XV it's getting old!

[sbarrenos]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Leica X Vario is not getting old.

I have X Vario, T and Q.

X Vario is not the faster, has not the bigger sensor, not interchangeable lenses, no viewfinder and many other "nos", but make the best pictures, raw and jpeg. In my opinion, without any doubt.

Best camera I have ever had

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[mikej]

My wish for the XV - autoexposure lock in aperture priority mode

[amudgarden]

Regardless of its age, I am still impressed by the quality of images the Vario can produce.  Yeah, it's a slow lens, and the camera itself has relatively cumbersome electronic performance...but I'll take slow and cumbersome any day of the week if it routinely gives me images like the Vario can create.

[gbealnz]

+1

[Guest DrPix]

Amen to that!!!

 

Leica X Vario is not getting old.

I have X Vario, T and Q.

X Vario is not the faster, has not the bigger sensor, not interchangeable lenses, no viewfinder and many other "nos", but make the best pictures, raw and jpeg. In my opinion, without any doubt.

Best camera I have ever had

[RickP]

Leica X Vario is not getting old.

I have X Vario, T and Q.

X Vario is not the faster, has not the bigger sensor, not interchangeable lenses, no viewfinder and many other "nos", but make the best pictures, raw and jpeg. In my opinion, without any doubt.

Best camera I have ever had

I also agree!  The XV is my favorite ..

[rjans]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I also agree!  The XV is my favorite ..

+1

 

Best

[mikej]

Hi, all -

 

Philosophically, isn't there something wrong with us a a group lamenting the age of the XV, which is really about 2 years old?  Seems like a uniquely digital issue.  The glass isn't old, the body isn't old, really it's just the electronic guts.  And old here doesn't mean bad, it just means the technology is still rapidly improving.  The Digilux 2 cold be called old at 10-12 years, but what a fantastic camera it still is.  This isn't a hot topic over in the film M side of the house.  Something to consider rather than participating in the digital obsolescence race.

 

Cheers,

Mike

[asiafish]

Hi, all -

 

Philosophically, isn't there something wrong with us a a group lamenting the age of the XV, which is really about 2 years old?  Seems like a uniquely digital issue.  The glass isn't old, the body isn't old, really it's just the electronic guts.  And old here doesn't mean bad, it just means the technology is still rapidly improving.  The Digilux 2 cold be called old at 10-12 years, but what a fantastic camera it still is.  This isn't a hot topic over in the film M side of the house.  Something to consider rather than participating in the digital obsolescence race.

 

Cheers,

Mike

X Vario is still sold new, and the X 113 is basically the same camera only with a prime lens and better EVF.  I sold my X Vario, but only because I also have the X113, and really see nothing outdated on either.  Image quality is certainly still at the top of the APS-C class.

 

The M9 is now 6-years-old and remains much-loved, so honestly who cares if something is a few years old or not.

[Sho-Bud]

I don't necessarily want a new X Vario or Q Vario, if Leica could bring a firmware update that would improve a few things, that would be nice. 

[asiafish]

I don't necessarily want a new X Vario or Q Vario, if Leica could bring a firmware update that would improve a few things, that would be nice. 

 

Like what?

 

DNG only is probably not technically possible on this hardware platform as the JPEG appears to be used for the review.  Fixing the "review off" feature to actually work would be nice, but that bug has been with us since the X1, so that too is unlikely.

 

Autofocus is likely limited in speed by the hardware, not the software, and is already quite good.

 

What else is there to complain about on these cameras from a firmware perspective?  They don't crash, image quality is fantastic.  About the only thing I can think of is allowing the video record button to be disabled or customized to a different function (ISO?) and giving the option to customize the down position on the thumb controller.

 

I would love to have AV controlled by that down position on the controller and AE lock with a half press of the shutter release (or vice versa) and to disable the movie record button.  After that, the X Vario and X 113 would be absolutely perfect for cameras of their age and size.

[Sho-Bud]

Like what?

 

DNG only is probably not technically possible on this hardware platform as the JPEG appears to be used for the review.  Fixing the "review off" feature to actually work would be nice, but that bug has been with us since the X1, so that too is unlikely.

 

Autofocus is likely limited in speed by the hardware, not the software, and is already quite good.

 

What else is there to complain about on these cameras from a firmware perspective?  They don't crash, image quality is fantastic.  About the only thing I can think of is allowing the video record button to be disabled or customized to a different function (ISO?) and giving the option to customize the down position on the thumb controller.

 

I would love to have AV controlled by that down position on the controller and AE lock with a half press of the shutter release (or vice versa) and to disable the movie record button.  After that, the X Vario and X 113 would be absolutely perfect for cameras of their age and size.

Leica managed to get some speed improvements on the T, if they good do that for the X Vario as well, that would be nice. If not than it's no problem for me , I'm happy with my X Vario

[asiafish]

Leica managed to get some speed improvements on the T, if they good do that for the X Vario as well, that would be nice. If not than it's no problem for me , I'm happy with my X Vario

 

T is a year newer with a faster processor and a completely different operating system.  X was already faster that T for start up, only AF was slower than the new T firmware, faster than the original T firmware.

 

Faster AF would be nice, but somehow I think we are already maxed out for AF speed.

[TMorita]

tAbout the only thing I can think of is allowing the video record button to be disabled or customized to a different function (ISO?) and giving the option to customize the down position on the thumb controller.

 

Oh geez yes please!

 

I'm always shooting movies unintentionally on the XV.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Consider that it's possible to buy a NEW X Vario from official UK Leica dealers for just £1200 … over £1000 less than the new price when first announced in June 2013 and on par with the price of a Leica T lens. To obtain the same functionality with a T would entail purchase of a T body with T zoom package costing  £1999 - £799 more than the XV. 

 

The XV is an absolute bargain buy - more so when considering the fact that the camera includes a 'Peter Karbe Team' designed zoom lens - with performance probably unmatched by any other zoom lens of similar specification.

 

And also consider the fact that Leica's 'Mini M' marketing strategy did not meet with potential customers' approval. Whoever thought up that description stepped on hallowed ground and upset many Leica rangefinder users - and to the detriment of deserved sales. Also consider the largely unwarranted negative comments made in 2013 by those who failed to recognise the camera's pedigree and who still do not understand the camera's design philosophy and the reasons for the relatively slow aperture zoom lens.

 

How different might the camera's reception have been with more sensible marketing? How many more might have been ordered if the vindictive 'naysayers' had exercised more common sense instead of them trying to tell Grandma Leica and Peter Karbe how to suck eggs? 

 

Fact is, at the time it was introduced, the XV was the only APS-C compact with a fixed zoom lens … an optic with unprecedented performance throughout its aperture and zoom range which can still outperform other manufacturers' offerings. 

 

The AF is not as fast as e.g. the Leica T - but the XV's AF is not that slow either. The T's AF was not so hot when first announced but it has been considerably improved with firmware updates.  

 

I wish that Leica could/would improve the XV's AF speed - maybe it's not possible - maybe the spinach used for the T's AF improvement cannot be applied to the XV. But, lack of fast AF does not mean lack of superb imaging potential - images capable of being cropped and still printed beyond A3 size. 

 

If you're looking for the best priced APS-C format pure Leica zoom lens package, grab yourself a bargain … and also take advantage of the complimentary Lightroom software download and Leica Passport. 

 

 

dunk

[Keith (M)]

Can only second what has been written.  The slow frame-to-frame and 'wake-up' times are an annoyance but the sheer, amazing quality of the lens outweighs these by a very large margin.  The 28-70mm zoom covers most circumstances and there is also a very impressive close-up capability.  When I dither about which combination of M & lens to take out, the XV often comes to the rescue, as evidenced by this post and the one following it...  (today's outing).

[Sparkassenkunde]

Count me in to the XV fan club! Grabbed mine used this summer for 1K € with the original grip and didn't regret it for a second. I think it is a true gem and will deliver satisfying results for quite a while. 

[gbealnz]

Me too. If it wasn't for the convenience of using the T alongside my M6 (common Lenses) I'd have sold it a while back. Still might.

My biggest regret with owning the X-Vario (plus the T of course) is that my wonderful X1 is sitting idle. It accompanied the X-Vario and M6 on a recent Europe trip, but in a backup capacity really, and never got used. Criminal.

I'm actually quite happy the naysayers are still naysaying about the X-Vario, suits me in that they are not highly sought after.

Gary

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[AdrianUK]

As a very recent recruit to the ranks of XV users, courtesy of the big discounts currently available, there are a few changes I'd like to see on a new model. One of the main ones for me is nothing to do with the camera itself; I just wish I didn't have to remove the grip every time I want to get at the battery or the SD card. I'd also like quicker menu access to the Film Simulation modes as I tend to switch a round a lot.

 

An integrated EVF in the upper left corner would be nice, if necessary at the expense of the built-in flash. I can't fault the lens, nor the in-camera software corrections that make the most of its abilities, but a constant maximum aperture would be nice, even if it's not that fast so as to keep down the lens size.

 

Obviously, there is the megapixel race to consider, but I think a sensor in the 16 - 20MP range is sufficient for this camera. Other stuff, like focus peaking, better AF, etc. would also be desirable.

 

And finally, I'd like a free upgrade to the new model for all existing XV users

[dkCambridgeshire]

Unfortunately there are no rumours or hints that an upgraded XV might be offered.  But the XV's close-up imaging capabilities can be improved by adding supplementary close-up lenses e.g. Raynox 150 and Raynox 250 which both have the necessary 43mm attachment thread. Also possible to adapt e.g. Leitz Elpro supplementary c/u  lenses.

 

dunk