[Leica] D Lux 3

[vondauster at earthlink.net (Will von Dauster)]

On Nov 8, 2006, at 6:56 AM, Jack McLain wrote:

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

In spite of the snarling and growling that occurs once and a while,  
the LUG is actually a pretty nice group of people. Just don't quote  
me... ;-)

> 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).

This is exactly what I did as well. Though don't be too harsh on  
Matsushita. Panasonic has built one of the world most advanced, and I  
would argue thus far the results suggest one of the best, lens  
manufacturing facilities in cooperation with Leica.

And you know, even with their electronics, I have in 40 years never  
had a Panasonic component fail before I was tired of it. Famous last  
words...

> 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....(snip)

Once one really learns to see the world around them, the urge to  
capture images never really stops. The pocketable camera idea is,  
after all, why Leica exists today. Barnack did not want to lug around  
the bulky cameras of his day either. I still have to carry the DSLRs  
for work, and that gets old too.

> 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!!??)

Maybe start with the for sale listings here on the LUG every Friday.  
Others can talk more intelligently than I can about e-Bay. Trade  
generally gets you only about 50% of current retail value, but is  
still sometimes viable. Good dealers may give a good customer a bit  
more, but seldom over 60%.

> (snip)
>
> 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.

Mine came with Elements 3 for the Mac, so basically the crippleware  
version of 7.5 (kinda). My suggestion would be to wait, use iPhoto  
for now, then get the Intel native version of Photoshop once it is  
released next spring or summer. YMMV.

Off to what should be another hectic day...

Will von Dauster