Leica X Vario: My Equipment

Status Beginning of August 2013 | Additions February 2014 | Photos of the Camera

Archive

On this page, I present my Leica X Vario equipment (status: beginning of August 2013 and mid-February 2014). Please note that the purpose for showing my equipment is to give recommendations to other Leica X Vario users or prospective users, not to boast with what I own.

Status Beginning of August 2013

Here is my Leica X Vario equipment from the beginning of August 2013:

Photo: My Leica X Vario equipment (status: beginning of August, 2013)

Overview

Top left: Leica X Vario without lens cap (the cap is below the camera)
Center left: Protector = Camera half-case for protecting the camera, particularly its bottom plate, and the lens cap
Center: Electronic viewfinder Olympus VF-2 with bag; this viewfinder works for the Leica X Vario, because it is identical with the one that Leica sells (at double the price); there are spurious contact issues with the Olympus viewfinder; you can find a green bar in the viewfinder or the whole image is green (has already happened to me and was also reported in forums)
Center right: Cheap replacement work-alike battery and B+W +5 close-up lens
Upper right: Lens hood for the Leica X Vario with metal cap (sits rather tightly) and bag *
Bottom: Cheap set of close-up lenses (43mm), consisting of lenses with +1, +2, and +4 diopters

*) At enjoyyourcamera you can buy a full-metal lens hood (with cap) for 36 EUR, which looks very similar to the Leica version that it is meant to replace. Regrettably, I heard of this too late...

Additions December 2013, February/March 2014

In December 2013, I bough a Peak Design wrist strap (Cuff) and a shoulder strap (Leash). For details see page Peak Design Straps.

Photos: Leica X Vario with Peak Design wrist strap (Cuff, left) and with shoulder strap (Leash, right) attached

In February 2014, I bought a Marumi achromat +5 to improve the quality of close-up photos ( and another one in June 2014 to achieve +10). The lens has a minimal filter thread of 52 mm, which required me to also buy a 43-52 mm step-up ring.

Photos: Marumi +5 achromat and 43-52 mm step-up ring

Photos: Leica X Vario with Marumi +5 achromat and 43-52 mm step-up ring

In March 2014, I bought a used black ThinkTank Retrospective 5 bag for my Leica X Vario equipment and some additional stuff (for example, binoculars, Ricoh GR, purse - but not all of this at once)...

Here is a first look at how I can fill the bag:

Reference: www.thinktankphoto.com/products/retrospective-5-black.aspx

Photos of the Camera

Photo: "Naked" Leica X Vario right after unboxing the camera

This is the "typical" camera equipment that I take with me on walks:

Photo: Leica X Vario with Protector, Olympus VF-2 electronic viewfinder, lens hood and shoulder strap

Photo: Leica X Vario from above - you can clearly see how much the lens protrudes

Photo: Rear view of the Leica X Vario (with protector and electronic viewfinder VF-2)