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?
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???
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.
Somerset Lynn wrote:
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???
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.
Shakey, call me crazy but I do love that little red dot...
Shakey
Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.
Somerset Lynn wrote:
Shakey, call me crazy but I do love that little red dot...
Aww! You are embarrassing me, Lynn.
Lily wrote:
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?
I've been considering purchasing the Nikon 5300 wi... (
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The constant f/2.8 is a nice feature.
Lily wrote:
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?
I've been considering purchasing the Nikon 5300 wi... (
show quote)
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....
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.
patcam wrote:
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!
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 wrote:
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?
I've been considering purchasing the Nikon 5300 wi... (
show quote)
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 wrote:
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!
Patcam. I have the Leica V lux 4 camera. It says on the nameplate "Leica Germany" and then underneath "Made in Japan."
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.
RDH wrote:
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.
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 companys 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_PanasonicI 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.
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