MonkeyPuzzle Posted November 9, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, first post. My uncle advised a visit here to try and make the right choice of camera. Now I'm looking to spend £500 max and want a camera to give me great pictures, video would be good too. I'd like to be able to zoom in from a distance and also zoom in and crop a 'picture from within an existing picture'. I'd also like to print images to A4 / A3 size when the need arises. Of course I say 'I' when I meen a developer :0) I'd like to be able to take landscape and moving objects (birds in flight, kids sports day etc) as well as general family / holiday snaps. Obviously I'd like an M8 / M9 but obviously the budget is not there. SO, I'm considering a secondhand V-Lux 1, Panasonic GF1 or Sony HX1. I've tried compareing them but am more confused than ever. New camera with 'bells and whistles' or older camera, with no gaurantee, that appears to be 'worse' ('old' technology) but does as well / better due to better lense etc. Please let me know what you think. I need help ASAP ;0) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 9, 2009 Posted November 9, 2009 Hi MonkeyPuzzle, Take a look here Help / Advice would be appreciated. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
laptoprob Posted November 9, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 9, 2009 Hi, first post. My uncle advised a visit here to try and make the right choice of camera. Now I'm looking to spend £500 max and want a camera to give me great pictures, video would be good too. I'd like to be able to zoom in from a distance and also zoom in and crop a 'picture from within an existing picture'. I'd also like to print images to A4 / A3 size when the need arises. Of course I say 'I' when I meen a developer :0) I'd like to be able to take landscape and moving objects (birds in flight, kids sports day etc) as well as general family / holiday snaps. Obviously I'd like an M8 / M9 but obviously the budget is not there. SO, I'm considering a secondhand V-Lux 1, Panasonic GF1 or Sony HX1. I've tried compareing them but am more confused than ever. New camera with 'bells and whistles' or older camera, with no gaurantee, that appears to be 'worse' ('old' technology) but does as well / better due to better lense etc. Please let me know what you think. I need help ASAP ;0) Digilux 2? Panny GF1 is out of budget. I like mine a lot though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kievnut Posted November 9, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 9, 2009 For £500 max, if you stay away from the word "Leica", you can get a lot of good choices. Panasonic has "Leica" glass and most of them are within your budget with good zoom ranges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted November 9, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2009 hi there, and welcome. you want a lot from your new camera. landscape = wide angle lens birds in flight = super fast (very expensive) telephoto lens combine the two = wicked expensive, large lens let me ask ..... why do you need to make a fast decision? what are you using now? if you are on a budget and really need a long zoom lens, that pretty much rules out a new Leica setup, or even a used one in good condition. i don't want to sound too lecture-ish, but it may be that you really need to start comprimizing (sp?) on some of your expectations, and i get the feeling you should take your time and collect some good info before you make a decision. and as far as "old = worse" .... what ever gave you that idea ??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 10, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 10, 2009 £500 will buy you one of the entry level DSLR's from Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony with the 'standard' zoom lens and you will probably have enough for a second tele zoom. There isn't a Leica in your price range which meets your requirements. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyPuzzle Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted November 11, 2009 Thanks for the welcom. To answer your questions, why ASAP, well my old camera (Sony717) sensor died and essentially I'm a child that wants to get a replacement and play with it NOW. :0). Yes I want a lot but if I didn't put it all in you'd ask me what I wanted it for and there may be some cameras that have a better combination of what I want than others. I appreciate I'll have to compromise to an extent. As for old v new it's just based on the areas I'm familiour with. New features on tv's and such invariably make the 'new' 'better' than the old. Like I said 'old' technology. The Sony HX1 is WAY better (and has more features) than my 'old' 717. However I know there are Leicas from say the 50's that will beat many 'newer' cameras ;0) hi there, and welcome. you want a lot from your new camera. landscape = wide angle lens birds in flight = super fast (very expensive) telephoto lens combine the two = wicked expensive, large lens let me ask ..... why do you need to make a fast decision? what are you using now? if you are on a budget and really need a long zoom lens, that pretty much rules out a new Leica setup, or even a used one in good condition. i don't want to sound too lecture-ish, but it may be that you really need to start comprimizing (sp?) on some of your expectations, and i get the feeling you should take your time and collect some good info before you make a decision. and as far as "old = worse" .... what ever gave you that idea ??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
regedit Posted November 11, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) just add a 0 to your budget and a problem is solved. sorry, if it looks like a joke, but it's quite true! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalina Posted November 11, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 11, 2009 Obviously I'd like an M8 / M9 but obviously the budget is not there. SO, I'm considering a secondhand V-Lux 1, Panasonic GF1 or Sony HX1. I've tried compareing them but am more confused than ever. New camera with 'bells and whistles' or older camera, with no gaurantee, that appears to be 'worse' ('old' technology) but does as well / better due to better lense etc. Please let me know what you think. I need help ASAP ;0) If you do get a GF1, the "poor man's Leica," you'll still need to get a good lens for it and Leica lenses are not cheap. Let's say you get an old 35mm Summicron for $800. You'll still need to buy the adapter ring for it (is this $200 to $300?). When I considered getting my M8, I knew what I was getting into and saved about $3.2k to get it and a starter lens, a used 35mm Summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted November 11, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 11, 2009 I would call RG Lewis in London. They have a load of Leica Digilux 2 refurbs at £399 (inc sensor replacement). My friend has just bought one - very happy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicefor88 Posted November 20, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 20, 2009 You could also consider the excellent D Lux 4, or D Lux 3 (earlier version slightly cheaper) or its Panasonic equivalent, the LX 3. Do not hesitate to invest a bit more that the amount you first thought, these are worth it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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