Anyone Using Panasonic Iteration of Leica Digital?

[cokids]

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I am new to these boards and came as a new owner of the Panasonic DMC LX3. I was just wondering if there is anyone else here who is a Panasonic shooter?

 

I also shoot Canon SLR (5D...the old version).

 

Beth

[offshore]

I am new to these boards and came as a new owner of the Panasonic DMC LX3. I was just wondering if there is anyone else here who is a Panasonic shooter?

 

I also shoot Canon SLR (5D...the old version).

 

Beth

I also own the LX3 and the DMZFZ30 the Panasonic version of the V-lux. Both excellent cameras and excellent value. The FZ 30 is the most bulletproof camera I've ever owned and has taken more abuse from being dropped and rained on of any of my cameras. It has not faltered once in the three years I've owned it and produces beautiful A3 prints. I've just started experimenting with the LX3 in the pinhole and film grain modes and the results have been extremely cool. It too went for a fling to the ground when I was hiking and so far no damage. Panasonic makes some excellent cameras for the money and what I've seen of the LX3 it has made me rethink buying a second M8 body. The image quality is not up to M8 standards but when shot in raw file an A3 print can be pulled from it and it is a lot easier to carry around.

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[cokids]

I also own the LX3 and the DMZFZ30 the Panasonic version of the V-lux. Both excellent cameras and excellent value. The FZ 30 is the most bulletproof camera I've ever owned and has taken more abuse from being dropped and rained on of any of my cameras. It has not faltered once in the three years I've owned it and produces beautiful A3 prints. I've just started experimenting with the LX3 in the pinhole and film grain modes and the results have been extremely cool. It too went for a fling to the ground when I was hiking and so far no damage. Panasonic makes some excellent cameras for the money and what I've seen of the LX3 it has made me rethink buying a second M8 body. The image quality is not up to M8 standards but when shot in raw file an A3 print can be pulled from it and it is a lot easier to carry around.

 

I see that your experiences and mine are similar. I am an owner of the original LX1 (which I must now dispose of) which I too dropped more than once...it took a licking and just kept on tickin.'

 

Hmmmmm....M8....huh? Wow! My husband owns one of hte old Leica film cameras....M-something....5 maybe? Can't remember....always have to ask him. It sits in a bag and almost never gets used. It has 3 lenses and a leather case with it. We bought it used for about $200 back about 30 years ago. I'm pretty thrilled so far with the LX3. Have gotten fairly good results from it so far even at upper ISO ranges...the top ISO that appears usable for me is 800. A couple of frames were at 1600, but they aren't very good. I was surprised that even 800 was usable!!

 

Beth

[farnz]

Beth,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

I have the D-Lux4, which is the sister camera to yours and both produce excellent results, although mien plays second fiddle to my M8 much of the time. There are plenty Panasonic shooters on these boards and many who use the Leica versions of some of the Panasonic cameras, which are often referred to as "PanaLeicas".

 

I agree with your opinion about ISO 800 and 1600, although I rarely stray above ISO 400 if I can help it.

 

If you want to dig out your M-whatever there are plenty of people on the forum who will provide details about it and, if you wish, help you to start using it again with those exceptional Leica lenses.

 

Pete.

[cokids]

Beth,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

I have the D-Lux4, which is the sister camera to yours and both produce excellent results, although mien plays second fiddle to my M8 much of the time. There are plenty Panasonic shooters on these boards and many who use the Leica versions of some of the Panasonic cameras, which are often referred to as "PanaLeicas".

 

I agree with your opinion about ISO 800 and 1600, although I rarely stray above ISO 400 if I can help it.

 

If you want to dig out your M-whatever there are plenty of people on the forum who will provide details about it and, if you wish, help you to start using it again with those exceptional Leica lenses.

 

Pete.

Thanks Pete,

 

It's an M3, my husband says, with a 35mm, a 50mm and a 135mm lens...he thinks. Haven't used it in ages though he threatens to use it. Maybe someday....The light meter doesn't work anymore, so he's discouraged. It was mounted on top of the camera. It's a lovely piece of machinery....if it still works!! It was fully reconditioned 10+ years ago.

 

Oh, and let me say that I've been playing w/ the LX today....B&W. there's gallery of my trials at http://www.pbase.com/cokids/ Click on the BW gallery. This may become my dedicated BW camera! Anyone else doing this?

 

Beth

[gfspencer]

I have a Panasonic DMC-FX9. It's been a great little camera . . . but I sure do lust after a Leica D-Lux 4.

[Tenor1]

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Welcome to the forum Beth,

 

Even though the DL4 is a P&P I use it mainly in the manual modes and LOVE it. I tend to use my Digilux 2 in auto and perfectly happy with those results.

[kschwarz]

Beth, I like you have a new D-Lux 4 and love it. Also similar to you, I have a Canon 5D and 5DMII for my serious shooting, but purchased the D-Lux 4 as an occasional pocket camera. I have been very happy so far. I also use a Leica M7 and Mamiya 7 (the latter has the best IQ of any handheld camera ever made, IMO). I look forward to exploring the possibilities of the D-Lux 4, a camera that is not only smaller than anything I have owned to date, but also one that is able to produce such nice macro shots.

[stuny]

Beth -

 

Welcome to the Forum, and I look forward to seeing your photos -- You live in a beautiful, photogenic area so I would guess you like shooting landscapes.

 

At present one of my cameras is the Panasonic equivalent of a lesser Leica model than yours, and I get very good results with it (If you go to our site, most of the pictures from page 20 on of the New York photos are with than camera), and since it is so small I carry it with me narly all of the time. One of the other Forum members, Ben (Forum name Roguewave) bought an LX3 for his wife, and has posted a number of beautiful photos taken with that camera.

[bowdie]

Hi use a Panasonic FZ-50 (Leica V-lux1), and a Panasonic LX-2 (Leica D-lux3).

 

But my daily carry is a Digilux 2

[John Thawley]

I think this post should have actually been titled - "Leica iterations of Panasonic digital," no?

 

As I understand it, only the M8 enjoys a true Leica DNA. All other digital products enter the world as Panasonic and receive foster parents via Leica "charm" school.

 

Removing tongue from cheek now.

 

JT

[stuny]

John -

 

The discontinued DMR for the R8 and R9 is also Leica-only, as is the soon to be released S2.

[John Thawley]

John -

 

The discontinued DMR for the R8 and R9 is also Leica-only, as is the soon to be released S2.

 

Ah... yes. You are correct.

 

My tongue and cheek stand corrected.

[rycm]

Hi Beth,

 

Panasonic would be the original iteration of the camera (LX-3) followed by Leica's rendition as D-lux4. Like you, I use the 5D (MkII) for SLR req.. lowlight & longer focal length. My film M7/MP stay in the dry box now. And have added to my collection the M8.2. The M8, Canon 5D and LX-3 all have a place in their use, each with their characteristics strength. To be honest, I would rate in terms of sheer pleasure to use, the LX-3, then the M8.2 and finally the SLR, 5D. I love the LX-3 for it';s portability and incredible sharpness wide open (not much DOF even at f2.0), and it's the camera that I will carry anywhere. The M8, well, that's an investment made because I hate to see all the M lens I have sitting in the dry box. But when it is used.. well it's a joy. The 5D.. well that the SLR we need for high-ISO, fast focus, long focal length.

 

From my perspective, there is no difference between the LX-3 and D-lux 4. For RAW processing, use Lightroom 2.2. It compensates for the LX-3 RAW which has tremendous amount of barrel distortion. Some says that Panasonic cheated in this this aspect, but my take is that they did right.. all that matters is the the results are stunning.

[kameraguy]

Hi,

 

Another Pannasonic shooter here. I have the LX1 which paved the way to the FZ-50 which I both love. So much so I picked up the LX3 a few months ago as well which I simply adore.

 

I also have the Digilux 2 which had I not got a great deal on, I'd have easily purchased the LC1 instead.

 

Cosmetically I prefer the Leica versions, but am more than happy with saving the money for the Panasonic versions.

[peterb]

For the last three years I've been using the LX-1, an incredibly good value Panasonic with that superb Leitz (designed) lens. I'd fashioned a viewfinder by gluing a Voigtlander accessory holder (which, ironically, fit PERFECTLY between the flash and mode dial) and used a 28mm Voigtlander finder for framing when shooting (a feature I was delighted to see that the D-Lux 4 and LX-3 have now incorporated!) Aside from the lens and what I perceived was an identical body (and even firmware) but at a lower price (no warranty like the Leitz version) what I liked most was it's rather unusual sensor which was a 16:9 ratio.

 

Wide (28mm equiv. in 35mm-speak) yielded some very pleasing shots. And with it I learned to work RAW files to get the best out of 'em. No regrets. Recently, however, I bought the Pansonic G1 which from what I can tell is a wholly unique Panasonic design.

 

Noise issues that used to plague earlier Leica-sonic designs like the LX-1 seem to be well-controlled now from ISO 100-400 (higher ISO's are noiser but when you process the Raw files the noise seems to have a film-like quality to it like the LX-1 yielded) with a very much improved processor which according to some reports equals and in many cases exceeds the performance of some top notch cameras that are several times its $800 (U.S.) entry fee.

 

The interesting news is that the Lumix G1 which is in the micro four thirds format (a variant of the 4/3's format developed jointly by Panasonic, Olympus and Leica, which I'm told Leica has walked away from) has piqued the interest of several manufacturers to develop an adapter to fit Leica M lenses onto the G1 body.

 

So would the idea of an adapter that can take Leitz lenses then make this Pansonic camera, even though it's not a Leica in different clothing as this thread has been inviting experiences on, a new Panasonic iteration of a Leica digital as well? I guess not since there's technically no Leica to compare it to.

 

Peter