D3: The Ugly Duckling.

[sfage]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have been printing large images shot with my D3. I really don't know what the non "fuss" is about. I am extremely happy with what is coming out of the printer. For 7.5 mp, it's quite remarkable, actually.

 

I just printed and framed this one, image size 50X70 cm. No problem at all. It looks great. I'm very happy.

 

TakeMeToYourLeader.jpg picture by sfage - Photobucket

[earleygallery]

Nice shot, pity you weren't able to enter the Leica 'holiday' card comp with it.

 

Nothing 'wrong' with the D3, but it clearly didn't sell very well at all, probably due to the fact that it had a smaller sensor yet was physically larger than most DSLR's, and of course expensive being a Leica.

 

Leica pulled out of the 4/3rds market, so it's a dead system for them.

[sfage]

Thanks. Wish me luck, I hope it sells tonight

 

And yeah, I know the format is basically dead. It's too bad. I really like it.

[Overgaard]

The files are ok, I think the general non-popularity is the handling of the camera, and the "compromise" technology of mirror and 4/3.

 

In many ways its the classic and very popular Leica Digilux 2 merged/compromised with 4/3 marketing idea, resulting in a slightly bigger body, bigger sensor (and thus bigger and less light strong lenses) and a mirror making sound.

 

In return, one could say, you got changeable lenses, more MP and appropriate RAW buffer.

 

Many love their D3 and there has never been anything wrong with them, they actually seem to run without any problems at all.

[sfage]

Many love their D3 and there has never been anything wrong with them, they actually seem to run without any problems at all.

 

Yeah, that's kind of my thinking too!

[Paolo.Battista]

I'm absolutely happy with my 4/3 cameras, even if I almost replaced my Digilux 3 with the Olympus E-3 mainly because it's much easier to use with my R lenses (thanks to the viewfinder and a more precise focus confirmation).

Tried R lenses both on Canon and Nikon bodies, but actually I prefer chromaticity and tonal resolution coming from the 4/3 sensors (well, at least up to the 10 MP one, the last 12 MP version does not seem to be able to achieve the same results).

[John Thawley]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think Thorsten has it right. My journey went from a Panasonic DMC LC1 to the Leica Digilux 3, only to return to the Digilux 2.

 

The image quality from the Digilux 3 was superb.... beautiful lens. The analog controls mentally accommodated what I was looking for too. But in the end, it was bulky (at least for what I wanted) and in some ways redundant to all my Canon DSLR equipment. I found myself wondering about getting additional lenses. That's when I caught myself... realizing that if I did that, I may as well drag a Canon out on family outings.

 

Maybe had it been my only camera I might have stuck with it. But it became apparent that the Digilux 2 was more suited to what I was after... image quality, size and simplicity, and the analog control. It's all about a state of mind.

 

JT

[roguewave]

I have found that the best use of my D3 is with an adapter to use my R glass. With my 50 Summilux, I have a very small package that gives me the equivalent of a 100mm Summilux for street portraits. Amazing colors and very nice bokeh. The small & light kit is easy to have around as a 2nd kit.

 

I also use this with my 80 Summilux, which translates into a 160 mm focal length. That allows me to shoot wide open at 1.4. In the late summer light or just after sunset, that kit has been amazing. At night I use my ultralight Bogen collapsible monopod with this kit and the night portraits are a breeze.

 

THe kit lens with the D3 is just ok. I never use AF & just don't like that mode. I'd sell the kit lens & get an R lens like the 50 or 80 Lux & use an adapter. The results are much different.

[jhluxton]

I had a D2 and when the sensor failed took up the upgrade offer for a half-price D3 in late 2007.

 

Initially I was disappointed with it. My main problems were getting the idea exposures - found that the dynamic range appeared poor until I did a lot of fiddling with the settings. Only in the last 12 months have I really adjusted it to my liking. Also having a CLUX 2 and VLUX1 - would often leave the D3.

 

Handling is also poor. I have used SLR and the contact G electronic rangefinder system plus the old D1 and D2 and never had a problem holding the cameras properly, but the balance of the D3 is all wrong.

 

I think I have now almost overcome the problem but in the early years pictures when downloaded always appeared tilted. You really have to concentrate with this camera to ensure good, level results.

 

I would like to see a high quality D4 basically an upgraded D2 with large sensor, fixed 28 - 90mm lens and the same handling as the D2 and under £2000.

 

John

[sfage]

 

Handling is also poor. I have used SLR and the contact G electronic rangefinder system plus the old D1 and D2 and never had a problem holding the cameras properly, but the balance of the D3 is all wrong.

 

I think I have now almost overcome the problem but in the early years pictures when downloaded always appeared tilted. You really have to concentrate with this camera to ensure good, level results.

 

John

 

Respectfully, I think the balance is fine. More often that not, I find that people fight ergonomics and gravity when shooting in portrait declination. ***The right arm goes down to the chest, not in the air.*** The bottom of the camera goes to the left, not the right. That's a recipe for camera shake, for sure. I don't mean to be a weird "new science" sort of person but one needs to listen to what their body is telling them.

 

It's a little like playing the guitar. It is not the left hand's job to push the strings down. When sitting with the instrument properly, it goes on the *left* leg and your left foot is propped up. Make the gravity -pulling the left arm down- push the strings to the fingerboard. All the fingers need to do is stay in that curved position so that one can reach the notes on the fingerboard.

 

You know you're holding the instrument correctly when you look down at your knee and can see both hands in your periphery.

[sfage]

I also use this with my 80 Summilux, which translates into a 160 mm focal length. That allows me to shoot wide open at 1.4. In the late summer light or just after sunset, that kit has been amazing. At night I use my ultralight Bogen collapsible monopod with this kit and the night portraits are a breeze.

 

Very nice. I am considering this set-up, exactly. The only real issue I have with it is the darkness of the VF... and I really dislike using a screen. I need to be consumed and connected to the image through the VF. Maybe that's just a foible of mine. Of course, that is not to say that one couldn't use the screen to critically focus, then switch to the VF for composition. It's (just) a little cumbersome for my taste.

[John Thawley]

***The right arm goes down to the chest, not in the air.*** The bottom of the camera goes to the left, not the right.

 

Funny.... the manual for my M5 and the construction/design of the vertical grips with my Canon DSLRs would beg to differ with you.

 

I realize the right hand is squeezing the shutter - but if you're shaking because your arm is up in the air I don't think it matters if its left of right.

 

IMO.

[sfage]

Well, maybe we differ then.

 

In my opinion, ergonomically, right arm at the side of the chest makes more sense to me (in portrait declination). It seems very simple. The right arm anchors itself along the right side of your chest and belly. You have the entire upper torso of your body to steady your shooting arm.

 

Second, the left hand goes below the lens for focus. Both of your elbows are anchored to your upper torso... at the bottom of your rib cage.

 

It couldn't be easier... and in my opinion, more stable. I don't know how it could possibly "be" more stable than that.

[Paolo.Battista]

Very nice. I am considering this set-up, exactly. The only real issue I have with it is the darkness of the VF... and I really dislike using a screen. I need to be consumed and connected to the image through the VF. Maybe that's just a foible of mine. Of course, that is not to say that one couldn't use the screen to critically focus, then switch to the VF for composition. It's (just) a little cumbersome for my taste.

 

Well, I had same problems in focusing with the Digilux 3. The screen is small and dark, the precision of the focus confirmation is not so good to be used up to the largest apertures (1.2 to 2).

 

I solved these problems using R lenses on Olympus E-3 with focus confirmation adapter. The E-3 has a very good screen, most of time I judge by myself the focus, I use the focus confirmation only with shorter focal lengths and remote subjects.

[prager]

Hello, I am completely crazy at the moment.

I had a Fuji S5 Pro. Then I bought a D2. Then sold the fuji with the Nikon lenses. The D2 pleased me so well that I bought a D3 and Lumix version of the D3. And I use it professionally some too!

The Fuji (Nikon D200) I may technically make better pictures. But that strange Leica gives me more pleasure in making photographs.

Let the experts talk. I keep enjoying.!

[sos song]

I too love my D3. When it first came out, I bought my D3 after selling my D2 to pay for it. Although I love the D3, I missed the D2 enough that I bought one for my son as a teaching tool. It also just happens to find itself in my hands at times! I now own an Olympus 11-22mm lens for my architectural images to go with the Pana/Leica 14-150mm lens. I also bought an Olympus 50mm macro that I have yet to master.

 

Anyway, the D3 is larger and heavier, but that's OK with me. It feels good in my hand and, like Prager, I enjoy the tactile qualities of the camera. If I enjoy the equipment, I enjoy the process and will take more photos.

 

To make things interesting, my son tends to gravitate to my D3. I did the only thing that I could think of - I bought a Lumix L1 body to go with my 14-50mm kit lens as a Christmas present for him! Can't wait to see the light in his eyes.

 

Kevin

[jgriffter]

I love the D3 as well. I have continued to use it as a "go to" camera and have always been quite pleased with the results. When the model was discontinued I even bought the L1 kit as a backup for a price less than the lens itself. The L1 is now my Leica R camera with a 50mm Sum and takes wonderful colorful portraits. The D3 usually sports the kit 14-50mm lens, a very nice piece of glass. I hope mine keeps going for a long time.

[glenwells]

Hi,

 

I have recently purchased a D3 just before Christmas. A from me to me Christmas gift!

 

As new condition, boxed and for a good price from that well known auction site. I have too many cameras already, its a sickness I know, but kept finding myself having a look at D3 reviews, sample shots and and prices.

 

I have taken over 400 shots since 23rd Dec and still having great fun trying different settings.

 

I can see why it did not hit high sales numbers because of its size, not too bright viewfinder and 7.4Mpixels when others had reached 10Mpixels+ at that time. I have no issue with any of these points.

 

However, I love the controls, direct button access to functions, the two position flash is excellent and works wonderfully in bounce mode to reduce shadows and gives better portrait shots.

 

I have only printed some black and whites up to A4 so far but they look very nice. I will go up to A2 from RAW, maybe jpeg, and see what they look like. I do not subscribe to the club of you need uber mega pixels to make large prints and have quite a number of A2 or even larger from less than 10Mpixel cameras.

 

Another camera I have is an Olympus E-PL1 and it is also 4thirds sensor. A very nice camera that fits in my pocket and in doing so I use for work.

Despite the reviews saying it is a very good camera I think that the D3 can better it on occasions when photographing people and straying beyond 100ISO. Up to 400ISO the D3 captures better skin tone and an intangible 'quality' that to me seems lacking from the E-PL1 which looks harsh and over processed by comparison even after processing from RAW.

 

In closing I am really enjoying using the D3 and look forward to getting some more printing done.

 

Kind Regards

GW