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Pros and Cons of the V-Lux 1


bill

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So, having started a process of consolidation, that should see me with one less Barnack, no R kit and an "upgrade" on the M front, I have started to critically re-evaluate my use of my other equipment.

 

I own one DSLR, an Olympus E-520, for which I have a set of three of the pro-spec lenses and a 1.4x converter. I only use (and have) it for macro and telephoto work, something that I only really do 2 or 3 times per year.

 

For the use I make of it, would it make (more) sense for me to bail out of the 4/3 system altogether and get a secondhand V-Lux 1? I'm looking for views from those who have the V-Lux (or indeed the Panasonic sibling) AND who have experience of current-generation 4/3 DSLRs.

 

Thoughts?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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I had a V-Lux1 for a while, and although I was very impressed with the ability of the camera, and the image quality, I just couldn't learn to live with an EVF instead of a 'real' viewfinder. But that's just me. If you can live with an EVF, then it is a great camera, with a great lens and is extremely versatile.

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Thanks Nicole, that's interesting. I have an LC-1 which is "previous generation" EVF (presumably) and I get on alright with that, but I would be keen to understand if the EVF is a real burden with macro shots; the Olympus is very good in this regard.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Hi Bill. I would think that for macro work it would be great. My main problem was the small time lag at low light levels. Somehow I just couldn't get comfortable with that. But as I said, it's probably just me, and most other people will be absolutely fine. In my case I think it's too many decades of looking through 'real' viewfinders. :)

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I fully sympathise with that!

 

I suppose what I am trying to do is a) end up with a "horses for courses" set that meets my current and future needs and B) redistribute my money where it will get most use and give me most benefit - my M and LTM systems.

 

Thanks for your input. :D

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Bill,

 

I was in a similar situation a few months ago. Bought a Pentax K7 with a 2.8/50-135mm Pro series (Star) lens and a 1.4x teleconverter. When making that decision, I was also considering the Olympus E-620 but, in the end the build quality of the K7 won me over. I don’t think that results from the Olympus 4/3 system and the K7 with its 1.5x crop would have been much different anyway.

 

Like you, I wanted the DSLR mainly for telephoto work, as the bulk of my other shooting was done with an M8 and a plethora of M lenses left from my film days. After a few months with the K7 I just could not get used to the size and weight (have been a spoiled M user for the last 40 plus years) and sold it.

 

Now - this is where the V-Lux 1 comes in….. I have owned the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 for close to 3 years and recently found a deal on the FZ-50 that I just could not refuse. I sold the FZ-30 and am using the FZ-50 now; as you no doubt know, the V-Lux 1 is identical to the FZ-50.

 

For close to 4 years, I have also owned a Digilux 2 so, we are in the same boat and I would highly recommend the LC-1 and V-Lux 1 (or FZ-50) combo. Whenever I want to travel light and get as wide a zoom lens coverage as possible (in the D-2 and FZ-50 this translates to 28mm to 400mm!), I take those two cameras.

 

The EVF has not bothered me; image quality out of the Digilux 2 is superb, with the FZ-50 not far behind. If you are, as you say, trying to reduce your kit in size and weight, you are on the right track…..

 

Best,

 

Jan

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Bill -

 

My first all digital holiday was to India in the fall of 2005. On that trip I brought the D2 and a forerunner of the V-Lux1, though at the moment I forget it's Lumix number. This gave me very light weight coverage from the equivalent of 28mm to 420mm plus macro, and below is an image you've seen here from that Lumix. When a dear friend's DMR/R9 and lenses were stolen I sent the Lumix to him on permanent loan. If not for my own DMR I'd have been happy to stay with the India holiday pair of cameras. Now I travel with the D2 and DMR/R8.

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