X1 v GF1 or M8

[kalina]

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What if the X2 would be an X1 with a 90eq mm lens (in a short design), the X3 one with a 280eq mm lens (short design) and the X4 with 20eq mm?

Would the weight of these 4 cameras compared an M9 with 4 lenses be less or more?

The price ticket would be smaller.

Jan

 

I don't think it'd be very wise to get any X* cameras if they were sold this way. Might as well get an M8 and a few lenses for much more enjoyment.

[Guest stnami]

........ no auto

[nhabedi]

I don't think it'd be very wise to get any X* cameras if they were sold this way. Might as well get an M8 and a few lenses for much more enjoyment.

 

I don't agree. If the X* were really good cameras, I'd much prefer to have two or three bodies with different focal lengths than one body with two or three lenses - assuming the combined weight of both combinations is comparable. You wouldn't have to switch lenses in a hurry and you wouldn't have to worry about dust. Plus, if one body fails, you'll still have a backup.

 

There's a reason many pros who used and use Ms always carried/carry two bodies with different lenses attached.

 

Yeah, of course the M is the "better" camera, but if you're talking about "an M8 and a few lenses" you shouldn't forget the price. One X1 is the price of a Summarit and you'll get the body for free...

[jankap]

That said, when I use my D-Lux 4, I probably use my zoom in 0.0000001% of all my shots, so for the type of shooting I do with a compact, the X1 might still be a good choice for me. I just wish the option to attach a zoom were there just in case I need it.

I have noticed the same by handling my D-Lux 4.

The "error" can be found in the preset of the camera. If the zoom would start (after switch on) at a 35 or 50 mm position, I would make better pictures! Because then I had to decide to use the zoom to get "more" on the picture. Starting at the 24 mm position I see, that the subject is on the picture (plus surroundings). I take the picture, the surroundings can be cropped in Photoshop later on. This is the wrong way of working (think of Cartier-Bresson).

Personally I had preferred a zoom in steps (24, 28, 35, 40, 50, 60 mm). I cannot regulate the zoom motor exact enough. We have seen in the forum, that many colleagues would have liked this way of zooming too.

Jan

PS

Wouldn't it be also very nice, if the camera could produce a candy? Just in case you would need one.

[samo-c]

regarding dof difference between X1 and GF1 with 20/1,7 lens is this equation true:

x1 = 2,8x-1.21(as EV value)=3,388 (on full frame)

gf1= 1,7x-1.94=3.298

so basically they would have nearly the same depth of field, around f/3,3 on full frame, is this true? thanks in advance

[Nick De Marco]

Despite some of the arguments above, I am finding the GF1 more and more attractive the more I read.

 

If I won Euro millions I would happily buy the M9 and not have this dilema. But I am not going to buy it. A second hand M8 is still expensive, plus I have had an M8 before and I was not happy with its noise at high isos or the fact it used to stall now and then. Still as a daylight walkabout camera it's great.

 

I have a 5D Mk II and this is a perfect camera for digital photography image quality, including high ISOs. I am not looking for a replacement for this, rather a walkabout, mainly daylight travel digital like I used to use the M8 for, so as not first digital camera not too expensive.

 

I am increasingly using film these days, especially Leica M rangefiners. One thing I really miss about the M8 is being able to use/test various different M or screw lenses on a digital camera. Of course you have to put up with the crop factor, but you can still get an idea of bokeh. sharpness, color rendition, whether an old lens cannot focus etc etc.

 

With the very well reviewed and fast 20mm f1.7 pancake lens, the GF1 looks like it could be a good daytime walkabout camera with 40mm equiv - and according to Luminous Landscape's review can male good 17 x 11 inch prints.

 

The other attraction this camera has is i could take it on holiday with me along with a couple of film Ms and interchange lenses with an adapter (something I could not do with the X1). The crop factor is frustrating, but on the other hand being able to have a small 70mm tele f2 Summicron equiv by using my 35mm cron, or 100mm f1.4 by using my Summilux, would be interesting indeed.

 

I am going to test one soon, but for the price and what I want it seems the clear winner between these three.

 

Luminous Landscape review link: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/gf1.shtml

[davephoto]

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With the very well reviewed and fast 20mm f1.7 pancake lens, the GF1 looks like it could be a good daytime walkabout camera with 40mm equiv - and according to Luminous Landscape's review can male good 17 x 11 inch prints.

 

 

I found his thoughts on the GF1 -- or the future-generation Olympus -- serving as a back-up body for the M-series interesting. Michael seems to embrace a view that both cameras can co-exist peacefully together. Of course, I don't know how many of us are in the market for both a GF1 and an M[9].

[leicanut2]

GF1 will never get the quality pictures of the M8 - 9 or the X1 there would be no comparison.

Many of us have the D-Lux2 or 3 or the D-lux4 in my opinion the best of the 3 cameras ( I have had them all ) but want the versatility of the interchangable lenses and have the need for longer zoom lens over the 110mm range this would fill that need. And as someone pointed out you can use Leica glass on these cameras both the M and R glass.

As for me I will get the GF1 but will not use my M glass on it. And when my D-lux 4 starts to fail then I will get the X1.

 

Jan

[markpsf]

Well I'm sort of the "stranger in town" having wandered into this forum because I want the X1. I have one on order...an act of faith in part.

 

I've been enjoying both the serious talk and the banter in this thread but think the jury is still clearly out on the X1 and GF1.

 

Will the write time on the X1 be a problem and are their other weaknesses? I sure hope there aren't but the fact is that right now we have a lot of specs and speculation, a few preproduction hands on "reviews", largely positive, but nothing approaching a full examination of the camera. I'm just hoping and betting it will be a terrific little camera as my first Leica.

 

I have a Panny GH1 and a Nikon D90. I like them for different purposes. The Four Thirds format is just fine and the GH1 camera is a joy to use. Different strokes for different...

Dismissing the format seems a little snobbish. The jury is still out on the GF1 but as a vehicle for using the first rate new 20mm lens and the forthcoming Leica 45mm lens it will probably be very very good.

 

And, if I could rob one of my country's corporate giants and get away with it I'd buy the

M9 in an instant. It is clearly on a different level.

 

Enjoying Leica land....

 

Mark

[wda]

If I thought a used M8 would soon be avialable for less than £1000 I guess that would be my preferred option though - and I would use it in a similar fashion - not so much in low light but otherwsie when I want a small (ish) non film camera for street shooting.

Nick, I feel you are the ultra-optimist if you think a worthwhile used M8 would be available for less than £1,000 in the near future. Had the M8 proved to be a 'lemon' maybe. But the fact that professional photographers have used M8s successfully for a few years suggests that many M8s will remain in their owners' hands for the foreseeable future. With a few exceptions, only habitual upgraders will be trading in their M8s soon after the launch of its successor.

[leicanut2]

I think the X1 will be the D-Lux4's replacement. Anyone get there LFI?? In there it says that the M8 and M8.2 are discontinued. Why? M9??? It also says that the X1 is all Leice with no panasonic involvement.

Now I am thinking about selling the D-lux4 and flash and viewfinder for the X1.

Ekkk I hope I would not get that sell it and upgrade feeling..

 

Cheers Jan