Leica D-lux4 or 25mm f/1,4 Leica D Summilux lens?

[pomyhra]

I have a Leica D-lux3 compact camera and a Leica Digilux3 DSLR with the 14-50 kit lens and also the 14-150mm f 3,5-5,6 Leica D Vario-Elmar lens.
What will you advise me to do, upgrade the D-lux3 to D-lux4 or buy a 25mm f/1,4 Leica D Summilux lens to my Digilux3?
May be a stupid question but I like to know if some of you can tell me which of these purchases/”upgrades” you would prefer.
I have also read some rumors that the 25mm f/1,4 Leica D Summilux may not be in production after a while, may be a reason to get it now?
I use the little D-lux3 a little more than the Digilux3 and I only taking pictures in the JPEG mode and mostly outdoors at daylight.

[Lynwood]

Get the 25 lens. The best pictures I've ever taken have been with it. I love it.

Lynwood

[ASpes]

Originally Posted by pomyhra

I have a Leica D-lux3 compact camera and a Leica Digilux3 DSLR with the 14-50 kit lens and also the 14-150mm f 3,5-5,6 Leica D Vario-Elmar lens.
What will you advise me to do, upgrade the D-lux3 to D-lux4 or buy a 25mm f/1,4 Leica D Summilux lens to my Digilux3?
May be a stupid question but I like to know if some of you can tell me which of these purchases/”upgrades” you would prefer.
I have also read some rumors that the 25mm f/1,4 Leica D Summilux may not be in production after a while, may be a reason to get it now?
I use the little D-lux3 a little more than the Digilux3 and I only taking pictures in the JPEG mode and mostly outdoors at daylight.

The DL4 is a good camera according to its users and the samples online, and the f/2 and a 24mm FOV are not a small difference (but it's shorter on the tele end), anyway I do not think it will make for a real big change in use vs your actual DL3, while the addition of a 25/1.4 for your Digilux 3 will definitely open some greater chances for your photography in low light and also make for a very special portrait lens.

As you say, we have no clear news about production plans, so this could really be a last chance to have this lens, which is optically really outstanding and one of the only three lenses with an aperture ring to fully complement your D/3 handling.

Last but not least, P&S life is rather short these days, so if you miss the date with the DL4 you will certainly have an even better chance with a DL5/etc. in a not so distant future...

Just my two (euro)cent of course.

[rsolomon]

I do not own the DL4 - but i do own the Digilux 3. I would recommend exploring traditional Leica R lenses with the adapter, there are so many choices but i can highly recommend the 50 f/2.- and the 80 f1.4 ( remember the angle of view when mounted on the 4/3rds Digilux 3 doubles).... so they become an awsome 100 f/2 and 160 1.4


Rich

[rsolomon]

Also
there are two "recommended" settings for the Digilux 3... i seem to prefer the first ..


Contrast = Center
Sharpness = one notch to the right
Saturation = one notch to the right
Noise Reduction = All the way to the left

Contrast = one notch to the right
Sharpness = two notches to the right
Saturation = Center
Noise Reduction = one notch to the left

[whertha]

I have the D-Lux 3 and was thinking about the 4, because of the faster lens. I ended up with a G1 & the Leica D Summilux f/1.4. I'm happy with the choice.

[kzia]

I have both, the D-lux4 and the 25mm f/1,4 Leica D Summilux to go with my D3. So far I have been using the D-lux4 a lot more. Maybe because of the small size, easy to carry around. Image quality are both superb, and I have no problem printing 13 x 19" from the D-lux4. Hope this helps.

-Kelvin

[cfc247]

If you think you will carry the D3 with the Summilux, then I think it is a no-brainer. The 25 1.4 is an impressive lens in all respects but it is a bit bulky for a 25mm prime. The image quality is truly the best in its class. The color tones and bokeh is exquisite.

The dl4 is a great camera but I would never use it instead of my d3, except when i need to pocket it in a coat or briefcase. As long as I am able to carry my gear, the d3 w/leica and zeiss glass is my preference. Last but not least, the dl4 shoot impressive images but it feels like a toy. Perhaps the handling will improve when i get my pre-ordered handgrip from Calumet someday!

P.S. You can also browse my flickr for some photo samples taken with both the 25 1.4 and the Dlux 4.

[Peter D Lux 2]

Originally Posted by whertha

I ended up with a G1 & the Leica D Summilux f/1.4. I'm happy with the choice.

Hi, I'm very interested in this lens for my G1.
Will it be fully functional with AF en AE on this camera with the 4/3 - micro 4/3 adapter?
Is a firmware update necessary?

Thanks!

[rycm]

D-lux 4 wide openat f2.0 is a fast lense at 24mm, but you won't get much of the background blur unless the subject is very close. I dont have Digilux 3, but I had the Digilux 2 (LC-1), at f2 equivalent focal length to the C-lux 4, you can get a shallow DOF which result to a pleasing bokeh.

Two different selection... go with both... buy a Panasonic LX-3 (save some $$) and buy the 25/1.4 Summilux D.

[pomyhra]

Thank you all for your answers/inputs to my question. I think I will go for the 25mm f/1,4 lens.

[chris_yu]

Originally Posted by rycm

D-lux 4 wide openat f2.0 is a fast lense at 24mm, but you won't get much of the background blur unless the subject is very close. I dont have Digilux 3, but I had the Digilux 2 (LC-1), at f2 equivalent focal length to the C-lux 4, you can get a shallow DOF which result to a pleasing bokeh.

Two different selection... go with both... buy a Panasonic LX-3 (save some $$) and buy the 25/1.4 Summilux D.

A good choice