Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bud, I am as addicted to the red dot as anyone else on this list. I preach the virtues of the M6 or M3 (both of which I have) with the zeal of the recent convert. But when it comes to P&S, I think that Leica is at best average. I did own a Minilux for a few weeks but sold it because of my frustration with its handling. I rarely use flash, so one of my requirements for a P&S is to be able to turn it off easily. On the Minilux, I had to press a small button 7 times to cycle through the various flash modes until I finally reached the OFF mode. To make it worse, every time I turned off the camera, the flash mode reset to the automatic and the whole 7-push process had to be repeated. Contrast that with the Ricoh GR1, which has a simple slider switch on the back--I slide it to the OFF position and it stays put. Exhibit 2: the aperture setting. On the Minilux, it is done with the same switch which also turns the camera off, while the GR1 has a separate aperture dial so that I can leave it at a chosen aperture and it is there when I turn on the camera with the separate on/off switch. Exhibit 3: exposure compensation, which is ironically the one setting that IS saved when you turn the Minilux off, but the camera gives you no obvious warning. Again, the GR1 is superior with its exposure compensation dial that shows me immediately what I have set. The combination of those three things made the Minilux unusable for me, despite the excellent performance of the lens and the autofocus and flash systems that you note. Inb my opinion the Minilux is convenient only if you take most of your pictures on autoflash and do not use exposure compensation. Nathan - ----------------------------------------------- From : "Bud Cook" <budcook@ibm.net> Sent : 26.12.98 To : Leica_Post Subject: Re: [Leica] Minilux or Hexar? I vigorously disagree with some of the negative comments about the Minilux. It seems to me that these are just niggling complaints and ignore the strengths of this camera. The complaints made about the Mode control confuse me. This is the control for the various flash modes. I've found absolutely no difficulty with this control and it's not all that important anyway. Controls that are far more important are the focusing and aperture controls and these are quite easy to use. The lens is great. It's speed permits you to take available light photographs with good results. It's focal length of 40mm is far more useful than one of 28mm or even 35mm. The flash is powerful and accurate. The camera focuses on the first depression of the shutter release, not the final. This is extremely important and an advantage over some other P&S cameras. The exposure and focus work accurately. Our Minilux has produced excellent results in a wide variety of situations. The only negatives I can think of is that the camera is heavier and a bit bigger than plastic P&S cameras and (like most P&S cameras) the viewfinder isn't up to the standard of a Leica M and might be difficult to use for some eyeglass wearers. Bud - ----- Original Message ----- From: quem <annecy@hsnp.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Saturday, December 26, 1998 4:52 PM Subject: [Leica] Minilux or Hexar? >I'm gonna buy my wife a good p&s camera and have narrowed the choice >between a Minilux (not the zoom) >and the Hexar Silver. Price is not a factor as they are both about $575. >There is no camera shop where I live, so I'm unable to inspect these >cameras prior to ordering. Several posts to this group were not exactly >complimentary concerning the Minilux. At any rate, given these two >choices, which is the better camera? > >TIA for any and all comments, > ke > >