Doubts about V-Lux 1

[ja UK]

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Hello, I'm new here and I have an urgent question:

as happy owner and user of a Minolta Dimage 7hi, I somehow get attracted to the Leica V-Lux 1, but: the reviews aren't that great and the samples I've seen didn't convince me to buy this camera.

 

Can somebody show me some, convincing real size pics to take away my doubts. Somehow the pics on the web aren't that sharp.

 

Try dpreview.com camera comparisons it has pics of FZ50:

Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 6 cameras: Digital Photography Review

 

or digital versus or Flikr.com

 

Product Face-Offs Cameras - DigitalVersus

 

Its basically down to your budget, this also has Video. You could get a 2 x lens DSLR & body starting at £750 -£1000. ie 24-70mm, 70-200 or 300mm lens. You wont get a DSLR with 1 x 35-420mm 2.8 leica lens , like this one, because they dont come with single superzooms. Also the total kit will be much heavier. Ive seen the Leica version in the UK new for approx £480-£550 & the FZ50 for £250.+

 

Best to bring an SD/CF card & test various cards in a shop to see which suits your purposes & quality standards & get an idea of your overall budget. I find it hard to judge quality of pics from others efforts. It really depends on how good the person behind the lens is, you could give an aunty who likes taking pics a £2000 camera, you still cant guarantee outstanding results. Just test & review various cams in store, yourself. I only look for cameras that take good pics in low/natural light & sharp , with vibrant colours, not heavy so I can take a small cam bag out, (not a suitcase :-))And now I dont need to bring a separate video camera.

 

Prices have also dropped on both of these panasonic/leica cameras. I was lucky I got my Leica v lux 1 2nd user at a much lower price & I love it. Its my 1st leica. Its well made. You can get the full range of filters/converters for the 55mm lens + it has external hot shoe.

 

I also have a Panasonic FZ28 , which is outstanding value for only £249. 27-480mm superzoom with HD video. I'm an ex SLR, & I love now getting quality without weight & bulk.

 

I suspect there wont be many places left selling the Leica v lux 1 as the sold out very quickly due to the Leica brand & the price. Alot of reviews previousy criticised the high price compared to the FZ50, when hey looked like the same model (although the firmware gives the leica better warmer colours & apparently a sharper lens). You may also find that some amateur pics on line may not look tightly sharp, because sometimes when you use optional I S Image stabilisation to prevent handshake, it then softens the edge focus. Those who switch it off & keep steady probably dont get it as much.

 

If I had over £700 spare, & photography was my main line of work, then I'd probably go into the DSLR range. Although the Leica would be a nice portrait studio lens & looks the business to the clients if your charging good money.

some DSLRs ie canon use the same EF lenses as the non digtal canon DSLRs. so you may get some lenses cheaper. If you crop picks alot, aim for more than 7-8 megapixels, so you don't see much loss in quality when you print big.

 

I love my Leica though, I've always wanted one, & couldnt believe I had the chance to get a fast, digital, huge reputation quality camera. I'm proud to carry it. And I love just one good lens & no worries about internal dust etc. Its also a kind lens to people (specially as we mature :-) ) nice warmer skin tones, not washed out & Ive managed to avoid going too sharp to prevent 10 megapixel, full length wrinkles , which no one likes. I dont really need to retouch on these cameras, the most I do is quick crop to improve framing.

 

Hope that helps

JA London

[hamey]

The only knowledge I have on the V-LUX 1 was in the shop, picked it up then immediately put it down.

 

As for the Minolta's, my first SLR was the SRT 101 purchased in 1969 still have it, still works and frankly a better Camera then the Leica M8,.... Don't laugh..... I very much doubt if any Digital camera will still be serviceable after 40years.

 

Oh yes it doesn't need battery power to take pictures, and I still have the slides to prove it, and they're REAL SIZE.

And on occasions, I still use a Minolta, thats the Minolta 5400-2.

 

Cheers.