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Bree
I plan on getting a Leica Digilux 3 whenever I gather the money, or possibly a Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 if I am ungreedy.

However, I have no experience with SLRs at the moment. And I alsodislike the seemingly bulkyness of the Nikons and some of the Canons.

Ive looked around a bit and dont know too much about photography in general. And this just makes me sound horribly idiotic, but, 'sok.

Either way, one, I was wondering how old you were when gained interest in photography.
Two, any randomized pointers/tips/etc.

And three, any feedback on the two cameras mentioned above.

Any other comments would be greaty appreciated as well.
Thanks ahead of time.

Oh, and I found the camera in the picture at a thrift store. Id also adore any information on it as I know little about it and keep forgetting to give myself the time to look it up.
>> Anonymous
why would you drop so much money for a camera when you dont know much about photography in general?
>> thefamilyman
1. maybe when i was 12 or so, i started to enjoy wasting film lol

2. In the digital age, its much easier to learn as you go. Just go out with your camera and experiment, dont forget to take notes on any special techniques that you may of done so you remember when your looking on your pc at your pics.

3. Leica Digilux 3/Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are terribly uncomfortable and relatively bulky, if your concerned about bulkyness, try a P&S camera, or a smalle sized DSLR like a Nikon D40(x). my advice is since you have no experience with DSLRs, totally ignore any preference to any brand or model you may have, go into a notable camera store (or your local) and play with every camera you can put your sticky hands onto. This way you will find a camera that suits YOU (and your hands).
>> ac
1. I was 24 or 25 when I started getting interested in photography. Given that I'm only 27 now, I really oughtta remember the exact age I was, but there you go.

2. Take lots of pictures. Look at lots of photographs by good photographers, try to figure out what makes them good, try to make use of that information.

3. I honestly don't trust 4/3 cameras. Smaller sensors, and even though there are a bunch of companies making 'em, they're all third-tier brands in the SLR market. Leica's great, but Leica's great at rangefinders. Slapping the Leica name on a Panasonic gets you nothing but a much, much smaller bank account.

Any SLR is going to be somewhat bulky. Once you get above the "able to fit in your pocket" range, incidental bulk doesn't make much of a difference, and you're not going to be sticking a DMC-L1 in your pocket any more than you would a EOS 400D. What the extra bulk gets you, however, is a good grip (the Panasonic/Leica is modeled like old-school SLRs without a hand grip, which is fine if you like that sort of thing, but I prefer a grip on mine) and stability (f=ma. More mass means more force needed to cause acceleration)

4. It's an old 110 film camera with two lenses for normal and telephoto use.
>> elf_man
1. Have had a longstanding general interest, i.e. since forever. Got a Powershot 530 for christmas this year, remembered how much I like taking pictures, and have started researching.

"my advice is since you have no experience with DSLRs, totally ignore any preference to any brand or model you may have, go into a notable camera store (or your local) and play with every camera you can put your sticky hands onto. This way you will find a camera that suits YOU (and your hands)."
I like this advice.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
1- I have be running around with a camera in my hands since before I was 12 (I am 26 now), but that's the age my dad gave me his Canon a-1. My first real camera. I've never regretted it since, though I go through film like there's no tomorrow.

2-3- Since I am still old school and prefer to shoot slides as opposed to digital, I can't really give you a whole lot of advice on the feedback front. I also like the advice of ignoring the brand preferences and finding the camera that suits you. This is a very good way to go.

The only other thing I can say is make sure you photograph something you love and have an interest in. I find my emotions at the time of photographing show their way through when I look at the photo I took. Always keep your eyes open for something new and different. Don't always center your subject in the photograph. Centering is boring. Sometimes the best photographs and the best subjects require a hike. Or a climb. Or a trek through the desert to get to. Suck it up and go for it, 100% and enjoy the journey along the way. Do this, and no matter how the photograph itself turns out you will be golden and enjoy it. If you only go someplace for the photography, if (god forbid) something bad happens to your photos and you didnt' enjoy anything else, in the trip, you'll feel it was a waste of time and get discouraged. (i.e. me, my first trip to yellowstone when I was 13, photographing 7 rolls of one moose on our way out, going to get them developed and finding my camera broke and none of the photos turned out. Only on the moose rolls. *Insert tiny girl sobbing here*)
>> Anonymous
>>40025
>Once you get above the "able to fit in your pocket" range, incidental bulk doesn't make much of a difference

So, you're saying shooting with a high-end point in the shoot feels the same in the hand as shooting with a large SLR which feels the same as shooting with a medium or large format camera?

Incidental bulk does make a difference. It's important to have a camera one is actually willing to have on one's person (and not in a car) with the equipment it needs.
>> Anonymous
Leica Digilux 3 is probably the worst DSLR today in terms of performance/price ratio, since it's the same as Panasonic L1, only more expensive. And the L1 is already overpriced, has the darkest and smallest viewfinder of all modern DSLRs, noisy sensor, nearly useless and clunky Live View mode, questionable ergonomics, etc.

Get something else, like Canon 400D, and a decent lens or two. It will be all-round better and probably cheaper than Digilux 3.
>> ac
>>40036
No.

Well, okay, yes, that's what I said, but that's not what I meant. :)

The point I was making was that the delta-bulkiness between various 35mm-sized SLRs isn't really that significant when compared with the delta-bulkiness between any class of cameras (I.e., P&S, superzooms, SLR, medium-format, large format)

So while I totally agree that bulk makes a difference when choosing between, say, a digital SLR and a big-ass 4x5 view camera, I doubt if "Well, this digital SLR has a hand grip, so I'm going to leave it in the car and instead bring along this digital SLR without one" is gonna happen.
>> Anonymous
>>40040
There's a big difference in the bulk between an EOS 20D and an EOS 1D, for instance.

I agree with what you're basically saying, but some SLRs are too large to be an exclusive camera for most people, like the EOS 1D. I can't imagine walking around with one of those in a bag over my shoulder.
>> Bree
Hmm. Ive only had a chance to play a bit with the Nikon D-80, which I didnt like very much at all.

The Leica Digilux 3, Im not really going for the brand, but the way it looks, because, Im shallow like that.

As for places around here in which to try quite a few out? There are none. The Leica Digilux 3 is the first one Ive fell in love with with the /outside/ of it, so its extremely good to get perspective on what people think ofthe inside of it, since, I know ot much detail on how such things work.

Its extremely appreciated for everyone that has responded.

Any ohter responses and quesitons about myself, my interest in potography, he cameras I am looking for, or the general post, are still, greatly wanted.

Thanks again. Ill belooking forward to come back and read.
>> Huy
Perhaps, if you're interested in a Leica, for the looks and whatnot, yet are uncomfortable with carrying around a SLR you could always look into the Leica M8, a more portable, rangefinder camera. Besides the god fucking point, though,

Here: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/leicam8/
>> Anonymous
>>40181
it looks kinda retro, sure, and im sure the camera itself is really good, but i personally dislike the feel of those type of bodies. for me, its not worth an extra $2000 or so just because it looks nice even if it feels terrible.
>> Bree
I suppose Ill eventually drive to Columbus or something and see what it looks like since all the places around here fail at my needs. :D

And to Huy, as Ive mentioned to you, Id much prefer a SLR, and dont have the money for hte film, so a dSLR is the life for me.
>> thefamilyman
>>40181
i've had the chance to have a good play around with the Leica Digilux 3 at my local store.
i must admit, i do love the look, but thats about it. The lens looks and feels nice, and is sharp.
But, the image quality is rather disappointing, especially for the money it is. we compared it to a D200 with a rather average lens, you can really see how good the Leica lens is, but also you can see how poor the sensor and whatnot is.
You seem to be a little worried about the bulkiness of a DSLR, thats understandable, but you should also realise that the Lens on the Leica isn't small either, its just as bulky.
my number one down point is how unbelievably uncomfortable the body is to hold, i'm sure you will know what i mean when you play with it.

My simple conclusion: (but its only on my observations) the Leica Digilux 3 one sexy looking camera, but thats where it ends. Comparing it directly with a D200 that we had in hand, the D200 was much more versatile (then a D80 is much better because of its attractive price). And then there is the issue of buying more 4/3 lenses (i wont even go into that, coz i'm sure everyone knows what i mean here) Bottom line, its too uncomfortable but sexy ;).

as>>40182mentioned, the M8 would be more suitable for you in terms of size and shear looks, but you must also have deep pockets.
>> Bree
I do believe that I am running out of anyhting elsemuch to say.

The basics are that I need to go drive about 2 hours to go play with cameras and will keep me somewhat dedicated and set on the Leicia, which, could be my major downfall here.

My stubornness, Im afraid, will keep me dedicated to the Leica, however, hopefully I can find something that I can adore in both exterior and interior. But, however, my mistake if I am okay with the Leica inside and out.

Again, everything said was much appreciated as well as anything further that shall be said.

Will all be taken into consideration, etc.
>> Bree
>>40187

Erm. Laptop/User malfunction.

Sorry, repeated something twice, etc.