kenghor

I brought the R1 for a short trip to Hoi An, Vietnam. I picked the R1 over the EOS 1Ds and its L lenses. The Panasonic LX1 was used a a backup but never used.

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The cam, although weighing close to 1kg, feels light and allows me to carry it the whole day without straining my back or shoulder. The odd placement of the LCD comes in very useful as it allows discrete photography as your subjects remain unawared that they're being photographed. The battery life is EXCELLENT.

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My main complaint is the inability to shoot RAW in continuous mode.<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/vietnam/001.jpg"><p>

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I find the R1 lcd very good for low angle shots. The carl zeiss lens is also excellent.<br>

But if u shoot in RAW, the R1 will be slow and will not allow u to shoot continously (the

fastest option for u is to use memory sticks pro). The LCD and EVF is less than desirable

and have much room for improvement.<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/r1/r1-1j.jpg">

<a href="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-gallery.htm">Panasonic LX1</a> is one

camera u must consider if u want something small but gives u full control.

<p>

Alternatively, if u want bigger sensor similar to a DSLR, the Sony R1 is a good choice.<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/r1/r1-1q.jpg"><br>Sony R1

Yes. I'm indeed lucky with some of the shots.<br>

I don't normally use a tripod with the LX1. If I need extra stablisation in slow shutter speed

below 1/4s, I will try to brace the camera against something. Otherwise I should be able to

get steady shots at 28mm with OIS.

The main advantages of this camera over the other pocketable digicams are:<br>

1. RAW<br>

2. RAW<br>

3. RAW<br><p>

Get the fastest SD card. And they are getting cheap nowadays. I bought the Lexar 133X

2GB SD card recently for less than US$60! A fast card will reduce the lag time in-between

RAW shots.<p>

I'll try to avoid ASA 400 as much as possible.<p>

<a href="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-gallery.htm">Some shots with the

LX1.</a>

The tree is of course taken with LX1. VEry simple: just pan your camera.<br>

I'm not aware of the sharpening technics. Usually I'll apply uniformally across all images.

The FM software looks interesting with the ability to control noise. Still can't see the effect

on halo though....

<i>Wee, many of your shots (fine work) appear over-sharpened. I don't think that's a

problem with the Digilux... I wonder if you're doing that accidentally with that Lumix, or if

you're doing it in post-processing?.</i><p>

Most of my shots are resize to 750 pixel in width. Sharpened using USM in CS2 set at

131%, radius 0.3 and threshold 0. Otherwise (photos from my Bangkok trip), I simply use

sharpen.<br>

Nevertheless, the untouched image is sharp. <p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1c.jpg">

The LX1 has really given me great fun and <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/presentation.tcl?presentation_id=319777">great pictures!</a><p>

Just wished that it has a shorter lag inbetween shots. With a 50X SD card, I've to wait for about 7 seconds before I can shoot again. If it can shoot in a burst of 3 fps. :)

<p>

Next is the noise. Although not a serious issue to me, I just wished that it can be less noisy and offers higher ISO speed.

One major problem with the 85 f1.8 is the extreme bad CA. It will even show up in a

white-text-on-black-background scene.

And this lens is well know for its back focus problem which I've encounter with on several

copies.

Currently I own a 1Ds.

What I really hate is the bulky size and weight.

What I really like the 1Ds over the 5D is the 45 auto focus point (for precise focusing with

large aperture without having to focus and recompose), use of split focus screen for

manual focus.

Do u think it is worth selling my 1Ds and get a new 5D? I'll have to top up about US$1400.

Was there for about 30 days with many international and internal flights. Was shooting

slides and there's no issue with x-ray fogging. Most are willing to hand check my film

though. But if I were to do it again, it will be digital!<p>

<img src="http://www.geocities.com/~kenghor/story/huaraz.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.geocities.com/~kenghor/story/lapaz.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.geocities.com/~kenghor/story/machupichu.jpg"><p>

Either one is great.

For me I choose the 24-105 for the longer range, less weight and IS.

<p>

<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/24105e.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/24105d.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/24105i.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/24105f.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/24105j.jpg">

100% crop of the above:<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/35mm14ai.jpg">

I had 2 copies of the 35L and they certainly sharp wide open. However, between these 2

copies, there are are some variations in the colour and contrast. One copy was good wide

open while the other had to be stopped down to improve the contrast and saturation.<br>

I also find that u really need to focus this lens properly. the usual techinic of foucs and

recompose will render inaccurate focus. Thus the 1 series camera with 45 focusing points

comes in very useful.<br>

Recently I had a CZ 35 f1.4 and find that at wide open, the centre is sharp but not the

centre. The corners looks like what you have shown. But the centre is sharp. I don't like

this and have it sold.<br>

So to me, your lens seems like a lemon if the focus is correct and it is in the centre frame.

Get it exchanged.<p>

<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/35mm14a.jpg"><br>

EF 35 @ f1.4

<i>In a period of 5 - 7 seconds, for instance, can you take 3 - 4 - 5 photos? Do you then

have a long wait while the camera writes those files ?</i><p>

Certainly not that many pictures. More likely to be 2 shots within 5 seconds on a 50X SD

card.

Two important pionts to note if u're using the LX1:<p>

1. u get the most out of the camera only if u shoot in RAW<br>

2. get a fast SD card as I see a very significant difference in the wait-time inbetween RAW

shots between a normal speed vs a 50X card.

LX1 is a pleasure to use. It is for photographers and not for those computer geek who

stares at the pixel on his computer screen. <br>

I've been using the LX1 exclusively for several months, leaving my 1Ds and a dozen of L

lenses, contax CZ and Leica lenses collecting dust at home. This is how good the LX1 is.

Of course I do not mean that the images from the LX1 is as good as the DSLR but they are

good enough for large print and it is a pleasure to carry around compared to the SLR

setup.<br>

Here's a few samples:<p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-c.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-h.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-n.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-o.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-m.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-j.jpg"><p>

<img src="http://www.lens-scape.com/article/lx1-f.jpg"><p>

I hoping the digital M can fire in RAW at a minimum of 3fps and a buffer size of at least 10

RAW shots.

I got myself a <a href="http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Camera_Pouches/

designed_digital/D-Pods_50.aspx">Lowepro D-pod 50</a> for the LX1. It weighs to

nothing and

there's just room for an extra battery and even to squeeze in my handphone. It has a

compartment for SD cards too. Most of the time I'll just sling the pouch across my

shoulder.<br>

I don't like the idea of putting the camera in my pocket as the body perspiration will

introduce mositure to the camera. It also feels heavy on the poocket and you might

accidentially crack the LCD.

Why don't u keep the lens for the time being? U might later get interested with the digital

M. I've dumped my M gears when I moved to digital some years back. I'll see how the

digital M turns out to be and decide if I should invest in the M again.

<i>If Macro is your true passion or profession, the Canon 180L Macro has no equals.</i>

<p>

The Tamron and Sigma 180mm are just as good, if not better, than the Canon. And they

are both cheaper!