L1

[rob_x2004]

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With all the forum drivel and hype surrounding this thing, given that it is supposed to be available September, is anyone giving it serious consideration or is it a forgotten entity?

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[Guest stnami]

Yea it sorta died as the L1 doesn't seem to offer anything too different to what is out in the market. The pana sites are lukewarm towards the camera as was LL( they loved the lens but not the camera) most 4:3 forums are a bit standoffish.It seems that forum threads start with the L1 and then drift off onto other areas

The OLY kids are waiting for the lens only release time, people who own it see a few issues with VenusIII as well as ergonomic issues but they enjoy using it especially the ones that did not have to fork out the cash.

Anyway I am waiting for my D2 to come back from Germany after its near death experience when it turned purple in the screen

ps How is Argentina, you know the place east of Kurrajong, that clown festival should be on soon

[rob_x2004]

Yeah, not too bad. Been out of it for a couple of months. Been up in S.E.A. and stuff. Feet are shot to bits and all cut and cracked up and fungusy from too many weeks in wet boots. Damn, I've even got a follical pimple in one of my tinea blisters on the top of my toe. Fix that. Better out than in...Gee that feels better.

 

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[Guest stnami]

Life is a tough nut to crack, but then again there are more aid agencies(the old T-shirt and bowel of rice brigades) than temples in that neck of the woods of SEA, didn't they help?

The only place I have been lately is Ritehereinmebakyard as I am contributing for the Kitchen Fund Group of companies, back to real work called educating souls

 

 

see the L1 has no chance

[stuny]

Rob -

 

There is an artical on the L1 and Leica lens in the latest LFI. A positive is that it has analog controls, similar to the D2. A minus might be that it uses an entire assembly from the Oly coing from the lens opening to the view port as the Oly, which is reputed to be rather dark. I'll hold further comment until I handle one.

[burkey]

I assumed that I would probably go for a D3 version of the L1 but the potential of a dark viewfinder really has me, like many of us, very concerned. Physical size also seems to be a potential issue. As we all question the L1/ maybe D3 I do find it interesting how many folks are speaking very postively about the D2, something that wasn't all that common until the last few months.

[rob_x2004]

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Yea, painted myself into a corner and let one of the red cross facilities treat me up at Udomxai. Was only looking about and hunting up photos, but the service didn't cost an arm and a leg, probably only three US bucks and they really wanted the work.

 

T short and rice brigades...man, even the Japanese send their left overs into Laos, like the Loa need more rice? Got to be kidding. Obviously it is all credits in the international aid stakes. Probably trade it off against their whale meat for science.

[john_r_smith]

The Digilux 2, or its Panasonic LC1 close relative, is an excellent camera. In many ways it is a pity that Leica and Panasonic have not seen fit to improve on that model, rather than consign the concept to history. In particular, the Vario Summicron zoom lens is superb, and deserved a new lease of life on an upgraded body and sensor, perhaps with 8MP and a better viewfinder. The rest they could have left alone.

 

John

[rob_x2004]

Stuart I think it might have to get analogue enough to shoot APX. Still, at least it is unlikely to leak like a sieve. Dunno how it will handle the weather though.

[MJLogan]

The Digilux 2, or its Panasonic LC1 close relative, is an excellent camera. In many ways it is a pity that Leica and Panasonic have not seen fit to improve on that model, rather than consign the concept to history. In particular, the Vario Summicron zoom lens is superb, and deserved a new lease of life on an upgraded body and sensor, perhaps with 8MP and a better viewfinder. The rest they could have left alone.

 

John

I have an L1 on order, although I'd much prefer the "D3" you describe--smaller, simpler and more elegant than the L1. The L1's much larger sensor (4/3" rather than 2/3") explains the unfortunately larger size and slower speed of its lens, although a smaller prime f/1.4 L1 lens is allegedly in the works. The only issue raised (so far) with the L1 that really gives me pause, though, is the viewfinder. No one much likes the porro solution, it seems. I've tried to get my hands on an Olympus E-330, which has a virtually identical viewfinder, but I've had no luck finding one. I'll have to find one to try out this weekend if I want to have the chance to cancel my L1 order before it ships.

[albertwang]

Is the lens separate from the body or do you have to buy it in kit form?

[philipotto]

Is the lens separate from the body or do you have to buy it in kit form?

 

The lens will be available separately, the date hasnt been announced yet. Sometime after the kit is released.

[philipotto]

I was excited about the release of the L1, but after hearing of its viewfinder, I am saving for a second hand M8. Even when I was considering the L1, I knew that I would own an M8 one day. It's just that now there may not be a camera in between my LC1 and M8.

 

I find myself using the EVF on my LC1 more than anything else, which I have gotten used too. Until... Last week I took a group photo for a friend with his D50, and after a day of looking into my EVF, it was such a relief.

 

And looking through an M7 made me start looking for one immediatly to get my viewfinder fix.

Highly addictive!

But im a bit lazy for film.

 

M8 it is. Just a matter of time.

[stunsworth]

The lens will be available separately, the date hasnt been announced yet. Sometime after the kit is released.

 

Didn't I read that the lens has the aperture settings in the lens barrel and the Oly camera doesn't support this, or was I dreaming?

[Guest stnami]

Steve that was the second question asked some months ago ,yes it sits on a oly, E-1 to E-330, the wheel is used for apeture readings, the stabiliser doesn't work.

I suppose it is like most Japanese agreements four for us three for you

[Bob Ross]

Steve that was the second question asked some months ago ,yes it sits on a oly, E-1 to E-330, the wheel is used for apeture readings, the stabiliser doesn't work.

I suppose it is like most Japanese agreements four for us three for you

It is my understanding that the stabilizer does work, but only in the continuous mode. Ian Burley (dpnow) has done some DxO tests on the 14-50mm against the ZD14-54mm. He said he was surprised to find that while the Leica was better wide open, the ZD took the lead afterward. He got a newer ZD to see if it was a unit fluke, as his lens had been used quite hard. The newer ZD was about the same. Of course, resolutions is only one facet of lens quality, so we'll see when more testing is done.

Bob

[ptomsu]

Also if I might not make many friends in the Leica Forum, I feel that the L1 is at least 2 years late.

 

Given the fact that lot of consumer DSLRs are offering 10+ MP today, and the Canon 400D also a sensor cleaning function plus excellent performance up to ISO1600

 

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06082416canoneos400drebelxti.asp

 

and all this for a very attractive price I do not see a big market for L1. Why would anyone want to go with that thing which is the typical "first try" of a product, which is long overdue and offers a format which is meant to die from the beginning because of it's size?

 

And also the difference from the lens side is no more real, since the latest C and N glass bring meanwhile very high optical quality, if you are willing to pay the extra for the upper lens range.

 

And C having meanwhile a market share of digital cameras of more than 70% can be expected to drive evolution even faster forward, so buying 1 time some good C glass will give you the possibility over the next years to just upgrade the camera as you like and if you really need be always on the forefront of technology. Why should anybody mess up with a Pana or Leica L1 and pay a premium if better quality and functionality is available sooner and for sure cheaper!

 

No big chance for the L1 - my 5c

 

Peter

[biglouis]

Having read all the comments I feel a bit out on a limb still wanting a L1. Not only am I not attracted to rangefinder cameras, ruling out the M8 but frankly I can't afford the alternative R9/DMR solution (nor do I think I am capable of hefting it up into a line of sight with my eye).

 

What I really want is my D-LUX 2 with a bigger lens capable of resolving more light, which is what I anticipate getting with the L1. I did think about purchasing a second hand Digilux 2 but the difference in price between that and the L1 is at present is not that much different. Makes more sense to buy the L1 as it has more features.

 

I'm really pleased with the results from my D-LUX 2 but I want a bit more control over exposure, framing (e.g. a viewfinder) etc. Hence my attraction towards the L1.

 

If I do ever get one, no doubt I will update the forum with my views.

 

LouisB

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[jaco]

More and more reflections about L1 in forums are convincing me, that L1 is really 1 to 2 years back. Canon 30D or even Sony R1 seems to me more and more an alternative ,,,, sorry Leica... I´ll still using my M6 for leisure moments ...but for flexibility and everyday shooting I´m not convinced about L1

 

greetings on a rainy day in Luxembourg Ern

[MJLogan]

I've been following the L1 information and opinions closely, and feel this is a fair summary, so far:

 

Almost universal high praise for the lens, although some feel it's no better than a variety of other high-end lenses. No one seems to think it has much competition in "kit lens" territory.

 

Handling is "love it or hate it," apart from the placement of the strap lugs, which annoys several reviewers.

 

Build quality is seen as excellent or very good. A couple of people object to too much polycarbonate in the lens build.

 

Most yawn at the live view function, although I think that often reflects a DSLR bias--appreciation for live view might sneek up on users gradually.

 

Noise opinions vary, but only rabid noise-o-phobes seem to think it's a real issue. Noise-o-ophobes will have run in the opposite direction at the mention of Panasonic, anyway. Most reviewers say it's within normal DSLR tolerances, and a huge step forward for Panasonic.

 

Opinion about 4/3 varies, but generally tracks opinion about noise--not surprisingly, noise-o-phobes insist on larger sensors.

 

The MP-obsessed think 7.5 MP is a bit meager.

 

Bounce flash is popular.

 

Viewfinder is said to be small and dark, although longer-term users say they get used to it within a week and it becomes a non-issue

 

Lack of dynamic raw buffering is the biggest bone of contention, and Panasonic is said by some to be addressing it in firmware as I write this.

 

I'd say the two reasons anybody might want the L1 are the lens and the ergonomics/styling, and that, unless dynamic buffering or a dimmer than normal viewfinder is a deal-breaker for those predisposed to want one, nothing in any review so far should dissuade them (us, actually, as I have one on order). My only real hesitation is the possibility that a Leica-badged variation might be announced at Photokina. I find that the Leica versions generally look and feel so much nicer.