My first Leica

[Keith1974]

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I am considering purchasing a Lecia X1 as a) my first Leica (as it is all I can afford) and b) my everyday camera (for keeping on me at all times for any type of photography).

Is this wise?  Is this a good camera to invest in?

What should I be aware of before purchase?

[Douglasco]

I had one when they first came out. The image quality was very good but I found it slow to focus. I would have a look through the forum and read other photographers opinions. 

 

[Calum7]

I bought an X1 earlier this year and I love it. There is a firmware update that speeds the focus up a little, but I mainly shoot landscapes so I'm not too hampered with slow focusing. I like to use the manual focus, at f8 to f16, which can be a good way of shooting faster. I find the auto focus accurate. Image quality is great and it is a very simple camera to use, I carry mine everywhere. What I would look for in buying one is dust on the sensor, I have two spots that show up at f11 which I edit out with Lightroom. I will eventually send it in for a service. I hope this helps!

Edited November 4, 2018 by Calum7

[Keith1974]

9 minutes ago, Calum7 said:

I bought an X1 earlier this year and I love it. There is a firmware update that speeds the focus up a little, but I mainly shoot landscapes so I'm not too hampered with slow focusing. I like to use the manual focus, at f8 to f16, which can be a good way of shooting faster. I find the auto focus accurate. Image quality is great and it is a very simple camera to use, I carry mine everywhere. What I would look for in buying one is dust on the sensor, I have two spots that show up at f11 which I edit out with Lightroom. I will eventually send it in for a service. I hope this helps!

Calum that's really helpful thank you

[wda]

Keith, welcome to the forum. I have owned a Leica X1 since first announced  in 2009. (Delivery started in 2010) It is still in use today. While auto focus is slower than encountered today, in most situations that is not a problem. It makes for more considered and thoughtful photography. You should have an opportunity to test the camera before purchase. A dealer will give you a short guarantee period to allow for such tests.

Mine has never been back for repair. It is simple and reliable. The most common component to break is the battery door on the base. Once you recognise the potential risk of leaving it open,  you shut it immediately after extracting either battery or memory card and treat it with respect.

Search this forum for more information and pictures. Also visit www.Macfilos.com and search for articles by John Shingleton,  a Brit now living in Australia, who is a huge fan of the Leica X1 and uses it extensively on his travels .

Do come back if you have any further questions. 

[Keith1974]

19 hours ago, wda said:

Keith, welcome to the forum. I have owned a Leica X1 since first announced  in 2009. (Delivery started in 2010) It is still in use today. While auto focus is slower than encountered today, in most situations that is not a problem. It makes for more considered and thoughtful photography. You should have an opportunity to test the camera before purchase. A dealer will give you a short guarantee period to allow for such tests.

Mine has never been back for repair. It is simple and reliable. The most common component to break is the battery door on the base. Once you recognise the potential risk of leaving it open,  you shut it immediately after extracting either battery or memory card and treat it with respect.

Search this forum for more information and pictures. Also visit www.Macfilos.com and search for articles by John Shingleton,  a Brit now living in Australia, who is a huge fan of the Leica X1 and uses it extensively on his travels .

Do come back if you have any further questions. 

I've had a look around the Forum and taken on board your comments - thank you all.

I have today purchased an X1 :)  I intend to use it as my everyday camera.

It should arrive at the weekend - I'll keep you posted!

[DwF]

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Good choice, and welcome to the forum Keith.

[wda]

Well done Keith. Are they still difficult to find?

[Keith1974]

33 minutes ago, DwF said:

Good choice, and welcome to the forum Keith.

Thank you

[Keith1974]

25 minutes ago, wda said:

Well done Keith. Are they still difficult to find?

I don't think so.  I got one on eBay which is near mint condition.   There's a couple online. The issue is the cost.  But I got a good deal (I think).  

Looking forward to trying it out.  

[glmm2001]

I got a very good deal a couple weeks ago (EUR 359 including shipping, all the original paperwork, strap, original charger and a couple Pantona batteries) and jumped straight in. This is my first digital Leica (I own a M5) and so far I’m very happy with it. It’s VERY light and compact. I used if for the first time in my younger daughter kindergarten open day and got good shots using zone focusing and aperture priority. While the camera is not a speed demon, it doesn’t feel as terribly slow as most reviews imply. Spot AF works reasonably fast and works even inlow light conditions. Writing times are a bit slow and it takes some 11s to write after firing a burst in JPEG FINE - DNG mode but it isn’t as crippling as I would have expected. Image quality is very good and the DNG files, while overexposed, are very versatile and any program will open them straight away, even phone apps. 

Edited December 22, 2018 by glmm2001

[wda]

Welcome glmm to X1 ownership. Often negative vibes attract disproportionate emphasis and give a distorted picture of performance. The X1 is a very capable camera.