Leica X1 Still Worth Getting?

[justinj]

The Leica X1 has always been one of those cameras that I've wanted since it came out. But is it still worth getting brand new or even used? I'm not sure what Leica's upcoming "economical" camera is going to be, but would definitely wait it out if its something like an X1, and around the same price range.

 

[canetsbe]

I love my X1. So much so that it's the only digital camera I kept after going all film (well, mostly film since I have the X1.) I've had mine since November 2010 and Leica replaced it under warranty when it got dust on the sensor. Would I buy one new now? Probably not, I would probably get a Ricoh GXR with the 28 and M module. Would I buy one used? Maybe for $1000, but I don't know how much they're going for these days. Maybe the wait-and-see approach is best for now.

 

[kbg32]

Leica is supposed to announce a mirrorless camera this February. Could be an upgrade to the X1 or something totally different.

 

[jsolanzo]

In my opinion, I would certainly get the Fuji x100 over it. Just my opinion. A lot cheaper too.

 

[sepiareverb]

The X1 is a wonderful camera. For all the hype about the X100 and it's "M-like" look and feel the X1 is a Barnack with a sensor. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Supremely easy to shoot in manual mode if one desires, yet can also be as simple as the most basic P&S. Image quality is outstanding in my experience. I've shot my X1 (second-hand, never a problem with it - and thanks again Frank) in mostly low light situations, I rarely get it below ISO 1600, and have prints 20" tall that look GREAT. At ISO 160 it is even better. I do not hesitate to recommend the X1 as a top-notch tool. I lent mine to a student for a few weeks and his complaint was it was too quiet- he was never sure if he'd taken the shot or not.

My only complaint is that I didn't get the black one. Minor at best.

 

[Vics]

I think the X1 still has the edge! http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=leica+x1

 

[gavinlg]

Personally, no viewfinder no care.

 

[Messsucherkamera]

Personally, no viewfinder no care.

What he said...😉

 

[dof]

I'm not sure what Leica's upcoming "economical" camera is going to be, but would definitely wait it out if its something like an X1, and around the same price range.

My guess is that as the X-Pro 1 is to the X100, Leica's upcoming camera will be priced somewhere between the X1 and M9. I'd be very surprised to see it come in around the same price range.

 

[bwcolor]

Leica is supposed to announce a mirrorless camera this February. Could be an upgrade to the X1 or something totally different.

I've heard September at Photokina... Where did the February date come from?

 

[Matus]

While far from perfect, the X1 does have the size advantage over all other mirror-less cameras. I did consider it myself some8 months ago and finally decided against it (several factors put together including the price).

I would probably also go with the GXR M-mount today.

Still - I would consider only the black version of the X1 as it has much better leatherette.

I know leica will introduce (or better to say announce) some kind of mirror-less AF stuff at Photokina 2012, but I would actually hope that they would also bring an X2 with some stuff improved, but keeping the size.

Let's see ....

 

[taskoni]

and have prints 20" tall that look GREAT.

I went even bigger and projected a shot from my X1 on the presidential palace wall in Latvia for the crew picture of the last film I shot.

See how the crew picture sucks (shot with high end ****n DSLR) but the projection form X1 is cool 😀

 

[robert blu]

I like my x1 (with viewfinder). It's not perfect for all situation, I had some difficulties last week end when shooting at a Carnival Parade, low light (winter time here) and slow auto focus + some shutter lag made it difficult to get the frame I wanted. Even at 1.600 iso I had to work at f 4 max and 1/60 th which made manual focus difficult and the subject was even moving (parade)! But in a little more than one year I have it this was the only occasion I has preferred a different camera. I use it a lot and if I had waited for a "much" better camera I had not taken all the photos I took in this year. Curious to know more about the new Leica mirrorless system, the new Fuji X1 Pro and the new Olympus. It will be an interesting year, but anyway I'm glad to have the X1 by now!
robert

 

[Bobfrance]

I tried the X1 in a head to head with the X100 and found the lack of viewfinder and the focus lag of the X1 to be a real hassle for street shooting. I thought the X100 did very well in this area.
The X1 had the edge when it came to the images it produced, they were very nice, probably as good as my M8.

In the end I bought an X100. I felt it gave me better value for money, given that I only wanted a digital for a backup and a bit of messing about.


.

 

[dave lackey]

The Leica X1 has always been one of those cameras that I've wanted since it came out. But is it still worth getting brand new or even used? I'm not sure what Leica's upcoming "economical" camera is going to be, but would definitely wait it out if its something like an X1, and around the same price range.

Absolutely! If you want to wait another year for another iteration, then do that.:angel:

 

[jsrockit]

I owned one for about a year and loved it. Slow as hell AF (but accurate)... the worst in the APS-C category by far, but great IQ and a great lens. However, once I got the X100, I sold the X1. The Fuji's lens has a little more distortion, but outside of that it's on par with the X1 and then some. Faster AF, slightly better high ISO, faster lens, and a built in VF. Never regretted selling the X1 once the X100 arrived. I do love that black X1 though... one of the most beautiful cameras in recent years.

 

[robert blu]

... I do love that black X1 though... one of the most beautiful cameras in recent years.

Yes, black it' s beautiful! I oft use mine in combination with the m7 : iso 100 film in the m7 and x1 for low light situation (800-1600 iso). They are both black.
robert

 

[dave lackey]

I went even bigger and projected a shot from my X1 on the presidential palace wall in Latvia for the crew picture of the last film I shot.

See how the crew picture sucks (shot with high end ****n DSLR) but the projection form X1 is cool 😀

VERY cool, Bobby! I have thought about projecting a lot right here in my own neighborhood but this is sooooo cool!🙂

 

[dave lackey]

The Leica X1 has always been one of those cameras that I've wanted since it came out. But is it still worth getting brand new or even used? I'm not sure what Leica's upcoming "economical" camera is going to be, but would definitely wait it out if its something like an X1, and around the same price range.

I have to ask...what makes you think any camera is not worth buying? Megapixels? New bells and whistles? Other newer cameras mean your camera now takes bad pictures?

Buy what you want...sell it when you want something else, or buy something to go with it. In my case, I buy what I need to do projects, not to measurbate different gear.

Seriously, why do you think the X1 is not a worthy camera to buy? IMO, Thorsten Overgaard has it right...buy the camera you love and use it! It is far better than you or I and we will never get better than that camera!

So, think about it...buy a new camera every year? Or actually be a photographer? Your choice, pick one.:angel:

 

[jsrockit]

So, think about it...buy a new camera every year? Or actually be a photographer? Your choice, pick one.:angel:

Why can't you do both?