Print Quality for Digilux 3/DMC-l1

[doug_williams4]

<p>I am looking at buying a Digilux 3/DMC-L1 but I am concerned about the print quality because of the small sensor size. Has anyone done 8X10 or larger prints with these cameras? If so how did they turn out and did you have a lab do them or did you do it yourself?<br>

Thanks for your input.</p>

 

[steve_brantley2]

<p>There is one for sale, very lightly used by me for a few weeks, at Southeastern Camera in Raleigh, NC. They will probably ask $1,300 for it, to include the Leica lens. I think the answer to your question is relevent to any four thirds sensor sized camera, to include the Olympus line. Perhaps you can seek out other Olympus dedicated web forums (Four Thirds Forums) and get a more thorough response to your question. I don't see too much activity here on the photo.net form concerning 4/3 cameras, so I think those owners follow other web forms more.</p>

[godfrey]

<p><img src="http://homepage.mac.com/godders/134-druidale.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br /> <em>Taken in September 2008 on the Isle of Man.<br /> Panasonic L1 + Summilux-D 25mm f/1.4 ASPH<br /> ISO 100 @ f/2.0 @ 1/160 sec<br /> <br /> Prints to 16x20 inch available on request.</em><br /> <br /> Doug,<br /> <br /> The L1 is my standard camera now and the basis of my photographic business equipment. I make exhibition grade 11x14 and 16x20 prints with it, and have been exhibiting and selling them for the past year and half. I capture in RAW format, process in Lightroom and Photoshop, and print with an Epson R2400 or R3800. My photos have appeared in magazines, on book covers, and will be featured in the Center for Fine Art Photography's "Negative Space" exhibition beginning on January 9, 2009 (Fort Collins, CO).<br /> <br /> Don't let any nonsense about the size of the sensor deter you. These are much better cameras than any of the review press gave them credit to be. The lenses are excellent, both the standard lens and the Olympus Zuiko Digital line that they are 100% compatible with, and the camera bodies are well designed and have the right mix of features for a great deal of capability. Imaging qualities between ISO 100 and 800 are very very good. ISO 1600 is a bit too noisy for color work, but some very nicely textured B&W work can be rendered from it too: like push-processed TriX in days of yore. <br /> <br /> Godfrey - <a href="http://www.gdgphoto.com">www.gdgphoto.com</a> - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdgphoto/sets">www.flickr.com- gdgphoto sets</a></p>

[michael s.]

<p>I see from your bio that you're an experienced medium format film guy, Doug.</p>

<p>Can't comment personally on the 2 cameras you've asked about, as I've used neither, but speaking of prints more generally, I've seen excellent prints at 8 x 10 and larger from cameras with sensors <em>appreciably</em> <em>smaller</em> than the four-thirds standard you are considering.</p>

<p>Very difficult to make judgments of this sort on the internet, but if it's feasible, I'd suggest you visit a decent camera store and ask to see some prints made from various digital format photos. </p>

<p>I think you're in for a pleasant surprise.</p>