crisdom Posted January 20, 2007 Share #1 Posted January 20, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is my first introduction to the Leica user forum. I am interested in buying the Digilux 3, but have heard reservations that the lens, being made in Japan, really will not result in as fine a quality of photos as a Leica lens if it were made in Germany. What do people think about this? I am using an Olympus film camera now, and want to buy the best digital camera that I can afford--my emphasis being on the quality of the image. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 Hi crisdom, Take a look here Digilux 3 Lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dwcolvin Posted January 20, 2007 Share #2 Posted January 20, 2007 This is my first introduction to the Leica user forum. I am interested in buying the Digilux 3, but have heard reservations that the lens, being made in Japan, really will not result in as fine a quality of photos as a Leica lens if it were made in Germany. What do people think about this? I am using an Olympus film camera now, and want to buy the best digital camera that I can afford--my emphasis being on the quality of the image. The Leica 14-50mm OIS lens is outstanding, no matter where or by whom it is manufactured. If you're cost-conscious, look at the Panasonic DMC-L1. Most of the Olympus lenses and some of the Sigma lenses available for the D3/L1 (and Olympus DSLRs) are also excellent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted January 20, 2007 Share #3 Posted January 20, 2007 The Leica 14-50mm OIS lens is outstanding, no matter where or by whom it is manufactured. I second this. I have 4/3 adapters to mount Leica R, Nikon, and Contax 35mm-format lenses on my L1 and so far, every one I've tried has come up short (although sometimes only a little) by comparison. There are various technical reasons why this may be so (i.e., I'm not saying any of these are poor performers when used on a 35mm film camera) but it does put the Panasonic/Leica lens' performance into perspective, regardless of which company designed or built it. If you're cost-conscious, look at the Panasonic DMC-L1. Most of the Olympus lenses and some of the Sigma lenses available for the D3/L1 (and Olympus DSLRs) are also excellent. If you're an Olympus fan and on a tight budget, you might consider the E330 as well ... same basic guts but with different firmware, different lens, and different features package, and a much lower price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwcolvin Posted January 20, 2007 Share #4 Posted January 20, 2007 If you're an Olympus fan and on a tight budget, you might consider the E330 as well ... same basic guts but with different firmware, different lens, and different features package, and a much lower price. True, but I think the Leica 14-50mm, and OIS mode 2, are worth the price of admission. I can't wait for more Lecia four-thirds lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLogan Posted January 20, 2007 Share #5 Posted January 20, 2007 The Digilux 3 has good and not-so-good points, like any other camera. As other have said, the kit lens is one of the good points. It's a great lens. The Digilux 3 is also a joy to use if you are accustomed to film SLRs, as the controls will all be where you expect them to be. Once you fiddle with the menu settings and get everything the way you want it you can pretty much forget about scrolling through menus and just use the direct controls. It does NOT have a large, bright viewfinder--the smaller size is due to the smaller-than-average 4/3 sensor, the relative lack of brightness due to the porro mirror system used to keep the top of the camera flat. Most users report getting used to the viewfinder within a day or two. The 4/3 sensor size also contributes to somewhat higher noise at high ISO settings than some DSLRs with larger sensors. The sensor size also tends to make your depth of field a bit deeper than it would be with a larger sensor. Finally, the 4/3 system does not, as yet, have a huge range of lenses. There are plenty as far as I'm concerned, but others have complained about lack of choice. I adore my Digilux 3. If you handle one and like the feel of it, you'll love the images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted January 21, 2007 Share #6 Posted January 21, 2007 I adore my Digilux 3. If you handle one and like the feel of it, you'll love the images. For emotional reasons, I hate to admit this, but I've been using my L1 more than my LC1 over the past few weeks and find I am slowly growing more attached to it. I don't like its size, shape, or weight as well as I do the LC1 (which, save for its electronic viewfinder, is a camera that's practically perfect for me in every way) and its image quality is definitely better than the LC1's as well, mostly due to OIS and my new-found ability to shoot crisp, sharp images at what would hitherto been ridiculously slow shutter speeds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted January 21, 2007 Share #7 Posted January 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Agreed. Camera is good. Lens is good. If you do the math the range of 4:3 lenses runs from 7 (14) mm to 300 (600) mm with a slight bump from the 1.4 adapter. I personally thing the Olympus lenses are great and hope more OIS gets added to new Leica lenses for that system in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted January 21, 2007 Share #8 Posted January 21, 2007 As along term OM4 user, i can say i am very pleased with the D3 / L1. It produces superb shots.....my sample shots listed below in these links http://www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/13780-ois-d3-l1-superb.html http://www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/13471-digilux-3-improvement.html http://www.leica-camera-user.com/landscape-travel/13969-my-daughter-said-quick-shoot-napoleon.html There is a set of ' in camera settings' that must be changed on day1 to get it working properly, which are detailed in these links. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Maio Posted January 21, 2007 Share #9 Posted January 21, 2007 First of all, I also agree that this is a superb lens. With that out of the way, you might enjoy looking over this website. If you click on "Interviews" and go to volume 4, you'll be able to read an interesting interview with Kyochi Miyazaki about what went in to designing and building this lens, and the critical part Leica played: LEICA D LENS | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted January 21, 2007 Share #10 Posted January 21, 2007 Just one more "2 cents". I have had my Digilux 3 since before Christmas, and while it took me a while to get used to the size of the body, having learned to photograph using analog cameras, this was the easiest digital camera i have ever started to use. the shutterspeed dial and aperature ring works entirely as expected. The lens delivers sharp technically excelent images just as expected, and I am able to use my girlfriends 4:3 rd lenses which also deliver great results. The world is full of great cameras, I do not know if this particular one is the best out there, and I don't really think it matters, for me the important thing is that I enjoy using it, The original poster said he is currently using a film camera, and I think its safe to say, that if you enjoy and feel happy generally with the idea of the camera, the camera itself is not going to disappoint. Shooting with a camera you love is by far the most important part of creating great images. Well just my 2 cents worth. Bo . My Leica scratch page - random thoughts , pictures and such. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted January 21, 2007 Share #11 Posted January 21, 2007 choice of glass in 4/3 is an interesting topic there is a system dependence on zoom lenses with the olympus offereings truly sharper and faster than most the equiped OIS lens is reported to be an excellent lens, not at all like kit lenses there is some good vibes as to new glass coming from 4/3 sources this year olympus are said to be taking on a new concept in 'thin glass' lenses and sigma should front with some more, tho i suspect just the others in the range with 4/3 mount 4 leica D glass lenses, 2 of which we know about if you access a OM adapter, you will find some of that glass worthwhile to use one of the things that bugs me a bit is the strength of the AA filter on the sensor i have heard it is unusually strong, and this seems common to the range of 4/3 cameras Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted January 21, 2007 Share #12 Posted January 21, 2007 this is the Leica D glass supposedly in the works Leica 14 - 50 (2006) f2.8 / 3.5. OIS - Intermediate The kit lens with the Lumix L1. Leica 14 - 150 (2007) f3.5 / 5.6 OIS Leica 25 (2007) f1.4 Leica 45 f2 OIS macro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted January 21, 2007 Share #13 Posted January 21, 2007 this is the Leica D glass supposedly in the works Leica 14 - 50 (2006) f2.8 / 3.5. OIS - Intermediate The kit lens with the Lumix L1. If the following link is to be believed -- the seller does appear to be reputable -- then it's already here, at least in Japan. eBay: Panasonic LEICA D VARIO ELMARIT 14-50mm F2.8-3.5 ASPH (item 150079471056 end time Feb-08-07 14:22:21 PST) The price surprised me a bit, as I paid US$1299 for a complete L1 outfit this past December, which means the body cost me just under US$110 ... what a bargain, eh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted January 21, 2007 Share #14 Posted January 21, 2007 I can't wait to see the price on that 25mm 1.4 I've got a 50-200 Oly and I think I'll stick with that. I wonder why they chose 45mm for a macro? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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