Guest purpledot Posted December 31, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 31, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Going back home for a few days made me check one of the bigger retailer’s site prior departure ending up getting hooked on a used V-Lux 1 for 333€ [original sales price 1200€] with a full one year warranty and all paraphernalia. It was still in the shop window when I got there but since it was still Xmas the shop was closed for the next 42 hours . However, it was still there on Monday morning, it looked almost new (apart from the hood which was a little dirty) and the previous owner even delivered it with a charged battery – now that was a nice gesture! So I bought it hoping to get a camera that I could take with me on vacations as a one size fit all. Since this is “only” my second Leica and the other is a Leicasonic as well (the D2) I was interested in find out how they compared. After a good few hundred pictures in the cold North from dusk till dawn I have formed a true love and hate relationship with it – fortunately the hatred is directed towards minor issues. So for the benefit of anybody considering this little technical wonder I will try to answer some of the questions I had before buying. HANDLING: Overall the handling is very nice. The body is not tall enough to be used with a hand strap since the last one or two fingers fall away under the body (and I have smallish to medium sized hands) and men (m/f) with big hands should think twice before buying. It actually is not very nice holding for a prolonged time and reminds me very much of the G1 which I avoided for the same reason. The bulge on the right side of the body housing the back wheel looks good initially, but gets quite annoying over time making your thumb sour so for these two reasons I ended up carrying it either dangling from the strap in one hand or worn like a true SLR over the shoulder: do try that at home… (more on that later). Zooming, manual focus, dials, and buttons are easy to use and of high quality. The on/off button is a tad smallish and the shutter release button could easily be smoother (it jerks a bit) but this is one camera that can actually be operated with fairly heavy gloves on; a definitely plus in my book. Further it does not tumble when zooming in on a moose so is perfect for Nordic climates… Changing batteries and cards is easy and the battery life is surprisingly good. After more than four hours (screen off) shooting in sub-zero (Celcius) temperatures only one of three “battery-indicators” had vanished and repeatedly came back after the camera had been powered off for a while. Impressive with the image stabilisation and everything. SCREEN/VIEWFINDER: Most of the time I had the swivel screen turned away, but it shifts nicely between viewfinder and screen automatically when the screen is opened/folded away and the latter is definitely up to the job. The viewfinder is very D2 like which I find adequate. And, importantly, it is easy to see the whole screen even with glasses on. Since the light up North is hardly blazing during Winter I cannot report on the visibility of the screen in full glare, but still there is the viewfinder for such climates. LENS and IQ: The lens is very good for its considerable range and the versatility is amazing. The anti-shake system is very efficient. Having shaky hands I was able to get acceptable pictures at full length just when the sun was rising if leaning against poles, walls etc. The anti-shake system (level 1) seems to work particularly well with such “natural” monopods (more on the hood in this connection) whereas level 2 is probably only recommended if you are very drunk (and in sync). I would not mind a sensor with less pixels (say half) but since I want to use it as a jpeg only camera I am pleased to find the output of consistently high quality – sunrise and sunset pictures have a particular pleasing glow (more on metering below). Overall the IQ is not quite up to D2 standards, but not much worse and nothing that should stop one from using this as a main camera during a vacation. The reach is outright awe inspiring. Going from 35mm to over 400mm in one camera is serious fun and I noticed new details on buildings in the city I have lived in for most of my life. FLASH/AF/METERING/HIGHLIGHTS: The flash (when the hood is off) in all auto mode doses the needed light each and every time and comes up and down with confidence. Of course the bounce facility of the D2 is not present, but nevertheless I like the output a lot. Quite on par with the D2 output. The AF speed is not bad if a little inconsistent. Not suited for sports and definitely not children/dogs proof but for other subjects no problem. But you will not get a 100% hit rate photographing people walking, so if you like action or just street photography you should look elsewhere. The “wide area” AF is very precise and gets the focus in almost any light if you have patience and the subject is glacial. The “small area” AF setting seems (but these are early days) to be hunting more, so perhaps it needs more defined edges to catch onto than the broader AF setting. Manual focus is very easy and works well. The metering (multi pattern) has so far been spot on when used with flash. Without flash it is almost always right. The inconsistency is a little worrying even between frames of the same motif but mostly the results are good. I will probably end up dialling in a -1/3 or -2/3 adjustment permanently. I have not quite determined the circumstances yet, but in some scenarios the highlights are blown faster than on any camera other camera I have ever tried while in others they are kept under control quite well. I actually might end up using the histogram on this one! THE IRRITANTS: So all in all this is a very pleasing camera (can you hear it coming?) but… Obviously it is possible to detect the short body height and the slightly clunky shutter release button and the annoying bulge beforehand. And although you do not get the delight from picking up the body that a D2 instils in the user using it in the field is quite a pleasure. But… It may very well be on my specimen only, but on the first morning out while I was standing on the edge of a quay and leaning against a pole for added support the hood played 1984 all over and defected. It looks quite like the D2 design, where the hood is “welded” on, but putting minimum pressure on one of the release tabs only makes the hood come off and scuttle away – fortunately my hood could not swim and decided to stay on shore. It happened quite a few times when leaning against poles, walls etc., so while one soon learns to adopt it is a real nuisance. Far worse, however, is the rubber covering of the viewfinder. It defected too and is now scraping by begging for the odd donations from other photographers. I last saw it when I donned the camera SLR style over my back and I only noticed it was gone when I took the camera to my eye and scratched my glasses This is so unLeica, me thinks, and now I have to find a replacement and bolt and weld and glue it on to ensure it stays in place. Of course, to add insult to injury, the dioptre adjustment dial now has a life of its own fulfilling its long lost dream of a role in showbiz as a Ferris wheel. Sounding like a concerned parent: it ain´t no fun without a rubber! CONCLUSION: The hood problems and the rubber thingy disappearing are huge disappointments. Would I prefer a 28-300mm? Yes, but the 35mm is okay. Otherwise the camera at 333€ is good value for money – at 1200€ not so much. Bottomline (for me) is that this camera easily outperforms me – and I never need more in a camera (rubber souls apart). I “grieve” over the loss but with a wry smile. At the price paid I thought I could always ship it off again without too much of a loss. But it stays. Now where do I get that replacement cover? PS: I don’t print pictures and only view them on-screen. I cannot rule out I would assess the IQ differently if I did print. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 31, 2009 Posted December 31, 2009 Hi Guest purpledot, Take a look here V-Lux 1: A grief observed with a (wry) smile. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
leica dream Posted December 31, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 31, 2009 As a fellow V-Lux1 owner I was interested to read your comments. Perhaps it is because I have never aspired to (or been able to afford) the D/R/M ranges that I cannot speak too highly of my camera. To use your phrase "it out performs me". I have not had any problems with the hood or eye piece. I agree that carrying SLR style is not very comfortable, and when in frequent use I carry it (hood attached) with the strap over one shoulder with the camera hanging down and slightly behind the opposite lower back. It is always ready for use that way. I have only been shooting JPEGs to date, but now that I am getting more proficient with PS Elements I am switching gradually to RAW . Results with this camera rarely disappoint me, and once one has mastered its vast flexibility, I cannot see any reason for me to change. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest purpledot Posted January 1, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 1, 2010 I have only been shooting JPEGs to date, but now that I am getting more proficient with PS Elements I am switching gradually to RAW . Results with this camera rarely disappoint me, and once one has mastered its vast flexibility, I cannot see any reason for me to change. Richard Hi Richard Pleased it is only my rubber thingy having done the runner Got three quick questions for you: 1) How do you find that "real world" RAW files hold up after being processed? 2) Have you tried using the 750mm option from the EZ mode? It sound quite alluring (if one only views online) but must be pretty difficult to handhold? 3) And finally - what are your "personal" success rate shooting 420mm - I mean, what is the slowest shutter speed where you consistently get good results? cheers, Purpledot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica dream Posted January 1, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 1, 2010 Firstly a quick point. On your original post you were "irritated" by the shutter noise. If you scan through the Set-up menu you will find a 3 stage setting for that - silent, medium or loud.(page 29 in the manual) Now for your specifics. The RAW images take some time to manipulate and I am by no means sure that with my gross inexperience I have yet perfected the technique, but I think I get reasonable results in the end. By way of confession, because the camera always provides a JPEG for every RAW I have to admit to using that for convenience on many occasions. As for 750mm in EZ or the 420mm setting, again I have so little experience that I have not stretched to those specifics yet. I changed to my V-Lux1 from a rather basic Leica C1 point & shoot film camera and do not shoot as much as I can (or should). Those constraints are now lifted so I can enjoy proper retirement and hopefully build my own expertise nearer to that of the camera. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest purpledot Posted January 1, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 1, 2010 Firstly a quick point. On your original post you were "irritated" by the shutter noise. If you scan through the Set-up menu you will find a 3 stage setting for that - silent, medium or loud.(page 29 in the manual)Richard Thanks for your input - btw I do not find it noisy - all sounds are already turned off - I find it jerky. On my specimen the movement is not smooth when the shutter release button is pushed down. May indeed be sample variation like with the hood/eye piece. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stelyn Posted January 3, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 3, 2010 I have the panasonic version, I have used the 4x digital + 420mm optical, it is impossible to handhold imo, I used the feature to take images of the full moon on NYE, after a few early drinks it semed like a good idea top pass the time befoe the party. I used a gorilla pod tripod. The results are below. My main gripe with this mdel of camera is the wheel next to the eye piece has a life of it's own. It doesn't "click" like the Digilux 2, it wheels too freely and is often out of position, which can sometimes make one second guess the eyepiece especially when manually focusing, I've taken to using the "SLR" style display setting (with the black surround) so that I've got a constant double check as to the diopeter wheel is correctly aligned by referencing the digits there, I would have gladly paid the extra £10, or so, costs to have a clicking wheel. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/108278-v-lux-1-a-grief-observed-with-a-wry-smile/?do=findComment&comment=1172808'>More sharing options...
Guest purpledot Posted January 3, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 3, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I used the feature to take images of the full moon on NYE, after a few early drinks it semed like a good idea top pass the time befoe the party. I used a gorilla pod tripod. The results are below. Is that a Hasselblad lower right side Nice picture - totally agree with the diopter adjustment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stelyn Posted January 4, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 4, 2010 Is that a Hasselblad lower right side Nice picture - totally agree with the diopter adjustment. I can't see the picture winning any prizes tbh, but thanks, it demonstrates a mad 48x zoom range, out of camera uncropped jpeg, from a £150 used camera. I do a lot of offshore yacht sailing and inevitably other coastal pursuits and this is my new "come everywhere" camera, poor thing has got a hard, salty life in store and will probably be dead by this time next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest purpledot Posted January 7, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 7, 2010 this is my new "come everywhere" camera Can easily relate to that. It will be my "I don't know what I will face + going on vacation" camera and after a few hundred shots I remain quite impressed. The zoom seems quite soft around 400mm (less so <300) but not too much. This is my xx camera, but the first bridge, and I easily see why people do cross it During an otherwise horrible day I just got a piece of good news. The shop [Photographica in Copenhagen] selling it honours its warranty (the eye piece should not have falled off so easyly) and has ordered a replacement free of charge. Only I won't be back for 3 months and won't risk it getting lost in transport. For anybody else experiencing this problem Meister in Berlin can supply it for 10€ + transport. And they have them in stock. The part part number 423.075-801.014 Happy shooting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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