Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens

Product Description

The ability to shoot while viewing the LCD monitor is an advantage offered only by digital cameras. With a viewing angle that approaches 100%, the LCD monitor makes it easy to frame shots and gives you a wealth of information at a glance. Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is, in partnership with Leica, a pro-grade camera that's easy to use for everyday and toward creative potential. Focusing Area - 0.29m at all focal lengths; Focus Type - TTL Phase Difference Detection System; Modes - AFS / AFC / MF AF Assist Lamp ISO Sensitivity Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 White Balance - Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color Temperature Setting 2500k to 10,000K in 31 steps Exposure - Program AE / Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE / Manual Exposure Compensation - 1/3 EV Step, +- 2 EV Auto Bracketing (AE) 1/3 - 1EV Step +2EV, 3 or 5 Frames TTL Full Aperture Light Metering by 49 Zone Multi-Pattern Sensing System (optical viewfinder) / 256 Zone Multi-Pattern Sensing System (Live View Mode) Shutter Speed 1/400th to 60 and bulb (up to approximately 8 minutes) Self Timer 10 seconds / 2 seconds Recording Format JPEG (Design rule for camera file system based on Exif 2.21 standard); DPOF corresponding; RAW Electronic-Flash - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Off / Shoe for external unit 2.5 LCD Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1500mAh) (Included) / Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input - 110-240V AC) (Included) PictBridge USB and NTSC/PAL interface Uses SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card for recording images Unit Dimensions (H x W x D) 3.42'' x 5.74'' x 3.15'' / Weight 1.17 lbs

Customer Reviews:

Panasonic DMC_L1.......2007-12-24

I preface this review with the note that I am a professional photographer of some 37 years. I have used nearly every camera from sub-miniature to 11x14 view cameras. I liked this camera for the past year but was hesitant to purchase it because of the price. When the price dropped to below $1000 I just had to jump on it. I am very pleased with the results. The lens is one of my best. It is very sharp and I love the fact the f stops are on the barrel. It handles like my old film cameras. The only downside I have found thus far is the rather dim viewfinder.
All in all Panasonic has a winner here.

Panasonic got it right!.......2007-12-20

This camera is the best dSLR I've ever used, hands down. Gorgeous photos right out of the box. Color is perfect, white balance is great, and that Leica LENS, oh what a lens. Sharp, no distortions, even at wide angle. I've been shooting at ISO 100-400, and there is no noise. The camera itself is solid and well-built, and even the sound of the shutter feels luxuriously deluxe. I have another Leica, so I expected the lens to be amazing, but who knew the Panasonic camera body would be just as fabulous?

The folks that complain about button placement and accidentally changing settings must have big thick fingers or something. I'm a woman with normal-sized hands, and it all seems perfectly comfortable to me. The controls are so intuitively designed, and you don't have to drill down through a dozen menus to find what you need. If I could give this camera 6 stars, I would.

WARNING - Panasonic's quality control and customer support.......2007-09-30

I owned the L1 for just 5 weeks when it started malfunctioning. When the shutter speed dial was set to "A", it would start rapidly fluxuating between the correct shutter speed as calculated from the Automatic "A" mode and 1/4000th of a second. This is most likely because the "A" is next to "4000" and there is a bad contact or insulator between the two contacts. This renders the camera as inoperable except for Shutter priority mode. Apeture priority and full Auto cannot be used. In addition to this main problem, the instant review feature stopped working and would only show taken images intermitently.

To make matters worse, they had my camera for 3 weeks and I heard nothing from them. I called and they apologized and said that my paper work had gotten separated from the camera and that they would have it repaired immediately and I would have it back within a week. Guess what? It's now been 6 weeks and no camera nor communication from Panasonic. I called Panasonic 3 times this past week leaving messages for my Customer Service rep and he is not returning my calls.

At this point, I no longer want the camera as my vacation and planned events for which I purchased the camera for have long passed. Only having had the camera for 5 weeks and then having to have it serviced is like pruchasing a refurb or something and Panasonic keeping it for 6 weeks is totally unacceptable. I am calling Panasonic everyday and they are not responding -- be very careful...

A pleasent surprise - DMC-L1.......2007-06-12

Although I thought this "four thirds" camera might be a little smaller than it is, I am very pleased with the ease of use and the quality of the images. It is simple to use and controls are in logical locations. The "Live View" has been of value as well as the option to shoot 5 shot bracked exposures for HDR. The camera is a little pricey but the lens quality makes it worth it. Construction is solid too.

German optics merge with japanese technology.......2007-06-01

I own this nice hefty camera for a couple of weeks and have been honeymooning with this camera and its wonderful performance. This is my third DSLR (Canon was very fine, Nikon also pretty fine) Shooting in RAW and using photoshop 5 Elements (as well as the included not so shaby software)produced some very impressive pictures. Just ask my family and friends. I must say that Leica optics peek through loud and clear. The pictures are very real and subject matter is so well captured and defined. Colors are very Leica typical.
That being said, this is not your all purpose snapshot camera. It's a little big and heavy for that. There are lots of great little point and shoot cameras that will give this camera a run for the money. I keep one in my pocket all the time just for those quick "Kodak Moments" The L-1 is more of a tool for the creative artist and detail seeking photographer. (a nut like me). It allows you to go totally manual in the way of the old SLR's. It can receive all kinds of filters for landscapes and special effects. It also reverts back to all auto settings that yield very impressive results. I think that the marriage (arranged one at that) of Panasonic and Leica is excellent. Structual quality is excellent.
Now I have learned that the beautiful and responsive Leica kit lens can be purchased seperately to fit other cameras that have the four thirds mount. (Olympus DSLR is a good example) But if you shop this camera carefully, you may find that this whole L-1 package comes out much cheaper. You camera nerds out there may find little faults in button placements or too little this and not enough that, etc. That's just fine. It can be said that every camera has its little faults if you look for them. That's why new models appear every time you turn around. Bottom line is the final result. To me those results thus far have been nothing short of jaw dropping. Comapared to some real megabuck Leicas and megasbyte Hassy's or whatever, it mostly all comes down to the photographer. The L-1 is a wonderful and pretty important piece of equipment. I love it and am waiting to get the new Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens to round out my camera bag and head for the mountains. By the way, get a high quality Polarizing filter and see what fabulous landscapes/seascapes you will generate on you SD cards with this L-1. (I use Sandisc ExtremeIII 2GB cards and shoot RAW)It felt good to say that.
If you enjoy photography, this is as nice as you can get for the money (even at twice the price)Go for it.
Leopold.

Product Description

Alpen is proud to introduce the Rainier binocular series. These binoculars provide the best optical and mechanical craftsmanship available today. From the rugged magnesium body to the ultra precision ground and polished optical elements, Rainier d

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