Would you buy a Leica X 113?

[DwF]

Congratulations on your new camera. The X 113 is for sure a sleeper! While reviews need to point to facts, the auto stop-down feature on the X-113 where you need to be a certain distance for the lens to stay open to f1.7 was overblown. In fact you can easily take portraits in close and the lens will close I found, to f2 or f2.2, still "faster" than lauded cameras like the Contax T series, Rollei 35S or for that matter the wonderful X Vario at f3.5

The manual focusing with magnification, rather than focus by wire, works like a manual focus lens with good precision. There is an AA fliter but it is negligible. Colors are vibrant, use of on-board flash that can be dialed way down make this a very useful travel companion. And it is ergonomic in the tradition of a Barnack Leica, not unlike the CL that followed but with real analog controls if that is important to you!

Enjoy the camera 🙂

David


This was f2.2

Portrait at f2

f3.2

f2.8

Doggie at f4

 

[Archiver]

May the X113 bring you happiness in these ambiguous times!

 

[oldwino]

I have a X113. I also have a Q. The Q runs circles around the X in so many ways, but the lens on the X has something special about it. It reminds me of the older, Mandler-designed M & R lenses with their sharp-gentle style of rendering. The Q is all about sharp-contrasty.
So, still very nice to use, even today.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Booth Q and X are disproportional (huge lens on tiny body) and have odd focusing scale, which is nowhere near to M lenses focus scale usability. Big disappointment to me.

 

[Doug]

Booth Q and X are disproportional (huge lens on tiny body) and have odd focusing scale, which is nowhere near to M lenses focus scale usability. Big disappointment to me.

The Q focusing scale is indeed short of detail from 2m on out... but keep in mind it can focus in to less than 7 inches (0.17m)!

 

[DwF]

Booth Q and X are disproportional (huge lens on tiny body) and have odd focusing scale, which is nowhere near to M lenses focus scale usability. Big disappointment to me.

Hi KoFe,

Autofocus lenses for all of these mirrorless cameras are larger- at least fast ones. While designers made the bodies a compact alternative to DSLR bodies, the lenses grew. One example that comes to mind is the Fuji 23mm f 1.4 RX1 is also an example of that, although for me it is fine with a thumbs up and or grip installed. I have come round to that one because (and I'm sure Q owners would feel similarly) form follows function. I personally have never found the find the X 113 disproportionate in lens to body.

All that said, it is personal and if the lens feels large to you, that is a fair assessment.

David

 

[Mudman]

Would you buy a Leica X 113?

I got a half case on the way for it, dealer blow out at $19!! Also found a semi reasonably priced evf. Cheaper than any other listed online at least. I figure if I ever get an m10 or a T it would be useful as well. Everything should arrive Thursday.

 

[Mudman]

Getting used to it. Very different experience from my M or my Nikons. Need to learn how the AF works to anticipate it better. So far I'm happy with it. Definitely bargain grade, but it spiffs up nicely with the case. Can't believe I got an oem case for so little. Still in the original shipping box!

 

[lemalk]

Congrats! I also own an X 113 - and my wife has an X1. There really is something very nice about the way the X handles. Mind you, its autofocus can be finicky, and I'm still annoyed Leica never pushed a single firmware update for this camera since it feels like it's running not-quite-finished software.
However, if you slow down with it, and use it the way you would an M or any manual focus camera, then you will be rewarded with beautiful, sharp, and soft files that hold up really well to post processing, especially B&W.
As stated before, it's a sleeper camera that I have a difficult time parting with.

 

[Mudman]

Congrats! I also own an X 113 - and my wife has an X1. There really is something very nice about the way the X handles. Mind you, its autofocus can be finicky, and I'm still annoyed Leica never pushed a single firmware update for this camera since it feels like it's running not-quite-finished software.
However, if you slow down with it, and use it the way you would an M or any manual focus camera, then you will be rewarded with beautiful, sharp, and soft files that hold up really well to post processing, especially B&W.
As stated before, it's a sleeper camera that I have a difficult time parting with.

It's become a favorite of mine. Love how lightweight it is and that it matches my M240 so well in image style and ergonomics.

 

[oldwino]

Well, the autofocus really is about as fast as I can usually (on average) manual focus my M. So, really, that’s to too bad, is it?
The lens is great.