Is Digilux the way to go

[hjsesq]

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I have a M8 that I am very pleased with. However, there are situations where I need a DLSR. For my DLSR needs I am currently I am shooting with a Canon 5D and assorted Canon lenses. However, I have developed a small tremor in my hands and am looking to lighten the weight on my hands. Already sold my Mark II. While I do use a tripod (with the M8 as well) when ever possible, there are times I have to shoot without it and even with stabilizer lenses I can have problems. Therefore I would appreciate thoughts on selling my Canon equipment and looking at a lighter DLSR like the Digilux. Also, I do find myself using the M8 much more than I ever anticipated and it serves most of my current needs. Would appreciate any thoughts. Harris

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[dwmackay]

Harris,

 

My vote would be for the D2. The reviews of the D3 are not overwhelmingly flattering and a consistent issue is the weight. I think that the D2 would be a natural extension of your use with the M8. The advantage of autofocus and a built-in flash can also be handy for the needs you outlined. To me, it is light and quiet which makes it almost perfect. If you can, find a D2 to play with for a couple of hours. It will be second nature in no time so you can focus on pictures rather than equipment.

 

If I had to list a drawback to the D2, it is the huge DOF. I really miss the ability to blur the background in portriat shots. There is some control, but not much. I pulled out my Nikon F100 with the 80-200 2.8 for the first time since I bought my D2 some 2 years ago and realied how much fun the better control of the DOF can be. However, I only shot 1 roll and am not really tempted to use it much further. It felt like handling a bazooka after using the D2 for so long: Huge Heavy and Loud.

 

I love my D2 although it is in the shop for its second sensor replacement. When the offer to swap it for a D3 arrives, I will simplly tell them to proceed with the repair. Even if the D2 -> D3 swap was free, I would keep the D2. Now if they offered me an M8 on the other hand...

 

Just my 2 cents. I'm sure others will have different opinions.

 

Doug M.

[chrisbo]

Neuer:

 

Have you looked at the Olympus E510. It can use the lens on the Digilux III and has better technical specifications than the Digilux III as well. The Digilux III and the twin Panasonic DMC L1 use the technology in the Olympus E 310. The E-310 is a much earlier version of the E-510. The E-510 It is one of the smallest and lightest DSLR's out there as well. This is the set-up I'm looking, given the hight cost of the Digilux III and the technology available in the Olympus E510. The E 510 also has image stabilization built into the body of the camera, as opposed to the lens. This means you would get some optical image stabilization with the new Leica or Zukio prime lenses that may not contain the more expensive image stabilization built into the lens, as opposed to the body of the camera. Just my thoughts. I'm certainly not an expert in these issues.

[ptcheung]

Harris,

 

 

I love my D2 although it is in the shop for its second sensor replacement. .

 

Doug M.

 

Doug:

 

While a lot of us here are still waiting for our CCD replacement, can you tell us what's wrong with your first repair?

[dwmackay]

Doug:

 

While a lot of us here are still waiting for our CCD replacement, can you tell us what's wrong with your first repair?

 

I first had a sensor failure in August '06. After 3 months in the shop, I received the camera back from Leica (Nov of '06). In May of '07, just 6 months later, it failed again.

 

Thinking that I might have caused the original failure, I have been very careful with my D2 after it was returned to me; even more so than normal. It has never been in the car without me. Even if I got out to run an erand the D2 came with me. So it was never exposed to any temperature extremes and it is always in a bag so no rough handling either. It just failed of its own accord... twice.

 

I don't know how long this repair will take but assuming it is another 3 months it looks like in an 11 month stretch it will have been in the shop for 6 months. Not exactly "legendary" reliability. Too bad I like the camera so much, I would be tempted to replace it for something more dependable. As luck would have it, I have missed more events than I have captured with my D2.

 

Doug M.

[FastFashnReloaded]

I have a M8 that I am very pleased with. However, there are situations where I need a DLSR. For my DLSR needs I am currently I am shooting with a Canon 5D and assorted Canon lenses. However, I have developed a small tremor in my hands and am looking to lighten the weight on my hands. Already sold my Mark II. While I do use a tripod (with the M8 as well) when ever possible, there are times I have to shoot without it and even with stabilizer lenses I can have problems. Therefore I would appreciate thoughts on selling my Canon equipment and looking at a lighter DLSR like the Digilux. Also, I do find myself using the M8 much more than I ever anticipated and it serves most of my current needs. Would appreciate any thoughts. Harris

 

The D3/L1 is a great camera. If you don't want to spend that much, get an E-330.

[FastFashnReloaded]

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Neuer:

 

Have you looked at the Olympus E510. It can use the lens on the Digilux III and has better technical specifications than the Digilux III as well. The Digilux III and the twin Panasonic DMC L1 use the technology in the Olympus E 310. The E-310 is a much earlier version of the E-510. The E-510 It is one of the smallest and lightest DSLR's out there as well. This is the set-up I'm looking, given the hight cost of the Digilux III and the technology available in the Olympus E510. The E 510 also has image stabilization built into the body of the camera, as opposed to the lens. This means you would get some optical image stabilization with the new Leica or Zukio prime lenses that may not contain the more expensive image stabilization built into the lens, as opposed to the body of the camera. Just my thoughts. I'm certainly not an expert in these issues.

 

The E-330 (there is no E-310) is not a "much earlier version" of the E-510. It hasn't been that long since it came out. Reports also say that the E-330/L1/D3 have a better overall dynamic range than the E-410/510, if not as high a pixel peeper count. The E-330 also has the tilting LCD, and you can have live view while the optical finder is "live".

 

No, it doesn't have IS, but... I've never had a camera with IS, so it doesn't bother me.

[chrisbo]

Thanks for the correction on the camera numbers. I wasn't aware that the E-330 had a better overall dynamic range compared to the 410 and 510 either. Do you know if the shutter delay on the 510 is better than the 330?

[jdlaing]

The E-330, L1 and D3 have the same bloodline.

I believe the sensors and mirror system are all the same.

The tilting LCD on the E-330 is a very handy item.

 

I have both the E-330 and the D3 and several other Olympus bodies and more lenses than I need.................but not enough.

[zapp]

We are only talking cameras and weight. Looking at the original post I wonder how important the lens line up is for you type of photography - larger aperture, image satbilization, what about focal length? Would you be happy with what is available for 4/3 system lenswise? Otherwise Olympus, Panasonic and Leica make not much sense.

[Guest Farkas]

Harris,

I own a D2 (the black Pana Lumix version), I've been using it ever since it hit the market. Fabulous camera, great lens, fun to use. However, there are pros and cons to consider.

 

PRO

+ dead silent operation

+ 28-90 zoom, ring operated, covers most situations without swapping glass

+ fast f2-2.4, sharp lens, down to f11, best at 5.6-8

+ clear, sensible menu, no nonsense manual controls

+ bounce flash (use a white business card and a rubberband and off you flash!)

+ etc.

 

CON

- 5MP max in 4:3 format (suits most needs up to A4 but lacks resolution and DOF for more demanding work)

- Noisy higher ISO (I mean, seriously noisy, 200 maybe with Noise Ninja, forget 400)

- image quality in low light conditions is no way near film emulsion

- ridiculous 6-7 secs between RAW shots (the worst feature in my eyes)

- shutter lag (yes, if everything is set, it is quick, but otherwise comes no way near a film cam or a proper DSLR -- I missed many a shot for lag)

- prone to CCD failure, mine was replaced too, abandoned me at Bombay airport, the first minute of a 2-month trip. Ouch!

- EVF - some image lag, crap in low light, difficult to hand focus.

- macro close focus 0.3, not the best

- focus ring clicks from AF to AF macro all too easily, a major minor flaw! drives me mad!

 

Once again, I love mine, still use it on a daily basis, would never sell it but...

If I were you, I'd go for -- spit on me Leica guys, but here it goes:

Sony R1 (discontinued but can be bought 2nd hand for good price) - stunning Zeiss T lens, 24! wide, 10MP sensor same but smaller as top Nikon DSLRs. EVF can be viewed from top like old medium format cams, and silent exposure just like the D2. Professional, low noise pix, and that's the main thing.

OR

Olympus E-410, if small size is your point, or E-510. Best kit lens for the price or very decent dedicated Zuiko digital lenses, no 1.3 or 1.6x factor like with sub-pro DSLRs.

 

The D3 is a goner: big, chunky, heavy, cumbersome, with dreadful tunnel-vision porro finder, very overpriced, a technological dead end. The lens is a marvel though, it should sit on a decent Oly DSLR, that's it.

 

Hope it was helpful

 

Csaba

[Riley]

Olympus E-510 has IS on the body, and so works with any 4/3rds lens

the reports of dynamic range on similar 410 may be a little presumptive

Im not sure i trust Askey with this stuff, as it could just be a control config

 

E-510 ESP Metering - FourThirdsPhoto Forum

 

and is only on jpeg in any event

[FastFashnReloaded]

Harris,

I own a D2 (the black Pana Lumix version), I've been using it ever since it hit the market. Fabulous camera, great lens, fun to use. However, there are pros and cons to consider.

 

PRO

+ dead silent operation

+ 28-90 zoom, ring operated, covers most situations without swapping glass

+ fast f2-2.4, sharp lens, down to f11, best at 5.6-8

+ clear, sensible menu, no nonsense manual controls

+ bounce flash (use a white business card and a rubberband and off you flash!)

+ etc.

 

CON

- 5MP max in 4:3 format (suits most needs up to A4 but lacks resolution and DOF for more demanding work)

- Noisy higher ISO (I mean, seriously noisy, 200 maybe with Noise Ninja, forget 400)

- image quality in low light conditions is no way near film emulsion

- ridiculous 6-7 secs between RAW shots (the worst feature in my eyes)

- shutter lag (yes, if everything is set, it is quick, but otherwise comes no way near a film cam or a proper DSLR -- I missed many a shot for lag)

- prone to CCD failure, mine was replaced too, abandoned me at Bombay airport, the first minute of a 2-month trip. Ouch!

- EVF - some image lag, crap in low light, difficult to hand focus.

- macro close focus 0.3, not the best

- focus ring clicks from AF to AF macro all too easily, a major minor flaw! drives me mad!

 

Once again, I love mine, still use it on a daily basis, would never sell it but...

If I were you, I'd go for -- spit on me Leica guys, but here it goes:

Sony R1 (discontinued but can be bought 2nd hand for good price) - stunning Zeiss T lens, 24! wide, 10MP sensor same but smaller as top Nikon DSLRs. EVF can be viewed from top like old medium format cams, and silent exposure just like the D2. Professional, low noise pix, and that's the main thing.

OR

Olympus E-410, if small size is your point, or E-510. Best kit lens for the price or very decent dedicated Zuiko digital lenses, no 1.3 or 1.6x factor like with sub-pro DSLRs.

 

The D3 is a goner: big, chunky, heavy, cumbersome, with dreadful tunnel-vision porro finder, very overpriced, a technological dead end. The lens is a marvel though, it should sit on a decent Oly DSLR, that's it.

 

Hope it was helpful

 

Csaba

 

"The D3 is a goner: big, chunky, heavy, cumbersome, with dreadful tunnel-vision porro finder, very overpriced, a technological dead end. The lens is a marvel though, it should sit on a decent Oly DSLR, that's it."

 

Where do you come up with this, the Limbaugh show? The camera is well balanced, controls are well laid out, it takes great pix and the lens, as you have said, is great.

 

Comparing the first Panasonic DSLR to that awful, plastic, noisy first Sony DSLR Alpha makes me wonder who the actual techno innovators are in the world, because Sony isn't it. The L1/D3 is a neat piece.

 

Yes, the camera isn't "small", compared to, say, an E-410, but compare it in size to some of the Canon bricks. Then, it looks petite.

 

Let's look at the Sony R1, shall we? You are stuck with a TV for a finder, P mode has a bad bug, AF is slow slow slow, you can't change the lenses out, there is no available stabilization, the thing is HUGE, and as a camera line, Sony's line of fixed lens big sensor point and shoots is now completely dead, far as we know. Put a stake in it.

[hjsesq]

Thanks for all the imput. With all the different model numbers it leaves me a little confused initially. I will try and distill all the info given and hopefully make the "right" decision. I am looking for something light - so maybe it would be best for me to get to a place like B & H and look at all the models mentioned. Of course, by this time tomorrow there may be a new model out that is better than all the others. Again thanks, Harris