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Digilux 2 in manual "analog" usage?


philipus

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I've read a few very interesting pieces on the Digilux, including Andy Piper's excellent Photo.net review, Torsten Overgaard's inspiring article and C. Garrard's more recent and positive "re-review". I'm pretty intrigued by this camera.

 

Accepting the various flaws of the camera (RAW buffer, EVF, ISO noise etc) and that it is by today's standards old tech, how would it be to use it as a completely manual camera akin to how one uses an analog M?

 

I mean I usually don't take photos at a faster rate than 10 secs between them and provided one can live with the EVF I guess it should be fine to use manual focus at all times. The lens seems to be able to produce really nice photos, esp black and white and at 100 ISO.

 

Perhaps I'm completely wrong, but this camera seems like a pretty cool camera to have and use.

 

Cheers

Philip

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It is still a great camera capable of producing excellent images. It is also worth remembering that the noise reduction available to you in various standard software packages like Lightroom and Aperture is a lot better now than what was available to us in 2003/2004 when the camera was launched.

 

Manual works well, but I must admit I tend to let it stay in A or P modes. I still use mine from time to time. Manual focus works, it'll take a little getting used to though and the focus magnifier is a big help.

 

Carl

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Thanks Stuart. I saw a photo on a famous online auction site where there was what looked like rubbed-off paint near the lugs. But cameras are made to be used.

 

Impressive that you bring it with you every day :) That speaks highly of this camera and makes me even more interested!

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I still have 2 and one stays in my desk at work to accompany me on lunchtime forays. The pictures it makes are still exceptional despite that it has, what is by today's standards, a 'tiny' 5MP sensor.

 

It's true that it can take some time when shooting raw to get used to the 5 or 6 seconds delay while the little wizened old man inside the D2 carefully and painstakingly places each pixel into its correct bin so many people stick to shooting jpegs, which is arguably where this camera's strength lies.

 

I shoot all manual except for focussing, which I find awkward on the EVF despite focus assist blowing up the centre portion. Stuart's method of zooming in is probably the most effective way of shooting raw although the AF does a pretty fine job imho.

 

One of the great discoveries for me some years ago was what the D2 could produce in tandem with the Elpro-D macro attachment lens. Jaw-dropping.

 

The D2 is one of those cameras that I'm never quite sure why I bought it - well two eventually - but it's one I would have the hardest time parting with. There are many other cameras that do many things better but I can't ever recall returning from shooting with the D2 and not having thoroughly enjoyed myself and having a couple of cracking pictures to look at.

 

Pete.

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Like Pete, I'm amazed at this old thng. Based on Thorsten's suggestion, and then trying it, most of the time I use it in autofocus. To overcome autofocus lag I pre-autofocus (half press the shutter button and hold it there to lock in the focus, and lock in exposure if I'm using aperture priority) and then finish clicking when the subject is right, Usually making the camera respond instantly. Here are a couple of examples of that technique (the last of which is just there because I like the shot, not because I had to catch the action):

 

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It is good to read about a potential new owner's enthusiasm for the D2. Mine is one of the first available in UK in 2004 and has been in almost constant use since then. It is addictive and a constant pleasure to use.

 

I use mine mostly for pet and family pictures; also close-ups with the excellent Elpro-D. Somehow it retains the tactile pleasure which transfers through to the end results. If you are really happy using such a camera, the results speak for themselves.

 

The shortcomings by modern standards do not detract from its continuing ability to render beautiful photographs.

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In the couple of months I've had it, I've found no need to use the Digilux 2 in completely manual mode. I just work within the limits of the camera, which are very similar to those of a good film camera with an f/2 lens in the good old days. The view through the evf is ugly, but one gets used to it. The lens is superb, and the jpegs are excellent. It focuses fast enough for most purposes, and (as others have pointed out) one can prefocus -- just as we did back then. The build quality is solid -- again reminiscent of other times. In feel and function, it's a film camera which happens to do digital. I use it as my everyday camera -- the one I carry when I'm expecting to take some pictures in the course of doing something else. It's my workhorse.

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Yes, the D2 does a fine job; always has. I still use it, but mostly for people pictures like my son and daughter.

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