possibly changing

[ruffdog64]

I have a canon 1000d with tamron 70-300, 1d mk2 ,sigma 105 macro, canon 70-300 is ,nifty fifty and am considering getting rid of them for something smaller as there are many times when i just can`t be bothered to take it all with me and wondered if there is a bridge camera that will give me a wide range of settings without a huge drop in quality

 

[Digifrog]

It depends on budget of course? At a price you can downsize but also upgrade at the same time with a Leica M-E without any loss in quality, in fact a gain. A friend of mine bought one and hasn't used his DSLR since. Even the Leica X2 at half the price is a nice little camera. They aren't bridges though of course but at least you get Lightroom free with them.

I would imagine though you're after something a little more modest? The Leica V-Lux 4 is a good compromise but having not used one can't give any pro's/cons on this bridge or if it's good for vfm.
http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Leica_V-Lux_4_Digital_Camera

 

[woof woof]

I have a canon 1000d with tamron 70-300, 1d mk2 ,sigma 105 macro, canon 70-300 is ,nifty fifty and am considering getting rid of them for something smaller as there are many times when i just can`t be bothered to take it all with me and wondered if there is a bridge camera that will give me a wide range of settings without a huge drop in quality

Bridge cameras have probably moved on a lot since I owned one but why not look at... Micro Four Thirds?

I have a G1 and it's a lot lighter to carry it plus a lens than my 5D. I'm curently using mostly legacy lenses and enjoying it as at low to middle ISO settings the image quality is very good. More recent models will doubtless give better imae quality especially at the higher ISO's.

 

[mjogreen]

I've just stepped up from 1000d to 650d and I love it. Great quality shots too.

edit;

but I suppose, on re-reading your post, that's not what you want haha.

 

[woof woof]

The Leica V-Lux 4...

I'd not heard of that camera but I always wonder why people are willing to pay more for a Panasonic with a Leica badge than they would for a Panasonic with a Panasonic badge.

For example the Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ200 looks like a pretty good example of a bridge camera and is £300 cheaper than the Leica.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117310-leica-v-lux-4-pictures-and-hands-on

They say... "If Leica's your thing and you've got the spare cash then this prestigious-looking re-badge ought to be right up your street. There aren't better superzooms around - if you ignore the inflated price tag."

Ya make ya choice and ya pay ya money...

 

[nickjohnwatson]

I'd not heard of that camera but I always wonder why people are willing to pay more for a Panasonic with a Leica badge than they would for a Panasonic with a Panasonic badge.

For example the Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ200 looks like a pretty good example of a bridge camera and is £300 cheaper than the Leica.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117310-leica-v-lux-4-pictures-and-hands-on

They say... "If Leica's your thing and you've got the spare cash then this prestigious-looking re-badge ought to be right up your street. There aren't better superzooms around - if you ignore the inflated price tag."

Ya make ya choice and ya pay ya money...

You're exactly right. Its that you are paying for a name. Its like buying an Audi a4 over a top spec passat or similar. Its the sane under the skin just people prefer the Audi badge. (Not having a go at Audi drivers btw!)

The 25-600 focal range with constant f2.8 sounds appealing. The reach is the one thing I miss about having a bridge before I had a dslr. The focal range is fantastic on them.

 

[woof woof]

And I'm not really having a go at Leica.

If you want a digital rangefinder now that Epson (who were first to make one) are out of the market your only option is Leica and as they have the market in digital rangefinders to themselves they can charge what ever they like.

But. Their rebadged Panasonic cameras bring nothing new to the table, they're just a cynical badge job. See Below...

All of my posts are strictly IMVHO.

 

[ruffdog64]

Thanks for the options guys it`s certainly given me food for thought

 

[Harlequin565]

I sold up my Canon gear because it was all to heavy and bulky to lug around. I went with Fuji (chose the X-E1 over the X-Pro 1). I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made.

The X-E1 is a great camera (as is the X-Pro 1 if you have more money/different needs - I started an X-E1 vs X-Pro 1 thread here if you want to know more) and the lenses are stunning.

Ian.