fecklessderek Posted October 19, 2009 Share #21 Posted October 19, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) This comparison is a bit flawed, though. The X1 comes with a lens... True, but you get this from cameraquest to get cracking: 35/2.5 Pancake II M MOUNT, Compact Leica M mount lens, black only, same glass as 35/2.5C, For ANY M mount camera! PICS $329 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 Hi fecklessderek, Take a look here Brilliant simplicity. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jsrockit Posted October 19, 2009 Share #22 Posted October 19, 2009 This comparison is a bit flawed, though. The X1 comes with a lens... Already have an M lens... currently on my M2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share #23 Posted December 29, 2009 The Olympus EP-1 and EP-2, Panasonic GF-1, and Sigma DP2 are being seen as direct competitors to the Leica X1. OK, they might have a nice retro look -- well, the Olympus anyway -- which is fine if you just by by looks alone, but they are actually very different beasts when it comes to handling. All rely on the hunt and peck LCD and menu interface. And they are bursting with special features. For example, the EP-1 boasts about 14 modes including "children, candle, beach and snow," while "art filter" includes "pop art, soft focus, grainy film and pin hole." The new EP-2 will boast even more special FX filters. The GF-1 has 21 pages of menus and "film modes" including "smooth and nostalgic." The Sigma seems to only have PASM, which is more straightforward, but still has lots of menu options. The X1, however, is minimalist (although only in comparison, it still has hosts of settings and choices). Someone criticized it for not having HD video. I'm not a videographer, and if I wanted a video camera I'd go and buy one. All the special modes on these models just look gimmicky. In fact they put me off. I'd far prefer a simple aperture and shutter dials. But is that just me? Are all these multi modes actually a selling point for anyone here? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 29, 2009 Share #24 Posted December 29, 2009 But is that just me? Are all these multi modes actually a selling point for anyone here? I agree... I wish more companies would adopt a minimalist approach. However, outside of Leica world... I think people do like these things. I guess these other companies are going for more of a mainstream approach to camera making. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanidel Posted December 29, 2009 Share #25 Posted December 29, 2009 The X1, however, is minimalist (although only in comparison, it still has hosts of settings and choices). Someone criticized it for not having HD video. I'm not a videographer, and if I wanted a video camera I'd go and buy one. All the special modes on these models just look gimmicky. In fact they put me off. I'd far prefer a simple aperture and shutter dials. But is that just me? Are all these multi modes actually a selling point for anyone here? Have you actually used the DP2 ? Put it on manual focus, Aperture priority and no need to look at the LCD nor to play with menus. You just modify the aperture by clicking on the dedicated buttons. I often just turn off the screen. I see it this way, the X1 is a great tool for slower path photography. The DP2 is more adapted to street photography just because of its scaled focus dial that allows you to manual focus much faster. But both are minimalist if you want them to be, I think you are a bit too in love with the sexy body of the X1 ... as they say, the interior counts too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stkorn Posted December 29, 2009 Share #26 Posted December 29, 2009 The Olympus EP-1 and EP-2, Panasonic GF-1, and Sigma DP2 are being seen as direct competitors to the Leica X1. OK, they might have a nice retro look -- well, the Olympus anyway -- which is fine if you just by by looks alone, but they are actually very different beasts when it comes to handling. All rely on the hunt and peck LCD and menu interface. And they are bursting with special features. For example, the EP-1 boasts about 14 modes including "children, candle, beach and snow," while "art filter" includes "pop art, soft focus, grainy film and pin hole." The new EP-2 will boast even more special FX filters. The GF-1 has 21 pages of menus and "film modes" including "smooth and nostalgic." The Sigma seems to only have PASM, which is more straightforward, but still has lots of menu options. Yeah, I have to disagree with you here. The handling on the EP-2 is very intuitive and I haven't used a non-rangefinder camera in about 10 years. I set it up for aperture priority mode and center weighted exposure with either manual focus or AF plus MF, use the excellent EVF with the rear LCD off and it feels an awful lot like an RD-1 or M8 . I agree the scene modes are stupid but they don't get in the way you just never use them. The art filters are actually kind of fun though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted December 29, 2009 Share #27 Posted December 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Olympus EP-1 and EP-2, Panasonic GF-1, and Sigma DP2 are being seen as direct competitors to the Leica X1. OK, they might have a nice retro look -- well, the Olympus anyway -- which is fine if you just by by looks alone, but they are actually very different beasts when it comes to handling. All rely on the hunt and peck LCD and menu interface. And they are bursting with special features. For example, the EP-1 boasts about 14 modes including "children, candle, beach and snow," while "art filter" includes "pop art, soft focus, grainy film and pin hole." The new EP-2 will boast even more special FX filters. The GF-1 has 21 pages of menus and "film modes" including "smooth and nostalgic." The Sigma seems to only have PASM, which is more straightforward, but still has lots of menu options. The X1, however, is minimalist (although only in comparison, it still has hosts of settings and choices). Someone criticized it for not having HD video. I'm not a videographer, and if I wanted a video camera I'd go and buy one. All the special modes on these models just look gimmicky. In fact they put me off. I'd far prefer a simple aperture and shutter dials. But is that just me? Are all these multi modes actually a selling point for anyone here? Thought I would answer to your rant, but then realised you obviously haven't used any of these cameras........ Only one to think about, am glad the X1 does not rely on hunt and pack lcd. In that regard, the X1 is actually the most crippled one of the three others mentioned:rolleyes:. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share #28 Posted December 29, 2009 Thanks for answering my rant, Ecaton. Do I take it that's a yes -- the LCD interface is a selling point for you? Well, I have tried quite a few digi cameras, but only in the sense of having a play with them in the shop, otherwise my opinions are based solely on reviews and specs published online. Like all computerized products, it's possible to get the hang of them -- but if they're too complex, I don't bother and go for what's simplest. If scene modes, as stkorn says, are "stupid" and you can just ignore them, why have them in the fist place? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stkorn Posted December 30, 2009 Share #29 Posted December 30, 2009 If scene modes, as stkorn says, are "stupid" and you can just ignore them, why have them in the fist place? yes I agree but unfortunately no camera is going to be perfect and considering all the things Olympus did well with this one its a pretty minor factor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted December 30, 2009 Share #30 Posted December 30, 2009 Thanks for answering my rant, Ecaton. Do I take it that's a yes -- the LCD interface is a selling point for you? Well, I have tried quite a few digi cameras, but only in the sense of having a play with them in the shop, otherwise my opinions are based solely on reviews and specs published online. Like all computerized products, it's possible to get the hang of them -- but if they're too complex, I don't bother and go for what's simplest. If scene modes, as stkorn says, are "stupid" and you can just ignore them, why have them in the fist place? Not really my point. The EP2 has a superior (E)VF as compared to the X1 and the DP2 wins the mf/zone focusing contest. All I need (mostly) is aperture priority, ISO, WB and switch from AF to MF possible in the blink of an eye. The rest of the "computer stuff" is used rarely, and does not get into my way. Oh, and yes, I use both, EP2 and DP2, the latter one is my favorite as a minimalist pocketable, high IQ digital camera. If it had a separate ISO dial, faster AF and shorter file write time, the bar would indeed be very very high for the X1. Now it's just high, particularly when price is considered as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosuna Posted December 30, 2009 Share #31 Posted December 30, 2009 I don't like the tactile feel of the shutter speed and aperture value wheels... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver8 Posted December 30, 2009 Share #32 Posted December 30, 2009 All the special modes on these models just look gimmicky. In fact they put me off. I'd far prefer a simple aperture and shutter dials. But is that just me? Are all these multi modes actually a selling point for anyone here? All you need in a camera is shutter speed, aperature, ISO, focus, and a meter. Everything else is superfluous and makes the camera more complicated than necessary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 30, 2009 Share #33 Posted December 30, 2009 They would have had a winner if it took an M lens or maybe even a pair of special af lenses, 40/90 like a CL or even a fixed lens that does not shoot in and out. But at $2000 with a fixed lens that does not zoom is plain nuts in my opinion. Somebody will buy it just because of the red dot, but the same camera with a Pansonic name would not draw a glance. Time will tell when it is discontinued inside a year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 30, 2009 Share #34 Posted December 30, 2009 But at $2000 with a fixed lens that does not zoom is plain nuts in my opinion. Somebody will buy it just because of the red dot, but the same camera with a Pansonic name would not draw a glance. fixed zoom? Seriously, I'd love for Panasonic to make their own version of the X1... especially if the only differences were in the aesthetics. That would probably bring the X1 down to a good price. I would not underestimate the number of Leica fans that like that it does not have a zoom. Fixed lens = better lens generally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #35 Posted December 31, 2009 Agree if you can set ISO, shutter speed, aperture and WB quickly and easily, those are the essentials. Which still begs the question, why have all those extra modes? I reckon dials still beat menus and LCD. One control to look at instead of about three. I don't think I'd bother with manual zone focus, though. With an M Leica all I do is look a the lens and turn it, maybe adjust for max DOF. Quick and easy. It's just very hard to beat manual controls for speed and simplicity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 31, 2009 Share #36 Posted December 31, 2009 We live in a world where people think more = better for the most part... many don't get simplicity. I think if you don't know what you are doing, you think you are getting more for your money when you get more features. However, once you know what you are doing, you decide which features are actually usable to you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhs1963 Posted December 31, 2009 Share #37 Posted December 31, 2009 Nope, i think gimmicks are not a selling point. Mobile phones for me are like for making a call/text and thats it. Same idea why i'm buying the x1 as my first camera. In the real world though do people really use all the extra gimmicky stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craftsman Posted January 2, 2010 Share #38 Posted January 2, 2010 I like simplicity too, but not at those prices. Besides I don't have a fear of buttons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhs1963 Posted January 2, 2010 Share #39 Posted January 2, 2010 So what camera would you suggest? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 2, 2010 Share #40 Posted January 2, 2010 So what camera would you suggest? S90, if there will be nothing new after Pani's LX3 in Vegas at the end of the month. Or a Rolleiflex GX if you like Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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