Leica advice ?

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

I am lucky enough to own a Leica D-Lux 5 (And NO it is NOT a panasonic. it is similar, but hold it, use it, it is a TRUE leica). Now they have announced the release of the Leica X-2 and I am wondering about upgrading. does anyone who knows about these things have any thoughts on whether it is worth doing? After all £1500 on a compact is a lot of money for a bus driver...

 

[Solarflare]

How exactly are we able to inform you about a camera that hasnt been released yet ?


Oh, and since you seem to be a fan of Leica: for the "best way to spend $2000 on a camera", Ken Rockwell recomments getting a Leica M3 with Leicameter MR-4 and 50mm/2 Summicron lens, getting it repaired, and giving the other $1000 to the needy.

But thats just as a fun aside, dont want to suggest to you that you should now get a film camera.

 

[gsgary]

I second getting a proper Leica M and shoot some film

 

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

I have nothing against film. It was a fabulous medium . I used it myself extensively in the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s. I loved it. Now (In my opinion), the technology has arrived to the point where a digital sensor can record detail at least as well as the old chemical version. Of course it's different, After all a Ford Focus or aMercedes S300 drives differently from a Model T or a Mercedes Benz. I just suppose it all comes down to which you personally prefer.

Lenses in particular have moved on to much higher performance levels. I still own an F3, but it is not used anything like as much as it was when I owned a DCS120. And of course the F3 is still in my collection. The DCS120 is probably in a landfill site somewhere. Every time that (in my case) Canon has released an updated model, I have needed the extra capability that it offers. But this time I didn't. I honestly believe that although my present kit may not be the newest or the top spec. But I earnestly believe that it is good enough. and yes, it is all digital.
The X-2 is well publicised, the specs have been released and I was rather hoping that one or more of our forum members had used the D-Lux 5, and the X-1 and with their knowledge of the three cameras might have a valid comment to contribute to the pot which would help me in formulating my own decision.

 

[gsgary]

Personaly i would rather have the Fuji x pro but if i had the spare money it would be an M9 and Notilux f0.95, a lucky club member has 2 M9's but he is the president of the Leica owners club

 

[gsgary]

I couldn't use a camera without a veiwfinder, you don't get one unless you pay extra and that will probably be £200+

 

[nickzou]

pfff... the D-LUX 5 is not a true Leica. I got one for my girlfriend and NOT the Panasonic because she's a girl and she likes pretty things and she's fashion forward and stuff. I tried both out, there are some differences and I will say I think I like the Leica better but they aren't that different. The way I see it, the only reason to get a non-M Leica is as a fashion accessory.

 

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

I have had my D-Lux5 for nearly a year now,and I have to say that while you are of course welcome to your opinion, I feel the term "Fashion Accessory" is at best condescending, and to be honest illconsidered and frankly wrong. It is an excellent, responsive and versatile little camera which is both extreemly capable and very versatile. It has a blisteringly sharp lens and although it doesn't look much lika a leica, It does feel and operate exactly like one.
I have shot several hundered (Probably thousands of) images through it and find that in all respects it performs well into the class you would expect from a £750.00 camera. It has the added advantage that if you point a compact at a stranger, they usually don't notice, and if they do they usually smile and strike a pose. If I point my 5D at a stranger they nearly always notice, and usually shout, and attempt to strike ME. in short... It gets MY vote.

 

[bhop]

The D-Lux is made BY Panasonic for Leica...so.. I wouldn't consider it a "true" Leica either, but I also don't consider it a bad camera. D-Lux and its Panasonic twin are both quality cameras. If you're happy with it, that's what counts anyway..

As far as your original question. I'm with gsgary. No matter the specs, I wouldn't want to use a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder. I'd consider the XPro-1 over the X2 if you don't want to go back to film. If you don't care about viewfinders, then the X2 seems like it will probably be a good camera..

 

[fjrabon]

I have had my D-Lux5 for nearly a year now,and I have to say that while you are of course welcome to your opinion, I feel the term "Fashion Accessory" is at best condescending, and to be honest illconsidered and frankly wrong. It is an excellent, responsive and versatile little camera which is both extreemly capable and very versatile. It has a blisteringly sharp lens and although it doesn't look much lika a leica, It does feel and operate exactly like one.
I have shot several hundered (Probably thousands of) images through it and find that in all respects it performs well into the class you would expect from a £750.00 camera. It has the added advantage that if you point a compact at a stranger, they usually don't notice, and if they do they usually smile and strike a pose. If I point my 5D at a stranger they nearly always notice, and usually shout, and attempt to strike ME. in short... It gets MY vote.

It also sounds like you've never actually used an LX-5 either. Don't they use the same exact lens, processor and sensor? Aren't the controls identical? Isn't the D-Lux 5 made by panasonic?

I tried both out, and I could not even come close to telling the difference between the two.

 

[bhop]

It also sounds like you've never actually used an LX-5 either. Don't they use the same exact lens, processor and sensor? Aren't the controls identical? Isn't the D-Lux 5 made by panasonic?

I tried both out, and I could not even come close to telling the difference between the two.

They are identical except the Leica doesn't have the grip area and I guess they have slightly different firmware.
Leica D-Lux 5 vs. Panasonic LX 5 image comparison | Leica News & Rumors

 

[fjrabon]

It also sounds like you've never actually used an LX-5 either. Don't they use the same exact lens, processor and sensor? Aren't the controls identical? Isn't the D-Lux 5 made by panasonic?

I tried both out, and I could not even come close to telling the difference between the two.

They are identical except the Leica doesn't have the grip area and I guess they have slightly different firmware.
Leica D-Lux 5 vs. Panasonic LX 5 image comparison | Leica News & Rumors

Yeah, I also wouldn't be surprised if the Leicas were a little bit more highly 'regulated' in quality control, with any that didn't perform well in testing just being rebranded as LX5s (not saying that is the case, but I could see it, certainly). But spec wise, they seem identical as far as I can tell. I'm pretty happy with my LX5. Like the OP said, it is way better for street photography than wheeling around a dSLR. And it's nice to always have a camera of that caliber in my pocket, more or less.

 

[nickzou]

I have had my D-Lux5 for nearly a year now,and I have to say that while you are of course welcome to your opinion, I feel the term "Fashion Accessory" is at best condescending, and to be honest illconsidered and frankly wrong. It is an excellent, responsive and versatile little camera which is both extreemly capable and very versatile. It has a blisteringly sharp lens and although it doesn't look much lika a leica, It does feel and operate exactly like one.
I have shot several hundered (Probably thousands of) images through it and find that in all respects it performs well into the class you would expect from a £750.00 camera. It has the added advantage that if you point a compact at a stranger, they usually don't notice, and if they do they usually smile and strike a pose. If I point my 5D at a stranger they nearly always notice, and usually shout, and attempt to strike ME. in short... It gets MY vote.

It also sounds like you've never actually used an LX-5 either. Don't they use the same exact lens, processor and sensor? Aren't the controls identical? Isn't the D-Lux 5 made by panasonic?

I tried both out, and I could not even come close to telling the difference between the two.

The software is a little different. But yeah... very similar.

 

[usayit]

No matter the specs, I wouldn't want to use a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder. ... If you don't care about viewfinders, then the X2 seems like it will probably be a good camera..

EVF viewfinder is available for the X2. Its actually the VF2 originally made by Olympus for the Pen cameras ( I have one) and rebranded a Leica. The EVF is actually pretty good... good enough to focus adapted manual lenses.

With that said, I rarely use my Leica.. er.. Panasonic LX3 since I acquired the Micro 4 3 system. I like the LX3 but the versatility and availability of optics for the Micro 4/3 really trumps any fixed lens compact. For the same reason, I would take a micro 4 3 system over the X2. More specifically, an E-P3 (or OMD EM-5) with a couple good fast primes.. there is a nice selection of them in micro 4 3 mount.

As a side note... Glad the OP likes the Dlux5 but I'm trying to figure out what the OP means by "it is a True Leica"..... :er: By what standards or in respect to? Operation? feel? hmm...

 

[fjrabon]

No matter the specs, I wouldn't want to use a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder. ... If you don't care about viewfinders, then the X2 seems like it will probably be a good camera..

EVF viewfinder is available for the X2. Its actually the VF2 originally made by Olympus for the Pen cameras ( I have one) and rebranded a Leica. The EVF is actually pretty good... good enough to focus adapted manual lenses.

With that said, I rarely use my Leica.. er.. Panasonic LX3 since I acquired the Micro 4 3 system. I like the LX3 but the versatility and availability of optics for the Micro 4/3 really trumps any fixed lens compact. For the same reason, I would take a micro 4 3 system over the X2. More specifically, an E-P3 (or OMD EM-5) with a couple good fast primes.. there is a nice selection of them in micro 4 3 mount.

As a side note... Glad the OP likes the Dlux5 but I'm trying to figure out what the OP means by "it is a True Leica"..... :er: By what standards or in respect to? Operation? feel? hmm...

I think the OP is responding to the common belief amongst those that have tried both that the Leica DLux5 and the Panasonic Lumix LX5 are virtually identical.