Should I buy an X1 or 2 ?

[arshute]

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The Olympus VF1 has no electrical contacts and fits the X1. Mine has arrived and early tests looks like it will be helpful especially in bright light when the screen is difficult to see.

[nippa]

I also love my X1.

 

Originally I bought a Fuji X100 to replace my it as all the Leica Naysayers were shouting about the Fuji's brilliance. Although the Fuji's jpegs and colour are superb , it's no match for the X1 when it comes to resolution unless you stop down to f4.

Finally when the X100S appeared my X1 had some competition although only when stopped down. A lens and sensor of an entirely different character.

 

I keep my X1 as one of the best and smallest basic cameras I've ever had.

 

I don't understand the enthusiasm for the OVF

I've had the Genuine Optical Viewfinder since the camera was new and it hardly ever gets used. Even in the bright Hawaiian sunlight I had no problem seeing the LCD while I struggled with other brands.

 

The Leica OVF for the X1 is Japanese Made and not quite as clear as earlier OVFs for the DLux Range ..I guess I'm saying "don't pay too much " IMHO it's not worth more than £50 and it felt like a ripoff to me.

[wda]

Nippa, there are situations when holding a camera up to your eye makes for greater stability. It is a personal choice.

[Torquinian]

The optical X2 viewfinder is excellent. The X2 originally cost £1450 in the UK but now can be bought new for just under £1000. The VF costs about £200 Using the optical finder you can switch off the screen if you wish.

I never had a Fuji- I would get expelled from The Leica Society if I got one!

 

I should like to ask is there anyone on the forum who has changed from a Fuji X100 to a Leica ( that is to say an X1 or 2.)
Whilst the X100 is a first class camera I have never really liked it. Far too many variables to adjust.
I fancy the idea of the add on optical viewfinder and forgetting all the electronic variations.
In other words mimicking a film camera! Am I right or is it a silly thought!
 

[NZDavid]

OVF is also not very useful for using histogram. I had the leica OVF and sold it weeks later. Basically useless

No, absolutely useless if you want to be a computer programmer and analyze data. Good if you just want to compose pictures with no distractions, though.

[bernie.lcf]

 

The optical X2 viewfinder is excellent. The X2 originally cost £1450 in the UK but now can be bought new for just under £1000. The VF costs about £200 Using the optical finder you can switch off the screen if you wish.

 

Brightline Viewfinder 36mm for Leica X1 and X2, Ref. 18707

280,- (Pound Sterling)

 

 

I should like to ask is there anyone on the forum who has changed from a Fuji X100 to a Leica ( that is to say an X1 or 2.)

Whilst the X100 is a first class camera I have never really liked it. Far too many variables to adjust.

I fancy the idea of the add on optical viewfinder and forgetting all the electronic variations.

In other words mimicking a film camera! Am I right or is it a silly thought!

 

Yes, I have been there: X100, X100s, X-Pro1, X-E1 and X-T1

I once had a Leica M8.2 and sold it in preparation of upgrading to the M9. However, this was during the time when Leica had a 6 months or so delivery time and I gave up waiting and got distracted by a series of Japanese cameras including the Fujis. Should not have sold that M8.2 because it must have taken me 4 or so years to make a roundtrip back to the M8.2.

 

The Fujis (X-Trans or not) are not bad cameras, but the 23mm Fujinon f2.0 lens is easily beaten by the X1/X2 Elmarit 24/2.8. There are three generations of X100 cameras and Fuji has never changed the lens except for introducing 1/3 aperture clicks on the latest X100t model. The major weak spot of the Fujinon is close up performance wide open where it will show a (IMHO) rubbish image which Fuji people call "dreamy character".

 

The X1 and X2 cameras are well suited for use with an optical viewfinder because the screen can be configured to stay off and there is a green LED that will be visible in the corner of our eye (while looking through the optical viewfinder) and that will signal AF lock on. Obviously, you'd either shoot hyperfocal or use the 11 point AF/face detection... although it is not too difficult to guess where the 1 spot AF area is in the optical viewfinder.

 

I suggest buying the Leica Brightline viewfinder because it is better than most of the other third party viewfinders (much better than the Olympus VF1, better than the Voigtländer viewfinders).

 

People have argued back and forth between the Leica X1 and the X100 back in their times. I will agree that the X100 hybrid viewfinder is a nice piece of technology, bet let's take a more detailed look at this: what exactly do you need to see in your viewfinder while composing with a fixed focal length camera like the Leica X1/X2?

- aperture will be on the Leica's dedicated wheel

- shutter speed is nice, but auto ISO will eliminate the need to see this

- battery, image no., etc.- not while I am composing

 

The only thing I'd probably miss is the EV value if I used it often (which I don't). Everything else is either a distraction or only required because there is a feature behind it (DR enhancement, etc.).

[prk60091]

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No, absolutely useless if you want to be a computer programmer and analyze data. Good if you just want to compose pictures with no distractions, though.

Checking for proper exposure is just as essential as composition.

[cgdesign82]

I had leica X1 and X2, for me the differences are minimal...

I would purchase the x1 because I prefer the sensor more "dirty" and the used has a good price

What I appreciated both is the quality of the elmarit 24/2.8.

 

[dkCambridgeshire]

The X1's shutter speed and aperture dials are not so positive and 'clicky' as those on the X2; the X1's dials can easily slip off their settings. The X2's dials are more stable; they have a little more resistance to any accidental brushing or nudging and thus settings do not easily slip.

 

The X1's macro mode requires setting via the AF/MF button's options; once set to AF Macro it's easy to forget that it needs resetting to AF for regular photography. The X2's AF range is seamless i.e. it will close focus automatically - there is no separate AF Macro setting - but it auto focuses to the same close focus distance as the X1. 

 

The X2's ergonomics are better than the X1's.  

 

dunk

[rivi1969]

Absolutely go for the X1. I had both and the X1 was hands down my favorite for many reasons. I wrote a short article which is linked below if you want to check it out.

 

https://uninspiredme.wordpress.com/2015/03/07/yesterdays-news-the-leica-x1-review/

 

Hope this helps!

 

AG

Thanks for sharing your article, I completely agree with what you said. Being there, trying all, and always go back to basics... In fact I also bought the X 113 looking for an "upgrade" to the X1 and I ended up selling the new one... The X1 is much more compact, delivers amazing IQ and the 1-stop advantage of the X113 was not that relevant (for me) to keep it. 

[rivi1969]

 

I must respectfully disagree.

 

I have had the x1 since shortly after launch and shot 1000's of images with it.

 

Like most leica lenses it is spectacular wide open.

Agree... My X1 is sharp sharp sharp @ f2.8 and gives a very sweet 3D pop. Highly recommended!

[jlindstrom]

I think it's all highly subjective as to what each person wants. The X1 is a splendid camera on it's own and has it's strenghts and weaknesses like everything else out there.

 

The X113 actually has 1,5 stop advantage in lens speed and probably another 2-3 stop advantage on top with useable high iso.

 

X113 loses in size, no question about that. Also X113 is significantly bigger. But if you don't need pocket size but a light & reasonable sized camera it's fantastic with added grip & evf. It's like a modern day Barnack with a 35mm.

 

In a way, I think the shortest straw goes to X2, which also is fantastic on it's own. But it's not really big enough improvement over X1 and on the other hand the X113 marches over it in comparison.

 

Buying into X series I would suggest visiting a store and trying them out. And then pick based on your needs/feel for the camera. And probably only pick the X2 if you can get it at same price to X1 and it's more readily available.

 

//Juha