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What I love about the D-Lux 4


Rexbo47

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There are so many amazing things about the D-Lux 4... multiple aspect ratios, the Summicron-like lens, bracketing, the hotshoe, etc. For daytime photos, no compact camera beats it, not even my Canon S90. My S90 is still queen of the nightlife, though, as it is the low-light camera I had hoped the D-Lux 4 would be.

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"To be fair, most digital cameras do this no? "

 

One point and shoot I had did, but not well.

 

My other point and shoots do not.

 

Neither do my DSLRs

 

Ok, maybe I am missing something... are we talking about going from color to B&W or something else? Most digital cameras have a B&W mode and of course we are not talking RAW (DSLRs in JPEG mode should allow this). If that's not what the thread is about, then I apologize. :D

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Being able to switch aspect ratios on the fly is a feature I have really come to appreciate, and one that is unique to the D-Lux 4/LX3. No other digicam I'm aware of does this or has a dedicated switch to make it as quick and effortless. The D-Lux 4 actually changes perspective when you change ratios, not merely cropping the frame like other digicams do. Since you compose on the screen, the different ratios can really make you to see your subject differently. I usually park it at 3:2, but there have been times where switching to 4:3 or 16:9 better compliments the subject. Oh yeah, that's another thing, you can actually shoot in traditional 3:2 ratio on the D-Lux 4, while most compact digicams are permanently stuck in 4:3. For HD video you can switch to the more "cinematic" 16:9.

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Ok, maybe I am missing something... are we talking about going from color to B&W or something else? Most digital cameras have a B&W mode and of course we are not talking RAW (DSLRs in JPEG mode should allow this). If that's not what the thread is about, then I apologize. :D

 

Perhaps I didn't explain well enough.

 

The point was, how easily it's done.

 

I set my "scene" mode to High Dynamic B/W and I can switch between Program mode (color) and HD B/W with 2 clicks of the wheel and a bump of the joystick

 

So simple, it's easily done without looking.

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Perhaps I didn't explain well enough.

 

The point was, how easily it's done.

 

I set my "scene" mode to High Dynamic B/W and I can switch between Program mode (color) and HD B/W with 2 clicks of the wheel and a bump of the joystick

 

So simple, it's easily done without looking.

 

If you turn off the scene menu in the options then you will be able to switch between the two with just a turn of the wheel. Might as well turn off the focus assist lamp whilst you're in there (if you already haven't). It doesn't speed up focusing at all, slows it down in many cases, and is indiscrete.

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On my screen it is rather bland (unemotional) image. I really don't like it. I also never use in-camera B/W setting.Its better to do it in PS, LR2 or other program with scene specific channel mixer.

 

Jaak

 

Ouch!

 

On my screen it looks like a waterfall shooting out from the top of a mountain down a cliff face. I can't use the word "bland" to describe this scene. Of course, compared to the adrenaline rush of Photoshopping everything is going to seem bland.

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On my screen it is rather bland (unemotional) image. I really don't like it. I also never use in-camera B/W setting.Its better to do it in PS, LR2 or other program with scene specific channel mixer.

 

Jaak

 

 

Don't look at it then.

 

It wasn't submitted for your approval.

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On my screen it is rather bland (unemotional) image. I really don't like it. I also never use in-camera B/W setting.Its better to do it in PS, LR2 or other program with scene specific channel mixer.

 

Jaak

 

I tend to agree. It's a flat image that doesn't really engage the viewer. B&W conversion after the event may well provide greater "boost" to the image, but it doesn't really make a strong point as it is. The colour image is stronger, but the black and white version, processed sympathetically, could really sing.

 

Where IS "NorCal", btw? It sounds like something out of "1984"?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Hi Rebo47

 

I entirely agree with you - I tend to use Auto or A priority (standard colour) and have Dynamic B&W (A priority) set up as Custom 1. I shot a band in a recording studio recently and had to move fast. Being able to switch between colour and B&W by the flick of a switch is just great. I'm happy with the JPegs I get out of this little camera.

 

best

 

Ian

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Don't look at it then.

 

It wasn't submitted for your approval.

 

Rexbo, please don't get me wrong. I'm not approving or disapproving Your landscape image. Also, Im not going to advertise PS to over-tune images. I really hate that cheap effect of too vibrant and synthetic images.

 

My point is, that in-camera B/W setting is more or less just ignoring any color info. Human eye is not working it the same way, therefore it's better idea not to convert into B/W in simple way, just discarding color info, but using channel mixer and enhancing and decreasing some spectrum areas. Same tool is in Photoshop Elements, called Enhance / Convert to B/W (Alt+Ctrl+B)

 

Bland was describing B/W image, not color one.

 

To illustrate B/W conversion I added one possible version of that conversion and compare it to original one. Do You notice added detail on the cliffs etc.

 

I hope my critics and instructions are constructive and helping to make better images.

 

Jaak

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I'm afraid you've lost me.:o Which wheel?

 

Pete.

 

Hi Pete. If you turn off the scene selection menu in the options it means that when you turn the wheel (probably dial I think is the accurate word but I was mirroring language) the camera goes to the scene selected beforehand without bringing up the menu, kind of preloads it if you like. The preloaded scene can be changed when in scene mode by pressing the menu button. So for instance, if you've preloaded the new dynamic three film mode as the scene, turn the dial to scene mode and the camera goes straight to that scene mode without bringing up the menu, turn it to P and your in the Programme mode, turn it back to scene and your straight into the dynamic mode and so on. I find it better this way but your mileage etc...

 

Stelyn

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