ksunderlal Posted March 3, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted March 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am a hobbyist and currently use a Canon EOS 20D and have been on the Canon platform for over 15 years. Was just planning to upgrade to EOS 30D long with 2 "L" series lenses and a Speedlite flash. Just before pulling the trigger thought about how inconvenient is to carry around all the heavy and large Canon equipment. I travel a lot and it is difficult and inconvenient to handle all the equipment. Â I am evaluating purchase of a Digilux 3 - which seems to have a lot going for it in terms of a new digital platform, legendary Leica image and quality and open standards.Despite all my online research efforts, I am have not been able to figure out the actual size and weight of the Digilux 3. So I would greatly appreciate some input for fellow Forum members. Â The Leica website shows that the size and weight are 146 x 87 x 77 mm (5.8 x 3.4 x 3 in) and 606 gms (21.4 Oz). However, I am not able to verify if this is inclusive of the standard 14-50 Vario lens it comes with and/or the battery. Because if this is the actual size and weight - my decision is MADE! I am joining the Leica family. Â My decision will be primarily driven by not only image quality, but also size and convenience of use. I am very happy with the Canon EOS - but will switch in favor of something smaller with the same or, which I feel in the case of Leica, would be siginificantly better results. Â I live in India and it is not really possible for me to find a store carrying Leica D. My intent is to purchase it during a visit to the US next week and will order online before I head there for about 4/5 days. Â Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to one and all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 3, 2007 Posted March 3, 2007 Hi ksunderlal, Take a look here Purchasing DigiLux 3. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dist Posted March 3, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted March 3, 2007 The Leica website shows that the size and weight are 146 x 87 x 77 mm (5.8 x 3.4 x 3 in) and 606 gms (21.4 Oz). However, I am not able to verify if this is inclusive of the standard 14-50 Vario lens it comes with and/or the battery. Because if this is the actual size and weight - my decision is MADE! I am joining the Leica family. Hello, sorry to burst your bubble... 606 grams is the body alone. The kit lens is one solid piece of glass and gyroscopes (OIS). The D3, ready to rumble (with battery, kit lens, neck strap ) weighs in at 1.18 kg. 146 mm is body width, 87 mm is height. Depth with kit lens attached, lens in wide position (when it is smallest) is 150 mm excluding eyepiece, approx. 170 mm including eyepiece. Extending the kit lens to the tele position adds another 16 or so millimeters. Â So, in a nutshell, whatever can be said about the D3 (which is a lot of good things imho), it being "small and convenient" is definitely not part of it. That said, I still think the D3 has got the ergonomics right. Matter of fact, I like a certain amount of heft in a camera. Hope this helps. Cheers from Germany, - Dieter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted March 3, 2007 Share #3 Â Posted March 3, 2007 See my post in the First D3 Impressions thread. If you are buying a D3 in person in US from a Leica delaer you should be ok. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksunderlal Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share #4 Â Posted March 3, 2007 Dear Dieter: Â Thank you so much for your prompt response. You have provided me the precise details that I was seeking. So far it seems width is identical, height of Leica is 20mm less, length with lens is also approx. the same. Â I guess I have to take a look at the actual camera for a "touch and feel" prior to making a final call. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted March 3, 2007 Share #5 Â Posted March 3, 2007 Dear Dieter:Â I guess I have to take a look at the actual camera for a "touch and feel" prior to making a final call. Â The photos didn't do much for me. The touch and feel is what sold it for me....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted March 3, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted March 3, 2007 LOL.. Well the pictures is not that bad. But yes I agree its the package which makes the camera stand out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruewell Posted March 3, 2007 Share #7 Â Posted March 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) If I were you I'd go to a shop and feel the Digilux 3 with the lens on my hands. While it's probably lighter than either Canon you mention with the huge "L" lenses, it's still quite heavy due to the excellent Leica zoom lens. Â One other thing you may want to consider: as of today, I believe you have no choice besides zoom lens for the Digilux 3, while for the Canons you do have plain lenses (not sure what the name of the opposite of a zoom lens is in English). And the Canon cameras will work fine with the normal lenses, which are much lighter and less bulky than the "L" series. Â I have a Canon 5D and normal "EF" 28, 50 and 85 mm lenses and a 35 mm "L" lens and still cannot tell the difference between them, though have not done any large printing and cannot print larger than A3. On the 5D vignetting is rpetty mush the same with "L" and with normal lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted March 3, 2007 Share #8  Posted March 3, 2007 ........ One other thing you may want to consider: as of today, I believe you have no choice besides zoom lens for the Digilux 3, ...............  You do in fact have quite a wide choice, albeit in some cases with adapters to fit the D 4/3 mount. Olympus lenses should fit immediately and e.g. there is an adapter for Leica R lenses, and many others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted March 3, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted March 3, 2007 Brian, Â The olympus 4:3 lenses fit perfectly and work beautifully, I have 2 and have no complaints. Â Bo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksunderlal Posted March 4, 2007 Author Share #10 Â Posted March 4, 2007 Thank you every one for your advice. I am sold - it is Leica time for me. I had not factored the significantly larger size and weight of L lenses. Suddenly the Leica will seem puny. Â Any suggestions on where to purchase the Leica DigiLux 3 in the US. It is unlikely that I will be able to visit a store, since my trip will only be about 4 days. My plan would be to order online. The best price I have found so far is $2,499. Does anyone have any suggestions of a reputable store where I can get a better price. Â I was just telling my wife (who has grudgingly approved my budgetary request) about the sense of belonging the Leica community has provided to me via this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted March 4, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted March 4, 2007 I feel you will be lucky if you get a reduction on the $2499. I hope I'm wrong, but then I am in the UK. Perhaps waving $$$$ notes might help? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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