Help me spend some money....

[friederich]

I've had a sucession of P&S cameras over recent years and never really got on with them - I carry them with me but seem to leave them in the pocket. I really missed the viewfinder that I was used to from my SLR - I just dont like framing the image 'live view'.
I've relatively recently bought my first DSLR, and rediscovered the joy of taking photos. I'm convinced that this is due to the return to the viewfinder.

So to my question....

I'm not looking to replace the DSLR (I've still got the upgraditis itch in this direction), but I'd like to buy a really nice compact camera for the pocket with some form of viewfinder.
Years ago I had an Olympus Trip 35 which was a stunning piece of kit in it's time and I'd like a contemporary replacement. Some of the newer 4/3 and micro 4/3 look promising.

Does anyone have any experience and recommendations in this area?

[Simpo Two]

I think the L-word may be beckoning - Leica... see/compare them at www.dpreview.com

[friederich]

Thanks S2.

Leica certainly have some tempting (if expensive) spiritual sucessors to the the Olympus T35.

Just wondered if anyone else has specific experience and recommendations of a rangefinder, 4/3, micro 4/3 etc P&S complement to their dSLR?

[GetCarter]

I have the The Leica D Lux 4 - superb results

Optional viewfinder:


Review
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/19982/leica-dlux4/

Sample Pic:

[CarMac]

Steve...stop trying to make out it's the kit that makes you take cracking photos! Your photos are stunning no matter which camera you use!

That is a very sexy looking camera though.....

[GetCarter]

one from this morning whilst dog walking...

[BigAlinEmbra]

Steve, how did you get that effect with the clouds? Is it a slightly long exposurfe, or did they just look like that?

I'm with CarMac, I'm not sure it's the camera to blame for your photos!
(Which means you can hand the D3 over thanks)

[GetCarter]

BigAlinEmbra said:

Steve, how did you get that effect with the clouds? Is it a slightly long exposurfe, or did they just look like that?

I'm with CarMac, I'm not sure it's the camera to blame for your photos!
(Which means you can hand the D3 over thanks)

Ta... and sod off - the D3 stays!

I just selected and softened the clouds above. I quite like the effect.

ETA... did the same here

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 12th September 10:54

[friederich]

Thanks Steve.

Wonderful pictures as ever. The second one looks almost HDR-like (in a positive way!). Do you generally shoot RAW, and if so how does your post processing workflow compare to your SLR shots?

Do you have/use the viwefinder? Would I be right in thinking that the viewfinder is fixed to the shortest focal length?

Apologies for all the questions! I am seriously considering the D-Lux4, but I'm a bit worried that the experience will still be 'compact like'. I think I'm erring towards something with an integrated viewfinder.

[GetCarter]

TBH the problem with the D-Lux viewfinder (which I don't have), is that the camera won't fit in the case when it's on! So the faf factor is thus increased.

It was almost a deal breaker for me, but I've been well pleased with the camera in all other respects.

[Simpo Two]

friederich said:

I am seriously considering the D-Lux4, but I'm a bit worried that the experience will still be 'compact like'. I think I'm erring towards something with an integrated viewfinder.

M8 and M9 models have integrated optical viewfinders, and will help you get rid of even more of that pesky money!

www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=s...

[jamoor]

Am I missing something or is the Leica camera the same as a Panasonic LX3 for half the price?

[GetCarter]

This one ran a while back. Yes and no. Different body, different case, Leica skin off the good interior gubbins and give the rest to Panasonic.

Any sensible person would probably buy the Panasonic as it will mostly take as good a photo as the Leica. But then no sensible person would buy an Aston Martin when a Subaru would get you there just as quick.

[Simpo Two]

GetCarter said:

Any sensible person would probably buy the Panasonic as it will mostly take as good a photo as the Leica. But then no sensible person would buy an Aston Martin when a Subaru would get you there just as quick.

I have heard that the Leica lenses in Panasonics are not the same grade as those in Leicas (and possibly the firmware), but as it was on the internet I don't know if it's true or myth.

In times like these I revert to the Jeremy Clarkson pub test. Imagine being asked by your mates what kind of car/hifi/camera you have, and you reply: 'I've got a (insert brand name here)' Then you can decide which is better

[jamoor]

GetCarter said:

This one ran a while back. Yes and no. Different body, different case, Leica skin off the good interior gubbins and give the rest to Panasonic.

Any sensible person would probably buy the Panasonic as it will mostly take as good a photo as the Leica. But then no sensible person would buy an Aston Martin when a Subaru would get you there just as quick.

So what, they manufacture 2 types of interior gubbins, one to sell to panasonic and one to sell as Leica?

I don't care about the exterior.

[GetCarter]

jamoor said:

GetCarter said:

This one ran a while back. Yes and no. Different body, different case, Leica skin off the good interior gubbins and give the rest to Panasonic.

Any sensible person would probably buy the Panasonic as it will mostly take as good a photo as the Leica. But then no sensible person would buy an Aston Martin when a Subaru would get you there just as quick.

So what, they manufacture 2 types of interior gubbins, one to sell to panasonic and one to sell as Leica?

I don't care about the exterior.

So they say - well they take the cream of the crop (can't remember the exact words they used). As for the exterior - I just prefer my cameras to be pro quality (as they get VERY wet where I live!)

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 13th September 12:37

[jamoor]

GetCarter said:

jamoor said:

GetCarter said:

This one ran a while back. Yes and no. Different body, different case, Leica skin off the good interior gubbins and give the rest to Panasonic.

Any sensible person would probably buy the Panasonic as it will mostly take as good a photo as the Leica. But then no sensible person would buy an Aston Martin when a Subaru would get you there just as quick.

So what, they manufacture 2 types of interior gubbins, one to sell to panasonic and one to sell as Leica?

I don't care about the exterior.

So they say - well they take the cream of the crop (can't remember the exact words they used). As for the exterior - I just prefer my cameras to be pro quality (as they get VERY wet where I live!)

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 13th September 12:37

I see, I can't see them picking PCBs off the production line, as any company that has such poor quality control isn't worth bothering with.