thebarnman Posted March 15, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 15, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for either the smallest digital P&S Leica or the least expensive digital Leica or format. It does not matter how old it is or the quality of the capture...it's about capturing images while biking. I figure that would be better (and easier) for photocycling than using my R-9. And, I've never considered a digital Leica before...hence I'm not familiar with the Leica digital lineup. There's a guy who uses a M8 for such purposes, (that's being brave!) Then again, a M8 is more compact than a R-9. Thanks, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 Hi thebarnman, Take a look here Bicycling with a Leica..which one?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
CalArts 99 Posted March 15, 2012 Share #2 Posted March 15, 2012 Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for either the smallest digital P&S Leica or the least expensive digital Leica or format. It does not matter how old it is or the quality of the capture...it's about capturing images while biking. I figure that would be better (and easier) for photocycling than using my R-9. And, I've never considered a digital Leica before...hence I'm not familiar with the Leica digital lineup. There's a guy who uses a M8 for such purposes, (that's being brave!) Then again, a M8 is more compact than a R-9. Thanks, iPhone. Surprisingly excellent image quality and serves several purposes. GPS apps for bike riding and a phone, too Otherwise pick up a used D-Lux 3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 15, 2012 Share #3 Posted March 15, 2012 Or find a used C-Lux 3. Excellent quality; small, simple to use, but little scope for user-intervention. You wouldn't know you had it with you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted March 15, 2012 Share #4 Posted March 15, 2012 GXR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 15, 2012 Share #5 Posted March 15, 2012 The OP expressed his wish to buy a Leica! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted March 15, 2012 Share #6 Posted March 15, 2012 The smallest and lightest Leicas are the C-Lux 1, its replacement the C-Lux 2, and its replacemernt the C-Lux 3, none of which are made any longer. All perform well and are tiny, as are the Panasonic equivalents (Panasonic made the C-Lux series along with their own versions of them, all using the same Leica designed zoom lens). The biggest difference among them is that each generation had a longer zoom than the prior generation at the telephoto end of their ranges. In new cameras, the V-Lux 20 is very similar in size, weight and features, and costs around US$800. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted March 15, 2012 Share #7 Posted March 15, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) The OP expressed his wish to buy a Leica! he wrote or the least expensive digital Leica or format with format I guessed he meant a camera to use Leica lenses with. Maybe my guess was wrong, I don't know. Also, I do not understand why he would want a Leica P&S...hm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebarnman Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted March 15, 2012 he wrote with format I guessed he meant a camera to use Leica lenses with. Maybe my guess was wrong, I don't know. Also, I do not understand why he would want a Leica P&S...hm. Format, it does not matter if it's 4:3, 3:2, 16x9 or any other format. It's just for quick shots. A Leica P&S (Point and Shoot.) At least that's what I thought P&S stood for? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted March 15, 2012 Share #9 Posted March 15, 2012 X1 is a great little camera and highly portable if you don't need a zoom lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebarnman Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted March 15, 2012 The smallest and lightest Leicas are the C-Lux 1, its replacement the C-Lux 2, and its replacemernt the C-Lux 3, none of which are made any longer. All perform well and are tiny, as are the Panasonic equivalents (Panasonic made the C-Lux series along with their own versions of them, all using the same Leica designed zoom lens). The biggest difference among them is that each generation had a longer zoom than the prior generation at the telephoto end of their ranges. In new cameras, the V-Lux 20 is very similar in size, weight and features, and costs around US$800. The C-LUX 1 is probably what I'm looking for. 1st generation (older) under $100 on Ebay and it's a Leica. And, I won't worry about it if it gets banged up when compaired to my R-9. Cool! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted March 16, 2012 Share #11 Posted March 16, 2012 Nice C-Lux images in the LFI gallery here LFI Gallery - C-Lux Master Shots (my apologies for one of mine being there but the macros are brilliant) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebarnman Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted March 16, 2012 Nice C-Lux images in the LFI gallery here LFI Gallery - C-Lux Master Shots (my apologies for one of mine being there but the macros are brilliant) Thanks for that link! Looking through those images gives me a great sampling of what that camera can do. What's interesting is there's samples from C Lux 1, 2 and 3. I've noticed with the C Lux 1, the images are a little on the soft side, the C Lux 2, the images seem a bit more solid and with the C Lux 3, there is even more expression within the reproduced images. Still, all of them have a digital look them that may be "unlike?" the M9? What makes the M9 so much more expressive? I would imagine not only the lens, however probably also the full sized senser. I think Leica is more concerned about capturing higher quality images in ways different than seeing how many megapixels they can achieve...for example the number of bits. Also, the C Lux 1 is only capable of capturing jpeg quality...then I think it's the C Lux 3 that can capture RAW...then again, it starts getting away from the simple usability I'm looking for that's available in the C Lux 1. When comparing all the C Luxes, I like the quality of the 3 the best...however number 3 looks like it would take up too much time for my intended purposes...such as taking RAW images and converting to TIFFs or JPEGS etc. With the C Lux 2, it's simply JPEGS and more of a solid image when compared to the C Lux 1. So for this intended use, (Bicycling with a Leica) the C Lux 2 might be the best choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted March 16, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 16, 2012 I know you said digital, but I used to tour on a tandem with my Leica CL. Wonderful, light little camera, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted March 16, 2012 Share #14 Posted March 16, 2012 I have a C-Lux 1 which I bought 3 years ago for £149, just so could have a small inconspicuous camera that would slip into a trouser pocket. Its very capable and like most camera performs best in good lighting situations. Not the best in back-lit or other tricky lighting conditions though, though that is probably just me! Its great indoors as well, parties pubs etc etc a handy little camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted March 17, 2012 Share #15 Posted March 17, 2012 ... all of them have a digital look them that may be "unlike?" the M9? Because the compact Leicas are just rebadged Panasonics... If it you want a very good photographers compact, get a Ricoh GRD (any one of them. I use a GRD-II, but the I is legendary, and the III and IV are superb). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sp12 Posted March 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted March 17, 2012 Leica P&S shoots aren't worth the premium over the equivalent Panasonic model. My vote also for Ricoh GDR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted March 18, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 18, 2012 Non digital look means no AA filter, i.e. Sigma DP1 or DP2 with their film like rendering. Ad a Franiec grip and a self retracting lens cap and you can shoot it one handed whilst biking (zone focusing). Great IQ up to iso 400, above 400 B&W files look great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 19, 2012 Share #18 Posted March 19, 2012 Ricoh GRD. I have the GRD III Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 19, 2012 Share #19 Posted March 19, 2012 Another non digital suggestion, a Minox 35. Tiny and light but excellent optics (I read somewhere that Leica supplied the lens elements to Minox). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coup de foudre Posted March 19, 2012 Share #20 Posted March 19, 2012 another vote for the Ricoh GRD or, if you prefer 35mm, the Fuji X100. if you must cycle with a Leica, i can only imagine taking one of the film M's... still, i'd be a bit queasy about the expensive glass, so i'd probably go with a Hexar AF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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