Panasonic LC1/Leica Digilux 2: My first attempts

[raid]

I received yesterday my LC1, and I started this morning inspecting the camera and the settings. I kept most settings as they are, and I changed ISO to 100. I get RAW and JPG together, which is OK. There is a 1GB card in place, which may be sufficient since the image files are not very large. I took 5 photos quickly, out of which 3 came out sharp enough. I did not try to enhance the images with PS.

I may use the camera this weekend. I am being lazy, and I am using AF. This could be a good "retirement camera". It slows you down. The metal camera body looks and feels cool. The Vario Summicron seems to be an awesome lens. It is 28-90/2.0-2.4 in 35 equivalent terms. If it gets stolen, no big deal. It has a built-in flash. I never use flash.

 

[raid]

I paid $315 for the camera, here at RFF. Thank you, Bill. It came with 3 batteries and a charger. There is also a nice lens hood with lens cap and protector filter included. The camera has sensitivity ISO 100-200-400. This is it. It is back to basics.

 

[jesse1dog]

Raid - nice buy!
Not sure where your focus has been because on my monitor the eyes could be sharper - are you on full aperture with AF?

j

 

[raid]

Hi Jesse,
I am in learning mode. I had the lens set to A and not to 2.0, say. Also, each time I took a photo, a red warning symbol flashed, and I figured later out that the camera was not stable. Motion caused the blurring. I will learn! I was in the shade, and I used iSO 100. It is fun to learn again.

 

[daveleo]

Raid

I checked your EXIF data and the image I checked was shot at 1/5sec. Definitely motion blur.
At ISO100, window sidelight is going to be a challenge.

(Advice from a Digilux2 lover)

 

[JP Owens]

Always wanted to try a Digilux 2. I bought the original Digilux (Digilux 1?), but didn't keep it very long. It was a beautiful camera that produced terrible quality photos. I understand that with modern software, you can wrangle better photos from it.

The Digilux 2 was said to have solved some of those issues. Anxious to see more photos, Raid.

 

[raid]

I am stubborn, so I kept ISO 100 and I switched the lens to 2.0 to see if I can reduce motion blur. Maybe not!
1/5 sec is not fast.

 

[daveleo]

Raid, those are a 1/6sec. No way you can hand hold at that speed and not get blur.

The D2/LC1 makes *beautiful* JPG images right out of the camera (at ISO100), but it needs tons of light.

 

[raid]

Always wanted to try a Digilux 2. I bought the original Digilux (Digilux 1?), but didn't keep it very long. It was a beautiful camera that produced terrible quality photos. I understand that with modern software, you can wrangle better photos from it.

The Digilux 2 was said to have solved some of those issues. Anxious to see more photos, Raid.

I was unaware of the Digilux cameras until a couple of weeks ago or so. I was curious why so many users of the Digilux 2 talked about it as if it were a (digital) cult camera. With modern software, images can be improved a little to look better.

 

[raid]

Raid, those are a 1/6sec. No way you can hand hold at that speed and not get blur.

The D2/LC1 makes *beautiful* JPG images right out of the camera (at ISO100), but it needs tons of light.

OK, Dave. I will try to use ISO 400 in the shade. 1/6 sec is still way too slow.

 

[daveleo]

OK, Dave. I will try to use ISO 400 in the shade. 1/6 sec is still way too slow.

Wait, wait.
The D2/LC1 is a much-loved cult camera (I'm in the cult), but it is very limited in it's available light capability.
The 2/3" sensor is very small and gets very noisy at ISO400. Noise is obvious at ISO200. The magic only happens at ISO100 with that camera.
So to use ISO100 and get above 1/30sec, you simply need a LOT of light. Cannot sidestep that physics.

It's an outdoor, daylight camera, and it is great for that limited application.

 

[daveleo]

There is a thread over in the "l-camera" forum that is titled "Do Digilux-2 pictures have a Special Look?"
It's an old old thread, but it has tons of D2 camera JPG's in it. See if you can find it.

 

[raid]

Wait, wait.
The D2/LC1 is a much-loved cult camera (I'm in the cult), but it is very limited in it's available light capability.
The 2/3" sensor is very small and gets very noisy at ISO400. Noise is obvious at ISO200. The magic only happens at ISO100 with that camera.
So to use ISO100 and get above 1/30sec, you simply need a LOT of light. Cannot sidestep that physics.

It's an outdoor, daylight camera, and it is great for that limited application.

I agree with you on the outdoors factor for this camera. Maybe I need my M9 with the 35/1.4 as a companion camera?

 

[raid]

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...265-do-digilux-2-photos-have-distinctive.html

Thank you, Dave.

 

[raid]

This seems to be a main point: "Of course, don't buy a D2 if you want to do low light shooting. It has been well documented that it is utterly useless for that purpose"

 

[daveleo]

Raid, you'll want to explore the bounce-flash capabilities of the camera's flash. A very nice feature that may add just enough fill & bounced light for you indoor portraits.

 

[raid]

This ides crossed my mind too, Dave.
I will try it out.

 

[steveclem]

Use B+W at 400 iso, you should see just how good the images are with this old fella.

 

[raid]

I will try it, Steve. Digital does nor cost anything when it comes to trying things out.

 

[raid]

These are still ISO 100 with the colors removed.