Leica X2 Revisited

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

A quick snapshot while camping before Easter.



No effort at all...no post work...no flash...no sweat.

Since then, I have been working on some creative portraits and hope to post some decent images in the future.

Hopefully, I will be able to rise to this level:

http://www.flickriver.com/groups/lei...l/interesting/

very nice shot! no post work?

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jippiejee

I'd like to upgrade my X1 to the X2. Camera is almost perfect, but when a 4x times faster AF (as rumored) is real, an X2 would seem like a great upgrade. Took out my X1 today again... just because it's such a fun camera to take anywhere. Even for beers...


tasje by aad_b, on Flickr

Sharp as a tack!

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

very nice shot! no post work?

Oops, sorry...nothing exposure or crop-wise.
Nothing other than adding a small vignette to complement the dark background.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

I have wanted the X1 since it came out - but I couldn't pay 2k for it - got it for less than $700 including all the accessories, even the leica finder - I couldn't pass that up. I'm happy, happy. I figure worst case scenario I could probably sell it for more than that, but so far it's a keeper. A nice compact digital to go with us on trips. A nice replacement for my wife's digital elph of 2002ish...

Only day three with it so far. I'll try to put it through the paces this weekend if I have time. Got a new 16Gig Sd card for it last night from costco.

Whoa..that was a steal!

[jsrockit]

$700? I'll take two please!

[robert blu]

Ok, x1 is excellent, and in the right hands can give very good results. As I wrote here it will be my main and only camera in a workshop I'll take part in at the end of the month. Not sure my hands are up to the camera
Hopefully I can get some good pictures.
The real point about upgrading to x2 is the cost, where I live (Italy) in a very difficult economic situation there is not a market for a pre-owned camera like the x1. Who still has money usually has a lot of money and goes m9 or m..., who has not much money prefer to spare because the future is unknown and eventually buy a cheap camera.
I'll stay with my x1, the excellent lens it has and try to get the maximum out of it.
robert

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by robert blu

Ok, x1 is excellent, and in the right hands can give very good results. As I wrote here it will be my main and only camera in a workshop I'll take part in at the end of the month. Not sure my hands are up to the camera
Hopefully I can get some good pictures.
The real point about upgrading to x2 is the cost, where I live (Italy) in a very difficult economic situation there is not a market for a pre-owned camera like the x1. Who still has money usually has a lot of money and goes m9 or m..., who has not much money prefer to spare because the future is unknown and eventually buy a cheap camera.
I'll stay with my x1, the excellent lens it has and try to get the maximum out of it.
robert

Robert, that sounds fun...going to a workshop with the X1. I have never been to a digital workshop, only film, and you certainly have a good camera for that, wish I could join you!

[dave lackey]

Leica X1 and digiscoping...


What a great concept! But I cannot afford that setup. Is there an alternative to an expensive digiscope, such as a telescope or R lens adaptor?

[jcrutcher]

Dave
Excellent thread. I've pulled my X1 out to shoot this weekend after reading this. I love it, only gripe is the autofocus which I've never really mastered. I might consider a x2 if they improved the focus. Manual focus or scale focus is awesome.

Jim

[gnuyork]

I'll have to read through the manual, but I don't quite get how the manual focus works.

My only other gripe with the X1 is the LCD screen resolution - but I have used the M9 and it's the same thing.

Also I do feel like it could be dropped easily. I may get the little grip accessory for it.

...and one more thing - is it possible to shoot DNG only and not have to shoot a jpg along with it? The jpgs are a waste of space for me.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

I'll have to read through the manual, but I don't quite get how the manual focus works.

My only other gripe with the X1 is the LCD screen resolution - but I have used the M9 and it's the same thing.

Also I do feel like it could be dropped easily. I may get the little grip accessory for it.

...and one more thing - is it possible to shoot DNG only and not have to shoot a jpg along with it? The jpgs are a waste of space for me.

Manual Focus is via the bottom button on the right side within the round dial. You can set Auto and Autofocus (which extends the range that Auto has to include the closer focus), and the MF which can be locked by pressing the delete/focus button on the left side for 2 seconds. The manual goes through all of this and it is not difficult. The scale focus screen pops up when you spin the wheel dial and you can set the range for scale focus.

There are a lot of ins and outs:

1. Forget the LCD screen except to be sure you like the big things such as framing, WB, general idea of focus. Later you can watch the other settings but not necessary to start with. An external VF with scale focus is a joy to work with...instantaneous images upon shutter release and much more fun than live view.

2. Set the menu item for DNG + jpeg but set the jpeg at 3mb so it doesn't take up much space. But, there are many times a fine jpeg is plenty good so don't just dismiss it as useless.

3. The handgrip is nice, I am sure but having never needed one I can't say. The A&A half case has a grip on the front and it makes the whole thing much easier to grip whilst protecting the camera itself.

[dave lackey]

Ahhh...

Flickriver is now starting with the Leica X2 photos from Mr. Hoveeto...and Mingthein...
http://www.flickriver.com/search/leica+x2/

Will be interesting to watch this link as new photos are posted to Flickr.

[jcrutcher]

Damn! I just bought one! Darn it Dave.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jcrutcher

Damn! I just bought one! Darn it Dave.

Whoa!!! Congratulations, my man! That is too cool....

Now ya gotta start a "Post Your X2 Photos" thread... Because we wanna see 'em!

BTW, which color and accessories did you buy?

[jcrutcher]

Silver. No accessories. On my X1 I have a thumbs up and a wriststrap. I will try it without both to make it more pocketable. If I need a strap I'll put a Gordy String mount on, easier to fold up and pocket. I'll leave my options open until I use it. I have a D-Lux 5 with a EVF. I don't use the EVF much since it adds so much to the size. On the X1 I do use a 28/35 Cosina optical viewfinder about 1/2 the time. When in use I shut off the screen, it seems to focus faster but you don't know what it's focusing on. All options are open. I'll shoot it right away and post.
Jim

[helenhill]

Me thinks the X2 could be a PURRfect digital
To accompany my M4

Love it's rendering of B& W and the Colour it does 'Pops' beautifully

Question though: is it really so much better than the X1
Because I have seen X1's minty condt for about 13-$1400.00

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jcrutcher

Silver. No accessories. On my X1 I have a thumbs up and a wriststrap. I will try it without both to make it more pocketable. If I need a strap I'll put a Gordy String mount on, easier to fold up and pocket. I'll leave my options open until I use it. I have a D-Lux 5 with a EVF. I don't use the EVF much since it adds so much to the size. On the X1 I do use a 28/35 Cosina optical viewfinder about 1/2 the time. When in use I shut off the screen, it seems to focus faster but you don't know what it's focusing on. All options are open. I'll shoot it right away and post.
Jim

Jim, can't wait! Hey, I have been using the Op-Tech finger cuff (something like $4.00!!!) on the loaner and it takes a little getting used to but disappears when you use it and you never notice it when it's in the case. I bought for the departed XA2 and used it on the IIIF but it is perfect on the X body.

http://optechusa.com/skin/frontend/o...rCuffBlack.jpg

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by helenhill

Me thinks the X2 could be a PURRfect digital
To accompany my M4

Love it's rendering of B& W and the Colour it does 'Pops' beautifully

Question though: is it really so much better than the X1
Because I have seen X1's minty condt for about 13-$1400.00

Helen, the X1 is quite the camera I hoped for and although it is hard for me to get used to thinking like a 35mm shooter, it is wonderful to use. The X2 can only be better, I would think but the X1 does have only a slow AF to really grumble about if one is used to quicker AF action. Me? I work around it and have no problem.

Minty X1's are going for around $800-1000 with no accessories. Except for the post above where one of our members (lucky dog), got it all for $700.

[helenhill]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Helen, the X1 is quite the camera I hoped for and although it is hard for me to get used to thinking like a 35mm shooter, it is wonderful to use. The X2 can only be better, I would think but the X1 does have only a slow AF to really grumble about if one is used to quicker AF action. Me? I work around it and have no problem.

Minty X1's are going for around $800-1000 with no accessories. Except for the post above where one of our members (lucky dog), got it all for $700.

Jeez for that price Dave 800. -1000.00 minty....someone please let me know

[jsrockit]

It appears this one is ISO 12800 (I hope):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terakop...n/photostream/

[helenhill]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

It appears this one is ISO 12800 (I hope):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terakop...n/photostream/

Ouch ... A little too much noise for my Taste

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Helen, the X1 is quite the camera I hoped for and although it is hard for me to get used to thinking like a 35mm shooter, it is wonderful to use. The X2 can only be better, I would think but the X1 does have only a slow AF to really grumble about if one is used to quicker AF action. Me? I work around it and have no problem.

Minty X1's are going for around $800-1000 with no accessories. Except for the post above where one of our members (lucky dog), got it all for $700.

Actually $640 (with all accessories too) - not to rub it in

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

It appears this one is ISO 12800 (I hope):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terakop...n/photostream/

Nah...no data anywhere on what camera, iso, nothing!

Here is a documented ISO 12,500 image:

http://www.magezinepublishing.com/eq...1337200704.jpg

[f16sunshine]

I don't know. I tried holding the x1 for a few shots in the shop when I was last there (Yesterday). It feels a bit to slippery for me. I agree Sort of like.. "digital Barnack" but, I felt worried to cradle it around the body and to the base of the lens when at the ready (extended). You know like you might hold a camera at the ready. Maybe with a thumbs up or half case with a grip. It can't just be me. The camera is a bit too cute in it's design. A grip on the shutter side would be most welcome.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by f16sunshine

I don't know. I tried holding the x1 for a few shots in the shop when I was last there (Yesterday). It feels a bit to slippery for me. I agree Sort of like.. "digital Barnack" but, I felt worried to cradle it around the body and to the base of the lens when at the ready (extended). You know like you might hold a camera at the ready. Maybe with a thumbs up or half case with a grip. It can't just be me. The camera is a bit too cute in it's design. A grip on the shutter side would be most welcome.

Yes, it is slippery. That is why I said the A&A half case solves that problem quite well! The X2 with a leather cover may be grippier but a half case protects as well as adds better grip.