Leica X2 Revisited

[seajak]

Dave,

I'd really like to thank you for starting this thread. The X1 & X2 cameras weren't on my radar mainly because of the price. However, the simplicity of these cameras really appeals to me as I've always hated the 'bells and whistles' of most digital cameras (one of the reasons I still shoot film). I'm also excited by the idea of a 'digital Barnack'. Perhaps I won't be as grateful when my wife kicks me out for buying a second-hand X1 .

cheers,
clay

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by seajak

Dave,

I'd really like to thank you for starting this thread. The X1 & X2 cameras weren't on my radar mainly because of the price. However, the simplicity of these cameras really appeals to me as I've always hated the 'bells and whistles' of most digital cameras (one of the reasons I still shoot film). I'm also excited by the idea of a 'digital Barnack'. Perhaps I won't be as grateful when my wife kicks me out for buying a second-hand X1 .

cheers,
clay

Your are quite welcome, Clay.

The going price for a mint X1 is under $1000 (usually with accessories and LR software). I am struck by the quality feel of this little jewel and the simpleness of the camera really appeals to me. The IQ seals the deal. And I quite enjoy using the external viewfinder.

Can only imagine how much fun the X2 would be.

[jcrutcher]

Dave,

I second what Clay said, thank you for this thread!!!!

Jim

[seajak]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Can only imagine how much fun the X2 would be.

Dave,

The word "fun" should be used more often in camera descriptions. My M6 is so much fun to use, it's just a joy to take out for the day. My little Minoxes are also heaps of fun. However, my daughter wanted to get involved in photography and, as she was going through a rough period, I bought her an Olympus DSLR kit (against my better judgement). I tried to help her get a handle on it but it just never happened, there was no "fun", either for her or me, and now it sits on a shelf unused. Our digital point 'n' shoots are characterless, just something to take a picture with. This is why the X1 appeals to me, I think it is a digital camera I could have fun with.

cheers,
clay

[jcrutcher]

I just received the Leica Eveready leather case for the X2. Very nice and real close to the Barnack leather cases. Please exuse the crummy pictures, I rushed it in my office with poor lighting. Panny GX1 with 45-175 lens @ 1600 ISO.






I'll have to figure out what to do with the EVF and case. It's black and I believe it can attach to the strap, won't match but I'm not that picky.

Jim

[dave lackey]

Gorgeous!!!

[coelacanth]

Got the 28/35 viewfinder the X2. I've got Oly's EVF as well, but I'm finding myself going for LCD/OVF combo. She's now ready for the July 4th motorcycle ride that I'm planning to do.

[jky]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Just buy another one... they are relatively cheap.

Trust me... I would debate this over and over every now and then. It goes down to the processing and scanning that I don't want to deal with with film.

Going back to the X2 - can't wait to get my hands on one. My local dealer didn't have any in stock when I checked and so can't make a to-buy/not-to-buy decision...

I did get my hands on an X100 for several days and was (very) close to getting that instead, but that focus-acquisition-EVF-freeze thing irritates the crap out of me.

What's everybody's experience with this re: X2? My m4/3 GX1's focus freeze is very, very short and not bothersome at all.... does the X2 compare to that or to the X100?

Thanks!
j

[Corto]

Originally Posted by coelacanth

Got the 28/35 viewfinder the X2. I've got Oly's EVF as well, but I'm finding myself going for LCD/OVF combo. She's now ready for the July 4th motorcycle ride that I'm planning to do.

I wish you would take pictures of women like this....

[jcrutcher]

Originally Posted by jky

Trust me... I would debate this over and over every now and then. It goes down to the processing and scanning that I don't want to deal with with film.

Going back to the X2 - can't wait to get my hands on one. My local dealer didn't have any in stock when I checked and so can't make a to-buy/not-to-buy decision...

I did get my hands on an X100 for several days and was (very) close to getting that instead, but that focus-acquisition-EVF-freeze thing irritates the crap out of me.

What's everybody's experience with this re: X2? My m4/3 GX1's focus freeze is very, very short and not bothersome at all.... does the X2 compare to that or to the X100?

Thanks!
j

I have a Panasonic GX1 and both X1 and X2. The GX1 claim to fame for me is the continous tracking is quite good. The X1 is a better stationary subject camera. Now the X2 with the EVF is better than the GX1 because there is no lag that I can tell when you hit the shutter. The X1 with the OVF and the display turned off is also quite good, this combo works well stopped down and manual scale focused for street shooting. Both X1 and X2 manual focus is accurate and easy to use, the GX1 is not as easy. Lastly my experience is both Leica's have a higher IQ than the GX1.

If you want to photograph the traditional way with one lens, manual focus, ability to put in a pocket with excellent results (like a barnack) the Leica is the choice.

Jim

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jcrutcher

I have a Panasonic GX1 and both X1 and X2. The GX1 claim to fame for me is the continous tracking is quite good. The X1 is a better stationary subject camera. Now the X2 with the EVF is better than the GX1 because there is no lag that I can tell when you hit the shutter. The X1 with the OVF and the display turned off is also quite good, this combo works well stopped down and manual scale focused for street shooting. Both X1 and X2 manual focus is accurate and easy to use, the GX1 is not as easy. Lastly my experience is both Leica's have a higher IQ than the GX1.

If you want to photograph the traditional way with one lens, manual focus, ability to put in a pocket with excellent results (like a barnack) the Leica is the choice.

Jim

Yep...walking around with the X1 around my neck and the IIIF on a wrist strap is an incredible experience. So is swapping the IIIF with the M3.

[jky]

Thank you Jim. I'm even more excited now to handle the x2! Now to gather the funds...

[jky]

So... get off the plane... drop the girls off at home... sealed the grout in the washroom (just to put off the inevitable).... then bought the X2.

Just a couple of things:
1. I wish the focus would lock @ 1/2 press of the shutter.
2. Wish it had a higher res screen to better determine focus when manually focusing (although as many had mentioned, this is way better than the X1 in terms of response and clarity).

The AF is fine, but of course it can never be too fast.... future firmware?

I bought a VF2 for it today & although I think it puts a big dent (or wart?) on its otherwise sleek appearance, it *almost* takes care of #2 above.

Love:
- silent shutter
- those 2 dials on top
- nearly non-existent focus "freeze"
- how quickly it changes the meter when the light changes

This is only day 2... i can return/exchange it within 2 weeks of purchase... we'll see...
it was between this and the OMD.

[coelacanth]

Congrats on the purchase, jky.

I believe you can do #1: AF lock at 1/2 press. I'm doing it regularly.

Also, using the spot focusing patch (smaller than 1 point AF) would help when precise focusing is needed. X2 nails down the AF pretty good and I'm finding the LCD resolution quite fine IMHO. Though I am mostly just trusting the camera and/or zone focusing and shooting away.

Love to know more about what you think of the camera after putting some use to it.

[jky]

Originally Posted by coelacanth

Congrats on the purchase, jky.

I believe you can do #1: AF lock at 1/2 press. I'm doing it regularly.

Also, using the spot focusing patch (smaller than 1 point AF) would help when precise focusing is needed. X2 nails down the AF pretty good and I'm finding the LCD resolution quite fine IMHO. Though I am mostly just trusting the camera and/or zone focusing and shooting away.

Love to know more about what you think of the camera after putting some use to it.

sorry i wasn't clear... I meant lock focus @ half press and then keep firing the shutter away. The X2 is set up so you have to keep refocusing prior to each shot.

Yes, i agree that when the camera focuses - you can be rest assured it's focused where you pointed it. In addition, it locks focus adequately when contrast is low... a big plus!

[Godfrey]

I hope you enjoy it, jky.

I am going to buy the X2 but I'm not in a rush, been busy as all heck.

I've acquired the accessory bits I want for it. OVF (went for the Voigtländer rather than the extra for the Leica), EVF (Olympus instead of Leica), A&A half-case for a better grip, a screen protector, and one of those tricky lens caps that auto-opens as the lens extends. Probably order the camera and a spare battery before too long now. I might get one of the adapters to allow fitting a polarizer or ND filter.

(I noticed while handling both the X2 and OM-D at the shop was that the Leica feels really nice in the hand with an optical viewfinder fitted, where the Olympus feels awkward with the optical viewfinder and it's hard to get your eye up to it. I found the same thing with my old Panasonic G1. Another minor nuance, but I sure like a clear optical viewfinder for this type of camera.)

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by jky

sorry i wasn't clear... I meant lock focus @ half press and then keep firing the shutter away. The X2 is set up so you have to keep refocusing prior to each shot.

How about locking focus and then switching to manual focus having locked in a setting? That's what I do with other AF cameras.

[coelacanth]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

How about locking focus and then switching to manual focus having locked in a setting? That's what I do with other AF cameras.

And you can tap the AF/MF button twice to quickly switch between AF/MF.

[jky]

Originally Posted by coelacanth

And you can tap the AF/MF button twice to quickly switch between AF/MF.

Yes - that's the current workaround... really, it's just a habit of mine to half press that's all (coming from the GF1 & GX1). Not a deal breaker.

[jky]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

I hope you enjoy it, jky.

I am going to buy the X2 but I'm not in a rush, been busy as all heck.

I've acquired the accessory bits I want for it. OVF (went for the Voigtländer rather than the extra for the Leica), EVF (Olympus instead of Leica), A&A half-case for a better grip, a screen protector, and one of those tricky lens caps that auto-opens as the lens extends. Probably order the camera and a spare battery before too long now. I might get one of the adapters to allow fitting a polarizer or ND filter.

(I noticed while handling both the X2 and OM-D at the shop was that the Leica feels really nice in the hand with an optical viewfinder fitted, where the Olympus feels awkward with the optical viewfinder and it's hard to get your eye up to it. I found the same thing with my old Panasonic G1. Another minor nuance, but I sure like a clear optical viewfinder for this type of camera.)

I am enjoying it immensely... but I'm not sure if it's the new-gear-giddiness. One thing is for sure though - I really, really dig the dials. Really.
Btw, Godfrey, where did you get the auto-open lens cap?

jc

[jcrutcher]

Originally Posted by jky

I am enjoying it immensely... but I'm not sure if it's the new-gear-giddiness. One thing is for sure though - I really, really dig the dials. Really.
Btw, Godfrey, where did you get the auto-open lens cap?

jc

Congrats on your purchase!

Jim

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by jky

I am enjoying it immensely... but I'm not sure if it's the new-gear-giddiness. One thing is for sure though - I really, really dig the dials. Really.
Btw, Godfrey, where did you get the auto-open lens cap?

I know both of those thrills - new gear giddiness and the dial fetish - very well indeed. :-)

I found the lens cap gizmo on Ebay, about $26:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330745255340#ht_2757wt_1180

I'd seen one of these made for one of the small-sensor Ricoh GXR camera units and thought it made perfect sense for this kind of camera.

[gilpen123]

Btw, is that Leica X2 logo same size as those found on M. May look good with a black one if it is replaceable.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by gilpen123

Btw, is that Leica X2 logo same size as those found on M. May look good with a black one if it is replaceable.

It appears to be the same as on an M9....this would be a great idea, IMO.

[jky]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

I know both of those thrills - new gear giddiness and the dial fetish - very well indeed. :-)

I found the lens cap gizmo on Ebay, about $26:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330745255340#ht_2757wt_1180

I'd seen one of these made for one of the small-sensor Ricoh GXR camera units and thought it made perfect sense for this kind of camera.

Thanks for the link - purchased one.