Leica Digilux 2.

[Unregistered]

Hi Everyone, im new here.
Im planing on buying a Digilux 2 from Leica. Can an owner please tell me de benefits of this camera, im consern about de 5MP. Please help me to choose.

Thanks, you have a great web page.

fer juaristi

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

Hello,
I've had a Digilux 2 for over a year now, I'm extremely happy with it. The 5mp has been adequate, I've been able to produce 16x20 from this camera, my clients have been extremely pleased with the results. The camera interface is mostly analog (rings on the lens to change aperture, focus, focal length, and shutter speeds mounted on a dial atop the body). Brilliant 2.5'' LCD on the back. Some complain about the EVF, I've not found it to be a problem. I like it because I can see how the camera is metering the scene through it, something you can't do with an optical finder. The built in flash, with its bounce capabilities is great, but I also have a Leica SF24D that I use alot.
In short, I have no complaints. I have alot of cameras, new and old, analog and digital, this is far and away the best, and my favorite.
I've attached a couple of sample images.
Hope you enjoy your D2, should you decide to get it.

 

[r-h]

Hi,
I own a Panasonic LC-1. Same camera (just the software package is different). Just two remarks:
1. Shooting in RAW mode ist slow - 5 sec. to write the picture on the card.
2. Noise on higher ASA settings (100 is fine).
Beside that - perfect for me - classic layout, superb built quality.
At the time bought, the Leica would have cost here in Germany 600 $ more that the Panasonic - a little too much for a red dot.
Regards
Robert

 

[Joerg]

Hi,

I am a happy user for some 9 month now (that is of the Panasonic version).
I like it a lot and have great fun taking pictures with this little gem. The printing size is more than sufficient for me and the picture quality is outstanding.
Having the controls "old style" accessible iswhat this camera is all about and after the first week and finding "your set up" you rarely need the menus.
I would preferr a little longer zoom and a higher useable ISO rating.

All in all if the camera fits your style highly recommended.

Ciao Joerg

 

[Chuck A]

I owned a Panasonic LC1 for about a year. It is the exact same camera as the D2 as Panasonic makes them both anyway.

Pros:
1) Superb zoom lens that covers 28-90 field of view. I can't say enough about this lens. It is by far the best lens for a small sensor camera. Distortion is low and CA is almost non-existant. Sharpness and micro contrast are superb. Almost giving your 5mp files the resolution of a 6mp camera.
2) The camera produces beautiful JPG files that I often had a hard time replicating in PS. I would try shooting in the RAW + JPG setting and then try to replicate the JPG in PS. Often it was difficult. The in-camera [rocessing is very good.
3) Great ergonomics. If you like the shutter spreeds on a dial at the top of the camera and the aperture ring on the lens then this is a digital you may love. It is a little larger and thicker than a Leica M and handles in a similar manner.
4) The 2.5 in LCD is superb and is visible in any light.
5) I made some 11x14 size prints from this camera that were excellent. There is shadow noise that shows at this size even at ISO 100.
6) This camera is completely silent when taking photos. This can be a great asset.

Now for the bad:
1) While the lens has a nice manual focusing ring the camera is very slow to manual focus. This is mainly the problem of the EVF which doesn't show detail all that well.
2) The RAW buffer is, well there is no RAW buffer. If you shoot RAW, you will wait at least 6 seconds for the next shot.
3) The AF speed is leisurely. Especially in low light. Shutter lag is pretty good if you prefocus, but you can't shoot very quickly with the AF.
4) While the aperure ring on the lens is a plus, it moves too easily. I often found that my aperture had changed on me while shooting in A mode.
5) Files can be noisy, even at ISO 100 if you make a large print.
6) Files are just too noisy above ISO 100 and there is a detail destroying noise reduction that kicks in that can't be controlled. ISO 1600 is a bit better on a DSLR that 400 on this camera.

Some points that can go either way. Because this is a small sensor camera, DOF is huge and you can never get away from that. If you want large DOF, this camera is great. Forget about small DOF shots, even at 90mm f/2.4 the DOF is huge.

So, what does this all mean. I actually liked this camera and used it extensively. It was small and light and took great shots. In the end the RAW buffer and slow AF with very slow MF as well convinced my to sell it. I am still waiting for the camera that I want. Maybe I will have to make it myself.

Good luck in your search.