Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/08/16

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Subject: [Leica] Pocket camera replacement
From: Nathan Wajsman <nathan.wajsman@euronet.be>
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 07:39:29 +0200

This weekend, my beloved GR1 was lost, probably forever, at the Walibi
amusement park outside Brussels. As I need to have a pocket camera at
all times, I must replace it as soon as possible. One obvious option is
to buy another GR1, and that is the most likely outcome. However, having
become smitten by the Leica virus since this spring, I am also
entertaining a thought of the Leica Minilux. So far, having looked at
the specs, I arrive at the following comparison:

Lens-  GR1: 28mm f2.8, Minilux: 40mm f2.4
Shutter speeds- GR1: 1-1/500 sec., Minilux 1-1/400 sec.
Exposure modes- both have program or aperture-priority
Viewfinder display- GR1 shows shutter speed, Minilux does not
Metering- GR1: center or spot, Minilux: center only
Focus- GR1: auto or prefocused at 2m or infinity, Minilux: auto or
several prefocused distances.
Intangibles- GR1: feels nice and rugged, Minilux: has red dot.

Looking at these specs, it appears that the GR1 is the superior camera,
as it seems to beat the Minilux in all aspects except the manual
focusing options and the "intangibles" category. I wonder if anyone has
experience with both cameras and can comment on the differences?
Incidentally, I am NOT considering the Minilux Zoom; although the zoom
is tempting, the lack of an exposure-priority exposure mode and the lack
of any exposure information in the viewfinder or on the LCD rules it out
for me.

Nathan

- --
Nathan Wajsman
Overijse, Belgium

Photography page:  http://members.tripod.com/~belgiangator/index.html
Motorcycle page:
http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/downs/1704/index.html