New All Black Digilux 3

[chrisbo]

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I've just heard through a reputable dealer that an all black Digilux III is due out in August. No word if the price will be higher than the sliver and black model.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Black sounds great..and a good deal more discreet.

 

 

Bo

 

My Leica scratch page - random thoughts , pictures and such.

[Riley]

did they say Digilux 3 or Digilux III ?

[chrisbo]

I was asking about the Digilux 3 DSLR, not the D-Lux3 point & shoot. The salesman asked if I was looking for the silver or the black Digilux 3 & I commented that they only made it in silver. He responded that they had been told a black model would be released in August. The D-Lux 3 was released in all black quite a while back.

[miami91]

It would seem strange to me that they would release the same camera in black. If this does indeed happen, I would expect it to be a revised model, perhaps incorporating some of the 4/3 improvements seen in the Olympus E-510 (on-board IS, better high ISO performance, 10 megapixels). Otherwise, this seems a bit silly. If sales of the existing model have been underwhelming, I'm pretty sure it's because of factors such as the high price point (versus Panasonic L1) and concern over the viability of the 4/3 standard, not because of the paint color.

 

Jeff.

[chrisbo]

It would seem strange to me that they would release the same camera in black. If this does indeed happen, I would expect it to be a revised model, perhaps incorporating some of the 4/3 improvements seen in the Olympus E-510 (on-board IS, better high ISO performance, 10 megapixels). Otherwise, this seems a bit silly. If sales of the existing model have been underwhelming, I'm pretty sure it's because of factors such as the high price point (versus Panasonic L1) and concern over the viability of the 4/3 standard, not because of the paint color.

 

Jeff.

 

An upgrade in addition to a color change would be nice. A Digilux III with the camera body technology of the Olympus E-510 might actually be worth $2,500.00.

 

A representative at B & H just told me he hasn't heard of any announcement of an all black Digilux III. There is a real possibility that the representative I talked to with another major retailer was mistaken. However, in our discussions we did distinguish between the Digilux III and the smaller D-Lux 3 cameras. The rep. also didn't mention any upgrade in the technology with the black Digilux III. The price was the same.

 

I wish I knew the basis behind the recent price decreases. Is it poor sales or is it the anticipated release of new models? I hate spending money on a model only to find a better one released a few months later. This has happened to me twice with Apple Computer products.

[miami91]

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I wish I knew the basis behind the recent price decreases. Is it poor sales or is it the anticipated release of new models? I hate spending money on a model only to find a better one released a few months later. This has happened to me twice with Apple Computer products.

 

Yes, the constant evolution of technology is frustrating for the pocketbook. I think the best one can do is try to keep abreast of new product announcements and release cycles and "time" the purchase as best as you can. That, and remind yourself that the one you own (PC, iPod, digicam) doesn't do any less than the day you bought it --- it's just been eclipsed by something that does more!

 

As for the price decreases, I'm guessing it's due to both factors you cite. I don't think the D3 has been a total dog in sales, but common sense would seem to dictate that were it flying off the shelves (like the M8), Leica wouldn't cut the price by 25%. And we know there are new Olympus models out (or out very soon), and indications are there are new Panasonics on the way in the next 3-6 months. Since these are Leica's technology partners in four-thirds, it would seem likely that there will be a Digilux successor sometime after that (Leica always lags a bit behind Panasonic in product introductions).

 

Speaking for myself, a Digilux successor that has built-in IS, better ISO 1600 perfomance, 10 megapixels, and improved auto-focus (speed, six or more focus points, etc) would be nearly the perfect dSLR. I will likely buy 2 of these bodies when they appear. And a choice between black and silver bodies would be quite welcome, although I will definitely go for the red dot either way.

 

Jeff.

[rsh]

My gut is that the Digilux 3 is not flying off the shelves. On the other hand, the V-Lux 1, D-Lux 3 and C-Lux 2 are. All are great cameras with great price points.

 

I bought the V-Lux 1 as a bridge until I see something in the way of an SLR from Leica that appeals to me. In spite of its limitations, the quality of the photos is terrific. Wish I could say the same for the photographer.

[Paul Gruyters]

My gut is that the Digilux 3 is not flying off the shelves. On the other hand, the V-Lux 1, D-Lux 3 and C-Lux 2 are. All are great cameras with great price points.

 

I bought the V-Lux 1 as a bridge until I see something in the way of an SLR from Leica that appeals to me. In spite of its limitations, the quality of the photos is terrific. Wish I could say the same for the photographer.

 

Diito

Paul.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Just want to point out that the constant "upgrade cost" is really not as dramatic as one might thing at first.

 

Around 1995 I was spending in the ballpark of $3000 buying film annually... It would seem to me that most of the people in this forum who are professional users or serious photographers, would have a similar film budget... however when using digital cameras this budget is virtually dissapeared as there are no additional practical cost for taking another set of frames. We just take the frames we want without thinking about buying film and how we are going to process these.

 

The old film budget can be comfortably applied to new cameras and lenses.. laying down money for a new camera body leaves us where we were when buying film, its just spend a different way... in my mind I think I get more excitement out of getting a new camera body every so often. as compared to picking up a couple of boxes of chrome (smile)

 

I did not include my processing and printing costs in this because we still buy new mac computers and cool epson printers with expensive paper and inks for our post-production.. so the processing money is still what they used to be..

 

Personally, if there were a Digilux 3b this fall, well so be it.. bring it on - lets play. after all that is the best part of being a photographer, doing what you love and getting paid for playing.

 

 

Bo

 

My Leica scratch page - random thoughts , pictures and such.

[tommycrown]

When you search for Digilux 3 in google or yahoo, you can't help but also looking at Panny L1 since both sites show both cameras at the same time.

 

Customers who are not familiar with Leica will pick Panny over Leica due to price and its popular name brand. At least, more common people may have heard of Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Fujifilm, Casio, Pannasonic, Olympus, oe even HPs than Leica in their lifetime.

 

I am not sure if Digilux 3 even in black edition would even come close to survive in the US.

Even among Beginner/Amateure photographers, people tend to buy cheaper and definitely lighter equipments. Unless Leica start to have this in mind, they won't be successful selling their SLR lines.

 

Despite all MY opinions of D3, I own Clux 1 and Dlux 3 and they are absolutely awesome.

Extremly portable!!!

 

Tommy