Handled Leica S2 and X1 today

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NikonWeb
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Handled Leica S2 and X1 today

Post by NikonWeb »

I've handled the Leica S2 (pre-production model) and Leica X1 today. At $26,000, the S2 is a serious tool competing directly with Hasselblad and other medium format brands. Overall the S2 body (with a 70mm f/2.5) felt pretty good, but the shutter speed dial had a plastic feel to it. Strange. Maybe it's just me.

The X1 is an interesting camera with a very capable APS-C sensor (apparently, it's the same Sony sensor used in the Nikon D300), but costing $1995 it didn't feel as robust as expected.

I also played a little with the new Nikon D3s. Not much to say. Nikon's professional cameras are simply amazing, as they always have been :-)

Jarle
Anssi Krooks
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Re: Handled Leica S2 and X1 today

Post by Anssi Krooks »

Any comments on X1's autofocus performance? I'm quite tempted to switch my D90 + 35/1.8 DX to it. Too bad it doesn't have movie mode at all.
D1X, DCS PRO SLR/n, DCS 760, DCS 420c & Canon Pro70
NikonWeb
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Re: Handled Leica S2 and X1 today

Post by NikonWeb »

Anssi Krooks wrote:Any comments on X1's autofocus performance?
Sorry, no. Didn't test it properly, but here's some info from luminous-landscape.com:

"Autofocus on the X1 works comparably to other contrast detection AF systems. In other words, a lot slower than the phase detection systems found on DSLRs. It's also not in the same league as the system found in the Panasonic GF1, which many will see as a prime competitor to the X1, and which I'll have more to write about below.

Now – don't misunderstand. I'm not saying that the X1's AF is poor. It's just that it's on a par with just about every other small camera that uses Contrast Detection – about one second from first touch to shutter release. This would be less of a concern if it wasn't for the fact that the X1 bears the Leica red dot and looks like an M."

Source: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/revie ... ield.shtml

I'm sure the X1 is a great little camera, but I'm not yet convinced it's worth the premium price.

Jarle
Anssi Krooks
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Re: Handled Leica S2 and X1 today

Post by Anssi Krooks »

Webmaster wrote:
Anssi Krooks wrote:Any comments on X1's autofocus performance?
.....

I'm sure the X1 is a great little camera, but I'm not yet convinced it's worth the premium price.

Jarle
Apart from the pricepoint the X1 is the small camera with DSLR image quality I have been looking after since the launch of the original Sigma DP1. Olympus EP-1 with the 20/1.7 would be the second best choise, but it has some issues with usability and it's image quality was somewhat dissapointing (though similar with older 4/3-products). EP-1 with 20/1.7 could be mine for 899€, so the Leica premium is around 600€.
D1X, DCS PRO SLR/n, DCS 760, DCS 420c & Canon Pro70
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