Lawrence A.
Hall of Famer
- Location
- New Mexico
- Name
- Larry
My Leica X1 arrives tomorrow if all goes as forecast, and I'm quite excited. I've wanted one since the model was announced in late 2009, but never saw my way clear to getting one -- until now. The package should contain the X1 camera, Leica 36mm viewfinder (essential for me), 3 OEM batteries and charger, the screw-on adapter that allows one to use filters, a Leica SF24D flash, and a Leica ever-ready case - all for $700, which I believe is quite a good deal. Camera was described as in "like new" condition, and the seller has all positive feedback. (I don't much care for the ever-ready style cases, but I'll take it and store the camera in it at the house.)
I don't have the budget to shoot Leica M series cameras, but I've enjoyed shooting my former IIIB and my Bessa R. For film, my goal is to get an M body, since I can still shoot my screw mount lenses on it -- a 1952 Summicron 50mm that I like a lot, and a 1946 90mm Elmar, which is a very sweet lens. I don't think there is any compelling reason to retire them.
Meanwhile, I expect to love shooting with the X1 and its very nice lens. The kind of shooting I do rarely requires super fast operation, so I don't expect the typical complaints about slow focus will bother me much. If I need to do that kind of shooting, I have other cameras to do it with. But I shot a street fair with the Leica IIIb and the 50 Summicron and got lots of good shots, and that's not a kit designed for speed. Accurate auto focus in micro-seconds is nice, but it is not something I've ever felt I needed for the shooting I do. I've used the famously slow Sigma DP series cameras, even before the Merrril, and enjoyed them a lot. The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 never seemed particularly bothersome to me either. In fact I always felt the tumult around it's "slow focus" bordered on hysteria.
My handheld cameras through the years have mostly been Olympus, and I still use an OM-1 and 4, as well as a 35 SP, a truly wonderful camera with a 7 element 42mm lens that owes no apologies to anyone; it is fast becoming my favorite film camera. My E-M5 is my digital system camera and likely to be so for some time, though I'm becoming increasingly fond of fixed lens cameras, one of the reasons I got the X1.
All of which is a long-winded way of saying I'll be back with some photos from the X1 to put in the appropriate threads. As I said, I'm expecting a good time with this little gem.
I don't have the budget to shoot Leica M series cameras, but I've enjoyed shooting my former IIIB and my Bessa R. For film, my goal is to get an M body, since I can still shoot my screw mount lenses on it -- a 1952 Summicron 50mm that I like a lot, and a 1946 90mm Elmar, which is a very sweet lens. I don't think there is any compelling reason to retire them.
Meanwhile, I expect to love shooting with the X1 and its very nice lens. The kind of shooting I do rarely requires super fast operation, so I don't expect the typical complaints about slow focus will bother me much. If I need to do that kind of shooting, I have other cameras to do it with. But I shot a street fair with the Leica IIIb and the 50 Summicron and got lots of good shots, and that's not a kit designed for speed. Accurate auto focus in micro-seconds is nice, but it is not something I've ever felt I needed for the shooting I do. I've used the famously slow Sigma DP series cameras, even before the Merrril, and enjoyed them a lot. The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 never seemed particularly bothersome to me either. In fact I always felt the tumult around it's "slow focus" bordered on hysteria.
My handheld cameras through the years have mostly been Olympus, and I still use an OM-1 and 4, as well as a 35 SP, a truly wonderful camera with a 7 element 42mm lens that owes no apologies to anyone; it is fast becoming my favorite film camera. My E-M5 is my digital system camera and likely to be so for some time, though I'm becoming increasingly fond of fixed lens cameras, one of the reasons I got the X1.
All of which is a long-winded way of saying I'll be back with some photos from the X1 to put in the appropriate threads. As I said, I'm expecting a good time with this little gem.