A New Camera

One item that helped me choose, Leica lens.

My 3.2Mp camera is jsut not as sharp as the LF1

Advantage is the eye level view finder.  I will forego a better camera when it does not have a view finder.  Why manufactures are too cheap to put a view finder on all their cameras, especially the higer priced ones is asinine. Disadvantage is the dumb lay-put of the power switch and shutter release switch.  Same on the Leica-C. The back is not scratched; it is reflecting the muslin under the camera.

The control ring is nice and I've found I can reassign it to what I like or use as a stepped zoom to fixed focal lengths.  Some reviews state it cannot be reassigned.  Maybe the reviewers did not give it a try.

Unlike the Leica-C the LF1 has anchors for a neck strap on both sides.  Even though this is a tiny camera I like using a neck strap. 

The camera is not much larger than the Jackalope sticker.

Montana Luxe taken with the Lumix DMC-LF1 under the same lighting none of my other digital cameras seem to like.  The LF1 auto white balance is quite good and fast.

I've not shot more than a few dozen pictures with the camera yet.  Mostly boring flower macros. Macro focus is 3cm to infinity with zoom on the control ring.

What I like about the camera is the 12.1 Mp 1/1.7 sensor, processor, the control ring, view finder, fast response, 2 strap anchors, Leica lens, many of the functions, Nice lens range, ISO range, and small size.  I wanted a pocket camera for my trip, but the camera had to be a functional as near to pro camera as I could afford.  The most impressive thing about this camera is it is available for about $250.00  from several reputable suppliers in NYC.  I got mine with a spare battery, charger, and Class 10 64MB Sandisk SD card for just over $250 which was about what I expected budget-wise.

What I do not like is the power switch and shutter release switch locations, no grip, no hot shoe. 

A tilting LCD screen like Sony uses would be nice, but I do not miss my old Sony much.  The lack of a grip will be corrected as soon as my Fipbak G4 arrives.

How does this compare to an Olympus Stylus 1?  The Stylus has a nicer traditional design, hot shoe, centered view finder, selectable video speed modes, constant F:2.8 for all focal lengths, and similar 12.1Mp sensor.  A much nicer compact camera for Mrs. M and her bird watching.

Note on the Montana being nicer to use than my Baby.  I used the Hermes Baby quite often and even on a few trips due to its weight (less than a Skyriter).  It is not all that great of a typer though.  First off every sheet catches the ribbon covers as it is started, touch is mediocre at best.  It has a more solid sound than the Montana, but still a cheap sound.

The Montana feeds paper smoother, has a better touch and sounds about the same as the Baby.  I had not been using it since it needed a ribbon.  Now with a new ribbon it even has a nicer typeface than the Baby.

Both typewriters need their platen recovered and the Montana has some minor flat spots on the paper feed pressure rollers.  I did not weigh them, but they seem to feel about the same weight; both lighter and a bit smaller than a Skyriter.  Neither type as good as a Smith-Corona Skyriter.