Wife needs new camera

[NZDavid]

My wife, Alex, is keen on a new camera. She likes Leica Ms, especially the results on slide film, but likes the instant feedback and convenience of digital. She wants a compact, easy-to-use camera, preferably not an SLR because they are too bulky.

At present, she mainly uses a Ricoh GX8 (before she used a Leica mini 3, which produced excellent results for travel). She likes the ergonomics of the Ricoh -- good grip, optical viewfinder. By the way, she has even used it in her work for close-up pics of fruit and veges, so it has paid for itself. In fact, it is still very good, so any replacement has to be significantly better.

She also wants wide angle to medium tele, better results in low light, and close-up capability (not sure if compacts with AF are any good in this regard).

Would a Leica D-Lux 4/Pana LX3 be suitable? Any others?

[enboe]

The only subject you mention is fruits & vegetables, which I take to mean still life-type photos. The D-Lux 4 would be excellent for that application. You do mention a desire for medium telephoto, which is one area where the D-Lux may fall short. What other types of subjects does she enjoy shooting? That might help direct some more options.

You also mention a like for photos from the Leica M cameras. Do you already have an M and more importantly, any M lenses? If so, you may want to consider the big splurge for an M8 or M8.2.

Have fun.

Eric

[NZDavid]

Sorry, to be more specific:

Yes, still lifes. Also, gardens and flowers and insects.

Other subjects: travel (cities and people, including low light candids), buildings and interiors.

Scenics.

We own an M6 and M3 and a variety of lenses from 24 to 135. We love the quality of projected slides from trips. It's hard for a digital compact to compete, but the convenience factor can be handy.

[earleygallery]

I don't know anything about the Ricoh but a quick google shows me its an 8MP compact with optical finder and hotshoe - not bad!

I've seen excellent shots from the Dlux but I doubt you will see the 'significant' improvement you hope for. All digital compacts like these are limited by their sensor size. The Dlux would offer a wider wideangle but it only goes up to about 60mm on the long end of the range (35mm equivalent) but sounds like that would be fine for the subjects you mention.

Maybe you should look at the Sigma compact which uses an APSC sensor or the Panasonic G1 micro 4/3rds camera which looks like a mini SLR and can use your M lenses with an adaptor.

[abrewer]

Sounds like your wife would be fine with one of the digital Pana/Leica's

I'd look at their four-thirds entries for her: DMC-L1 comes to mind

BTW, those digital images projected onto a fullsize screen will look absolutely terrible--no way around it

Better keep some slide film handy for that purpose

[enboe]

Thanks for the additional information.

The D-Lux4 sounds like it would fit most needs, with minor liens in the telephoto and low-light "action" candids. If your low-light candids are not moving at the speed of sports or dance, it will do nicely there too.

There are threads on the digital forum on adapters for using M glass on the new Panasonic G1. This is an interesting option you may want to explore.

Low light may present a challenge for the mentioned Sigma DP1, but the newly announced DP2 with its f/2.8 lens is somewhat better.

And lastly, the M8 or M8.2. You may want to check with your local Leica dealer who is having an M8.2 test drive promotion to see if that's something of interest. If you look around very carefully, there are some absolutely mint M8's coming up on the market right now from users who are itching for the M8.2. One of these will be in the range of $3K, versus $4K for a new one or $6K for an M8.2.

Enjoy! You're very lucky you have a hobby to share.

Eric

[Tenor1]

The Canon G-10 is worth a test drive also. It has a 28 mm, 5x zoom. I have one and the D-Lux 4 and they are both very good. The Canon has an oversized battery and it lasts a lot longer than the DL4.

[SJP]

If she really likes photography the M8 or M8.2

[NZDavid]

Many thanks for your comments and advice. I had wondered about the G10. DL-4 still looks good, may be worth a test drive. (And Panasonic LX-3 looks very similar.) I have a feeling SLRs are going to be too big. M8 is very tempting, but not so good at close ups, also v expensive -- and with digital, depreciation is phenomenal. Tricky. What cameras do others' spouses use?

[mdozier]

just got the wife a V-Lux 1 for Christmas. She loves it. I'm very impressed with the low light capabilities when on full auto. So far she's a natural with it. Lens from moderate wide (I think 35) to 420mm very clear and clean. No other lenses to haul and compact size is considrably better than an dslr.

4wiw, I think it's a great camera for the price ($250 rebate).

yours,
Matt

[andit]

Hi David,

You mentioned that you already own Leica M's and lenses that run through from 24 to 135. In that case I would very seriously consider an M8. There are quite a few mint used ones available, plus Leica is offering decent discounts on new ones at the moment.

I'm not sure where you reside, but possibly you could rent or borrow an M8 from your photo dealer for a day or so to experiment with. You will be amazed at the quality of the images. The results that I'm getting remind me so much of Fuji Velvia 50 (RVP) film (the trick that I use here is set exposure compensation -2/3, and meter for the highlights). Since you already have the lenses, you have covered the most costly item. Plus, the system is so much more compact than a SLR setup (same as your M6).

Andreas

[andit]

The other option that you may want to look at is the little compact Leica C-Lux 3. It has a decent lens, macro settings, well built and delivers some amazing images. I have attached an image of a cactus flower that I took with the original 6 megapixel C-Lux 1.

Andreas

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by andit

You mentioned that you already own Leica M's and lenses that run through from 24 to 135. In that case I would very seriously consider an M8. There are quite a few mint used ones available, plus Leica is offering decent discounts on new ones at the moment.

The person in question is currently using a P&S - auto exposure, auto flash, auto focus. I personally think the M8 would be too big a leap up, unless she really wants to get involved in the more technical aspects of photography. If she is looking for a better quality version of what she currently uses then there are many more suitable options.

[mym6is12]

Originally Posted by NZDavid

she mainly uses a Ricoh GX8 (before she used a Leica mini 3, which produced excellent results for travel). She likes the ergonomics of the Ricoh -- good grip, optical viewfinder. ... Any others?

There seem to be several good deals,at least in the UK, for the top end Ricoh GRD-II and GX200. If your wife does not like those cameras - you will ;-)

The 28mm GRD2 with GV-2 OVF is £341 from cliftoncameras.co.uk - mine arrived the day after ordering.
The 24-70mm GX200 with petal cap and extras is £238 from Calumetphoto.co.uk

The handling of the GRD2 and optical quality is superb; the GX200 a bit behind as the LCD/EVF options are not as good as the OVF, but the zoom and larger 5 frame RAW buffer adds versatility.

If you ask, you might be able to get 13% off those once VAT(GST) is removed.

[NZDavid]

Lots of interesting options here, and we'll take some time to go through them and try to have a hands-on play with cameras first before deciding. Once we have some time.

Andit - nice water lily pic, and I am always amazed at the quality a small camera can produce. Of course, a lot of it is the skill of the photographer, but having the right gear certainly helps.

Matt - V Lux certainly has a massive lens.

mym6is12 - Thanks for advice on Ricoh, certainly worth considering, as is Canon. Ricoh ergonomics are very good. But does Leica lens make a diference?

James - M8 is tempting, but yes, P/S would probably be simpler. Although you can't really call them "point and shoots" these days. There are so many options and menus you seldom use. In some ways, the M8 is actually simpler to use. But it is bulkier and more expensive, and D Lux 4 has wide standard zoom (24 or 18 with adapter.)

Thanks again, all, for your advice. Please feel free to add more comments. I have to be careful to choose what Alex wants, not what I want. She is mainly keen on pictures, and is not fixated by technology or analyzing cameras. Fine for me to do it though. Most baffling!

[abrewer]

What camera does my wife shoot?

She takes the MP away from me!



She liked Mike Richards' new D-Lux, too, though; so I may have to get her one of those