Leica X2 Revisited

[dave lackey]

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!

Godfrey, you are getting a bond with this camera and it really shows! Bravo!🙂

Like you, I discovered the auto bracket by accident, too. It is really a good feature especially when we can turn that LCD off and shoot like a real camera!😛

 

[Godfrey]

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.

The A&A Silk Cord Strap is extraordinary, but way too expensive at $179. There is a clone sold by Photo Village in NY for about $130.

What I'm using, however, is a Street Strap (http://www.streetstrap.com), which sells new for $70. It's nylon rather than silk, but has nearly the same feel and strength.

I also have one of the Lance Camera Straps (http://lancecamerastraps.com) with string ends (in red, $40 as shown on the front page) for my GXR. It's nice, but the cord material is a little stiffer and coarser than the Street Strap and silk straps. Still a good piece, though I like the Street Strap more.

Little details like this make such a big difference. They affect how the camera is to use.

 

[Godfrey]

Godfrey, you are getting a bond with this camera and it really shows! Bravo!🙂

Like you, I discovered the auto bracket by accident, too. It is really a good feature especially when we can turn that LCD off and shoot like a real camera!

Thanks!

I don't know about a bond, or "a real camera" ... the X2 is, for me, a very easy camera to learn and use. As I've said before, I liken it to my Rollei 35S and old Leica IIc/IIf ... it's simple to use and most controls are common sense understandable, operate easily in the logic of a photographer's tool. The camera gets out of the way and lets me concentrate on the subject this way—that's what I've always loved about working with Leicas (beyond the obvious quality of their lenses) and other cameras of a similar ilk. Cameras like this simply let me think more about the subject and concentrate on what I'm doing.

IMO, "Make the camera disappear from the photographer's thoughts!" should be the principle design brief for any camera manufacturer.

Unfortunately, it seems that most camera manufacturers these days want you to pay attention to the camera; they load it up with tons of features and stuff to keep your attention there and keep you entertained, keep you looking for the next great feature on the next model. This does well for manufacturer profits, but I question whether it improves photography by any great leap.

Setting the LCD mode to "Optical :: On" is also a piece of brilliant thinking. The LCD disables a few moments after power up and does not distract unless you need to use it for something. If you need it, touch the adjustment or control you need it for, or the Info button, and it's right there for you. Very very well done.

Similarly the X2's manual focus mode is just right ... set MF, show the distance scale with a (conservative) DoF indicator hooked to the aperture setting while you adjust the focus. Once set, HOLD that setting even through sleep-wake up and hard power cycles. Perfect! I often use this ... set the focus zone with the aperture setting to about 6' out to near infinity on manual, set Auto ISO and and from that point on I'm doing NOTHING but watching for subject within my focus zone, lifting the camera to make a photo, and moving on.

Combined with the LCD power off mode and an optical finder, the camera is all of a piece and works exactly as I would want it to. So if that's the notion of bonding with it, ok ... we're bonded. ;-)

 

[dave lackey]

Thanks!

I don't know about a bond, or "a real camera" ... the X2 is, for me, a very easy camera to learn and use. As I've said before, I liken it to my Rollei 35S and old Leica IIc/IIf ... it's simple to use and most controls are common sense understandable, operate easily in the logic of a photographer's tool. The camera gets out of the way and lets me concentrate on the subject this way—that's what I've always loved about working with Leicas (beyond the obvious quality of their lenses) and other cameras of a similar ilk. Cameras like this simply let me think more about the subject and concentrate on what I'm doing.

IMO, "Make the camera disappear from the photographer's thoughts!" should be the principle design brief for any camera manufacturer.

Unfortunately, it seems that most camera manufacturers these days want you to pay attention to the camera; they load it up with tons of features and stuff to keep your attention there and keep you entertained, keep you looking for the next great feature on the next model. This does well for manufacturer profits, but I question whether it improves photography by any great leap.

Setting the LCD mode to "Optical :: On" is also a piece of brilliant thinking. The LCD disables a few moments after power up and does not distract unless you need to use it for something. If you need it, touch the adjustment or control you need it for, or the Info button, and it's right there for you. Very very well done.

Similarly the X2's manual focus mode is just right ... set MF, show the distance scale with a (conservative) DoF indicator hooked to the aperture setting while you adjust the focus. Once set, HOLD that setting even through sleep-wake up and hard power cycles. Perfect! I often use this ... set the focus zone with the aperture setting to about 6' out to near infinity on manual, set Auto ISO and and from that point on I'm doing NOTHING but watching for subject within my focus zone, lifting the camera to make a photo, and moving on.

Combined with the LCD power off mode and an optical finder, the camera is all of a piece and works exactly as I would want it to. So if that's the notion of bonding with it, ok ... we're bonded. ;-)

Actually, I think you have summarized the essence of Leica photography with the Barnack and now, the digital Barnack, the X cqmeras.🙂 My IIIF and the X1 are a perfect complement and the way you described how you use the X2 is exactly what I do with the occasional LCD usage. I hate LCDs in general but I tend to use whatever I have when I need something.

When someone works with the cameras, it is a beautiful thing. When fighting the camera or having to think about the camera, photography is at best a frustrating exercise and the results show.

Godfrey, your results show that bonding.:angel:

 

[stillshunter]

Been umming and arring for some time - and might be teetering for a good time still, but Godfrey, you have expressed precisely what it is that I'm looking for in a camera right now. For me it's about finding a friend that's not in the way but is always there.

So how do I quote your assistance in store in order for you to collect your well-deserved commission? 😛

I am nearing a decision - only shame is that I cannot try before I buy. You would expect the capital city of Australia would have stores a little more accomodating :bang:

Anyway, in the absence of an in-hand trial in-store I am really appreciating these user experiences. Love to hear about any frustrations or improvements from your perspective Godfrey.

Cheers

Thanks!

I don't know about a bond, or "a real camera" ... the X2 is, for me, a very easy camera to learn and use. As I've said before, I liken it to my Rollei 35S and old Leica IIc/IIf ... it's simple to use and most controls are common sense understandable, operate easily in the logic of a photographer's tool. The camera gets out of the way and lets me concentrate on the subject this way—that's what I've always loved about working with Leicas (beyond the obvious quality of their lenses) and other cameras of a similar ilk. Cameras like this simply let me think more about the subject and concentrate on what I'm doing.

IMO, "Make the camera disappear from the photographer's thoughts!" should be the principle design brief for any camera manufacturer.

Unfortunately, it seems that most camera manufacturers these days want you to pay attention to the camera; they load it up with tons of features and stuff to keep your attention there and keep you entertained, keep you looking for the next great feature on the next model. This does well for manufacturer profits, but I question whether it improves photography by any great leap.

Setting the LCD mode to "Optical :: On" is also a piece of brilliant thinking. The LCD disables a few moments after power up and does not distract unless you need to use it for something. If you need it, touch the adjustment or control you need it for, or the Info button, and it's right there for you. Very very well done.

Similarly the X2's manual focus mode is just right ... set MF, show the distance scale with a (conservative) DoF indicator hooked to the aperture setting while you adjust the focus. Once set, HOLD that setting even through sleep-wake up and hard power cycles. Perfect! I often use this ... set the focus zone with the aperture setting to about 6' out to near infinity on manual, set Auto ISO and and from that point on I'm doing NOTHING but watching for subject within my focus zone, lifting the camera to make a photo, and moving on.

Combined with the LCD power off mode and an optical finder, the camera is all of a piece and works exactly as I would want it to. So if that's the notion of bonding with it, ok ... we're bonded. ;-)

 

[jcrutcher]

this is a great little camera! here is my Great Nephew floor level. It focuses fast and has excellent IQ. The built in flash is handy in situations like this.

[URL="

 

[Godfrey]

A few weeks on and I'm becoming very familiar with the X2 now. It's a lovely piece of equipment in every way. One of the nicest things about it is that it's compact and easy to carry anywhere. k

My first charge on the battery was not exhausted after 340 exposures ... it was still going strong with one bar down on the indicator ... but I had an event to attend and didn't want to risk running out of juice partway through so I recharged it.

Another detail: I think for my eyesight with glasses the Voigtländer 28mm Brightline OVF will be a better match to the field of view than the 35mm OVF. My framing with the viewfinder was looser than I expected so I checked it out and found a 28mm VF nets closer to the right thing. (It's largely a matter of my glasses pushing my eyepoint back so that the effective framing is tighter than expected. I use the 35mm finder with a 28mm lens on the GXR (same format) and the framing is just right, so I expected this was going to be the case.)

I've been experimenting a little bit with the in-camera JPEG settings. I found the 'Standard' mode with all settings nulled produced flatter but more sharpened looking results than Lightroom 4.1 set to its defaults. Vivid was a bit cartoonish for me. Natural, with contrast and saturation bumped up a notch, nets almost a perfect match to the Lightroom 4.1 processing defaults.

No new photos to post yet ... been awfully busy of late ... but hopefully more soon.

enjoy,
Godfrey

 

[dave lackey]

A few weeks on and I'm becoming very familiar with the X2 now. It's a lovely piece of equipment in every way. One of the nicest things about it is that it's compact and easy to carry anywhere. k

My first charge on the battery was not exhausted after 340 exposures ... it was still going strong with one bar down on the indicator ... but I had an event to attend and didn't want to risk running out of juice partway through so I recharged it.

Another detail: I think for my eyesight with glasses the Voigtländer 28mm Brightline OVF will be a better match to the field of view than the 35mm OVF. My framing with the viewfinder was looser than I expected so I checked it out and found a 28mm VF nets closer to the right thing. (It's largely a matter of my glasses pushing my eyepoint back so that the effective framing is tighter than expected. I use the 35mm finder with a 28mm lens on the GXR (same format) and the framing is just right, so I expected this was going to be the case.)

I've been experimenting a little bit with the in-camera JPEG settings. I found the 'Standard' mode with all settings nulled produced flatter but more sharpened looking results than Lightroom 4.1 set to its defaults. Vivid was a bit cartoonish for me. Natural, with contrast and saturation bumped up a notch, nets almost a perfect match to the Lightroom 4.1 processing defaults.

No new photos to post yet ... been awfully busy of late ... but hopefully more soon.

enjoy,
Godfrey

As usual, I can't wait to see what's new, Godfrey! Never thought about the 28 VF working for folks with glasses. That is too cool!

Looking forward to your next photos...🙂

 

[jcrutcher]

I love this camera!!

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Converted in Silver Efex Pro 2. Also using a yellow filter.

 

[dave lackey]

I love this camera!!

Converted in Silver Efex Pro 2. Also using a yellow filter.

Yeah, looking good! A place I fear that I will never visit....thanks for bringing it to me!🙂

 

[jcrutcher]

Dave,

Never say never, it can be a beautiful a place to visit and live. Did you notice the dust spot on top? I'm reluctant to send back to Leica I may just suck it up and fix it in PP. Only when the lens is stopped down hard.

Hope you have a good weekend and great shooting.
Jim

 

[dave lackey]

Dave,

Never say never, it can be a beautiful a place to visit and live. Did you notice the dust spot on top? I'm reluctant to send back to Leica I may just suck it up and fix it in PP. Only when the lens is stopped down hard.

Hope you have a good weekend and great shooting.
Jim

Ah, didn't notice it. May have thought it was on my monitor if I did.

On LUF, I heard of folks sending their X1 back when bought new and later developing dust issues... a few even got a new sensor and extended warranty. Hard to call this one but I would probably just send it back to Leica N.J. and that way it will be ready well before the holidays....:angel:

 

[Godfrey]

You're going to have to show me that dust spot.. I can't see it!

 

[jcrutcher]

You're going to have to show me that dust spot.. I can't see it!

Center top. I did fix it and reposted the photo.

Thanks
Jim

 

[Godfrey]

A month on ...
The X2 is all I've made photos with for a month. I find it an excellent camera. I've put film in the CL I bought, and had the M9 out to check a setting or two, but the X2 is compelling enough that I haven't make an exposure with anything else.

Yesterday when I pulled it out of my bag, I noticed that the LCD protector film wore a couple of nasty gashes now. Hmm, wonder what caused that? Happened to have an ACMAXX hard LCD protector handy, so I put that on as replacement. Perfect fit, looks nice.

onwards!

 

[Godfrey]

I was curious just what quality I could obtain out of the X2 at its highest sensitivity settings so I did a quick test, from ISO 12500 to ISO 800.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25268645/x2-noise/index.html

I'm pretty happy with what I see, even at ISO 12500.

enjoy!

 

[jky]

So... after taking it to Italy & Spain & shooting with it quite extensively what bothers me the most is this:

Slow shot to shot times which corresponds with long EVF/LCD blackouts. My LX5 is faster. It's still a fantastic camera though &, as mentioned many times, them knobs are great.

 

[jsrockit]

Yes, it's a nice camera with some shortcomings. It's still one of the smallest APS-C cameras out there with one of the best lenses. And, it has dedicated dials.

 

[dave lackey]

Yes, it's a nice camera with some shortcomings. It's still one of the smallest APS-C cameras out there with one of the best lenses. And, it has dedicated dials.

Heh, yes, and I am about to leave for one of my granddaughter's Thanksgiving programs at Kindergarten. My imperfect Leica will be in my pocket and I am looking forward to yet another opportunity to capture this exquisite little redhead in her own element.😀 Here she is earlier this year without her nap (straight OOC image)...I suspect she will be her energetic, happy self today:

The M3 will stay home as it loaded with black and white film and doesn't fit in my pocket.:angel: I had to carry it in my bag all day and night at the ER last night, so smallness is of prime importance today.

 

[jsrockit]

My imperfect Leica will be in my pocket and I am looking forward to yet another opportunity to capture this exquisite little redhead in her own element.😀

I hope I didn't offend by implying that it is not perfect. I use an even more tempermental camera right now... the Sigma DP2m. I suspect we choose to use these cameras for a reason though. 🙂

Here she is earlier this year without her nap...I suspect she will be her energetic, happy self today:

Too funny. I love the look of pissed off kids in photos.