noimmunity
scratch my niche
I made a quick set of photos. These are OOC jpegs in Velvia mode, reduced in size for the web, that were taken during a 90 minute walk around the Rhône.
Caveat Emptor: I am a complete amateur (go easy on me, folks!) with a strong preference for rangefinder viewing and simplicity.
I did not bother to read the manual; I wanted first to see just how intuitive it would be, and the answer is: very.
Use:
For my purposes, the AF focus speed and reliability looks like it is going to be wholly adequate. I see no "issues" here.
The camera is better with the accessory grip: makes the body easier to hold, and centers the tripod.
The OVF is a marvel. Based on other reviews, I was expecting it to be a little on the dim side. While it may not be as bright as my ZI, it is still big and bright.
Ergonomics:
Excellent. The f-stops on the lens are firm, the clicks solid.
The camera is light, exudes high quality, and is a pleasure to hold, both immediately and over a long period of time.
The "Q" button is poorly placed, for me, and I will have to train myself not to hit it accidentally, as I did many times at first.
Niggles:
1) At the moment of AF focusing (half depress shutter) the OVF turns a bit "misty" (due to the electronic overlay). Lasts only a split second, but I find it distracting.
2) No preview lever (as there would be on an interchangeable lens rangefinder) for different focal lengths. While I only have the 35 right now, I will surely want other FLs later. It would be nice to preview the frames without having to change lenses. I suppose it might be possible to reproduce this effect (by digging through the menus, setting the camera to no lens, then designating the FL), but that defeats the purpose, for me.
General impression:
This camera is a dream *for a user with my profile*. You know how I know? Because after using it for 2 hours, it gives me so much of what I principally want that the mental dialogue between heart and head about an M9 over the past few years has simply melted away.
So much emotional energy has already been invested in overreacting to the camera, it may never be possible to express enthusiasm for it in the more public forums without inciting an argument. But I'm sure a quiet consensus will rapidly emerge.
old lantern by areality4all, on Flickr
motobecane by areality4all, on Flickr
street painting by areality4all, on Flickr
Caveat Emptor: I am a complete amateur (go easy on me, folks!) with a strong preference for rangefinder viewing and simplicity.
I did not bother to read the manual; I wanted first to see just how intuitive it would be, and the answer is: very.
Use:
For my purposes, the AF focus speed and reliability looks like it is going to be wholly adequate. I see no "issues" here.
The camera is better with the accessory grip: makes the body easier to hold, and centers the tripod.
The OVF is a marvel. Based on other reviews, I was expecting it to be a little on the dim side. While it may not be as bright as my ZI, it is still big and bright.
Ergonomics:
Excellent. The f-stops on the lens are firm, the clicks solid.
The camera is light, exudes high quality, and is a pleasure to hold, both immediately and over a long period of time.
The "Q" button is poorly placed, for me, and I will have to train myself not to hit it accidentally, as I did many times at first.
Niggles:
1) At the moment of AF focusing (half depress shutter) the OVF turns a bit "misty" (due to the electronic overlay). Lasts only a split second, but I find it distracting.
2) No preview lever (as there would be on an interchangeable lens rangefinder) for different focal lengths. While I only have the 35 right now, I will surely want other FLs later. It would be nice to preview the frames without having to change lenses. I suppose it might be possible to reproduce this effect (by digging through the menus, setting the camera to no lens, then designating the FL), but that defeats the purpose, for me.
General impression:
This camera is a dream *for a user with my profile*. You know how I know? Because after using it for 2 hours, it gives me so much of what I principally want that the mental dialogue between heart and head about an M9 over the past few years has simply melted away.
So much emotional energy has already been invested in overreacting to the camera, it may never be possible to express enthusiasm for it in the more public forums without inciting an argument. But I'm sure a quiet consensus will rapidly emerge.
old lantern by areality4all, on Flickr
motobecane by areality4all, on Flickr
street painting by areality4all, on Flickr
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Gorgeous colours .... impressive for OOC jpegs!
rbelyell
Well-known
seems to render in a lovely way, very pleasing. i'm sure this camera will not disappoint anyone who understands what they are buying.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Fuji color!
f16sunshine
Moderator
Looks super! Thank you
j.scooter
Veteran
Beautiful colors. Congrats on getting your XP1
No I am not jealous...
If I keep repeating that I may start to believe it. I have a long 3 week wait.
No I am not jealous...
If I keep repeating that I may start to believe it. I have a long 3 week wait.
back alley
IMAGES
those colours ARE very nice...
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Always helps me to put those things in perspective: compared to the long weeks, months, and perhaps years of pleasure that you will surely get from the camera, 3 weeks is nothing.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
It will be interesting to see what kind of users ultimately are attracted to and stick with this kind of camera.
The performance in many areas (except IQ) cannot match advanced DSLRs. (Yet it is wholly adequate for my amateur needs). Significantly, the XP1 offers advantages that are unique, principally in terms of form factor and the Hybrid Multi Viewfinder. The OVF is made for (i.e., is superlative for) lenses in the 28-50 effective FL range. If you like that style of viewing and what it is suited for, this camera will be hard to beat. Whether the M9 would be preferable is, at that point, completely subjective.
I will be taking the camera to Taiwan for event shooting at the beginning of april for a couple of weeks, and I'm very excited about that. The XP1 is made for event-participant photogs.
The performance in many areas (except IQ) cannot match advanced DSLRs. (Yet it is wholly adequate for my amateur needs). Significantly, the XP1 offers advantages that are unique, principally in terms of form factor and the Hybrid Multi Viewfinder. The OVF is made for (i.e., is superlative for) lenses in the 28-50 effective FL range. If you like that style of viewing and what it is suited for, this camera will be hard to beat. Whether the M9 would be preferable is, at that point, completely subjective.
I will be taking the camera to Taiwan for event shooting at the beginning of april for a couple of weeks, and I'm very excited about that. The XP1 is made for event-participant photogs.
kzphoto
Well-known
Nice photos!
Is the camera under exposing a bit? The photos look a little dark.
Is the camera under exposing a bit? The photos look a little dark.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
I dialed in underexposure of about -2/3 for a more saturated look. It is completely subjective.
I use spot metering and spot focusing, which seems to work very well.
kzphoto
Well-known
noimmunity
scratch my niche
The exif info of the last photo posted (the only one that is at full rez) can be viewed by clicking on the photos to open up the flickr link, then clicking on the camera model in the upper right corner of the page. Exp. comp is among the parameters listed.
boomguy57
Well-known
I saw the shot you posted on your flickr at ISO 25,600. Wow, that's insane...certainly good enough for my needs in low light.
JasperD
Member
Much like that second shot and the one with SO Sewing (and honestly, not only because of the lady!).
ISO 25,600 is indeed insane, but frankly so is 6400, don't know any APS sensor that comes close to this one.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
That was such an irresistibly classic Motobecane in the setting sun...
The SO is rather irresistible, too, but thankfully a bit less classic
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Now that more and more images are coming out, the quality of the sensor with the 35/1.4 is becoming incontestably obvious.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Boy, I'll say. Makes you wonder about the necessity of RAW now. Unfortunately I have a similar profile as the OP so this may cost me some dough, eventually. Thanks for posting.
Bob