Replacement camera

No worries Don, its been my go to store for the last 10 years. If you have a specific camera in mind, call ahead and they can put it aside if they are low in stock.

Canmore to downtown/ camera store is about 1h 15 mins - they don't tend to stay open late, so check the hours, they have a car park too.

Metrovino is a few doors down to the east of the camera store if you are after a nice bottle of wine to enjoy in the mountains. Enjoy the hiking. 

Guy

Hi Seaky, I was looking for a digital camera. 35mm film is difficult to get processed and I still wind up getting the stuff scanned. Plus the cost - today I took about 175 shots with Mrs D's Coolpix, some of which were quite descent. With a 35mm film camera I would still be wondering whether any of those shots were worthwhile and I would have used up 5 rolls of 36 exposure film !!!

EVF = Electronic View Finder ?

If so, I have to admit that I did miss a view finder on the D-Lux4. Especially in bright light when the TFT screen was almost impossible to read/see

Cheers

Don

Yes exactly. It adds to your outlay but if you're going to use it a lot, as I think you do, then it's worth it imo. When I got mine I was astonished how good the image in it is and it just gives you more flexibility in how you use the camera.

It just slips on and off the hotshoe, so camera still fits easily in coat pocket or whatever

If you are going to consider carrying an EVF round with you, may be better to go with the LX100/ D-Lux (Type 109) which has one built in and enjoy the better quality images the lens/ sensor have on offer.

Peter

There is that, as per my original suggestion...But at about twice the price

Well, I won't buy without trying i.e. hands-on for feel and size. For that reason I won't buy from Amazon or other on-line retailer unless they have a hands-on store outlet. I think my options are down to,,,,

Leica D-Lux Type 109

Sony RX100 IV

Canon G7x

Panasonic LX100

Panasonic LX7

But not necessarily in that order !

The Calgary store should have all of those in to do a direct hands on comparison. 

That said, the Pan LX7 is 3 years old, so they might not have that.

Just be aware sometimes the European name of a camera is different in the North American market.

Thanks Guy.

We plan to travel up to Canmore on Monday and do a couple of hikes Tuesday and Wednesday. We plan to visit the Heritage Park and the Glenbow Museum later so will hopefully have time to visit a few stores as well, including the camera store.

Cheers and many thanks

Don

That will be a fun week Don.  

All HP is still open, the main park shuts on thanksgiving weekend so you are just in time. When you are in the Gasoline Alley there is a lower level with more classic cars too...  

If you are on Stephen Ave, there is a great outdoor store 2 blocks east of the Glenbow, called 'Out There' ( there is MEC and Atmosphere near the Camera Store too) but for Arc'teryx and Icebreaker, it's much cheaper than Ellis Bingham and Snow+Rock in the UK.  

And another thing...

If they have the D-lux 109 and you like it, ask them if they have the optional hand grip to try and you'll like handling it even better. 'course the LX100 is cheaper and has a (small) grip on it already...

I still like the Canon best in balance of IQ/usability/pocketability/priceability

Thanks Guy for the heads-up about various stores,

We have been to the Heritage Park and the Glenbow before but not for several years, so we are looking forward to this return visit.

I think IQ and pocket ability are my prime drivers.

Cheers

Don

NP Don, always happy to help.  There are a few new 'old' additions in the last few years at HP.  And Glenbow always has new Art exhibits.

Correction - Out There is 'west' of the Glenbow, not east !

Don what did you go for in the end ?

Hi Guy,

Our trip to Canmore was fantastic, but silightly different to the plan.

We drove Vernon to Canmore on the Monday; then Tuesday and Wednesday hiked into Elbow Lake/Lake Rae then Lake Rummel respectively. When I say "hiked" it was more of a "saunter", despite the 6" to 12" of snow up at the lakes, simply because Mrs D has slowed down these past few years.

We visited the Heritage Park as planned but that was an all-day event skirting the south west part of Calgary. Then myself (and my daughter's father-in-law) spent a few days back-packing the "Rock Wall" going in to Helmet Falls then Tumbling Glacier and along to Flow Lake. We had done this about 12 years ago, but its such a wonderful hike that I couldn't pass on the proposition, This was at the expense of a second trip into Calgary.

I got back to the UK a few days ago and have popped into our local John Lewis where I have sampled the Canon 7x, Sony RX100 I/II/III and the Panasonic LX100 and LX7. I went up to London (to a Cliff Richard concert .................) but traffic on the A4 caused a good 2 hour delay so precluded a planned pre-concert visit to Richard Caplin or Red Spot to sample the Leica(s). Hopefully next week or soon after I will pop up to London again.

Meanwhile,I am currently using an old Nikon Coolpix 5200, Mrs D has recovered her Coolpix 8000. and I still have my Canon Eos100 film camera.

In summary, no conclusion yet. But many, many thanks for your advice, which - had it not been for the lure of the Rock Wall .................................?

Don,

Having fun in the outdoors always takes priority - there are plenty of camera stores - and only a few mountain hikes !  Glad you enjoyed your time. 

My folks are coming over from the UK in a month and I hope there is more snow so we can get the snow shoes out... A4, I haven't driven that in a while, my Grandma use to live in Osterley, many fond memories of running round the park as lad...

Have fun taking your time with the camera selection !

Guy

Update...............

I sourced a second-hand D-Lux 4 this morning from Richard Caplin for under £200.

Fingers crossed, although it did come with a warranty.

Many thanks for all your help and guidance.

I am thinking of getting a Nikon D7100 + 18-200mm zoom for carting around in the car and aeroplane and for "short" hikes where weight and volume aren't an issue. Just thinking at the moment.