v-lux 1 or digilux 3

[phantom airplane]

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after days of considering buying a Canon SLR model i have managed to decide against it and go with Leica, even though have been using a Canon 10d for a while..I have always loved the images taken with a Leica cam and prefer to get that special look over having a very compatible canon SLR and images without that look...even if that means that I have to get a 'simpler' cam, since i can't afford a Leica SLR just now, but i don't wanna hang around for ages without a cam while i am saving up

 

so i was looking at the V-Lux 1 and quite liking it...price is good and still provides the features that I wanna use to advance into more professional photography...also need a good quality cam for a project i'm planning to take on from january

 

but then i have seen some ex-demo digilux 3 floating around and even though they would be a good 500 euros more it made me think...

 

so should i just hang around and try to be lucky getting an ex-demo version digilux 3 or will i be happy out with the V-lux 1, even though it is not at the same level as the digilux 3?

 

ta

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[joppepop]

I previously owned a LC1 and was very pleased with it, but unfortunately it was stolen. That made me however purchasing a V-Lux 1 instead, since I thought I would get the same picture quality and overall experience with it. I didn't. The V-Lux was fantastic in many ways, the zoom range was absolutely stunning and the picture quality sometimes absolutely stunning too. The feeling from the LC1 was nevertheless gone, so I decided to go with the Digilux 3 instead, what I feel now will be my last camera in life. I simply love it.

 

Since you are opting for a system that seems to require an even deeper dig into your pockets, I would however recomend the V-Lux 1 that will give you really good value for money while saviling for something better. The Digilux 3 will quite sone make you investing in more lenses and such, since the kit lens is not sufficiant for all needs. Lenses cost lots of money and you'll have to wait even longer to save up to your dream system.

[stuny]

Nika -

 

Welcome to the Forum. The two cameras are very capable, and I've seen wonderful results from both in the images posted here by Forum members. If cost is a concern, at present in the US the price for the V-Lux 1 is $850, but there is also a Leica USA rebate of $250 for cameras bought before some time in December (I don’t recall the exact date). The Digilux 3 is a bit more like your Canon in that the lenses are interchangeable. There are not only Leica lenses and Lumix branded Leica lenses, but also Olympus lenses, which other Forum members tell us are superb. I’m told that ultimate image quality with the Digilux 3 is better. But it also costs more.

 

I suspect you should consider your own shooting needs and habits, and let that help you decide. Such as, if you have no need for anything wider than the 35 mm film camera equivalent of 35mm, the V-Lux might be the answer. If you need wider, the Digilux with a wide lens, but remember that the focal length of a Digilux lens is numerically half that of a 35 mm equivalent. So a 25 mm on a Digilux will equal a 50 mm in angle of view of a 35 mm.

 

If you can, try using both cameras. Once you decide, please tell us what you did and post photos on this Forum.

[phantom airplane]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks so much to both of you for the welcoming note and the help. I think I will go with the V-lux for now and will indeed try to save my money to get a more serious Leica in the hopefully very near future.

 

Will let you know once i have the 'baby'

 

Also, one more thing. I have read that there are add-on lenses that you can use for a V-Lux 1. Could any of you please let me know about this or give me any details on it. So far I have just read about the possibility but couldn't find any concrete info (though i've been crazy busy at work in the last few days so probably it is due to the lack of time I was able to invest into browsing through the forum and the net.)

 

It is a great place btw, I am glad I have found this site!So many useful info and pics...

[bjmike]

Nika -

 

Such as, if you have no need for anything wider than the 35 mm film camera equivalent of 35mm, the V-Lux might be the answer.

 

This is mostly correct, but there are widely available (but with varying quality) teleconverters on the market (including a Panasonic version designed for the V-Lux 1) that can easily bring the wide angle limit down to below 25mm (35mm lens equiv.).

 

Nevertheless, the Digilux will probably give you a better IQ. Just depends on what you want to do with the camera.

[phantom airplane]

thanks,

 

my question still remains though..what kind of add-on lenses can u use with the V-lux if you can?

[bjmike]

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thanks,

 

my question still remains though..what kind of add-on lenses can u use with the V-lux if you can?

 

You can buy, from Panasonic, a wide-angle teleconverter (giving a 0.7X reduction to 24.5mm 35mm equiv.), a long lens teleconverter (giving a 1.7x extension to 714mm 35mm equiv.). Panasonic sells a close-up lens as well. The lens thread is 55mm. You can also, I guess, use any teleconverter with a wider thread with a step-up ring. The optical quality on these vary all over the place, with Nikon & Oly being the best I've seen over the years. I've used the Panasonic wide angle converter, but not enough to say much about the quality.

 

The Panasonic lenses were deigned for the Panasonic FZ-50 which is (physically & optically) the same camera as the V-Lux 1.

[phantom airplane]

thanks so much for the info!