The Digilux 1 was to have been available by now. Is there a revised schedule? How does the Digilux compare to its Panasonic counterpart whose picture quality has been critcized? Thank you.

-- Robert Giammelle (bobgiam@sbcglobal.net), May 20, 2002

Answers

From everything I've read the Leica and Panasonic are both identical under the skin...though there is a second, lower-priced Panasonic which also boasts a "Leica" lens, without a Leica-badged counterpart. As to availability, hopefully it will be available soon because these are 4 megapixel cameras and there are already 5 and 6 megapixel cameras on the market. Kind of like when the Leicaflex came out with the meter window in the pentaprism after Nikon and Pentax (and maybe more, I don't remember) already had TTL meters.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 20, 2002.

The panasonic model has been recalled for software or firmware problems according to several news channels. The Leica launch has been delayed by at least two more weeks. Apparently they have some problems that have not been resolved. I imagine that both cameras will be withdrawn and Leica will have pissed away another opportunity to launch a product within a window that might have led to some profitability. With prices dropping on SLR's that yield 6 megapixels (Nikon D100 slated to hit the streets @ $1995) you'd have to be nuts to buy a camera with an unpopular memory card, a long download time to buffer, etc. etc. for 50% of the price. Just what I've heard.

Kirk

-- kirk (Kirktuck@kirktuck.com), May 20, 2002.

If you want compact and 4 megapixels, go buy a Canon G2. Same lens, better camera -- the pictures aren't posterized and RAW capture doesn't take a day and a half. TTL flash, too.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), May 20, 2002.

Thanks for the info and opinions. I have a Nikon D1x, but was intrigued by a small Leica digital (mystique?).

-- Robert Giammelle (bobgiam@sbcglobal.net), May 20, 2002.

The opinion has been expressed before that the lens on the Leica/ Panasonic cameras is actually a Canon (or some other generic digital lens m'facturer).

Leica states quite clearly in their most recent report to shareholders that the cameras being introduced have "Leica lenses". If that's a lie in an official company announcement to investors, it constitutes securities fraud, at least under US law (maybe German law is more lenient.)

Does anyone have documentary proof (e.g. links to lens diagrams from Canon, P'sonic, Leica) that shows these to be actually a non-Leica design?

I'm not trying to be contentious, but the web does lend itself to the creation of 'urban myths', and until someone PROVES otherwise I'm assuming that when Leica says a lens is "theirs" - it IS.

A co-incidence of focal length and speed is just that - a coincidence. The fact that a lot of cameras have 28 f/2.8 lenses or 35-70 f/4 zooms does not mean they are all the SAME 28 f/2.8 lens or 35-70 zoom.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), May 20, 2002.

What constitutes a 'Leica lens'?
Even if Leica didn't manufacture or even contribute to the design of the lens, it does not make them liars. Manufactures do not have to give full disclosure regarding their subcontractors (although we as discriminating consumers may dislike the practise).
I don't think e.g. Nikon describe the FM10 other than a 'Nikon camera' - I have not seen it advertised by Nikon as 'a Cosina made camera w. a Nikon label'.
The fact that a lens has the 'Leica' label is probably enough to make it a 'Leica Lens' and the Leica Camera Co. has to take the praise or blame regarding the qualities of the lens -regardless whether they made they made it themselves or if some other company designed and made it (I do not have any evidence indicating either or).

Anyway, the lens does not make a digital (p&s) camera alone. You get a whole package and it has to be judged as a whole. It is not possible to change variables in the equation; you can't switch CCD, Lens or build in software.
I think we have to get used to a new paradigm where the labelling company’s main contribution to digital cameras is that of putting together an attractive package of subcontracted components available to everyone in the industry. It will be somewhat of a challenge for a niche company like Leica to make unique and attractive digital products in the tradition of the M series in such an environment.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 21, 2002.

Robert, If you are currently using a D1X and have fully explored it's imaging abilities, you will be in for a shock with most everything else. And not a nice one I might add. IMHO, that damned camera, once mastered to your will and tweeked to your vision will spoil you against other digitals. But it's not small, that's for sure. Thus lives on film, the M Leica and a 4000 DPI scanner!

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 21, 2002.

Marc, I agree that the D1X is the ultimate, but it weighs a ton! I also have an F5 and M7, scanner, etc. Thought it would be good to have a quality, small digital for vacations.

-- Robert Giammelle (bobgiam@sbcglobal.net), May 22, 2002.