How to manual focus the X1

[lars_bergquist]

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This discussion touches on what I see (with my strictly in-store experience of the beastie) as the main failing of the XI: It is pretty useless for zone focusing.

 

For this, it has to have (a) a distance scale with settings between 2m and infinity, which are at present nonexistent, ( the ability to remember the focus setting when the camera automatically powers down to 'standby'. (a) could certainly be fixed with a firmware patch, ( probably too. But infinitely better would be a true Leica LTM solution: A front dial, but not for slow speeds but for manual focusing distances! And of course an 'A' setting for autofocus.

 

Now this raises the question of course where to put the red Leica logo ... and that may be why even a furure X2, if any, would continue to live with a limp.

 

The old man from the Age of the Leica IIIa

[Cirrus]

This discussion touches on what I see (with my strictly in-store experience of the beastie) as the main failing of the XI: It is pretty useless for zone focusing.

 

For this, it has to have (a) a distance scale with settings between 2m and infinity, which are at present nonexistent, ( the ability to remember the focus setting when the camera automatically powers down to 'standby'. (a) could certainly be fixed with a firmware patch, ( probably too. But infinitely better would be a true Leica LTM solution: A front dial, but not for slow speeds but for manual focusing distances! And of course an 'A' setting for autofocus.

 

Now this raises the question of course where to put the red Leica logo ... and that may be why even a furure X2, if any, would continue to live with a limp.

 

The old man from the Age of the Leica IIIa

 

The manual focusing problem is exaggerated in my experience and far from being useless. As has been posted in previous threads, the camera powers up at infinity. From there it is one click left to 8 meters, two clicks to five and three clicks to 3. From infinity you can do two swipes left on the wheel and it jumps to 2 meters. It would be better if the scale were expanded and the setting remained on power down, but it is quite usable now and the only way I use the camera. People forget that this is a 24mm lens and still has good depth of field.

Dan

P.S. How old are you? I ask because you keep mentioning it.

[SJP]

Nice looking dog! Great picture.

[reginaldwatkins]

After one month of use I find that the manual focus on the D-Lux 4 much better. It could be the full screen adjustment that is available on the D-Lux 4 and not the X1. I also like the battery door and the lens action on the D-Lux 4 better than the X1.

 

But it's all worth it as the image quality is far superior to any compact I've ever held in my hands.

[diogenis]

X1's focus wheel is not bad. What is bad and needs to get a firmware fix is it's sensitivity: you turn the wheel endlessly to go through all of its steps, that are preselected positions that click in stops and you can hear them. There must be something like 20ish stops for focusing.

The real differences with the super accurate rangefinder of an M is that with the M one can record with extreme accuracy and fluidity from close range and do so with great ease, while on the X1, the operation is not fluid, you have those stops, the LCD screen is not helping in the process with it being only 200k resolution (pixel size is big and it can be seen).

Leica can introduce a sensitivity setting for that wheel, as well as an accuracy factor for these focus clicks with some numerical feedback that will indicate max contrast via a digital number or something. It has the system in place.

[wda]

These are good points, diogenis. I do hope Leica remedy this situation with a firmware fix. (Leica listening?)

[diogenis]

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Indeed, but it also adds complexity, and maybe Leica's strategy with this camera is to attract a large variation of clientele from the Pro to the p&s shooter.

Doing all these things means added complexity and Leica is very rigor about that (and correct)

However, testing the X1 one can't but admire simplicity and perfection of a 50 year old tool like the M9/8 are while maintaining picture quality and precision. How can't you admire this? Amazing cameras...

[Ro1and]

Indeed, but it also adds complexity, and maybe Leica's strategy with this camera is to attract a large variation of clientele from the Pro to the p&s shooter.

 

 

If Leica's strategy is to attract the P&S shooter they need to make changes. My wife, a true P&S shooter, just got back from Peru. There were many shots, that in my opinion would have been excellent, however it was clear the dials moved which made the shots useless. Although I told her to insure the dials were on "A", she and I believe many others like her, just want the camera to work and not have to constantly check the dials. This problem could be resolved by improving pressure required or adding to the filmware the ability to disable the dials, this way P&S shooters can do just that and not worry about regularly checking the dials. This would also allow those would want the manual control to have it. Please don't get me wrong I love the camera, my wife hates it.

 

Sorry to the OP for being off topic

 

Roland

[jsrockit]

I never thought of the X1 as a P&S. To me its focus is on manual exposure and classic design. To me, it is closer to the M8 than to the D-LUX 4.

[msbel]

I never thought of the X1 as a P&S. To me its focus is on manual exposure and classic design. To me, it is closer to the M8 than to the D-LUX 4.

 

Agreed.

[magnolio]

I never thought of the X1 as a P&S. To me its focus is on manual exposure and classic design. To me, it is closer to the M8 than to the D-LUX 4.

jsrockit I agree 100%. There is a pleasure in taking pictures myself. Part of it is possibility of manual settings, which P&S don't allow.

magnolio