amateriat
We're all light!
After having done a few (extremely rare) all-digital photo shoots in late summer/early fall (it's an election year...), I had a bit of a small revelation about my attitude toward digital photography in general, and digital cameras in particular. Up until now, I've been cool with the concept of shooting digitally, but, for the most part, couldn't stand the cameras, for a host of reasons I won't torture you by rehashing now. One of the biggest bugbears for me has been size and ergonomics: Fred, in another thread, nailed the control-layout issue cold: just because the thing is, in fact, more or less a computer with a lens mount and sensor slapped on either end, doesn't mean we should have to interact with it like a computer or smart-phone. Leica, for all its technical foibles on the road to digital refinement, pretty much gets this better than anybody.
The thing is, I plan to be flying the film flag for some time to come, so I won't be doing any big-ticket (or even medium-ticket) digital purchases anytime in the foreseeable future. I'd had my eye on the new Panasonic GF-1, but besides having second thoughts on popping for one at the current going price, I got to thinking about The Size Thing again: the "serious" shooter in my armada is a borrowed Olympus C-8080, a capable camera in a number of ways, but a trifle hangdog in others (s-l-o-w buffer, especially when shooting RAW, intermittent shutter-lag issues, and a really low ISO service-ceiling by contemporary standards). The biggest pain, however, is that it's too big to carry with my standard RF kit as I've been accustomed to carry it, especially with that ‡µ©%*&≠ large (and non-reversible) hood.
I do also have the tiny-tiny Casio EX-850, but size is about the only thing going for it (although, curiously enough, its shutter-lag performance is better than the Oly 8080's). Performance is okay for most casual stuff, but start to get a bit ambitious and it punks out.
So, now, the deal is this: I'm no longer interested in going between a pair of digitals. I want just one now, with most of the performance perks of the Oly (with the requisite gains in high-ISO performance, DR and processor/buffer speed since it was made), in a package not much more than 15-20% bigger than the Casio, give or take a few points. And I want a hot shoe, and optical VF, even a less-than-perfect one in this case (which is all that's on offer, anyway).
Tried the G9. Something about the gestalt with that one bothered me–nothing terrible, mind you, it's a decent camera in a lot of ways, but it wasn't doing it for me.
Recently played with Nikon's P6000. I'd been a bit mystified by the camera's low profile since it was released. There were owners going on with love/hate stories about it online, and very few in-depth reviews. My hands-on impression, given my plans for it if I get it, is positive: reasonably fast, really good low-light capability, overall good IQ, great handling, perfect size, and solid feel. Built-in flash seems okay, but I think that hot shoe is going to get a lot of use. Yes, the optical VF has a degree of offset (one look at the front of the camera dropped a big hint.)
It's something that I can drop into a pocket of my Domke 803 almost without thinking, or have tag along with my Contax Tvs. And will come in handy for the numerous practical things where a digital camera is the better solution.
(Catches breath)
So...anybody else here fool around with this International Digicam of Mystery?
- Barrett
The thing is, I plan to be flying the film flag for some time to come, so I won't be doing any big-ticket (or even medium-ticket) digital purchases anytime in the foreseeable future. I'd had my eye on the new Panasonic GF-1, but besides having second thoughts on popping for one at the current going price, I got to thinking about The Size Thing again: the "serious" shooter in my armada is a borrowed Olympus C-8080, a capable camera in a number of ways, but a trifle hangdog in others (s-l-o-w buffer, especially when shooting RAW, intermittent shutter-lag issues, and a really low ISO service-ceiling by contemporary standards). The biggest pain, however, is that it's too big to carry with my standard RF kit as I've been accustomed to carry it, especially with that ‡µ©%*&≠ large (and non-reversible) hood.
I do also have the tiny-tiny Casio EX-850, but size is about the only thing going for it (although, curiously enough, its shutter-lag performance is better than the Oly 8080's). Performance is okay for most casual stuff, but start to get a bit ambitious and it punks out.
So, now, the deal is this: I'm no longer interested in going between a pair of digitals. I want just one now, with most of the performance perks of the Oly (with the requisite gains in high-ISO performance, DR and processor/buffer speed since it was made), in a package not much more than 15-20% bigger than the Casio, give or take a few points. And I want a hot shoe, and optical VF, even a less-than-perfect one in this case (which is all that's on offer, anyway).
Tried the G9. Something about the gestalt with that one bothered me–nothing terrible, mind you, it's a decent camera in a lot of ways, but it wasn't doing it for me.
Recently played with Nikon's P6000. I'd been a bit mystified by the camera's low profile since it was released. There were owners going on with love/hate stories about it online, and very few in-depth reviews. My hands-on impression, given my plans for it if I get it, is positive: reasonably fast, really good low-light capability, overall good IQ, great handling, perfect size, and solid feel. Built-in flash seems okay, but I think that hot shoe is going to get a lot of use. Yes, the optical VF has a degree of offset (one look at the front of the camera dropped a big hint.)
It's something that I can drop into a pocket of my Domke 803 almost without thinking, or have tag along with my Contax Tvs. And will come in handy for the numerous practical things where a digital camera is the better solution.
(Catches breath)
So...anybody else here fool around with this International Digicam of Mystery?
- Barrett
Last edited:
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Barrett - I've had the previous model P5100 as a pocket camera for over a year now, and in most conditions it does a very good job. As allways for me - the main problem with this type of camera is dynamic range, if they could sort this issue, I would use little else.
Cheers, Dave.
Cheers, Dave.
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Ideal for run-of-the-mill situations like this, that are not too demanding!
Dave.
Dave.
amateriat
We're all light!
Dave: I'll be checking out the DR issue closely. Doesn't have to be perfect, just better-than-average.
The only thing that held me back until recently was Nikon's somewhat bizarre lack of Mac support for their strangely still-proprietary RAW setup. They've made up a bit of ground here, but I'm also checking to see if ACR for Photoshop CS2 can be updated to handle the P6000 without having to notch up to CS3 or beyond (not in the mood to upgrade, and most people I know using CS4 seem a bit unimpressed with it).
And, hey, I can play Geo-Tag with it! I'll feel like a kid again.
- Barrett
The only thing that held me back until recently was Nikon's somewhat bizarre lack of Mac support for their strangely still-proprietary RAW setup. They've made up a bit of ground here, but I'm also checking to see if ACR for Photoshop CS2 can be updated to handle the P6000 without having to notch up to CS3 or beyond (not in the mood to upgrade, and most people I know using CS4 seem a bit unimpressed with it).
And, hey, I can play Geo-Tag with it! I'll feel like a kid again.
- Barrett
gilpen123
Gil
Canon S90 due to be out soon.
amateriat
We're all light!
Gil: Yep, the Canon is cool. But, where's my finder? I'm stuck with just the LCD. I use the things from time to time (To quote Arlo Guthrie, I'm not proud...), but I want that OVF/EVF option, imperfect as its implementation might be.
Nice move with that Control Ring, though.
- Barrett
), but I want that OVF/EVF option, imperfect as its implementation might be.Nice move with that Control Ring, though.
- Barrett
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Ricoh Caplio GX200 w/external viewfinder?
Panasonic GF1, also external viewfinder available. Here you get pixel density as for APS-C DSLRs' Interchangeable lenses, micro 4/3. adapters for you M/LTM lenses?
Panasonic GF1, also external viewfinder available. Here you get pixel density as for APS-C DSLRs' Interchangeable lenses, micro 4/3. adapters for you M/LTM lenses?
Merkin
For the Weekend
There are some rumors floating about that say Nikon is going to release its version of the Leica X1 on Oct. 15, with the sensor out of the D300. No word on a viewfinder yet, but it might be worth waiting a week to find out the specs, if it does indeed exist.
If you want something absurdly small, and you dont mind using a hotshoe mounted viewfinder, take a look at the Leica D-Lux 4. I have a D-lux 3, which is a bit slower and has no hot shoe, but it produces absolutely marvelous images.
If you want something absurdly small, and you dont mind using a hotshoe mounted viewfinder, take a look at the Leica D-Lux 4. I have a D-lux 3, which is a bit slower and has no hot shoe, but it produces absolutely marvelous images.
amateriat
We're all light!
Ezzie:
Looked at the Ricoh: Good that they thought of an EVF, but the thing is tiny and tall!
And, yeah, the GF-1 was on my shortlist, but the funds just won't be there (at least for the setup I had in mind), and I've decided to simplify my digital setup for the sake of portability and, well, simplicity. Haven't made the final call on the P6000 yet, but I'm liking what I've seen and touched so far. (Price is about right, too.)
Edit: I sort of thought the digital fur would start flying after Panasonic dropped the bomb with the GF-1 (on the heels of Olympus' E-P1). I expect lots of action, from Nikon as well as others on this front...too good a potential market to ignore. But I'm narrowing my scope for now.
- Barrett
Looked at the Ricoh: Good that they thought of an EVF, but the thing is tiny and tall!
And, yeah, the GF-1 was on my shortlist, but the funds just won't be there (at least for the setup I had in mind), and I've decided to simplify my digital setup for the sake of portability and, well, simplicity. Haven't made the final call on the P6000 yet, but I'm liking what I've seen and touched so far. (Price is about right, too.)
Edit: I sort of thought the digital fur would start flying after Panasonic dropped the bomb with the GF-1 (on the heels of Olympus' E-P1). I expect lots of action, from Nikon as well as others on this front...too good a potential market to ignore. But I'm narrowing my scope for now.
- Barrett
Last edited:
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Then I agree with Merkin, the Leica D-LUXes look good. Panasonic (if you're not that brand conscious) has its own version of the D-LUX4 called the LX3 (its also available in black)
The mentioned cameras specs side by side:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=leica_dlux3%2Cleica_dlux4%2Cpanasonic_dmclx3&show=all
The mentioned cameras specs side by side:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=leica_dlux3%2Cleica_dlux4%2Cpanasonic_dmclx3&show=all
nksyoon
Well-known
Here's a comparison of the Nikon P6000 with the Lumix LX3 and Canon G10 you may find interesting.
http://www.bythom.com/compactchallenge.htm
http://www.bythom.com/compactchallenge.htm
pvdhaar
Peter
I've got a P5100, the precursor to the P6000, that I took along on summer holidays this year, forfeiting the fancier cameras I have. Reason: it's so small I can take it everywhere, and the image quality should be sufficient for holiday snaps. And indeed, it is possible to take decent pictures. But what I hadn't figured out before hand is how much effort it costs to get decent pictures. Dynamic range is limited, so I constantly needed to look at the histogram and blinkies, and reshoot with exposure compensation. The autofocus isn't exactly blistering fast and decisive, requiring a lot of zooming in into the picture taken and trying over again doing the re-focus/recompose dance..
But, I got back good pictures, and that's what counts in the end.. That said, I've somewhat decided to take something zippier along next time.
But, I got back good pictures, and that's what counts in the end.. That said, I've somewhat decided to take something zippier along next time.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Crumbs, I've almost convinced myself to buy one: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/page17.asp
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
And another with the three mentioned cameras, and a couple of other options.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/page13.asp
I must admit, on looks alone the Panasonic wins, or if funds had permitted the Leica version.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/page13.asp
I must admit, on looks alone the Panasonic wins, or if funds had permitted the Leica version.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
Barrett, I've been going through something similar although I suspect you're closer to making a purchase than I am.
I want a digital body that I can shoot like my M. I'd be perfectly OK with a fixed 35mm equivalent lens, but I really don't want to give up an optical viewfinder. The X-1 is very close to what I'd want except for having to use a shoe-mount finder (and the price).
I remember seeing reviews on the P5000 and P5100 that were pretty critical of its RAW performance, but it sounds like most of that may have been fixed in the P6000.
I'm curious to see if something new is announced by Nikon on 10/15. If the suspected new camera doesn't have an optical finder, I might consider getting a P6000.
I want a digital body that I can shoot like my M. I'd be perfectly OK with a fixed 35mm equivalent lens, but I really don't want to give up an optical viewfinder. The X-1 is very close to what I'd want except for having to use a shoe-mount finder (and the price).
I remember seeing reviews on the P5000 and P5100 that were pretty critical of its RAW performance, but it sounds like most of that may have been fixed in the P6000.
I'm curious to see if something new is announced by Nikon on 10/15. If the suspected new camera doesn't have an optical finder, I might consider getting a P6000.
BillBingham2
Registered User
I'd wait the the 15th to see what Nikon comes out with but would recomend the GRD III with an optical finder (CV 28mm Black Metal) as a great camera for that. For about the same space as a P6000 you could have a GRD III with viewfinder and a GX200 with a 75mm finder.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
amateriat
We're all light!
An interesting idea, except that we're back to the two-camera problem (for me, anyway). I'm not looking for perfection here (otherwise I wouldn't be looking to buy a compact digicam of any stripe, and the Nikon has its share of "issues"). I've a feeling I can work around the P6000's rough spots, but I've got a bit more investigating to do.
(Once again invoking the words of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, there's no such thing as the "perfect" camera; there is only the "perfect" camera for now.)
- Barrett
amateriat
We're all light!
Sheesh, the time it takes to decide on something so tiny...
After all this time(!), I ended up with a Nikon Coolpix P6000 via That Auction Site. (It helped that the auctioneer was in the NYC area as well, giving me the luxury of instant gratification in terms of delivery, and the winning bid was quite reasonable...)
Got the camera, played around with it, ran out and got an extra battery and external charger for it, played around some more with it, ran out the next day and got an SB-400 flash for it, played around yet more with it...
Images to come. But I think I've found what I need.
- Barrett
After all this time(!), I ended up with a Nikon Coolpix P6000 via That Auction Site. (It helped that the auctioneer was in the NYC area as well, giving me the luxury of instant gratification in terms of delivery, and the winning bid was quite reasonable...)
Got the camera, played around with it, ran out and got an extra battery and external charger for it, played around some more with it, ran out the next day and got an SB-400 flash for it, played around yet more with it...
Images to come. But I think I've found what I need.
- Barrett
sper
Well-known
I like the P7000. RAW in compacts makes a HUGE difference. I don't know why more cameras don't shoot raw, it's not hard to process. Even iPhoto processes raw just fine.
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
amateriat
We're all light!
sper: good going there. I've been messing a bit with b/w via the P6000, and I must say I like most of what I've seen so far.
- Barrett
- Barrett