Ordered the M8's baby brother today, D-Lux 4

W

wblanchard

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I just ordered the Leica D-Lux 4 today after shooting with it for one week. They refer to it as the M8's baby brother.

I have to say, it kinda knocked my socks off with the images and how it performed.

Anyone else have a chance to handle one? I'm not giving up my M8, just find myself hooked on shooting with his little monster more and more.
 
I've got one, and yeah its a nice little camera. I love that the lens opens to f2 nice for low lighting situations....
 
I have the Pana LX3, which is the same camera for cheaper. It's great! The black and white modes are particularly nice looking. I think it's pretty much the best small-sensor camera ever.
 
I think I read on a UK forum camera test somewhere that the difference between the Leica and Panasonic is not just the red dot or lens coating, but Leica uses it's own curves in the camera. I emailed the guy at Pentax, the ceo who admits to using one, but haven't gotten a response back. Would be nice to confirm this though.
 
I got the LX3 just a few weeks ago and am really enjoying it. As for making it easier to hold, I've found that the leather Panasonic case helps particularly for those of us with larger hands.

-Randy
 
I think this "different jpg curves" in the firmware is a great big bunch of hooey.

Leica is incapable of writing firmware for it's German cameras, no less the Japanese-made ones.
 
morgan said:
But if you're shooting raw, that doesn't really matter though, right?
Click to expand...

It does not make too much sense to shoot RAW on the D-Lux4. I found it is very hard to better, and sometimes even to match, the in-camera JPG files, at least on the Leica version.
I found confirmation of that in the latest LFI, which has an extensive review.
It is a great little camera. It does not quite come up to the quality of M8 files, but it is one of the very best point and shoots out there, with a great lens. The option to use an optical viewfinder gives it a big-camera feel. It is certainly much preferable to the G1, if only because of the better files.
 
Ahmed Poltroon said:
I think this "different jpg curves" in the firmware is a great big bunch of hooey.

Leica is incapable of writing firmware for it's German cameras, no less the Japanese-made ones.
Click to expand...
Where did you get this gem of wisdom? I always learnt that it was better not to say anything and appear foolish instead of opening my mouth and remove all doubt....
 
jaapv said:
It does not make too much sense to shoot RAW on the D-Lux4. I found it is very hard to better, and sometimes even to match, the in-camera JPG files.
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I agree. The jpeg CA and purple fringing correction are incredibly good...there isn't much advantage to RAW with this camera.
 
Improve grip of LX3

Improve grip of LX3

I wrapped a piece of Griptac around the end of my LX3 and it significantly improved the grip on the camera. Highly recommend. On the LX3 it also covers that 1958 Detroit chrome embellishment.
 

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jaapv said:
It does not make too much sense to shoot RAW on the D-Lux4. I found it is very hard to better, and sometimes even to match, the in-camera JPG files, at least on the Leica version.
I found confirmation of that in the latest LFI, which has an extensive review.
It is a great little camera. It does not quite come up to the quality of M8 files, but it is one of the very best point and shoots out there, with a great lens. The option to use an optical viewfinder gives it a big-camera feel. It is certainly much preferable to the G1, if only because of the better files.
Click to expand...

So the D-Lux4 shoots 8 bit raw files? Sounds unlikely.
 
Trius said:
Also, there is a difference in the warranty, which would mean a lot to me.
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Earl, I would agree if the price differential weren't so large. As it is, given the Panasonic's one year warranty (which would cover so called "infant mortality" - the most common failure of electronic equipment), I can't see justification for the significant price differential merely for the additional two years of warranty for the Leica branded version. Particularly when that price differential would likely cover any service needed, should it arise after the first year, and goes a long way towards buying an entirely new camera if that is one's preference. Just my opinion, mind you.

-Randy
 
I' considering this camera as my first digital camera, but I'm disappointed by the price of the "additional" viewfinder and the fact it only is for the 24mm. Do you feel confortable to use the LCD ?
robert
 
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