What Point & Shoot would you carry?

[bmc]

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okay, so i am totally addicted to my m8 and it goes just about everyplace i do. however, there have been a few times that i have not wanted to take the m8 with me. this is when i grab my panisonic dmc fz8. its a great older camera and it serves me well, but the image quality is totally disappointing, especially now that ive been shooting the m8.

 

ive been looking at the cannon s90, the dlux 4 and x1. so beyond those cameras what would you use?

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[acanalda]

My alternative to the M8 is a Panasonic GF1 with a 20 mm pancake lens. Not exactly a canon S90 or similar but the results are much better. And in some cases I use the GF1 with my Leica lenses

 

Regards,

 

Arturo

[Bartie]

I use the Panasonic Gf1 with the 20mm pancake and the 14-45 zoom lenses,it's well ahead of any canon compact

[JazzyMac]

Leica X1 is my current, but sometimes...more often than not I'm missing the D-Lux 4. The minimum focusing distance, the cheaper cost--so no worries about handing it off to someone, the zoom, the *point and shoot* of it all. It's like a Mac...just works. The X1 is close but no cigar.

[Speenth]

Hi',

 

I recently invested in the Lumix GF1 and I'm impressed! The f1.7 20mm is truly pocketable and the images are very good (within the limitations of a half-frame sensor). The kit 14-45 zoom is small, light and versatile in most routine P&S situations. It's not the best optically (there are better, but pricier MFT zooms).

 

But, where this Lumix really surprises is once it's coupled to Leica lenses using the M adaptor. The GF1's party trick is it remembers the manual settings for the Leica lenses. Thus, as you switch lenses no time is lost and nothing is forgotten - the GF1 invisibly switches to optimum parameters for manual Leica or autofocus Lumix use. Wonderful!

 

Better still, manual focussing is a doddle because the Lumix permits momentary magnification of the composition image to ensure precision adjustment. Sacriligiously, for this forum, I have to say focussing ease and accuracy are way better than any M rangefinder (bolt of lightning from heaven, or Solms, expected any moment....).

 

In every respect, I'm finding the GF1 perfectly complements my Leica M system (and just occasionally is the preferred choice - especially as a daily companion in my pocket).

 

So are the images any good? See the attached - what do you think?

 

These JPGs are processed from Leica or Panny DNGs using C1 and resized for the Web in Photoshop, but are otherwise as they emerged from the camera.

 

First is Leica M8 and Summicron 50 at f2 (tungsten lighting).

 

Second is Lumix GF1 and Summicron 35 at f2 (tungsten lighting).

 

Third and fourth are two images of Sarajevo with the GF1 and Panny 14-45 Zoom.

 

Steve'

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[newtoleica]

An M9

[digger1914]

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I have a C Lux 2 in my bag all the time. Although the camera on my iPhone 4 seem pretty good too

[bmc]

thanks to all who replied.

[farnz]

.357 Magnum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But fortunately there are gun laws in this country that prevent me from doing so ...

 

Pete.

[usayit]

I have two to choose from when I leave the M8 at home.

 

* Panasonic LX3 - Wide angle (24mm Efov), nice optics (f/2 on the wide end), very good quality for a tiny sensor'd P&S. They have released a newer version called the LX5 with longer focal range among other things. This is the most enjoyable P&S I have ever owned.

 

* Olympus E-PL1 (or E-P2 for better build) - As mentioned above, the m4/3rds cameras are a good compliment to the M. I chose Olympus over the Panny GF1 (I also own a G1 but it is a bit larger in size) because of two main reasons. The EVF viewfinder is much better on the E-PL1/E-P2 than the GF1. In body Image Stabilization means that even adapted manual lenses (M-mount leica too) are stabilized.

 

* I also have Panasonic's TZ5. Its a very good superzoom that fits in pocket. A bit limited in terms of capability but still a good camera never the less. Its been long replaced with newer models and I've heard good things about the newer models as well even though their competition has really put out good models.

[Frank Black]

I carry all the time a Olympus xa:p

[Paul Verrips]

Canon G11

[Guest jarski]

either Canon S95 and Pana LX5 would do, if I needed p&s. edit: check this.

[zipper]

.357 Magnum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But fortunately there are gun laws in this country that prevent me from doing so ...

 

Pete.

 

...as illegal use by criminals goes up in leaps and bounds. oh yes, nearly forgot, Ricoh R10.

[farnz]

...as illegal use by criminals goes up in leaps and bounds.

Criminals take no heed of laws. (Or they wouldn't be criminals.)

 

Pete.

[Nicoleica]

I carry a Nikon P6000 in my handbag at all times. If only Leica would make a compact P&S that had an integral optical viewfinder....

[mikenic]

FWIW, I use a Panasonic LX3 with a Helios external finder for the "other associated duties" and set the camera to start automatically to match the finder 35mm reticule. This gives more of a rangefinder approach (with the LCD turned off).

 

It also doubles nicely as a photocopier if needed (passport, licence, documents etc) and many other "non-pro quality" close-up functions. The VR function is capable and useful and the video function is there when needed and also quite capable. I often use the LX3 with a ring flash for close-up work.

 

Haven't seen the LX5, but the LX3 (or D-Lux 4 of course) is certainly worth a look.

 

Mike

[rycm]

Absolute P&S for me would be my Panny LX-3. But I also have the EP-2 and GF-1; I somewhat prefer the the EP-2 for it's excellent EVF. But for autofocus speed teh GF-1 with the pancake 20mm lens is hard to beat. The EP-2 and GF-1 are not exactly P&S camera. Looking forward to test the LX-5 when it come to shore.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[andym911]

For film I would suggest either the Minolta TC-1 with the remarkable 28mm lens...truly a p&S with great features and killer quality or the Minilux.

 

For Digital the Ricoh GR.

 

Best regards

Andy

[Guest malland]

...For Digital the Ricoh GR....

I agree with this, but would make sure to get the current version of this camera, the Ricoh GRD3, which has an f/1.9 lens and substantially better RAW file quality than the previous version: the files of the GRD2 were almost a stop better than those of the original GRD, and those of the GRD3 are almost a stop better than those of the GRD2.

 

The user interface is among the best of all digital cameras. I like to use it with manual (spot) exposure and with fixed pre-focus (SNAP focus mode). In this way, there is no shutter lag. The manual exposure mode is very well implemented in that you press the rocker switch back to "center the needle" for recommended exposure and then, if desired, can adjust the shutter speed with the ADJ lever on the back. With the 920,000 pixel LCD exposure can be effectively judged.

 

In the past I was using the GRDx for B&W, but recently have discovered the excellent color that the GRD3 can produce. You can see my GRD3 shots by clicking here.

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

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