One comment that I’ve read on several forums where the X1 is discussed is that the Tv and Av dials are too loose. The problem with this is that they may be inadvertently bumped while shooting or taking the X1 out of a bag. As explained in the video, the dials do feel looser than I’d like. For me I’ve only had issues when pulling the camera from the Leica Leather Case. It is a very tight fitting case that sometimes causes a dial to spin.
Most important to me is the affect it may/may not have during shooting. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced any problems with dials being changed while I’m out shooting and that’s after 400+ photos in the last two weeks.
This is the final installment of the Body and Menu Tour. I hope that it helps you get an idea of what the X1 feels like and how the various functions work. Please let me know if you have any questions. Check back soon for some full size high ISO samples. Thanks for watching.
Here’s the second of four video tours of the Leica X1 body and menu system.
It is refreshing to see an uncomplicated menu system. There weren’t countless tabs across the top and down the sides. The X1 has a very straight forward menu system that isn’t too complicated. That’s the result when you have a camera that’s meant for only one thing, making photographs. Unlike most other cameras the X1 doesn’t have video, and it’s not missed one bit. Too my surprise though, Leica did include a ‘face-detect’ mode, but that’s about as tricky as this camera gets.
The Leica X1 was designed around a simple philosophy, put the biggest sensor into the smallest body and throw on an incredible lens. It works for me.
Part two of a four part tour is uploading as I write this and should be available shortly.
I have to say that I am deeply impressed with the X1. I spent my first full day out shooting with it today in mixed conditions and it didn’t let me down. Yes, I know and you know that it’s not a speed machine, but that’s way Canon and Nikon have their own high speed pro bodies. I have to be honest and say that yes, I did miss a couple shots today because of the speed, but balance that out against the wonderful shots that I did capture and it is a no brainer, the Leica X1 is worth the price.
Here’s the unboxing of Leica’s new X1. Towards the end of the video you’ll see some of the optional item that were purchased to go along with the X1. The option items are the Leica Leather case and the Leica Wrist carrying strap.
There are three possibilities for shooting video with the Canon 5D MkII.
LCD only. This obviously is the cheapest way to go about shooting video, but there are drawbacks. Focusing is not as accurate and the presence of harsh ambient lighting may obscure the LCD.
External monitor. I don’t have any experience shooting this way so I can’t fairly make any judgments using this method. The one thing I can say is that there seems to be a considerable expense and the bulkiness of your rig may prevent you from shooting in some situations.
LCD viewing device. Currently, Hoodloop 3.0, Zacuto and LCDVF make devices that attach to the LCD and magnify the screen and at the same time block ambient light from hitting the LCD. Additionally, these three systems allow for an extra point of contact with the camera body allowing for a slightly more stable platform.
For the purposes of this review we’ll be looking at the LCDVF and Zacuto Z-Finder V2.
In the box
Zacuto Z-Finder V2 ($395) – Box includes the lanyard, mounting piece and instructions. I also had anti-fog wipes included in mine even though I didn’t purchase them. This was a pleasant added bonus.
LCDVF ($159) – The box included a lanyard, the mounting bracket and a very comfortable eye cushion. The manufacturer as a bonus included the eye cushion. Nice touch.
Build quality
Both products are made with a hardened plastic that appears nearly unbreakable, unless you purposefully set out to destroy them. Both products look like they would easily survive the wear and tear of everyday use and possibly the occasional drop. As a precaution to dropping the Zacuto or LCDVF, each manufacture has included a lanyard as a means of protection from drops. When it comes to build quality and durability both meet the needs of the job, but the Zacuto product looks like the most durable of the two. Winner: Zacuto
Zacuto Z-Finder V2 (left) and the LCDVF (right)
Aesthetics
Aesthetics do not really mean much for functionality, but it does mean something. Each of viewfinders takes a different approach. The Zacuto looks boxy and industrial whereas the LCDVF has a more refined, slender look. This is a personal taste issue, but I prefer the smooth, more refined look of the LCDVF. Winner: LCDVF
The LCDVF has a unique approach here. After mounting the metal bracket the LCDVF adheres to the camera with magnets. Magnets and electronic do not mix well, but I’ve been assured by the manufacture that the magnets used on the LCDVF are well with the safe limits of using them with the 5D MkII. The Zacuto uses a plastic frame that attaches to the camera’s LCD screen with tape. After peeling the tape on the Zacuto it is recommended that a heavy weight is place over the plastic frame to help make the best possible seal. In my opinion the simplicity of the Zacuto system seems to be the better solutions. It also has a stronger fit to the camera body and is less likely to accidently bumped off during shooting. I like the idea of the magnets, but the size, fit, security and bulk of the metal bracket system is a drawback for me. Winner: Zacuto
Canon today announces that it is currently developing a firmware update to the EOS 5D Mark II to enable the recording of high definition 1080p video at 24 and 25fps. The decision to develop new firmware to support these features has been taken following feedback received from cinematographers and photographers.
Introduced in September 2008, the multi award-winning EOS 5D Mark II was the first DSLR product to offer full frame 1080p HD video recording, opening up a multitude of new creative possibilities for photo journalists, news photographers and amateur filmmakers. Since then, Canon has continued to develop its groundbreaking EOS Movie functionality, firstly with the firmware update to the EOS 5D Mark II that enabled manual exposure control, and more recently by introducing a choice of video recording frame rates with the EOS 7D and EOS 1D MARK IV.
