digilux2 ?

[jjanek]

Hi everybody,
although I know final answer must be mine, I would appreciate your help. Until now I was not happy with any digital compact (Canon G9, Oly 5050, Panny LX3) usually not because of image quality, but mostly because "lack of control" - exposure and especially focus (I like to prefocus lens for faster work). I am quite satisfied with Leica M6 but on some occasions digital would be more convenient. Now I can buy digilux 2 (better say its panasonic equivalent lc1), which seems to be the most "analogue" digi compact camera all round. But could it be used similarly enough to M series? Is its use fast and "fluid" Or is it necessary to spend more and go directly to R-D1? Thanks a lot and excuse my english
Janek

 

[kknox]

Digilux 2

Digilux 2

I have an M & also the Digilux 2. The lens on the Digilux 2 is killer. Where else can you get a 2.0 Summicron Zoom lens & camera for under 1k anywhere. The photos that come out look almost like film, but it gives you the chance to shoot digital in manual & Automatic mode. For the money you cant beat it.

 

[kshapero]

Depends on the price. You might also look at the Pany L1 and its Leica version.

 

[kuzano]

The Digilux 3 is the Panasonic L1 equivalent.

The Digilux 3 is the Panasonic L1 equivalent.

The Digilux 3 and Panasonic L1 came with the same 14-50 Mega Ois lens (which is a monster) f2.8-3.8. Great lens with a manual focus ring that works well.

Being 4/3rds mount, they both take a wide array of lens, both 4/3 and legacy (manual focus) lenses using adaptors.

The camera is closest to an analog control digital largish sensor 7Mp, without being an actual rangefinder like the RD-1.

I had the L1 and liked it very much. Leica would have you believe that the Digilux 3 has some programming making it improved over the Panasonic, but I do not believe that. I believe the Digilux 3 is a rebadged Panasonic L1.

 

[laptoprob]

The D2 is a great camera, but has it's limitations. The sensor is small, so short depth of focus is difficult. Higher iso (max400) is challenged by noise, but esp. in BW it works very well.
It is a relatively compact and leightweight camera. Perfect for travel. The first zoom lens I know that works very well. And at f2-f2,4 it is fast.
The EVF is - well - electronic. Nothing beats an optical finder. But it does show you what you will get. Great with BW filtering.
Never used RAW because it takes ages to write. But the jpegs are just great. You can tweak sharpness, contrast and saturation as you like.
Never had a problem with shutter lag myself, but I hate AF. AF tends to hunt in low light.

No camera is perfect, I guess.

Oh yes, the camera's functionality is perfect. Zoom, focus and aperture rings are where you'd expect them, shutter speed dial too. Flash is nifty and can bounce. If you want to use it, just open it. If not, don't.

 

[kshapero]

I have an adapter that allows any Nikon lens to fit on a 4/3 mount (Olympus DSLR, Leica Digilux 3 and Panasonic L1) I would like to sell.

 

[rpsawin]

I agree with laptoprob's comments. My major complaint is the evf...I just don't like it but I have come to beleive it's no worse that others.

Bob

 

[robklurfield]

jjanek, I'll also agree with laptoprob.

At the price I paid when my Digilux was new, it was not a good deal. At the price that I'm considering selling mine for, I think it's a great camera.

It does have limitations, but at current market prices, I have no problem (remember that these puppies were going for $1850 five years ago... ouch for those of us who paid that much). The lens is great. I got many nice images with it. Now that I have an M8 (which I unfortunately paid for by parting, very reluctantly with my beloved M4, which I owned for 27 years, and an M6 Classic that I owned for 10), I no longer use the Digilux. Mourning my film M's, I just bought an M2 (please hurry, Mr. Postman). Luckily, my wife has not clobbered me for this yet. I've not used a RD-1, so I don't any opinion on that. You're talking different categories of handling, flexibility, lens choice (vs. no choice), etc., plus a rather big price differential (RD-1's seem to be going for around $1,000 to $1,300 these days versus $500-600 for a Digilux).

The Digilux handles nicely, but it's no M. You have a great deal of flexibility in terms of manual input (focusing and exposure). I liked the fact that one can change the metering pattern.

If you buy one, make absolutely certain that it's had the sensor replaced by Leica. They were all defective. If the sensor hasn't been replaced, you can be sure it will need it in short order. Leica did mine at no charge after the warranty had expired, but they insisted on proof of purchase (I guess they'd only do the repair gratis for the original owner). The new sensor has been perfectly good.

My biggest problem with the camera is that I became lazy and let it do too much of the work. I can't blame the camera for that. That was my fault. However, I did enjoy it so much that I took more shots with it than with my M6 and M4 most of the time. Watching them collect dust is what moved me to swap them for the M8. Now, missing them, I'm anxious to get my M2.

Anyway, for the price, I think'll you find the Digilux a fun and handy tool that will let you make manual choices when you want. Don't sell your M6, though, as I can promise you'll soon be in the market for another M.

good luck.

 

[jjanek]

thanks all of you, does anyone have raw samples to download?
J.

 

[bojanfurst]

LC1 was the very first digital camera I ever bought. It has lots of limitations, but it does produce amazing files. I shot an entire assignment with it and the photos were blown up to 10 x 10 inches in a publication and looked very good indeed. It is pretty much 100 ASA camera. The lens is absolutely magnificent. I will see, if I can post a RAW file somewhere so you can take a look later today. In the meantime, here are a few of my favourite LC1 shots...

Sorry for the deluge of photos. I do love my LC1.