Leica X1 manual

LEICA X1 Instructions[...]

1. 1 1. 4 1. 5 1. 6 1. 16 1. 15 1. 14 1. 13 1. 12 1. 7 1. 8 1 .4a 1. 1 1. 3 1. 2 1. 17 1. 9 1. 10 1. 1 1 a 1. 1 1 b 1. 1 1 c 1. 1 1 1 .20 1. 19 1. 18 1. 2 7 1 .26 1 .25 1. 24 1 .23 1 .22 1. 2 1 1 .28 1 .29[...]

1 .30a 1 .30 1. 31 1 .32 1 .36a 1 .36 1 .40 1. 3 7 1 .38 1 .39 1 .34 1 .35 1 .33[...]

This is a Class B product based on the standard of the V oluntar y Control Council for Interference from Information Technology Equipment (V CCI). If this is used near a radio or television receiv er in a domestic environ- ment, it may cause radio interference. Install and use the equipment according to the instruction manual. FCC Note: (U. S. only[...]

LEICA X1 Instructions[...]

Forewo rd Dear Customer , We wish you a great deal of pleasure and success using y our new LEICA X1. The high-per formance LEICA DC ELMARIT 2 4 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens will give you e xcellent picture quality . Thanks t o its fully automatic programmed exposure control mode and auto - flash feature, the LEICA X1 provides uncomplicat ed photography . Al[...]

The CE identification of our products documents adherence to the fundamental requirements of the valid EU guidelines. W ar ning messages • Modern electronic components react sensitively to electrostatic discharge. As people can easily pick up charges of tens of thousands of v olts, by walking on synthetic carpets for e xample, a discharge can occ[...]

T able of contents FCC Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Scope of delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 CE Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7[...]

Flash photograph y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 08 T aking photographs with the built-in flash unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 08 Flash modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Automatic flash activation . . . . . . . . . . . 1 08 Automatic flash and pre-flash activation 109 Manual flash activation .[...]

Designation of par ts Front vie w (optional Hand Grip attached, flash retracted) 1 . 1 Eyelets for carrying strap 1 .2 Self timer LED/AF assist light 1 .3 Lens 1 .4 Hand Grip (optional) with a. Fastening scre w T op view 1 .5 Flash 1 .6 Attachment thread prot ection ring 1 .7 Main switch with detent positions for – OFF (camera switched of f) – [...]

1 .20 Setting dial for – scrolling in menu and submenu item lists – setting an exposure compensation, e xposure br ack eting, flash ex- posure bracke ting value – scrolling through picture memory – enlarging/reducing the pictures viewed 1 .2 1 /Direction button for – calling up exposure compensation, e xposure brack eting, and flash expos[...]

Display s in the monit or 2. 1 In record mode 2. 1. 1 Exposure mode a. P : Programmed automatic exposure mode b. A : Aperture priority mode c. T : Speed priority mode d. M : Manual setting of shutter speed and aperture 2. 1.2 Flash mode (for built-in and external flash units, flashes in red if flash is not ready, o therwise white) a. : Automatic fl[...]

2. 1.6 Frame counter Number of pictures remaining (If memory capacity is low, the 0 flashes as a warning) 2. 1.7 Indication that internal memory is used to store images (when no memory card is inser ted) 2. 1.8 Spot autofocus me tering field (alternatively to 2. 1.9) 2. 1.9 Normal autofocus metering field 2. 1. 10 Indication that spot exposure met [...]

Display s in the monit or 2. 1 In record mode 2. 1.26 INFO screen with settings for – Resolution – File format/Compression rate (see 2. 1 .4) – White balance (Symbols with additional *– if white balance fine tuning is set) a. No display: automatic setting b. : For tungsten lighting c. : For daylight d. : For electronic flash units e. : For [...]

2.2 In review mode 2.2. 1 Review mode indication 2.2.2 Resolution 2.2.3 File for mat/Compression rate (see 2. 1 .4) 2.2.4 Protected picture 2.2.5 Batter y charge level (see 2. 1 .5) 2.2.6 Folder/picture number 2.2.7 Indication that internal memor y is used to store images (when no memory card is inser ted) 2.2.8 Histogram (see 2. 1 . 13) 2.2.9 Cont[...]

3. 1 Resolution File size 3.2 Compression File format/Compression rate 3.3 AUTO ISO Settings Auto ISO se ttings 3.4 Metering Mode Exposure metering 3.5 Continuous Series exposure frequency 3.6 AF Assist Lamp Low light AF function 3.7 MF Assist Monitor image enlarg ement 3.8 Image Stabilization Anti camera shake se ttings 3.9 Preset Film Color bias [...]

Using the LEICA X1 for t he f ir st time Y ou will need the following items: • Camera • Battery (A) • Battery charger (B) with appropriate power plug (C) • Memor y card (not included in scope of delivery) Presets 1 . Attach the appropriate power plug t o the charger (see p. 84). 2. Place the battery (A) in the battery charger (B) to charge [...]

Preparation Attaching the carrying strap Charging the battery The LEICA X1 is supplied with the required pow er by a lithium ion batter y (A). Attention: • Only the battery type specified and described in this manual, and/or battery types specif ied and described by Leica Camera AG, ma y be used in this camera. • This battery may only be used i[...]

• In case of noise, discoloration, deformation, overheating of leaking fluid, the battery must be removed from the camera or charger immediately and replaced. Continued use of the battery carries a risk of overheating, resulting in fire and/or explosion. • In case of leaking fluid or a smell of burning, keep t he battery away from sources of he[...]

• Rechargeable lithium ion batt eries generate power through internal che mi- cal reactions. These reactions are also influenced by the ext er nal tem- perature and humidity. T o ensure a maximum ser vice life of the battery, it should not be exposed t o constant extremes (high or low) of tempera- ture (e.g. in a park ed car in the summer or wint[...]

Charging the battery 1 . Connect the charger t o a power outlet. 2. Inser t the battery into the charger by a. positioning it with its contacts face down and pointing at the count er- parts (1.36a) in the batt er y bay , and b. pushing it down until it lies flat in the bay . Charge status indications Correct loading is indicated by the status LED ([...]

T o remove the battery, follo w these instructions in reverse order . The light grey sprung locking catch at the battery compar tment must be pushed aside to unlock the batt er y . Note: Removing the batt er y while the camera is switched on (see p. 88) can re- sult in the settings you made in t he menus being erased (see p. 89) and the card being [...]

T o remove the memory card, follow these instructions in reverse order . For unlocking, the card – as specified in the cover – it must first of all be pushed a little further down. Notes: • If a memory card is inser ted, pictures are saved t o the card only , if no card is inserted, the camera will save image data t o the internal memory. •[...]

The most important settings/controls Switching the camera on/off The LEICA X1 is turned on and off using the main switch (1.7). This is done by turning it to the appropriat e position, mark ed with OFF , S (single shot), C (continuous shooting, see p. 1 1 2), and (self timer , see p. 1 12). • The monitor imag e (2. 1) appears. Note: If you forget[...]

Menu control Most settings on the LEICA X1 are performed in the menu. Navigating in the menu involv es only the setting dial (1.20) and the 4 direction butt ons (1 .2 1/.22/.24/.25). T o enter the menu press the MENU / SET button (1 .23). • The menu list appears. The active menu item is box ed, i.e. outlined in red with white characters on a blac[...]

T o call up a menu item’s submenu press the right direction button (1 .22). • The submenu list appears, it is boxed, i.e. outlined in red. The activ e item is indicated by whit e char acters on a black background. T o select a setting/a value in a submenu rotate t he setting dial (1 .20) or press the upper (1.2 1) or lower (1.2 4) direc- tion b[...]

Notes: • Some functions are not available depending on o ther settings, in this case the menu item is displa yed in grey and canno t be selected. • The menu usually opens at the position of the last it em that was set be- fore. • Some menu items include se ttings in second level submenus. In these cases a red triangle instead of a setting on [...]

Note: Even if no battery is used or if it is flat, the date and time setting is stored by a built-in buffer batter y for around 3 days. Howe ver, after this period, the data and time have t o be reset as described above. Automatic stand-b y mode If active, this function switches the camera to stand-b y mode af ter the se- lected time to sa ve power[...]

The sequences: In record mode a. all displays (see p. 7 6, plus histogram if set, see p. 1 02) b. basic exposure settings (see p. 7 6) and AF and exposure metering areas only c. b. with gridlines (plus histogram if set, see p. 1 02) In review mode a. all displays (see p. 79, plus histogram if set, see p. 1 02) b. basic exposure settings (see p. 79)[...]

Basic picture settings JPEG-image resolution When one of the JPG formats is selected (see next section) imag e record- ing is possible with 4 different resolutions (number s of pixels). This allows you to adjust the pictures precisely t o the intended use or to the av ailable memor y card capacity . In the menu, select Resolution (3. 1), and in the[...]

Direct color temperature setting Press the WB button (1 . 1 4), and in the menu appearing on the monitor , se- lect SET K . Use the setting dial (1 .20) or the up and down direction buttons (1 .2 1/1.2 4) to change the figure in the bo x appearing in the center of the monitor image. The setting is saved and can be recalled at an y time with the opt[...]

Image properties/contrast, sharpness, color saturation One of the many advantag es of digital photography is that it is very easy to change critical properties of an image, i.e. those that determine its charac- ter . The LEICA X 1 allows you t o inf luence three of the most important image properties even before taking the picture: – The contrast[...]

Record mode Basic photograph y settings Focusing The LEICA X1 offers both automatic and manual focusing modes. The normal AF mode covers distances between 60 cm and ∞ and delivers faster operation than which cov ers an extended range of 30 cm to ∞. Manual focusing ( MF ) is available in the complet e range of 30 cm to ∞. The shutter release b[...]

1 point modes Focusing is based on the area indicated b y an AF frame in the center of the monitor screen. Since the area is larg er than with Spot mode, targeting is less discriminate and therefore easier , while still allowing selective me- tering. The high speed version offer s faster focusing. It can result in a less fluent monitor image though[...]

Spot mode Focusing is based on the area indicated b y a small AF fr ame in the center of the monitor screen. The size of this area allo ws concentrating the me- tering on ev en the smallest subject details. For portraits, e.g., it is normally recommended that the ey es are very well-defined. In addition, you can mov e the AF-frame to anywhere on th[...]

Manual focusing For certain subjects and situations, it can be benef icial to set the focus yourself, rather than using autofocus (see the pre vious sections). For ex- ample, if the same setting is needed for sev eral pictures and using meter - ing memor y-lock (see p. 106) would therefore in volve more effort, or if the setting for e.g. landscape [...]

Exposure metering and control Exposure metering modes The LEICA X1 offers you a choice of three exposure metering modes. The y allow adjustment to the pre vailing light conditions, the situation and your style of work and your creative ideas. In the menu, select Metering mode (3.4), and in the submenu the desired setting. Multi-field metering – W[...]

The histogram The histogram (2. 1. 1 3/2.2.8) shows the distribution of brightness in the pho- tograph. In this connection, the horizontal axis corresponds to t he tones from black (left) through gray to white (right). The vertical axis corresponds to the number of pix els in each brightness. This form of representation allows – alongside the ima[...]

Programmed automatic exposure mode For fast, fully automatic phot ography. In this mode, e xposure is controlled by automatic se tting of shutter speed and aperture. T o set this mode, turn both dials to their A positions. • The mode is indicated b y P (2. 1. 1). T o take a picture wit h this mode 1 . Press the shutter release butt on (1.8) to it[...]

Speed priority mode The speed priority mode automatically controls the e xposure based on the manually set shutter speed. It is therefore particularly well suited for tak - ing pictures of moving subjects, where the sharpness of the mov ement portr ayed – which is de termined by the shutt er speed used – is the crucial element of composition. B[...]

T o set this mode, turn the shutter speed dial (1 . 1 0) to the A position and set the desired aperture with the respective dial (1 .9). • The mode is indicated b y A (2. 1. 1). In addition, the manually set aperture appears in white (2. 1.20). T o take a picture wit h this mode 1 . Press the shutter release button (1 .8) to its pressure point. ?[...]

Metering memory-lock For composition reasons, it can be beneficial not to hav e the main subject in the center of the picture. Ho wever , placing it off-center from the star t would often lead to the met ering being based on a par t of the subject sig- nificantly closer or fur ther away . This is equally valid for the 1 point and spot AF met ering [...]

Notes: • An exposure compensation canno t be set when using manual exposure mode (see p. 1 05) • The EV /direction button is also used to call up t he menus for exposure bracke ting (see next section) and flash exposure compensation (see p. 1 1 1). They scroll through in an endless loop and can therefore be se- lected by repeat edly pressing th[...]

Flash photograph y T aking photographs with the built-in flash unit The LEICA X 1 is equipped with a built-in flash unit (1 .5) that rests hidden in the camera body when not in use. For flash phot ography , it must be ex- tended. T o do so, press the top of the spring-loaded flash unit down just so that it unlocks. Then le t it tak e up its working[...]

Automatic flash and pre-flash activ ation – (to reduce “red ey e” ef fect) “Red ey e” effect is caused by light from the flash reflecting of f the cornea straight back to the camera and can occur when taking portrait and group photos. It is therefore best if t he people being photographed do not look straight at the camera. As the effect [...]

Studio mode – This mode is intended ex clusively to trigger other flash units, e.g. studio flash units equipped with a slave function (triggered op tically by the cam- era flash), i.e. it cannot be used for normal flash photography . Note: T o prevent blurred pictures with the slower shutt er speeds in the modes , and , you should hold the camera[...]

Flash exposure compensation This function can be used to selectively reduce or strengthen t he f lash ex- posure regardless of the exposure of the a vailable light, e.g. in a picture tak en outside in the evening, to lighten the face of a person in the fore- ground while retaining the lighting atmosphere. 1 . T o set a flash exposure compensation, [...]

Additional Functions Selecting the exposure frequency When the main switch (1 .7 , see p. 88) is set t o C , the LEICA X1 produces continuous picture sequences. Frequencies of either 2 fps ( Low ) or 3 fps ( High ) are available. In the menu, select Continuous (3.5), and in the submenu the desired set- ting. Notes: • Exposure series are not possi[...]

Notes: • A running delay time can be restarted at any time b y pressing the re- lease button again. • Cancelling a running delay time is possible only by eit her selecting an- other mode with the main switch, or b y switching the camera of f. • When the self-timer is activat ed, only single pictures are possible, i.e. ex posure series (see p.[...]

Wor king color space The requirements in terms of color reproduction differ consider ably for the various possible uses of digital picture files. Dif ferent color spaces have therefore been developed, such as t he standard RGB (red/green/blue) that is per fectly adequate for simple printing. For more demanding image pro- cessing using appropriate p[...]

User Profile With the LEICA X1 , any combination of all menu settings can be perma- nently stored, e.g. so that the y can be retrieved quickly and easily at any time for recurring situations/subjects. A total of three memory slots are available for such combinations. Y ou can also reset all the menu it ems to the factory setting. Creating a profile[...]

Revie w mode Selecting review modes Y ou can switch from record or menu setting mode to review at an y time by pressing the PLAY button (1 . 1 6). In addition, you can choose to ha ve ev er y picture tak en to be shown auto- matically immediately after the shot. 1 . In the menu, select Auto Re view (3. 1 9), 2. in the submenu Duration , and 3. in t[...]

Enlarging the picture/Simultaneous revie w of 16 pictures The LEICA X1 allows you t o enlarge a section of the picture by up to 1 6 x, e.g. in order to study it more closely . Conversely, it is also possible t o si- multaneously view 1 6 pictures, e.g. to gain an ove r view or to find the pic- ture you want more quickly . T urn the setting dial (1.[...]

Deleting pictures Pictures on the memory card and the internal memor y can be deleted at any time. This can be useful, e.g. if you ha ve already sav ed the pictures to other media, if you no long er need them or if you need to free up more me- mor y space on the card. The LEICA X1 also offers you the option of deleting single or all pictures at the[...]

Protecting/Unpro tecting pictures The pictures saved on the memory card and in the internal memory can be protect ed against being accidentally deleted. 1 . In the menu, select Protect (3.30). • After a short moment the picture shown before reappears along with a menu. Depending on whether the picture is prot ected or not, the menu contains the o[...]

Additional Functions Revie w of Portrait-format pictures Normally, the pictures on t he monitor are shown how t hey were tak en, i.e. if the camera was held horizontally , the picture will be shown that way too. In the case of portrait for mat pictures though, i.e. if the camera was held vertically for the shot, this may be inconv enient since, wit[...]

Playback with HDMI equipment The LEICA X1 allows you t o view your pictures with a T V , projector , or mon- itor equipped with HDMI input, thus ensuring t he best possible rendition. In addition, you can choose between t hree resolution levels: 1080i , 720p , and 480p . The camera automatically selects the maximum possible resolu- tion (for the co[...]

Important : • Only use the USB cable (C) supplied. • While data is being transferred from the LEICA X1 to the comput er, the connection may not under an y circumstances be broken by removing the USB cable, as otherwise the computer and/or the LEICA X1 ma y “crash” and the memor y card may ev en be irreparably damaged. • The LEICA X1 canno[...]

Wor king with DNG raw data If you hav e selected the standardized and future-proof DNG (Digital Nega- tive) format, you require highly specialized software to convert the sav ed raw data into optimum quality , for example the professional Adobe® Phot o- shop® Lightroom® raw data converter . It provides optimum quality algo- rithms for digital co[...]

Accessories LEICA X1 T ranspor t case High-quality case made of real leather (brown). It comes with a neck strap. (Order no. 1 8 709) LEICA X1 Ever -ready case High-quality case made of real leather (grey) that tak es the camera with the Handgrip (see below) attached. It includes a small leather case for the external Finder (see below). (Order no. [...]

LEICA X1 Handgrip The handgrip for the LEICA X 1 allows the camera t o be held safely and comfortably. It is attached to the camera’s tripod thread b y means of the knurled screw (1 .5a, see p. 7 4) on the bottom of the handgrip. (Order no. 1 8 7 1 2) Notes: • This handgrip is designed ex clusively for the LEICA X 1 . It cannot be at- tached to[...]

Precautions and care instructions General precautions Do not use the LEICA X1 in t he immediate vicinity of devices with po werful magnetic, electrostatic or electromagnetic fields (e.g. induction ovens, micro - wave o vens, television sets or computer monit or s, video game consoles, cell phones, radio equipment). • If you place the LEIC A X1 on[...]

Sensor Cosmic radiation (e.g. on flights) can cause pixel defects. Condensation If condensation has formed on or in the LEICA X1 , you should switch it of f and leave it t o stand at room temperature for around an hour . Once the camera temperature has adjusted to room t emper ature, the condensation will disappear by itself. Care instructions As a[...]

• Alwa ys ensure that the battery contacts are clean and freely accessible. While lithium ion batteries are proof against short circuits, they should still be protect ed against contact with metal objects such as paper clips or jewelry. A short-circuited battery can get very hot and cause severe burns. • If a battery is dropped, check the casin[...]

Storage • If you are no t using the LEICA X1 for an ext ended period of time, we re - commend that you: a. switch it off (see p. 88), b. remove the memory card (see p. 86), and c. remove t he battery (see p. 85) (af ter a maximum of 3 days, the time and date will be lost, see p. 84). • A lens work s like a magnifying glass if bright sunlight sh[...]

T echnical data Sensor APS-C-size (23.6x15.7 mm) CMOS Sensor with 1 2.9 Megapixels, aspect ratio 3:2 Resolution Selectable for JPEG for mat: 4272 x 2856 pixels ( 12.2M ), 3264 x 2 1 60 pixels ( 7M ), 2 1 44 x 1 42 4 pixels ( 3M ), 1 632 x 1080 pixels ( 1.8M ), DNG : 4288 x 2862 pixels. Lens LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 mm ASPH. (corresponds to 36 mm wit [...]

Flash modes Flash switched on and off by extending/retracting the unit, automatic flash activation with and without pre-flash, manual flash activa- tion with and without pre-flash, automatic flash activation with slow er shutter speeds with and without pre-flash, studio mode for triggering sla ve equipped external flash systems. Flash exposure comp[...]

Leica Academy As well as outstanding high-perfor mance products for taking, reproducing and viewing phot ographs, for many years we hav e also been of fering the special ser vices of the Leica Akademie, with practical seminars and training courses, which are intended to share our knowledg e about the world of photograph y, projection and magnificat[...]

T rademark of the Leica Camera Group/ Registered T rademark © 2009 Leica Camera AG R[...]

my point of vie w Leica Camera AG / Osk ar-Barnack-Str . 1 1 / D-35606 Solms www.leica-camera.com / info@leica-camera.com T elefon +49 (0) 64 42 - 208-0 / T elefax +49 (0) 64 42 - 208-333 93 336 XI/ 09/ EX/ B.[...]