My decision was based on reviews that cited excellent image quality. Not having owned a Leica, I thought this would be a nice opportunity. I am very glad that I chose this camera. The image quality is beautiful. The build is sturdy, the focusing smooth. It isn't really small, but it's not a huge clunker, either and it's solid in the hand. It feels like a real camera, and in less than an hour I felt as though I had had it forever. I'd say, though, that it's not the camera for dedicated sports if you need quick quick, but for still life, indoor or out, or portraits, or general photography, I'd say it's great.
Strengths:
-Very solid and sturdy build
-Easy to view the image using the screen
-Beautiful, sharp images, (or, if you like, less sharp images depending upon focus and speed...just like a 'regular' camera)
-The lens cap is attached and so can't be lost, and you don't have to keep dealing with it
Weaknesses:
-It is a little slow if you're in TIFF mode.
-I took it out on a very cold morning and it wasn't very happy...slowed down a bit
Customer Service:
I had a question about getting both TIFF and JPEG downloads, had a very easy time with customer service - they were very nice
I had been shooting 35mm for quite some time (Nikon N90s). I wanted to go digital, and I have always wanted a Leica. So, even though this camera is expensive, it was reasonably priced for a Leica, and had a lot of features that higher end cameras have. I did some research, and then purchased the camera. After using the camera a few times, along with an SF-20, (flash), a filter holder, a UV filter, camera case, and an additional memory card and battery. I shot a graduation with it. Well, it froze. I started sweating, and finally thought of taking out the battery. Luckily, this fixxed the problem, and the camera has not frozen since. It's no EOS 1Ds, but then again, this is not an $8,000 camera, so I pretty happy with it. You can't really shoot something like college football with it, because the top shutter speed is 1/1000 sec. This camera is great for what I do though. It is also great for street photography, as well as other things. I think the Digilux 1 is a great camera, but I also hope the next digital camera Leica comes out with is more like a digital R8 or R9, and has some improvements, which I will talk about below. You can see some photos taken with this camera on my website at 'www.noahkameyer.net'. All photos on the site were taken with this camera, except the house photo on the index page.
Strengths:
Largest LCD screen on a camera of its size, lightweight, good amount of megapixels for the price, fun to use, tough batteries (I accidentally dropped one once while rushing to an event) and the battery still worked. (When I shot 35mm, the battery made by another company had a tab on it, and the tab broke. Then the battery would not work). Luckily, these batteries do not have any tabs. Great macro feature available at the flip of a switch. This camera can be focused manually, you can adjust the shutter speed and aperature. I'm sure I am leaving out something.
Weaknesses:
Polarizer filter is half the price of the camera...almost. Camera will not fit in Leica case if any attachments are on the camera. Works better as a flash carrying case...waste of money if you ask me. Needs an external charger. You have to charge the batteries one at a time, in the camera. This is horrible, because I have two batteries. The monitor hood covers the battery compartment. The zoom is not that fast. It's good if you are not in a rush. Some parts are Panasonic. I can't figure out if the SF-20 goes above F8, and it needs to be upgraded to work like the Canon and Nikon flashes...especially for what it costs. I'm sure I am leaving something out. If the monitor hood is attached, do not walk around with the camera on a tripod. I was shooting fireworks, and just about lost the camera...the hood cover which had just been tightened about came off of the camera. Takes better day photos, but it does take some great long exposures at night. If you have specific questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail.
Customer Service:
Although this camera has not needed repair yet, I have contacted Leica in the past. Whether you are sending an e-mail to customer service, the president, or dialing a direct extension to tech support, everyone is very friendly, and they are always happy to help...at least in my opinion / experience with Leica.
Great Camra, it's my first digital one, I use a Canon EOS3 (and L series) and a leica Minilux most of the time, now I'm learning digital ... Great camera, easy to walk with and to use, lightweight, very quick and discreet camera (nobody look at it, every body think it's his grandfather's camera), silent one too ...
Spot meter, evaluative, great colors, af & metering bracketing (only with JPG format!), we can really do what we want with this camera....
Strengths:
Easy
Quick (use & download USB)
Great quality
Great LCD
Automatic TIF & JPG Generation
Photoshop Elements delivered with this camera !!!
Weaknesses:
Poor Viewfinder (I don't care I never use it)
Exposure range limited (1S- 1/1000) and (2.0 to 8.0) (but it's stays at 2.5 for the long zoom value... it's very good anyway),
Too slow in TIFF format in max. resolution (like other digital cam I suppose, and it depends the cards used, and Automatic TIF & JPG Generation when TIF Mode used)
Can't Bracket in TIFF (too slow I suppose)
No external Charger
Too much noise at 4OO ISO (I try to never use it on 200 or 400 ISO)
Price too High !!!! (but the quality is there)
I hope all these remarks will be corrected in a next version ...
This is the most enjoyable digital that I've purchased yet. The very rich colors and tones in the images keep me reaching for the Digilux 1.
I recently sold my Olympus C4000 and was planning to purchase an Olympus C-5050, but I happened to find some great images taken with the Leica/Panasonic cameras and after much deliberation decided to try the D1.
If you are even remotely interested in this camera, I recommend that you take a look at the Leica Digital Forum. These guys know how to make this camera sing and I've been learning tons from reading their posts. You can find the forum link on Leicas Digilux 1 page at www.leica.com
Strengths:
Feels nicely made, very pleasing image quality (to my eyes), nicely laid out controls (could be better, but what can't be), makes me happy when I'm shooting.
Weaknesses:
Noise at iso200 and iso400 is bad. If you think that you won't be happy shooting the camera at iso100 only...you may be right. I tried the Neat Image noise remover software, but did not like the loss of image detail.
Rating Reviewed by: Joe (Unregistered User)
(Casual)
Review Date January 21, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 0-1 years
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
8 votes
Review 5 of 10
Price Paid:
$699.00
from B&H
Summary:
Takes great shots. Its the first digital camera that acts like a film camera. You get what you pay for and you get quality. The shutter lag is non-existant and the image color and detail is amazing. Its controls are nearly identical to my Minolta Maxxum
Strengths:
0 Shutterlag
Great Color
Great features, and ability to control shutterspeed and fstop, not just "EV" like most DC.
Weaknesses:
No external charger
Similar Products Used:
Sony Mavica FD-91
Nikon Coolpix 775
Fuji DC 2300
Customer Service:
Haven't had to deal with. B&H was great to purchase from.
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