[Leica] D Lux 3

[jackmclain at hughes.net (Jack McLain)]

Will:

Thanks greatly; this information is most helpful, not only for it's content
but for it's supportive tone!

As of today, at this moment, my tendency is to just do it and buy a D-Lux 3
in black (in preference to the Panasonic equivalent) and be done with it! I
probably am a victim of marketing and brand loyalty, but the Leica badge
will at some level give me comfort over the Panasonic badge (which I still
associate with Televisions and cheap audio equipment).

I have considered the various digital SLRs that have been suggested and....
I don't know, I just don't want to carry around a SLR. I am liking the idea
of habitually carrying a "pocketable" camera for those images that just
happen about once a day. I used to go out with the primary intention to
photograph stuff and carrying a back pack containing a couple bodies,
lenses, tripod, filters, etc, etc, was just part of the deal. More recently
I don't have that urge, but still "see" images while going about my life
that I'd like to play with if only I had a camera with me.

I can certainly afford the D-Lux 3 it since I am very likely going to sell
my black paint MP and a handful of Summicrons once I figure out how to do
that without getting too badly screwed. (I am soliciting and accepting
suggestions regarding this dilemma also!!??)

Then there is the Nikon film scanner sitting unused..... And film developing
gear...... Letting go of my accumulated film-based stuff will not be easy
but it will be rational, if not necessary.

I just sold my Photoshop 7.0 for PC on eBay, and need to replace it - in
anticipation of acquiring a digital camera - with software for my new
Macintosh. Maybe I'll hold off on that purchase until I get a look at the
software that is packaged with the D-Lux 3.

Ahhhh... So many toys, and so little time.

My best regards
Jack

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

Jack McLain

In the desert near Maricopa, Arizona

"But It's a Dry Heat!"








On 11/7/06 8:47 PM, "Will von Dauster" <vondauster@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Sorry for the delay in replying, but it was a very busy day...
> 
> Jack McLain wrote:
> 
> (snip)
> 
> 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.
> 
> Nonsense, Jack. We were all new at this digital thing not that long
> ago. You'll catch up quickly.
> 
> 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.
> 
> The main, objective differences are 1. a two year warranty with the
> Leica, one with Panasonic; 2. Leica doesn't have the spiffy little
> grip thingy on the front of the camera; and 3. it comes with a
> monstrous 64 MB chip (I know, sarcasm). The other difference is that
> both Panasonic and Leica agree the firmware is tweaked differently
> for the Leica version. Either way, they are both very nice point and
> shoot cameras.
> 
> Oh, and the Leica Classic brown leather case for the DL3, whenever it
> ships, looks great...
> 
> 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?
> 
> I have not played with the D Lux 2 except briefly, but the reviews I
> have read agree the Lumix LX2 version of the D Lux 3 is a significant
> improvement in a number of areas over the Lumix LX1, aka the D Lux 2.
> The screen real estate is used more effectively, the internal
> processor is improved, and there is the 2M more pixels on the LX2/
> DL3. You can easily get the Lumix LX2 (Lumix equiv. D Lux 3) new for
> less than $500.
> 
> I repeat, so far I am very pleased with what I'm getting from the D
> Lux 3. No, I'm not using it for work, but as a pro I always like to
> have a camera "to hand," and do not want to schlep my DSLRs
> everywhere off duty.
> 
> Hope this helps,
> 
> Will von Dauster