Leica X2 Revisited

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by semilog

Interesting. But kind of sends a torpedo into the side of that whole "Mercedes-Honda" analogy that you introduced upthread.

No, it does not. Metaphors are not to be taken too far...they never hold up. Besides, as a multi-decade Mercedes driver, I can honestly tell you that arguments within the MBCA itself still exist to this day when newcomers realize that Mercedes never made and still do not make all parts of their cars.

Nor do they all come from Germany.

Back to the OT....

[dave lackey]

These photos from Ming are stunning. Does anyone have any idea how the color conversions were done to make these images so.... amazing?

http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/05/14...-the-leica-x2/

[jsrockit]

Seems this camera has few fans...

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Seems this camera has few fans...

It's the brand, it's the cost, it's the other better values, it's the moon, it's the snobs who buy them, it's the drought, it's the economy, it's the hotshoe, it's Leica losing it's heritage, it's the stupid fools with a lot of money buying them, it's the....

Gearheads are the worst when it comes to bashing, IMO, are we not? Me? I much prefer to continue learning the camera and shooting what I have rather than measurebating with other gear.

Back to the OT..... what else can we learn about the camera before you take delivery?

[jsrockit]

Well, Leica and Value are never synonymous unfortunately. And I get that the Fujis are a better value for most... I even agree. But the X2 is small, lighter, more minimalist, and pretty. I guess I'm one of the "stupid fools with a lot of money buying them"... well, except the a lot of money part.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Well, Leica and Value are never synonymous unfortunately. And I get that the Fujis are a better value for most... I even agree. But the X2 is small, lighter, more minimalist, and pretty. I guess I'm one of the "stupid fools with a lot of money buying them"... well, except the a lot of money part.

Yep, me too...snob? Yep. Stupid? Yep. Foolish? Yep. Rich? Absolutely with the wealth of life, not money.

Lately I have been studying the aesthetics of the X1/X2 in comparison to the Barnacks and the more I see, the more I love it!

The LED screen on any camera is still a huge pain. It gets fingerprints, nose grease, can't see it in the bright sun, feels cold when fondling the camera and worst of all, I will have to get a Luigi case with the back flap to cover it up.

http://www.leicatime.com/X1naturalAg...ntFlatWarn.jpg
http://www.leicatime.com/X1naturRearClosed.jpg

[gnuyork]

got to shoot more with X1 this weekend. Loving it more and more...also my wife used it to shoot her cousin's graduation outside. I saw her photos were all shot at iso 1600 set from the time before when I was doing some indoor shots at night. She got scolded and got a lesson in proper iso usage

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Lately I have been studying the aesthetics of the X1/X2 in comparison to the Barnacks and the more I see, the more I love it!

True... I think those are Leica's potential buyers for the camera... people who love barnacks, but want it in digital form.

[Lss]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Seems this camera has few fans...

I never had a chance to try the X1 without buying, and my interest to buy it without trying was killed by the reportedly bad focusing (be it MF or AF). The image quality, size, silent shutter, and controls certainly made the X1 interesting. The used (and new) prices are still too high for me to just get one, unless I can test it first.

Now, the X2 is said to improve greatly in AF performance. The EVF is a further key improvement. For me, only integrated OVF and video are really missing. And I could live with those omissions with the Sigma DP1 in the past (Sigma did video, but only VGA).

Personally, the camera is too much money, but I sure like the product based on its specs and samples. The size is so nice that I could almost consider selling either the M8 or R-D1 to finance this purchase. I would still be able to use two cameras when needed but would lose a real digital backup for M lenses. If the X2 had an optical viewfinder (something like the Fuji ones without the hybrid EVF option), I might do this (for me) completely crazy switch.

[dave lackey]

Wow...just picked up the A&A silk strap from atlcruiser. Beautiful! Perfect fit and comfort. Should have done this long ago....

[jsrockit]

Yes Dave... a few of my aquaintences make fun of my expensive strap, but to me it is the most important part of my camera... so I'm comfortable for the day.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Yes Dave... a few of my aquaintences make fun of my expensive strap, but to me it is the most important part of my camera... so I'm comfortable for the day.

Well, $70 is a lot for me right now but it is a good bit cheaper than I would have had to pay for a new one. I now understand just how good these straps are!

Can't wait to find a red one and a black case with red stitching for the IIIF.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Well, $70 is a lot for me right now but it is a good bit cheaper than I would have had to pay for a new one.

After tax and shipping, they cost about $140. So, yeah, you did well. It's funny, those same friends that make fun of these straps have every accessory under the sun...but a cheap strap. I only add a strap to my cameras... well, except the VFs for the X2.

[jsrockit]

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/0...e-with-the-x2/

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/0...e-with-the-x2/

Thanks for that link, John! It appears the BW conversion for the X2 compares favorably!

Just wondering though, isn't the 24mm X2 lens supposed to effectively the same as the 35mm lens on the M9? Would have expected a similar pov from each.

Oh, btw, the Leica M-M is really much better than the M9 BW conversions as shown here:

http://www.reddotforum.com/content.p...m-vs.-Leica-M9

From what I understand after reading Ming Thein's last blog entry, the M-M was compared with the Nikon 800E and with the Bayer filter removed, the M-M had a higher resolution than the 800E...

So, if we get an X2 Monochrome, we will also get a doubling in resolution? This is getting verrrry interesting indeed.

[Lss]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

So, if we get an X2 Monochrome

X2 Monochrom at the same price as the X2 would be very interesting.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Thanks for that link, John! It appears the BW conversion for the X2 compares favorably!

Just wondering though, isn't the 24mm X2 lens supposed to effectively the same as the 35mm lens on the M9? Would have expected a similar pov from each. ...

It looked to me as if the X2 shot was made from a closer distance to achieve similar background blurring at f/4.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Thanks for that link, John! It appears the BW conversion for the X2 compares favorably!

Just wondering though, isn't the 24mm X2 lens supposed to effectively the same as the 35mm lens on the M9? Would have expected a similar pov from each.

Oh, btw, the Leica M-M is really much better than the M9 BW conversions as shown here:

http://www.reddotforum.com/content.p...m-vs.-Leica-M9

From what I understand after reading Ming Thein's last blog entry, the M-M was compared with the Nikon 800E and with the Bayer filter removed, the M-M had a higher resolution than the 800E...

So, if we get an X2 Monochrome, we will also get a doubling in resolution? This is getting verrrry interesting indeed.

It seems it wasn't a test, but more of a light hearted post by Steve Huff. It doesn't tell us much other than the X2 will be just fine for photography.

As far as an all B&W camera... I'd have to think that through for awhile. I'm primarily a color photographer. It could be fun though.

[jippiejee]

There's a long review of the Leica X2 now by Steve Huff:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/0...-their-charms/

[jsrockit]

From the review... looks awesome. I'm not a big fan of the EVF for the everyday, but for looking down, waist level style, I'll have to have one.

[helenhill]

Thx Jippeejee/ After reading the Article
I think I could be HAPPY with the X1...really
All i would probably use it for is shooting Interiors of My Work for Portfolio
and the occasional Fun Late Night Time Shots

[jippiejee]

Originally Posted by helenhill

... I think I could be HAPPY with the X1...really
All i would probably use it for is shooting Interiors of My Work for Portfolio
and the occasional Fun Late Night Time Shots

Haha, that's also what I mostly use my X1 for. I really like the looks of the X2, but I'll stick to my X1 after reading this review. It's just not enough of an upgrade to justify the extra money I'd have to throw at it.

[jippiejee]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

.............

I have to admit it looks damn sexy.

[jsrockit]

It certainly does. I'm very excited to get this camera. Loved the X1 except for AF speed and the steel grey color. The X2 fixes both. I could be 1-2 weeks from actually using it. Excited despite having the X100 and X-Pro1.

[jky]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

.............

Damn thats nice in chrome!
As fast as reports say?