Thanks to members for X2 info!

[Osolomioo]

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Just a note of thanks to forum members for your invaluable help in deciding which camera to purchase. I have been researching for the past few months and must admit this decision was not near as easy as I thought it would be. Let me explain: In order not to suffer severe buyer’s remorse I have to do my home work on any major purchase (also called anal retentive by some….). I don’t care about name brands. I never felt bad about buying Chevy trucks instead of Escalade counterparts because I knew after research that the differences were not worth the extra layout. With due diligence in those decisions it’s easy to tell those that critize your choice to “Bugger Off”. I am at best a novice photographer enthusiast not close to the level of you semi-pro and pro’s here in the forum. Thru the years I have tried to have a decent camera to record life with. I usually purchased the best I could afford which was not much as raising a family took precedence. I drove my kids crazy snapping pictures of them first with Yashica rangefinders then Canon AE’s before moving into the wonderful world of the original Sony video cameras. I came back to film and moved into digital with a series of Canons, usually upgrading every 4 or 5 years. Technology didn’t move as fast back then so decisions seemed much more simple.

I’ve stuck to the Canon DSLRs and was satisfied until I tired of hauling my kit around. I travel a lot and noticed that the pleasure gained by capturing good images of locations around the world was diminished; first by standing out as tourist receiving hard looks from the locals as I framed a shot, then by the physical hassle of carrying around a brick. I like to travel light with a decent jacket to hold anything I need. I would just carry my camera on a shoulder strap with a lens or two and battery in a pocket. It changes the mood when you find that perfect small restaurant in Portofino and place a huge camera and lenses on the table next to the breadsticks. I found myself leaving my camera in the room at times because I just tired of hassling with it.

To fix my problem I did some research and bought a Dlux 5. It was more expensive then the Panny equivalent, but I liked the color rendering much better and needed LR anyway. What a difference! It went with me everywhere and took decent pictures. My only problem was my big hands. I missed shots because I couldn’t get the camera up on target quickly without inadvertently hitting a button and fumbling with it while the shot disappeared. Thus started my new quest.

I have been lurking at the Leica User site, DP review and others for weeks. If you worked at B & H and were looking at my cart you would have thought me some kind of half baked idiot. Every day I had something different in my cart ready to push the checkout button. First it was the X1 which mostly the review and images from S Huff’s site sold me on. As I was saving up for the X1 the X2 was released and in my cart. Then it was the Fuji X100s which had all I needed, but I still preferred the image colors from the X1/X2. The more I read the more confused I became. People were flaming the X1/X2 mostly because of the bells and whistles on other brands available for less. However when I looked at the end result the images produced and posted were not better and in most cases quality was noticeably less than what was coming out of the X1/X2 IMHO. The only one close (to me) was the Sony RX1 and X Vario which I simply could not afford. My cart then had the Oly M5 and various MFT lenses in it for a few weeks, followed by the new Oly M1 then by the Sony A7 with one of the new lenses. When I compared the physical sizes to my current DSLR I was surprised to see they were not pocket-able by the time you put a lens on. So I figured what the hell I’ll just get one anyway since they are smaller and lighter. Then I saw a deal on the Canon 6D now at B&H for $2k (after rebate) with a good L zoom lens and photo printer and that went in my cart. My finger was on the checkout trigger when I realized I had lost sight of my goal. I was suffering a bad case of GAS. After a few deep breaths and a shot or 2 of JD my vision cleared. I again reviewed user postings on the attributes and images of the X2 and I put one (again) in my cart along with the Oly VF and pushed the button.

Thanks for taking the time to post your user experiences, images and opinions on this Leica users site. It is not an easy thing to sift thru the many reviews, fan sites and marketing data on something that is as subjective as an artist’s tool as I see a camera. Cold hard data vs color palettes vs ergonomics vs varying degrees of expectations. For me the bottom line is the final image quality produced by a pocket-able, reliable, sturdy camera. For those that disagree that the X2 meets that criteria then just don’t buy one. I am looking forward to using mine. Thanks again!

[wda]

Osiolomioo, welcome to the forum and your entertaining intro. I wish you well with your camera. My X1 continues to serve me well and perform impeccably.

[s38]

You've made the right decision! I've had the x2 since the first day it was available, and even today I am still astonished at the IQ when I open the files in LR. Take your time to learn the camera and you will never be disappointed with it. Using EVF will help you get sharper images as you will be able to steady the camera better. Shooting at arm length at lower shutter speeds will affects IQ, even 1/60 and 1/125 (of course this is a bit subjective). I would also strongly recommend the hand grip. Enjoy!

[michaelbrenner]

I understand your journey - I sold my X1 when the X2 came out with the idea of trading up to the X2, and like you, I also do quite a bit of homework before making a major purchase like that. Of course now that the X-Vario is out I have to start all over again. The state of the art is moving so quickly in the compact digital realm. It is very exciting, except that I'm absolutely sure as soon as I pick a camera something better will of course be announced or released. And so it goes...

[michaelbrenner]

I think I finally conquered GAS (btw here's a fun article 12 symptoms of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) ). Like you, the amount kit I was carry around got to the point that I would just leave it behind because of the inconvenience. I had a Nikon set up at the time, all film, and one day (just as the X1 came out as providence would have it) I sold it all and scooped up a brand new shiny X1. I thought for sure I would miss the zoom. Of course now the XV is out, that opens up new possibilities. It is soooo nice to have a simple belt case, both hands free, inconspicuous, easy to access. Never looked back.

 

Now if I can just figure out how to get a "compact" tripod...

[Osolomioo]

Thanks for the warm welcome and especially the tips. Just read a short history of Leica and am appreciating this camera more and more even before it arrives. I lived in Germany for many years and could just kick myself for not taking the time to look into the Leica brand and legacy. I was too busy seeking out the best beer....

[ricardojh]

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I followed a similar track a couple of years ago, and for a recent drive to the outer banks of north carolina, I took my camera of choice, the X2, along with my Canon DSLR w/70-200 L and 50 mm prime. Ultimately, the Canon remained in the car. I'm so attached to the X2, I'm not comfortable with anything else. Good luck with yours.

Rich