[Leica] Canon G7 a no-go: Better the Leica D-Lux (but which one??)

[jackmclain at hughes.net (Jack McLain)]

Thanks all for the thoughts and suggestions regarding the usability of the
G7 camera. With the lens being so-so and the other issues that have been
raised, it's off the list.

I am suffering real camera purchase angst. I've been a very traditional
develop-and-print-your-own guy for a long time, and have always glibly
dismissed the digital world off-hand.  Now I am paying the price for
studiously ignoring the technology. I pick up one of these digital point and
shoots and have no clue even how to turn them on (or is the proper term
"power them up"?). I bought my wife a little Olympus P+S and could offer her
no advice; very frustrating for someone who considers himself a
"photographer".

I realize the disdain most serious enthusiasts have for the "what camera
should I buy" question when posed by the neophyte, but I beg your indulgence
for an old-fart guy who was shooting a Leica and printing TriX 35 years ago.
I stand before y'all with head bowed and hat in hand, and hope for some
photo-wisdom.

I've been surfing the camera sites, reviews, etc, and am now leaning heavily
in the direction of the Leica D lux. (I mean it IS a Leica of sorts...
Right?)

The new D lux 3 model seems to be selling over it's MSRP, even on eBay. The
comparable Panasonic model, which the Leica is based on, is available and
for significantly less money. I am not clear on what exactly (other than a
Photoshop-lite software package), makes the Leica a better choice between
the two.

There are several near new or new D Lux 2 models in the  ~$400 -$500 range
on eBay and other venues. Is the D-Lux 2, while "only" sporting 8 Mega
pixels, a good choice at that price point? Is the D Lux 3 so much more
advanced, or a better user (in classic street candid photography) that the
premium price is a no-brainer?


My best regards
Jack

Jack McLain
http://jackmclain-photography.siteframe.org/

In the desert near Maricopa, Arizona
"But It's a Dry Heat!"




On 11/5/06 10:01 AM, "Will von Dauster" <vondauster@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Jack, the G7 is a decent point and shoot camera. In my opinion, a
> better choice might be the A640, which is 10 MP, has a better lens in
> my experience, and offers the advantage that it uses AA batteries -
> rechargables are best, of course, but off the shelf ones in an
> emergency. The A series do not allow raw capture, but again in my
> experience do a very good job of internal conversion to jpeg. The
> A640 does not have the optical image stabilization that the G7 has,
> but this may not matter to you.
> 
> Having said that I just bought a D-Lux 3 yesterday, and my first few
> snapshots with it are very impressive. Great lens! The 16:9 aspect
> ratio may take a little getting used to, though...
> 
> Will von Dauster
> 
> On Nov 5, 2006, at 6:47 AM, Jack McLain wrote:
> 
>> Can anyone offer opinion or comment on the Canon G7 as far as it's
>> "user
>> friendliness" from the perspective of a Leica M camera user? It kinda
>> "looks" like a camera.
>> 
>> Are there other digital cameras that one could consider (other than
>> the M8
>> or Epson Rd-1 which I just cannot afford right now)? Is the
>> Panasonic, even
>> without a optical viewfinder, a choice to consider?