What's wrong with me? D2 vs M8u

[AlbertoDeRoma]

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It's a truly spectacular sunny and warm day in the SF Bay Area; so my wife and I are going to "the city" to spend a few hours walking and enjoying the people, the views and the food. And, of course, to take some photos.

 

I want to travel light, so I am going to bring just one camera. I stare at my M8u (w/28mm and 50mm 'crons) and my D2. After 30 seconds, I decide to bring the D2 and leave the M8 at home.

 

Objectively, it makes no sense; but I enjoy shooting with the D2 more than I do with the M8 – despite its clunky viewfinder and 5MP resolutions. It's my go-to camera, and I've "bonded" with it more than I have with the M8.

 

Should I see a photo-shrink?

 

Alberto

[wda]

Certainly not, Alberto! Your rationale makes perfect sense. I should do that more often.

 

Having said that, while I use my Digilux 2 almost every day within my home and garden, I do value the enhanced properties of my higher resolution Leicas because their potential meets current stock library criteria. My older D2 pictures continue to be reproduced, but the lower threshold rules them for acceptance nowadays, more is the pity. Like many, I just love the ergonomics and rendition.

[daveleo]

you most definitely need to get professional help.

 

and, when you do, you might kindly post her/his e-mail address so the rest of us D2 weenies can sign up.

 

at ISO 100, camera jpg's, the D2 is the most magical camera.

 

and sadly . . . . the last her her kind, as well.

[Ecaton]

Looking at used Digilux2 prices recently, the awareness of the camera's uniqueness seems to have become common knowledge. Maybe we should go underground with this thread until some of us could by a few more?

[nigelb]

Looking at used Digilux2 prices recently, the awareness of the camera's uniqueness seems to have become common knowledge. Maybe we should go underground with this thread until some of us could by a few more?

Too late I'm afraid, word has been out on the street for some time now

[AlbertoDeRoma]

Looking at used Digilux2 prices recently, the awareness of the camera's uniqueness seems to have become common knowledge. Maybe we should go underground with this thread until some of us could by a few more?

 

A bit too late, the cat's out of the bag and you can't hide from Google.

 

The good news is that anyone who wants one and is willing to do some work and pay a fair price can get one. Even though it's a great camera, it's not everyone's cup of tea, so there will be plenty of people out there who'd jump a the chance of selling theirs to buy something else.

 

A "want" ad on Craigslist worked very well for me.

 

Alberto

[John Thawley]

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It's a truly spectacular sunny and warm day in the SF Bay Area; so my wife and I are going to "the city" to spend a few hours walking and enjoying the people, the views and the food. And, of course, to take some photos.

 

I want to travel light, so I am going to bring just one camera. I stare at my M8u (w/28mm and 50mm 'crons) and my D2. After 30 seconds, I decide to bring the D2 and leave the M8 at home.

 

Objectively, it makes no sense; but I enjoy shooting with the D2 more than I do with the M8 – despite its clunky viewfinder and 5MP resolutions. It's my go-to camera, and I've "bonded" with it more than I have with the M8.

 

Should I see a photo-shrink?

 

Alberto

 

Honestly? While I don't need to defend my Digilux 2 allegiance, your affinity over the M8 is easy to understand and probably boil down to two compelling reasons. Autofocus and zoom.

 

The image quality is comparable, the difference in feel in the hands, negligible... the creative ease of use... hands down goes to the Digilux 2. You bring it to your eye, compose, press the button halfway down... click up or down on the aperture ring and bang.... you've nailed the shot.

 

Your mental commitment to the creative process is never in doubt... you're not wondering in the back of your mind .... was it sharp enough..? did I have the split screen right...? I wish I had brought a 90mm instead of this 35mm -

 

With the Digilux 2, your confidence in your own creative eye is bolstered by those two benefits not available on your M8.

 

IMO

[jrethorst]

The image quality is comparable

 

Really?

[John Thawley]

Really?

 

I assure you, unlike the cost, the difference in IMAGE QUALITY is negligible. Not file size... pure image quality. Obviously, you have a choice of lenses with the M8, but in capable hands, the Digilux 2 is a stunning performer. I use a 5D MK11 with all L series glass. I promise you, if I were to set the 5D to a file size equal to the Digilux 2, it wouldn't even be a discussion.

 

JT

[roguewave]

I assure you, unlike the cost, the difference in IMAGE QUALITY is negligible. Not file size... pure image quality. Obviously, you have a choice of lenses with the M8, but in capable hands, the Digilux 2 is a stunning performer. I use a 5D MK11 with all L series glass. I promise you, if I were to set the 5D to a file size equal to the Digilux 2, it wouldn't even be a discussion.

 

JT

 

John, I appreciate your passion & love affair with the beloved D2. It still remains one of my favorite cameras. I do think it's important to note that any comparison to the M8/M9 is folly. I have seen your expert work & enjoy it. No one can get the look of a Summilux or Summicron, shot wide open with a D2. Just isn't in the physics of the lens or the camera. The D2 has a wonder all it's own, but IQ is not the same or equivalent to the artistry available with the lenses & sensor of the M system. That said, the D2 has a unique signature of it's own and in the right hands, it can deliver stunning images. May we all remain privileged to use & enjoy such a fine instrument. We are a lucky lot, indeed.

[jrethorst]

No one can get the look of a Summilux or Summicron, shot wide open with a D2. Just isn't in the physics of the lens or the camera.

I was thinking of file size and date of sensor design, i.e. 2004 vs 2009 or so, when I asked. I'm not sure that the D2 lens needs to take a back seat to anything.

[roguewave]

I was thinking of file size and date of sensor design, i.e. 2004 vs 2009 or so, when I asked. I'm not sure that the D2 lens needs to take a back seat to anything.

 

I like the lens on the D2 very much. That's not the issue.

 

The SONY sensor is smaller & one can't get the same shallow DOF in the D2 as one can with the M8\M9. That's just a fact. Although the lens is very special, it is also computed as a zoom lens & it's widest aperture is 2.0, not 1.4. There's a world of difference between those apertures. Also, the Summilux 1,4 lenses are very special, in so many ways, not just an extra stop.

 

BTW, all 4/3 systems suffer from a lack of shallow dof as compared to the lenses available for Leica M & R systems. Indeed it is those lenses that separate Leica from any other vendor.

 

Although I love my D2, there are incredible differences between my Summicron 50 shot wide open at F2 on both my M & R camera's. The 'cron 50 is often talked about as a king of bokeh on both the R & M systems, shot wide open. For some the newest 50 asph Lux is the pinnacle of those attributes. I love the D2, but wide open, it's just not in the same ballpark.

 

John's work is an excellent example of the strengths of the D2. Stopped down 1, 2 or 3 stops allows a lot more detail, with some oof areas, that help to support the in focus, central elements. At F5.6 & higher the images have amazing details, but loose a dimensionality that only fixed focal lengths can render.

 

The 2 sensors give widely different results. I own & use both cameras. Each have their strengths & weaknesses. That isn't meant to to disparage either camera, just to point out the realities.

 

Image Quality is a subjective issue, like how we see ourselves or our mate. The fact is, whether we want to see it or not, there is a substantial difference in both IQ & the kind of image that can be rendered between the D2 & the M8/M9 and even the DMR (my favorite of all Leica digital cameras). Enjoy your D2 & be fruitful.

[John Thawley]

I like the lens on the D2 very much. That's not the issue.

 

The SONY sensor is smaller & one can't get the same shallow DOF in the D2 as one can with the M8\M9. That's just a fact. Although the lens is very special, it is also computed as a zoom lens & it's widest aperture is 2.0, not 1.4. There's a world of difference between those apertures. Also, the Summilux 1,4 lenses are very special, in so many ways, not just an extra stop.

 

BTW, all 4/3 systems suffer from a lack of shallow dof as compared to the lenses available for Leica M & R systems. Indeed it is those lenses that separate Leica from any other vendor.

 

Although I love my D2, there are incredible differences between my Summicron 50 shot wide open at F2 on both my M & R camera's. The 'cron 50 is often talked about as a king of bokeh on both the R & M systems, shot wide open. For some the newest 50 asph Lux is the pinnacle of those attributes. I love the D2, but wide open, it's just not in the same ballpark.

 

John's work is an excellent example of the strengths of the D2. Stopped down 1, 2 or 3 stops allows a lot more detail, with some oof areas, that help to support the in focus, central elements. At F5.6 & higher the images have amazing details, but loose a dimensionality that only fixed focal lengths can render.

 

The 2 sensors give widely different results. I own & use both cameras. Each have their strengths & weaknesses. That isn't meant to to disparage either camera, just to point out the realities.

 

Image Quality is a subjective issue, like how we see ourselves or our mate. The fact is, whether we want to see it or not, there is a substantial difference in both IQ & the kind of image that can be rendered between the D2 & the M8/M9 and even the DMR (my favorite of all Leica digital cameras). Enjoy your D2 & be fruitful.

 

Obviously, you're absolutely right. Certainly, my comments were not intended to be "absolute." DOF, sensor size and obviously, the choice of lenses negate any attempt to measure absolute equality.

 

And thanks for the kind words. That means a lot.

 

JT