Compact v DSLR

This afternoon, after cutting the grass and a few other jobs, I decided to pop into John Lewis in Newbury. They have a small selection of popular cameras on display.

I was able to see and feel a D7000 with a 28-105mm lens and a D7100. They felt “big” and although I could get used to either, (a bit like the old EOS 100) I knew that they would never travel with me as often as I would like – unless I was truly convinced they would produce “stunning” pictures each and every shot ! How much bigger/heavier would the 28-200mm lens be, I wondered ?

So across to the counter with the compact cameras and there was the ubiquitous LX-7, but no Leica D-Lux 6. Never-the-less, the LX-7 looked familiar, was compact, light and at only £289 not much more than loose change these days, well it was amongst one of the less expensive models on display. So, in my mind, the deal was done, the old D-Lux 4 is in the bin and tomorrow I’ll go back and buy the LX-7. Then, at leisure I will reconsider the  possibility of a DSLR as well.

Why “tomorrow” ?. I always like to sleep on a good idea.

When I got home, I realised the D-Lux 4 had virtually no residual value. Perhaps I could salvage the battery, or even send the camera off to Leica for repair. But via the dealer network that might cost more than the price of a new LX-7 and take weeks. So, with nothing to loose, so to speak, I took a small pair of pliers, a pair of tweezers and a tiny screwdriver and carefully examined the D-Lux 4. The body had been distorted around the “Focus” button - front, top right. Carefully prising the body back to its original shape, more or less, plus a bit of fettling and…………….he-presto – it came back to life. All the buttons work again.

Resurrected. I’ll give it a few days to see if it continues to function properly. OK, it still looks a bit “bashed” around the top right corner, but if it functions properly, it will stay. If not, I’ll replace it with an LX-7.

Thanks Jamie, without your recommendation, I’d still be dithering.. The LX-7 was almost in the bag !

Close !

Sweet dreams............

now you're beginning to confuse me again........

Wear your Leica! G

Well done for fixing your camera Don! I find it's always worthwhile to have a fiddle with such things yourself, you've nothing to lose, and more often than not the problem's something simple.

When I got rid of my Canon kit recently, I discovered that the 1.4 50mm lens wouldn't autofocus properly: It seemed very sluggish and stuck occasionally. I had a Google and discovered a uTube video by a very helpful chap on how to dismantle the lens, and how to fix the same problem. It was pretty fiddly, with lots of tiny screws, but it took me less than an hour to fix. I was very chuffed!

Not pretty, but it now works !

Typical SLR (Canon EOS100) then scanned and filed digitally.

Typical D-Lux 4 - JPEG, not post production editing - point and shoot

I'm not sure what you're trying to prove. Is there such a thing as a typical SLR or typical D-Lux 4? I would say the second photograph is more pleasant, but does it have anything to do with the type of camera used?

I thoght the first one had more intense colours, the second looks a little washed out.

I haven't been to Tofino recently so i'm not sure how realistic those intense colours are. However, I was up at Lake Agnes about 10 days ago and I still think the second picture looks a little washed out.

Ah, what I meant to say was these are typical examples of my photos taken with an SLR (film) and a D-Lux 4 (JPEG).

Since I don't have any side-by-side shots, its difficult to compare.

I'd be happy with that. What a beautiful place. 

It certainly is beautiful. About an hour and a half to hike up from Lake Louise.