__hh
Well-known
I had a brief "play" with one in the camera shop the other day. I stopped playing with it and lost interest when I could not turn off the LCD screen.
Can someone prove me wrong - I would really want the ability for this camera to have an optical viewfinder on it and turn the LCD screen off.
Can someone prove me wrong - I would really want the ability for this camera to have an optical viewfinder on it and turn the LCD screen off.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
There's a menu option that allows you to choose to use an external VF, and when you engage it, it turns off the screen. This is pretty awkward, though--it would be great if there were a dedicated button.
pggunn
gregor
re:LX3 dedicated button
re:LX3 dedicated button
There are two custom settings - C1 and C2 - on the mode dial that can be set up anyway you want. Actually, the C2 setting allows access to three different custom settings via the menu. You can set up all the parameters you want including ISO, AF and metering modes, turn the LCD off, etc. then save those settings to one of the custom modes.
Another good feature is the quick menu button which provides access to film mode, metering mode, AF mode, WB settings, ISO, iE parameters, picture size and LCD mode on/off via one menu screen.
Also, when the LCD screen is turned off, certain parameters are still briefly displayed there, e.g. those for changing aperture, shutter speeds, etc. when using the appropriate controls. I have a 24mm VF on mine and have enjoyed it very much. It does have some quirks and limitations like all cameras, but overall I'm very pleased with it. It's small enough to carry everywhere, and fun to use.
re:LX3 dedicated button
There are two custom settings - C1 and C2 - on the mode dial that can be set up anyway you want. Actually, the C2 setting allows access to three different custom settings via the menu. You can set up all the parameters you want including ISO, AF and metering modes, turn the LCD off, etc. then save those settings to one of the custom modes.
Another good feature is the quick menu button which provides access to film mode, metering mode, AF mode, WB settings, ISO, iE parameters, picture size and LCD mode on/off via one menu screen.
Also, when the LCD screen is turned off, certain parameters are still briefly displayed there, e.g. those for changing aperture, shutter speeds, etc. when using the appropriate controls. I have a 24mm VF on mine and have enjoyed it very much. It does have some quirks and limitations like all cameras, but overall I'm very pleased with it. It's small enough to carry everywhere, and fun to use.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Fantastic, I didn't realize turning the screen off was an available option.!
__hh
Well-known
Now, this really changes my impression of the camera's functionality. Thank you for the info.
kipkeston
Well-known
looks awesome Aaron !
jky
Well-known
endustry... nice shots!
What do you think so far (lx3)?
What do you think so far (lx3)?
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Very encouraging.
It's a shame about adobe support. I wonder how much better you'd be able to do with proper RAW.
RicardoD
Well-known
Endustry,
Great stuff. I'm interested in getting the Leica version of this camera, the D-lux 4. One of the unique's on the Leica version (besides doubling the price!) is the RAW files support with Capture One 4 which I currently own (and which ships inbox with the Leica). I wonder if that can help improve the images beyond what the LX3 can. Although with a point-n-shoot like this I am interested in just getting great JPEGs out of the camera. Although I wonder how much time it will take before the other raw processor software out there starts supporting the RAW files of the LX3. Your LX3 shots look terrific.
Great stuff. I'm interested in getting the Leica version of this camera, the D-lux 4. One of the unique's on the Leica version (besides doubling the price!) is the RAW files support with Capture One 4 which I currently own (and which ships inbox with the Leica). I wonder if that can help improve the images beyond what the LX3 can. Although with a point-n-shoot like this I am interested in just getting great JPEGs out of the camera. Although I wonder how much time it will take before the other raw processor software out there starts supporting the RAW files of the LX3. Your LX3 shots look terrific.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
That's interesting...a different RAW format for the Leica?
jky
Well-known
Yeah likewise... I think the lcd just gives off a brighter representation of the scene so I've dialed my lcd brightness down a bit - it's slightly better now.
RicardoD
Well-known
There was one Photokina blog post that detailed Leica's claim that their D-Lux 4 image processing was different than the Panasonic LX3. Leica stated they are getting much more involved to differentiate their products from the Panasonic one's they are based off of. They are trying to sell the fact that it is not just an external camera reskin but that are involved in image processing differences. But one has to wonder if it truly has a different RAW format or just some unique header that in cooperation with Phase One, works with Capture One.
Its smart marketing on Leica's part to do this and have no idea whether other RAW processors out there will start to support the LX3 or not. I thank Phase One will not, but why would Adobe or Apple hold back on their products to support the RAW LX3 files.
In any case, this Panasonic LX3 is a great little camera and I think its just the beginning for those of us looking for quality instead of more megapixel's and other useless gimmicks.
Its smart marketing on Leica's part to do this and have no idea whether other RAW processors out there will start to support the LX3 or not. I thank Phase One will not, but why would Adobe or Apple hold back on their products to support the RAW LX3 files.
In any case, this Panasonic LX3 is a great little camera and I think its just the beginning for those of us looking for quality instead of more megapixel's and other useless gimmicks.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
rvaubel
Well-known
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
RicardoD, don't fall for it. Adobe will support the LX3 RAW soon, and when it does, the two cameras will be functionally identical.
endustry, those pics are excellent! BTW, my shots are also often underexposed by about 1EV. I suspect this is a conscious choice on the Panasonic's part--the camera is probably set up to avoid highlight clipping. Personally I like this--the K20D, my DSLR, is the same way, and since I shoot using AE 95% of the time, it has proved useful.
It is odd to find this on a point-and-shoot, though.
endustry, those pics are excellent! BTW, my shots are also often underexposed by about 1EV. I suspect this is a conscious choice on the Panasonic's part--the camera is probably set up to avoid highlight clipping. Personally I like this--the K20D, my DSLR, is the same way, and since I shoot using AE 95% of the time, it has proved useful.
It is odd to find this on a point-and-shoot, though.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
This BTW is from Eric Chan on the adobe forums:
mackigator
Well-known
I second mabelsound on the myths of Leica versions of these cameras - in all prior versions, LX1, LX2, etc, they are electronically identical and identical at the RAW file level. With the D-Lux 2, D-lux 3, you pay for the Leica name. Only.
If that is different with the LX3, it will be a first. Seing as how these cameras are built by Panasonic, both versions, it's hard for me to see how their identical twin nature would change.
If that is different with the LX3, it will be a first. Seing as how these cameras are built by Panasonic, both versions, it's hard for me to see how their identical twin nature would change.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Intentionally underexposing can help avoid clipped highs, but it comes at a price.
If you underexpose by a stop, you have to adjust in PP. Adding back that stop effectively raises the iso at which the image was captured. Your 100 iso image will have 200 iso noise...give or take a bit.
jbf
||||||
Out of curosity... Aaron are you using an optional viewfinder at all? I suspect not... that your using the screen to frame, etc. I'm sure the screen definately is useful for blending in and appearing like any other tourist (which is ideally what you want anyway).
sweathog
Well-known
I had a brief play with one at work today. I only had about 20 minutes, so nothing too exciting. The weather was awful too, so not many people about, and I wasn't allowed to take it outside for long. I really am in two minds about it.
On the one hand, it offers a lot that we (the collective photographer) have been clamouring for. The wide, fast lens is excellent, and in one way it is very easy to use.
That being said, it looks ridiculous when the lens is out (not really a big deal, I'll admit), and I find using the joystick to change aperture does not give me the spontaneity and ease of use I'd like.
In some cases the high ISO settings give an oppressive amount of noise, but in some shots (and I'm talking about colour) it seems interesting.
The AF I felt was slow. But the images were sharp.
I think I need to sepnd some more time with it, and may yet decide to purchase one, but I need to get much more familiarised with the controls...
It is a tricky one.
Here's a couple of shots from when I was messing around earlier:
On the one hand, it offers a lot that we (the collective photographer) have been clamouring for. The wide, fast lens is excellent, and in one way it is very easy to use.
That being said, it looks ridiculous when the lens is out (not really a big deal, I'll admit), and I find using the joystick to change aperture does not give me the spontaneity and ease of use I'd like.
In some cases the high ISO settings give an oppressive amount of noise, but in some shots (and I'm talking about colour) it seems interesting.
The AF I felt was slow. But the images were sharp.
I think I need to sepnd some more time with it, and may yet decide to purchase one, but I need to get much more familiarised with the controls...
It is a tricky one.
Here's a couple of shots from when I was messing around earlier: