LUMIX DMC-L1; PANASONIC 1st DSLR

[z-oal]

hi,

just wondering if any of you got this new baby.
i've been reading reviews online but i want to know of personal reviews/comments of anyone who has it. anything abt it! (:

i loove the '35mm-like' body but not too sure about the 3rd party lenses; zuiko and sigma.

thanks in advance.

[tomcat]

I have been using one since it was launched here in Sep 06.

I love the colours and image quality it produce.

Almost all the Olympus Zukio Digital lenses are optically excellent and good value for money and is the reason why I changed over to Four-Thirds system from Canon. So you should not worry about using them on the L1. In fact, I feel that being able to use these superb ZD lenses is an incentive for buying the L1 considering that there is currently no Panasonic lenses available aside from the fantastic Leica 14-50mm kit lens that comes with the L1.

As for Sigma lenses, they are great value for money too. Personally, I would have no hesitation to buy their EX Macro lenses which are super sharp and cheap.

Check out my photos taken with the L1 and various ZD lenses as well as the Sigma 105mm EX Macro here if you like.
http://www.pbase.com/pschia/panasonic_dmc_l1

[z-oal]

Originally Posted by tomcat I have been using one since it was launched here in Sep 06. I love the colours and image quality it produce. Almost all the Olympus Zukio Digital lenses are optically excellent and good value for money and is the reason why I changed over to Four-Thirds system from Canon. So you should not worry about using them on the L1. In fact, I feel that being able to use these superb ZD lenses is an incentive for buying the L1 considering that there is currently no Panasonic lenses available aside from the fantastic Leica 14-50mm kit lens that comes with the L1. As for Sigma lenses, they are great value for money too. Personally, I would have no hesitation to buy their EX Macro lenses which are super sharp and cheap. Check out my photos taken with the L1 and various ZD lenses as well as the Sigma 105mm EX Macro here if you like. http://www.pbase.com/pschia/panasonic_dmc_l1

hei tomcat,

thanks for sharing. really appreciate it. (:

i guess it's just my 'mind stigma' when a new model other than Canon or Nikon is introduced since both are the forerunners of DSLR.

I've read about the Four Thirds System and I'm quite interested in getting this L1.

oh, ur photos are great! love the colors, sharp & crisp images. (: do you use filters?

thanks once again.

[wkong]

Hi tomcat
Need your advice on lenses for L1.
For landscape photography, which lens (including 3rd parties) would you recommend?
Thank you

[z-oal]

Originally Posted by wkong Hi tomcat Need your advice on lenses for L1. For landscape photography, which lens (including 3rd parties) would you recommend? Thank you

hi wkong,

are u a L1 user? care to share about your experiences using it?

thanks.

[wkong]

Hi z-oal
No, I am not a L1 user. However, I have been following some reviews of the camera and though of getting one.

[z-oal]

Originally Posted by wkong Hi z-oal No, I am not a L1 user. However, I have been following some reviews of the camera and though of getting one.

haha, same here! (: wad makes you want to get this instead of a Canon or Nikon?

[dominator]

Attracting me as well.
I loves the classic looks of the body and features. The VF placement also good imo.
Now I think this is one such modern DSLR that is not built based on grip ergonomics?

[z-oal]

Originally Posted by dominator Attracting me as well. I loves the classic looks of the body and features. The VF placement also good imo. Now I think this is one such modern DSLR that is not built based on grip ergonomics?

haha, yees! i looove the classic-like body. i think this is a revolutionary new kind of DSLR that is commendable.

enough said, i'll get it once my moola break even. heh. (:

[wind30]

Originally Posted by wkong Hi tomcat Need your advice on lenses for L1. For landscape photography, which lens (including 3rd parties) would you recommend? Thank you

frankly, you have a problem with 4/3rds if you like landscape.

Nikon, has a cheap sigma 10-20mm that goes to 15mm equivalent for less than $1k. If you want that wide for 4/3rds, you need the the super expensive zuiko 7-14mm. Which is expensive and cannot allow you to mount the a filter.

I am thinking of whether to get the 7-14mm or 11-22mm. As I use it for travelling I don't really feel comfortable carrying a $2k+ lens with a bulging front element...

if scratch, dirty....

[tomcat]

The ZD 7-14mm is unique in the DSLR world as it is the widest zoom for DSLRs with APS sensors. It is also the cheapest of Olympus' Pro Grade lenses at $2,600 and is well worth every cent it cost. Canon and Nikon users do not even blink an eye when they splurge on the more expensive 70-200mm IS/VR zoom lenses.

That said, the 7-14mm is not really that good for true landscape shots especially at the widest end. It is good for mid-distant shots and especially those with compositions that would benefit from the dramatic perspective distortions inherent at such focal lengths.

Examples... all at 7mm









I had also wished that I could put a CP filter on it when I first bought it but it does not seem to need a CP filter as evident in the last 2 pics above to get deep blue skies and contrasty colours.

The ZD 11-22mm is however a very good alternative wide-angle zoom for travelling though for those who feel that the 7-14mm is too expensive and/or heavy for this purpose. The 11mm end is very good for landscape sceneries as the perspective distortion is not too extreme and dramatic.

[wkong]

Thank you wind30 and also tomcat for your respective comments on the type of lenses for the L1 for landscape photography.

Hi z-oal
As to why I would choose L1 instead of a Canon or Nikon, the reason is simple. I like the camera: its simple to use features, classic looks and of course its Leica lens. However, both Canon and Nikon have their respective strengths.

[tomcat]

Hi z-oal and wkong,

If interested in the L1, can try Parisilk at Holland Village. Their price was the cheapest I know of... ~$2,9xx (with GST) when elsewhere is selling at $3.3K or more.

[drakon09]

Uncle tomcat, it is really not er *nice* to spread buyruses now, especially since most of us are saving up for new cam bodies!

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by drakon09 Uncle tomcat, it is really not er *nice* to spread buyruses now, especially since most of us are saving up for new cam bodies!

But the L1 is also a new cam body leh..
Anyway, the L1 is a niche camera with unique features which may or may not be attractive to some people. Those who are interested in buying it is not really interested in other bodies because of this.

[wind30]

anyway, we all should wait until 5th March which is like only a few days away.... just to at least hear what oly has up their sleeves.

[wkong]

Originally Posted by tomcat Hi z-oal and wkong, If interested in the L1, can try Parisilk at Holland Village. Their price was the cheapest I know of... ~$2,9xx (with GST) when elsewhere is selling at $3.3K or more.

Hi tomcat
Thanks for the info.

[khairi]

in fact...i'm very eager to make the L1 my everyday cam...
very eager...a canon user all this while...but trying something diff will be nice.
yeah, i too is wondering what other lense can go with the cam...esp tele lenses.
The leica "kit" lense will be good enuff for wide to mid tele.

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by khairi in fact...i'm very eager to make the L1 my everyday cam... very eager...a canon user all this while...but trying something diff will be nice. yeah, i too is wondering what other lense can go with the cam...esp tele lenses. The leica "kit" lense will be good enuff for wide to mid tele.

You can take your pick from all the Four-Thirds lenses listed at this site:

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/products/lense.html

[drakon09]

For tele, just go with the 50-200mm, you can't go wrong with that.

On the other hand, there's a rumoured new version of the lens to be announced in PMA.