What Will Replace V-Lux1?

[psmith2383]

Like others I've been searching for a V-Lux1 or a Pani Z50 and they are disappearing from store shelves. It seems that only a few retailers have them and they are asking huge prices for a quickly evaporating supply. I have friends who really like their unit and I've been thinking about a new one or maybe a used one. Even used ones are hard to find. I did buy a D-Lux4 new and it's wonderful. The lens and the controls are first class. What a great little camera.

I've been thinking about what will replace the V-Lux1? A V-Lux2? The V-L1 produces very good images and I'd hope that Leica would follow it up with a newer model, maybe with better noise control at a bit higher ISO choices. If Leica may market something to replace the V-Lux1, I might hold off buying something else until they have something on the shelf for us to look at.

And how important to Leica will be digital cameras under $1500 in the future? The V-Lux and D-Lux are aimed at people like me, who as yet haven't put enough cash away to buy an M8 class digital and a good lens. I'll have to win the lottery to afford the new S2, I guess. So I'm concerned with my nitch cameras that Leica has built in the past and what's their future in the company. Any thoughts on this? Phil

[offshore]

Originally Posted by psmith2383

Like others I've been searching for a V-Lux1 or a Pani Z50 and they are disappearing from store shelves. It seems that only a few retailers have them and they are asking huge prices for a quickly evaporating supply. I have friends who really like their unit and I've been thinking about a new one or maybe a used one. Even used ones are hard to find. I did buy a D-Lux4 new and it's wonderful. The lens and the controls are first class. What a great little camera.

I've been thinking about what will replace the V-Lux1? A V-Lux2? The V-L1 produces very good images and I'd hope that Leica would follow it up with a newer model, maybe with better noise control at a bit higher ISO choices. If Leica may market something to replace the V-Lux1, I might hold off buying something else until they have something on the shelf for us to look at.

And how important to Leica will be digital cameras under $1500 in the future? The V-Lux and D-Lux are aimed at people like me, who as yet haven't put enough cash away to buy an M8 class digital and a good lens. I'll have to win the lottery to afford the new S2, I guess. So I'm concerned with my nitch cameras that Leica has built in the past and what's their future in the company. Any thoughts on this? Phil

Phil about three months ago, the last time I worked in the retail photography business, our Leica rep said that there would be no replacement from Leica for the V-lux, That is the last word I've heard on the subject. It's too bad because I have an FZ30 and prefer the color reproduction from it over my M8. The b&w ain't bad either.

[offshore]

Here's a link to an FZ30 advertised as like new in box-http://photo.net/gc/view-one?classified_ad_id=950951.