TheByte

Rob

Leica V-LUX 1
The V-Lux line makes photography in the compact class more professional than ever before. The all-purpose digital camera for universal use combines the best Leica image quality with the convenience of an intelligent all-in-one solution. Equipped with the 12x optical zoom and the optical image stabilization, there is hardly any photographic situation you won't be able to master with your V-Lux 1.

The compact V-Lux 1 is a match for entry-line digital SLR systems any time. The V-Lux 1 combines top-class optics, magnificent image quality, 12x zoom and 10 megapixel image resolution in an ultra compact, convenient design.

Choleric

Hmm. nice, probablly expensice though. Whats the Panasonic version of this?

here are some sample shots from this camera

http://www.harden.dial.pipex.com/vlux/isotest.html

Michael

Wow. It looks like a swiss watch in the attention to detail.

Rob

It is a very nice little camera Mike ....but for the price (I'm assuming) I think you could get better value-for-money elsewhere.

Michael

Does this have the Sony sensor that is found on the D80? I think it may


Here is a similiar Leica. Very nice:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=20732321

Rob

Yeah, I am dreaming of owning an M8 -- I have an M6 ...but I seldom use it now ...35mm film just seems like a waste of money and time now -- I will wait for the M8 to hopefully get a little bit cheaper .....but I doubt it actually will -- Leica are a bit too expensive, they are great cameras, but the Japanese cameras, in all honesty, are just as good.

I also have an M6J, which was a special 40th anniversary Leica model which was produced in 1994. It was designed to look much like a Leica M3 from the 1950s. I love these old cameras ...but they just gather dust in my cupboard these days sadly. One good thing about them is they do hold their value very well ....and some, like my M6J have increased in value -- I saw one for sale at Christies auctions last year ...I can't remember exactly how much it was estimated to be worth, but it was more than I paid -- which was nice to see but I couldn't sell it, I like it far too much to sell it.

Michael

Rob,

I think it comes down to what you are willing to pay and appreciate. In all honestly, no matter how expensive a Leica is, you know you are buying a top of the line craftsmanship quality camera. I think Leica is more into the robustness of the quality than technology. I don't know.

Choleric

Heres the Panasonic version Lumix DMC- FZ50 about $600

Rob

Ahh, good work Choleric ...I didn't think that was out yet

That would be a much wiser choice ....purely for financial reasons. It is technically identical to the Leica (it even has a Leica lens) ..for a much more reasonable price -- it makes you wonder why Leica even bother with their own camera

Rob

Leica cameras have always been more concerned with the finer technical aspects -- the technology is in the design and manufacturing of the parts (like the lenses) rather than in the electronics. The Leica lenses offer amazing colour and sharpness -- although the Japanese lenses continue to get better and better.

The debate continues on German versus Japanese lenses -- both are outstanding.

In terms of professional photography, Canon and Nikon are by far the most widely used professional cameras -- particularly by photojournalists.

Leica's professional SLR camera is the R9 -- it can shoot both 35mm film and digital -- but it is still a manual-focus camera. The manufacturing of this camera is state-of-the-art, as well as the technology involved with the production of the lenses, but in terms of electronic gadgetry, Canon and Nikon offer far more elaborate systems. -- LOL, it even has a film advance lever for shooting 35mm film without the separate motor-drive.



The lenses are truly breathtaking -- like candy for big boys

Leica lenses are built to the German standards of quality we German Car fans love -- but just like a Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, or BMW, they come at a high price.