I am still out cruising and somewhat handcuffed with the cost of satellite Internet to keep up on the Forums of late. Thought you might like some feedback my expereince with the Leica V-Lux-3 so far.
I have shot over 1500 phots to date in 2 months at sea. The camera, out of the box at time of departure, has been very easy to use and become familiar with...small booklet, but it screens most warnings and suggestions for best results as you use it....almost like Camera for Dummies built in. The Wide to Tele range is really useful out here and on tours, close up, etc. It sure beats the BIG anvils I have been used to and multiple lenses in the heavy bag!!
Results are great and having fun using it.

That said I have had one major problem....the Wide-Telephoto lever under the trigger became inoperative or very sticky and non responsive and over shot the desired shooting position until you exercised it....then froze again if you let is sit for a few hours!!
I contacted Tech Service for a remedy...I won't go into the first recomendation (unacceptable) but the come back was to use some hot soapy water and clean the lever and general area around the trigger!!
WALA, I used a drop of dish detergent we had in our cabin and a few drops of hot water and used a very small (between the teeth) dental brush to scrub down the round lever and the split between the body and lever and trigger area....it works fine now!!
I don't know if this was an accumulation of salt air contamination or perhaps some sticky fingers from various fruits we are given on various tours and that jammed up the lever.
This pretty much disables the camera and I wanted to share this issue with you incase you encounter it with your Leica or Panasonic.

I looked at the V-Lux 4 in Hong Kong yesterday...at over $1000 US there...I think I got a pretty fine deal at Willoghby's in NYC before I left....the -4 wasn't yet available.

Many Thanks to Ivan and Saeed for pointing out this little Gem to us. I am enjoying mine....except for the above glitch!!

Headed for Vietnam today on smooth seas after being hammered for 2 days coming up from Manila. Heading toward Africa and a month of cruising from Mozi down through SA, Namibia and all the way up the West Coast to Dakar before heading out to Cape Verde Is and Atlantic crossing....I am looking forward to this and lots of great pix!!
Cheers

What do you do? Are you a pirate?

I bet you have some pretty cool pics. Would like to see them.

I bought the V-Lux4 about 2 weeks ago. It seems to be a quality piece of equipment, I think I will like it!

Gentlemen,

Not distract from the point being put forward here that these Leica cemras are of very high quality - which they are.

But, for those who wish to have the exact same camera, minus some software which you might not need, you can get the Panasonic version at a lower price.

The Panasonic and Leicas are exact copies of each other.

But, Leica gives you more accessories, and a free copy of an Adobe Photoshop Elements software.

Saeed
They have the same optics in both?

Thanks

jim

Yes they do.

http://www.dpreview.com/review...onic-lumix-dmc-fz200

I bought the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 in December & my brother got an identical one. The quality of pictures is quite amazing.

You can see some pictures on my post in the Asian forum where I posted photos from my India trip. http://forums.accuratereloadin...6108036/m/8201015381

The quality of the good photos are a reflection of the quality of the camera and the not so good ones are a reflection of the skills of the photographer!

Hello Again...cruising coast of Vietnam, Saigon tomorrow...
One thing that is VERY important with these little gems is the power source. The battery supplied will not last a full day in the field of shooting say 100-200 pix, editing and more shooting.
My package purchase included a second battery including a fast charger and also a car cigarette lighter plug that you can charge with as well.
I am thinking about purchasing a third battery in Singapore for another spare...as you can guess in the rush of things and evening activities, somethimes the chargers don't get plugged in....and I have now run out of poop about 4PM on a full day in the field-TWICE!!...not reaching sunset...now yes, my fault...but nice to have a back up or two for those special shots not to be missed....that said, I am still carrying my Nikon Coolpix with two batteries...but NOT as flexible and quality of photos not nearly as good as the Leica...
Might be able to post some photos down the road but out here it by satellite and very expensive on a VERY slow system!! Feel handcuffed not to get my usual AR fix daily!!
Cheers