v-lux 1

[Daniel Leung]

Hi,

is leica V-lux 1 a good camera? if so, why is Leica dis-continue this model? is has a zoom lens like from 50mm t0 402 mm that sounds incredible?

any comments on this camera?

DL

[atournas]

Daniel,

I own this camera, although I haven't used it much. It is a good camera for the traveling amateur photographer, especially because of its long optical zoom.

However, perhaps because of that zoom range, the quality of the images are not up to the Leica tradition. It may be the camera software to blame, I don't really know; but I tend to trust the images from my D-Lux 3 more.

Perhaps, one action to improve results would be to use the camera mounted on a tripod all the time. The attached picture is hand-held taken.

Paul

[earleygallery]

It's a Leica badged Panasonic. Leica would have bought X amount of them and once they're gone they're gone. Panasonic seem to be following the micro 4/3 system for their newer cams which Leica aren't interested in.

[Daniel Leung]

Originally Posted by atournas

Daniel,

I own this camera, although I haven't used it much. It is a good camera for the traveling amateur photographer, especially because of its long optical zoom.

However, perhaps because of that zoom range, the quality of the images are not up to the Leica tradition. It may be the camera software to blame, I don't really know; but I tend to trust the images from my D-Lux 3 more.

Perhaps, one action to improve results would be to use the camera mounted on a tripod all the time. The attached picture is hand-held taken.

Paul

may be D-lux 4 is a better choice except without the 400 mm zoom lense. price is more or less the same

Tls
DL

[atournas]

The D-Lux 4 appears to be a better choice; the lens coating is said to have been improved and so has the built-in software. However, forget zoom, that lens goes only up to 60mm. If that doesn't bother you, perhaps you should go for the D-Lux 4, but also include the viewfinder and the grip to its accessories.

Paul

[adan]

The V-lux is not bad within its class - small-sensor pseudo-SLR with a "35-432mm" zoom and actually rather good optical image stabilization for those hand-held "432mm" shots.

It has a very small sensor, which is what makes that long zoom range possible (real focal length range is about 6-72mm), but also means a lot of noise processing is needed.

Panasonic did a whole series of these DMC-FZ(x)0 cameras, with basically the same lens, starting at 4 Mpixels 5 years ago (FZ-10) and working up to the FZ-50 which the V-Lux is based on. There are very loyal fans to the design among Panny users because the lens is tops in the class and because many competitors were several years behind Panasonic in adding IS. For Panny they've been a gold-mine, and will likely stay in the lineup until sales slump.

I think the V-lux was sort of a market test for Leica, along with the Digilux-3 4/3rds SLR. Neither has been a sales bonanza, regardless of actual quality. IMHO they were too middle of the road for the majority of Leica buyers, who either wanted, and could pay for, "real" R and M cameras, or were happy with the C/D-Lux pocketable cameras.

[Daniel Leung]

Originally Posted by adan

The V-lux is not bad within its class - small-sensor pseudo-SLR with a "35-432mm" zoom and actually rather good optical image stabilization for those hand-held "432mm" shots.

It has a very small sensor, which is what makes that long zoom range possible (real focal length range is about 6-72mm), but also means a lot of noise processing is needed.

Panasonic did a whole series of these DMC-FZ(x)0 cameras, with basically the same lens, starting at 4 Mpixels 5 years ago (FZ-10) and working up to the FZ-50 which the V-Lux is based on. There are very loyal fans to the design among Panny users because the lens is tops in the class and because many competitors were several years behind Panasonic in adding IS. For Panny they've been a gold-mine, and will likely stay in the lineup until sales slump.

I think the V-lux was sort of a market test for Leica, along with the Digilux-3 4/3rds SLR. Neither has been a sales bonanza, regardless of actual quality. IMHO they were too middle of the road for the majority of Leica buyers, who either wanted, and could pay for, "real" R and M cameras, or were happy with the C/D-Lux pocketable cameras.

so, do you know how much is the R body and lenses costs?

DL

[stuny]

Daniel -

Andy Piper's info is spot-on, including the camera's history. In the US right now they are offering USD250 rebate, a sign that they are clewaring the shelves of old stock. Below are some photos traken with the same lens on an earlier camera in November 2005 (FZ20)

[Daniel Leung]

Hi Stuart,

these are great pictures from the V-lux 1. yes, I did hear that they are offering rebate in the US now to try to clear the stock as the V-lux 1 will be dis-continued. I love my M8.2 but since my son is in a lot of action sports, my M8.2 is not very useful. I was thinking about may be to get a Nikon DSLR or may be I can save some money if I am going to get the V-lux 1.

DL

[pleeson]

Stuart, thanks for posting those V-Lux pictures. I have had good results from it as well. I find it an excellent travel camera, and easily the most cost effective $599 I've ever spent on a Leica!
And no sensor dust hassles that go with changing lenses.

[elansprint72]

It is still being advertised on the Leica UK website.

Leica Camera AG - Photography - V-Lux 1

If it has gone; what will replace it?

[adan]

Pete: perhaps nothing will replace it - directly. Indirectly, maybe a micro 4/3rds SLR with a compact 20-200mm or thereabouts, or the return of the R line.

Daniel: Well, by "R" I meant the tail end of the DMR/R9 sales era. I have no clue of the price point of the R10 if and when it appears.

As I said, I think the V-lux in combination with the Digilux 3 was literally an experiment by Leica to see if cameras in this in-between "bridge" range would sell as Leicas.

I think what they found out was that with a digital M and R also on the market, bridge cameras were no longer as successful as the Digilux 2 was at a time when it was Leica's "top-end" digital camera (DMR still under construction, M8 an unnamed dream camera on the horizon)

[santila]

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...622-paris.html

Find the direction here to some photos I did recently posted from Paris.
The "L" files were taken with the V-1.
It is my wife's camera that I took along because it is light and the long focal length comes handy.

[J. Slabber]

I use the V-lux on journeys and I've bought a wide-agle converter, 07 X. Just for buildings.
It is quick enough to be ready for nice shots. I use mostly manual settings except the AF, which works nice to me.
Choose the camera what you think you need, the V-lux 1 is a general camera, but achieves the best results in good lightconditions. Like you can notice in the samples of Stuart and Satila.