likealeica Posted May 12, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 12, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have used my dlux4 for two years with great satifaction. Mostly street work and mostly black and white. At the short end i use a 28mm leica finder if needed and at the long end a 50mm leica finder, also if needed. Can anyone suggest some good reasons to upgrade? The longer zoom doesn't do much but maybe I'm overlooking something. Maybe the evf? Is so, the panny rather than the leica? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 12, 2011 Posted May 12, 2011 Hi likealeica, Take a look here Upgrading from dlux4 to dlux5 - reasons to do it?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
petemasty Posted May 12, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 12, 2011 I think there are quite a few threads and blogs that compare the DL4 to the DL5. althought I cant help you with the comparison between the two I can say without fear of contradiction (famous last words) that the Pana EVF works perfectly well with the DLux5 and is only a fraction of the price of the Leica one. They are one and the same. Have had the EVF for a week now and love it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted May 12, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 12, 2011 i have the dlux4 and feel no need to upgrade. if i did, however, i would also buy the panny version as i shoot raw and already have lr3 from the dlux4 -- no reason to buy the software twice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macjim Posted May 13, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 13, 2011 It's got a better sensor and lens. There subtle differences to the design and the longer zoom range but not a great deal more than the 4 so it might not seem like a good reason to move to the 5, it really boils down to whether you can afford to upgrade, whether your happy with the quality of the images you get from the 4 or not, and whether you really need to change it. If your happy with the D-lux 4's handling, image quality and lens (zoom range) then stick with it but if your not, then go for the d-lux 5 as it's a great wee camera. We all like to have the latest and greatest camera models and, as you will know, they're changing quicker than the seasons with their new bells and whistles, but that's no reason to buy when you are satisfied with the camera you have — anyway, they'll be a d-lux 6 due out soon too! The rumours are saying Leica will announce new cameras next month so wait till then and see. Cheers, Macjim. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likealeica Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted May 14, 2011 Thanks folks. So for now we will watch and wait. It ia amazing how few places are left here in the States where you can just go in and handle these cameras. It all seems to be mail order now. Gone are most of the great little Leica dealer shops. Just heard another is closing in 2 weeks in Phoenix, AZ. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macjim Posted May 14, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 14, 2011 We only got a dealer at the end of last year in Glasgow - Scotland so Its an improvement for us. Cheers, Macjim. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted May 14, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 14, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) you will just have to move to new york Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulOD Posted May 16, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 16, 2011 I moved from the DL4 to the DL5 mainly for the increased range and the ability to use the Panasonic EVF. I'm quite satisfied with the latter. Some have criticized The viewer as being a little fuzzy but using the diopter control on the side can give you a reasonably sharp picture. If you dislike using the LCD display for shooting, as I do, you'll be satisfied with the Panasonic EVF. I also use the handgrip as I find the camera easier to hold, especially for one-handed shooting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 18, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 18, 2011 Haven't tried the DL-4, however the DL-5 is really versatile with its 24-90 and f/2 is nice and fast. 90 is OK for portraits but won't give you much in the way of a defocused background. IQ is very good. I've found up to ISO 1600 is useable for gritty night shots, though wouldn't go above 800 generally. Better noise control and dynamic range seem to be some of the unsung advances in digital camera technology. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klassika Posted May 20, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 20, 2011 I would advice you to keep your DL-4 and buy a Lumix LX-5. The built of the DL-5 is in my opinion inferior to that of the DL-4. I had a DL-5 and returned it and got a LX-5. It is much sturdier and has a nice grip. So take your DL-4 with you to a shop and try the DL-5 and LX-5. Succes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted May 20, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 20, 2011 I would advice you to keep your DL-4 and buy a Lumix LX-5. The built of the DL-5 is in my opinion inferior to that of the DL-4. I had a DL-5 and returned it and got a LX-5. It is much sturdier and has a nice grip. So take your DL-4 with you to a shop and try the DL-5 and LX-5. Succes. I traded my DL4 on my DL5 18 months ago and I haven't noticed any difference in the build quality between the two cameras. The EVF and the extra zoom reach were enough to justify the change for me so the better ISO performance is an unexpected bonus. Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted May 20, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 20, 2011 just curious why you paid up for leica version? i have the dl4 and given that i shoot raw and have lr3 not sure what the value of the leica version is at this point. first time around i bought into the longer warranty and lr3 over silkypix and, to be honest, i thought the dl4 was a much better looking camera (still do) and yes, its true, i like the red dot -- looks great. but now, not sure i would pay the extra bucks for the upgrade and if i did, it would be for the panny version. btw, before the dl4 i owned two different lumix pocket cameras and loved them and thought the build was excellent and felt far better in my hands than the canon. imho. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted May 20, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 20, 2011 just curious why you paid up for leica version? ... For me it was largely a) LightRoom 3, and the anticipated residual value in the DL5: I expect resale to be better when I choose to upgrade to a DL6 or DL7 etc. Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted May 20, 2011 Share #14 Posted May 20, 2011 Somehow I could not get really fond of the dlux4, which I sold fairly soon after buying it. Especially the handling of highlights (limited dynamic range) and the 'all buttons' ergonomics were no fun to me, combined with the lack of easily identifiable focal length settings for the use with an external finder (CV 28/35). The dlux5 has improved on these things; also manual focus/ zone focus has become much easier through the thumb-wheel. The extended zoom is nice, but not decisive. Sometimes I find the lens a bit soft (esp. @ 90mm equ., but not only), but perhaps that's user error and/or sharpening parameters. I might get that checked, anyhow. But it definitely is a very pleasant camera for social moments and to have it with you at all times. So versatile! Regards, Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted May 20, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 20, 2011 i too find the dlux 4 absolutely a pleasant camera to carry about for social situations. to me, the 90mm lens and the extras weren't enough to jump. i will probably for the dlux6 -- every other for these models seems like the right leap. to me at least. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likealeica Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted May 20, 2011 I bought the Leica version, because I've always bought Leica for 40 years. I like the people, I like the service, I like the products, even when Leica now doesn't make them. I just ordered the DLux 5, but I intend to keep the DLux 4. Why both? The one thing I didn't like about the DLux 4 was framing on the monitor, and I'm hoping the EVF will be easier on the DLux 5. Why not sell the DLux 4 then? It's too pretty and what I could get for it isn't worth it. Which, I guess is why I have a closet full of 40 years of Leica gear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert-gregory Posted May 21, 2011 Share #17 Posted May 21, 2011 I've been very happy with my DLux4. Photo quality is great for the type of photography its designed for (easy to use, snap-shots, small/light, and extras). Although I've had a 24mm for my M-series a long time I never thought I'd use 'wide' as much as I do with this camera (the 24mm external finder is always on, nice bright/clear view), and 60mm is fine as my long end 'tele' lens. Only thing the D-Lux 5 has that would be useful for me is the zoom function in movie mode. In general its been a quality camera. Plus I happen to get the Titanium version - which was the only camera in stock when I went to the shop to buy for about $150 more than the black so what the heck - which does look very cool gray Leica dot and all, and came with a nice case which the bottom part with strap is always on the camera; handling, protection, on the neck convenience. As for Leica or Panasonic? The Leica came with a 3 year warranty compared to 1 year, and Leica Japan (where I live) is a phone call away with service that speaks English if needed (unlike Panasonic). D-Lux 5 upgrade? Don't see the need. I'm happy and the camera is always in my bag with me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted June 9, 2011 Share #18 Posted June 9, 2011 (edited) A post scriptum to my earlier note. In daily use, I wonder more and more whether the different way I am handling this D-Lux 5 compared to my D-Lux 4 is not more decisive than the camera itself. I know that I was sometimes unhappy with the image quality of DL4, but perhaps I would have had more fun and better pictures using it with the self-opening 'pizza'-cap I have now on DL5 and without the half case, extension tube and UV/protective filter I had on DL4. The latter made it too bulky for some most used pockets and added to what I did not like in the ergonomics. Still, absolutely no regrets to have first sold DL4 and later bought DL5. Just got back handhold semi-macro pics on 40x40cm prints that the lab guy thought were done with scanned 120 film... Cheers, Alexander Edited June 9, 2011 by xalo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickgrafixstop Posted June 13, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 13, 2011 If you have a spare $800 and no imagination, what better way to go? Why do it? Why not? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 13, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 13, 2011 If you have a spare $800 and no imagination, what better way to go? Why do it? Why not? You'll have to explain that one for me. Clearly I haven't got enough imagination to have a clue what you're talking about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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