Opinion about X Vario and X typ 113 in 2020?

[warmachine2]

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Good day all, new here in Leica forum. I am offered a used Leica X Vario for a good price. Also as an alternative, could also bought used X typ 113 albeit slightly higher price.

I have minimum experience with manual photography, but have seen and liked plenty of Leica shots, so I view these as an introduction to the Leica world. Also have read reviews but most are already old ones.

My interest is in architecture photography, also wants to learn about street and portrait photography.

Please help me decide, and really appreciate any opinions. Thank you.

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[jaapv]

2020 has little to do with it - these are simply good cameras with beautiful results, whether then or now - of course there are faster/more modern ones by now, but that is reflected in the price, not the photographic results. I will still happily use my X1, or X2, or Digilux2 (2004)

[cboy]

As im currently using the Leica X typ113 i can say its still valid today. It would benifit user experience however to have an evf though. The x typ 113 uses the current visoflex evf while the vario uses the previous evf. Note that the X typ 113 does not have depth of field scale so zone focusing is an issue for street photography, but it can be remedied by easily remembering the hyperfocal distance or by making the scale urself and temporarily attaching it to the body. Image quality and fantastic colour is a given. But if your looking for lowlight capability then id consider using a tripod or look at other series such as the Leica T. Portraits are pleasant with the X particularly in black and white. Whilst there is some limitations to the summilux lens it can give pleasing portrait results when used right. Since you said you have little experience with manual photography the X series is a good start as it has auto capability which will allow you to venture to manual controls as you become more comfortable. Going manual imho helps exploit the maximum potential of any Leica as camera metering is not always exact. Hope it helps

 

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Edited July 26, 2020 by cboy

[warmachine2]

On 7/24/2020 at 10:53 PM, warmachine2 said:

Good day all, new here in Leica forum. I am offered a used Leica X Vario for a good price. Also as an alternative, could also bought used X typ 113 albeit slightly higher price.

I have minimum experience with manual photography, but have seen and liked plenty of Leica shots, so I view these as an introduction to the Leica world. Also have read reviews but most are already old ones. https://omegle.onl/ vshare

My interest is in architecture photography, also wants to learn about street and portrait photography.

Please help me decide, and really appreciate any opinions. Thank you.

For me personally, the slow aperture on the X Vario makes it an instant nope. I’d go for the X Typ 113 as it has a f/1.7 23mm lens (35mm equivalent in full frame). This is a good focal length for everything from portraits to sorta-wide shots of buildings. The wider aperture is always a better choice.

 

[williamgm]

Seems like you've answered your own question......

[dkCambridgeshire]

On 7/24/2020 at 7:53 PM, warmachine2 said:

Good day all, new here in Leica forum. I am offered a used Leica X Vario for a good price. Also as an alternative, could also bought used X typ 113 albeit slightly higher price.

I have minimum experience with manual photography, but have seen and liked plenty of Leica shots, so I view these as an introduction to the Leica world. Also have read reviews but most are already old ones.

My interest is in architecture photography, also wants to learn about street and portrait photography.

Please help me decide, and really appreciate any opinions. Thank you.

 

On 7/26/2020 at 10:44 AM, warmachine2 said:

For me personally, the slow aperture on the X Vario makes it an instant nope. I’d go for the X Typ 113 as it has a f/1.7 23mm lens (35mm equivalent in full frame). This is a good focal length for everything from portraits to sorta-wide shots of buildings. The wider aperture is always a better choice.

 

The 'slow' aperture is no handicap. Bear in mind that the XV lens gives excellent results at all apertures throughout its zoom range. And due to its cult following the X Vario will likely hold its price. I use the X Vario for architectural subjects https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/290932-stamford-lincs-uk-architecture/?do=findComment&comment=4014527dunk

 

Edited July 31, 2020 by dkCambridgeshire

[cba20k]

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At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, in the right hands, an APS-C fixed lens Leica compact is the best point-and-shoot camera still, despite not having been updated in several years. I encourage you to review galleries on the forum as well as other photo sharing sites to see evidence of this. Personally I subscribe to the belief in photography that there is no replacement for displacement and, objectively and pragmatically, the size of the Typ 113's sensor (which may be Kodak or Sony depending on the reviewer you believe the most), coupled with Leica's optical design (not to be confused with country of manufacture in the the case of the X cameras), there is no competition.

Okay I'll step down from the soap box now.

[Jasiebear]

Hi everyone,

I've have become interested in photography for a little over a year now and my first digital camera has been the D-Lux 6 (Raw Edition).  I like taking macro shots as well as landscape and street shots.  I'm thinking of trying a Leica that's a little more, err, "serious" than the compact that I have.

I have the opportunity to get the X Typ 113 for a really good price on eBay.  

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance  

Edited August 29, 2020 by Jasiebear
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[lykaman]

Aloha, the 113 is a nice camera, read up on it's pluses and minuses.. If it covers your photography requirements go for it.. Personally, I would NOT buy on eBay, the extra cost of buying thro' a Leica dealer is balanced by the peace of mind should problems occur.. Good Luck...   L

Edited August 29, 2020 by lykaman

[jaapv]

However, in the OP's place I would consider somewhat more of an upgrade. If finances reach, I would consider an interchangeable lens camera, which implies a used CL. If not,  the D-Lux 7 nearly doubles the MP count and is a highly capable camera with more versatility than the X113. The X-Vario is an interesting alternative.

[Jasiebear]

Thanks to both of you for your opinions.  It means alot!  I actually decided to go w the T - I found one in excellent condition and at very good price.  I think the ability to change lenses will allow me to experiment a little bit more in different photographic genres.  Thanks again

[crawley5503]

Don't be lead astray by the slow lens naysayers. They are a bunch who hated the Mini M tag pasted onto the launch of this marvelous camera by Leica marketing.  I've shot a bunch in low light with my X Vario and it works fine. The camera is a marvel in output.  Pix files are beautiful in either JPEG or Raw. Easy to use and a charmer once you learn to operate it... manually, of course.

[TMorita]

I think the X Vario is a good choice as long as you can work within the limitations of the camera.

1. Lens is slower, f/3.5 - f/6.4. I mostly shoot landscape/nature/macro so I'm usually shooting at f/8 - f/16, so this is not a problem for me.

2. Camera has no image stabilization. I mostly shoot with the camera on a tripod, so this doesn't matter to me.

3. Image resolution is only 16 MP. I care more about the composition than the resolution, so doesn't bother me.

4. Requires careful review of the RGB histograms in the image review after each shot for best performance. The automatic exposure metering (and the live-view histogram) seems to ignore the red channel, so automatic exposure tends to overexpose the red channel. I've also noticed this same problem on the X2 and my Sony cameras as well.

So as long as these constraints don't bother you, and you're willing to be meticulous about exposure, it will reward you with lovely photos.

Toshi

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited December 8, 2020 by TMorita

[Einst_Stein]

On 7/24/2020 at 11:53 AM, warmachine2 said:

Good day all, new here in Leica forum. I am offered a used Leica X Vario for a good price. Also as an alternative, could also bought used X typ 113 albeit slightly higher price.

I have minimum experience with manual photography, but have seen and liked plenty of Leica shots, so I view these as an introduction to the Leica world. Also have read reviews but most are already old ones.

My interest is in architecture photography, also wants to learn about street and portrait photography.

Please help me decide, and really appreciate any opinions. Thank you.

I have T and CL, and all three zoom lenses. The TL 18-56mm has better specs and wider application. The CL/T has the flexibility of interchangeable lens.

But now I keep XV, and gave away T and CL to my kids. I can't feel anymore the extra focal length of 18-56mm, and I do not miss the CL 11-23mm  and 55-135mm. Not they are useless, but only I can live without them. Instead I have M240 + 50mm f2 (and sometimes 90mm f2.8) as the companion of XV. Sometimes it's the other way around, the XV is the companion of M240.  XV is essentially the  MATE 28-35-50mm replacement (I lost it). 

In some stage, I was comparing the Leica X (24mm prime) with XV.  XV won quickly because I have M240. M240 + 35mm f2 feels better than Leica X, but I do not use 35mm much, 50mm and 90mm fit better in the combination. 

You say you are into architecture. You might think wider angle lens would be more useful.  I have felt similar for traveling architecture but no more, I am now less interested in the whole structure, instead I am more into the cropping the essential attractions. This makes 50mm much more useful.   

Back to your intention, to take it as the entry point of Leica world, either definitely is the best choice you can ever find. They are Leica-Leica, not Panasonic-Leica,  But with the price of  Panasonic-Leica.  The used market price is really really attractive. I think you can get X2 or XV for well below $1K.  

I am sure eventually you will ended with an M of some model, and I expect you will keep XV or X as a companion. I don't think you will sell them to fund your M,  as the X/XV's price is too low to make the unforgivable mistake. 

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by Einst_Stein

[Lawrence A.]

I have no experience with the X Vario, as I was looking for a fixed 35mm lens camera, and the lens of the vario seemed too slow for the kind of indoor available light stuff I shoot a lot of. But I love the X113. The lens is superb, as you would expect,  and Leica's menu setup is a joy to use. In fact I sold it when money was tight, but have another one coming. It will be 2021 when it gets here. It's still one heck of a camera. You didn't ask about the Sony RX1 but I'll venture an opinion anyway, since they can also be found for around $1000. The files were amazing; the Zeiss lens produced that smooth sharpness that I always loved in my film Hasselblad with Zeiss lenses. BUT! I just didn't bond with it. The menus were fussy with more options than I wanted.  I was looking for and experience close to shooting with old 40mm rangefinder or zone focus cameras in the old days. Simplicity and immediacy. The X113 gives me a joy in shooting that more complex menus sometimes frustrate, and for some reason it aids me to capture what I "see and feel" (Adams) in black and white more than any other digital camera I've owned. I'm sure an M would be heaven, but they are way outside my price range.  So if the choice were mine, I'd go for the X113.