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I like my new LX1...

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LeicasAndLumix

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Hi Folks,

I've been lurking here for a little while trying to select my first digicam to replace my film P&S that died a few months back. I have pretty extensive experience with film photography, and I've been scanning my negs and printing on an Epson 2200 for the past couple of years, but I didn't own a digital camera...until the day before yesterday when I received my LX1.

I like the LX1 very much. I see it as a good point & shoot with some possiblities for more manual control. It certainly won't replace my normal gear, but it's a lot smaller and lighter and I didn't expect it to be a replacement.

Anyway, I registered today because I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all the gear discussions I found here..they were very helpful in my deliberations. In the spirit of giving back, I put a few shots from my first day with the LX1 up on my website, along with some thoughts about the camera. Perhaps it'll be helpful to someone else considering this camera.

Pix:
http://www.duke.edu/~ahh2/2005_10_18_LX1First/index.html

Thoughts:
http://www.duke.edu/~ahh2/2005_10_18_LX1First/whythiscam.html

Best,
Aaron
 
Thanks for the LX-1 rundown Aaron, I liked your mini-review. It seems the noise about the noise issue might not be so loud.

I'll post my impressions of the LX-1 as well as soon as it comes in (hopefully tomorrow or Friday).
 
I've had mine for a couple of weeks now and am very pleased. It has it's weak points, as all digicam's do, but it's strengths are far greater!

I have been shooting RAW and processing with Adobe RAW 3.2 in PCSC2, after the conversion I find very minimal pp is required. I still shoot mainly film, older M series, can"t beat the old "Leica Glow" can you! I also use an F6 for the longer focal lengths. I tried various DSLR's with mixed results and went back to film. Although, I must admit, one can become accustomed to the instant gratification digital offers!

Cheers,
CS
 
Thanks-as I have one on order.

When I first saw your cover page I thought-wow, amazing learning for first cam.

Then I went to the long version and now I see why you are so ahead of the curve!!! Processing tips for the processing challenged will be welcome.

Your words like 'futzing' were apt. I thorough enjoyed your remarks.
I would ask for a full file but I have dial up.

I love resolution and cropping and mostly abstract things and perspectives.
If you have thoughts on this camera for those purposes-just e-mail or visit
http://www.quirky.smugmug.com .

Seeing your talents-I think you are the one my cameras would rather live with.

If that is a new baby of yours or in your family (?) congrats...

And most of all, enjoy. Your post was greatly appreciated.

Linda
 
Glad y'all found it helpful!

CS--I'm planning on using ARC3.2 in PSCS2 also, so it's good to hear that works well for these files. I guess I also use an "older" M series camera (if an M2 counts) in addition to an M6...sometimes it's nice to have an in-camera meter! Anyway, I love using my Leicas for the glow and also for how simple and quick they are and how they let me do my thing without interfering...but sometimes I want something lighter and smaller...the LX1 fits the bill nicely. BTW, I read a bunch of your comments about the LX1 before ordering mine...thanks for those!

Linda--Thanks for the compliments...glad you liked my webpage. Yes, that is my son...7 weeks old now...it's great fun! I took a quick look at your smugmug shots, and I can't imagine any reason why this camera wouldn't work well for the found abstracts that you like to shoot. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Good light,
Aaron
 
Glad you liked all our comments and found some benefit in them. Your web site clearly enumerates you love for photography, your wonderful family and life in general. I think the general consensus from just about everyone getting this camera is a very positive one indeed. Just goes to show that pro-reviews 'can't" always diminish an otherwise excellent camera for those who genuinely appreciate what such a camera can do. All the best in the future and please continue to post some of your work from time-to-time.
 
I kindly ask all of you guys to tell here where you bought it from if you could please...Everybody seems to get one easy though I can't find a black one at a resonable price anywhere!

Thank you!
VH
 
I bought mine at a bricks and mortar retailer in Finland 2 weeks ago. They had four examples in stock, three unopened boxes and a demo model, all were proper localised versions with European language manuals. And all black, but that is only because Panasonic only sell the LX1 (and FZ30 for that matter) in black here.
 
Thanks Aaron,

I enjoyed your review and agreed with every word!! Yes, this is a capable, little 'gem.' It's a gorgeous little camera to boot!

I bought mine at Digital Liquidators. I was cautioned that they don't always deliver what they say they will, but my experience was just fine. They had both the black and silver about a week ago. (The black version was $10.00 cheaper than the silver.)

I am still experimenting with my LX1. Haven't shot in raw very much as I didn't have a card big enough, but a new one arrived today, so I'll start playing with raw. I'll let you know what I think.

I went out and shot with my 20D today AND the LX1. It performed admirably against this Canon monster. I think I see more subtlty in the Canon shots, but can't complain about the Lumix shots AT ALL! I'm a very happy camper with this point and shoot....that's the operative phrase. We MUST keep in mind that it IS a PS camera, and as such, it's a giant in it's own right.

Now off to check out Aaron's site....

Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids/
 
Thanks, Beth...glad you liked it. I did, too! Details are as follows:

No noise reduction other than in-camera set to high. All other in-camera adjustments were at their lowest settings.

It was in program mode, spot metering, AF, ois mode 2, iso 80, 16:9. I was shooting in raw, but this is from the accompanying jpg (therefore the standard/low-res jpg). The exif says 1/20sec at f/2.8 with focal length 6.3mm.

Postprocessing was in PS CS and involved 3 layers: HPF sharpening, level adjustment, and channel mixer (50% red, 50% green).

Pretty simple, really...it's an easy camera to use.

Best,
Aaron
 
Thanks for 'stopping in'....

The reason I was wondering was because I don't have the technical or processing proficiency that you do.

Appreciate the heads up and glad to hear that you are enjoying the delights of your 'new' person. Must be hard to pull the lens away from using him as your subject all the time!

Closeups at high res look great on the young. Seeing the pores on my face has ceased to delight me!

Linda
 
lharris said:
lharris said:
The reason I was wondering was because I don't have the technical
Click to expand...
or processing proficiency that you do.
Click to expand...
It's just a matter of time, Linda!

I think the key is to try to learn one thing at a time, rather than going crazy trying to do it all at once. Yes, it may mean you have to go back and redo things as you learn more, but it's pretty hard to get it perfect the first time anyway.

I pick things up from photonet digital darkroom, luminous landscape, and various other places, and try them out. The good ones I keep in mind, printed out, or as an action.
lharris said:
Closeups at high res look great on the young. Seeing the pores on
my face has ceased to delight me!
Click to expand...
:)

-Aaron
 
Aaron,

your mini review is appreciated throughout.

However, it would be interesting to learn, what other contenders you were considering and a short note why you were eliminating these.

Regards, Guenter
 
The LX-1 looks like an interesting camera, but after shooting film for 44 years and digital for about 5, I don't think I could live without an optical viewfinder. How do you manage this camera for good hand held shooting w/o a lot of camera shake?

--John McCormack
 
The stabilised lens helps a lot in this regard. With it on, I am yet to see a single image shot at > 1/15s with noticeable camera shake.
 
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