The newly introduced Leica X is not, as I thought, upgraded X2. It is an X Vario with a fixed 23mm Summilux (f/1.7) lens and a revised hotshoe to accept the Visoflex EVF first seen on the T. It is an impressive camera and, particularly for anyone who is happy with a single angle of view, it is almost preferable to the T with the 23mm ‘Cron. At £1,550 it is well priced to sell and will attract many former X2 owners. The only downside is that it is larger and heavier than competitors such as the X100T and requires the bulk-adding viewfinder.
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I really like the look of this one.
Given that it has a fixed 35mm equivalent lens and the user has the ability to set the aperture using the top-plate dial, I don’t understand why they didn’t mark a Depth of Field scale on the lens?
Does this new X suffer from the same badly-placed rear D-Pad as the X-Vario?
Interesting points. Since I am still on the Leica stand I will go over in a minute and settle both queries. Watch this space.
The short answer is that there is no depth of field scale, nor was there on the X Vario. You get one on screen when using manual focus. As for the pad, it looks redesigned and I think it might just be a little less sensitive than the one on the XV. Yesterday I asked Stefan Daniel about this problem and whether the new firmware update allowed the pad to be locked as with, say Fuji or Sony. He though not. However, I hope to get an X for test next week so I will check all this out.
Thanks for checking. I can understand why they didn’t offer the scale on the Vario due to it being a zoom, but I think they missed a trick here. By the way, thanks for all the updates – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading them. Sorely tempted by the new 35 Summarit in silver, to go with my M2!
Those Summarits are gorgeous and the silver versions make me lust after a silver M-P. It would look just like a vintage M3. I am seriously thinking of changing from heavier Summicrons to lighter Summarits. With the new wider aperture of 2.4 instead of 2.5 they are not substantially slower than f/2 and have many advantages, particularly in appearance and weight. They are also good value for money by Leica standards. It will be interesting to see the tests when they come out. I did some shots this afternoon, at high ISO, but annoyingly the lens information isn’t yet recognised by my M with the result that I have the 35, 50, 75 and 95 mixed up. I will have to guess!
Ha ha! I spent a very enjoyable afternoon today putting a roll of film through my M2. I reckon the new Summarit would look great on it? What would you choose for the same money? A used chrome Summicron Asph, or the new Summarit?
Strange you should mention this because I am in the market for
a suitable lens for my 1954 M3. I am seriously thinking of a new 50mm Summarit because it would do double duty on M and M3.