It had been a long time that I was on market for a small camera to complement my Leica M system. Indeed, we will soon move to Argentina I needed of a small camera to carry along all the time and that would not prove to be to much of a loss if it ever gets stolen (which is a high risk in some cities of the country). After surveying thoroughfully the market, I opted for the Leica X1. Here are a few reasons why :
Phone addict, Lausanne. Leica X1 at 36mm F2.8, 1/125, ISO800
- first and above all, I got a wonderful deal since I basically acquired it at a 50% discount. That is new from an authorised dealer and with a 5 years extended warranty. I always felt it was initially overpriced compared to competition, yet at that discounted price, I believe it is good value. I did also consider the newer Leica X2 but did not deem that its improvements (bigger sensor, better auto focus, electronic viewfinder) were essential to my style of street photography. And sincerely, I am tired of the pixel wars. The sweet spot for street photography is in my opinion around 10 to 15 mpx, no need for more.
- it is one of the only compact camera with aperture and speed dials. I almost exclusively shoot in manual mode so having these directly accessible is a must. The other contender here was the Fuji X100, but I did not like its small viewfinder magnification (0.5 vs 0.72 for the X1 external optical viewfinder). At 35mm, I need a good magnification to see all the details of a scene.
- the image quality is stellar, and most importantly, the X1 renders in a way that is similar to the M system. I did a comparison of the X1 vs the Leica M8 + 24mm Elmarit and found colors, contrast, clarity, dynamic range and bokeh to be very similar. Sure the M8/9 are still better performers, but the X1 pictures are excellent for such a small camera.This ultimately means that I can switch from one system to the other and keep homogeneity in my work.
The sleeping Sioux – Bern. Leica X1 at 36mm F8.0, 1/500, ISO100
- It has an APS-C sensor which allows some control over depth of field. I won't get a lof of blur yet it is possible to create some background separation when the subject is within 2 meters.
- the manual focus mode works pretty well (especially since the 2.0 firmware update). It is not great, yet one can easily work with it by zone focusing. As for its auto focus, which has been often critiqued as very slow, I think it is decent when set-up adequately (1 point High speed, screen turned off). Anyways, I don't anticipate to use it much, manual focus is in my opinion much easier to work with in street photography.
- This is a Leica. Though it might sound like a snob or fan boy statement, it is not. The X1 has the same menus and button layout as Leica M's, retains the same ADN in terms of design and ergonomics, and also uses the Dng raw files format. Why change a set-up that works well from the shoot to the post processing. 
An American in Bern. Leica X1 at 36mm F11 1/250, ISO800
It has only been a week since I started to shoot with it. My learning curve is therefore still very steep. I'll report more on it once the honeymoon is over and will have gathered better insights on its strengths and drawbacks.
Seems like an amazing toy :)
I love how in the first image your reflection is visible. What I love about it is the fact that I kind of envied you of having the guts to take photos of people like that without them noticing you, but here it seems you are trying to take the photo sneakily, or am I wrong? :)
Still I think you have a lot of guts, don't worry. This also referring to my comment on your previous post, regarding street photographers, I do agree that results eventually show the difference between active/passive photographers. Other than that, I am curious how much time you spend on post-processing. Perhaps there is an article about it already, then just refer me to that. The images seem very authentic and natural, but I would not be happy reading that the expensive cameras add much to that as I am very happy with my X10, for which I saved up a lot already :)
Good observation. That wasn't a sneaky shot since I was standing in front of them at 1.5 meters. It was a very tight sidewalk, so had I kneeled (to raise my camera to the eye), my legs would have ended on the road, not a good idea in that busy street. I was surprised they never saw me, not sure it woud have been possible with raising the camera to my eye.
Guts come and go, it is part of the process. The last shot was a true "in your face" picture, but the man took it well and smiled afterwards.
As for post-processing, I apply the same preset to all pictures and do some quick adjustments when needed. Usually less than a minute, sometimes 5 min on a tricky picture.
Quality wise, the X10 is a wonderful camera, but I never bounded with it. Not sure why.
Cheers, Yanick
I would have loved to see you giving the new Sigma DP2 Merrill a chance!
You can't imaging how I would have loved to buy the DP2M, but :
- manual focus is now through the lens. How dumb by Sigma to have removed the great and distinctive distance focus dial.
- raw files are 50mb … you need excellent computers to process that and huge hard drives. Since we are going to Argentina and won't make much money there, I cannot keep on upgrading my computers all the time.
- raw files only work in Sigma's software. Which is horrendous. I don't want two workflows, I need everything in one software (lighroom)
- the start up time (which bugged me on the initial DP2) is rated at 4.2 seconds. Way too long for street photography.
- I don't want to spend my nights recharging the 5 batteries that it will probably eat during a full day of shooting.
- High ISO performance still is lousy above ISO400. It still makes it a good light camera only. While the X1 is great up to 1600 and even 3200.
- the Leica X1 optical viewfinder is way better than the DP2's (though I could obviously fit another one)
- finally, the camera is nowhere to be found in shops in Switzerland.
So, a bit disappointed, I decided not to go for it. I'll still keep and use the DP2 which basically has the same image quality with a lower pixel count.
Cheers
All very reasonable points, Yanick. There are improvements in startup and focussing speed (4 seconds seems too long! I will double check when I get home, but I think it's much shorter than that as there is no waiting for the lens barrell to extend out). By the way, the focus distance tool is now located on the screen (something that seemed to have completely disappeared when the camera was first announced, but it's there). Anywyay, nice talking to you, keep up the great work!
Update: 2 seconds startup time by my calculation. :)
well, that is good news and a bad job by the website I read it on … 2 seconds is significantly better than the original DP2 and usable. About the same as the X1 actually. Thanks.
I got the 4 seconds from a review site. And I really like that the lens barrel did not need to extend out, this is an amazing improvement on the DP2M. The focus distance was also on the screen of the initial DP2 yet you could skip looking at it by looking at the markings on the dial. It is not longer possible on the DP2M and you really need both hands too shoot in manual focus (which was not the case of the DP2). Again, big mistake from Sigma to remove a feature that really made a difference, for street shooting at least.
I'm apPAULled you did not go for the Paul Smith X2 edition. Stealthiest camera ever…
Seriously I'll second JD's comments – would have loved seeing you giving the Merrill a chance.
Looking forward to seeing your pictures from Argentina.
/Xpanded
;) That Paul Smith edition is plain ugly as a camera. Maybe as a paper block …
See above for my comments on the Sigma DP2M.
Cheers, Yanick
My first thought was "WHAT? Why not X100?" I own one and love shooting whit it (though so does my spouse need to get her a proper camera of her own) but then I read the comment about the colors and the dynamic range performanse and totally uderstand your decission now.
I shot my friends weddings this summer as a favor and had X100 as a second camera dangling along and couple of the frames ended up in the final album. And damn was it hard to get the colors and the feel to match the other frames. That also made me appriciate your way of maintaining consistent colorstyle for so long with different cameras even more.
Hi Eero,
Yes, the X100 is a great little camera but somehow I was never to attracted by it + there were some features that I really did not like. As an example, you need to engage a ND filter to shoot wide open since max speed is 1/1000 at F2.0 and base ISO is 200. With the X1, I can shoot wide open in 99% of conditions since I can set it to ISO100, F2.8 and a speed of 1/2000. Also, I read about many quality issues (sticky blades) and was not convinced by how the manual focus works. Finally, it is more difficult to operate the X100 one handed than the X1 (I can change aperture, speed and focus distance with the same finger ). Maybe the X200 will be the killer camera, if they can fix all of that.
Cheers, Yanick
Have you considered the Ricoh GXR with its M module?
No, I did try it but found it too big. It would also need an external viewfinder to focus precisely the lenses. All in all, not enough different than using the M8 + small lens, be it in terms of size or total cost.
Cheers.
That's quite a statement to go for a X1 not the latest X2. I've never played with the Leica X, i have no idea how the manual focus going to work with the thumb wheel, LCD and the OVF, especially you like shooting wide open to get the bokehish isolation. I know the autofocus would work even with just the OVF. Maybe that's not a big concern to you as a 2ndary. Unless your M somehow vanished!
X100 happens to be one of my two cameras. It's quirky/weird no matter how hard I want to accept it as my main camera. I just found it so difficult to do photography at night. I have considered trading in my X100 for good. So you've made the right choice to stick with the equipment you're very likely to perform well with. It must have taken you a week or two in researching and testing to make this important decision for a X1. Have fun with it :)
Hi Alan, actually it took a couple of months to take a decision ;) And the X100 was definitely a contender though your experience is something I heard among various users. The M remain my main camera for sure, but I think the X1 will be a great complement when I cannot take it along.
The new X2 is great, don’t mistake me, but the price is too steep for what remains a compact camera. Cheers.
I also just bought a Leica X1, recieved it in the post today. When they came out I always wanted one but they were so expensive. Now that the X2 is out there are a few X1's on eBay second hand and it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Mine is going to be used to shoot behind the scenes photos and scout for ideas. I'm a landscape photographer and use a Hasselblad which is just too big to cart around all the time.
The X1 matches my iMac really well too, they look good together on the desk…
"The X1 matches my iMac really well too, they look good together on the desk…" LOL, this is a buying criteria I have not thought, I'll leave my X1 next to the iMac from now on ;)
And you are right, the X1 is not a main system but a perfect camera to take everywhere.
Great post, looking forward to your adventures with the X1 Yanick. Also congratulations on the sites slight redesign, fonts, etc. its great I love it even more now.
Thanks Jorge, I am glad you noticed. It is indeed a slight redesign, but I hope it makes it more pleasant t read.
Cheers, Yanick
What's up with your Sigma DP2? Don't you shoot street photos with it any more?
I personally feel like your DP2 has better color and DOF for some reason…. If you get to pick one between the two (of course DP2 and x1 not any of your M) which one would you choose?
Regards,
G.V.
Hi GV,
The DP2 is a great camera with stunning colors. But it can unluckily be used only up to IS0400 which basically makes it a bright day only camera. I needed a camera that I could take anywhere, anytime. This is the case of the X1 since it is still acceptable at ISO3200. The DP2 should have the same DOF has the X1, actually the X1 should allow for thinner ones since it has a larger sensor.
If I had to pick : for landscape, architecture, portraits, I'd take the DP2M
For street photography, the X1 is way better.
Cheers.
Enjoyed reading your article and I couldn't agree more in that newest isn't always best. I have just purchased on eBay a Leica Digilux 2 for my street photography dating back from 2004! My needs are very similar to your requirements and ticks all boxes, manual controls etc, apart from a smaller sensor. It's a delight to use. Some examples taken with my Leica can be viewed here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCb2TmV