Travel Photography - leica d-lux 4 anyone?

anyone own this camera or the panasonic counterpart? What do you think?

Wow! Thanks for posting. I just bumped another thread which may apply.

I am quite keen on LX3 to supplement my dSLR, but you can't find them anywhere at the moment, especially the black ones.

I bought my D-Lux 4 about two weeks ago. Still learning the various modes and abilities, but I am totally loving it thus far.

Metal case, lightweight, rugged, elegant looking in black. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL display. The buttons and joysticks aren't flimsy. HD video, 16:9, f:2.0, battery charges fairly quickly, etc. It's truly a nice little package. I haven't done much with RAW, because the D-Lux 4's JPEG processing is flat out amazing. The Leica D-Lux 4 comes with Capture One 4.1, which you can upgrade to the current 4.8, or Pro (latest rumor has it that the arrangement between Leica and Phase One has ended, but I'd imagine the units already on store shelves still have it).

I don't have the 4 (yet!), but I've had the D-Lux 3 for several years now and have to say the quality of these leica's, which I use to supplement my Canon 20D (I need an equipment upgrade) when I just need something to throw in my pocket, but find myself actually shooting a lot with it due to the high quality the D-Lux 3 has. I'm sure the 4 is outstanding! The Leica quality is unparalleled!

When the D-Lux 4 first came out, you had to use the Phase One software, which I hated, to process raw files. I'm much happier now that I can use Adobe Lightroom.

My only minor criticism of the camera is that I have to constantly check that the dial on top of the camera is on the right setting. It seems like whenever I pick up the camera I bump it to another setting.

Go for LX3, same unit , different logo, cheaper price!

I've had this camera since it came out, and it is a beautiful camera to travel with. A neighbor who is a documentary film maker played with the camera for a couple of days, and she bought one the same day she returned it to me. A couple of photographers on dpreview.com post some amazing pictures taken with D-Lux 4. I'll be posting some of my own pictures taken w/ this camera in the Trip Report section in a few days.

My only minor criticism of the camera is that I have to constantly check that the dial on top of the camera is on the right setting. It seems like whenever I pick up the camera I bump it to another setting.

Could it be that some cameras have this issue? I don't have any issue w/ the dial but have read similar criticisms by other people.

I'll go out on a short limb to say that it is possible in any camera whose settings dial is aligned with the edge of the camera body. I think it depends largely on the type of case you are using.

My Lumux DMC LZ-7 which I keep in the optional Lumix soft case is a good example. The fit is very good, in that it protects the camera by fitting so well (much like a nice glove, not "skin" tight... just snug). The trade off of such good protection is that taking the camera from the case, often times will cause the settings dial to rotate away from whatever it was previously set on. Not necessarily because the control settings dial is too loose, just that the plush padding up against the camera approximates the force of your finger turning the dial.

My D-Lux 4 on the other hand, currently is kept in a LowePro Z-20 (until I decide on a better fitting case). It is not fitted, and in fact the camera would rattle around unnervingly if it weren't that I have the interior lined with some additional microfiber cloth. The Z-20 opens via a zip-around opening which opens far enough away for the D-Lux 4 as to not come into contact when inserting or removing.

As one who started in photography with fully manual cameras, I've never believed in the "set it and forget it" mode of camera use (unless you're taking mugs shots at the DMV). I spent the extra coinage for a camera that can be set for a wide variety of differing conditions. As such, I always consult the settings for each individual situation, same as I would compose each shot individually. But I could understand that it may be irksome to others.

As one who started in photography with fully manual cameras, I've never believed in the "set it and forget it" mode of camera use (unless you're taking mugs shots at the DMV).

Since I'm checking f-stops and shutter speeds all day for work, my goal for my weekend camera is to keep the thing on fully automatic unless I have some creative idea. Generally I think that if I'm shooting a snapshot of friends, they don't want to stand there while I figure out my shutter speed, f-stop, lighting ratio, focal length, etc. Shooting RAW lets me deal with the exposure part later if there's a problem.

For me, a good strategy is to shoot on automatic unless I know from experience that something (backlighting for example?) needs to be adjusted for.

Go for LX3, same unit , different logo, cheaper price!

But you can't get it in titanium and it doesn't have a red dot.
My local Ritz/Wolf/ whatever has one of the LX3s in stock; every other place I've looked is out though. BH photo did have a demo one a few weeks ago for $300 something, so interested parties may want to keep an eye out there.

Yeah these units are sold out everywhere it seems, even online. I used NowInStock.net to get mine from B&H back on the 10th.

Yeah these units are sold out everywhere it seems, even online. I used NowInStock.net to get mine from B&H back on the 10th.

Does that mean the D-Lux 5 is imminent?

Probably not. They seem to have their attentions fixed on the S2 system and the M8.2 (and/or the rumored M9).

I had the D-Lux 3 until i cracked the screen and made it uselled. Absolutely loved it. ^ ^

I was having trouble tracking down an LX3 too. Finally, I tracked down and purchased an in-stock LX3 yesterday from JR.com. Very good ratings & free shipping. I'm a frequent customer.

Can't wait to get it!:D

Go for LX3, same unit , different logo, cheaper price!

But for many folks, having a red dot logo visible on their camera is well worth a couple hundred bucks.

But for many folks, having a red dot logo visible on their camera is well worth a couple hundred bucks.

So we won't talk about the braintrusts out there who go for the less expensive alternative only to turn around and spend the “couple hundred bucks” on an extended warranty.

Is it unreasonable to you that "many" of the folks you speak of may have what they feel are valid reasons for their choice? Or is it easier to just whitewash everyone as superficial?

So we won't talk about the braintrusts out there who go for the less expensive alternative only to turn around and spend the “couple hundred bucks” on an extended warranty.

Is it unreasonable to you that "many" of the folks you speak of may have what they feel are valid reasons for their choice? Or is it easier to just whitewash everyone as superficial?

Let's put it this way: If the red-dot camera is made by Panasonic, in the identical Panasonic factories, with the identical Panasonic QC procedures, then yes, it's unreasonable. If Leica is actually doing something to actually add real value to the product OTHER than slapping their brand and logo upon it, then you can justify that extra couple hundred dollars. But, as someone who has worked in the industry, I seriously doubt that Leica has actually done anything to add some unique quality to the product, relative to the identical one without a red dot logo on it.

And frankly, buying an extended warranty on ANY electronics product is just about ALWAYS a sub-optimal purchase. The VAST majority of defects in electronics either occur when a product is young, or as a result of product abuse that would usually not be covered under the warranty.

Leica contributed the lens, or Panasonic just put "Leica" on the lens?

Leica contributed the lens, or Panasonic just put "Leica" on the lens?

Leica was probably significantly involved in the design of the lens but not it's manufacture. But it's the exact same lens is on both the Leica-branded and the Panasonic-branded versions of the camera.

On the other hand, now THIS is a 100% LEICA product:

http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/leica-noctilux-m-50mm-f095-asph-aspherical-lens/3/

Let's put it this way: If the red-dot camera is made by Panasonic, in the identical Panasonic factories, with the identical Panasonic QC procedures, then yes, it's unreasonable. If Leica is actually doing something to actually add real value to the product OTHER than slapping their brand and logo upon it, then you can justify that extra couple hundred dollars. But, as someone who has worked in the industry, I seriously doubt that Leica has actually done anything to add some unique quality to the product, relative to the identical one without a red dot logo on it.The two versions apparently have a different processing engine, with the Leica supposedly having better out-of-camera JPEGs. You also get a copy of Capture One v4 supplied with the Leica (while the Panasonic RAW is not supported at all by Capture One). The Leica also has a longer warranty.

Not saying that the cost delta is justified, but just stating that the two are not identical as you assume.

Re. image quality, I don't own the Leica and couldn't do a side-by-side comparison, but a quick google search reveals tons of pages and threads covering that very topic.

As a Canon user, but someone who was looking into LX3, can I just remind you that there is a new player in town :)

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/34/picture2nob.png

Canon Powershot S90 (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081907canons90.asp)

The two versions apparently have a different processing engine, with the Leica supposedly having better out-of-camera JPEGs. You also get a copy of Capture One v4 supplied with the Leica (while the Panasonic RAW is not supported at all by Capture One). The Leica also has a longer warranty.

Not saying that the cost delta is justified, but just stating that the two are not identical as you assume.

Re. image quality, I don't own the Leica and couldn't do a side-by-side comparison, but a quick google search reveals tons of pages and threads covering that very topic.

I never said the camera was identical for both brands. I freely admit to not caring enough to have investigated it. But some of the PRIOR Leica/Panny cameras HAVE been identical between both brands. That was why I specifically said that IF Leica had actually added unique value to their branded version, it might be worth the additional - but I was skeptical that they had. If they actually have - good for them. In the past, they have played it both ways.

As a Canon user, but someone who was looking into LX3, can I just remind you that there is a new player in town :)

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/34/picture2nob.png

Canon Powershot S90 (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081907canons90.asp)

Interesting. Price is reasonable also. Can LightRoom handle the Canon version of RAW? (sorry, I am a Nikon user)

My Panasonic digicam -- DMC-F1 6 years old picked up in Tokyo -- packed it in on my NYC visit last week. I have been lusting after a Leica D4 for a couple of years and now have an excuse to get one. Only problem is finding one in NAmerica. Well, I can find one up here in Toronto for about C$900, but keep seeing it advertised online at J&R and other US sites for US$699, which is now about C$750. Of course, nobody seems to have it in stock at the moment. Since I travel to the US quite often, I'd have no shipping or sales tax to add to the savings buying it in the US would bring. (Canadian taxes would add another 13%, so the savings is over C$250.)

Has anyone here bought one of these recently at the $699 price, and where?

I am also heading to both Frankfurt and Munich (the STAR MegaDo) next month, but doubt the price would be any better in Germany.

My understanding is that the warrantee is universal, so point of purchase is irrelevant.

...Has anyone here bought one of these recently at the $699 price, and where? ...I haven't just bought one at that (or any other) price, but Amazon and B&H both have it for $699 now and are both quite reputable. Both prices also include free shipping in the USA.

I used to have the D-Lux 3 and just upgraded to the D-Lux 4 and love it! It's a great camera...you get most of the stuff you can get with a standard SLR camera in a smaller point and shoot camera.

I used to have the D-Lux 3 and just upgraded to the D-Lux 4 and love it! It's a great camera...you get most of the stuff you can get with a standard SLR camera in a smaller point and shoot camera.

Congrats... glad you're enjoying your upgrade. Happy shooting!

I haven't just bought one at that (or any other) price, but Amazon and B&H both have it for $699 now and are both quite reputable. Both prices also include free shipping in the USA.

It appears these are now in stock at all retailers across NAmerica. I did order and get mine from J&R and it was waiting for me at my hotel at ORD yesterday. Gonna take a while to figure it all out, but certainly more features and options than my old Panasonic DMC F1. Hope I can master the basics in time for the STARMegaDo!

Hope I can master the basics in time for the STARMegaDo!

I'm sure you'll do fine. Congrats! I might suggest you check your D-Lux 4 for the current firmware (should be 1.20). No offense to J&R as they probably have recent inventory, but just in case.

Happy Shooting!

just a quick comment, not too sure if any of u guys have noticed...

I find that the LX3 has a slimming effect (somehow).
thats what my friends and I have noticed, we somehow look that bit slimmer.
not too sure if its cuz we're too impressed by the camera or what... but i truly enjoy using the LX3.

now, maybe its time to actually buy one instead of using my brother's. =P