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DigiLux 1, 2 or 3?


lagrassa

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D1 - small sensor fixed zoom lens 4MP. I have the Panasonic version although I've not used it in a while now. It's a capable camera with a nice lens and a flash hotshoe. The quality is limited but fine up to A4 prints and particularly nice for portraits (I've used mine for paid jobs shooting a couple of functions).

 

D2 - larger sensor, fixed zoom lens and 5MP. There's plenty written elsewhere about this camera just search the forums. I've not used one personally but I think the lens is a major plus point and the 'manual' controls. Super built in bounce flash too. Some suffer from sensor failure but Leica will replace free of charge (for now at least, no doubt sensors will cease to be available at some point).

 

D3 - this was Leica's foray into the 4/3rds market. Interchangeable lenses. The fact that Leica dropped it tells us that it didn't sell very well. Micro 4/3rds seems to be a much more sensible use of the format, the D3 has a smaller sensor than a DSLR but compared to say one of the bottom range Nikon or Canon's its huge!

 

Of course all of these cameras are discontinued now. Depending on what you want/need one of them may suit your purposes, but there isn't any Leica equivalent in production now.

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It seems the DigiLux 2 gets all the attention/accolades, am I am not sure why? Thanks.

 

The D2/LC1 is the most affordable analogue control digital camera AFAIK. Although the camera was a collaboration with Panasonic, and a defect in some of the internal parts came to light after the camera was launched, Leica treated it like a Leica and put a cast iron, fairly open ended guarantee behind the product, and are still replacing the defective parts free of charge even today, as defects occur. Panasonic's guarantee was somewhat less bankable.

 

These aspects, plus the wonderful lens, film-grain-like pleasing quality to the jpegs and especially the user friendly interface in a digital camera seem to have given the camera a cult status.

 

I own one, and owning just one seems to be a rarity, and I know I could never part.

 

The D3/L1 is also a wonderful camera with many things to offer that the D2 can't, but it lacks the interesting back-story of the D2 and isn't such a simple beast, with interchangeable lenses, crop factors, noisy SLR shutter and so on interfering with purity.

 

I hope this attempt helps to try to quantify the D2's appeal.

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I am sure, this is the longest thread ever written about a leica-camera here on this forum.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/20265-do-digilux-2-photos-have-distinctive.html

 

guess, why, or- better read it and look at the quality of the fotos. nothing left to say

 

That thread is quite unique.

 

The header picture (of the crowd) and the coat rack picture (which for some strange reason I find most alluring) really appealled to me too on the site link below. The larger than normal depth of field is a real plus to me and shown off in these excellent images. Also the picture of the black woman in the car on the same site really appeals to me as a background lover.

 

leica.overgaard.dk - Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Sites - Leica Digilux 2 sample photos and tests (as well as Panasonic DMC-LC1) - Page 2

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What annoys me a bit from Leica, is on there website the digiluxses 1,2 3 are not mentioned anymore,

as if they never existed,

while CM and Minilux C1,2,3,ex.. are still there

 

Looks like they don't consider them to be real Leica's

 

Yes, it's disappointing. But, frankly, I'd love this camera even if it said "Sanyo" on it :).

 

The fact that it continues to have some fervent fans - including some pros who could buy and use any other camera out there - is a better indication of its classic status (at least for a DigiCam) that being on the website.

 

The other strong evidence is its high resale value - I can't think of (m)any other digital cameras that are still selling as high (relatively to their original price) as the D2.

 

Alberto

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Yes, it's disappointing. But, frankly, I'd love this camera even if it said "Sanyo" on it :).

 

The fact that it continues to have some fervent fans - including some pros who could buy and use any other camera out there - is a better indication of its classic status (at least for a DigiCam) that being on the website.

 

The other strong evidence is its high resale value - I can't think of (m)any other digital cameras that are still selling as high (relatively to their original price) as the D2.

 

Alberto

 

Never happend before!

 

Ronny

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Pure reality,

Most digicams stops working when they are 5 jears old

They are build to last not longer

Witch camera would you use with technology from 2004?

Other than Digilux 2 ofcourse and M8 will be the next

Its strenght is this unbelieveble lens.

 

No one has ever done it, but Leica could : upgrade of the sensor, would be very nice!

Or am i dreaming?

 

 

 

Ronny

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Can someone enlighten me on the pros/cons of each of these cameras? It seems the DigiLux 2 gets all the attention/accolades, am I am not sure why? Thanks.

 

The short and sweet status would be:

 

Digilux 1 - If you didn't get it when it was new you probably shouldn't worry. It's a nice retro-design and could be a fashion statement (girls love the design) and for kids.

 

Digilux 2 - It a Leica M in disguise. It has the simplicity of the M, the size and in many regards the image quality - but with AF and the ease of zoom and compact files that are easy to work with. Simply the classic that can still be experiences "as new" for anyone who didn't get it in 2004.

 

Digilux 3 - When it went off the rails for Leica. Useful for many things, but basically has no future as they won't continue the 4/3 system. So the only two lenses available are the 28-90 zoom (that is bulkier and requires more light than the 28-90 zoom on the Digilux 2) and the 50/1.4 (which is an interesting little gem). You can also use an adapter and mount R lenses onto it - so as to have two dead ends combined in one :D (as neither 4/3 mount or R mount will continue in the future).

 

So start with Digilux 2, and when you will go further it will be M8, M9 and then eventual D3 and D1 for the fun of it.

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Pure reality,

Most digicams stops working when they are 5 jears old

They are build to last not longer

Witch camera would you use with technology from 2004?

Other than Digilux 2 ofcourse and M8 will be the next

Its strenght is this unbelieveble lens.

 

No one has ever done it, but Leica could : upgrade of the sensor, would be very nice!

Or am i dreaming?

 

 

 

Ronny

 

HEy can we make a petition for Leica to Upgrade the Digilux 2 ;)

it would be cool and a dream come true

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HEy can we make a petition for Leica to Upgrade the Digilux 2 ;)

it would be cool and a dream come true

 

Not to be a bummer, but I think it will stay a dream. I can't see Leica, or any other manufacturer, taking this challenge since the market would be relatively small for the investment required. For every Leica "lover" there are at least 10 people who think the camera looks and works like something out of "Easter Europe circa 1950" - actual quote from a Canon D? friend of mine.

 

Leica is a small company and they have made their strategy and direction pretty obvious with the M8/M9 and X1. I can't see them adding another line.

 

Too bad, but it's the reality.

 

Alberto

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Not to be a bummer, but I think it will stay a dream. I can't see Leica, or any other manufacturer, taking this challenge since the market would be relatively small for the investment required. For every Leica "lover" there are at least 10 people who think the camera looks and works like something out of "Easter Europe circa 1950" - actual quote from a Canon D? friend of mine.

 

Leica is a small company and they have made their strategy and direction pretty obvious with the M8/M9 and X1. I can't see them adding another line.

 

Too bad, but it's the reality.

 

Alberto

 

Afraid you´re right....

 

After all, they don´t make Stradivari violins any more either..... Those wanting one will have to buy them second hand......;)

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