Leica X2 Revisited

[Godfrey]

The X2 is still the smallest lightest

... and simplest to use! ...

camera offering DSLR like quality. For that, it should be applauded. However, I can understand why people don't want to pay $2000 for it.

No one ever likes to spend money unnecessarily. The promise of the X2 is that it's quality and staying power is worth the premium price.

The simplicity, both in use and in feature set, lends to that staying power: cameras with a bunch of gimmicky features tend to pass quickly into history as the next model with more features supersedes them. There's a large audience for that kind of product, but it's not the kind of product Leica makes. Despite my M4-2 being superseded many times, it's still a worthwhile camera to shoot with. Despite being superseded by the M9, the M8 is still a worthwhile camera to shoot with. When the M9 is also superseded, it will also remain a worthwhile camera to use. Hopefully, this principle will apply to the X1 and X2 as well.

(There's another subtle reason I'm drawn to the X2: it's the only digital camera in the class that I can set the exposure manually by looking down at the top of the camera. Just like my Rollei 35S.... This is a nuance, but it's something I appreciate very much. It's hard to explain why this is so important to those who never used a Rollei 35! 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

Good points Godfrey. At times the X1 can sell for $1000 though. That's a pretty steep decline for a Leica product. That tells me the world views this camera differently than we do. I appreciate it for what it is and your analogy comparing it to the Rollei is a great one.

 

[Godfrey]

Good points Godfrey. At times the X1 can sell for $1000 though. That's a pretty steep decline for a Leica product. That tells me the world views this camera differently than we do. I appreciate it for what it is and your analogy comparing it to the Rollei is a great one.

You're thinking in terms of money value. Value in dollars is different from value in use.

I don't value my cameras by how much they cost—I value them by how much I use them, the quality of the photos they make, and how much I want to keep using them. The X1 and X2 should have that kind of value, staying power to keep a photographer happy for a long time to come.

What they are bought and sold for: that will vary over time. Most of the X1 second hand sales that I see are running in the $1100-1300 range, which is actually pretty good for a used digital camera in this time period, considering that the X1 has been on the market for almost three years now and has continued to sell at a modest but steady pace until the X2 was announced. Most other three year old digital cameras have lost a lot more in dollar value, percentage-wise, on the second hand market.

 

[robert blu]

... and simplest to use! ...

(There's another subtle reason I'm drawn to the X2: it's the only digital camera in the class that I can set the exposure manually by looking down at the top of the camera. Just like my Rollei 35S.... This is a nuance, but it's something I appreciate very much. It's hard to explain why this is so important to those who never used a Rollei 35! 🙂

I used the Rollei 35 maybe this is one of the reasons which a few years later brought me to buy an x1 🙂
robert
PS: of course a few years later means around 35/40 ...

 

[Godfrey]

...PS: of course a few years later means around 35/40 ...

LOL! I still have and occasionally still use my black Rollei 35S (1973 vintage) when I'm shooting film. It's still a favorite for me. 🙂

 

[robert blu]

LOL! I still have and occasionally still use my black Rollei 35S (1973 vintage) when I'm shooting film. It's still a favorite for me. 🙂

Same here, you can look at this one!
robert
PS: and the seduction of the x1/x2 is the same: IQ and simplicity!

 

[jky]

LOL! I still have and occasionally still use my black Rollei 35S (1973 vintage) when I'm shooting film. It's still a favorite for me. 🙂

One of the things I regret selling - a Rollei 35S. I agree about looking down to make adjustments... it's a simple thing that makes a big difference in usability imo.

 

[jsrockit]

You're thinking in terms of money value.

Actually, as an owner of the X2, I doubt I was thinking this way when I bought it.

 

[jsrockit]

One of the things I regret selling - a Rollei 35S.

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

 

[dave lackey]

Stunning. That is what the soft part of the X cameras is...simply stunning simple menus.

The past few days I have been working with some old Nikon digitals (950,995 and 5400). It is absolutely stunning to see the difference in just the menus alone. The manuals are huge and confusing. Now, I remember why I used to hate the D2H and D2X complexities so much and pulled my hair out just getting something I could use without thinking. It took awhile and never was intuitive.

Picking up the X1, I am stunned again at what a refreshingly simple camera the X cameras are to use!

My eventual goal is to have a single, small bag with two X cameras for all my color work.

The film cameras for black and white.

A simple plan.

The simple life.

😕 (wait..was that part of the theme song for Green Acres?)😛

 

[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]

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.:angel:

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]

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]

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]

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]

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