Leica X Vario , Mk2 ?

[miro]

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http://macfilos.com/photo/2018/3/24/leica-x-vario-cold-dishes-home-made-food-and-dumplings

 

From Macfilos :

This camera now has something of a cult following and is destined to become a classic, if you can apply that term to a digital. I predict that in five or ten years' time this "mini M", as it was provocatively dubbed by Leica, will be cherished by discerning owners and will have stabilised at a remarkably high price level for such an an old digital. No wonder many Leica fans keep asking for a remake of this camera.

 

 

[miro]

... doubt there will be one , since there's now the CL and 18-56 .

[graphlex]

But if only Leica would bring back the XV’s superb lens, despised though it was when introduced.

 

 

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[rjans]

I still have my X Vario despite it did not get much use. Have been thinking of selling the XV but finally decided to keep it. Main reason is its outstanding lens and it's so easy to use. Great for travel when you want quality pictures and not carrying much equipment.

 

It's not the only keeper for me, I also have my old Digilux 2. That camera was released somewhere 2003-2004. I still like it for use from time to time. It's digital but somehow it feels like an analog camera. 

 

Best

[HuntingSand]

I don't know about the "will have stabilized at a remarkably high price level", nor do I see cult status bestowed on the X-Vario, whatever that may mean. I sold my T plus 11-23mm to purchase the XV plus EVF last year (for exactly 1K, everything included), and it's serving me well. The lens is an optical benchmark achievement, but so was the 11-23mm Vario for the T/TL system. Different applications and uses of course...

[mikej]

As I have been thinking abou my XV, I read about the recent sale of a vintage leica Type 0 for $2.9M. I don,t think any mass produced digital camera will ever achieve that sort of return on investment. Unlike the value maintained by analog Leica bodies and M lenses over decades, the best case these days is to minimize the rate of depreciation. Ten years will be an extraodinary digicam lifespan, likely limited by parts availability and repairability.

 

Making an exceptionally durable body with upgradeable digital guts could satisfy desires for a lasting investment, but planned obsolescence is the predominant business model these days. Pity.

 

Cheers,

Mike

[crawley5503]

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I, being an owner of an XV understand the longing for this camera to be continues...especially the lens...It reminds me of my Digilux 2, which I still have as well.  Some things get old and fade away.  some things get old and remain collectable. Leica falls into the second category with XV and Digi 2.

[DwF]

I'm understanding that in spite of the sheer tactile feel and ergonomics, as well as the traditional analog controls that the X Vario and X-113 feature, Leica seems to employ designers who are more forward thinking. For myself, the CL is the only newer model (aside from M cameras) that feels comfortable in my hand. I don't understand those models (T, SL Q)  fashioned of metal that is left more or less bare. I do not mean to disparage  these as I've seen wonderful results from all of them.  I recently saw a video of William Albert Allard shooting with a Q alongside his M and  50 f2. Few photographers bring me chills like he does.  Anyway I've been trying to wrap my head around the direction Leica has taken for some time now, and think that I am slowly coming slowly to grips with it.

The CL is curious to me and I've handled several.  It plays off of tradition, really mostly in name...but Leica certainly has that right.  The CL is thoroughly modern in terms of it's minimal digital layout of controls. It is a really well thought out camera. I can truly see it extending from the X Vario design.  Fujifilm unabashedly embraces design aspects from cameras on the order of what Leica used to produce, and in fairly direct comparison to the CL, the X Pro 2 offers a real OVF!  Until the announcement of the soon to arrive X Pro 2, they have not really been accused of being sentimentally retro (retro maybe but not so much sentimental). And Fujifilm offers features that are hard to dismiss with the X Pro 2/3 and, appealing to professionals, like two easy to get to SD card-slots.  Leica glass is arguably less well suited to the Fujifim camera bodies, but Leica M lenses balance quite nicely on the X Pro 2 whose body is substantial enough not to be challenged sporting a 50 Summicron and adapter much less a 75. The longer lenses (35-90) also render nicely on the Fuji bodies.

Back to Leica,  I find the X Vario very satisfying, on so many levels. If I need more speed in this form-factor I have it with the X-113 (a sleeper sadly even here on the X forum). I don't expect Leica to build another in the X line of cameras but for now I'll continue to enjoy mine, feeling fortunate to have connected with it.

David

[tom0511]

The user interface and formfactor of the x-vario is not reached by the T or CL IMO.

The only thing I didnt like (for my application including family images with kids running around) was the slowish AF.

 

[Einst_Stein]

I found it is amusing to read people talking about Leica with sentimental, especially with critics on Leica ‘ S digital age directions.

Shoot films!   If, ....

 

[Jeffmurden]

For me the Leica X Vario is still by far the best. Love that camera!

 

Moderation note: link to outdated German review.

[TheCarpenter]

I really like the X-Vario mark 1.  All I need is a firmware update that allows the video button to cycle through the user profiles and a toggle for the 2 second timer.

 If I could just disable the video mode that would be a big help. That little button has led to way too many 1 second video clips.

I would worry that a mark ii would become a victim of the megapixel war.  I get great 16" X 24" prints for myself, as an amateur, from the 16mp sensor.

I like the look of the CL but would prefer a dial layout like the X or the M10.

I might have gone for the Q2 if it didn't have such big files. The built in EVF, IS and fast lens would be great but I would prefer to zoom than crop.

No need to upgrade I guess.

Craig

[rjans]

On 12/9/2019 at 5:25 PM, TheCarpenter said:

I really like the X-Vario mark 1.  All I need is a firmware update that allows the video button to cycle through the user profiles and a toggle for the 2 second timer.

 If I could just disable the video mode that would be a big help. That little button has led to way too many 1 second video clips.

I would worry that a mark ii would become a victim of the megapixel war.  I get great 16" X 24" prints for myself, as an amateur, from the 16mp sensor.

I like the look of the CL but would prefer a dial layout like the X or the M10.

I might have gone for the Q2 if it didn't have such big files. The built in EVF, IS and fast lens would be great but I would prefer to zoom than crop.

No need to upgrade I guess.

Craig

Never had a problem with the video button but I have small hands. Tried the video once or twice but I did not like it and the stabilization is not helping. I've used the X 113 for a few video clips and that's better due to the faster lens, also with stabilization set to off. I like the looks of the CL but it gets expensive even second hand. Now, the X Vario is a bargain compared to it. I managed to get two files that turned out way, way too big for my computer system. There are some deals on the originals Q or to get one second hand. However 28 mm is not my preferred focal length. The combo X Vario & X 113 still comfortably meets my needs, indeed no need to upgrade.

Best

[rjans]

22 hours ago, rjans said:

I managed to get two files that turned out way, way too big for my computer system.

Edit, just noticed, the two files I managed to get were from the Q2. 

Best