Mark_L Posted June 29, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I'll have my Leica D-lux 4 pretty soon and then I'll start learning to look at light. I stepped away from my Nikon D40 because I was unsatisfied with the results (most likely because I am not very good at the basics) and mainly because it is too large to carry around. I want the camera all the time with me, shoot and try to learn the basics first. I hope the D-lux 4 is a good beginners choice. I'd like to become acceptable good at taking pictures, not at correcting them afterwards. What can the viewfinder add to D-lux 4 camera. I would like to buy it as well to look through the finder in stead of looking at the 3 inch screen, for taking a picture. What are other benefits? Is there a shift between what is seen through the viewer and what is photographed through the lens. Is it worthwile spending the extra money? A complete beginner, Mark_L Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 29, 2009 Posted June 29, 2009 Hi Mark_L, Take a look here New to Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
J_Thompson Posted June 29, 2009 Share #2 Posted June 29, 2009 Welcome to the forum Mark. While I have a D-Lux 3, not a 4, I cannot answer those specific questions, but my 3 is capable of shooting in a manual mode along with shooting raw files, which, to me, is a huge advantage. It is also a true pocket camera which makes it more convienent than lugging around a clunky DSLR all day, not to mention its quietness when shooting candids of people. Be sure to post some of your pictures and welcome aboard... the Forum is a great site! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 29, 2009 Share #3 Posted June 29, 2009 Mark, welcome to the Forum. Many of your viewfinder-related questions are probably answered by this thread in the Digital sub-forum: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/78754-d-lux-4-viewfinder-what-you.html Personally, I use an old SBOOI (if you google it, one of my photos of it is usually the second or third hit ) I use it because I a) prefer it to chimping at a screen like the uncluttered view c) can still see the green blob for focus confirmation at the periphery of my vision d) find that it matches the 60mm fov more than adequately and e) prefer it in both bright and dim conditions. Whether it is worth spending the extra money is a personal choice, of course. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffster Posted June 29, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 29, 2009 I find the screen a rather nifty little tool. It shows you exactly how you're going to frame your photo. Especially when zooming in. A viewfinder looks nice, but its main use will be apparent when it's a bright and sunny day. Also, I sometimes notice that the photos actually look better on the camera screen than in real life. Furthermore, that wide angle lens is really something special! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica dream Posted June 29, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 29, 2009 Funny "stance" people adopt without viewfinders. Not sure why it is, but just observing people as they take shots they hold the camera up then for some reason tend to lean backwards away from the camera! Has anyone else noticed this.......or perhaps you screen people will now become conscious of doing it. You've probably guessed I am a viewfinder man. Good luck with your new camera, Mark, and welcome to the forum. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted June 29, 2009 Share #6 Posted June 29, 2009 as they take shots they hold the camera up then for some reason tend to lean backwards away from the camera! I wear bifocals. I have to tilt my head back in order to see anything at all on the tiny screen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPS Posted June 29, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) What can the viewfinder add to D-lux 4 camera? Is it worthwile spending the extra money? Mark: The D-Lux 4 is a fine camera and I'm sure you will be glad you made the purchase. I acquired mine in early April and have been using it without a viewfinder all of that time. One can get along fine most of the time using only the LCD, although it does take some getting used to if not already accustomed to the Point & Shoot stance. I resisted purchasing a viewfinder from the beginning -- mainly because I'm a cheap bastard and it took a lot of cash just to purchase the camera. Historically, I'm a SLR user - not a rangefinder user - so I had no prior experience with external viewfinders. It seemed an unnecessary accessory and I had a difficult time deciding how I would use it effectively with a lens that zooms. Nevertheless, after much soul searching and reading of threads on this forum, I ordered the one Leica designed specifically for the D-Lux 4. It came last Friday and, despite the cost, I've very glad to have it in my kit. I made this decision for two reasons: a) I rarely zoom the lens, and there are times in bright sunlight when the LCD becomes virtually useless -- in bright conditions you really have only a general idea where you're pointing the lens. After 2-1/2 months of fairly frequent use, I decided I wouldn't be happy with my D-Lux 4 without a viewfinder. I haven't used the new viewfinder much yet, but during my test shots over the weekend I found it intuitive to use and it requires no learning curve at all. It feels quite natural and it helps me compose my pictures when working in bright sunlight. I now feel I'm set for most all of the conditions I'm likely to encounter. Welcome to the forum ... you'll learn a lot here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted June 29, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 29, 2009 ...lean backwards away from the camera!Has anyone else noticed this... Richard Shortcut to the chiropractor. IMHO, viewfinders are indispensible. No possibility of being stealthy and unnoticed when holding a camera 2 feet from you face and squinting so as to frighten little children. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted June 30, 2009 Share #9 Posted June 30, 2009 An optical viewfinder allows you to brace the camera steadily against your face, with your hands pressed into your chest. It makes shots a lot more stable -- even with "image stabilization". Also, it's a lot easier to compose in bright light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffster Posted June 30, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 30, 2009 Shortcut to the chiropractor. IMHO, viewfinders are indispensible. No possibility of being stealthy and unnoticed when holding a camera 2 feet from you face and squinting so as to frighten little children. Actually, I find it easier to be stealthy with a screen as no one knows if you're just reviewing photos or actually taking pictures. A camera pressed up to a face is usually a sure sign that something's going on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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