Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've been on a quest lately to find out if any available "prosumer" digicam could be used for Leica-style candid, "decisive moment" photography. Not to replace my M cameras. The M is still where it's at for all but the easiest available light, for B&W, and for maximum quality. But for casual photography and immediate results, the digicam is a compelling alternative. I find that I'm shooting more since I first picked up a used Coolpix 990, and the more I shoot, the more I learn. The Coolpix is a great, feature-packed do-everything camera with unbelievable macro. But it often doesn't cut if for fast shooting. I decided not to go the DSLR route, At least not yet. Size, weight, cost, my own shooting style, and premature commitment to a system were the main reasons. What I want doesn't exist yet. After much fondling of cameras and poring over manuals, I've just ordered a Lumix LC5 "Lika Leica." Thanks to all the bad press, they are available at fire-sale prices. *All* the prosumer digicams have glaring compromises. It's like the old business adage: "You can have cheap, fast, or good. Pick two. Maybe one." With the digicam, there are more factors: General image quality, high-ISO noise, viewfinder, shutter lag, feature set, ease of use, lens speed, megapixels, zoom range. . . and on and on. The Digilux 1 and Lumix LC5 are the only digicams I've tried that have the "feel" of a real 35mm camera. The operation is fairly intuitive. Oft-used functions are not buried 5 levels deep in menus. The lens is fast. Most important, the LC5 and Digilux are the only digicams where the shutter lag and half-press autofocus delays are both short enough to consistently capture a decisive moment. On some other cameras, you can get close if you turn off auto white balance, etc. (thanks, Sonny!). But it's not enough, and not consistent. Despite all the bad press, a number of people I respect have gotten great results with the LC5 or Digilux: Sonny, Graham, Tina, George. I've concluded that if I am comfortable with a tool and it matches the way I naturally want to shoot, I may do better with that tool. That's one of the things that drew me to Leica in the first place, despite the fact that almost everyone else I knew shot with SLRs. But. . . I choose cameras because they work for me, not just from brand loyalty. If the LC5 suits me, it stays. If it doesn't, or if it turns out to be a dog, it goes. In the meantime, my digital photos will be on-topic, even from the "strict constructionist" point of view. :-) - --Peter Klein Seattle - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html