I started my journey in photography in 2017 with my late stepfather’s Leica V-lux 2. Another Panasonic with a red dot slapped on it, I keep it with me as a back up camera to this day. Small sensor, 14 megapixels, no touchscreen, etc. Still love it, after having shot on multiple other DSLR, mirrorless, crop sensor, full frame, you name it.
Same here with a C-Lux 2 I've picked up recently for around 1/3 of its regular asking price around the web. It's tiny as hell and just as well a Panasonic with a red dot. But hey, what a lovely little camera that is! In the right hands its tiny CCD sensor performs incredibly well, it's definitely worth having a tiny digital that performs!
One thing you are completely wrong about with the Leica/Panasonic collaboration cameras. "it's really just a Panasonic with a red dot logo and some Leica Software slapped onto it." WRONG. It's the glass that makes these cameras Leicas. And that glass is the heart of every camera. If Leica made the lens, you could call it whatever, and Whatever would be the next great camera.The lens in your Grandpas camera was made by Leica and that is why you should be able to make great photos with it.
Nice video and tribute to your granddad. And great shots with that Leica, the landscapes your brother took had that “Leica glow”. Keep putting it to good use! I had several film and digital Leicas. Outstanding cameras, and the lenses are world class. I have a Digilux 3 with a Summilux 25mm (50mm equiv) and its image quality is incredible for an 17-18 yo camera. People say the “PanaLeicas” are just rebranded Panasonics but it’s not completely true. The color science tech in Leica cameras is all Leica, not Panasonic. The “PanaLeica” lenses are built in Japan to Leica specs and QC and are branded Leica lenses.
truly enjoyed this video. I have been on a hiatus from photography for about 2 years...and I used pentax gear(they are pretty much the ugly stepchild of the family), I picked my 18 year old Pentax DSLR and still love it. I guess I will upgrade...lol but for now I enjoy it still!
The reason they don't have auto focus is because they want you to take your time and not take 500 shots in 10 minutes. The Leica is for the patient and deliberate photographer. Looking for that defining moment.
I’ve had superb results with my V-Lux 1. I don’t understand your dismissive tone from the outset. At £89 I had zero expectations from this camera and have been nothing delighted with it’s colour rendering, detail resolution and the tonality of it’s black and white output.
Agree~ I thought I was the only one 😅 It’s sure is slow but no garbage if you know it’s limitations.. let alone a Leica lens with internal zoom covering that focal length.
I agree with you about the lack of autofocus on the M11 but I like the absence of a video mode. In my case, I have never used video mode on my cameras as there are video recording cameras for that purpose. I prefer to have a camera that is built solely for photography and another camera that was built for recording videos.
The real problem with superszoom lenses is they look like trash at the extremes. I have always enjoyed taking crappy older cameras and trying to get great images from them, one of my favorite has been the olympus stylus1 or the E-500 both have their most substantial limitations built into the glass IMO. That said Ive been able to squeeze good photos out of the 2007 sony point and shoot I found in a drawer at my parents house with a little patience. nice video
I am going to buy the D-Lux7. Is this a good idea or should I rather buy the Lumix lx100 II and put some Leica stickers on it? I want the Leica brand on it! I know it’s cheat, but it is made in China, which is really sad for Leica and even Panasonic and I’m only cheating myself.
I really wish your brother would have reviewed this camera. For the simple fact that all cameras are just tools, no matter how new and stacked or old and limited. Knowing the tool, its limitations, helps the user better understand the space in which to use it. Your brother seemed to really understand it and appreciated what it has, and paid far less attention to what it does not have. I'm certain this camera today in 2024 can still produce great photos. Your brother demonstrated how to get it to work with you, not against. You seem to think that 10 megapixels designed in partnership w/ Panasonic Lumix, with a Leica 35-420mm f2.8 - f3.7 Vario-Elmarit lense and Leica processor (color science) is not worth $200? Are we talking about the same manufacturers? Leica and Panasonic/Lumix have produced some of the best cameras and lenses in the space. So, respectively, I am going to disagree. Thanks for posting.
Sorry bro. They ripped off your grandpa 😞. All those leica from that era were rebranded Panasonic Lumix models, just like the Lumix lx-1 n the lx-5. Avoid leica
I started my journey in photography in 2017 with my late stepfather’s Leica V-lux 2. Another Panasonic with a red dot slapped on it, I keep it with me as a back up camera to this day. Small sensor, 14 megapixels, no touchscreen, etc. Still love it, after having shot on multiple other DSLR, mirrorless, crop sensor, full frame, you name it.
Same here with a C-Lux 2 I've picked up recently for around 1/3 of its regular asking price around the web. It's tiny as hell and just as well a Panasonic with a red dot. But hey, what a lovely little camera that is! In the right hands its tiny CCD sensor performs incredibly well, it's definitely worth having a tiny digital that performs!
One thing you are completely wrong about with the Leica/Panasonic collaboration cameras. "it's really just a Panasonic with a red dot logo and some Leica Software slapped onto it." WRONG. It's the glass that makes these cameras Leicas. And that glass is the heart of every camera. If Leica made the lens, you could call it whatever, and Whatever would be the next great camera.The lens in your Grandpas camera was made by Leica and that is why you should be able to make great photos with it.
Is this even true? Is the lens not the most important part of a camera? What then is the collab about ??
Nice video and tribute to your granddad. And great shots with that Leica, the landscapes your brother took had that “Leica glow”. Keep putting it to good use! I had several film and digital Leicas. Outstanding cameras, and the lenses are world class. I have a Digilux 3 with a Summilux 25mm (50mm equiv) and its image quality is incredible for an 17-18 yo camera. People say the “PanaLeicas” are just rebranded Panasonics but it’s not completely true. The color science tech in Leica cameras is all Leica, not Panasonic. The “PanaLeica” lenses are built in Japan to Leica specs and QC and are branded Leica lenses.
truly enjoyed this video. I have been on a hiatus from photography for about 2 years...and I used pentax gear(they are pretty much the ugly stepchild of the family), I picked my 18 year old Pentax DSLR and still love it. I guess I will upgrade...lol but for now I enjoy it still!
The reason they don't have auto focus is because they want you to take your time and not take 500 shots in 10 minutes. The Leica is for the patient and deliberate photographer. Looking for that defining moment.
Wow!! I do the same thing too!! I take photos and paint it. I’m so happy to have found your video.
just by coincidence, my grandpa has this exact camera. i've lent it from him for my trip to hamburg and i can agree on your points. nice video
That was a really fun video….very much enjoyed watching.
Thanks so much!
It does have a CCD sensor which some people think is more film like.
That’s a definite, yes
Thanks for sharing this story
I’ve had superb results with my V-Lux 1. I don’t understand your dismissive tone from the outset. At £89 I had zero expectations from this camera and have been nothing delighted with it’s colour rendering, detail resolution and the tonality of it’s black and white output.
Agree~ I thought I was the only one 😅 It’s sure is slow but no garbage if you know it’s limitations.. let alone a Leica lens with internal zoom covering that focal length.
I still don’t understand why he calls the garbage either. My dad left me his his and I have great success taking photos.
Great video!
I agree with you about the lack of autofocus on the M11 but I like the absence of a video mode. In my case, I have never used video mode on my cameras as there are video recording cameras for that purpose. I prefer to have a camera that is built solely for photography and another camera that was built for recording videos.
This is a brilliant video buddy really enjoyed it
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
The real problem with superszoom lenses is they look like trash at the extremes.
I have always enjoyed taking crappy older cameras and trying to get great images from them, one of my favorite has been the olympus stylus1 or the E-500 both have their most substantial limitations built into the glass IMO. That said Ive been able to squeeze good photos out of the 2007 sony point and shoot I found in a drawer at my parents house with a little patience.
nice video
I have one and enjoyed the hell out of it but i must ask , Where do I get battery's for it?
We got ours from a random seller on eBay…. And it wasn’t cheap.
Duracell makes batteries for them.
Brilliant :)
Is it ok, to use with this small sensor f/8 aperture?
What’s with the megapixel obsession? I’ve seen photographers take stunning photos on 2 mp
I had one. I compared with Canon 450D. Not much difference.
i have one vlux1 and its good camera. you can trade in Leica store a new vlux5 that way better camera .
I am going to buy the D-Lux7. Is this a good idea or should I rather buy the Lumix lx100 II and put some Leica stickers on it? I want the Leica brand on it! I know it’s cheat, but it is made in China, which is really sad for Leica and even Panasonic and I’m only cheating myself.
Save your money and buy the Lumix. Though you could miss Leica’s color science on the D-lux, but it’s no big deal, only pixel peeps care about.
I really wish your brother would have reviewed this camera. For the simple fact that all cameras are just tools, no matter how new and stacked or old and limited. Knowing the tool, its limitations, helps the user better understand the space in which to use it. Your brother seemed to really understand it and appreciated what it has, and paid far less attention to what it does not have. I'm certain this camera today in 2024 can still produce great photos. Your brother demonstrated how to get it to work with you, not against. You seem to think that 10 megapixels designed in partnership w/ Panasonic Lumix, with a Leica 35-420mm f2.8 - f3.7 Vario-Elmarit lense and Leica processor (color science) is not worth $200? Are we talking about the same manufacturers? Leica and Panasonic/Lumix have produced some of the best cameras and lenses in the space. So, respectively, I am going to disagree. Thanks for posting.
Well to be honest I don't do video and I'm old enough that I still consider autofocus to be an ingenious solution to a non existent problem
Sorry bro. They ripped off your grandpa 😞. All those leica from that era were rebranded Panasonic Lumix models, just like the Lumix lx-1 n the lx-5.
Avoid leica
I almost bought a vlux 4, until I realized this.