Luka, in the first set, I really like the first shot. Color of the rusty nails is right on to my eye also. The first shot from the funeral is particularly well done. With all the black clothing you could have easily blown the sky out but you got the cloud texture in there very nicely and that contributes a lot to the mood. Well done!
The X1 performed quite well. I was agonizing for a while for not using my 5DII + Zeiss 35/1.4 or 35/2 instead but in the end the Leica worked admirably.
Yes Ryan - a bit out of my element. Taking photos of a funeral is, well, a bit awkward but since a member of the family asked me to I thought it would be OK. It did get a bit less awkward for me when one of the nuns started snapping away with a P&S.
The X1 performed quite well. I was agonizing for a while for not using my 5DII + Zeiss 35/1.4 or 35/2 instead but in the end the Leica worked admirably.
Yes Ryan - a bit out of my element. Taking photos of a funeral is, well, a bit awkward but since a member of the family asked me to I thought it would be OK. It did get a bit less awkward for me when one of the nuns started snapping away with a P&S.
Posts like yours make me rethink selling the x1 on, they also show me that i suck
I'm also totally convinced I need to digitally matte my shots online, much better visual impact..now I have to figure a way to do it without ripping off your presentation style :/
jairy hunter wrote:
That nun shot is a classic. I am SO getting that X1 now.
Thanks but please don't let me be the reason for getting an X1. I can't state this more emphatically: The Leica X1 is a not a good camera.
It is very compact, it has a very good sensor, good optics but the rest of the camera is rubbish. The auto focus is awful - it's slower than the AF you'll find on a semi-modern P&S. Manual focus is not usable at all (the camera keeps changing the aperture automatically). Every operation with the camera is sloooooow. The LCD would have been considered low end in 2005. Its intended RAW developer (Lightroom/ACR) doesn't support the camera per se but uses default settings that produce crap images. So as a rule you need to post process your images before they become presentable. In fact I've found that doing a manual B&W conversion is a faster process than getting an acceptable color image. On the plus side, the dynamic range of the sensor is unbelievable. I can easily change the exposure +-3 stops without noticing any significant deterioration of the image quality.
There are situations where the X1 performs adequately. You need a fairly static scene and good light for the AF to work. The lens is good at f/2.8 but becomes excellent first at f/5.6 - so again, you need light. An alternative to the AF is to use zone focusing, but then again you need DOF, which means smaller apertures which again means that you'll need plenty of light.
I have no plans to sell my X1 - I'll stick with it and I'll use it whenever a DSLR is not practical. My initial complaints about the camera have however not changed and I would not recommend it to anybody outright. If you plan on buying it you should be aware that for the most part you are paying an awful lot for what is in effect a low-end P&S camera. Its only redeeming quality is that it can - if you are lucky - produce some very fine quality images.
Thanks so much for taking the time to compose that write up. I really appreciate hearing the first hand experience. I'm struggling with finding a good "portable"carry-around. After a few weeks of soul-searching, I've discovered that IQ is probably most important to me. I have had the D-Lux 4 for about a year and the shots aren't satisfactory. There's just something I can't put my finger on, and the controls are a little onerous. I often find I've inadvertently changed the settings and end up with a bunch of 16:9 portraits or +2 1/3 exp. compensation or JPGs (I'd rather shoot RAW). The build overall is good, but parts of the controls feel flimsy and insubstantial.
I like the construction of the G11 but from the IQ I've seen, it leaves a bit to be desired. GF1 looks pretty close to what I'm looking for but I really don't care about interchangeable lenses on a carry-around, and I haven't been blown away by the IQ I've seen on the PENs. I'm sure someone will try to convince me...haha! (and I'm open to that by the way!).
I really do appreciate your comments about the limitations of the X1. The M8 has pretty significant limitations as well, though (high ISO, NOISY shutter--irritating)...I can usually keep my subjects static for a few seconds anyway--at least I do for my rangefinder shots. I do want to learn LR, but presently I don't use it. I'm ok with workarounds and pp gymnastics. If I can find one I feel I can bite on, I think I'm gonna try it--especially after seeing the beautiful IQ you've achieved.
Jairy, really enjoyed your photos and blog. You have quite a diversity of shots and styles to your shots. You have quite a talent.
With "portable carry arounds", there is no ideal solution. There are very good options, but just depends on your what wants and what you are willing to compromise. You have suggested IQ is the most important, as it is for myself also, which is why I have opted the M9. Again compromises, but suits my needs. The NEX 5 is an excellent camera also, as are the m43's. For myself personally the camera is not the limiting factor, just me
I think it maybe wise to wait until after Photokina, and see what new products are on the horizon.
Charles: thanks for that insight. I'm a little out of the loop...when/where is photokina? I there a central place where the info will be disseminated? I suppose you're referring to a potential update to the x1?
I want the M9 just kind of over my price threshold--even with a trade in. An a little bigger and more fragile than I want to carry on a daily basis.
Thanks also for your comments on my blog (trying to guess *which* you're referring to--prolly needs updating!
Sebboh: I'm sure you know the reputation for poor or unreliable QC in these lenses. I happened score a good copy. I was being facetious--should have said "crappy" in quotations. Heresy I know to put one on an M8.
jairy hunter wrote:
Sebboh: I'm sure you know the reputation for poor or unreliable QC in these lenses. I happened score a good copy. I was being facetious--should have said "crappy" in quotations. Heresy I know to put one on an M8.
thanks, i was curious because i've always been a fan of the sonnar rendering and was looking for a cheap one to try on my NEX. have been trying to decide whether to get a jupiter now or save a bit for a nikkor s.
You can probably find a decent J8 for not too much on eBay, but they are notoriously "buyer beware " items. Not sure what they go for now--hot mine for about $25. Not a huge investment if it's wonky and I figure if I can get a decent image out of it.....
Sorry for hijacking the thread.
Edit: I think shipping from the eastern bloc was about $25, and I cant remember if there was an adapter needed from cameraquest.
