kshapero
South Florida Man
The original cool retro mirrorless camera. Any users still out there.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Also know as the Leica DIGILUX 3
Michalm
Well-known
Good looking camera, but it isn't mirrorless. It does produce nice looking images though especially colorwise. Somehow colors coming out of these look better than modern cameras .
kshapero
South Florida Man
Yes, I stand corrected. But one of the first DSLR's with live view.
wjlapier
Well-known
I have the L1 and Leica 14-50 lens. I've used the lens on a GH2 but not sure I will any further. The L1 is very capable of producing excellent images.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Um, I'm baffled; if it isn't mirrorless then logic says it must have a mirror.
But it hasn't; so we've a new meaning for mirrorless...
Regards, David
PS Excellent camera btw, I had one for years and years.
But it hasn't; so we've a new meaning for mirrorless...
Regards, David
PS Excellent camera btw, I had one for years and years.
santino
FSU gear head
It certainly has a mirror but the orientation is different so no need for a mirror box.
Swift1
Mentor
When I first got into photography, the L1 and 14-50mm was at the top of my list for cameras I wanted. I ended up getting a Pentax K10D (which I don't regret), but I have still wanted the L1 and its kit lens ever since.
Axel
singleshooter
The DMC-L1 has a "porro-finder" what means that it has a mirror but this mirror doesn´t
move. No mirror slap. A similar system like the EOS RT or Olympus E330 or Sonys SLTs.
move. No mirror slap. A similar system like the EOS RT or Olympus E330 or Sonys SLTs.
Swift1
Mentor
The L1 has a mirror and mirror box (same system as the Olympus E-330), and the mirror flips sideways before exposure, similar to the old Olympus Pen F half frame SLR.
Axel
singleshooter
Ah yes, it flips sideways. I was wrong.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Thank you! That’s correct.
It’s an excellent camera. At one point I had two of them and did all my professional gigs with them. A friend bought one from me and uses to this day for his jobs. It produced quality photos way beyond the expectations derived from its spec sheet.
It’s still a fine performer with superb quality build and excellent ergonomics. One of them refreshed with an EVF and a current generation sensor would be a winner today.
It’s an excellent camera. At one point I had two of them and did all my professional gigs with them. A friend bought one from me and uses to this day for his jobs. It produced quality photos way beyond the expectations derived from its spec sheet.
It’s still a fine performer with superb quality build and excellent ergonomics. One of them refreshed with an EVF and a current generation sensor would be a winner today.
wjlapier
Well-known
Thick body--L1.
peterm1
Mentor
I still use mine now and then. There are things about it I have never liked much - the tiny viewfinder and the slight apparent delay when making an image. But its a cool camera that can produce really nice images - still. The IQ is something i always appreciated about it, especially its in camera jpg options. What I more often do though is use the lenses I had for it on an AF adapter for Four Thirds to M4/3. AF is a little slower than with latest lenses but perfectly acceptable mostly and the lenses I have are sweet. The best being the 14-50mm and the 25mm f1.4. They are sooooooo sharp.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Thanks everyone.
I guess it was what the politicians call brain fade (when they do it & stupidity for everyone else).
Oddly enough, as soon as the Olympus was mentioned it all came back although I never owned or used one.
Regards, David
I guess it was what the politicians call brain fade (when they do it & stupidity for everyone else).
Oddly enough, as soon as the Olympus was mentioned it all came back although I never owned or used one.
Regards, David
Dralowid
Michael
A friend still uses a Digilux 2 which he swears is better than the Digilux 3 he bought and then sold, preferring the older model.
The images he produces are consistently excellent and touch wood, the camera continues to function faultlessly.
The images he produces are consistently excellent and touch wood, the camera continues to function faultlessly.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
It's a great pity that there never was a Digilux 4, say the 2 upgraded and so on. It was nice to have a proper sized camera instead of an itsy bitsy thing you have to wave about in the air because it has no VF...
And the controls on both the 2 and 3 were extremely easy to use and understand, even without the instruction manual.
Regards, David
It's a great pity that there never was a Digilux 4, say the 2 upgraded and so on. It was nice to have a proper sized camera instead of an itsy bitsy thing you have to wave about in the air because it has no VF...
And the controls on both the 2 and 3 were extremely easy to use and understand, even without the instruction manual.
Regards, David
kshapero
South Florida Man
Call me crazy but I just picked an L1 with two OLY manual focus lenses (50/1.8 and 28/2.8) and adaptor for $145. Hell I figure if it is a bomb, I can at least get a couple hundred for the lenses. So far having a blast. Almost no menu since most everything is done by buttons and dials.
peterm1
Mentor
I think you will enjoy it. It is a fine camera though like all cameras of its time its sensor is not wholly up to those of today. But this can be taken care of with a little care in exposing and by keeping ISO at 800 or less. Its finder is also a little small though this is often overstated. The native 4/3 lenses are also available relatively cheaply if you are inclined to add one or more and they can be used with an AF adapter on M4/3 cameras.
wjlapier
Well-known
I've tried my Leica 14-50 on a GH2 with the Panasonic AF adapter and it works but it racks back and forth before locking focus. It's best to use it on the L1 though. BTW, mine was brand new when I bought it and it has maybe 50 shots on it. I bought it for the lens but never really got around to using it since I was so heavily invested in Sony.