Accessories for Digilux 2

[DavGreg]

1st Post- Hi Everybody.

I am recently the new owner of a Digilux 2 camera and was wanting a few suggestions regarding tripods. Is the Leica compact tripod and ball head overkill for a Digilux series camera or are there better options for a high quality compact tripod? Finally, does the M-series tripod share the same thread size?

P.S. I am in the market for a Digilux 3 or Lumix L-1 and the same questions apply to it as well. Any other suggestions regarding accessories would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[cpclee]

There is a 0.70x wide angle converter which is outstanding but also a large piece of glass. I'm selling mine on photo.net as I'm not sure for how long I will hold on to the Digilux 2, but you can find very impressive photos taken by it at:

Panasonic DMW-LW69 Wide Lens on my Leica Digilux 2 Timeblog.

[stuny]

They also made an "Elpro" close-up attachement to screw into the front of the lens. It too is large and heavy, but not nearly so as the wide agle adapter. If you search for one make sure it is for the Digilux 2 since Leica uses the Elpro name for products for other cameras, too. Both the wide angle and elpro are fairly rare, so it might take some time to find them.

I have no recommendations regarding tripods since I have had a large one for decades and seldom use it.

[farnz]

Welcome to the forum, Dav(?)!

The excellent close-up attachment lens that Stuart referred to is called the "Elpro-D" and has a 69 mm thread, which should help you to find the right one although they've been out of production for at least 3 years so they're quite rare these days (sic). If you're interested, check out the Buy & Sell section on this forum because there was one for sale 2 or 3 weeks ago.

If you decide to get a case for your D2 then I recommend the leather "Luigi" case from Luigi Crescenzi at Leicatime. Many users on the forum use one (including me) and although they're not cheap the handcrafted workmanship is outstanding, they are a joy to use and hold, they look wonderful and offer good protection to your D2. (Luigi also produces an excellent cover for the Elpro-D.)

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Pete.

[John Thawley]

It is properly called the Leica ELPRO-D E69. It is a stunning piece of glass. I couldn't figure out why it cost so much until I held it in my hand. Something so simple .... it's beautiful.

I can't speak to the wide angle attachment. Inasmuch as I would love to have a wider focal view, the out-of-balance geometry is off putting. I'm guessing, since Leica did not produce one, they feel the same.

And.. if you really want to "accessorize"....

Pimp MyRide!!! - Journal - Motorsports Photographer ~ John Thawley :: Photography of American Le Mans, Grand Am, SPEED World Challenge

JT

[DavGreg]

How about the Circular Polarizing Filter? Is the Leica filter worth the extra $ or would another good brand do? I just got the E72 Filter Carrier for 72mm filters in the mail this morning.

[jrethorst]

Originally Posted by DavGreg

How about the Circular Polarizing Filter? Is the Leica filter worth the extra $ or would another good brand do? I just got the E72 Filter Carrier for 72mm filters in the mail this morning.

I believe that Leica filters are made by Heliopan. The polarizer comes in both 69mm and 72 mm, as well as other sizes.

[dugby]

Originally Posted by DavGreg

1st Post- Hi Everybody.

I am recently the new owner of a Digilux 2 camera and was wanting a few suggestions regarding tripods. Is the Leica compact tripod and ball head overkill for a Digilux series camera or are there better options for a high quality compact tripod? Finally, does the M-series tripod share the same thread size?

P.S. I am in the market for a Digilux 3 or Lumix L-1 and the same questions apply to it as well. Any other suggestions regarding accessories would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I have both D2 and D3/L1 and can say with regards to tripods-

a) I have the Leica mini table (P/N 14329) tripod and it works very well with the D2. But the D3 is too heavy for it, and the combined D3 camera/kit lens over-comes the friction of the ball head and cannot be used satisfactorily.

b) I have a 25yr old Habuka metal travel table top tripod that works superbly with both cameras.

c) I do also use a lightweight carbon-fiber Gitzo G1027 with G1177M ballhead, which works superbly for the D2. But when I place the D3/L1 onto it, I have to vigilantly align a tripod leg in the same orientation as the kit lens to avoid a fall-over. However I have found that I use this tripod 99% with the D2 and rarely have a need to use this tripod with the OIS capability on the D3/L1

My tip for trips, always go for less leg sections, as they are more rigid trips, despite being a little longer in collapsed mode.

d) The remote shutter release cable is identical for both D2 and D3.

e) the batteries of D2 and D3 are interchangeable. despite a 100mAH difference 1400 versus 1500.

f) cases, the Crumpler Zieube is a perfect fit either both D2 or D3 with kit lens. The Zieube is rare but occasionally appears on ebay. The Crumpler Cucumberumba case is too long, unless you want to store stuff at the botton where a longer lens would be.

[farnz]

Originally Posted by dugby

...
b) I have a 25yr old Habuka metal travel table top tripod that works superbly with both cameras. ...

If it's the (Hakuba?) one with metal, telescopic legs and a fixed panning head I have one of those and agree that it works very well with the D2. I believe that they're no lnger available from Hakuba and are now marketed by Velbon.

Pete.

[dugby]

Originally Posted by farnz

If it's the (Hakuba?) one with metal, telescopic legs and a fixed panning head I have one of those and agree that it works very well with the D2. I believe that they're no lnger available from Hakuba and are now marketed by Velbon.

Pete.

This is the Hakuba table top tripod that works perfectly with both the D2 and D3.

[farnz]

Ah, it's a different one.

Pete.