And Then There Were Three. Panasonic Lumix Cameras, that is!

Gentle reader,

FIRST: I want to thank ALL of YOU for taking the time to peruse my humble blog. Just yesterday, the 50,000th page view occurred! IT blows my mind that there would be such interest in what I have to show and say, But numbers don't lie. THANK YOU!

For some time, I have desired a Panasonic Lumix digital camera. The story behind these particular digital cameras is one of a merger of minds and technology. 

There are certain legendary camera maker names that stand for quality and history and more often than not, price. Two are German: Contax with Zeiss lenses and Leica with their own lenses.

From Japan, Canon that began by copying Leica cameras and Nikon that began by copying Contax cameras. These occurred because part of Germany's loss in WWII was forfeiting of copyrights for products. Yes, Japan lost too. For further reading, Google.

Leica had significant history and expertise making film cameras. Panasonic had significant history and expertise making electronics. A meeting of the minds occurred in that Panasonic would share their digital camera designs in exchange for Leica lenses. For some time, they made identical cameras. Only the name/badge was different. Plus, to buy the Leica branded model you paid significantly more. "Paying for the name."

As an example, the Leica D-LUX D3 is the SAME camera and lens as the Panasonic DMC-LX3. There are those that gladly would pay more for the Leica "thinking" they were getting a better camera simply because "It's a Leica." Same body, same lens, same digital components inside and same sensor. Therefore, the EXACT same results. Why pay more? Car companies have been doing this for DECADES. Chrysler really showed it best when they introduced the NEON. The ONLY difference between a DODGE Neon and a PLYMOUTH Neon, was the nameplate. 

So, that history over, let me introduce you to my collection of Panasonic digital cameras with Leica lenses: 

All were purchased used via ebay. The red one above, is a DMC-SZ7. It has TEN megapixels and a 12X optical zoom which starts at the 35mm equivalent of 25mm which is a nice wide view for group shots. As you can see, it has a self-capping lens: Leica DC Vario-Elmar. The names will be explained at the bottom after the pictures. 35mm equivalent of 25-300mm. A very expensive lens were it on a 35mm SLR. Not real "fast" at f3.3-4.9 maximum aperture.

Next buy and having the best and fastest of the three camera's lenses but the shortest zoom, above is the DMC-LX3. Also TEN megapixels and 2.5X optical zoom which starts at 35mm equivalent of 24mm. Thus, 24-60mm 35mm equivalent. Lens has a faster f2.0-2.8 maximum aperture. It has a Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens.

I desired a "bridge" camera from Panasonic and searched for a bargain. Bridge cameras, sometimes also called "Super-zooms" as some have an optical zoom of up to 60X! My search led me to this four-year-old DMC-FZ40. It has FOURTEEN megapixels and a 24X optical zoom which starts at the 35mm equivalent of 25mm. Thus 25-600mm. A 35mm lens, which NO ONE makes with that kind of range would be five figures (at least $10,000), VERY large and VERY heavy. However, since these types of consumer cameras have a relatively TINY sensor, despite the impressive pixel count. Thus it is easier to make these lenses with incredible zoom ranges. At the wide end, this lens has an f2.8 maximum aperture, shrinking to f5.2 at the long end. This because as the lens moves farther away from the sensor, less light reaches it as a result. BTW, it was a bargain price of $49.95 as it had no battery, charger or memory card. I took a chance and with new parts to complete it, it works perfectly! YAY! Oh, I downloaded the manual, it's, wait for it, 223 pages long! That's JUST English! An amazingly capable camera. I WON'T be printing that one out!

Above is the rear view. Only the FZ40 has an eye-level viewfinder, like a traditional camera.

Above are the cameras off and closed with lens caps. You can see how each is thicker than the previous model.

Above is with them on and the lenses at maximum zoom. Oddly, and I haven't investigated yet, the LX3's lens is at the WIDEST when it is fully extended, LONGEST when closest to the body. Counter to logic. But that's the case.

Above is them from above and off. As you see, the middle camera has a "hot shoe" for an external flash. All have built-in flashes, and surprisingly, the FZ40 cannot accept a separate flash.

Above is them all on and zoomed from the front and below is them off and lenses capped.

Now, as I stated above, I'd explain the lens names. "Elmar" was the least expensive lens for Leica cameras in the 1930's and onward. It was a collapsible lens and had four "elements" which is the name for the different shaped pieces of optical glass that makes up the lens. The TOP and most expensive Leica lens names all start with "Summ". The first lens I had for my IIIC (1946 vintage) Leica was the Summarit. Later on, they had other "Summ" names. Elmar and Hektor were names of pets of the chief Leica designer way-back-when. I'm not sure of the suffix "summ" in German, but I suspect it means something like "the top" or "Summit". Google "Leica lenses" for more on this topic.

Panasonic just came out with a their latest version of the DMC-LX series, the LX100. It is 13 megapixels and has 3.1 optical zoom of 24-75mm. The lens is a Lecia DC Vario-Summilux. The average Internet price is $899. I do not know the original prices for any of these.

These cameras are the 4th, 5th and 6th digital cameras that I've owned/used. Why these three types? I don't own, nor do I want a "smart" phone. Yet, I like the ability to whip out a camera and make a photo like so many do with their phones. The red one, being so shallow, sits nicely in my pants pocket. With it's 12X zoom it can capture a lot. The LX3 I like for the extremely sharp lens. I bought a leather case for it and carry it in my "tactical" shoulder bag. The FZ40 with it's larger pixel count and longer reach, better handling and eye-level viewfinder will also go in that bag. I just replaced the factory strap with a nice neoprene one and will keep the charger and spare battery in the bag too. 

My other three cameras? The first two, bought for me by my amazing wife (she gave each to me for Christmas a couple years apart). Both are Fujifilm FinePix models. The first was 1.3 megapixels and made a huge impact in my ebay auctions. Prior to that, I used film, paid for processing, then scanned each photo into the computer! I decided on the FinePix S7000 model which is similar to the FZ40 ins design and shape, as it has close-up focusing down to 1/2 inch. Yes, ONE HALF AN INCH! I've shot well over 50,000 photos with it and it works flawlessly. It is only SIX megapixels, but since I can only print 8 1/2 by 11 inches, it's fine. 6X optical zoom. F2.8-3.1 aperture. 

Lastly, I own a Nikon DSLR, several years old and also SIX megapixels. However, Nikon (and Pentax) are the ONLY camera makers that use the SAME mount since the 1950's. So almost any Nikon lens will mount on and can be used with my D70S camera. As it has an "APS-C" sized sensor, any 35mm lens has a 1.5X magnifier. So, a 50mm lens has a field of view on the D70S the same as a 75mm lens on a 35mm camera. Great for longer lenses, 200mm = 300mm, etc. Not so great for wide angles. Standard 18-50mm is equal to 27-75mm on a 35mm camera. Thus wide angle lenses for most (non-full-frame, i.e., 35mm-sized) DSLR cameras are harder to make and expensive. However, Nikon-mount 35mm lenses are dirt cheap and work great!

That should do it for now. Once again, thanks for the 50,000+ page views!

Scott