Leica D2 for aquarium photography?

[RRodrigues]

Hi,

I'm upgrading from Canon Powershot S50 (5MP). What do you think about of Leica Digilux 2 for aquarium (and macro) photography?

Regards,
Ricardo Rodrigues

[gregr]

based on the review i read i would avoid this camera for aquarium photography. for macro photography it will perform poorly. i'm sure it's a very nice camera but for our [aquaria] needs it is inadequate and for that much money you can get a camera that will be much better suited for the kinds of shots we like to take of our tanks.
Greg

[RRodrigues]

What camera do you sugest Greg?

[llpoolej]

I think it is a cool looking camera, but it is a fixed lens camera at a very nice DSLR price. You could get the Canon 20D for that same price. I would buy the canon before the leica. This is only my impression of the camera, as I have never touched it before. It seems like a very cool, very attractive, yet average camera. I could be totally wrong

You could also buy the Nikon D70, for about $500 less than the leica

I am very partial in the 1k-$1500 range the D70, the 20D and the Olyumpus E-1. Not to mention the Maxxum 7D. All spec wise much more capable cameras

[RRodrigues]

Thanks Julie, the price for the Leica D2 is really high but I wonder if the image quality is so good like some people say?

Regards,
Ricardo

[llpoolej]

Research cameras on http://www.dpreview.com and http://www.steves-digicams.com

Here are some other point and shoot cameras which seem to have more options, more mp and about a grand less.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=leica_digilux2%2Ccanon_g6%2Cnikon_cp5700%2Coly_e300&show=all

I think the Leica is the Gucci handbag of the cameras. I could be very very wrong though. I don't know alot about the P&S cameras as I haven't researched them.

Look at those sites, ask around, see what the opinion is of people who know alot about cameras.

[gregr]

if it were a film camera, and you were willing to part with the many thousands of dollars it would cost you for a few lenses, i'd say go for the Leica because the lens quality is superb. however, and it's just my opinion, the quality does not warrant the price. just my opinion.
with digital it's a new ballgame for Leica- you'll still get the superb optical quality, but with digital cameras much of the final product depends on the sensor and Leica/Zeiss is not making their sensors.
anyways- i would always recommend the dslr route if you can afford it and really want to have control over your photo taking. if you want a point and shoot with a fixed [zoom] lens there are many many options and you can get great quality from some of those point and shoots.
my preferece for dslr's is Canon, but the other major manufacturers make fine products too. i'd take a good look at the 20D and 100mm macro lens for aquarium photography. add a 17-40L and 70-200L zoom to that and you have one fine package. you're bank account won't be so fine though :p

[RRodrigues]

Thank you all, I'm going for the dslr.

Ricardo Rodrigues