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New Mini M?
- Thread starter pgmj
- Start date
Godfrey
Well-known member
LOL! That means I'd have to have an M(240) to compare it with first. Far as I can tell, the people photos I've seen out of the M are just fine, but I tend to photograph people in B&W most of the time anyway.
Color is a modernist fad...
G
1951 Voigtländer Perkeo II on Ilford XP2 Super
In my experience, image stabilisation is the most essential factor in making good video unless you're willing to encumber yourself with a tripod.
Godfrey
Well-known member
Most of the videographers I know use SteadyCams and tripods, rails and dollies. None of them use image stabilization.
G
biglouis
Well-known member
Guy, I think it is something slightly different than just creating a camera for the hobbiest market. I actually think digital technology is rapidly improving to the point where there is no need to lug a gorilla of a body around - just look at the work Vieri Botazzini has done using Sigma DPxM and Nex bodies - serious, professional fine art work (see other camera thread). When I was last in a certain professional camera shop in central London which sells both Leica and Panasonic cameras, the owner claimed a well known British photographer was enthusiastically using a GH-3 having bought two bodies and all the available lenses. I can understand how you would not rely on some consumer or prosumer cameras in critical situations - but what if you had a main and a spare? Both for the price of half a Nikon D4 or 1Dx?
LouisB
jonoslack
Active member
Hi Douglas
Maybe this picture kind of helps to understand why the lens is slow:
It's the XV next to the Olympus OMD with the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 - in both cases the lenses are at their largest extension.
The XV lens is certainly slower, but the DOF difference is slightly made up with the larger sensor. Any low light problem is compensated by the very good high ISO.
The IQ is certainly better with the XV, and the handling is much more 'camera' like.
Of course the XV doesn't have Image Stabilisation or a built in EVF, or interchangeable lenses and the AF on the OMD is much faster - but if you plug in the EVF it's about the same height as the OMD. It makes a smaller package overall.
I've found that going out for a walk with the dogs - or sitting on the car seat: times when I would always have taken the OMD, I've been picking up the XV.
I think that if you simply want a camera - one which is fairly versatile, and has excellent image quality - with a zoom, then this is a reasonable option - in the UK an OMD + Panasonic lens is only about 15% less than the XV anyway.
Without decent image quality it would be nothing . . . but the IQ is excellent.
jonoslack
Active member
Hi Marc
Nicely put - and what I've been trying to say.
Sure, but this camera is hardly aimed at that crowd.
Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
I agree I see a lot of Pros going to smaller systems if they can get away with it in certain types of work. I wish I could do it, I tried with the M8 but I ran into some work that it just was to limiting but I agree these systems are really powerful. My Fuji is my backup and if could pull it off and use it sometimes for client work I would in a heart beat. My problem is I do a big variety of work in diffrent areas so its about being versatile with gear. If I had life my way I would go back to a M system.
Godfrey
Well-known member
Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
Unfortunately when I see 3425 dollars i see a Nikon 200 F2 instead. LOL
Lens whores tend to think glass first.
Lens whores tend to think glass first.
You can make a case that even the ludicrous Hasselblad Lunar is a better option for the tacky rich individuals looking for fashion statement. At least the Hassy body, as fugly as it is, is a capable camera body with access to quality lenses. You can't say the same thing about the mini.
V
Vivek
Guest
:thumbs:
douglasf13
New member
Howdy, Jono. I'm not really sure that's a fair comparison, considering the Panasonic zoom is a constant aperture zoom, which is another animal entirely. Plus, their sizes aren't really that far off with the lenses retracted, which is probably the more useful measurement when considering carry and packing size.Hi Douglas
Maybe this picture kind of helps to understand why the lens is slow:
It's the XV next to the Olympus OMD with the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 - in both cases the lenses are at their largest extension.
The XV lens is certainly slower, but the DOF difference is slightly made up with the larger sensor. Any low light problem is compensated by the very good high ISO.
The IQ is certainly better with the XV, and the handling is much more 'camera' like.
Of course the XV doesn't have Image Stabilisation or a built in EVF, or interchangeable lenses and the AF on the OMD is much faster - but if you plug in the EVF it's about the same height as the OMD. It makes a smaller package overall.
I've found that going out for a walk with the dogs - or sitting on the car seat: times when I would always have taken the OMD, I've been picking up the XV.
I think that if you simply want a camera - one which is fairly versatile, and has excellent image quality - with a zoom, then this is a reasonable option - in the UK an OMD + Panasonic lens is only about 15% less than the XV anyway.
Without decent image quality it would be nothing . . . but the IQ is excellent.
The X Vario zoom would need to be at least an f4 constant aperture, or even f2.8-f4, to start making sense to me. It would still be expensive, but at least it would be a higher quality (in build and IQ) version of what's out there (despite the fact that the other options out there have the ability to change lenses,) so I could see the extra money being worth it to many shooters.
Or, if Leica designed the zoom to retract into the body, making the camera somewhat flat, then I could understand the potential, despite the zoom's slow speed.
I've been trying to come around to the possibilities of this camera, but, along with the Pentax K-01 and Hassy Lunar, it is one of the more odd camera releases in the last couple of years, IMO, if price is a part of the equation. I understand that price isn't a big deal to some, and, in that case, why not?
Yes. It's not really the features/specs alone, it's the price to go along with those features/specs.
The Fuji 18-55 zoom is at f/4 at 46mm as opposed to f/6.4 (plus it goes all the way to 55mm at the same aperture, plus it has OIS, plus it's interchangeable.) Not to mention the fact that it's perhaps the best APS-C zoom in this range, with superb performance and rendering. By any measure the Leica specs are underwhelming. It's more akin to the Olympus 12-50...
But at this point, the horse is glue. What more is there to say? Let's see some more photos.
The Fuji 18-55 zoom is at f/4 at 46mm as opposed to f/6.4 (plus it goes all the way to 55mm at the same aperture, plus it has OIS, plus it's interchangeable.) Not to mention the fact that it's perhaps the best APS-C zoom in this range, with superb performance and rendering. By any measure the Leica specs are underwhelming. It's more akin to the Olympus 12-50...
But at this point, the horse is glue. What more is there to say? Let's see some more photos.
Just for added perspective, the newly released Sigma is quite significant in size at a constant f/1.8. Sure I'm not complaining it has to be at that aperture, I would have been happy with constant f/4 lens. I would guess length wise it will be about the same, but would extend a little more when zooming and bigger circumference. I would not have minded that if they could deliver at slightly more cost, but there's a limit for me there too!
Now we'll never know!
On a different note, I wonder how well the X2 sold in its life up to now!
Now we'll never know!
On a different note, I wonder how well the X2 sold in its life up to now!