Nathalie Posted January 6, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 6, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and interested to get my first Leica camera. But the problem is that I don't know which one to get. I'm not an expert in cameras and I'm still in the process of learning. So, please help. Nat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 Hi Nathalie, Take a look here Camera suggestions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wattsy Posted January 6, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 6, 2012 Why does it need to be a Leica? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 6, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 6, 2012 Indeed, why a Leica? It would also help to tell us more about you and your requirements, Are you a beginner or experienced photographer? Film or digital? What kind of subject matter interests you? What do you do with your photographs? What is your budget? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathalie Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted January 6, 2012 No special reason for choosing Leica just that I always had an interest in it. Why? Is it a bad idea to choose it? I'm currently using the canon g11 but it's giving me some problems at the moment. I know about the basics like shutter speeds and the ISO thing but I need to learn more. I prefer using digital cause it's what I have been using all these while and I like taking portraits and scenery especially when I travel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 6, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 6, 2012 So what kind of things would you like to photograph? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 6, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 6, 2012 Well, you can see links to the current range of models at the top of this page. The Dlux5 and Vlux are nearest in style and spec to your Canon. These - by the way - are made by Panasonic for Leica and you can find the Panasonic versions for less money (but the Leica versions mostly have better warranty and software/accessories packaged with them). Next is the X1 which is closer to a Leica M in general terms, and would offer improvements over your Canon in terms of image quality with a larger sensor, but it has a fixed lens. You probably aren't interested in the M9 or S2..... Everyone expects Leica to bring out a new camera this year which is likely to be an interchangeable lens body with an EVF viewfinder. As it stands, if you really MUST have a Leica and want something broadly similar to your Canon in operation, but better image quality, then look at the X1 - as long as you can live with a fixed focal length lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathalie Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted January 6, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Nnoo way I'm getting the M9. I really don't mind having a fix lense. But u don't think I should get a Leica or are there better cameras? U seem to know much more compared to me and I really would want to buy a camera that is worth my money. Japp: I like taking scenery and portraits Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 6, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 6, 2012 I had the X1 and I really enjoyed using it, it came with the software Lightroom which cost a lot if bought alone. The X1 came out 2009 though and I think other brands has caught up with it now. There are a lot of alternatives though like the Leica V-Lux3 (same as Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150) and D-Lux 5.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 6, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2012 So get a DLux5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happytogger Posted January 6, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 6, 2012 Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and interested to get my first Leica camera. But the problem is that I don't know which one to get. I'm not an expert in cameras and I'm still in the process of learning. So, please help. Nat Hi Nat I think photography as an art form you as the artist would want a camera you want to create art with. Depending on your budget I can suggest Digilux1, Digilux2, Dlux3, Vlux1. These are rather older cameras (I have had the Digilux2 & Vlux1) , yet their sensors combined with lens gave nice output, more natural than the harsher sensor modern cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digitom Posted January 6, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 6, 2012 Hi Nathalie. Welcome to the L-Forum. Maybe you are surprised people HERE ask you why buy a Leica. I also do not understand. My 1st camera was not a Leica. But finally in many cases you start a hobby you try this and that and finally you comes to a special kind of brand which fits your needs. On that track finding the optimum for the needs one may often come to a dead end. Often beginners start with cheap equipment and think "i can buy better one later" but mostly their attempt to grow in their hobby fail due to a bad equipment. So in my opinion it is the wrong way. It is good to buy a good thing at the beginning. If one find out the hobby is not attracting any more, one can sell a good equipment on 2nd hand market and get back some money. In addition to the experience, it is finally no loss. But a cheap equipment - one can only throw away. So the benefit is zero, the loss is maximum. Coming to photography: it is really not bad also as an beginner to start with a good brand. And I think every brand of the modern digital cameras are nearly same good - if you buy Canon or Nikon or Panasonic, Sony, or another one, or Leica. The photographer makes the pics. The camera is only the instrument.That is a boring trusim of course, but indeed the basic fact. Back to your request: in a Leica forum we should not recommend other brands. You may can tell the same question in a Canon or Nikon forum (maybe you did, and you should IMHO), and then, after getting the best answers of all the forum, you may can choose the best for YOU. That leads me to an advice I have: If you are beginner and you want a small camera with many possibilities, which is handy and smart to use, but same time offers good manual opportunities, try a look at D-Lux 5. That camera together with an electronic viewfinder and a grip is not so cheap but you get a very good and small compact camera which left mostly all comparable compact cameras with fixed built in lenses behind. D-Lux 5 can be used for scenery as well as portrait. If you have no problem looking for a used camera - look for a Digilux 2 with a new sensor (some sensor failed and were replaced by Leica for free - still they do so, but if buying a D2 it ist good to look for one with a replaced sensor). That camera is not so small but has a t tremendously good image quality even when taking only JPG. And one - as a beginner - can learn with that camera, because her appearance is very classical: the aperture ring at the lens, the manual focus ring, and the manual zoom is very classic, together with the time knob on the top. Sometimes I use that camera people asked me - "oh, that is an old Leica, isn´t it?" When I asked why they mostly say "it looks old" Another opportunity is a V-Lux 2 or 3. It looks a little bit like a SLR and in that kind it is a "classic design" also. The zoom is really big and if you do many different ways of photography especially at the beginning, that camera may be the right one. On the other hand the opportunity to use the zoom leads to a kind of lazyness looking for the right point when doing a photo. The best zoom is IMHO your feet. So be careful using such a camera as an beginner. 1st you might ask yourself: what do you want to do in photography, and then how. And let me say: less automatic is maybe more stressy at the beginning, but better on the long line. Finally all these aspects in reflecting what to do and then how - and what is your budget - may lead you to the answer which camera may be the right one. I hope it will be a Leica And don´t forget: even a camera might be the best from technical aspect, but you do not like it from your heart, it will never be the best for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 6, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 6, 2012 ...I'm currently using the canon g11... Then forget Leica if you look for a camera with a built-in optical viewfinder. The only one available at Leica's is the M9 which has no zoom lens and is mostly a manual camera. Canon G12 or Nikon P7100 would be closer to your G11 by far. The Fuji X10 is potentially better but it has teething problems that are not addressed so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 7, 2012 Share #13 Posted January 7, 2012 Hi Nathalie.Welcome to the L-Forum. Maybe you are surprised people HERE ask you why buy a Leica. I also do not understand. With respect, I had already given the OP pretty much the same suggestions as yourself. Why not a Leica? Well, the Leica range is pretty limited. If we ignore brand loyalty then the Dlux and Vlux cameras aren't really the best you can get for the money. The X1 is capable of fine results, but again, for a 'general' user it's not really the best way to spend your money. We can blindly say yes, buy this Leica or that Leica, but is that really helping the OP? She sounds unsure of what it is about Leica, other than the kudos, that appeals. I sold cameras for a while, and people who couldn't take a decent photo to save their lives really did think the answer was to spend a ton of money on some 'pro' grade equipment. Want to take photos like HCB? Simple, just buy a Leica! Honestly, that worked for some and when you're earning commission...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digitom Posted January 7, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 7, 2012 With respect, I had already given the OP pretty much the same suggestions as yourself. Maybe, but I feel free to give my opinion which - as you can see, is not the same then yours (see below). Why not a Leica? Well, the Leica range is pretty limited. If we ignore brand loyalty then the Dlux and Vlux cameras aren't really the best you can get for the money. The X1 is capable of fine results, but again, for a 'general' user it's not really the best way to spend your money. Again: this is a Leica forum isn´t it? And if someone new and beginner wants to buy a Leica, the 1st recommendation HERE is not to buy a Leica! I think - not mean you personally, I mean in genereal - it is a kind of arrogant behaviour here of some "cracks" who own maybe a M9 or so and they think they can give such "advices" to a beginner which is indeed NOT an advice. We can blindly say yes, buy this Leica or that Leica, but is that really helping the OP? She sounds unsure of what it is about Leica, other than the kudos, that appeals. If she ask for a Leica we should rcommend a Leica. I think the OP is intelligent enough also to ask at Canon or Nikon or Panasonic forum also! I sold cameras for a while, and people who couldn't take a decent photo to save their lives really did think the answer was to spend a ton of money on some 'pro' grade equipment. Want to take photos like HCB? Simple, just buy a Leica! So if you sold cameras, you sure know about what I write. I exactly wrote what you mean. I wrote the photographer takes the photos, and the cam is only a tool. But that does not mean shw should buy a cheap mass product and hope it will be a solution for learning with. Honestly, that worked for some and when you're earning commission...... Honestly answered, that is nonsense! Please stay serious. And fair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digitom Posted January 7, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 7, 2012 Well, you can see links to the current range of models at the top of this page. The Dlux5 and Vlux are nearest in style and spec to your Canon. These - by the way - are made by Panasonic for Leica and you can find the Panasonic versions for less money (but the Leica versions mostly have better warranty and software/accessories packaged with them). You did not mention the firmware ind image quality which is in fact better. No discussion about that, it is a fact. Next is the X1 which is closer to a Leica M in general terms, and would offer improvements over your Canon in terms of image quality with a larger sensor, but it has a fixed lens. X1 cannot be compared with M9! Ther is a big gap in the image quality! You probably aren't interested in the M9 or S2..... Oh, sure! Of course... Everyone expects Leica to bring out a new camera this year which is likely to be an interchangeable lens body with an EVF viewfinder. When you do not recommend an M9 or S2, also the expected system camera which will - maybe - arrive at the end of 2012 is not a useful information for OP. She wants to buy a camera NOW, she had sure NO R or M lenses and so finally that camera is not what she need. As it stands, if you really MUST have a Leica and want something broadly similar to your Canon in operation, but better image quality, then look at the X1 - as long as you can live with a fixed focal length lens. I can agree. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 7, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 7, 2012 You did not mention the firmware ind image quality which is in fact better. No discussion about that, it is a fact. X1 cannot be compared with M9! Ther is a big gap in the image quality! Just to pick up on a couple of your points....the Leica version PanaLeica's do not produce better image quality. Fact. They are identical cameras. If you disagree please post photographic proof. In all the years that people have spouted this rubbish no one has bothered to publish side by side images to prove it. Panasonic wouldn't settle for a 2nd grade product either. Where have I compared the X1 to the M9? Again, the OP has asked for advice. It's clear from her post that she isn't very knowledgable on the Leica range and she has said she's not interested in the M. Only the X1 will offer her any real difference/improvement to her Canon (ignoring the older Digilux cameras). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 7, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 7, 2012 Nnoo way I'm getting the M9. I really don't mind having a fix lense. But u don't think I should get a Leica or are there better cameras? U seem to know much more compared to me and I really would want to buy a camera that is worth my money. Japp: I like taking scenery and portraits You need to visit a Leica dealer and try out an X1. If you really must have a Leica that is your best option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathalie Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted January 8, 2012 You need to visit a Leica dealer and try out an X1. If you really must have a Leica that is your best option. I did actually. And I realised for the price I'm paying I can get a proper Canon DSLR. Sigh decisions decisions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studio58 Posted January 8, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 8, 2012 I did actually. And I realised for the price I'm paying I can get a proper Canon DSLR. Sigh decisions decisions Sounds like a "proper" camera may be the one which will best suit your requirement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathalie Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted January 8, 2012 And thank you everyone for ur wonderful contribution. Have to say I'm deciding to use the same amount of money instead of buying a d-lux 5 get my first Canon DSLR. The d-lux 5 is a good camera but for the price i feel it may not be worth it just for a digital camera. Once again thank you very much for all your thoughts and suggestions. Who knows, maybe one day when I saved enough and have much more experience in photography I might get actually get myself a M system camera. Fingers cross. Nat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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