AlbertoDeRoma Posted January 6, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 6, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) My first Leica was a D-Lux 4. That little camera got me really excited about photography again in a way that none of my DSLRs had. It's also the camera that led me to this forum (which has become my favorite photography forum on the web.) On the other hand, this forum (and some particular contributors who shall remain nameless ) have infected me with a nasty case of Digilux 2 fever. I bought one (with a non replaced sensor for $450.) Loved it. Could not put it down. It made me feel like a "real photographer" and sent me on many a trek/walk just to shoot some photos with it. It is most enjoyable camera I have ever owned. The combination of manual/analog controls, the classic looks, and the great tone from the pictures is just what I was looking for. Having a viewfinder is great, so is having the option of autofocus - two great things for someone who needs reading glasses. Buying it was a great decision. However, I hated the thought of the sensor going bad and being without it even if for a short time, so I bought another one (with a replaced sensor for $650.) Having a backup Digilux 2 with a replaced sensor was a reasonable purchase considering how much I liked this camera. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I saw a minty Digilux 2 on eBay with box and all the original accessories/manuals/filter etc. and I wanted it too. I bid, but I was outbid (it went for over $1,000 - hopefully to someone on this forum.) I was disappointed, but I got busy and managed to buy another one for $700 with new sensor (replace just a month ago) from the original owner with the box and all accessories (including the filter.) OK, this last purchase was a over the top, but with 3 of them my Digilux fever is now cured. And I can even feel comfortable shipping one of them for leather "pimping" . How did I manage to find 3 Digilux 2s at reasonable prices (average of $600)? Well, that's what I want to share with my newfound friends on this forum who are looking to get their first (or second) Digilux 2. I used craigslist but in "proactive mode." I've discovered that even though there might be no listings for DL2s at any given time, there are lots of people out there that will respond to WTB (Want to Buy) ads. I make it easy for the sellers by offering cash and a local transaction. I also get the benefit of seeing and testing the camera in person before buying it. So, if you want to get your hands on a Digilux 2, don't wait for a "For Sale" ad to appear, or bid on eBay, try writing a Craigslist WTB ad and you might get that camera sooner and at a better price. I hope this helps some of the people who've been wanting to get a Digilux 2 and have been having trouble finding one. Thanks again to all the people who turned me on to the Digilux 2 and best of luck to those of you who are looking to get one. This is really one special camera. Alberto Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 6, 2010 Posted January 6, 2010 Hi AlbertoDeRoma, Take a look here Digilux 2 fever ... and the cure (or: How to get your hands on a Digilux 2). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
carlosecpf Posted January 6, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 6, 2010 Hi Alberto, I too discovered this prescription when I found myself surrounded by two D2 (with original boxes, manuals etc) and one Lumix LC1 (this one I bought on eBay for $250 and it is in perfect conditions). My D2 in leather had it sensor replaced already, but the other one and the LC1 didn't... After all the spending on D2 gear, I believe I am finally cured and can enjoy shooting with this amazing camera till the end of my days. The only thing missing for me to make it perfect is having usable high ISO. All the rest could remain as it is IMO. I am abroad on vacations now and I brought my D2 as my only camera. Checking out the pics on D2's LCD it seems I will get tons of keepers (at least the ones taken in good light conditions). Let's see how the look like in my iMac big screen when I get back home next week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
h00ligan Posted January 6, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks Alberto! Always the informative poster Maybe when I settle on a first cam, I'll use said techniques for a second. Or maybe the digilux 2 should be my primary cam now the dl4 is going back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Thawley Posted January 6, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 6, 2010 Hmmm... are we seeing a trend here? Is there any other camera that drives its owners to the point of feeling they need a "stash?" With three Digilux 2 and one Lumix DMC LC1 I'd like to also consider myself cured. Although... I still catch myself looking at them on eBay and still drift over to cameraleather.com day dreaming about doing another one in leather. Sadly, before I totally got the bug, (like by a week or so) I missed a brand new sealed Digilux 2 on eBay. I think if I saw it today, I'd buy it and never open it. LOL My name is John - I'm a Digilux 2 addict. LOL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted January 6, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 6, 2010 my name is john - i'm a digilux 2 addict.... ..... and The Leader of that Band as well ! i am saving my wife's money ( ) for an X1 at the moment .... then a D2 to go British Racing Green. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted January 6, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 6, 2010 I have bought a couple - currently I have five - from Popflash. Tony & Alex give a first class service and they regularly have them, usually with a new sensor and a decent price. Even with shipping to the UK they are viable - not had any customs charges either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemalk Posted January 6, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 6, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've had an LC1 for a couple of years...but I continue to troll ebay for a well-priced Digilux 2. I have an M8 and a Digilux 3 but there really is something about the Digilux 2. Shame about the high ISO cap and noise, but even the noise on it seems like grain. It's not even a logical or rational choice; for even less money, I can get an LX3 with the same lens (shorter zoom, though), much cleaner images at higher ISOs, higher storage capacity and HD video. But the form factor wins out on the Digilux 2. Oh, and as has been said - Popflash is a good place for nice, clean D2s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertoDeRoma Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted January 6, 2010 It's not even a logical or rational choice; for even less money, I can get an LX3 with the same lens (shorter zoom, though), much cleaner images at higher ISOs, higher storage capacity and HD video. But the form factor wins out on the Digilux 2. Depending on your needs, it might be a logical or illogical choice. I am not a professional photographer, I shoot for fun and I don't need to make large prints of my photos, so the pleasurable and fun aspects of using a camera are the most important factors to me. In that respect, the DL2 is a rational choice because I love using it and have lots of fun. I've had "better" and more modern DSLRs with nice lenses and zooms, but after the first couple of days of infatuation with the new toy they did not get much use. The Digilux 2 is like a vintage car, or tube stereo, not the last word on performance, resolution, etc., but they score extremely high on the "fun scale." Having said that, we have more than a few professionals who use it with very some pretty amazing results. BTW, I've seen a couple of episode of a TV show called "Hoarders" (one of the people featured collected empty beer cans and had a garage full of them) - I hope that one of us does not end up in one episode . Alberto Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Hoge Posted January 6, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2010 [ RE: (OK, this last purchase was a over the top, but with 3 of them my Digilux fever is now cured.) Don't be so sure! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stelyn Posted January 6, 2010 Share #10 Posted January 6, 2010 I was wondering about something. I have a (one [1 number]) Digilux 2, and if it ever broke down I was going to send it off for repair and presumably pay to have it brought back to life. If it was stolen I was just going to buy another. Is there some reason that people are buying 2, 3 or 4 of them. Do you guys know something that I don't? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted January 6, 2010 Share #11 Posted January 6, 2010 ..... Is there some reason that people are buying 2, 3 or 4 of them ? my wife has 3 closets filled with shoes and handbags you explain that, and i'll explain the need for several D2's Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertoDeRoma Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted January 6, 2010 I was wondering about something. I have a (one [1 number]) Digilux 2, and if it ever broke down I was going to send it off for repair and presumably pay to have it brought back to life. If it was stolen I was just going to buy another. Is there some reason that people are buying 2, 3 or 4 of them. Do you guys know something that I don't? It may be an irrational fear, but at some point Leica might stop repairing them - or run out of parts. I have a feeling that an impartial jury might deem your behavior sane and ours just a bit crazy . Alberto Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stelyn Posted January 6, 2010 Share #13 Posted January 6, 2010 my wife has 3 closets filled with shoes and handbags you explain that, and i'll explain the need for several D2's So does mine come to think of it, and that is an absolutely excellent counter-argument if she were to ever try to discuss why any future new camera I was to buy off ebay "looks exactly the same as the other one that works perfectly well blah blah, how many camera do you need [ad naseum]". Should I ever develop this need to hoard Digilux two's I'm going to use this excellent tu quoque strategy, thanks. I'm just wondering how much bluster I should use, do you think a bit of hand-waving may also improve it's effectiveness? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stelyn Posted January 6, 2010 Share #14 Posted January 6, 2010 I have a feeling that an impartial jury might deem your behavior sane and ours just a bit crazy . Alberto That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all day. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Thawley Posted January 7, 2010 Share #15 Posted January 7, 2010 my wife has 3 closets filled with shoes and handbags you explain that, and i'll explain the need for several D2's Well, I have matching bags for my Digilux 2(s).... LOL Never thought of shoes too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted January 7, 2010 Share #16 Posted January 7, 2010 yeh .... she's aways saying .... "i can do anything with the right shoes and handbag". i could say ...." i can do anything with a {red, green, gray, ..... } D2 ! " Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digitom Posted January 8, 2010 Share #17 Posted January 8, 2010 I LOVE This thread! I am also a Digilux 2 fan and I really think about of buying a 2nd one to have a substitute for the day in the future my 1st one will unrepairable fail... But - is it useful to buy a 2nd one and leave it in the box, well packed? Or is ist better to use it also from time to time? Because the electronic circuits will also be aging when not using. I am not an electronic engeneer, but also long time not used mechanical devices are aging. maybe it is same with electronic devices? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted January 8, 2010 Share #18 Posted January 8, 2010 An other hoarder here I am afraid. I own 2 Digilux 2's. My first one (bought Aug2009 - 450 Euro) was in pretty nice condition and came with a Leica UV filter and hood with cap only. Round lens cap missing.The sensor was/and is still original. It was my first Leica. The second came with original box with all original accessories,step up ring 69-72, B+W filters, macro front-lens, remote control, bag, leather finish, replaced filter.... I couldn't resist.... (bought Nov 2009 - 500Euro ) The plan was to test them and keep the best one with all accessories. I am still testing. Can not make my mind up between them. Actually I told my wife I need one to shoot B+W, and the other for color. That is convenient, but of course not the real reason why I have two. Recently I saw a mint one for sale and was really tempted... Damn, don't know what it is with this camera. It is addictive as a hard drug so they should make it illegal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted January 10, 2010 Share #19 Posted January 10, 2010 ... The second came with original box with all original accessories,step up ring 69-72, B+W filters, macro front-lens, remote control, bag, leather finish, replaced filter....I couldn't resist.... (bought Nov 2009 - 500Euro ) ... Wow, that sounds like a really good deal! The 'macro front lens' - if it's the Elpro-D - goes for about 190 Euro, the leather bag goes for 60 - 70 Euro and if the leather finish was done at Camera Leather it's around 100 Euro. Well done! Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted January 12, 2010 Share #20 Posted January 12, 2010 I'm a recent Digilux 2 convert and I continue to enjoy the camera for it's practicality and unique IQ. Here's something I did with it today. I took these pictures to sell my Digital Rebel T1i on E-bay. Yes, that rebel is a full 15 Megapixels and the technology on it is way ahead of the D2, but I never use it since I got the D2, and I don't really need it as a back-up to my Canon 5D II, so it's going. I'm also including another picture of Lucy the Independent wonder cat I took with the D2. The D2 - I have to say - gives one a measure of independence. 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/108783-digilux-2-fever-and-the-cure-or-how-to-get-your-hands-on-a-digilux-2/?do=findComment&comment=1183989'>More sharing options...
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