 really so bad? Is Summaron 35mm f/3.5 so bad? Hmmm...

[MarkP]

Makes me wonder, is max aperture of f/3.5 really so bad?

 

When using my 4.0/90 Macro-Elmar or 4.0/28-35-50 MATE I'm quite happy with the maximum aperture. Certainly in normal daylight conditions one would be struggling to use an aperture faster than 4.0 without ND filters.

 

I think we just accept the limitations of our equipment and work around them.

[Ecaton]

The review was most enjoyable to read. Thank you for the link!

 

The X Vario in my opinion is one of those cameras where one needs to use it to really appreciate it's qualities. Reading it's specs on paper just isn't the same as using it in person.

 

Just want to say that, if it wasn't for all those who bashed this camera before it was even released, don't think I could have gotten my hands on one so quick. Thank you to all you naysayers whose opinions were mostly based on, well, specs!

 

Makes me wonder, is max aperture of f/3.5 really so bad? Is Summaron 35mm f/3.5 so bad? Hmmm...

 

I bashed it based on specs (I handled one in a Leica boutique). And now after reading from XV users how they struggle with the AF, I bash it even more. That its optics are good, albeit in a very limited zoom range and aperture speeds, is no surprise. But for USD 3300 (incl. EVF) that`s simply not good enough, not even close. An Olypmus EM1 with the new 12-40mm f2.8 zoom shows what is technically possible these days and everything priced at around USD 2200.

[saibaiwei]

I bashed it based on specs (I handled one in a Leica boutique). And now after reading from XV users how they struggle with the AF, I bash it even more. That its optics are good, albeit in a very limited zoom range and aperture speeds, is no surprise. But for USD 3300 (incl. EVF) that`s simply not good enough, not even close. An Olypmus EM1 with the new 12-40mm f2.8 zoom shows what is technically possible these days and everything priced at around USD 2200.

 

Can't speak for others but I have yet to find any difficulties in the use of X Vario's AF, it is fine is usage. The MF on the other hand, is massively addictive.

 

Praise or bash, I can't be concerned of others' actions. We all have our own judgements, we all can determine what is what for ourselves.

[Guest badbob]

I bashed it based on specs (I handled one in a Leica boutique). And now after reading from XV users how they struggle with the AF, I bash it even more. That its optics are good, albeit in a very limited zoom range and aperture speeds, is no surprise. But for USD 3300 (incl. EVF) that`s simply not good enough, not even close. An Olypmus EM1 with the new 12-40mm f2.8 zoom shows what is technically possible these days and everything priced at around USD 2200.

 

It's true about the aperture limiting it to handheld use in good daylight. But as a street shooter, there are many daylight situations where you point down a shaded alley, into a store or other business, etc. where the light is lower and the XV lens just can't cope. The little D-Lux6 way exceeds the capability of the XV in getting those shots in lower light, and I don't mean dark - just lower light. Jacking up the ISO on the XV may work in a few situations where the contrast and texture mask the noise well, but most cases I've shot have been too noisy that way.

[vcs700s]

Can't speak for others but I have yet to find any difficulties in the use of X Vario's AF, it is fine is usage. The MF on the other hand, is massively addictive.

 

Praise or bash, I can't be concerned of others' actions. We all have our own judgements, we all can determine what is what for ourselves.

 

No issues here. I always use spot by the way. Someone earlier said that won't work. It has for the last two months. One point tends to back focus too much for me.

 

Spot works fine. And again, an alley in shadows is no problem either.

[saibaiwei]

No issues here. I always use spot by the way. Someone earlier said that won't work. It has for the last two months. One point tends to back focus too much for me.

 

Spot works fine. And again, an alley in shadows is no problem either.

 

Sums up my experience with the X Vario so far. Had it at spot focus since I got the camera, can not fault its performances up to now.

 

Like to add, my personal finding is that the X Vario's high ISO performance is impressive.

 

This camera totally changed my view upon zoom lenses and high ISO shooting.

[Peter L]

Today I was in the Vincent van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, shot most of the paintings with the Leica X vario in dim museum light, the camera performed flawlessly, no focussing issues, tack sharp, excellent colour, a joy to use.

[vcs700s]

Today I was in the Vincent van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, shot most of the paintings with the Leica X vario in dim museum light, the camera performed flawlessly, no focussing issues, tack sharp, excellent colour, a joy to use.

 

Exactly!:-)

[colonel]

I bashed it based on specs (I handled one in a Leica boutique). And now after reading from XV users how they struggle with the AF, I bash it even more. That its optics are good, albeit in a very limited zoom range and aperture speeds, is no surprise. But for USD 3300 (incl. EVF) that`s simply not good enough, not even close. An Olypmus EM1 with the new 12-40mm f2.8 zoom shows what is technically possible these days and everything priced at around USD 2200.

 

If you just read forums you'll never buy any camera.

 

28-70 limited ? Many Leica uses spend £20k filling that range .....

 

Comparing it with a M4/3s sensor lens ... Come on

[vcs700s]

I bashed it based on specs (I handled one in a Leica boutique). And now after reading from XV users how they struggle with the AF, I bash it even more. That its optics are good, albeit in a very limited zoom range and aperture speeds, is no surprise. But for USD 3300 (incl. EVF) that`s simply not good enough, not even close. An Olypmus EM1 with the new 12-40mm f2.8 zoom shows what is technically possible these days and everything priced at around USD 2200.

 

So you "handled one" in a store? And this gives you the right to bash a camera you don't own and have never used for an extended period of time? Really?

 

I own one, and have no issues with the AF. It is not a perfect camera but no camera is.

 

USD 3000 isn't good enough? Says who? I owned a complete micro 4/3rds outfit from Olympus and the Leica files are better.

 

Bottom line is that many bashed the X Vario, possibly because Leica made the mistake of calling it a "Mini M." I am reading many excellent reviews of the camera and raves about the lens. I am more than happy with it and haven't touched my other 4 Leicas since I purchased it over two months ago.

[Ecaton]

I owned a complete micro 4/3rds outfit from Olympus and the Leica files are better.

 

.

 

The ironic part is that there is a lot of SONY in both Olympus OMD, EM1 as well as XV files as they use Sony sensors. Following discussions on LF about the XV is amusing. The high iso capability of the XV gets raved about, courtesy to the "usual" 16MP aps-c Sony sensor I like to emphasize, a sensor which can be found in quite a number of cameras and which is a known quantity for some time now. Leicaphiles prefer to forget this.

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[barjohn]

Here is what I shared with a friend on my reasons for buying the XV and keeping it:

 

Here is how I evaluate for myself. The RX-1 is the only camera I have tried that comes close to the XV for image quality. especially when you use the DNG file. If the RX-1 had a zoom lens it probably would have been very hard to give up FF for APS-C but I find that I really need 28mm and 50mm even more than 35mm. Having 70mm and 35mm are bonuses. Unfortunately, zoom lenses are rarely made to the same high quality as primes for two reasons. First, it is much more difficult and thus costs much more and second they are usually much larger than any prime. I know that if Sony comes out with the FF NEX at $3k, a decent Zeiss zoom will be an additional $1,500 to $2,500 and it won't be small even it it is an f2.8 to f4. As much as I would want it I can't justify putting $5K in a camera. I also know now that I am not someone that wants to carry a bag full of lenses and even 3 FF primes would take a lot of space and cost a lot of money.

 

The other option is to carry more than one camera. I am not likely to do that either unless it is a specialty camera like a water proof camera for diving and using in the water. I may break down and buy something like the Nikon V1 and one lens just because it is so cheap now and has AF that is as fast as a DSLR. I know the IQ isn't great but it isn't great on any small sensor camera. I can't stand the thought of having money tied up in a camera that sits on the shelf never used just so I can have it.

 

Without a doubt the XV has some quirks but the good news is that they are almost all fixable in firmware. Even the EVF issue could be fixed by updating the firmware to use the OLY VF-4 which is considered the best EVF out. (By the way have you tried adjusting the EVF color and brightness to better meet your liking?) I already know from the Fuji X100s that I was not satisfied with the files and it is supposed to be a better sensor than the XE-1 sensor. I owned the EM-5 and was not satisfied with the IQ of that camera either and I have owned the Panasonic GF-1 and the same was true. I really liked the DP2M but the camera is just too limiting with an upper limit of ISO 400 (800 is pushing it). It is also a slow camera and no real MF is possible.

 

So for ME, I am stuck for the foreseeable future with the XV. The IQ is truly world class. The lens is world class and the camera build and quality just feels fantastic in the hand. I really like the MF and feel it beats focus peaking any day of the week. The zoom range meets 98% of my needs and the color is just phenomenal, especially in raw. It has issues but I have learned to work around most and it makes me a better photographer because I have to think about what I am doing. It isn't a P&S that gets mediocre pictures consistently like my iPhone without thinking.

[Doc_P]

John,

You summarized it! Thtas the LXV ...