Leica D-lux3 - first photos

[paolo d]

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Hi, my name is Paolo, from Turin (Italy) and I'm a newcomer here.

I've just bought the small Leica D-lux3 and, although I didn't so many shots, I can say that I love this camera ! Usually I use the Canon 5d and the Zeiss Ikon for films, but D-lux3 is going to become a reliable choice for me, especially during my lunch-time or during some boring business trips.

 

Below some of today's and yesterday shots (RAW, then converted in BW, some grain added to simulate films):

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you

[suse]

Hi Paolo

 

That's some nice work you've done for some first shots. I particularly like the first one, there seems to be a lovely fluidity to the shot, especially with the light around the figure. The last one is great too.

 

Did you use manual settings? I'm just trying out a d-lux 3 too, and have to admit it's fun.

 

Sue

[Guest malland]

Good work, Paolo!

 

I bought a D-Lux 3 a couple of weeks ago to complement my Ricoh GR-D because I wanted to be able to shoot at 40-50mm-equivalent, as the GR-D has only a 28mm lens and a 21mm adaptor. I am also happy with the camera, You can see 12 D-Lux 3 shots here, which are labeled as such, with the remaining 100+ shots are with the GR-D:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/

 

Since I got my GR-D in July, and now the D-Lux 3, I haven't touched my M6. I've made some huge prints from GR-D files (100x133cm or 40x52 inches), and I'm sure I'll be able to do the samed with the D-Lux 3.

 

For the time being I've decided to use these small sensor cameras because I can produce a look that I like with them, including film-like grain. In an article on his site Sean Reid has written that small sensor, with their huge DOF and grain (noise if you will), are a new type of camera format, the way 35mm was a new format when the first Leicas were produced, which I think is correct.

 

One reason I'm not interested in getting an M8 now is that, according to Sean Reid's reviews again, it produces at ISOs up to 640 files that have the look of medium format film, while I like the "35mm aesthetic." This means that I would have to shoot at ISO 1250 and 2500 (effective speeds of 1600 and 3200 according to Sean), which is too fast for shooting at noon in Bangkok. I know that I could shoot at lower ISOs and introduce film grain into the pictures, but, even though I do a lot of post processing, I prefer the immediacy of having the garin come form the camera. I also like the small size of the D-Lux 3 because I travel so extensively and frequently that even an M8 with a couple of lenses is too much to put into my roll-abourd suitcase: after the recent London-Heathrow bomb scarein Europe only one bag is allowed as allowed as carryon luggage, unlike previous regulations that allowed a carryon suitcase and a briefcase of computer bag. And since I travel so much, I cannot check my luggage since I would have to spend so much time at airports waiting for my checked luggage.

 

Another reason that I shoot with small sensor cameras is that I like framing with the LCD display because it encourages a more "fluid" and "looser" shooting style than framning with a viewfinder. In contrast, the M8, like DSLRs, does not have a live preview on the LCD display.

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

[peterb]

Very nice work.

 

P

[Guest lykoudos]

Hello and cordially welcome in the forum dear Paolo,

 

Thank you for your pictures succeeded really beautifully in the view of the motive, the perspective and total composition. It is, finds I, straight on the most necessary reduced view, which throws its bright light on the whole, who am not to be seen evenly.

 

Kind regards and a good new year

 

Wolfgang (Leica MP grey hammertone, 2,8/28; 1,4/50; 2/90)

[paolo d]

Hi Paolo

 

That's some nice work you've done for some first shots. I particularly like the first one, there seems to be a lovely fluidity to the shot, especially with the light around the figure. The last one is great too.

 

Did you use manual settings? I'm just trying out a d-lux 3 too, and have to admit it's fun.

 

Sue

 

Hi Sue

I mainly use the A setting (diaphram priority) . I dont't want to waste time in trying to set the camera in a 'not natural' way (mini-joystick), so I appreciate the P&S functionalitities of this kind of cameras. Because of the wide-angle lens, the good luminosity and the effect of the stabilizer, I try to shot at maximum f, to reach a minimum out of focus effect

Consider that I shot the first photo at 1/8 sec !

Regards