Lily

I've been considering purchasing the Nikon 5300 with 85 mm macro lens primarily for photos of jewelry and weaving for posting on my small business' website. Getting true color for stones, metal & textile/fiber is important to me, and recently I've had to make do with my iPad (I know, I know- please!). Now I'm wondering if the new Leica V-lux could be a substitute. Certainly would save me some money, has great features, and a lot to offer for other uses. In my youth, I learned on my dad's Leica 35 mm, always loved it. Anyone have any experience with the V-lux for macro work?

Somerset Lynn Loc: Somerset, NJ

I have the V Lux 4 and love it for the zoom. Great all around camera. Why would you buy this camera for mostly macro? Just a question???

Lily

My most immediate need is for better and clearer jewelry photos, but that will not be it's only use, will certainly become my main camera.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Have to agree with Lynn. If it's the quality of the Leica lens you need take a look at the Panasonic range of cameras. You get the Leica lens in a Panasonic body. (I have the Lumix FZ200 which enables you to take remarkable close ups of small items.) There are others in the range which may match your needs more closely. Good luck, I hope you find what you need.

Somerset Lynn Loc: Somerset, NJ

Shakey, call me crazy but I do love that little red dot...

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Aww! You are embarrassing me, Lynn.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The constant f/2.8 is a nice feature.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Just about any camera would do what you need to do...it's not very taxing.

Having a macro mode would be useful but not necessary.

Just about any point and shoot (higher end) would do it, as would any of the Sigma DP Merrill series, Fuji X100S would, NEX 5 would do it....and the list goes on....

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

At the Kelby Photowalk, a 15- year old newbie with an Olympus bridge camera was getting some awesome shots ( I think on auto, but not sure)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/105302143@N02/10257938224/in/pool-2306034@N25/

patcam Loc: chelmsford essex uk

Do you honestly believe that Panasonic use genuine Leica lenses ? you only have to check how much a Leica lens costs for say an M4, to realise they cannot be the same quality, yes they are nice lenses, but do you see " made in Germany " anywhere on them, thought not!

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

It depends what you mean by a genuine Leica lens. Leica designed a lens for Panasonic. The lens is manufactured in Japan (last time I checked) just like many other top optics. Leica would not allow their name to be used unless the lenses met their exacting specifications. There are many web pages online which confirm this.

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/LUMIX+Digital+Cameras/298932/index.html

dundeelad Loc: Originally UK. Current West Dundee, Illinois

Lily. I have the Leica V -lux 4 and it is a superb camera.
Like you, I love the little red dot. :-D

To check out it's macro work, check out Graham Houghton's videos on you tube on the Panasonic FZ200 camera, which is exactly the same as the V lux 4.

His series of videos is in 5 parts on the camera itself but he then does a video on it's macro work. I think you will find the camera quite astounding.

John.

dundeelad Loc: Originally UK. Current West Dundee, Illinois

Patcam. I have the Leica V lux 4 camera. It says on the nameplate "Leica Germany" and then underneath "Made in Japan."

RDH

Leica licensed their name to a Japanese company several years ago. The Japanese company makes good cameras, but for better or worse they are not made by Leitz.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Your comment is correct as far as it goes. The Leica name was not simply licensed to Panasonic. You'll discover this quote at the bottom of the web page link I gave in my comment.
Quote: * Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. Leica DC lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards. (Unquote)

You be pleased to note that the work was carried out in Germany, hence 'GmbH'. Perhaps not made by Leitz but very little is these days. Check any modern Leica camera for country of manufacture, probably Japan or China.

As for Leica/Panasonic here is a quote from Wikipedia:

Quote: Leica-branded lenses are used on many Panasonic digital cameras (Lumix) and video recorders. These lenses are manufactured by Panasonic to Leica quality standards. Collaboration between the two firms extends at all levels, with engineering teams contributing in areas of respective expertise. Panasonic/Leica models were the first to incorporate optical image stabilization in their digital cameras. (Unquote)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Camera#Leica_and_Panasonic

I do remember the days when Leica 35mm cameras were the dream of most aspiring photographers. Regretfully the Leica company was broken up many years ago. I never did get one of their wonderful cameras. When Leica went digital many of their fine cameras were manufactured overseas. Is there a difference between Leica cameras and others? Of course there is, the name still generates respect and commands a high price. I hope every owner enjoys using their camera and producing photographs that bring them joy and pleasure.