[Leica] Re:M8 alternative? --- why not wait?

[leicachris at worldnet.att.net (Christopher Williams)]

I'm waiting for BD to review the Leica D 14-50. He stated he'd never use it
but come on BD, give us a test! BH has the Panasonic so I'm sure we may see
some tests from someone soon.

Of course Leica D3 will cost $400 more than Panasonic's L1. If Panasonic has
the high ISO noise down, it should be a good camera.

Chris



----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Pastorello" <etruscello@yahoo.com>
To: <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 10:15 AM
Subject: [Leica] M8 alternative? --- why not wait?


>    For those of us who have not decided to buy the M8,
> is Leica Digilux 3 system a good alternative?  It is
> being billed as Leica's third system: M, R and now D.
> The new system allows interchangeable AF lenses. The
> first lens to be available for this FourThirds system
> is a Leica Vario-Elmar 14-50 (35mm equivalence of
> 28-100) f2.8-3.5 ASPH. Future Leica lenses will
> include a super-wide, macro and telephoto zoom.  The
> camera ("made in Germany," but made with Panasonic)
> has anti-shake and anti-dust features.  It should be
> available as soon as or a little later than the M8.
>    Aside from the convenience of digital, the M8 seems
> to offer no great advantages over the M-line in
> general.  Both lack AF which is crucial for some
> applications.  Both are unable to go longer than
> 100-135.  Both have limited macro.  With the new Leica
> Four Thirds system, all these limitations are overcome
> AND you can still use Leica glass in a fairly compact
> system.
>    Why buy an M8 when you can get a SYSTEM with very
> different capabilities for about the same price.  Use
> the M3-7 when your picture shooting requires
> deliberate study.  Use the Leica Digilux 3 system when
> you're shooting fast ("fast" both in terms of the
> subject and your schedule).
>    What wrong with my logic?  Is a FourThirds system
> too limiting in terms of resolution and noise?  (The
> reviews, to be out soon, might indicate otherwise.)  I
> understand that the M8 allows us to use our beloved
> M-lenses, but is it not possible that the Leica D ASPH
> lenses will be as good -- or better, as they are
> designed for digital?
>    I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I put my
> thoughts out for discussion as a kind of devil's
> advocate for waiting a while longer before ordering
> the M8.  (The worst that can happen if you do wind up
> getting an M8 is that you'll get a later model with
> all the kinks ironed out.)
>    Tom Pastorello
>
> Follow this link for details about the D system:
>
>
> http://www.cameratown.com/cameras/detail_page_sql.cfm?productid=Digilux3
>
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