L1 looking towards the D3 - first impressions

[marknorton]

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We all know that Leica under-estimated the demand for the Digilux 2 and the D-Lux 2 so that stock ran out before demand did. Even now, the D2 would be an attractive offering, especially given what we know about its image quality. If an unsold batch of them turned up, they would be snapped up. Even with the M8 on order, I'm not selling mine.

 

My fear is that they've over-cooked it with the D3. The nightmare scenario is that, even while we speak, Panasonic are churning them out by the thousand and Leica will be stuck with a product which is slow selling and for which they've OVER-estimated demand. Leica could yet be broken by the D3 and no amount of M8 sales will rescue them.

 

If I was in the market for a mid-priced dSLR, there are offerings which I would find more attractive from the likes of Nikon and Canon. Panasonic/Olympus/Leica are starting a long long way back.

[spylaw4]

I can say that I am the happy owner of an L1. ................

 

The Leica lens gives outstanding images and is a pleasure to work with. Cheers

 

Interesting to hear Simon - how about some images in the pgoto forum so we can all see?

[jonoslack]

 

My fear is that they've over-cooked it with the D3. The nightmare scenario is that, even while we speak, Panasonic are churning them out by the thousand and Leica will be stuck with a product which is slow selling and for which they've OVER-estimated demand. Leica could yet be broken by the D3 and no amount of M8 sales will rescue them.

.

 

Hi Mark

I reckon the D3 will have it's afficianado's much like the D2 - I haven't played with one, but I do have an Olympus E330 - the live view is really useful (under some circumstances - notably on a tripod), the image quality is good, and it's nice to use - I'm sure the D3 will be at least as good (except for the pull out LCD of course).

 

It was never going to sell in competition with the Canon and Nikon cameras anyway, but I'm sure there is a place for it. I also think that moving in on 4/3 was a good idea from Leica's point of view - the E1 is about as close as you can get to a 'leica dslr' with it's build quality and quiet shutter - I think there's more to come, and I'm sure it'll be interesting.

 

Mind you - it's the M8 I'm after!

 

kind regards

jono slack

[reprobit]

just a few questions:

 

did someone do manual focusing with this DSLR? I was not able to find the right focus with an Leica R 80mm at full aperture. My first guess is that the screen is not designed for precise focusing.

 

does this camera offer a hole system of lenses, flashes, accessories which fullfills prosumer demands?

 

do you really enjoy the 4/3 format?

 

I would love to have a DSLR smaller than big C or DMR, but this should not be a compromise.

 

Bernd

[MP3]

Hi Bernd

 

I manage to use another demo L1 yesterday for 30mins. The manual focusing can be achieved fairly easily with great accuracy and sharpness if you use liveview. I have not try to do it manually by the viewfinder.

 

Best

Matthew

[dkmick]

I have an L1. I ordered it before the D3 was announced. In the past I've used a D2 and a Canon 20D. I preferred the interface and photos from the D2 but used to 20D more to get pictures of my daughter who (like most children) moves around a lot.

 

I've used the L1 on two occasions where I have taken 100+ shots and I am very satisfied. I am learning about the advantages and limitations. I find I am using the aperture ring more than I used menu based settings on the canon. I've printed pics at up to 8x10 on an Epson 2400 and have been very pleased with the results. I have tended to shoot at ISO 100 and have not shot over 400 ISO. I like the interface for setting "film" modes and I'm learning the circumstances when I prefer the various options. I am enjoying the camera.

 

My last film camera was a Contax G2. Eventually, that is what I covet in a digital camera. An M like camera with autofocus and an interface like the L1.

 

Don