Leica X2 Revisited

[Melancholy]

Thanks everyone for usefull tips, there will be an x2 and 36mm ovf for me!

 

[Godfrey]

more pictures!

more pictures!

Oh to be a child again ...

Leica X2
ISO 100 @ f/9 @ 1/50 s​

Stopped down to lengthen exposure and panned with the ride to get the motion effect. 🙂

Thanks for looking! Comments always appreciated.

 

[Melancholy]

I really like it, nice panning and motion effect, saw it in another topic, but didn´t think a X2 made it, but now I´m very happy to see it did - well done!

 

[dave lackey]

Oh to be a child again ...

Leica X2
ISO 100 @ f/9 @ 1/50 s​

Stopped down to lengthen exposure and panned with the ride to get the motion effect. 🙂

Thanks for looking! Comments always appreciated.

Nicely done! I will remember this when the local fair opens in September with the grandkids...can't wait.🙂

 

[stillshunter]

Keeping within the theme of this post - talking X2 ownership without comparison.

This thread almost has me sold on this camera. Honestly I'm THIS close. But I did notice a used model listed on getdpi and the seller was one "jsrockit". Hmmm....one of the top three proponents is parting with their prize. Can anyone shed some light?

 

[dave lackey]

Keeping within the theme of this post - talking X2 ownership without comparison.

This thread almost has me sold on this camera. Honestly I'm THIS close. But I did notice a used model listed on getdpi and the seller was one "jsrockit". Hmmm....one of the top three proponents is parting with their prize. Can anyone shed some light?

Send John a PM...I am sure he will share as he did with me. And, give you his honest opinion.🙂

 

[stillshunter]

Will do Dave. Will do!

 

[jsrockit]

I PM'd stillshunter, but figured I'd post what I said here too...

I owned the X1 back when it came out and sold it once I got the Fuji X100 (the X1's AF was way too slow). I bought the X2 because I thought I'd like it more than the X1 because of the faster AF. However, after using it for awhile, I wasn't big on the external EVF (it folds up too easily and would make me miss shots) and found the OVF too awkward to use for needs. This made me think the X100 was the better option for me. So I sold the X2 in order to buy a Leica M8 (since I missed not having a rangefinder and I like digital more than film these days). 🙂

Honestly, the X2 is a great camera if you can live with one of the two VF options. It feels better than most (if not all) cameras in its class and has no nonsense menus. It's a true Leica.

I buy and sell a lot (the only mainstays are the two fuji x models), so please don't take that to mean I hated the camera. It's actually really good (great)... but it was redundant compared to the X100 and the X100 couldn't get me to a M8 if I sold it.

 

[Godfrey]

Not in counterpoint to John's reasoning, which sounds perfectly sensible ... But the more I use the X2 the more I like it. To me, it does feel like a 'real' Leica, but lighter and smaller. Reminds me a lot of my old IIc and IIf, actually, fitted with the Elmar 3.5cm lens ... and far more capable. 🙂

I've used it with the optical finder mostly (just like I used to use those bodies, the old peephole finder being hopeless for me with glasses), but to be honest, without *any* finder a good bit of the time, just working off the LCD. I have the EVF too, just haven't had the moment to use it in the field yet.

I also have an M9 and a GXR system. The X2 fits alongside the M9 and GXR the way my Rollei 35S fits alongside the M4-2 and Nikon F. So we're all different, and we buy and sell various excellent cameras for a variety of reasons.

Thankfully, they all work pretty darn well nowadays. I buy cameras now more on how much I like their feel and controls because for the most part imaging quality is a given.

Or rather, I bought cameras—with the GXR system, the M9 system, the remains of my Olympus E-1 system, and the X2, I have as much or more gear than I'll ever need. I'm bored with buying/testing/trying equipment and concentrating on making photographs for a long while.

 

[jsrockit]

I buy cameras now more on how much I like their feel and controls because for the most part imaging quality is a given.

Yes, me too. Ergonomics is the most important once IQ has been taken care of.

 

[jky]

There's been some comparisons between this (x2) & the rollei35 and so I've been treating it as such - doing so has made me appreciate the camera again after getting a little frustrated with it. Now looking for a 35mm ovf for it.

 

[Godfrey]

There's been some comparisons between this (x2) & the rollei35 and so I've been treating it as such - doing so has made me appreciate the camera again after getting a little frustrated with it. Now looking for a 35mm ovf for it.

The Voigtländer 35 mm Brightline finder is excellent and about $210 new.

 

[stillshunter]

John & Godfrey, thanks for your honest opinions. I'm sitting at about 85% in favour of the X2 - just a couple of niggles left - but I will work through these over the coming days. Actually some sales would need to take place before the purchase.....or I could post a trade ad I suppose. I'm a bit like you Godfrey - I'm over the buying and selling of gear. I just want to settle down and devote what little spare time I have to making images. Honestly.....so tired, and so your arriving at a happy place with in X2 in-hand is very encouraging.

 

[jippiejee]

Fwiw... brand new black Leica X1's are going for £999 in London (red dot store) at the moment. For almost half the price of the X2, I'd give this a serious consideration.

 

[Godfrey]

Leica X2
ISO 100 @ f/3.5 @ 1/30 s​

This camera is just delightful. It's a "real" Leica in feel. Simple, direct, easy to understand and use. It disappears and you concentrate on the subject.

In making this photo, I discovered the auto-bracket function (quite by accident! ... I hadn't looked for that yet! ... worked flawlessly without even glancing at a manual.

enjoy!

 

[stillshunter]

[...]... worked flawlessly without even glancing at a manual.

Ah a man's camera then? 😉

As always nice shots Godfrey. Can I ask which framing option you ordinarily prefer:
1. OVF
2. EVF
3. staring at that cute Leica backside? 😀

 

[Godfrey]

Ah a man's camera then?

As always nice shots Godfrey. Can I ask which framing option you ordinarily prefer:
1. OVF
2. EVF
3. staring at that cute Leica backside?

LOL! Don't get me wrong, I tend to read the whole manual.. Several times. I just haven't had time yet for this camera. And I'm delighted to say that most of the functions are self-explanatory. 🙂

As I said up thread, I think: I have both viewfinders but haven't worked with the EVF yet. The OVF has been on my camera since I took it out of the box. I normally have the LCD turned off with AF shooting.

In this case, however, I pressed the info button to power up the LCD and set the focus manually because the AF system was being tricked by the complexity of the background. And I used the LCD to frame because a lower angle seemed right for this shot and it was convenient.

 

[Melancholy]

It would be very nice to see a picture of the X2 with the OVF on Godfrey!

 

[Godfrey]

It would be very nice to see a picture of the X2 with the OVF on Godfrey!

Leica X2, A&A half-case, Street Strap, LCD protector, self-opening lens cap, Voigtländer 35mm OVF:

 

[dave lackey]

Leica X2, A&A half-case, Street Strap, LCD protector, self-opening lens cap, Voigtländer 35mm OVF:

Cool! I need to get that lens cap, too. I absolutely love the grip and protection of the A&A case but that A&A strap is pure luxury...🙂 I am so glad I found my strap at a used price because I would sure miss it if I hadn't gotten it.