hojoon0724 Posted December 10, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) What do you think of it? I know that most models except a few (like m models) are carbon copies of panasonic models. Also, it's a small camera, which always means that the quality will suffer in one way or another. My question is: is it still worth the Leica badge? I'm skeptical about this model because I don't know if it sets itself apart from the rest of small (much cheaper) pocket cameras. By the way, I'm thinking of buying this model to my dad. He's the traditional photographer who never made the jump to digital (I KNOW!!!) and sticks with his Hasselblad in those very very special occasions. He bought a few M models in the past but whenever he buys them, something horrible happens in the next few months and he needed to sell it. So what's your take on the C-Lux 3? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 10, 2009 Posted December 10, 2009 Hi hojoon0724, Take a look here What's your opinion of C-Lux 3. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stuny Posted December 10, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 10, 2009 Almost all the photos on the New York gallery, pages 30 through 65 on my site are with the Panasonic version of the C-Lux-2. Once you understand the camera's limitations you can work around them and get very good results, but as with all digital cameras you should be ready to do some post processing. One of the things you get with the Leica logo over the Panasonic is a much longer warrantee (2 years, I think, vs. 90 days, I think). Also, you have to pay about $55 up-front if you think your Panasonic needs service just to get them to evaluate your camera. That money is applicable to the repair, but the camera might not need a repair, or it might not be repairable. In the case of Leica, you get the camera to them and they evaluate it at no cost. Considering your father’s film camera choices (Hassy and Leica M) it might make more sense to get him a good, used Leica Digilux 2. The lens (35 mm equivalent focal length of 28-90mm) is superb, and the major controls are all analog, so you don’t have to go into menus to do basic things. You can use it fully automatically, to fully manually, with several versions of semi automatic in between. The camera has achieved cult status and has a very strong following on this Forum. It looks very much like an M, and you can find good ones for not much more than a new C-Lux-3 (though I suspect the C-Lux-3 is about to be discontinued – They now discount to less than $500 and Leica is offering a $75 rebate). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted December 10, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 10, 2009 The C-Lux 3 is not a C-Lux2 with a wider/longer zoom (which is what I had hoped for; the "2" being a brilliant pocket camera which can take remarkable photos, particularly in B&W). Unfortunately Leica chose to give us what they thought we wanted; instead of a mechanical rotary switch we now have to use inconvenient screen menus . It takes superb photos and the zoom lens is outstanding, it's just a pain to use as it reverts to snap-shot mode rather than staying in programme mode (unless you fool it). In short: it is a handbag camera which can be made to work like a photographer's pocket camera, whereas the C-Lux2 was a photographer's pocket camera which also fits in a handbag. btw, I'm not aware of anyone else posting photos on this forum who owns both. If 28-100mm (equiv) covers your requirements, try to find a new C-Lux2, someone will be selling one at huge discount, I'm sure. If you need the 25-105mm, you have to put up with the electronics. Hope this is of some use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 10, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 10, 2009 I have the Panasonic version of the Clux2. I wasn't aware of the difference in the controls of the 3, just the wider lens. I also had a Clux1 until it broke down, and I must say that took sharper photos than the 2, but had something like a 33-100mm lens. They are what they are - very compact, nicely made digital point & shoot cameras. Small sensors, auto controls, ideal carry everywhere cameras and used within their limitations they are capable of very good results. Despite what some people will tell you I've yet to see any difference between the actual results from the Panasonic and Leica versions. If you buy the Leica you get a red dot, better software and probably better after sales support should you have a problem. It will also sell for more should you want to sell it later. If they were the same price, or nearly the same, I'd buy the Leica, but I don't need software, I don't aim to sell cameras that I buy and I found a Clux2 for £99 brand new (as it had been discontinued). Stuarts idea to get a D2 is worth considering as your father will find the controls of that familiar and it is much more of a photographers camera, but if you think your father would use a small pocket camera to carry at all times, then you can't go wrong with the Clux or Panasonic version. As a bonus, you can explain to him that it will also serve as a light meter for his Hassy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniuni68 Posted December 11, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 11, 2009 The C-Lux 3 is not a C-Lux2 with a wider/longer zoom (which is what I had hoped for; the "2" being a brilliant pocket camera which can take remarkable photos, particularly in B&W). Unfortunately Leica chose to give us what they thought we wanted; instead of a mechanical rotary switch we now have to use inconvenient screen menus . It takes superb photos and the zoom lens is outstanding, it's just a pain to use as it reverts to snap-shot mode rather than staying in programme mode (unless you fool it). In short: it is a handbag camera which can be made to work like a photographer's pocket camera, whereas the C-Lux2 was a photographer's pocket camera which also fits in a handbag. btw, I'm not aware of anyone else posting photos on this forum who owns both. If 28-100mm (equiv) covers your requirements, try to find a new C-Lux2, someone will be selling one at huge discount, I'm sure. If you need the 25-105mm, you have to put up with the electronics. Hope this is of some use. Great post! I bought a C lux 2 for my exgirlfriend and it was a FANTASTIC camera! I have been thinking about buying a C Lux 3 for myself since I never carry the bigger D2 around for those spontaneous shots. Now I would reconsider after reading this post. I actually think the matt black finish of the C2 will probably wear a lot better than the high gloss black of the C3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted December 11, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 11, 2009 Great post! I bought a C lux 2 for my exgirlfriend and it was a FANTASTIC camera! I have been thinking about buying a C Lux 3 for myself since I never carry the bigger D2 around for those spontaneous shots. Now I would reconsider after reading this post. I actually think the matt black finish of the C2 will probably wear a lot better than the high gloss black of the C3. I forgot to mention the finish- I find the matt finish much more "agreeable" than the shiny black, which is slippery and shows fingermarks. Also, I managed to get another of the brown leather C-Lux2 cases when I got the 3, the 3 case looks rubbish, to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojoon0724 Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted December 12, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) If 28-100mm (equiv) covers your requirements, try to find a new C-Lux2, someone will be selling one at huge discount, I'm sure. Where should I look for it? ebay is pretty dead and craigslist ny is dead also. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted December 12, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 12, 2009 I went into Amazon searching for Leica C-Lux-2 and found 2 of them new. One is grossly overpriced and one is fairly priced, which is this link: Amazon.com: Leica C-LUX 2 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver): Electronics I still caution you that this is so very much unlike what your father's photo experience is that the D2 might be better for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojoon0724 Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted December 12, 2009 I still caution you that this is so very much unlike what your father's photo experience is that the D2 might be better for him. I know, I just can't find any D2s that I can afford. It runs around 700 800 on ebay and CL I wish I could find it for around 500 and I'd buy it in an instant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemalk Posted December 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 14, 2009 Here's a Digilux 2 on RFF within the price range: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php/product/19166/cat/3/limit/recent/date/1249478908 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolu Posted December 14, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 14, 2009 The c lux 3 has not only a wider lens (25mm equiv), but also video in HD ! You can play the pictures and movies on your TV set just with the supplied cable ! Great quality ! Great colours out of the box ! My girl friend has a lot of fun with it and be sure she doesn't do any post processing. She often teases me that my M9 is only almost as good as her c lux 3. I suppose, the Panas have a different firmware, that's why I presented her the c lux 3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 14, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 14, 2009 Where should I look for it?ebay is pretty dead and craigslist ny is dead also. You could place a Wanted advert on this forum. There was a D2 fairly recently. One other point, if you do buy what you seek for your father, tell him about the free education and friendship which exists on this Leica forum! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.