Mixalis Posted January 2, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 2, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) At long last I have finished my very subjective review of the Leica XV and uploaded it to my site, MacFilos. You can find it here and I would welcome any comments, particularly any factual errors which I will be happy to correct Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 Hi Mixalis, Take a look here Just posted: My review of the Leica X Vario. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
euston Posted January 3, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 3, 2014 Well done, Mike! It’s a good read and a really useful assessment of this much misunderstood camera. It’s the kind of review I appreciate based, as it is. on practical real world experience of the camera in use. That’s the way to do it! Anyone considering buying an X Vario should read your excellent review. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guytou Posted January 3, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 3, 2014 Thank you and bravo for this precise and very honest work on the various aspects for X Vario. Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted January 3, 2014 Share #4 Posted January 3, 2014 I second Euston's comments. An excellent appraisal of this much-maligned and misunderstood camera. The camera isn't absolutely perfect, (what camera is?) and a firmware update (please Leica) would help a great deal with some of the issues raised in the review. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wk Posted January 3, 2014 Share #5 Posted January 3, 2014 Thank you for the excellent review. I just won an X Vario in the XV City Challenge and I am getting to know this camera. So far, I agree with everything you said and I am pleased with the results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted January 3, 2014 Thank you for the excellent review. I just won an X Vario in the XV City Challenge and I am getting to know this camera. So far, I agree with everything you said and I am pleased with the results. Lucky you! I am sure you will love it. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imants Posted January 3, 2014 Share #7 Posted January 3, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) this much misunderstood camera......... What a weird way of thinking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted January 3, 2014 Share #8 Posted January 3, 2014 "It appeals largely to established Leica users...........". Really? So why does my Leica dealer have plenty in stock since launch and rolls his eyes whenever I ask him how X Vario sales are going. To keep things in perspective, a weather sealed FF Sony A7 with the FE 35 and outstanding FE 55 lens costs less (incl EVF). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 3, 2014 Share #9 Posted January 3, 2014 Thank you Mike, for an excellent, objective, well-balanced, informative, experience-based report illustrated with fine and relevant photographs. It is inevitable that polarised views will emerge in this thread, despite the honesty of your findings and superb photography with the X Vario. The fact that you did not find the X Vario wanting during your challenging tour of China, speaks volumes about its potential and your expert use of this camera. Well done! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted January 3, 2014 this much misunderstood camera......... What a weird way of thinking Perhaps you are right. What would you suggest as an alternative? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted January 3, 2014 Thank you Mike, for an excellent, objective, well-balanced, informative, experience-based report illustrated with fine and relevant photographs. It is inevitable that polarised views will emerge in this thread, despite the honesty of your findings and superb photography with the X Vario. The fact that you did not find the X Vario wanting during your challenging tour of China, speaks volumes about its potential and your expert use of this camera. Well done! Thank you, David. I am sure there will be polarised views but it is all to the good. The XV got off to a bad start but I think that, provided Leica stick it out, it will become recognised for what it is. I know so many people in the Leica world, owners of Ms in particular, who have bought this as a second camera and are delighted with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobdulm Posted January 3, 2014 Share #12 Posted January 3, 2014 Is here... :-)... Thanks. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/219478-just-posted-my-review-of-the-leica-x-vario/?do=findComment&comment=2500869'>More sharing options...
Gobdulm Posted January 3, 2014 Share #13 Posted January 3, 2014 :D:D... Wonderful... Thanks. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/219478-just-posted-my-review-of-the-leica-x-vario/?do=findComment&comment=2500872'>More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted January 3, 2014 "It appeals largely to established Leica users...........". Really? So why does my Leica dealer have plenty in stock since launch and rolls his eyes whenever I ask him how X Vario sales are going. To keep things in perspective, a weather sealed FF Sony A7 with the FE 35 and outstanding FE 55 lens costs less (incl EVF). Your points are interesting. I have heard the same reaction from dealers about slow sales and I put much of this down to the misunderstandings about the nature of the camera. I think it will quietly gain in popularity, despite the opposition. I am pretty active in the Leica-owner world here in the UK and I have several friends who have bought the XV and are delighted with it. It won't suit everyone, of course. As for the Sony A7, I also own one and am currently testing it with Leica lenses. I have been unable to lay hands on an FE lens so cannot comment on them although I have read the reviews. The Sony is impressive and I have no doubt that the Zeiss lenses will be superb. I friend of mine, a Leica fan, owns both the 35 and 55 and is very pleased. I would, however, take issue with you on price. I can only quote British prices, but the two lenses you mention together cost GBP 1,675. The A7r body costs GPB 1,750 so, even allowing for the cheaper A7 body, the rig costs considerably more than the Leica. All this, though, is missing the point since the attraction of the XV is in its combination of a fixed zoom with superb image quality in a small package. It cannot be compared directly with an interchangeable system such as the Sony A7 or, even, the Fuji X-Pro. Anyway, your point is well taken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 3, 2014 Share #15 Posted January 3, 2014 "It fills a niche, particularly for existing Leica owners to whom it will primarily appeal". I doubt Leica would agree with this statement. They are desperate to increase their share of the market (overall camera market that is) and need products to appeal to new users, and expand their customer base. The X1/2 and X Vario are surely aimed at people who don't currently own a Leica. Likewise their Burlington Arcade store - which only stocked the lower end cameras, not the M or S ranges - was also targeted at new customers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_w Posted January 3, 2014 Share #16 Posted January 3, 2014 Add my thanks also, Mike. First time I have visited your site and was greatly distracted by your other articles as well. (Now bookmarked for future follow up). Very fair review of the XV and agree you are right to ask for a better VF solution (not that the XV is unique in this respect). My own brief tests of the XV did not produce results comparable to an M equivalent set up, despite the praise for the lens. I am willing to admit more time with the camera would help get the very best out of it. How did you feel taking it to China, in terms of the IQ you brought home compared to taking, say, an M plus 28 and 50? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted January 3, 2014 The X1/2 and X Vario are surely aimed at people who don't currently own a Leica. . James, You could be right on Leica's intentions in introducing the X range but I beg to differ on the outcome. The X2 is owned by Leica enthusiasts as a second camera. Most have an M or a Monochrom up their sleeves. I think the XV fills the same need. I could, of course, be wrong! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosebud55 Posted January 3, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 3, 2014 Thanks for the very good review. I have an xv which I use most of the time. I find it's a great travel camera, having used it in Portugal and Austria. I have found the innovative charger to be very good. I like the fact I do not need to use an extra plug and it's easy just to pack the small kit in my camera bag. I just wish more manufacturers used the same idea! Rosie :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted January 3, 2014 How did you feel taking it to China, in terms of the IQ you brought home compared to taking, say, an M plus 28 and 50? Thanks for your comment, Robert. This, of course, is a difficult question. The XV doesn't really pretend to a sort one-size-fits-all replacement for an M. No one would suggest that. The full-frame sensor of the M combined with some wonderful lenses is going to win in the IQ stakes. The value of the XV, to my mind, is that you can just dump it in a bag without wondering what else to take with you. It is much lighter than an M plus two or three primes and therefore more convenient. Despite this, the results are remarkably good. I was pretty surprised myself. Initially I had qualms about taking it in preference to an M or MM (the MM is currently by absolute favourite, by the way, and I was sorely tempted) but I really enjoyed the XV's ease of use and steady companionship (not as worrying to carry around as an £8,000 set up). Everyone has differing requirements and preferences and I know the XV has become something of an Aunt Sally. But I like to take the contrarian view and I believe the camera is vastly underrated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixalis Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted January 3, 2014 I have found the innovative charger to be very good. I like the fact I do not need to use an extra plug and it's easy just to pack the small kit in my camera bag. I just wish more manufacturers used the same idea!:-) Thanks for your positive comment, Rosie and I am glad you like the XV so much. I was surprised at your praise for the charger/plug set up because, as you will have seen from my article, I hate it on the grounds of size and non-standard fittings. I much prefer in-camera charging (all you need is a little USB cable) as found on current Panasonics and Sonys. I suppose everyone has differing views. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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