What are your thoughts on the d-lux 4 addon adapter tubes

[h00ligan]

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Lensmate makes a 46mm and there seem to be a few makers of 52 mm. I'd prefer 52mm so i could use the filters on an old dslr I have and still use on occasion.

 

Can the adapter tubes be left on all the time - do they interfere with the flash or cause other strange things to happen? The main thought is - as I live in Phoenix, and the sun is always out - I really want to get a PF because no camera I have seen without one captures the sky here with any sense of decent color. I'm a complete newcomer to photog and have never bought additional filters or lenses at this point, just had a dslr I learned some basics on and bought due to a great price. The d4 is the 'bridge' cam for me I think, but why spend money on filters that I can't reuse later...

 

Thoughts? Any brand better than the other - any issue with the 52mm vs the 46mm?

 

Thanks for the advice and info in advance - and the forum!

[daveleo]

i have an LX3 and keep the tube on all the time and i don't have to worry about removing the lens cap before startup (which i always forget).

i use both 46mm and 52mm filters on the rare ocassion that i "play" with them.

never noticed anything strange.

 

remember that using color-correcting filters you need to white balance manually because the camera will auto-white balance whatever light its sees.

 

i have used a polarizer and it works very well ... but watching the effects in the LCD in daylight pretty much stinks. most of my filters are tiffen (from the olden days of film).

[AlbertoDeRoma]

Hi,

 

I bought the lensmate adapter with a UV filter and a warm circular polarizer. I really like the look and functioning of the camera with the adapted and the UV filter -- I don't worry so muc about scratching the lens or damaging the delicate "zoom" mechanism. The downside is that the camera will no longer fit in your pocket - at least not in an unnoticeable way (i.e. "Is that a Leica in your pocket or are you happy to see me?" ).

 

When I took the DL4 to Death Valley, I made extensive use of the filters and appreciated the extra protection from dust/etc. from the adapter.

 

I say, go for it - the price is right. One suggestion, buy an extra pair of adapter clips for the Leica cover. I lost one of mine and while the clips are cheap, (less than $5) the shipping is pricey.

 

Alberto

[h00ligan]

Thanks for the feedback you two.

 

@daveleo - so are you using the 46mm w/step adaptor? It occurs to me that the 46 may not cast the shadow with internal flash like the 52mm. Also, the panasonic 46mm looks shorter than the lensmate? Also, I guess you could maybe mark the circular PF for 90 degree shooting etc? Or do you think a linear is good for this situation?

 

@alberto - yes, the dust and uv in this neck of the woods is fierce, so I would appreciate protection from both. Good tip on the extra lens clips!

 

So do I gather the 46mm tube doesn't have the same issues? Also, why the lensmate over the panasonic (less $ no lens cap)?

[griffster]

I have the 46mm tube from Lensmate which does cast a shadow when using the pop-up flash.

[bill]

These will be my thoughts:

 

Rangefound: D-Lux 4 and Beyond....

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[daveleo]

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@daveleo - so are you using the 46mm w/step adaptor? It occurs to me that the 46 may not cast the shadow with internal flash like the 52mm. Also, the panasonic 46mm looks shorter than the lensmate? Also, I guess you could maybe mark the circular PF for 90 degree shooting etc? Or do you think a linear is good for this situation?

 

* my apologies for giving you a bad answer. *

 

i have the lensmate 46mm straight tube that i sometimes use with a step-up ring to 52mm for a filter.

 

i DO see a very unacceptable shadow in the lower right corner when using the built-in flash at *anything less than about 30mm (?) *. i see this shadow with and without the 52mm step-up ring.

 

as i never used the flash before just now, i should have been more thoughtful when answering

 

i have a linear polarizer and it works fine.

[h00ligan]

Thanks for the added info.

 

I'm not really all that interested in using a telephoto addon, just a PF, which perhaps (if using one of good quality) won't degrade the photo as you experienced Bill. It seems that was the downside rather than the pandabase adapter.

 

Thanks again!

[regedit]

right now I have a panda adapter which I hate. from the bottom of my hart but I have to keep it because original cap got broken and was the only solution to borrow the tube until the new cap arrive. The camera got bulky and no way will enter in pens pockets. the uv glass get dirty way too fast. sometimes to get clean pictures I prefer to unscrew the filter along with cap, or sometimes the hole tube.

 

probably it will be another story if I treat my cam with a case and hang around my neck, but I prefer d-lux4 to be what it seems to be designed, a good p&s that get into o pocket.

[paulpp]

I bought the Panda tube and thought it was very good until I decided that it negated why I bought the camera in the first place - as something I could keep in my pocket. But will keep the tube for when I am out and about and want the camera on a neck strap for an extended period of time.

[h00ligan]

Well to be fair, I haven't really shot any pics outside yet with this cam, too busy with holiday parties and mucking about with it tucked away in the office or bedroom - familiarizing myself. I suppose it is possible the lens coating will negate the need for the PF here, but I sorta doubt it considering I live in a very hot, ver very sunny environment. That would really be the only reason for me to get the addon.

 

@daveleo - your answer was just fine, and I appreciate the added information, especially that you are finding the linear filter just fine.

 

I am wondering as I look at some of the great work made with this camera how much is post production and how many people are using addon filters etc. For me the main issue I've seen with my other cams is that the depth of blue in the sky here (usually no contrasting clouds) seems to really get lost - something I had assumed would require me to get a PF, however in much of the work i've seen - blues in the sky look quite deep. As a newcomer to photography I am curious if there are some 'quick tips' for enriching color. That question however, would appear to belong in another forum! So many questions and so much to learn - and I seem to be jumping all over the place, so thank you all for the patience and willingness to help a newcomer out.

[delnerdo]

I hadn't seen the Panda Tube before. I like the form of the barrel more than that of the Lensmate. The step-down barrel of the latter just looks really lame. I use a Lensmate all the time. It's of decent build quality, but lacks elegance. Further, it secures a lens hood, in vain hopes of minimizing flare.

 

BTW I thought it best to keep a tube over the retractable lens to keep out dust. Some got into my DLX3 and it still bugs me. Sure the DLX4 is less portable with tube affixed. So I bring the 3 if I want a pocket bulge.

 

The hood and all do obscure the focus light, in addition to flash.

[bill]

Well to be fair, I haven't really shot any pics outside yet with this cam, too busy with holiday parties and mucking about with it tucked away in the office or bedroom - familiarizing myself. I suppose it is possible the lens coating will negate the need for the PF here, but I sorta doubt it considering I live in a very hot, ver very sunny environment. That would really be the only reason for me to get the addon.

 

@daveleo - your answer was just fine, and I appreciate the added information, especially that you are finding the linear filter just fine.

 

I am wondering as I look at some of the great work made with this camera how much is post production and how many people are using addon filters etc. For me the main issue I've seen with my other cams is that the depth of blue in the sky here (usually no contrasting clouds) seems to really get lost - something I had assumed would require me to get a PF, however in much of the work i've seen - blues in the sky look quite deep. As a newcomer to photography I am curious if there are some 'quick tips' for enriching color. That question however, would appear to belong in another forum! So many questions and so much to learn - and I seem to be jumping all over the place, so thank you all for the patience and willingness to help a newcomer out.

 

The colour of the sky depends on a number of factors including where the sun is at the time (including time of year) and your angle to the light. I don't remember the last time I used a polarising filter. My usual PS workflow with the D-Lux 4 is straightforward - a quick tweak to levels (seldom needed) and the same to contrast and colour. No more than that. The jpgs out of this camera are just that good.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[h00ligan]

thanks for the insight. I guess my issue is 'having' to shoot at a certain time of day for various reasons. I'll experiment more and appreciate the comments.