lckt13 Posted November 25, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Happy post Thanksgiving to everyone. Â Everytime i call or enter a pro camera store, ie Calumet and Gassers in San Francisco, they respond by saying they don't stock the Digilux 3 but don't say why. Â Since i just shelled out over $2600 for the camera and lens i am curious about this delimma and would appreciate your take on the responses i have received. Perhaps they're pushing the Panasomic since they may have a higher margin of profit. or perhaps they want to push the new Leica DSLR model. who knows? Â I find it a great camera, albeit different from my Nikon platforms of over 40 years but with good ergonomics, huge LCD, great maneuvering around the menues, fabulous lens and works terrifically with the Metz 54. along with other suggestions to the Leica crew. one suggestion will be LIVE Chat on their website. another will be ship Photoelements 4.0 for mac instead of the old 3.0. have much better tech support online. theirs is terrible! Â thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 25, 2007 Posted November 25, 2007 Hi lckt13, Take a look here Why aren't pro camera stores stocking/promoting the Digilux 3?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted November 25, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Because the identical Panasonic version is cheaper and sells better? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted November 25, 2007 Share #3 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Sorry, but the Digilux 3 not a pro camera. Â The 4/3rds chip does not deliver high enough image quality and it's build is not rugged enough to survive the abuse dished out in that line of work. Â Most pros use Nikon or Canon, with a handful of M8's thrown in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lckt13 Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share #4 Â Posted November 25, 2007 i disagree with the image quality since Olympus/Panasonic/Leica collaborated on this 4/3 in vention for years. the primary reason for 4/3 is the high quality of the chip thus the image. please visit the Four Thirds website for more information and for tech specs that blow the standard chip formats out of the water. the 4/3 system is definitely the future in DSLR's. Â additionally, these cameras, the Digilux 3 etc are built well and are as durable if not more so than the prosumer Nikon/Canon models such as the D40/50/70/80 comparable Canon models. Â these two stores mentioned don't stock the Panasonic version either but the do carry ALL of the Nikon and Canon models from the consumer up to the top of the line titanium Nikons and Canons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lckt13 Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share #5 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Because the identical Panasonic version is cheaper and sells better? Â I believe you hit the nail on the head. but that model is also damn difficult to find locally. i buy almost all of my gear thru B&H Photo in New York. they said the demand for the D-3 was high and they had a hard time getting stock. that tells me alot good about the camera. Â plus Panasonic does NOT offer the same warranty as Leica which is 2 years and full repeat FULL replacement if lost, stolen or broken during the first 6 months. that is one hell of a great warranty in this day and age of throw away cameras! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted November 25, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Now read into this what you will: BH Photo doesn't list the Digilux 3 any more either ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfarkas Posted November 25, 2007 Share #7 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) FWIW, our store displays and stocks the Digilux 3. Â We believe in showing, displaying, and stocking the entire Leica line: C-Lux 2, D-Lux 3, V-Lux 1, Digilux 3, M7, MP, a la carte M, M8, R9, DMR (even though it is discontinued), M lenses, R lenses, acessories, etc. Dealers who are commited to Leica should really do the same. Â Â David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodbokeh Posted November 25, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Any Leica has a small market because of specialized design and high price, so store availability will be spotty. This past summer I had to wait over two months for my D3 to arrive at Pro Photo Supply in Portland, Oregon. The packaging was the EU rather than US configuration, which leads me to believe than Leica had sold out its original US allotment of D3s. Â I recently purchased, as a D3 backup, the Lumix L1 kit for $998 at the Walmart web site. It is interesting to compare the differences, which are small but notable. I think the controls and finish on the D3 are a little nicer. The photos are very close in appearance with the D3 being more film like by a smidgeon. The D3 looks like a camera designed in the fifties with it's angular shape, Leica M control fenestration and chrome finish. The L1 remind me of a product of the seventies with it's sloped contours, diamond pattern controls and "all pro black" finish. Â The D3's warranty of six months passport and three years parts and labor is a comfort which I enjoy. The L1's one year parts, three months labor is not very long. Recently I dropped and scuffed up the 14-50mm lens cap. I emailed Leica NJ for a new cap and they set me a new one, on the house. Leica customer service is a big factor for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted November 25, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted November 25, 2007 OK, put a value on these benefits of the Digilux 3 compared to the L1. Â You paid $998 for the L1, how much did you pay for the Digilux 3? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted November 25, 2007 Share #10 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Easy Olympus sells................. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted November 25, 2007 Share #11  Posted November 25, 2007 The are probably not stocking the Leica Digilux 3 simply because the numbers do not sell. most people walking into the store do not look for the more expensive camera with better ergonomics, cult-lenses and lower resolution than the latest top cameras... The Digilux simply do not have a compelling reason to sell except to a person who appriciate the particulars of this leica tool.   Bo  Zenfolio | Bo Lorentzen My Leica scratch page - random thoughts , pictures and such. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted November 25, 2007 Share #12 Â Posted November 25, 2007 Also impacting whether the D3 is sold in "pro" camera stores is the practice of "spiffing": Many manufacturer reps will give free cameras and lenses on top of an order to stores making large purchases. Leica is a niche product not selling in the numbers that permit spiffings, assuming Leica would even do that. Other brands sell far higher numbers and high volume stores benefit from the spiffing. Consequently, many of those stores do their best to push those products. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted November 25, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted November 25, 2007 BTW : i was in B&H friday, they have total redone the store moving all camera equipment upstairs. Guess what there is not even a leica displayed at B&H (in the new camera area, however, there is in the used department). i waited in the SLR line as i had to pick something up..mentioned to the counter guy where's leica and he told me they don't display them anymore..... it does seem you can still order via mail order or probably get one there but they are not on display Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted November 25, 2007 Share #14  Posted November 25, 2007 Sorry, but the Digilux 3 not a pro camera. The 4/3rds chip does not deliver high enough image quality and it's build is not rugged enough to survive the abuse dished out in that line of work.  Most pros use Nikon or Canon, with a handful of M8's thrown in.  Magnum shooters aren't pro's? Eli Reed of Magnum shoots a 4/3 E-1 system.  I guess he'll be surprised to realize his camera can't be used for pro work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted November 25, 2007 Share #15 Â Posted November 25, 2007 To be honest, I'm not a big fan of these Magnum photos ... I'm surprised that some people would actually pay money for those stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodbokeh Posted November 25, 2007 Share #16  Posted November 25, 2007 OK, put a value on these benefits of the Digilux 3 compared to the L1. You paid $998 for the L1, how much did you pay for the Digilux 3?  There is just something special about using a Leica because of the heritage, design and being confident in that company's commitment to quality and support. I got a very good price of $1650 for the D3 kit because of the $699 Leica Loyalty Certificate and the dealer had an additional Leica Days discount of $150. I am happy with the price I paid for both the D3 and the L1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted November 26, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted November 26, 2007 There is just something special about using a Leica because of the heritage, design and being confident in that company's commitment to quality and support. I got a very good price of $1650 for the D3 kit because of the $699 Leica Loyalty Certificate and the dealer had an additional Leica Days discount of $150. I am happy with the price I paid for both the D3 and the L1 Â Me too. Â I bought mine at a store in Houston. I got the L1 online. Â I like them both but for image, quality and commitment the Leica wins for me. Â I shoot Olympus as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokysun Posted November 26, 2007 Share #18 Â Posted November 26, 2007 how many people really want to buy into a whole new lens system? thought about getting an olympus 410 cause it's got to be the smallest dslr out there. couldn't find a confirmation adaptor for r lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodbokeh Posted November 26, 2007 Share #19  Posted November 26, 2007 how many people really want to buy into a whole new lens system? thought about getting an olympus 410 cause it's got to be the smallest dslr out there. couldn't find a confirmation adaptor for r lenses.  Hi smokysun  I don't know about the E410 but you don't need a auto focus "confirmation" 4/3rds adapter for R lenses on the D3 or L1 (updated with 2.0 firmware). They also have greater dynamic range than the E410/510 and those great analog controls we all appreciate for speed and simplicity of use.  Pull the trigger while you still can:  Panasonic 7.5 MP Lumix Digital SLR Camera w/ SDHC Compatibility, DMC-L1K - Wal-Mart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted November 26, 2007 Share #20 Â Posted November 26, 2007 what adapter are you using ....? i have the Digilux 3 and some R lenses (7) ...i have the leica version of the adapter on order but have been wating weeks - i can;t find one instock. i have talked to a few dealers that have sold them but all seem to be waiting at this point Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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