New York April NYC Meet-Up

[Calzone]

So I kinda remembered that she bought a Lumix a while back that is a rebranded Leica V-lux. Pretty much this camera went unused. This was when she began blogging about 4 years ago.

So now there is a new V-Lux that seems to be popular among bloggers. B&H happens to have a used new version V-Lux, so to avoid "here we go again" I suggested that we "borrow" the used one to see if it suits her. She wants to have a zoom capability. I think the "Q" is a great camera, especially for me. LOL.

After work we will meet-up at B&H to take advantage of the free camera rental by exploiting their return policy.

I offered to throw her $2.5K so getting a camera that has "legs" could be secured that would be used. A point and shoot Nikon came before the Lumix, and it too went unused. At least if she bought a "Q" I'm sure I would use it. LOL. Call me a clever guy, but for me the "Q" would be a camera I would wear like a watch, and there seems to be a big pattern here that I say is "woman factor."

I looked into the CL. The only thing is that the full frame sensor of a "Q" would do better in low light. Now I have "John disease" and am interested in compact cameras that simply get the job done. The CL and TL are mucho small. The 18mm I like for 28mm FOV. Really like wearing an expensive necklace that is a camera. How ghetto is that?

I must say that the images that the Fuji's make are compelling.

I already have a $2.5K credit at a dealer as a deposit for the 35 Cron-SL when it comes out. Pretty much I'm first or second on the list. Recently Leica updated the firmware again and specifically made my mucho huge 50 Lux-SL autofocus speedy and accurate. The 35 Cron-SL is still a big lense, E67, and is about the size of a 80 Lux-R. It is kinda tiny when compared to the 50 Lux though. I don't want to wait half a year to get a new lens that just got released.

Let's see how this plays out. LOL.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

The Q is great
And a deal in Leica land
Blazing fast AF, Optical IS, fast f1.7 lens and a quiet leaf shutter
EVF is good enough
Looks sharp too, now in a million different limited-ish edition colors

Stephen,

The video in the CL might down play the "Q" for her. Call me selfish, but I don't need stinkin video. LOL.

I'm just tired of her buying a camera and not using it. This really irks me. While I have 15-16 cameras I use them. The only one that currently is a shelf queen is a Linhof Tech IV 4x5. The lenses need the shutters to be timed and they could use a cleaning.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

I doubt the Fuji matches the SL exactly (due to totally different brand sensors)... the Q will do better since it has the same sensor. Different sensors have different, inherent looks. However, Leica is not known for great jpegs or great out of camera photos. Fuji is. The Leica CL with 18mm (28mm equivalent) could be closer and may be a better fit for her... being smaller. It might have better jpeg results since the APSC sensor might be made by someone different than Leica's FF sensor.

Leica CL w/ 18mm:

The new Leica CL is like a digital Leica IIIg while the Q is like a digital M6.

Regarding Fujifilm, the X100F might be up her alley as well...being stylish and pretty great.

MY VERDICT... Leica Q, Leica CL w/ 18mm, or Fujifilm X100F.

Thanks John, nice to hear from you!

 

[Calzone]

The Nikon P&S I believe was a P800.

http://shortyawards.com/10th/influencer/finalists?utm_source=Shorty+Awards+Newsletter

"Maggie" is one of six semi-finalists in the fashion category. Not sure how many celebs will be attending the Awards Gala.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I looked into the CL. The only thing is that the full frame sensor of a "Q" would do better in low light.

I would think its not going to be a huge difference... for instance, here is the Q at ISO 6400 vs. the old Leica T...

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leica-q-typ116/9

Now I have "John disease" and am interested in compact cameras that simply get the job done. The CL and TL are mucho small. The 18mm I like for 28mm FOV. Really like wearing an expensive necklace that is a camera. How ghetto is that?

Well, Leicas are fun to touch and wear. Hahah. Yeah, I've gone back to this small camera mentality wholeheartedly. I photograph a lot after or between my classes and this means that my camera has to fit in a bag with my books. A DSLR simply won't... or at least any DSLR I would want. The X100F and X-Pro2 are perfect.

As far as the V-Lux... superzoom camera are just not any of our forte. She's on he own!

 

[Calzone]

I would think its not going to be a huge difference... for instance, here is the Q at ISO 6400 vs. the old Leica T...

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leica-q-typ116/9



Well, Leicas are fun to touch and wear. Hahah. Yeah, I've gone back to this small camera mentality wholeheartedly. I photograph a lot after or between my classes and this means that my camera has to fit in a bag with my books. A DSLR simply won't... or at least any DSLR I would want. The X100F and X-Pro2 are perfect.

As far as the V-Lux... superzoom camera are just not any of our forte. She's on he own!

John,

Mucho thanks for the great and honest review. I really learned about the good, the bad and the ugly.

For me the "Q" is a great camera that would get used a lot (by me) LOL. I think the CL with the 17-56 zoom meets Maggie's needs better. Pretty much she said that she does not want to upgrade to an Iphone 10 just to have a better camera.

Just know that she already bought a $500.00 image stabilization system for her Iphone, and it kills me that I think we used it once. Like I say "Woman Factor."

The CL seems to have a better video capability over the "Q" and seems more fully intergrated and better suited for a blogger/traveler lifestyle than for me. I would be happy-happy with the 18mm for the mucho small size and 28mm FOV. The idea here is to always have a camera with you.

She basically wants a camera better than an Iphone 10 with seamless connectivity. I can tell you now that the V-Lux seems like a camera that is too big and not small enough to be practical to get used.

"Here we go again."

While the "Q" is a fixed lens the sensor cropping for 35 FOV and 50 FOV is not that big a deal for blogging and posting on the Internet. I would rather have the fast prime and crop rather than a slow zoom.

I have to check to see if the CL has image stabilization like the "Q."

BTW you have influenced my thinking greatly.

Cal

 

[Particular]

I wonder if you can do a pinch style digital zoom on the T (TL). How much resolution do you need for Instagram?

 

[Calzone]

GEAR ALERT: I just bough a Unicolor motorized roller to use with my JOBO 3013 to do five 4x5's. Great thing is only 330 ml of developer is required.

The Unicolor Roller is sold as is. The seller says the motor only turned on once in testing, and for $29.99 I'm taking a chance that I might be able to repair this unit. My experience with electronics is 75%-80% of the time problems are mostly bad connections.

Shipping was almost $15.00, but these Unicolor Rollers generally are around a hundred dollars or more.

Let's see if I'm lucky again. Last time I bought something on EBAY as a Lottery Ticket it was the Linhof Tech IV entire kit with a Zeiss 100/2.8 Planar for $800.00. The seller was very clear and upfront about the lens separation on the Planar, and in the end I had the lens repaired by John at Focal Point just before he closed shop for only $250.00. This now pristine 100 Planar is now worth about $2K or more. Basically I won a lottery.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I wonder if you can do a pinch style digital zoom on the T (TL). How much resolution do you need for Instagram?

Christian,

Pretty much 75 DPI. I think on Instagram it is much more about content than resolution. We are not talking fine art printing.

I am trying to get a camera that will get used. Maggie downplays that being compact is not what she is looking for, but the problem I see is that she will not carry nor use yet another piece of camera gear.

She bought a ring light: we used it once.

I set up a rolled paper backdrop in my apartment that hangs from the ceiling on brackets: we used it once during the Bomb Cyclone. Drilling into a cement ceiling with a hammerdrill borrowed from work is no fun.

Oh yeah, I forgot that I have a vinyl rolled backdrop in my studio: guess how many time we used it?

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

John,

Mucho thanks for the great and honest review. I really learned about the good, the bad and the ugly.

I think you would enjoy the CL too... on the street at least. She can buy the Cl w/ 18-56mm and you can buy the 18mm for when you want to use it. hahaha. The Q is more your style maybe but the CL is capable for sure.

Just know that she already bought a $500.00 image stabilization system for her Iphone, and it kills me that I think we used it once. Like I say "Woman Factor."

Ouch...

The CL seems to have a better video capability over the "Q" and seems more fully intergrated and better suited for a blogger/traveler lifestyle than for me. I would be happy-happy with the 18mm for the mucho small size and 28mm FOV. The idea here is to always have a camera with you.

Yes... I think the Q would be too much for her.

She basically wants a camera better than an Iphone 10 with seamless connectivity. I can tell you now that the V-Lux seems like a camera that is too big and not small enough to be practical to get used.

"Here we go again."

Exactly...

While the "Q" is a fixed lens the sensor cropping for 35 FOV and 50 FOV is not that big a deal for blogging and posting on the Internet. I would rather have the fast prime and crop rather than a slow zoom.

Good point...

I have to check to see if the CL has image stabilization like the "Q."

The Cl does not have it, but the Q doesn't have that great of stabilization either... read about this elsewhere.

 

[jsrockit]

How much resolution do you need for Instagram?

Why are you bringing logic to this emotional discussion? 😉

 

[Calzone]

Why are you bringing logic to this emotional discussion? 😉

John,

I'm being transparent: I want a Leica "Q" for selfish reasons. My logic is if my gal is going to waste money then I should benefit from it.

Know that she eventually gave me her Nikon F3 HP because she stopped using it.

Also if I'm plotting to eventually get another free camera, I may as well pick the camera to my liking.

This situation is producing "Funny GAS." LOL.

Anyways you guys know me as a drama queen. This is an interesting situation.

I do think the CL would be a great camera for her.

The zoom lens for me terrorizes me. Not my style at all.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

John,

I'm being transparent: I want a Leica "Q" for selfish reasons. My logic is if my gal is going to waste money then I should benefit from it.


The zoom lens for me terrorizes me. Not my style at all.

Cal

Small cameras are good. I growed my convenient 35mm from a N80 to a N90 and it resulted in me taking the Medium Format our much less.
Don't know why but I never carry cameras hanging and tend to hide them when carrying. It's either wrist strap style (thus camera is around the hip) or in a bag, a bit of a binary style.

I like zooms when going convenient. Think of it as a set of primes instead of a lazy continuum of focal length
I tend to think which FL I want and use that, rather than look thru the VF and adjust.

 

[Calzone]

SMUT UPDATE: The used newer version V-Lux is no longer available at B&H. Seems apparent that someone bought it. Oh-well. No need to go to B&H.

To me the V-Lux would not get used because it is too big to be an every day carry.

Perhaps we will go to SoHo instead to check out P&S.

Cal

 

[ptpdprinter]

I think the CL would be better for Maggie than the Q. It's a much easier carry. If you can resist the Leica GAS, a Fuji X100F at one-third the price is a very attractive alternative.

 

[Calzone]

Small cameras are good. I growed my convenient 35mm from a N80 to a N90 and it resulted in me taking the Medium Format our much less.
Don't know why but I never carry cameras hanging and tend to hide them when carrying. It's either wrist strap style (thus camera is around the hip) or in a bag, a bit of a binary style.

I like zooms when going convenient. Think of it as a set of primes instead of a lazy continuum of focal length
I tend to think which FL I want and use that, rather than look thru the VF and adjust.

Jorde,

Zooms tend to have slow lens speed. To me this is a big handicap. Also the idea here is to be compact so it is an easy carry. Zooms add both size and weight. I'd rather be restricted by a single focal length.

For me I like either side carry to be ready to shoot, or band-Del-leer style so the camera is more secure, protected with my hands free. Criminals target people that don't have their hands free.

Cal

 

[robert blu]

Cal, do not forget the TL2 ! Yes, TL2 🙂
robert

 

[Calzone]

I think the CL would be better for Maggie than the Q. It's a much easier carry. If you can resist the Leica GAS, a Fuji X100F at one-third the price is a very attractive alternative.

PTP,

I agree the CL is a good camera for her. You, I and John all think that the "Q" would be too much for her. The CL has better video capabilities than the Q. Seems to be more designed with a blogger in mind. Smaller too.

I would be interested in seeing how big the 35 TL mount is in comparision with the 17-56 zoom.

Pretty much she wants to go wireless to xfere images and upload to her phone for posting JPEG's right out of the camera.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Cal, do not forget the TL2 ! Yes, TL2 🙂
robert

Robert,

Thanks for mentioning the TL, and especially the TL2.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

All these choices Cal, I think the Leica CL or the Fuji X100F are both winner's!