audidudi Posted March 13, 2008 Share #1 Posted March 13, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been away for a few months now -- mostly due to work, but also due to a new girlfriend, some new toys, and some time-consuming family obligations -- and much to my surprise, I'm finding my primary camera these days is my Panasonic DMC-LX1. It's compact, travels easily in my messenger bag (which means I always have it with me, unlike my other, larger and bulkier cameras), and it takes good to very good photos, such as this one I shot of the Empire State building from the conference room in Times Square where I was holed up for four days last month... Or this one from a conference room in San Francisco where I was stuck for a week back in January... So, my question is, is there really anything to be gained from upgrading my LX1 to a DL3? I've ruled out the Ricoh GRDII and the Sigma DP1 because I need (want?) the flexibility of shooting 16:9 as well as 4:3 format without cropping and although I probably shoot 80% of my images at the default 28mm focal length, I'm hesitant to give up the occasional usefulness of the zoom. That leaves just the DL3, right? Or are there any other 16:9 format cameras I should consider? And just to be clear, I don't need a new camera but as I was figuring on getting one for my girlfriend anyway and she is happy enough with my LX1, why not pass it along to her and treat myself to something new? Any input or advice is welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 Hi audidudi, Take a look here I feel like buying a camera ... should I upgrade my LX1 to a DL3?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rjans Posted March 13, 2008 Share #2 Posted March 13, 2008 I upgraded from the D-Lux2 to D-Lux3 and have no regrets. The LCD is also 16:9 and I also like the flexibility of the different formats. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted March 14, 2008 Share #3 Posted March 14, 2008 Why not look at the new Ricoh R8. It has a 10mp sensor, 28 - 200 mm equivalent zoom lens and has that new 1:1 feature which allows you to take square pictures (much like in the old days of 6x6 medium format). It's a really new camera so not much user input is available. I have ordered mine from Adorama and am waiting patiently for it to come in (original shipping date was 12 March, but this has now been delayed a couple of days). As I have stated in another thread, the main reason why I have gone this route is that this camera has an interval timer built in as standard. I do a lot of aerial photography using remote control blimps. Previously I have had to send up my M8 together with a computer. That is a lot of weight - on real hot summer days down here (were talking 40+ degrees Celsius, and we have had these temps constantly since Nov last year with virtually no rain) helium looses most of its lifting capacity. Now I can just send up a small, lightweight camera that I don't need to tether to a computer. Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie_O Posted March 14, 2008 Share #4 Posted March 14, 2008 The D-Lux 3 is a great camera and it's got that gorgeous Leica glass. If you shoot JPEG, it's got the best looking files of any compact camera- especially when it comes to colors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted March 14, 2008 Why not look at the new Ricoh R8. It has a 10mp sensor, 28 - 200 mm equivalent zoom lens and has that new 1:1 feature which allows you to take square pictures (much like in the old days of 6x6 medium format). It's a really new camera so not much user input is available. I'm a big fan of the square format myself ... thanks for the tip, I'll check it out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceflynn Posted March 15, 2008 Share #6 Posted March 15, 2008 Ricoh R8 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted March 15, 2008 Share #7 Posted March 15, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone have a comparison of the D-lux 2 & Dlux-3. im looking for a solid pocket camera thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted March 17, 2008 Share #8 Posted March 17, 2008 More noise in the same size sensor? Dunno. Posting makes no difference, in print I wouldnt know. Anyone? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted March 17, 2008 Although I'm not a great fan of the 3:2 format and I'd prefer a moderate-range zoom over a fixed 28mm lens, I decided on a whim this morning to pre-order a Sigma DP-1. Worse still, I've mentally justified the expense by also deciding to sell at least one, if not both, of my DMC-LC1s, because as much as I appreciate their image quality, silence in operation, and ease of use, between my L1 and the LX1 I carry in my messenger bag, they simply aren't seeing a lot of use these days. For the same reason, I'm also thinking of pruning a few view cameras from my collection ... yikes! Whatever is coming over me? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted March 17, 2008 Share #10 Posted March 17, 2008 Although I'm not a great fan of the 3:2 format and I'd prefer a moderate-range zoom over a fixed 28mm lens, I decided on a whim this morning to pre-order a Sigma DP-1. Worse still, I've mentally justified the expense by also deciding to sell at least one, if not both, of my DMC-LC1s, because as much as I appreciate their image quality, silence in operation, and ease of use, between my L1 and the LX1 I carry in my messenger bag, they simply aren't seeing a lot of use these days. For the same reason, I'm also thinking of pruning a few view cameras from my collection ... yikes! Whatever is coming over me? There is a very good comparison of the LX1(DL2) and LX2(DL3) on pbase-dot-com It shows the LX1(DL2) has less digital noise , it's quite obvious when you see the shots on pbase. See <http://www.pbase.com/viztyger/test> I bought a LX1(DL2) as a backup to my D2. So your cameras scenario should show what I have found..... that the LC1/D2 should be capturing much nicer images than the LX1...? Funny thing is of all my digital cameras (D1, D2, L1 and LX1), I get the lowest yield of great shots from the LX1, then D2, and finally with the L1 I get the greatest yield of great shots. What I have learnt is that whilst the LX1 is very portable, it is also quite difficult to hold steady in my hands (as compared with the D2 and L1) during a shot. Often I have to brace the LX1 against a wall, tree or table to get those stills. So I've given the LX1 to my daughter as she finds it quite handbag friendly......but I noticed she too has difficulty getting stills, so I've been teaching her to also brace the camera against a solid object. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted March 18, 2008 So your cameras scenario should show what I have found..... that the LC1/D2 should be capturing much nicer images than the LX1...? I agree: The LC1 does a much better job than the LX1. However, an LC1 that gets left at home because I don't have room to bring it with me takes no images whatsoever... Funny thing is of all my digital cameras (D1, D2, L1 and LX1), I get the lowest yield of great shots from the LX1, then D2, and finally with the L1 I get the greatest yield of great shots.Again, I have to agree. However, if I had room to bring an LC1 with me (which is usually not the case), then I'd also have room to bring an L1 with me instead. The camera that gets left home takes no images, good or bad, noisy or otherwise... What I have learnt is that whilst the LX1 is very portable, it is also quite difficult to hold steady in my hands (as compared with the D2 and L1) during a shot. Often I have to brace the LX1 against a wall, tree or table to get those stills.Here's where we disagree: I have surprised myself on so many occasions by being able to capture decently sharp images handheld with shutter speeds as slow as 1/2 second. Seriously, 1/2 second! Mind you, I get a bit nervous below 1/10 second, but more often than not, I'm able to get usable images at this speed, which continues to amaze me. Ideally, I'd buy myself an M8 and a Tri-Elmar and have a great travel camera. Alas, as it stands, I'm almost always sneaking an extra small duffle bag or luggage cart onto the plane in excess of the stated two-item limit and a camera bag would stand out just that much more. I've tried shipping a camera to the hotel in advance but it's a hassle to ship it back when I check out and jamming it into my carry-on bag regardless simply exposes it to too much potential for damage, a headache I don't need. No, I've come to the conclusion that the only logical solution is to buy the best damned P&S camera I can and learn to use it as effectively as possible. I wish the situation was different and perhaps in time, it will be, but for now, it is what it is and I have to make the best of it. (That said, I'm still quite happy with my L1 when I do get to use it. Its jpgs are a little bit disappointing but properly processed RAW images can be astoundingly good, such as this one below... Not great art, by any means, but my LC1 couldn't handle the exposure range or get the color red quite right, so I had to go back in the house to get my L1, which in turn did just fine. Nicely detailed, too!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted March 18, 2008 Share #12 Posted March 18, 2008 I had a play with my cousin's M8 and various lenses. With the TE, it's quite large and HEAVY combination, not too different to the L1 in size, although the TE barrel is slimmer, but heavier than the L1 with 14-50 kit lens. I also had thoughts of the M8/WATE combo. But as I hate carrying extra lenses and changing lenses, I'm now thinking of M8/35lux....... Here's my GT-Four Group A Rallye (ST205R) .......shot the 1st day I got my D2 a few years back......complete with Panasonic CQ-TX5500W Valve/Tube CD Player Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47753-i-feel-like-buying-a-camera-should-i-upgrade-my-lx1-to-a-dl3/?do=findComment&comment=513788'>More sharing options...
audidudi Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted March 18, 2008 Nice car! I still have my '02 S4 (probably should sell it, but I hate to give up all that wonderful twin-turbo torque) as well as my '99.5 A4 1.8 (my track/play car, which is in the process of being adapted to accommodate 18x9.5 Corvette magnesium wheels with 285/30-18 tires) as well as my '85 UrQ. Yes, I needed another car like I needed another camera, but you know how it goes, I'm sure... Upon reflection, I realized that a WATE would serve my purposes better than a TE, as I'd forgotten to take into account the M8's 1.33 crop factor. If I had to live with just a single lens, it'd have to be a 21mm, as I've grown to love the angle of view of a 28mm lens ... alas, I fear the combo is still too large for traveling with me. Maybe some day... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share #14 Posted April 1, 2008 Although I had an order pending at Amazon.com, I checked B&H's site yesterday afternoon and saw they were listing the DP-1 as "in stock," so I ordered one. I just received an email that it's been shipped, so I should see it by the weekend ... it's going to be interesting to finally see for myself what all the Foveon fuss is all about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share #15 Posted April 19, 2008 ...it's going to be interesting to finally see for myself what all the Foveon fuss is all about. As expected, it has been an interesting experience! Ordinarily, I'd discuss my observations in a bit of detail, but at this point, enough reviews and forum threads have been written that I believe everybody is aware that the DP-1 has a stunning number of operational "quirks" (which is putting it nicely!) to match its stunning image quality, so there isn't much to be gained by rehashing all the details here. Suffice it to say that while the DP-1 isn't capable of ever being my only camera, I anticipate it will serve my intended purpose (street photography while traveling light) admirably. For now, I have no regrets whatsoever about purchasing it and once Adobe adds the ability to process its RAW files in Photoshop so that I no longer have to use Sigma's awful Photo Pro, then I'll have no reservations about using it, either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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