Seeingeye Posted January 3, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 3, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Michael Winner writes a column entitled "Winner's dinners" in the Sunday Times, which is published in the UK. For many years he has used a Leica Minilux for the photograph that is always a feature of the column. Since he normally features in the picture, they are often taken by someone else, quite often his fiancee - Geraldine Lynton-Edwards. Occasionally Winner takes the picture himself, when the byline is "Arnold Crust". In today's column, Michael Winner reveals that he has recently started using a D-Lux 4, which has been lent to him by Richard Swan, Product Manager of Leica Cameras. Winner reports that he had trouble understanding how to use the camera and had to have a demonstration from Richard Swan. He also comments that images are not as sharp as those from the Minilux, which are a "bit crisper". No technical details given, I'm afraid, but most likely the camera is producing JPEGs using the default settings. Winner also reveals that Swan has told him that a new camera from Leica is coming out soon. He says that Richard Swan has assured him that it is a considerable advance and simpler to operate. Intriguing, although the D-Lux 4 and its Panasonic relation have both had a long run by digital compact standards, so must be due for an update. Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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bill Posted January 3, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 3, 2010 I would be surprised if Mr. Swan is referring to anything other than the X-1 at this stage. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeingeye Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted January 3, 2010 Hi Bill That's a good thought. It certainly ticks the "considerable advance" box, but would the X-1 necessarily be simpler to use? Other than the lack of a zoom, I would have thought the two cameras would be similar from a perspective of setting the controls. Not having looked at either model, I cannot really comment. Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted January 3, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 3, 2010 Well, with Winner's deep pockets, Richard Swan must surely see him as a potential member of the S2-owning elite. And if the camera exhibits noise, softness in one corner and a vertical line down every image, you can imagine the Leica UK service department's response: "Calm down, dear!" More seriously, the Minilux had a great lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeingeye Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted January 3, 2010 Well, with Winner's deep pockets, Richard Swan must surely see him as a potential member of the S2-owning elite. And if the camera exhibits noise, softness in one corner and a vertical line down every image, you can imagine the Leica UK service department's response: "Calm down, dear!" More seriously, the Minilux had a great lens. I am not sure that we will see MW sporting a S2 any time soon. For one thing, he admits to being baffled by the D-Lux 4 manual and reckons that it will take him six months to work out how to use the new camera when he gets it. He is not really a photographer and used the Minilux as an easy to carry camera with a good lens with which to take the pictures for his column. Besides, he has also commented on his financial woes in his articles - apparently he is several million pounds in debt - so the S2 might actually be beyond him! Not that I shall be weeping any tears on his account, nor do I believe that he seeks any sympathy. Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 3, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 3, 2010 Interesting - and that he's been using film for the newspaper column (you would think they'd have insisted on digital!). Not surprised that the Minilux images looked 'crisper' mind, given the larger 'sensor' and the lens on the Minilux is meant to be superb. I think Bill is right, Winners next camera from Leica will probably be the X1 but then a new PanaLeica is probably due soon too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeingeye Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted January 3, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Interesting - and that he's been using film for the newspaper column (you would think they'd have insisted on digital!). Not surprised that the Minilux images looked 'crisper' mind, given the larger 'sensor' and the lens on the Minilux is meant to be superb. I think Bill is right, Winners next camera from Leica will probably be the X1 but then a new PanaLeica is probably due soon too. As MW is reviewing restaurants, his articles do not have to be up to the minute so film would not necessarily be an issue and the newspaper would have the scanning equipment. When Eamon McCabe spoke at my camera club in 2007, he was still using film at that stage. His argument was that after so many years, he knew how to use it and did not want to learn digital. Art directors for glossy magazines also often prefer film for their shoots. Perhap's Winner's switch of allegiance to the D-Lux 4 has been forced by the newspaper and he is using it as a stop gap until he gets a X1. Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted January 3, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 3, 2010 Here's the article Michael Winner's Michael Winner reviews the Villa Feltrinelli review - Times Online Given that MW has been a film director and producer for many years he probably knows more than a little bit about photography especially lighting. He could be using just a little bit of 'tongue in cheek' ref his comment about him experiencing difficulties using the digital camera. After all, it's a newspaper article ... and intended to entertain readers. Two hours to get the camera out the box?? :-) Happy New Year dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted January 3, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 3, 2010 .................. Art directors for glossy magazines also often prefer film for their shoots.................Regards Mike Presumably you have not been involved in magazine production for some time? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeingeye Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted January 3, 2010 Presumably you have not been involved in magazine production for some time? The last one I spoke to four or five months ago certainly preferred the look of film. Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted January 3, 2010 Share #11 Posted January 3, 2010 I am not sure that we will see MW sporting a S2 any time soon. For one thing, he admits to being baffled by the D-Lux 4 manual and reckons that it will take him six months to work out how to use the new camera when he gets it. He is not really a photographer and used the Minilux as an easy to carry camera with a good lens with which to take the pictures for his column. Besides, he has also commented on his financial woes in his articles - apparently he is several million pounds in debt - so the S2 might actually be beyond him! Not that I shall be weeping any tears on his account, nor do I believe that he seeks any sympathy. Regards Mike Yawn, I was joking... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted January 4, 2010 Share #12 Posted January 4, 2010 Perhap's Winner's switch of allegiance to the D-Lux 4 has been forced by the newspaper and he is using it as a stop gap until he gets a X1. Regards Mike This is a good way of putting it, he's definitely talking about the X1... "coming out soon" refers to a 9/9/9 conversation. Simpler to operate is MW speak for fixed lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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