jbstitt Posted November 28, 2006 Share #1 Posted November 28, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) On Wednesday morning my dealer called me and said my D3 was in. I picked it up on the way to the airport and experimented with it on my flight. Then shot lots of pictures of my grandbaby and daughter over the Thanksgiving holidays. When I got them on the computer I noticed they were very soft VERY SOFT. Even the RAW files with 100% sharpening were soft. I boosted the internal sharpening and that helped a little but still soft. Many of the pictures shot with the D3 posted here looked tack sharp. Mine are mush sharp. I called my dealer and told him of the situation. He is willing to either send in for repair or give me my money back. I got to like the camera, although it certainly is NOT a successor to the D2. Much more deliberate and slower. The live view works OK if one can stand the delay. The idea of using my R lenses entices me. BUT not if they look like they do now.. I also noticed that some of the XTIF data is missing. No listing for shutter speed. I looked at the Leica webpage download example and same situation, no shutter speed listing. Also, seems there is no upgrade to original CS for the RAW files of this camera. Either have to use the Elements 4 provided or upgrade to CS2. So now my delima is do I send this in for rework or get a refund and go for something else. Have others seen really soft pictures with the D3? If it is an individual camera problem I may stay the course. If it is typical I will go for something else. The picture below was shot as both L JPG at high res and RAW file. Both look the same. Fill flash used, auto focus on baby, about 5.6 and auto speed but look at the XTIF for exact settings John Stitt Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/10264-soft-digilux-3-pictures/?do=findComment&comment=105866'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 28, 2006 Posted November 28, 2006 Hi jbstitt, Take a look here Soft Digilux 3 Pictures . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted November 28, 2006 Share #2 Posted November 28, 2006 Post a 100% crop to demonstrate the unsharpness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 28, 2006 Share #3 Posted November 28, 2006 It focussed on the sweater of the gentleman. The rest is out of focus... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 28, 2006 Share #4 Posted November 28, 2006 That could be the problem. Autofocus grabbing the wrong subject. Is there a focus lock function? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbstitt Posted November 28, 2006 Author Share #5 Posted November 28, 2006 Here is a 100% crop. And if I did not say so, on this picture I boosted the sharpness one notch above neutral. Other settings at center. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/10264-soft-digilux-3-pictures/?do=findComment&comment=105880'>More sharing options...
jbstitt Posted November 28, 2006 Author Share #6 Posted November 28, 2006 I thought it was focused on the sweater too, but look at this crop. Still soft. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/10264-soft-digilux-3-pictures/?do=findComment&comment=105886'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 28, 2006 Share #7 Posted November 28, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) It seems like it front-focussed here (the first one was back focus) Look at the edge of the collar of the jacket. May I make the diagnosis of Autofocus Blues? Try to find out what it actually focussed on. The stitching on the collar of the sweater seems to be in focus. The shots look a mite underexposed and lacking of contrast as well. It is not impossible it received a knock in transport which decentered a lens element. I'd try out the camera with another lens at the shop. Any Olympus lens will do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fboyd Posted November 28, 2006 Share #8 Posted November 28, 2006 I have posted several times that I have the L1, so I hope this info helps. I have not had an issue with images beings soft after they are processed in PS and Printed. I set the camera to NO SHARP, AND NO NOISE REDUCTION, because Noise reduction can lower the detail in the image. I shot in Raw, and apply no sharpening in the Raw converted, actually, no processing in Raw, if possible. And then I sharpen in PS, after I run Noise Ninja and Levels. I have used 3 different lens on the camera and all meet or exceed my images made with Canon L series glass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
egibaud Posted November 28, 2006 Share #9 Posted November 28, 2006 I don't like sending for repair something that is new. So ask for money back. Then go to another dealer if you can, or go to the same one in a month time and try a new serial numbered camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamilsukun Posted November 28, 2006 Share #10 Posted November 28, 2006 John, From the samples above, the situation looks as if the lens can not focus more due to an optical or setting error. Actually it is in focus but blurry. I sincerely wish I am wrong and you get through the problem as soon as possible. How do you feel about the two alternative focusing modes and the multi mirror viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 28, 2006 Share #11 Posted November 28, 2006 John, From the samples above, the situation looks as if the lens can not focus nowhere due to an optical error. I sincerely wish I am wrong and you get through the problem as soon as possible. How do you feel about the two alternative focusing modes and the multi mirror viewfinder. Which, as I said, might be a decentered lens element. A new lens would be the quick fix in that case. Your comment makes me wonder: can the camera be focussed correctly in manual mode? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamilsukun Posted November 28, 2006 Share #12 Posted November 28, 2006 can the camera be focussed correctly in manual mode? Jaapv, I don't really know. I did not touch the camera yet. From what I read about L1 and Olympus reviews in dpreview.com I was a bit reluctant for the complication of the camera and I wanted to learn a real user's opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwcolvin Posted November 28, 2006 Share #13 Posted November 28, 2006 I have found the D3/14-50 images to be exceptionally sharp, so your results are not typical. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamilsukun Posted November 28, 2006 Share #14 Posted November 28, 2006 I have found the D3/14-50 images to be exceptionally sharp, so your results are not typical. Denny, How do you feel about the two alternative focusing modes and the multi mirror viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter41951 Posted November 28, 2006 Share #15 Posted November 28, 2006 May I suggest you lay a tape measure on the ground or a long table and have it running away from you. Focus somewhere you will remember along the middle and check what's in focus compared with your target. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLogan Posted November 28, 2006 Share #16 Posted November 28, 2006 My first images from my D3 were a bit fuzzy as well. I put it down to low light, straight-out-of-the-box settings, and inexperience with the focusing screen. I'll make some tests between now and Friday, including fitting an Olympus lens. There will be a Leica rep at my neighbourhood store this weekend, so if there's a real issue (I doubt there is, in my case), I'll be able to talk to someone about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwcolvin Posted November 28, 2006 Share #17 Posted November 28, 2006 Denny,How do you feel about the two alternative focusing modes and the multi mirror viewfinder. I have no problem with the viewfinder. But I don't have a problem with the Olympus E-330, E-500, or the rest of the E-System cameras, either. Not sure what you mean by the "two alternative focusing modes". There's Autofocus (AF-S and AF-C) and Manual Focus. I find Autofocus quick and accurate. Autofocus works the same way with both the viewfinder and using liveview... with liveview it's clumsier since the mirror flips back down so autofocus can be done normally, then flips back up. The viewfinder should be blacked out. Since there's no focusing aids (split image or microprisms), manual focus through the viewfinder can be difficult. Using liveview (with the image magnified), Manual Focus is about as good as it can get. I haven't used it extensively on the D3, but I've used the same mode on the E-330 for Moon pictures (this is the Sigma 50-500 with the EC-14 teleconverter): Liveview is the only way I'll manually focus now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 28, 2006 Share #18 Posted November 28, 2006 I'm guessing, but I would guess the last shot was probably focussed at infinity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Maio Posted November 28, 2006 Share #19 Posted November 28, 2006 I've got one coming from B&H and should be here late tomorrow (US Mountain time). I usually check out a new camera/lens for basic focus on a flat target I have. (a newspaper will work too), Its a boring photo but does the job. If you try this, and have the camera tripod mounted, try a few shots with tht AF on and off - just to isolate any AF quirks. After all, you're after basic lens capability - the backfocus/front focus/wrong focus tests can come later. I returned a Canon 24mm f/1,4L to Canon a few days ago because it failed this simple test and they agreed it needs work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Maio Posted November 28, 2006 Share #20 Posted November 28, 2006 I'm guessing, but I would guess the last shot was probably focussed at infinity. Andy, it looks a bit backfocused - perhaps at 406,740 Km, instead of the average distance of 384,400Km, but I'd have to check it on the 30" monitor at 1000% magnification to say for sure :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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