V-lux1 stunning detail

[smg_doug]

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I must admit, I was not real sure what to expect when I sold my D-Lux-3 due to primarily not really needing a pocket cam as much as I thought, and ordered a Digilux-1 still wanting some of that Leica image quality.

 

This one really got my attention as about my 15th test shot.

 

Handheld with flash using macro mode

 

 

 

Go here to click O for original unsharpened copy. WOW! The detail of this image blew me totally away, Totally and I have 2 D2X, D200, D80 and some of Nikon's finest glass including 200VR, 300VR, 70-180 micro, 105 2.0DC, 85 1.4, 70-200VR, 17-55, 17-35, and more...

 

http://www.fotogafer.com/photos/153388750-L.jpg

 

Stunning detail, amazing really!

 

I admit, it has me lusting after the Next level up, should I sell or exchange the V-Lux 1 and go for the digilux 3?

 

IF I went M8, I'd have to clean house of my substantial Nikon outfit, not sure ready to go that far YET. I'd just like a taste at this point, something to shoot with and get experience with.

 

But I admit, I'm a bit concerned about stepping back to 7 mpx from my current 10-12 I shoot at.

 

Also, for landscapes, I question if the digilux-3 will give the results I like.

 

How about adapting 77mm filters down to these lenses for the Digilux-3, do they have standard mm threads? So, I could use adapter rings? (i'm really a dummy when it comes to Leica)

 

I have a lot of questions, but let's start with that.

 

The above was just a test photo, it wasn't intended to be great composition. I had little time for testing, and besides, I didn't want to flash right in her eyes.

[luigi bertolotti]

Sorry... I have not well understood... the pic is taken with a V Lux or D Lux ?

[smg_doug]

it was taken with a V-Lux1. I SOLD my D-Lux-3

 

I am considering whether I should trade FOR a DIGILUX-3 with the removable bayonnete mount Leica 14-50 lens, and ~7 megapixels. Or maybe if I should keep the V-Lux1 for now, and see what they introduce in the fall?

 

I just got the V-Lux1, and can exchange for full credit for a few days only. Otherwise, I'll have to sell it if I upgrade to a Digilux-3.

 

What I am thinking is, well if I get the Digilux 3 now, I'll have a nice 14-50mm zoom lens. Then later, if I decide to get a rangefinder digital, I'll have a good starter zoom for it.

 

But I am really impressed with the above shot quality.

 

.

[harjtt]

Hi Doug

 

If you get the Digilux 3 and the Leica D 14-50, you won't be able to use that lens with a digital range finder - simply different camera's and lens mounts. You will however, be able to use the 25mm F1.4 Summilux, all future Leica D lenses and any of Olympus's 4/3 Digital lenses such as the 7-14mm, 11-22mm, etc.

 

Cheers

 

Harj

[smg_doug]

Harj, thanks for that detail.

 

Honestly, I am pursuing what I hope to be a nice supplement to my photography equipment at this point, not so much the whole ball of wax. I may never become a full blown Leica shooter, unless I par down my collection, and get a bit of Leica, which believe me at times, a simpler equipment setup, could be good...

 

I am deep into Nikon gear, pro grade lenses, and such. I got a DLux-3 originally, and liked some of what I saw. I decided to go deeper, and tried the V-Lux 1. I see that it does some things real well, but the viewfinder/screen leaves a bit to be desired.

 

I wondered about the lens connection. I see. a little disappointing. I still could use the camera as is, with only a walk around lens like the 14-50. I tend to be a wide shooter anyway (Nikon 17-35, 17-55, 28-70, 18-70, 18-200, 12-24) I may just use the Leica as a single shooter, walk, shoot, walk some more.

 

It's really I want to determine if it will be productive for me as much as anything. Here's my gallery entrance to give an example of what I shoot: Smoky Mountains Gallery

 

Olympus can have some pretty good glass, but if it gets outside Leica, I'll likely stick to my Nikon glass.

[smg_doug]

I went ahead and ordered the Panny L1 version at 1150ish delivered, impossible to pass up for a 2500.00 Leica that is "almost" the same thing. Since this is not my only camera, I'm not aweful worried about minor differences, I'll take these optics now, get a camera to play with, then later, when a newer higher pixel count version comes out, hopefully I'll have an option for another lens maybe and then maybe upgrade to Leica, or maybe they will have body only even...

 

Either way, at 1150, it should be a fairly safe investment, the glass alone is worth well over half that. Maybe dang near 1K, I don't know.

 

Doug

[ron110n]

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I'll take these optics now, get a camera to play with, then later.

 

Same here, I got the L1 at a bargain last weekend but I only wanted the lens honestly.

Not a bad upgrade for my D2 now at Solms Infirmary.

What I'm really waiting for is the 10mp Oly e510 body to mount the Leica glass.

Although the current e410 is not bad at all.

I like this 4/3 concept... you have the right to choose the best body and the best glass.

I hope more manufacturers join the 4/3 concept.

 

Best,

 

-Ron

[smg_doug]

For anyone interested, Amazon.com is where I got mine. I could have got for even less if I'd have trusted a 3rd party reseller. But I bought direct from Amazon, they are rock solid reliable, and I trust that I will get both a new camera, and get it lightning fast. I fully expect 2-3 day service. CompUSA wasn't a bad deal on it either, but I'd had to have paid tax to them.

 

Yeah, I look forward to the optics, again it's the above image that sold me on the optics quality of the better grade Leica glass. I just didn't like that video like display. I had a difficult time differentiating whether it was in focus or not. Even if the Panny viewfinder is dim as some reports say, I'll take an actual image + the LCD display over what I had with the V-Lux1 any day. I did ok focusing with the LCD, but it was small, and I really wanted a functional viewfinder.

 

What is the D2 Ron? Curious.

[ron110n]

What is the D2 Ron? Curious.

 

Digilux 2

 

Congrats with the L1 you will be addicted with the leica glass.

I was a Nikon guy before I switched to Leica.

 

Best,

-Ron

[smg_doug]

Thanks Ron, I look forward to this. It's a bit early to say I'll be a convert, but if it will deliver images like the ones of my daughter's chiuaua, well, it has a place with me.

 

I'm already fascinated by the basic design. First I thought the Lumix didn't look very good, but then I went to Panny and did a 3d look on it, and it looks pretty nice to me, and the lenses are 100% the same from Panny to Leica. So, looking long term, it should be a nice acquisition.

 

Hey, maybe a dumb question, but are the Leica lens filters standard size? So, a B & W or any other 72mm filter should fit?

 

Doug

[ron110n]

Hey, maybe a dumb question, but are the Leica lens filters standard size? So, a B & W or any other 72mm filter should fit?

 

Doug

 

Yes, B+W and Heliopan has the 72mm UV. for your Elmarit 14-50mm asph.

It is a common filter size therefore Hoya or Tiffen should have one.

But I only use B+W or Heliopan... you only get what you paid for.

I opted for the Heliopan UV, one each for the L1/ Elmarit and the Nikon F3HP / Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AI-S since they're both 72mm.

 

The 72mm B+W 106 (10x ND) and 103 (8x ND) are being shared by the L1 and the Nikkor 85mm.

 

Best,

 

-Ron

[smg_doug]

I agree fully on quality filters for quality glass. I may use a Hoya or two on standard glass commercial grade glass, but I always opt for BW or similar grade on my premium glass. I too have some Heliopan, very good filters. But I may have to get a new 72, don't think I have the right quality in 72. I may have a Nikon which tend to be pretty good. I can probably use it til I can get a Heliopan or BW.

 

 

Are you using an adapter to adapt the 85 1.4 to your D2, or you still shooting some Nikon too? Incidentaly, the 85 1.4 is an awesome peice of glass. I also have it. But it's been a bit underutilized for me, I am not to much a portrait guy. I'd like to do more, but got to find some test subjects. :-)

 

thanks.

Doug

[ron110n]

Doug,

The D2 filter size is an odd-ball that is 69mm. I use a 69-72mm Step-up ring for the D2 only for the Polarizer. The ND is only to pull the aperture down when the sun is too bright. ND for bokeh on D2; there isn't much bokeh on the D2. But the colors. to my tatste the D2's Summicron is superior to the L1's Elmarit. Besides, the Summicron has always been more expensive than the Elmarit. No UV filter for my D2.

 

Yes I still use my old Nikon F3 and the Nikkor 85 1.4 I use it for almost anything. Here's one from 2 weeks ago on an Ilford FP4+ 125, Rodinal 1:50.

Very good glass and my favorite among my Nikkor lenses. But only the DOF is pretty short.

BTW, I owned this camera since my early 20's and still currently my one and only Film SLR, till last weekend when I purchased a Panasonic DSLR.

Otherwise most of them are Leica M Rangefinders.

 

 

Best

-Ron

[smg_doug]

you are now loosing me Ron, what's an Illford FP4+125 and Rodinal 1:50? LOL Is that a Range Finder thing?

 

nice cycle shot.

 

My favorite nikon glass is the 17-35mm for landscapes, and the 200 2.0 VR for detailed resolution. I would probably keep my 70-180 micro as well, pretty darn awesome glass. and my 85 2.8pc maybe. Everything else is replacable, and dispensible. I would probably wind up keeping a bit more until which point it looks sensible for me to clear it out. I have 16 nikkors, and 4 Nikon digital bodies.

 

In a way, I expect I could sell most of my other Nikon gear, have 2 bodies with these 4 lenses, and a 1.4 TC, and be pretty darn happy with Nikon.

 

It may well come to that. My collection has gotten a bit much for my amount of shooting maybe after I add the L1. So, we'll see. A lot depends on the results I get, but I will still maintain my 12.2 mpx body on Nikon side (D2X), and keep my cheap Nikon bodies.

 

I do really like some of my Nikkor glass at this point.

 

Doug

[ron110n]

you are now loosing me Ron, what's an Illford FP4+125 and Rodinal 1:50? LOL Is that a Range Finder thing?

 

Ilford FP4+125 is a B&W film @ iso 125 and Rodinal is a film developer as to 1:50 is the dilution between developer and destilled water.

The image above was scanned by a Nikon Coolscan 5000ED, dedicated film scanner.

 

Just browsed on the web that Carl Zess recently released a Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 AI-S and an 85mm f/1.4 AI-S to cater on Nikon bodies.

They do have some Japan Imports at eBay.

 

I think it's about time for Leica to start developing lens for Nikon and Canon since lens is Leica's strength and not electronics.

 

Go post some snaps of North Carolina as soon as you get your L1.

Of course, you guys have the best and most scenic golf course in the US or in the world. Not to mention, very rich in history from the War of Independence to the Civil War.

 

Best,

-Ron

[imagesbylonda]

Can anyone help??? I'm very interested in purchasing the V-Lux 1, but I'd like to also purchase an external TTL flash. I've been SEARCHING the internet, the Leica website, the VLux1 manual (downloaded), and I cannot find any recommended flashes. Then I found your forum. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm currently a Nikon D-SLR user, thinking about migrating over. Thanks!

Londa

[Letsrock]

Dear Londa, I have replied your post already, please see the thread you initiated. Cheers,

 

Will

[smg_doug]

Here's a few landscapes I took with the VLux-1 yesterday, the Leica seems to do REALLY well with resolving lower light detail!!! Note, the two water shots that were not very brightly lit. One was completely shaded out where I was at up above it, and the detail popping through, is just amazing. I had Kiwi, the dog with me yesterday on my trip, so I was limited what I could do, so I did not go down to the water's edge with her down the descent to get down there.

 

 

SmugMug - fotogafer's photo galleries

 

Ron, so your Panny DSLR was the L1, right? So, you shooting much with it yet? How's the results?

 

Just curious.

 

I am actually in TN, but NC is not to far away,about an hour to the state line from where I live.

 

I was in NC when I visited the Dragon a few weeks ago in my M3. It was really a photog trip, but killboy.com thought I was there for the curves, and took my picture anyway. lol. If you are not familiar with Killboy.com, he takes digital pics of almost every rider that hits the Dragon, while he's there anyway, and uploades them for sale.

 

Here's a impromptu cycle shot I took with the VLux-1, I was at a convenience store, I saw the blue bike, I Grabbed up the V1, headed over and stood on the island, framed, it and shot it while he was revving, and he never even saw me shoot it, lol.

 

No fense, but the chick needs to roll off a pound or two looks like.

 

SmugMug - fotogafer : Motorcycles

[rsh]

The Panasonic Dedicated Flashes, Just Bought One Today. $295.00.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Riley]

also Olympus, have a look at the FL-36