SmithyT Posted February 7, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 7, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello from a new member who hopes you don't mind yet another 'thinking the X1 might be right for me' thread. Im coming from a slightly different direction though as a film shooter who has previously hated digital. I run a Pentax 6x7 with wide angle as my main kit and I love it. Thats a keeper, but I also have a Bronica RF645 which I bought as a 'carry about' (trust me, in comparison to the Pentax, it's a carry about)!. I flirted with digital using a Nikon Coolpix years ago, followed by the big old D1x but after 9 months I found I hated digi. It didn't feel like photography to me, just too many bells and whistles and hundreds of photos few of which I liked. With the Pentax I shoot 10 shots per roll of black and white film and am happy with 90% of them. But, there are times when i'm starting to think a digital would be good. I do use them for work (archaeology) but I haven't been tempted to get one for my own use untill I was struck by the reports of the X1 and X2 I stumbled upon recently. I never really noticed it untill now, probably because the new price tag sent me spinning away from any reviews, but with the X1 coming down in price second hand I have been seriously thinking about selling the Bronica RF and diving in. Does the X1 still have the 'feel' of taking photos (if you know what i mean)? I like its fixed lens and the simplicity of the controls appeals. Full manual or AP is what i'm used to and what I would prefer to continue with. I have to admit I have been impressed by the sample pictures I have seen but this would be my first Leica, I have always just drolled from afar!! I am being swayed over to the dark side by this little thing... should I jump? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 Hi SmithyT, Take a look here trading in medium format for an X1?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Gerard Posted February 7, 2014 Share #2 Posted February 7, 2014 Only you can answer this, but I would personally recommend you try before you buy. I'd also recommend you try a used M8 or M9 - tiny in comparison to what you are used to, but also fairly close in terms of what they can deliver. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnuyork Posted February 8, 2014 Share #3 Posted February 8, 2014 I agree...try before you buy. I shoot film and digital. I have the X1. I love it...but it is a little point and shooty. That being said, what i love about it better than other compact digitals, is the shutterspeed and aperture dials rather than menu diving. This is a huge plus for me. Also switching ISO is super easy. Auto focus is slow, (but i don't think as slow as trying to focus a rangefinder) and if you can master the manual focus you could potentially be quicker, but having no RF means relying on the live view and the zoom in when manually focusing. It's a bit weird, but I got used to it. In daylight the image quality is fantastic. Low light performance at ISO 1600 actually surprised me for how good it is, but it's still not quite up to the more recent DSLRs from SONY/Nikon/Canon. Still though I am impressed. I took a series of night shots at a rural fair on the 4th of July and I got very useable images at ISO 1600. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmithyT Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted February 8, 2014 Thanks gnuyork and Gerard, I know I should try one first but whether I can find one to try is a question, I might have to just jump right in and buy first. I'm not looking to replace MF, just add to it with something that is more portable but with an image quality that rivals some of the larger cameras. I would love to give an M8 or M9 a home but financially that is impossible. What attracted me was the simplicity of the layout of the Leica X1 and the image quality which really stood out in test shots I have seen. I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and see if I can find one in a camera shop to handle. I shoot mainly landscape/life which is why the fixed lens appealed. It's what i'm used to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 8, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 8, 2014 I honestly think you'll be very disappointed if you sell your Bronny to buy an X1. Apart from the whole digital thing, if you're not already converted, it's just a such a different medium. I use both, and enjoy them both for different reasons and applications. Why not buy a s/h Canon 5D and 35 prime? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmithyT Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted February 8, 2014 I honestly think you'll be very disappointed if you sell your Bronny to buy an X1. Apart from the whole digital thing, if you're not already converted, it's just a such a different medium. I use both, and enjoy them both for different reasons and applications. Why not buy a s/h Canon 5D and 35 prime? Mainly because I dislike DSLRs! I do use digi for work so its not a new medium, I just don't use it for my own photography (I tried DSLRs, don't want to go back). Its not a main camera I am thinking of, only a smaller compact to carry about but one that gives me the image quality i want. I have only put 5 rolls through the Broni since I got it so it's no great loss even though its a lovely camera, I have no intention of getting rid of my main MF set up, just to suppliment it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 8, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Bessa 667 W? Pentax AND Bronica + cash, if you find a dealer to go along? Probably too much cash, though Maybe lend any a P&S from a friend for a week, first. Ricoh GR, Nikon A, Fujifilm X100, X1. First two don't sell, last two have been discontinued. Stick2film imo Add to it: over here a 5S is 1 € in a contract. The next telecom contract will be less per month, if you can wait. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 8, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 8, 2014 Mainly because I dislike DSLRs! I do use digi for work so its not a new medium, I just don't use it for my own photography (I tried DSLRs, don't want to go back). Its not a main camera I am thinking of, only a smaller compact to carry about but one that gives me the image quality i want. I have only put 5 rolls through the Broni since I got it so it's no great loss even though its a lovely camera, I have no intention of getting rid of my main MF set up, just to suppliment it. Well, in your original post you didn't tell us that you hardly ever use the Bronica, you said it was your 'carry everywhere' camera. I assumed you used it regularly. If you want a camera for the odd snapshot then pretty much anything will do. So the Bronica as you're hardly using it. Try an X1 and see if that works for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nippa Posted February 9, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 9, 2014 I still love my X1 although it's rarely used now. When you strip it of cases and handles etc it remains a tiny package delivering terrific quality daylight shots. I fitted mine with an autoclosing hood which makes operation a little quicker. Just check that you have the latest firmware v2 as that brought welcome AF speed improvements and easier MF with a lock for zone focusing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted February 9, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 9, 2014 There is a good used market for Bronica 645 RF cameras; a body and lens would probably more than pay for a used Leica X1. You might consider approaching a dealer to sell your Bronica RF on a commission basis. I can think of at least two dealers who could probably both: A) sell your camera … & sell you a used X1. The advantage of buying from a dealer is that you'd have their 6 month warranty … and if you bought from a Leica Premier dealer they would probably send the X1 back to Solms for service/ repair if it malfunctioned during the used X1 camera's warranty period. The X1 is a super camera and its semi wide angle (36mm FF equivalent) lens would probably suit your wide angle photography style. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 9, 2014 Share #11 Posted February 9, 2014 Welcome to the forum Smithy. Buy from a Leica dealer for support if any is needed. It is a super compact quality camera which I still carry almost daily. It is available when more versatile kit is at home. And it gets professional quality results if handled with intent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 9, 2014 So you see: please don't underprice your very special Bronica, if ever you plan to sell it. Why? Because good film cameras, at their PAST 2012 - 2013 price levels are coming back "big" time. (On a small scale but never the less). So maybe keep looking and gauging the (BUYERS') market before you decide. Please never start an offer as an auction (which could go unnoticed in a 10 day period), but rather wait with a high "buy-it-now" You'll be surprised, if you are patient. Good luck - have fun with MF film! Please do shoot that BRONICA 645! Being a graphic artist (using digital on a daily basis) it can't find a better user. Cheers, Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted February 10, 2014 Share #13 Posted February 10, 2014 I agree with most everyone here--try before you buy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnuyork Posted February 10, 2014 Share #14 Posted February 10, 2014 Last edited by jaapv; Yesterday at 04:37. Reason: overdose of images OK, so what is the correct amount of images to post? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 10, 2014 Share #15 Posted February 10, 2014 Just to illustrate a technical point. You are welcome to post any number in the photo forums please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmithyT Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted February 11, 2014 Thanks to everyone for their comments, the more I look into the X1 the more I think it would suit my laid back style of landscape photography. I agree it would make sense to get one from a Leica dealer if possible, though they are higher in price, but I will start looking in more depth. I agree the Bronica is an amazing camera but I just don't use it anymore so it seems daft to have it sat around. Any X1 owners want to swap? Seriously though, I really do appreciate everyones advice and opinions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmithyT Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted February 11, 2014 There is a good used market for Bronica 645 RF cameras; a body and lens would probably more than pay for a used Leica X1. You might consider approaching a dealer to sell your Bronica RF on a commission basis. I can think of at least two dealers who could probably both: A) sell your camera … & sell you a used X1. The advantage of buying from a dealer is that you'd have their 6 month warranty … and if you bought from a Leica Premier dealer they would probably send the X1 back to Solms for service/ repair if it malfunctioned during the used X1 camera's warranty period. The X1 is a super camera and its semi wide angle (36mm FF equivalent) lens would probably suit your wide angle photography style. dunk Which are the two dealers you are thinking about dkpeterborough? So I can have a look I have used Ffordes before if thats one you were thinking of... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmithyT Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted February 15, 2014 So...quick follow up to say thanks to all... I sold the Broni to another photographer interested in furthering his medium format work and he picks it up this week. Meanwhile I have a black X1 with finder and case on hold from Red Dot Cameras ready to be sent once the Broni deal is done. I cann't wait to try it out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnuyork Posted February 15, 2014 Share #19 Posted February 15, 2014 Congrats...and enjoy!! I also have the finder, but don't use it as often as I should...because I have to take it of to fit the camera in the case... I use the case with strap often while traveling, since I don't keep a strap on the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 15, 2014 Share #20 Posted February 15, 2014 I rarely use the finder indoors, but often outdoors in bright or better light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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