V-Lux 1

[BKPhotog]

Has anybody had any hands-on with the new V-1 as yet? For a "street shooter" it seems a reasonably priced alternative to a digital SLR, and potentially a good companion for my Digilux-2.

Particularly interested in perceived limitations and shutter lag time.

[malland]

I don't have any experience with an V-Lux 1, but I would have thought that street photography is best done with 50mm-equivalent and wider-angle lenses, not with a telephoto zoom that goes up to 400mm+ equivalent. I have a D-Lux 3 and the Ricoh, which are both excellent street cameras. Hence, I doubt that the V-Lux 1 will be better as a street camera than your D-Lux 2. Have a look at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/

—Mitch/Bangkok

[Riley]

not much around, compares with sistership Pana FZ50

Digital Camera Resource Page: Leica V-Lux 1 Reviews & Info

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 full review Cameralabs introduction

DCRP Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

Megapixel.net

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 Review - PhotographyBLOG

Panasonic FZ50 Review Samples Gallery: Digital Photography Review

[BKPhotog]

Thanks Mitch - Intent here is no to replace my D2, but to augment it with the V1. Enjoyed viewing your work.

[Cyrshot]

The vlux 1 is a very fast and capable camera. No need to waste time changing lense as well. I think you would enjoy it for street photography.

-Matthew

[elansprint72]

Originally Posted by BKPhotog

Has anybody had any hands-on with the new V-1 as yet? For a "street shooter" it seems a reasonably priced alternative to a digital SLR, and potentially a good companion for my Digilux-2.

Particularly interested in perceived limitations and shutter lag time.

Check out the Photoforums!

I'm very impressed with mine, and I had an FZ30 previously.

I also have a D2 and you are correct, they make a good pair.

Cheers,
Pete.

[egibaud]

I have a FZ30 and:

1- I would not pay the price difference to get the Leica version. I have not seen a single proof that picture quality is superior or different although Leica says the firmware is not the same

2- for street photography... the widest angle is 36mm and you cannot go below this, I think many street photographers would like to go as low as 28mm at least

3- it is a big camera, similar to any reflex with a transstandard zoom, I'd say it is bigger than some of the latest reflex entry cameras that exist now.

4- The minimum aperture is 2.8 BUT.... as soon as you zoom in it goes up and minimum is then 3.7

5- forget about taking pics above 100 ISO if you don't want noise (although the FZ50 with the Venus Engine III has bettered a bit)

6- Conclusion, If I were you wanting to buy a Leica V1 or Panasonic FZ XX family, I would try to get a FZ20 from the second hand market. It is smaller, still offers both auto and manual focusing, zoom is not as handy as it is a botton next to the shutter, but this makes the lense about half the size of the FZ30 /50, more discretion for street photography. And HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS... it offers 2.8 aperture from 36mm to 420mm (this is what I missed most when I gave away my FZ20 and bought the FZ30) and the other good news is that it must be available on the second hand market for quite a reduced price.

Hope this helps

[Riley]

i know of a lot of FZ20 owners who want to be burried with their camera

[Mark D]

I have the Panasonic DMC-FZ50 version and I like it a lot.

I took it to the last Sci-Fi convention I went to and it worked very well in the panels and rooms when you have no idea of where you were going to be seated. The 35-400 zoom was just the thing. Using it for Video is only ok, but I did not get it for that.

Where the camera fell down was taking full body shots of costumes at the parties and after hours get togethers. The 35 was just not wide enough. Quite often I ended up using the little Leica C-LUX 1 that I had as an extra back-up.

Next year I am planning on taking the M8 with 21mm lens for the close stuff if Leica can get its Colors True. If not I will use the DMC-L1.

[elansprint72]

Originally Posted by egibaud

I have a FZ30 and:

1- I would not pay the price difference to get the Leica version. I have not seen a single proof that picture quality is superior or different although Leica says the firmware is not the same

5- forget about taking pics above 100 ISO if you don't want noise (although the FZ50 with the Venus Engine III has bettered a bit)

Eric,
Having owned (and loved) an FZ30, I can tell you that the V-Lux1 is quite some way ahead in terms of image quality (10mp vs 8mp) and far superior with regard to noise at higher ISO settings. There are several differences in the way the contols on the rear of the camera work (all for the better) and in a comparison my my particular FZ against my particular V-Lux I have to say that the rotary controls on the lens for focus and zoom feel much less loose on the V-Lux.

You say that you have not seen a single proof that picture quality is superior; well that does not mean that the evidence is not out there, just because you personally have not seen it. I have not seen Australia but I'm quite prepared to believe that it exists.

Cheers,
Pete.

[Paul Gruyters]

I can confirm that Australia exists. We just clean sweeped the Ashes.

(That's a cricket tournament, for those in the States)

Regards,
Paul.

[stunsworth]

We were robbed!!! Actually no, we were humiliated. Much as it pains me to say it, well done, you totally dominated the series.

[elansprint72]

Originally Posted by Paul Gruyters

I can confirm that Australia exists. We just clean sweeped the Ashes.

(That's a cricket tournament, for those in the States)

Regards,
Paul.

Paul,
From what I saw your team were not really challenged at all, as for our lot, talk about a complacent bunch of poor excuses; I think they should be made to pay their own fares and expenses.

Congratulations, well deserved.

Pete.

[stunsworth]

Once upon a time criminals were sent from England to Australia. Time to reverse the process!

[Riley]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

Once upon a time criminals were sent from England to Australia. Time to reverse the process!

we prefer to call them tourists, but it means the same thing...

[Paul Gruyters]

O.K , I think we can safely say Australia does exist.

At least the English will have the opportunity to view Shane Warne play County cricket for a couple of seasons. (please keep all mobile phones turned off!)

Regs,
Paul.