The Leica X Vario

[Strawberry]

Sample images look decent, I do like the lens drawing. 🙂

The concept of the camera is not for me, it's A nor B.

- To much like a real camera and way to expensive to be just another camera to play with.
- Has the price of a real camera but too much annoying limitations to be a real camera.

But for people looking for an expensive hybrid between an M camera ( some smooth manual controls and good IQ ) and a point and shoot ( auto this and that and zoom flexibility ), I think this is a nice camera.

Hopefully, one day, Leica releases something like the X series ( the Leica X series ) with interchangeable lenses and VF. So basically a very expensive Fuji XE that feels more robust and smooth buttons/controls. It would be the price of the fullframe mirrorless systems but it would have a better shutterspeed dial. 😛
I would probably buy the fullframe mirrorless with the slightly flimsier dials, but it would be a nice option and could push other brands to better their controls and stuff.

I think that vario zoom would be nice on a system camera, at least than you could use a prime if you need fast speed or shallow depth of field.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

a review of the leica x vario by nelson tan:

http://petapixel.com/2013/06/16/review-leica-x-vario-defies-nay-sayers-with-impressive-optics/

conclusion: slow lens but gorgeous images.

 

[jcrutcher]

I have delivery of X Vario scheduled for Monday after 4 PM. I Can't wait!

 

[Godfrey]

a review of the leica x vario by nelson tan:

http://petapixel.com/2013/06/16/review-leica-x-vario-defies-nay-sayers-with-impressive-optics/

conclusion: slow lens but gorgeous images.

This report brought me back to the time when I shared a cheap room in a house with five other people, owned a pair of getting-worn-out jeans, three t shirts, and my motorcycle riding gear, scavenged meals at happy hours and by being a short-order cook. But I rode a Ducati motorcycle and my new Leica M6 and Summicron-M 50mm was in the Army Surplus gas mask bag that I could afford to buy.

Some people can't get around a price. Others can't let go of the quality. You put your money where your priorities are.

G

 

[jcrutcher]

It came today! So far I'm more than pleased


46mm ISO 100 F8.0


L1000048.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

At 100 % crop


L1000048-Edit.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

33mm ISO 100 F11


L1000037.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

100 % crop


L1000037-Edit.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr


All taken around 5:30-6 Pm under harsh Arizona sun (109 degrees today)

I like it!

 

[mfunnell]

It came today!

Good news, Jim. From the couple of shots you posted, image quality (at least at low ISO settings) sure looks good. Keep us informed as you become more familiar with it.

...Mike

 

[jcrutcher]

1600 ISO F8, 1/60

thats Jameson Whiskey


L1000082.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

100 %


L1000082-Edit.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

 

[jcrutcher]

ISO 400, F4.0 28mm Focal length. Lots of weird lighting.



Emailing: L1000177 by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

 

[jcrutcher]

ISO 100


L1000197.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr


L1000192.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr


X2 Same dying cactus 2 weeks ago later in the evening

Dead Cactus.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

 

[Doug]

It looks like the camera is doing very nicely for you! I like the colors. Are you using the accessory EVF or the rear LCD to compose and focus?

 

[robklurfield]

When will they come out with the Paul Smith Edition?

 

[Godfrey]

Kirk Tuck just gushed about the Leica X Vario on his blog, "The Visual Science Lab" ...

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2013/06/i-made-critical-error-in-judgement.html

He'd talked about it previously too, in a not-so-enthusiastic manner:

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2013/06/leica-swings-and-misses-all-depends-on.html

This just goes to show that cameras don't really live and die on specifications, despite all the crazy debates and arguments. They must be evaluated in person, individually. Some cameras that look wonderful on specs are real boners in use, and some that seem less than desirable on paper turn out to be gems in real life.

After due reading of specs and other ya-da-ya-da, ya pays your money and ya takes your chances. ;-)

G

 

[jcrutcher]

It looks like the camera is doing very nicely for you! I like the colors. Are you using the accessory EVF or the rear LCD to compose and focus?

Thank you! Interesting the AWB is very accurate, more so than an M9 so colors are easier to reproduce. About 80 % of the time I use the LCD. The problem I have with the EVF is my sunglasses are polarized and it makes viewing through the EVF difficult. Yesterday I put a "thumbs up" on the hot shoe and that has made if more comfortable to hold with one hand. I'm going to Lake Tahoe tomorrow with the X-V and a few other camera's, it should be a good test.

Cheers!
Jim

 

[GaryLH]

This just goes to show that cameras don't really live and die on specifications, despite all the crazy debates and arguments. They must be evaluated in person, individually. Some cameras that look wonderful on specs are real boners in use, and some that seem less than desirable on paper turn out to be gems in real life.

After due reading of specs and other ya-da-ya-da, ya pays your money and ya takes your chances. ;-)

G

Yep. So true. And I gotta admit I gone down this path, after doing all the research and after I bought the camera, I find something about it I just don't like.

Gary

 

[kknox]

Congrats on the new camera.

 

[jcrutcher]

A few from today


L1000208.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr



L1000210.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr


L1000226.jpg by rootbeer2004, on Flickr

 

[NazgulKing]

Seems that Leica's imaging processing tends to yield very strong blues, just as it did on the M9.

 

[mfunnell]

Seems that Leica's imaging processing tends to yield very strong blues, just as it did on the M9.

If I had an M9, I wouldn't have the blues! And, from the looks of things, the X Vario would be pretty nice too.

...Mike

 

[taskoni]

...
Hopefully, one day, Leica releases something like the X series ( the Leica X series ) with interchangeable lenses and VF...

There is a camera from Leica you are dreaming of, look at the M9 🙂

**********

Congrats Jim, nice pictures!

Regards,

Boris

 

[jcrutcher]

There is a camera from Leica you are dreaming of, look at the M9 🙂

**********

Congrats Jim, nice pictures!

Regards,

Boris

Thank you Boris!