Leica X2 Revisited

[dave lackey]

Interesting tip dave, sometimes (not oft) I have a problem of this kind...I'll try it.
robert

Robert, I think you will find this liberating.

BTW, I believe this Wikipedia 1914 "Original Leica" photo bears a lot of resemblance to the Leica X cameras.😉 Right down to the proportion of the OVF, now EVF.

 

[dave lackey]

Someone got an X2 delivered yesterday....😎

 

[jsrockit]

Robert, I think you will find this liberating.

BTW, I believe this Wikipedia 1914 "Original Leica" photo bears a lot of resemblance to the Leica X cameras.😉 Right down to the proportion of the OVF, now EVF.

Ha, very true Dave. I got mine yesterday, but by the time I got the battery charged it was dark out and I was uninspired. Will photograph with it more today. I can see myself using the EVF over the OVF for the most part.

 

[gilpen123]

Congrats, show us some samples. I'm being drawn to this more and more......if ever it will be black. What did you get JS?

 

[jsrockit]

Congrats, show us some samples. I'm being drawn to this more and more......if ever it will be black. What did you get JS?

I got a silver one. I'll show some examples soon... though I'm not sure what it'll prove about the camera.

 

[gilpen123]

Color rendering probably and wide open shots and some B&W convertion from jpeg. I've seen some bleeding reds from the net, wonder if it' due to settings or PP.

 

[jsrockit]

Ok, just to clarify... I will not be doing any tests. I shoot RAW, mostly color, and will just go about my typical photography and then post examples after I get something that I feel good about. Sorry, but I'm just not the testing type of guy.

By the way, blown out (bleeding) reds (or inaccurate reds) is a common problem with many digital cameras IMO (under certain settings at least).

 

[gilpen123]

That's fine no problem.

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks for understanding Gilpen. 🙂

 

[dave lackey]

Gil,
Just sent you a couple of samples...all in grey rainy weather or cloudy day as in the case of the old mill. Colors are perfect to my eye.🙂

 

[gilpen123]

Saw it Dave thanks.

 

[lynnb]

Adorama has posted a brief "stress test" on the X2:
http://www.adorama.com/ALC/Article....alias=Leica-X2-Street-Photography-Stress-Test

 

[dave lackey]

Adorama has posted a brief "stress test" on the X2:
http://www.adorama.com/ALC/Article....alias=Leica-X2-Street-Photography-Stress-Test

Thanks for the link, Lynn... I saw it...not impressed. When a reviewer can be completely without bias for other cameras, then, I will be impressed.

Bias completely eliminates the most important factor...using the camera you love. I don't care if it is a huge large format for street photography or a Hassy for birthday parties. It may not be the choice for any reviewers but if the photographer loves it, then the reviewer is over the line, IMO.

Photography is subjective, art is subjective, and the choice of gear is subjective and not really up to any reviewer. If that reviewer likes an X100, fine for him. If that reviewer likes a Nikon better, fine for him. I simply use what I love to use and will not ever buy what someone else thinks is Da Bom!😛

How many millions of opinions could have been used with any bias imaginable? Pure left-handed comments about what the reviewer prefers, certainly not what I would prefer. The article misses the point entirely. I would love to give a review of his choice in the same vein and see what ire develops....not.

Excerpt:

Do I like it over my X100? No. The Hybrid VF on the X100 definitely trumps in this area, also the revised firmware on the X100 has turned that camera into a wickedly fast and responsive street shooter. Still the X2 is no slouch in this area. The AF is vastly improved over the X1, the optics and IQ superb. The X2 is what the X1 should have been, and finally a compact worthy of the name Leica. The X100 is the modern Hexar, the X2 the modern Minilux.

Back to the OT...with NO comparisons of other cameras. This thread was to learn more about the X2 and how to use it.

 

[Corto]

So no comparisons allowed? How biased is that?

I cant imagine any better way to learn about a camera than to have comparisons against other cameras.

And a comparison with the
Sony DSC RX100
Would be really interesting.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/869238-REG/Sony_DSC_RX100_Digital_Camera.html

 

[Godfrey]

So no comparisons allowed? How biased is that?

I cant imagine any better way to learn about a camera than to have comparisons against other cameras.

Comparisons have their place, but they are a limited source of information.

I don't read reviews and don't care about other people's comparisons. I learn about equipment by reading the manufacturers' specs, handling the equipment at a local vendor, and ultimately learn whether it suits my needs by using it for an extended period of time after purchasing it.

I can't recall who said it, but this always rings true in my ears:

Beginning photographers buy new equipment hoping that it will make a difference.

Mediocre photographers buy new equipment knowing that it must improve their photography.

Experienced photographers buy the equipment that they like to use and have given up on better equipment being the solution to their problems.​

Godfrey
photo blog - http://godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com/patience

 

[dave lackey]

So no comparisons allowed? How biased is that?

I cant imagine any better way to learn about a camera than to have comparisons against other cameras.

And a comparison with the
Sony DSC RX100
Would be really interesting.

At the time this thread was started, there was almost no information available about the X2. Way more questions than answers. RFF members have graciously allowed this thread to continue as an informational thread rather than a comparison thread and it is greatly appreciated.🙂

If you want to compare the X2 and with anything, please do start your own thread and I am sure you will get hundreds of responses.

This thread has pretty much served it's purpose as owners are just now receiving their X2s a month after it was announced. Hopefully it will die a peaceful death soon.

In the meantime, the forum is open to anyone who wants to start a thread. And it may be the perfect time for you to start a thread to discuss your interests in comparing all of the different cameras than can come to mind.:angel:

 

[jcrutcher]

I shot some high contrast B&W jpeg today at F11. I'm very pleased with the detail and rang of tones right out of the camera. I'll post in the x2 pictures thread. I agree thi thread is not for comparisons. Also I noticed the battery life is better than x1. I've been using OVF, I like it however I'm itching for the EVF, what is your experience with it? I'm concerned about the size?

Jim

 

[Monochrom]

the best of the x1 (supose the x2 too) is the fact this little camera is really like the old leicas...not only in terms of shape and size, which seems obviou but above all in terms of hyperfocal use...i never had to focus that much....just set a helios VF, set AE, f5.6, 12 feet and just shot...you wont even suffer from shtter lag....

 

[jsrockit]

I'm sorry for the comparison, but I have to do it. Sure, the X100 is cheaper, perhaps more classic looking, has a F2 lens, and has the OVF. It is a great deal for the cash. However, the X2 is lighter, smaller, and is the closest thing to a digital Barnack that we've seen. The VF-2 is a very good EvF. It blows the Fuji ones away. I continue to use both, but the X2 is no slouch at all. It's misunderstood because it is $2000 (as are all Leica cameras). Leica is a niche company even with its high end P&S cameras. They know that people see the resemblance to a Barnack and that is its appeal. I'm glad I bought one.

 

[jcrutcher]

Dave,
I got the Leica EVF today, I see myself using it more than the OVF since it's so accurate for focus point. OVF works awesome with scale focus. Has anyone found teh leather leica eveready case that's in the owners manual? it looks cool!

Jim