dimage z1

[macross]

At sitex 2003, minolta is offering dimage z1 at $799 w the following bundle: tripod, lens cleaning kit, sanyo quick charger, card reader, 256mb mem card and case.

i am considering getting it, but need some advice for this model, so advice from z1 users (past or present) is much appreciated. thx.

 

[tbteng]

Offering my views. I think if you are headed for something with a 10x, I would recommend Olympus. Why? Tried and tested. Considering Z1's recent launch, I have already seen it being sold off as 2nd hands in Yahoo Auctions already. So are Fuji's S5000 on the net as well. I have not seen Z1's shots but I saw a fellow snapper's shot on dragonflies & frogs using macro. I compared the shot to a Canon 10D on Macro mode on a another fellow snapper and boy-o-boy, the pictures look fantastic! We can never underestimate Olympus's C-750! :bigeyes:

 

[deslim27]

No experience with Z1.. just got some link for you..

From here..
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=52726

From dpreview.. and lots more..
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6762717
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6764396
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6766783
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6753296
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6716960

 

[macross]

thx deslim for ur link.

thx tbteng for ur advice. yes, i was looking for 10x, and the two candidates i have in mind is c750 followed by z1.

the offer for z1 looks attractive: $799 with 256mb card among others; compare with $999 with 128mb card and others for c750. furthermore, sd/mmc card is cheaper than xd card.

at the end of the day, i think every cent counts; which is y c750 is more x. i think i will settle for c750.

thx for the helps.

 

[sabre]

Try giving a call to MSColor. I think they have a fantastic deal for the Z1. If I'm not wrong, they are representing minolta at the SITEX, and I got quoted $749 for the package. I believe the price will be much lower if you're a regular and give up the freebies.... (much less than $700)

 

[cyberkinetic]

Actually think I'm going for the Z1 after reading through a ton of postings from dpreview as well as physically trying out the two(Z1 and the 750).

Though the Z1 looks a little quirky.. kindda feels comfortable in my hands(probably used to holding SLR body - my EOS 300 which I'm selling). Although if choosing for convenience of bringing along trips, i think the Oly 750 is definitely more compact. Too small for my hands though i think, i guess i can live with a little more size.

Price wise... well, the Minolta is the only one which I think bundles the "sensible" freebies, so at the price of $799, think it's quite ok for me as I'm starting fresh as the stuff are all pretty SOP items which i need to buy anyway. Dun really feel like paying for stuff like those wat umbrellas, bagpack, blah blah blah.. imho.

Only thing stopping me from getting it on Fri was that no one there at the Minolta counter can tell me more details abt the wide-angle lens adapter.. one quoted me S$50 for it!! and told me it was 1.5x magnifier!! i then politely told him there must be a mistake, shouldn't the ratio be 0.75x or something?hehe.. still insist he is right.. and when i asked if I pay $799+50 would means that I can get the Z1 and then collect the wide angle adapter lens(stock not in yet they say) at MS Color subsequently, he told me "why do u want to buy now and pay upfront when the stock is not here? " geez... funny how they do business.. I then asked if he can get me more info as to when it's arriving and stuff.. "maybe tomorrow or the day after... or maybe longer..." I then asked how I can contact them, din noe it was MS Color u see.. he told me " i will be ard tomorrow and the day after, if you are coming by, u can look for me.. " duh! hehe.. guess i spoke to the wrong person..

Yo Sabre, are u telling me that the S$799 price can be bargained? I'm a sucker when it comes to bargaining.. hehe...

Cheers

 

[macross]

i went sitex again today. tried to ask for a quote for c750 if i don't want the freebies. actually tried twice, with different person, but not successfully. one of them even told me that the freebies is worth $400, and the the camera alone is > $900. (the quote that i get from alan a few days ago is $840)

about the freebies. the tripod looks weak, also w/o quick release.
the olympus rech batt kit is only 1600 mAh. as i have 2 sets of rech batt already, this is not attractive to me. also, photoshop elements, xD cardreader, lens pen, etc are not attactive to me either.
so y should i pay more for the freebies which are useless to me?

i will try again tomorrow. maybe ask for the camera and 2 x 128mb cards.

i have also asked the counter. 128mb and 256mb cards are at $100 and $200 resp.

 

[macross]

i agree with cyberkinetic. the freebies for z1 seems better to me too.

i also did ask info about lens adapter for z1. the person just say coming soon, but cannot give me details. this is one reason y i am more likely to get c750.

 

[sabre]

Actually think I'm going for the Z1 after reading through a ton of postings from dpreview as well as physically trying out the two(Z1 and the 750).

Though the Z1 looks a little quirky.. kindda feels comfortable in my hands(probably used to holding SLR body - my EOS 300 which I'm selling). Although if choosing for convenience of bringing along trips, i think the Oly 750 is definitely more compact. Too small for my hands though i think, i guess i can live with a little more size.

Price wise... well, the Minolta is the only one which I think bundles the "sensible" freebies, so at the price of $799, think it's quite ok for me as I'm starting fresh as the stuff are all pretty SOP items which i need to buy anyway. Dun really feel like paying for stuff like those wat umbrellas, bagpack, blah blah blah.. imho.

Only thing stopping me from getting it on Fri was that no one there at the Minolta counter can tell me more details abt the wide-angle lens adapter.. one quoted me S$50 for it!! and told me it was 1.5x magnifier!! i then politely told him there must be a mistake, shouldn't the ratio be 0.75x or something?hehe.. still insist he is right.. and when i asked if I pay $799+50 would means that I can get the Z1 and then collect the wide angle adapter lens(stock not in yet they say) at MS Color subsequently, he told me "why do u want to buy now and pay upfront when the stock is not here? " geez... funny how they do business.. I then asked if he can get me more info as to when it's arriving and stuff.. "maybe tomorrow or the day after... or maybe longer..." I then asked how I can contact them, din noe it was MS Color u see.. he told me " i will be ard tomorrow and the day after, if you are coming by, u can look for me.. " duh! hehe.. guess i spoke to the wrong person..

Yo Sabre, are u telling me that the S$799 price can be bargained? I'm a sucker when it comes to bargaining.. hehe...

Cheers

Try looking for Florence, I believe she is there at the fair and probably is in-charged of the booth. She should be more knowledgeable and perhaps able to give you a better price.

As for the sales people, I believe a lot of the people (including other booths) are temps... they may not be knowledgeable enough in photography, let alone have in-depth knowledge about their own products. So expect this from the counter staffs. I think you already know that you should have already done your research and the SITEX show is just an opportunity for you to try out the gear for last confirmation and for securing a good deal. So if the counter staff you are speaking to is not helpful, try looking for another.

As for comparison between z1 and c750, I can't comment much since I have not played with both of them. But what I can say is that given z1's attractive pricing, it is a pretty good contender looking at it's specifications. But do note that final image quality is not entirely determined by specifications.

Finally, if you have more moola, you may want to get the more battle-tested c750.

 

[cyberkinetic]

probably going for the Z1 cos still gotta save some moola for the wide-angle adapter for a complete package. Will look for Florence later when I'm there.

Thanks Sabre.

 

[macross]

probably going for the Z1 cos still gotta save some moola for the wide-angle adapter for a complete package. Will look for Florence later when I'm there.

Thanks Sabre.

cyberkinetic, so did u get z1?

i have no luck in getting c750 w/o the freebies, so i did not buy anything. tried at 8:30 pm today, but they say they only sell the package deal.

 

[cyberkinetic]

cyberkinetic, so did u get z1?

i have no luck in getting c750 w/o the freebies, so i did not buy anything. tried at 8:30 pm today, but they say they only sell the package deal.

No leh... initial plan was to arrange to meet buyer of my EOS 300 so can get the cash to go down. No replies from him. sianz 1/2

Then change of mind thinking if can't sell current SLR setup, dun need the package at Sitex cos I'll still have my tripod, bag etc.. in the end arranged with my friend who kenna psycho by me on the Z1 to go down to MS Color next week to look for Florence(whom my fren got to talk to at Sitex, pleasant lady he said. ;p ) and then see how we can work out a deal on 2x Z1s.

I was nonetheless there at i think abt 7+pm just to have a second look and feel abt the Z1.. whoa.. people mountain people sea.. beat a hasty retreat after abt 1/2 hour.

And so the story continues in Cyberkinetic's quest for his digicam...

Cheers

 

[cyberkinetic]

Btw, do we have any Z1 users here who can share their views?

Only thing bugging me now is the wide angle adapter lens... can't seem to find much info on it on the web... posted in Dpreview forum also no reply.. The wide angle lens it seems will only come in a week or more later... i'll probably search ard the web these few days to get more info on it..

After Sitex, I believe there should be more Z1 as Florence told my fren it sold really well there... share share your first hand thoughts on the Z1?

Another question: If we got the connector for the lens(pardon the english... dun really know how to phrase it) that should also mean that I can attach filters such as UV or Polarizer on the Z1? Of course gotta get compatible diameter ones.. ;p

Thanks in advance.. gotta be a couple more sleepless nights surfing the web..

Cheers

 

[macross]

my colleague managed to get z1 package at $780 at the last day.

 

[corollax]

Beware... shutter lag is worse for C-750 than Z1.

Z1 owner

 

[cyberkinetic]

Friend got quoted $630 at Sim Lim (store name he forgot), includes 64MB SD card and tripod...

Going down with him this weekend to check it out.

 

[tbteng]

Normally if the prices go way to low, I get taken a back. Not that I don't trust that shop but especially in SLS. They often quote crazy prices but when you drop by, they tell you NO stock....or its attached with terms and conditions like you must upgrade this of buy that to be entitled to this price.

 

[cyberkinetic]

hehe... not surprised... anyway, no harm go take a lot. Can go Alan Photo look see look see...

Still trying to get info of the wide angle lens adapter...

 

[HydroPoP]

I've just got an e-quote from Cathay Photo:

Z1 = $620 excluding GST, free 64mb SD card, card reader and tripod.

Good Deal?

:think:

 

[mpenza]

if the Z1 has a lens adaptor, you could use any appropriate wide-angle converter with it. Olympus WCON07 is a good quality one that won't disappoint (it's better than many other manufacturer's converters). You just need to check for vignetting (dark corners) with the lens at the wide-angle position.