Leica's newest digital lens

[Bob Ross]

Lots of aspherics in this one.
FXLens-modweb.jpg
and the distortion at the wide end, wide open looks like this.
P-13-dist25-web.jpg
Now, I have to get used to not having an optical viewfinder.
FXVeiw-modweb.jpg
The Panasonic FX500 is quite likely to be the next C-Lux and if it is the Cluxers are in for lots of fun.
Bob

[adan]

Interesting -

BUT - was talking with someone in the loop with Leica just today, and it sounds like Solms is going to cut back on some of the underperforming (market-wise, not quality-wise) lines they buy from Panasonic. It was pointed out that the C-Lux has had a price reduction lately (as opposed to increases for most things Leica) and that it is therefore likely showing sales weakness. It may be for the chop.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by adan

Interesting -

BUT - was talking with someone in the loop with Leica just today, and it sounds like Solms is going to cut back on some of the underperforming (market-wise, not quality-wise) lines they buy from Panasonic. It was pointed out that the C-Lux has had a price reduction lately (as opposed to increases for most things Leica) and that it is therefore likely showing sales weakness. It may be for the chop.

Hi Andy,
That could end up being the case. The Pany FX*** line seems to hatch new models every month, leaving the Red Dot Clux model rapidly aging in terms of bells and whistles. It even seems that Pany is stepping on their own toes at times in the FX dance. At the moment the new FX35 & 100 seem to be upstaged by the newer FX500. I think the FX500 is significant with its manual control of just about all the parameters, a multiple UI including a neat touch screen and, of course, the lens (25-125mm-eqv) that has 7 elements in six groups, 4 aspheric lenses, 6 aspheric surfaces. The lens design shows some serious effort and from a few days of use, it seems to work. Considering that the lens is mass produce makes it more interesting.
They could cut the Clux or they might think this version might age more gracefully. Anyway it looks like a good pocket cam for when I can't have the M8 danging.
Bob

[lemalk]

I don't have any insight into sales numbers, but it appears as though the strongest of the PanaLeicas is the D-Lux 3.

I tend to think the C-Lux 2 is overpriced for the quality, but I don't see it going away.

Maybe the casualties are the V-Lux and possibly even the Digilux....

If this turns out to be, in fact, the C-Lux 3, I think it'll be a great little performer. And it bodes well for the D-Lux 4 being even stronger.