marknorton Posted September 9, 2009 Share #1 Posted September 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, after all the build-up and the hints of something we hadn't picked up and now the clear indication that the M9 has been built down to a price, I'm left feeling a bit underwhelmed, actually. I've bought an M9 but there's still the feeling in my mind of "a day late and a dollar short". Sorry. The X1 does nothing for me at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 Hi marknorton, Take a look here Bit of an anti-climax?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NB23 Posted September 9, 2009 Share #2 Posted September 9, 2009 Me too, I absolutely don't get the excitement over the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwind Posted September 9, 2009 Share #3 Posted September 9, 2009 My interest was the x-1 but a fixed 24 point and shoot for $2k, no thanks. I'll keep the d-lux4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted September 9, 2009 Share #4 Posted September 9, 2009 Well, after all the build-up and the hints of something we hadn't picked up and now the clear indication that the M9 has been built down to a price, I'm left feeling a bit underwhelmed, actually. I've bought an M9 but there's still the feeling in my mind of "a day late and a dollar short". Sorry. The X1 does nothing for me at all. Could you not have waited and have made an informed choice? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted September 9, 2009 Share #5 Posted September 9, 2009 Re the X1, I almost get it. I would be happy to have a high performance compact with hot shoe finders if the manual focus worked acceptably well and the camera was lag free to allow hyperfocal snap shooting. In many respects a smaller M8.3 with a crop sensor and fixed FL MF lens would have worked better for me (35mm equiv, as on the X1). I don't like cameras with lenses that pop in and out period. They are fragile, slow, have too many moving parts, tend to go wrong and, well, I prefer a lump of metal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted September 9, 2009 Share #6 Posted September 9, 2009 Re the X1.... I don't like cameras with lenses that pop in and out period. They are fragile, slow, have too many moving parts, tend to go wrong and, well, I prefer a lump of metal. My immediate reaction, too. More happy than ever to go on using my Digilux 2..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 9, 2009 Share #7 Posted September 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was quite excited to hear about the X1, the kind of digital camera I would imagine buying and possibly affordable to me (whereas the M9 is not!). First impressions without having seen one in the flesh; Likes - the form factor, genuine Leica camera (not a rebadged Panasonic), choice of lens focal length, sensor size/MP. Dislikes - lack of a built in optical viewfinder, shoe mounted finder but no pc socket = limited applications for flash (given that it could have been used for social/wedding photography), additional cost of that shoe mounted finder!, the pop-out lens - drains the battery, more fragile, and means it will have 'virtual' manual focus. I need to see one and try one to be convinced I guess, but from what I've read so far it's not quite the camera I was hoping for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted September 9, 2009 Share #8 Posted September 9, 2009 Leica has to improve their marketing. Having someone haltingly read from written notes to speak about a creative tool creates a bizarre dissonance. Given the buildup which seems to have grabbed a lot of media attention, the execution of the "event" was (IMO) amateur. I've been to more exciting "Back to School Nights for Parents" Probably little damage done but doesn't speak well for a company which prides itself on attention to detail. They could take a few lessons in marketing from "that other company" (you know, the one whose share price in Jan was in the $70/share range and is now $170+/share). A missed opportunity IMO. I still find the x1 potentially interesting. Leica=quirky design decisions+world class performance in compact packages. I'll live with its design decision quirks if it delivers the goods. How well it delivers the goods remains to be seen but the basics sound like they're in place. Both God and the devil are in the details. And we all at this forum seem to worship a God who is created in our own image. Good luck with that, Leica. I'll probably buy an M9 with gritted teeth and sell off my M8s. Full frame will give me a refreshed lens line-up that I would have had to spend a fair sum to match. The extra pixels are useful and the potential one + stop of noise improvement is worth a fair bit if you consider the difference in cost between an f2 and 1.4 lens. The high selling price and elimination of the M8 will keep the resale value of M8s reasonable. For that I'm grateful. Ffordes seems to have raised their M8 used prices over the past month or so. New M models have never been ground-breaking. Move a dial, add a feature, catch up to where other cameras have been for awhile is the M way. I wasn't expecting more. Just saying... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted September 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted September 9, 2009 Fast, though maybe that's JPG. See video at Leica X1 First Impressions. Mark-- Where do you get the impression "built down to a price"? I didn't even get that much from the video press conference. You say you've bought; have you taken delivery? I couldn't tell from webcast but it sounded as if the camera might be available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted September 9, 2009 Share #10 Posted September 9, 2009 the X1 = nice big sensor area + iso3200 ! looks a lot like my ancient iiif .... ... possibly nostalgic in that regard .... i see no resemblance to the M-class. i also (as others) dislike the extending/contracting lenses. strap lugs are HORRIBLY placed way forward of c.g. ...... the camera will rock back on your hip (like my Bessa-T's). truth be told, i would *not* do an even swap for my D2, to get one of these. i will wait for the *reduced-size* D2.x with the 24-60mm / f2.8-3.2 (which is a rumor i just started). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted September 9, 2009 Share #11 Posted September 9, 2009 Anyone HELD one yet? Or ACTUALLY USED either of them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hw9l Posted September 9, 2009 Share #12 Posted September 9, 2009 Well, I wished the X1 had an EVF, but even without one it's the travel camera I have been waiting for. If AF is fast enough and can be controlled manually, and if IQ meets my expectations, I will get one. It's no M9, but it's no DP1 or DP2 either. Panasonics RF1 looks interesting too, but I am one to prefer something simple with perfect quality, even if lenses are not interchangeable. Well, lets' wait and see, we sure have some time left to find the money... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted September 9, 2009 Share #13 Posted September 9, 2009 Anyone HELD one yet? Or ACTUALLY USED either of them? Sean Reid and M Reichmann have written up brief comments of the X1 based on pre-production samples. Neither have made definitive judgements but Sean Reid did use the word compelling in his initial observations with the usual asterisks. Sean will be posting a hands on review of the M9 tomorrow I believe. His site is easily worth the subscription price IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtodrick Posted September 9, 2009 Share #14 Posted September 9, 2009 I too had visions of how great the X1 could be. When Panasonic announced the GF-1 I was really hoping the X1 would be based on it...4/3 sensor, but with build quality of the Leica CM. I just didn't think they'd saddle us with a fixed lens. At 1/2 the price the GF-1 is where I'll be putting my money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandymc Posted September 9, 2009 Share #15 Posted September 9, 2009 Well, I can see the market for the X1, although its not for me - I still think that with the grip, its just pig-ugly. The M9 however - I think (and I take a risk here, not having seen and images in raw, but anyway) that this can be a real winner for Leica. FF, image quality that's nearly on a par with the D3x, small form factor, pricing that's admittedly at Leica levels, but not ridiculous, it looks really good. Lets face it, the M8 was a seriously compromised camera, but the M9 looks good. Lets just hope the lessons about reliability were learned. Sandy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted September 9, 2009 Share #16 Posted September 9, 2009 one more thing on the X1 .... torch the popup flash (pop-up flash, why??? ) and install a viewvinder (fixed lens.... this is easy!!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted September 9, 2009 Share #17 Posted September 9, 2009 Well, after all the build-up and the hints of something we hadn't picked up and now the clear indication that the M9 has been built down to a price, I'm left feeling a bit underwhelmed, actually. I've bought an M9 but there's still the feeling in my mind of "a day late and a dollar short". Sorry. The X1 does nothing for me at all. I have a similar feeling. As I posted elsewhere, I wish I hadn't read late posts yesterday about the possibility of even more incredible news. But, that feeling will pass quickly, and I'm left to decide if the M9 offers anything compelling...for me...over and above my M8.2. Well, my M8.2 has a better LCD screen, a top plate display (which I like), and most importantly, generates superb files for my type of shooting. And, I just happen to have fallen in love with the 28 cron asph and 50 lux asph on the camera, for FOV and image quality. I'm unlikely to go wider than 28. Filters are a non-issue for me...have them, stick them on, and forget them completely. So, unless IQ differences (and headroom for PP) along with high ISO performance prove compelling, I'm already a happy camper. (Small wish...quiet shutter like my M7s would have been tempting.) For a small back-up, I have the Dlux 4, and its zoom capability offers something the X1 doesn't...and the cost was less than a third of the new camera. Having said this, I think Leica did a fantastic job simultaneously introducing 3 wonderful products, which I'm sure will delight many new and existing customers. And, the S2 stands to be something really special, albeit with a price to match. Now, if Leica only reconsiders a slimmed down R11 based on the S2 (they did just say no to an R10, right?)... Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted September 9, 2009 Share #18 Posted September 9, 2009 Well the name X1 made me think of the Olympus XA. I dug a bit and found two of them in a box of stuff in my basement. Considering that this camera was very compact, had a decent viewfinder and rangefinder, a 35mm f2.8 (non extending lens,) shot on full frame, and was inexpensive... there's not much progress in 30+ years. It is almost as small as a digital pocket p&s but has a separate flash. I know all about the difficulty of using larger sensors with compact lenses, but it can't be done? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/95922-bit-of-an-anti-climax/?do=findComment&comment=1025121'>More sharing options...
ho_co Posted September 9, 2009 Share #19 Posted September 9, 2009 After reading the FAQ, I take back my earlier question about "building down to a price." The X1 doesn't quite hit it for me, either; but remember that APS-C is 33% bigger than micro FourThirds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 9, 2009 Share #20 Posted September 9, 2009 As someone mentioned earlier, their build-up / viral marketing was truly top notch. The delivery was indeed, underwhelming... well give them time, they'll improve for sure. That said, I also wish I had not read the additional speculations about something truly extraordinary coming down the pipes... anti-climax to say the least. As I most likely will not be buying any of the three offerings since they're not targeting my needs, I'm left to wonder amongst the latest offerings from other brands. After 28 years of loyal Leica R ownership through thick and thin, it has come to that. Oh well... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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