One final thing: after the D800E vs S2 review, I think it’s necessary to also add the caveat that my observations are based on looking at full size 16 bit uncompressed files on a calibrated monitor, which will necessarily give rise to different conclusions than if you just see the compressed web size JPEGs in the article. Some tests – the noise comparisons, for instance – are direct conversions via ACR with no additional work done on them.
For this reason, please don’t ask for out of camera JPEGS or RAW files, that’s not the way I work because it isn’t representative of the end use of the equipment. I process every file as though it was a final client delivery or exhibition piece, and that means two things: firstly, I’ll use every trick in the book I know to maximize image quality, but I do that with every camera I shoot, so that’s consistent secondly, I shoot with the end in mind, especially once I get used to the tonal response of the sensor. **A note and advance disclaimer on processing: I ran the X2’s DNG files through ACR 6.7 and CS5.5, using my normal workflow. It’s been enough time to shoot several hundred frames with the camera, get to know its quirks, and probe the elasticity of its files with every tool known to ACR and a Wacom tablet.** The Leica X2 was officially launched in Berlin yesterday, along with a number of other products (which I hope to get my hands on soon) I’ve had a final production model for several days now, courtesy of Leica.
#Leica x2 update
A firmware update improved things somewhat, and brought a much improved manual focus mode (driven off the rear thumb wheel) which showed both distance and an in-focus scale that varied with the aperture selected. However, it was crippled in a number of ways – the moderate f2.8 lens speed being one, but focusing speed being by far the main one. I owned one of these for several months and used it as my daily camera, until I was lured by the siren song of the (flawed) X100.
.jpg "leica x2")
#Leica x2 iso
In short, it was a handsome camera that was, and still is, capable of delivering outstandingly good images the sensor actually outperforms the M9 at ISO 1600 and above, deliver lower noise. Leica’s 2009 X1 ( my review is here) was a modern throwback to the Barnack era in many ways – fixed focal length lens, very simple controls, and that ‘elongated cylinder’ look. Note that you can click through all images to larger versions on my Flickr page – the link takes you to the image landing page, and then the magnifying glass icon or ‘all sizes’ will take you to the larger images. But I did manage to get a final production X2 in advance. I wasn’t lucky enough to go to Berlin, so reviews of the first items will have to wait a bit. This morning has seen a flurry of news: the M9 Monochrom first (with a useable ISO 10,000 apparently!), then the Hermes M9-P, the 50/2 APO-Summicron-ASPH (ouch what a price tag), and trailing, the X2 and V-Lux 40.
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