Leica v lux 40

[jinkster]

Had a brief play yesterday with a Leica v lux 40 and what a stunning piece of kit this was. Cost £475 I saw it at. 20 x optical zoom of finest quality Leica lens. Anyone had a go? Would you recommend?

Thanks.

[Dr Jekyll]

You can get most Leica digital cameras with Panasonic badges and minor detail differences for a fraction of the price. I've an idea the Panasonic TZ30 is the one to look at.

[Rich K]

I have one to keep in my pocket ........ goes everywhere with me

its made my D7000 redundant for everyday use.
when pushed the D7000 win hands down on quality and control

yes it can be bought as a Panasonic for less money but the red dot makes me smile each time I see it.

a wonderful camera if you take it for what it is

[Simpo Two]

Rich K said:

but the red dot makes me smile each time I see it.

Stella Artois put it very well - 'reassuringly expensive'

[jinkster]

RichK,

Fully agree with you on that. I'm not a DSLR person as It would be far too bulky for carrying around so thinking this could be an option. I've always wanted a Leica every since holding one the first time.

I guess it is like buying a Mont Blanc Pen versus buying a Parker pen!

[PJ S]

Except you're not buying a MB pen, but a Parker one with MB printed in italics (or however their script is styled).
AFAIK, a Leica'd Panny is the badge and a change of colour to the menu.
Layout, features, ISO algorithms, etc, etc, and etc are ALL identical to Panny's.
It's not even like when B&O made CRT TVs, where they'd grade the pre-graded Philips ones before returning those that didn't meet the required standard - where in Leica's case, they only sold the best ones of their own designed lens fitted.
It's purely a branding exercise, nothing more.

[hidetheelephants]

'Me no Leica' as someone once said.

[jinkster]

Any chance of uploading some high res pics taken with the v lux 40?

Thanks

[K12beano]

jinkster said:

Any chance of uploading some high res pics taken with the v lux 40?

Thanks

If you want to see, over the interwebnet how good the images are, why not search on flickr? They've probably a users group or ten......

[Dr Jekyll]

jinkster said:

RichK,

I've always wanted a Leica every since holding one the first time.

I guess it is like buying a Mont Blanc Pen versus buying a Parker pen!

I can relate to this, but you can always buy a a proper Leica, albeit a film camera, secondhand for a few hundred quid. You can use it for a few years and then sell it for about what you paid for it.

[9.3]

jinkster said:

Any chance of uploading some high res pics taken with the v lux 40?

Thanks

You have mail.

[DIW35]

I bought a D-Lux 5 from a guy at work who wanted to trade up to a DSLR, but I believe that's a re-badged Panasonic too. Doesn't worry me. I got it for a good price and it takes nice pictures.