I know I know, I should have the know beforehand but I hope you can forgive me my little escapade. The small with the big eyes was just too tempting and they turned it all upside down. But I can tell you that it has remained the brief flirtation! Love Leica, I now know more than what I have to you!
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In my case it was the Leica X1, a small compact with APS-C sensor and 24mm (KB-Equivalent 36mm) 2.8er fixed focal length, with which I have by far the most beautiful photos shot. Perfect colors, beautiful bokeh, realistic sounding detailed photos with a lot of leeway in the raw files. Unobtrusive, Discreet berechnebar (if you have learned to live with the sedate AF). Just take a couple of shots and very relaxed and happy times with one hand. Maximum image quality in the smallest possible package. Wonderful.
The X2, the successor of the X1, does not really interest me. All peaceful. Until the Sony RX1 threw on the market. A revolution and finally the comparatively ultracompact response to the analog legends like the full-size Konica Hexar AF (35 mm KB, 2.0). A black beauty, replete with the Best Possible probably what is feasible both technically and visually. A highly light-strong and ultra-sharp 35 mm Carl Zeiss lens, an ultra-light-sensitive, low-noise Sony full-frame sensor, the camera, the result of optical and digital resolution with plenty of crop room a 35s, a 50s and is able to combine a 75mm focal length and thanks High intensity is able to conjure up with beautiful, creamy and quiet Bokeh a narrow focal plane. The camera is quite individually configurable (not ganu on Ricoh level) and shows only a few weaknesses firmware (z. B. the maximum automatic exposure time of just 1/80 second) that would be corrected by the new firmware. The autofocus is given enough light, compared to the Leica X1, pretty fast and hits the target. In extremely low-light and low-contrast target, however, and the be allowed with or without auxiliary light one of the few Patzer this camera he failed. Otherwise, the lens provides in conjunction with the sensor incredible results. Extremely high sharpness and detail, a perfect bokeh, a realistic impression, as I would not have expected a Bayer filter.
What is, however, struck me and what I do not reproach the camera is that the actual focal point at open aperture (extremely thin focal plane) was regularly behind the targeted object. This was, however, as I could find out, take pictures of my kind: central autofocus, focus, then compose and trigger by camera panning. When the so makes a RX1 at full aperture, the sharpness level turns logically with the horizontal axis camera. Result: a few cm offset. No camera error. Busy I have my suspicions, as I test purposes and not swung against my habit have the camera after it is focused. The AF always sat. My Leica X1 with APS-C has only a maximum 2.8er light intensity, which then results in aperture 4 at the RX1. So I dimmed the RX1 to 4 and repeated my pendulum method and there were no problems. The focal plane is much more at aperture 4 and the slight offset does not matter. To focus on my style I would have the RX1 so dim on panel 4; just like in a Leica M9 with a 2.0er 35s, I do not know. Possibly there is a sharpness sphere, instead of a focal plane? I do not know, but I have seen various means M9 properly focused motives. I repeat: the RX1 has correctly focused but my method does not fit. In at least some location.
If I wanted to use the RX1 So as the X1, I would have to stop down aperture 4. That would be a compromise that I could live well in available light, as the noise performance significantly in favor of the RX1 fails. Ene 2er panel makes often makes little sense if you want to scan, for example a few more heads sharp.
In total, there have become 3-5 each verschmerzbare compromise for me:
- Unreliable AF in almost dark ambience
- 2er aperture is not optimal for my focus method (central plus pivot)
- Housing considerably deeper and heavier than their design (only APS-C sensor, only 2.8er aperture) compact Leica X1
- Lens and housing appearance of RX1 are indeed beautiful but also "professional", technical and "intrusive" (if possible not intrusive) than with the X1
- The high price, although it is a fraction of the Leica M with a good 35mm lens but compared to the APS-C competition already is very handsome. For what is offered, I feel the price generally as absolutely justified. The innovative power and the perfect matching of components deserve the highest respect! Nevertheless, he is for me just much higher than for an X made by Leica.
- One-handed operation of the camera, thanks to grippy feel zWhat possible but the 500 grams and the top-heavy lens keep then but not as relaxed as a Compact. For a serious photo tour that's not a problem for a relaxing "street style", to a Ricoh GXR or better yet the GRD or if necessary also X1 as well as many other kleinersensorige cameras allow him, I feel the design is not optimal.
neutral: the colors are not unpleasant. They are different from Ricoh and Leica also unlike the Sony system cameras. I am the X1-colors usual and would myself probably a little to get used or turn in Lightroom something at the controls.
The non-integrated viewfinder I find the way in a compact (!) Wide-angle camera not as a problem, the possibility aufzustecken an excellent electronic joint searcher I find far more attractive.
I am firmly convinced that a number of owners of a kilo full-format DSLR will not regret the move or the extension to the RX1 as uncompromisingly good leisure or holiday camera. Certainly, there are also an infinite number of people who would not come to terms with a X1. I myself do not feel the RX1 as absolute dream camera but just as the tool that would allow me a totally relaxing natural contact in 80% of my application range. For "Just looking at this" she is to my taste too big, too expensive, too good (?!) to technically. Too perfect?
The RX1 should my Leica X1 (APS-C), an analog Contax T3 (KB-film, 35 mm 2.8)) and a Ricoh GXR with 50 fixed focal length (APS-C, replace 2.5). They would also almost. But I could imagine only as a supplement. No chance for it is unfortunately too expensive. I have instead upgraded to the Leica X2. The autofocus is accurate and faster than in the X1, the noise at high sensitivity was low and then, as in the X1 also pleasantly grainy. However, the combination sensor and lens ranges in terms of sharpness and Detaillreichtum not to the RX1 approach, which is not surprising.
I give the Sony RX1 good conscience five star and would even be more, if that were possible. For the miniaturization and the virtually perfect technical implementation, the dominions must have engineers flown in from Mars or from the future. Many light construct precisely a cigarette box large APS-C camera with 1.4er 35mm lens. Then eventually it gets but be tight for my small Leica X2 ;-) I hope my review will help some here, especially those who want to upgrade from the compact class. All those who are happy with the RX1, I would like to congratulate you on a mind-boggling good ultracompact full-frame camera! I think it's brave concept and the uncompromising, radical implementation absolutely fascinating!
