has Leica actaully announced the end of the Digilux line

[rsolomon]

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I own a digilux 2 - great camera, just had the snor replaced by leica

I own a digilux 3, like the kit lens and love using my R glass on it.

I'm still holding onto my R9 at the moment.

 

 

I was hoping a Digilux 4 would be announced but to no avail.

 

A Digilux 4 could include:

1. an "in camera" image stablization system - really extenting the use or R glass

2. a bit cleaner at higher iso, and increase to 3200

3. 5 fps

4. another lens or 2 in the line-up, perhaps including a 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 (similar to the oly)

 

If they don't go forward with a Digilux 4 I beleive that Leica once again hit the bullseye of the target, and then walked up, pulled the arrow out, and threw it on the ground.

[stunsworth]

I don't think there's been an official announcement, but I have the feeling that the camera wasn't a great success for them.

[hpu]

Steve,

I agree with your opinion. To me it is a pity that they have apparently no successor for this great camera, if there should be any need for the D3 anyway.

What I read in the LUF that several people us this camera with OLY glasses, which are not bad either. I use now also the OLY FL36 flash which gives me great satisfaction.

I'm planning to get a f1.4 lens, i.e. either Leica or a Sigma 30 mm.

We have to see what the future for the Leica 4/3 will bring.

[miami91]

A Digilux 4 could include:

1. an "in camera" image stablization system - really extenting the use or R glass

2. a bit cleaner at higher iso, and increase to 3200

3. 5 fps

4. another lens or 2 in the line-up, perhaps including a 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 (similar to the oly)

 

I believe you will see all this --- in the form of the R10. Won't allow the use of 4/3 lenses, but as someone who owns legacy R glass, you'll likely be covered.

 

Jeff.

[rsolomon]

Depending on price an R10 maybe that makes sense,

 

It seems so clear to me that the leica philosphy is "focus" and invest in lenses NOT camera bodies. This seems to be a good approach - it always was but even more true now in the digital world. Considering that, i would rather see the Digilux 4 offering and continue with a D line .

 

Investing in a new R camera body every 2 years seems like chasing a very expensive rainbow.

 

for my money i rather chase the D line using R glass and some addtional pana/leica AF glass - it's such a flexible and high quality system.

[ASpes]

I own a digilux 2 - great camera, just had the snor replaced by leica

I own a digilux 3, like the kit lens and love using my R glass on it.

I'm still holding onto my R9 at the moment.

 

 

I was hoping a Digilux 4 would be announced but to no avail.

 

A Digilux 4 could include:

1. an "in camera" image stablization system - really extenting the use or R glass

2. a bit cleaner at higher iso, and increase to 3200

3. 5 fps

4. another lens or 2 in the line-up, perhaps including a 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 (similar to the oly)

 

If they don't go forward with a Digilux 4 I beleive that Leica once again hit the bullseye of the target, and then walked up, pulled the arrow out, and threw it on the ground.

 

I sort of agree with you, but you should not forget that both the D/2 and the D/3 were basically Panasonic projects, Leica added to them but never really owned the development of those cameras.

Unfortunately Leica had (and likely has) not enough resources to develop another line on its own, while for Pany those cameras, especially the D/3, were a flagship to help building a new brand image.

 

I'm to believe the shift from D/2 to D/3 was also factored by the DSLR wind getting stronger, and profitable. So the D/2, as a sort of an early digital M, was dropped, big mistake IMO, in favour of a DSLR that in fact had all the technical improvements we could have dreamed for it, but also felt slightly less "M".

 

Last but not least the timing was bad, the DSLR war was starting, both for price and megapixel, and this made the L1-D/3, a beauty of a photo instrument, look old in a very short time, and its price became unjustified before it could really grab the market.

 

An M8 can live in a niche market, but would be crushed in an instant in the DSLR world, and that's what happened to the L1-D/3. Poor sales made for no future, they just became good sellers when dumped. Had they been released one year earlier and maybe with a lower price since the start, this would have made them strong contenders and probably set the path for a follow-up.

 

As for Pany, the L10 is quite a different camera from the L1-D/3, the only thing it shares are just poor sales, and anyway, in their quest for a seat in the DSLR world, Pany is apparently going on without Leica in their last G1 offer.

 

I'd welcome a D/4/5/... but I'm sad to say I really doubt we'll see one. In the meantime I enjoy what I have ...

 

Just my 2 (euro)cent of course.

[John Thawley]

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What I find amazing is how all the marketing geniuses in the world can't figure out that there's a spot between cramming as much technology into the smallest possible package known to man.... and multi-lens SLR based digital shoulder mounted rocket launchers.

 

When will someone wake up and realize that 10 years of digital has produced a market segment of people that might .... just might... want a camera. A camera that they hold in their hand, bring up to their eye and make beautiful pictures.

 

Comfortable in the hand. Analog controls. a fast 28-90 lens. 10 mega pixel, a decent sized buffer and a nice bright viewfinder. It doesn't need to make toast or upload to MySpace... doesn't need to interface with my iPhone or my car's navagational system. Just fit in my hand, connect with my eye/brain.. and take great photos.

 

WHY is that so hard?

 

I'm stock piling Digilux 2's. These mental midgets that call themselves marketing gurus will NEVER ask people what they want.

 

JT

[Aerospace]

What I find amazing is how all the marketing geniuses in the world can't figure out that there's a spot between cramming as much technology into the smallest possible package known to man.... and multi-lens SLR based digital shoulder mounted rocket launchers.

 

When will someone wake up and realize that 10 years of digital has produced a market segment of people that might .... just might... want a camera. A camera that they hold in their hand, bring up to their eye and make beautiful pictures.

 

Comfortable in the hand. Analog controls. a fast 28-90 lens. 10 mega pixel, a decent sized buffer and a nice bright viewfinder. It doesn't need to make toast or upload to MySpace... doesn't need to interface with my iPhone or my car's navagational system. Just fit in my hand, connect with my eye/brain.. and take great photos.

 

WHY is that so hard?

 

 

JT

 

+1;)

[audidudi]

When will someone wake up and realize that 10 years of digital has produced a market segment of people that might .... just might... want a camera. A camera that they hold in their hand, bring up to their eye and make beautiful pictures.

 

Comfortable in the hand. Analog controls. a fast 28-90 lens. 10 mega pixel, a decent sized buffer and a nice bright viewfinder. It doesn't need to make toast or upload to MySpace... doesn't need to interface with my iPhone or my car's navagational system. Just fit in my hand, connect with my eye/brain.. and take great photos.

 

WHY is that so hard?

 

I fear this is likely a market niche that is only slightly larger than that for the M8. I suspect the majority of camera buyers today have never used a traditional 35mm camera and therefore don't even know what they're missing. While it might make sense to create a camera for this niche -- at some point down the road, this design approach will be considered "new" again! -- if I were a volume manufacturer, I certainly wouldn't make it my number one priority.

 

Tis a pity, though, as I would buy a pair of them in a heartbeat!

[Riley]

we had all that, everything was going fine

then you wanted AF

[John Thawley]

I fear this is likely a market niche that is only slightly larger than that for the M8. I suspect the majority of camera buyers today have never used a traditional 35mm camera and therefore don't even know what they're missing. While it might make sense to create a camera for this niche -- at some point down the road, this design approach will be considered "new" again! -- if I were a volume manufacturer, I certainly wouldn't make it my number one priority.

 

Tis a pity, though, as I would buy a pair of them in a heartbeat!

 

Well, I've got two very high-end pro shooters waiting for me to ship them Digilux 2s on loan. They're looking for the same thing... for the same reasons. They want to leave their pro-gear home when going out with the family etc. But find the little point n' shoots (including D-Lux 4 and LX3) too small... too menu driven... and too unreliable in non-average shooting situations.

[rsolomon]

we had all that, everything was going fine

then you wanted AF

 

i think you're right -- we had everything - i dont beleive there was improvement needed on the M7 or the R9....... but i woiuld add both Digital and AF is what we want

[parigby]

Me l've done a full circle.

 

Started off with the D2 : then graduated to the R8/DMR combo: next l'm off to the M8 - couldn't get on with that, so : traded in for a Nikon D2 and four AF lenses : now l'm back with my original Digilux 2 which l find fits the bill for ninety percent of my photographic needs - but l knew that all along, just thought l'd spend bucket loads of my money to prove it.

 

You have my permission to call me STUPID

[hpu]

 

You have my permission to call me STUPID

 

No way the latter. Have fun with it.

[John Thawley]

Me l've done a full circle.

 

Started off with the D2 : then graduated to the R8/DMR combo: next l'm off to the M8 - couldn't get on with that, so : traded in for a Nikon D2 and four AF lenses : now l'm back with my original Digilux 2 which l find fits the bill for ninety percent of my photographic needs - but l knew that all along, just thought l'd spend bucket loads of my money to prove it.

 

You have my permission to call me STUPID

 

Well, a few more of us and we could have a team. While I have to have my Canon gear for work, I had a DMC LC1 three years ago and sold it. Replaced it with a C-Lux 1... sold it. Replaced it with D-Lux 3. Added a Digilux 3... sold it. Now have 3 Digilux 2s and 1 DMC LC1. I'm committed to making sure I have a Digilux 2 until I die... or Leica provides a GENUINE and TRUE upgrade that follows the concept of this camera. I have a strong suspicion, the former will come first. LOL

 

I will also add, I scour the world wide web daily in search of a brand new one. I saw a brand new one a few months back when I was "toying" with the idea of picking one up. I could kick myself for not acting.

 

JT

[Guest Ron Kennett]

I tried asking them in Solms, but did not get an acknowledgement of the question.

 

I really do like mine!

[Isabelle Lenatio]

What I find amazing is how all the marketing geniuses in the world can't figure out that there's a spot between cramming as much technology into the smallest possible package known to man.... and multi-lens SLR based digital shoulder mounted rocket launchers.

 

When will someone wake up and realize that 10 years of digital has produced a market segment of people that might .... just might... want a camera. A camera that they hold in their hand, bring up to their eye and make beautiful pictures.

 

Comfortable in the hand. Analog controls. a fast 28-90 lens. 10 mega pixel, a decent sized buffer and a nice bright viewfinder. It doesn't need to make toast or upload to MySpace... doesn't need to interface with my iPhone or my car's navagational system. Just fit in my hand, connect with my eye/brain.. and take great photos.

 

WHY is that so hard?

 

I'm stock piling Digilux 2's. These mental midgets that call themselves marketing gurus will NEVER ask people what they want.

 

JT

 

How very very true ....

[rsolomon]

 

I will also add, I scour the world wide web daily in search of a brand new one. I saw a brand new one a few months back when I was "toying" with the idea of picking one up. I could kick myself for not acting.

 

JT

 

John, if you're interested in a Digilux 2 that just came back from leica, replaced sensor, replaced top plate, had rubberized grip replaced this summer. CLA'd, looks great, 1 year warranty from leica .......private message me.

 

Rich