[Leica] D Lux 3

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

Sorry for the delay in replying, but it was a very busy day...

Jack McLain wrote:

(snip)

I realize the disdain most serious enthusiasts have for the "what camera
should I buy" question when posed by the neophyte, but I beg your  
indulgence
for an old-fart guy who was shooting a Leica and printing TriX 35  
years ago.
I stand before y'all with head bowed and hat in hand, and hope for some
photo-wisdom.

Nonsense, Jack. We were all new at this digital thing not that long  
ago. You'll catch up quickly.

I've been surfing the camera sites, reviews, etc, and am now leaning  
heavily
in the direction of the Leica D lux. (I mean it IS a Leica of sorts...
Right?)

The new D lux 3 model seems to be selling over it's MSRP, even on  
eBay. The
comparable Panasonic model, which the Leica is based on, is available  
and
for significantly less money. I am not clear on what exactly (other  
than a
Photoshop-lite software package), makes the Leica a better choice  
between
the two.

The main, objective differences are 1. a two year warranty with the  
Leica, one with Panasonic; 2. Leica doesn't have the spiffy little  
grip thingy on the front of the camera; and 3. it comes with a  
monstrous 64 MB chip (I know, sarcasm). The other difference is that  
both Panasonic and Leica agree the firmware is tweaked differently  
for the Leica version. Either way, they are both very nice point and  
shoot cameras.

Oh, and the Leica Classic brown leather case for the DL3, whenever it  
ships, looks great...

There are several near new or new D Lux 2 models in the  ~$400 -$500  
range
on eBay and other venues. Is the D-Lux 2, while "only" sporting 8 Mega
pixels, a good choice at that price point? Is the D Lux 3 so much more
advanced, or a better user (in classic street candid photography)  
that the
premium price is a no-brainer?

I have not played with the D Lux 2 except briefly, but the reviews I  
have read agree the Lumix LX2 version of the D Lux 3 is a significant  
improvement in a number of areas over the Lumix LX1, aka the D Lux 2.  
The screen real estate is used more effectively, the internal  
processor is improved, and there is the 2M more pixels on the LX2/ 
DL3. You can easily get the Lumix LX2 (Lumix equiv. D Lux 3) new for  
less than $500.

I repeat, so far I am very pleased with what I'm getting from the D  
Lux 3. No, I'm not using it for work, but as a pro I always like to  
have a camera "to hand," and do not want to schlep my DSLRs  
everywhere off duty.

Hope this helps,

Will von Dauster