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XV it's getting old!


Manoleica

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Adrian, welcome to the forum and Leica ownership. You have quickly reached several conclusions regarding the XV. But it takes time to get the best from any Leica camera. In the process you adapt fairly quickly to the idiosyncrasies and learn to live with them or alternative 'work-arounds'. As well documented in this and other threads, AF reliability is my biggest bugbear and it is in that area I wish for future improvements. A more modern sensor would further compensate for the slowness of the lens, which is superb as many users testify. Enjoy your XV which at current prices is a  very good buy.

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My thoughts entirely. So Leica have at least two assured customers for a replacement model :)

Newer sensor, faster electronics (af & general operation) and decent eye level sensor for evf and they'd be set.

 

To be completely honest, I could even survive with current sensor if they'd improve the rest. Image quality has never been an issue, it's only the operational quirks that should be fixed.

 

So basically get the body & guts from Q, stick in aps-c sensor & lens from XV and it'd be fantastic.

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And on that note I'm heading for a week long winter holiday up north tomorrow morning. Inspired by this thread I'm taking "the old lady" XV with me and leaving Q & others home [emoji41]

 

Time to take some nice photos with this travel camera par excellance!

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I had my X typ 113 out recently. It remains a lovely performer and an excellent camera with great controls and feel. 

 

I've grown a little spoiled by the responsiveness and speed of both the M-P typ 240 and SL typ 601 since I bought the X; the X seems a trifle sluggish now. But it's still a very comfortable camera to carry when all I want is a light camera and a 35mm FoV. I have little need for an upgrade since, if I want more responsiveness, I just grab one of the other cameras.

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I'm surprised by X Vario users doing landscape photography and complaining about the autofocus. The X Vario has a ergonomically good manual focus solution, ideal for landscape and for night photography, why bother with autofocus?

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I'm surprised by X Vario users doing landscape photography and complaining about the autofocus. The X Vario has a ergonomically good manual focus solution, ideal for landscape and for night photography, why bother with autofocus?

When it's only modestly dark, I find the manual focus solution of the X Vario far from ergonomically good. The image is very noisy and the refresh rate very low; actually focusing the camera in that situation is an art I haven't mastered yet.

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When it's only modestly dark, I find the manual focus solution of the X Vario far from ergonomically good. The image is very noisy and the refresh rate very low; actually focusing the camera in that situation is an art I haven't mastered yet.

 

 

I use the XV - and the X1 and X2 for AF night photography in almost total darkness when photographing astronomers observing from fields. .

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/255669-leica-x2-and-xv-tool-cameras/?p=2969794

 

If there is something 'white' or 'silver' (astronomers tripods) for the AF assist beam to reflect from then focus can be nailed. Composition is another matter - but I've learnt to play the % and it's becoming more intuitive … and using the wide X1 and X2 lenses and the wide end of the XV zoom lens - I 'step back' to be sure of including everything in the frame - and then 'crop' as necessary in post processing. 

 

dunk

 

 

dunk

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...

Fact is, at the time it was introduced, the XV was the only APS-C compact with a fixed zoom lens … 

...

 

dunk

 

Not true.

 

The Leica X Vario was announced on Jun 11, 2013.

source: https://photographylife.com/leica-x-vario-announcement

 

The Canon G1X is a fixed-lens APS-C camera.

The Canon G1X was introduced in Feb 2012.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_PowerShot_G

 

If you consider out-of-production models, there's at least one more:

 

Sony DSC-R1, introduced November 2005.

source: http://www.dcviews.com/_sony/r1.htm

 

Toshi

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Hello TMorita,


It is however true!


X Vario is the first digital camera with format APS-C (sensor of 23.6 mm X 15.7 mm) and fixed zoom.

Canon G1X clearly has a sensor of 1.5 (18.7 mm X 14 mm) below format APS-C.

Sony DSC-R1 has a sensor close to format APS-C (21.5mm X 14.4 mm) but still below this one. It isunfortunately heavy and very cumbersome

 

 

Guy

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I have always thought of the XV as an anachronism and just part of a development route to something else .......

 

Nice camera (I have 2) and super quality images for its size. 

 

However, having just used it after a spell of using the SL my first reaction was 'how quaint' ....... slow, clunky, awful view in low light ........ oh dear .....

 

bit like an old girlfriend you meet again after 25 years ...... memories grossly obscure reality and the passage of time ........   :unsure:

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I have always thought of the XV as an anachronism and just part of a development route to something else .......

 

Nice camera (I have 2) and super quality images for its size.

 

However, having just used it after a spell of using the SL my first reaction was 'how quaint' ....... slow, clunky, awful view in low light ........ oh dear .....

 

bit like an old girlfriend you meet again after 25 years ...... memories grossly obscure reality and the passage of time ........ :unsure:

It is a step backwards after using my M240, but a gentle reminder how far digitals have progressed. Its lightness and IQ offer the ability to do l o n g walks with minimal equipment & weight and return with the high quality images so desired...at the ripe old age 74, I doubt any of my ex G/friends would respond quickly if at all to having any buttons pushed.!!.'(^_^)'
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Not true.

 

The Leica X Vario was announced on Jun 11, 2013.

source: https://photographylife.com/leica-x-vario-announcement

 

The Canon G1X is a fixed-lens APS-C camera.

The Canon G1X was introduced in Feb 2012.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_PowerShot_G

 

If you consider out-of-production models, there's at least one more:

 

Sony DSC-R1, introduced November 2005.

source: http://www.dcviews.com/_sony/r1.htm

 

Toshi

 

hi Toshi,

 

G1X sensor 16% >* als MFT* und 20% <* als canon APS* - crop faktor 1,6 - / APS-sensor X Vario - crop faktor 1,5 - = 25% < vs. Canon APS

(*wikipedia zu Canon G1X)

 

kind regards

k-mike

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  • 2 months later...

I noticed the X Vario is no longer for sale at several major online shops. Could this mean that a new model is in the works? 

 

I just got mine from B&H Photo last month.  I am very happy with mine.  

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Several dealers in the  UK still list the X Vario. Because it is an under-rated camera, new users have been slow to buy into its versatility. It is heartening to read evidence of recent purchases  and satisfaction.

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Several dealers in the  UK still list the X Vario. Because it is an under-rated camera, new users have been slow to buy into its versatility. It is heartening to read evidence of recent purchases  and satisfaction.

 

 

Under-rated partly / mainly because of all the unjustified naysaying at launch - including that which emanated from forum members - some of whom still fail to understand, or do not wish to understand, the XV's design philosophy, its strengths, and who have probably never used the camera for any length of time (or at all ! ) or for serious imaging. 

 

dunk

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It has a unusual set of capabilities and limitations. It is superbly balanced.  It produces excellent image quality within its zone. 

 

For me, the main annoyance is the dimness of the EVF and LCD in bright outdoor light.   That is why I'm considering an ancient VIOOH or Nikon Varifocal finder.  

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I'm on the look-out for an affordable second hand X Vario. The one thing I have my doubts about is the low light capabilities. Hardware (sensor) stabilisation would have been a major plus. The software stabilisation seems completely non-functional on my X2 and I heard that it's no different on the Vario.

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Newbie, welcome to the forum. If you can see, you can take pictures with your XV. Using a wide angle gives you a faster starting aperture and a higher ISO extends your scope.

 

IS is limited but remember it only works at 1/30th second or longer, provided you have selected it in the menu.

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