Leica X2 Revisited

[Godfrey]

I was curious just what quality I could obtain out of the X2 at its highest sensitivity settings so I did a quick test, from ISO 12500 to ISO 800.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25268645/x2-noise/index.html

I'm pretty happy with what I see, even at ISO 12500.

enjoy!

[jky]

So... after taking it to Italy & Spain & shooting with it quite extensively what bothers me the most is this:

Slow shot to shot times which corresponds with long EVF/LCD blackouts. My LX5 is faster. It's still a fantastic camera though &, as mentioned many times, them knobs are great.

[jsrockit]

Yes, it's a nice camera with some shortcomings. It's still one of the smallest APS-C cameras out there with one of the best lenses. And, it has dedicated dials.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Yes, it's a nice camera with some shortcomings. It's still one of the smallest APS-C cameras out there with one of the best lenses. And, it has dedicated dials.

Heh, yes, and I am about to leave for one of my granddaughter's Thanksgiving programs at Kindergarten. My imperfect Leica will be in my pocket and I am looking forward to yet another opportunity to capture this exquisite little redhead in her own element. Here she is earlier this year without her nap (straight OOC image)...I suspect she will be her energetic, happy self today:



The M3 will stay home as it loaded with black and white film and doesn't fit in my pocket. I had to carry it in my bag all day and night at the ER last night, so smallness is of prime importance today.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

My imperfect Leica will be in my pocket and I am looking forward to yet another opportunity to capture this exquisite little redhead in her own element.

I hope I didn't offend by implying that it is not perfect. I use an even more tempermental camera right now... the Sigma DP2m. I suspect we choose to use these cameras for a reason though.

Here she is earlier this year without her nap...I suspect she will be her energetic, happy self today:

Too funny. I love the look of pissed off kids in photos.

[dave lackey]

Ha, ha...no, I agree, the X cameras are imperfect. You know you can't offend me. After dealing with heart failure and pneumonia for the past week (my wife's health issues, me...I am just exhausted), I forgot my smiley...

But, yes the X1 is imperfect. My M3 is imperfect, too.

But guess what I choose to use everyday of my life?...and the remaining days are getting shorter and shorter....

But I love to use these two cameras and for me, they simply fit and do what I need.

One day, I hope to have an X2/3/etc. but only when I can't do what I need to have done with what I have. I am happy.

Oh! Regarding the pissed off kid theme...got another one this morning! Just haven't had time to upload with all the doctor stuff today.

[robert blu]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Ha, ha...no, I agree, the X cameras are imperfect. You know you can't offend me. After dealing with heart failure and pneumonia for the past week, I forgot my smiley.

So, the X1 is imperfect. My M3 is imperfect.

But guess what I choose to use everyday of my life...and the remaining days are getting shorter and shorter....

But I love to use these two cameras and for me, they simply fit and do what I need.

One day, I hope to have an X2/3/etc. but only when I can't do what I need to have done with what I have. I am happy.

Oh! Regarding the pissed off kid theme...got another one this morning! Just haven't had time to upload with all the doctor stuff today.

...perfection does not belong to this world...
robert

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

After dealing with heart failure and pneumonia for the past week, I forgot my smiley.

Sorry to hear that Dave. I hope you are feeling better (or as good as can be expected).

[jcrutcher]

I'm sorry also Dave, I had heart surgery last month so I know some of what you're going through. I'll pray God looks after you and your wife.



Camera input. I also have a D-Lux 5 (LX3) and it is a super fast camera so the X's will be imperfect compared to that. The other side is the image quality, noise and image size of the X beats the little pannys hands down.

I use a few things to speed it up when I need fast pictures from the X.

Turn off the image stabilizer (it takes 2 images)
Turn off the LCD/EVF, go naked or use an optical finder
Turn off the picture review. takes processing power.
Raise the ISO so I can use F8, then manual focus. This will give you a pretty wide scale focus range.
If I'm worried that focus will not be sharp when using scale I force the flash on to stop the image quicker. This doesn't always work or is possible.

All that said I'm only in this situation 10% of the time I shoot with the X so it has been fun playing around with it.

Cheers!
Jim

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jcrutcher

I'm sorry also Dave, I had heart surgery last month so I know some of what you're going through. I'll pray God looks after you and your wife.



Camera input. I also have a D-Lux 5 (LX3) and it is a super fast camera so the X's will be imperfect compared to that. The other side is the image quality, noise and image size of the X beats the little pannys hands down.

I use a few things to speed it up when I need fast pictures from the X.

Turn off the image stabilizer (it takes 2 images)
Turn off the LCD/EVF, go naked or use an optical finder
Turn off the picture review. takes processing power.
Raise the ISO so I can use F8, then manual focus. This will give you a pretty wide scale focus range.
If I'm worried that focus will not be sharp when using scale I force the flash on to stop the image quicker. This doesn't always work or is possible.

All that said I'm only in this situation 10% of the time I shoot with the X so it has been fun playing around with it.

Cheers!
Jim

Dang, Jim, sorry I didn't hear about your surgery, my best wishes and prayers are with you. I need to keep in touch more often.

Regarding the DLUX, I would like to think that the new DLux6 could handle those occasions I need a longer lens and maybe I can sell a few things to swing one. Not sure if the IQ is nearly good enough though...can't try one out at any dealers within a day's drive... I love the idea of two small cameras in a small bag/two pockets that will cover my digital needs.

However, as a companion to the X cameras, images such as these are tempting:

http://flickriver.com/search/leica+d-lux+6/recent/

[jcrutcher]

Dave,

I just got a D-Lux 6 yesterday. First impression is it's at least one stop better on noise then the 5. Combine that with F1.4 over the 2.0 on the 5 it should be a good low light shooter. I've loved the 5 for exactly what you're thinking of in combinatin with the X. I'll let you know once I have a chance to shoot it more.
Jim

[jcrutcher]

Dave, here is a D-Lux 6 shot. F1.4 1/500 ISO 160 ND filter on.




100 % Crop





Not bad for a compact camera?

[asdzxc]

like my x2

[gilpen123]

Can't see the picture.