[Leica] Compact Camera Conundrum

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

Gary,

That focal length reach 28-200 is pretty amazing. Particularly
considering the small size of the camera. 

I searched for info on the Sigma DP1 last night. That sounds like what
I'm looking for longer term. But since there's no firm release date yet
(and I probably wouldn't buy one until after it's been out for a while)
I need to get something to hold me over. Small is good because it's
always nice to have a pocketable camera. Right now I need a camera I can
take with me everywhere.

Lately I've been on a printing craze. That's inspired me to photograph.
I set up my R800 with 3 MIS Ebony carts to print BW, using QTR. The
concept is that you don't need dilute black inks with the new 1.5
Picoliter printers. But you do need to use multiple channels to avoid
things like banding (which can happen with black only and a single
cart). I'm so impressed by the results that I've been generating
printing like mad. Best thing about the printing is that it's been
simple, economical, and the resulting BW's are neutral, rich and
archival. It's a solution I've been searching for since I took down my
darkroom. With the R800 I'm limited to 8.5 X 11, but that's OK for now.
It means I don't need a huge file or a super camera. Ergonomics and
functionality take priority over image quality. (I can't believe I'm
saying that, but it's true!) :-)

DaveR 




-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Todoroff [mailto:datamaster@northcoastphotos.com] 
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 5:37 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] Compact Camera Conundrum


>>David Rodgers wrote:
>> > I need a new compact digital camera.

My choice about a month ago was the Ricoh Caplio R6 for two reasons:
1) it has 28mm at the wide end,
2) it is .9 inch (23.3mm) thick, so fits in my jeans front pocket.
The best camera is the one you have with you.
No manual mode, but some of the scene modes can do in a pinch.
See info at
  http://www.dpreview.com/news/0703/07030506RICOHR6.asp

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 was a contender for my pocket camera. 
However at 50% thicker, it was at least twice as likely to NOT be in 
my pocket when I want it.
Gary Todoroff
www.northcoastphotos.com