D LUX 5

[Rick1975]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Recently purchased a D LUX 5 and was surprised there isn't any info on this site regarding the camera. I know it's manufactured by Panasonic and is not in the league as the higher priced cameras but I am interested in exploring its capabilities. I bought it as a replacement for a series of pocket digital ELPH Canons. I wanted something that could be closer to my Nikon D300 in terms of creativity and quality. The D LUX 5 seems to fit that gap but I am frustrated by the manual----I'm having trouble with basic screen navigation (never had a problem with either Canon or Nikon products). I'm willing to invest the time to learn but I don't know where to go. An example: the manual cites that you can customize access to frequently used screens---directs you to another page---no explanation there---directs you to another---no info there---dead end. The camera itself is solid, well built and is taking great pictures. One other complaint: paid for an expensive "Leica" pouch and it doesn't have a belt loop on it. Again, this may be a Leica thing but I bought this as a travel camera when I'm not willing or able to carry the big ones----the pouch is too big for a pocket! I can't put it on my belt.....I guess I'm lucky to have a wife with a purse, although that is a very costly solution. Appreciate any guidance. Considering an M9 but want to feel good about Leica first.

[Walt Calahan]

The Red Dot LX5 is a great camera. I, too, had problems with the menus for a while, since I only have film Leicas, and am use to the menus of digital Nikons.

 

Once I was able to switch the camera from jpeg capture to RAW, working the camera became easier. It takes time to get use to the layout, but you can do it. I must say I probably don't use 95% of the automation built into the camera.

 

Good luck with it. My LX5 makes wonderful files.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[daveleo]

hi there

 

i think you wandered into the wrong room . . . there are many postings about the DL5 and its Panasonic Sister over in the "Digital" forum.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/

 

 

I have the Pana LX3 (sim to the Leica DL4) and it is a hot little item . . . but you do have to spend the time to set it up your own way.

[ho_co]

Rick, welcome to the forum.

 

I have the predecessor to the D-Lux 5, the D-Lux 4.

 

I don't find the menus hard to figure, but I've got several Pana-Leicas, and they're all fairly similar. Coming to the camera from Canon or Nikon might be frustrating.

 

Both the Leica and the Panasonic manuals leave a lot to be desired, IMHO, but I find the Leica ones almost impenetrable at first reading. They do ease up, I found, when you realize that each diagram is likely to contain important information.

 

You may want to try Operating Manuals for Panasonic Products to see if their manual is better.

 

It took me about three months to get the D-Lux 4 figured out, just because (like the D300) so many functions interact with others. It and the D-Lux 5 are incredibly capable, despite their small size.

 

I know you'll find assistance here!

[jasperpso]

i too am close to ordering a d-lux 5... i am wondering about the sd card needed.. when shooting in RAW format, with the large file size, how fast can the processor write to the card? there seems to be wide variance in class 10 sdhc cards, in speed, and cost.. since i would like to have a few - the transcend 8 gig class 10 cards look very attractive - but with bencmark speeds of only 16mb read and 11 mb write per second? will that keep up with the camera in burst photography?? will any card? ie the sandisk extreme? when shooting in burst is it adviseable to use jpeg instead? is so what kind of write speeds are required? for the cost of the sandisk extreme i can get 3 transcend cards.. dont get me wrong, if the speed is needed, then i understand buying it - but if it is idle speed then ill go with 3 cheaper cards..

[regedit]

class 6 it's enough. but think about 16 gb, especially if you plan to shot raw and burst mode. sandisk are very good in terms of operating conditions (temperature and humidity) but if you want just speed my advice goes for kingston class 6. fast enough, very reliable and excellent price/quality ratio. if you are looking for great speed lexar professional is one of the best choice.

[kcnarf]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

What are the comparative advantages of D-lux 5/Lx 5 vs. Canon S95? To my mind, one big advantage of the S95 is the availability for it of reasonably priced underwater housings, which can be nice for heavy rain as well for swimming or snorkeling.

 

How do these two point-and-shots compare for macro?

[jasperpso]

What are the comparative advantages of D-lux 5/Lx 5 vs. Canon S95? To my mind, one big advantage of the S95 is the availability for it of reasonably priced underwater housings, which can be nice for heavy rain as well for swimming or snorkeling.

 

How do these two point-and-shots compare for macro?

 

 

well, they both have 2.0 lenses, but the leica/pan has a larger ccd chip, and also reviews all give the nod to the leica lens.. i think the s95 is probably a solid camera though - and i wish there was a underwater housing for the d-lux too - i would buy one.. but instead i will carry my d10 for underwater use

[abowron]

I'm still saving my pennies to upgrade to the D Lux 5, but i bought the D Lux 4 version of this book and found it brilliant, much more in depth than the useless user manual. Here is a link to Amazon for the D Lux 5 version of the book:

 

Photographer's Guide to the Leica D-Lux 5: Getting the Most from Leica's Compact Digital Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Alexander S. White: Books

 

if the link fails the title is:

Photographer's Guide to the Leica D-Lux 5: Getting the Most from Leica's Compact Digital Camera by Alexander S White

[farnz]

I have Alexander S White's D-Lux 5 book and it is as good as his D-Lux 4 book was for my D-Lux 4. The book deals with the camera's operation and features from a photographer's point of view and goes far beyond the manual.

 

Note: if you buy the book from the publisher White Knight Press (which can be bought through Amazon) then for free they'll include cardboard 3D glasses to view a page in the book and any 3D photos you may make with the D-Lux 5.

 

(Disclaimer: I have no connection to the author or publisher other than as a satisfied customer.)

 

Pete.

[macjim]

It's a very good book and is available as a PDF book which can kept on your mobile phone or iPod/iPad etc. Regarding 3D, the D-Lux 5 does not take 3D pictures...

 

 

Cheers, Macjim.

[farnz]

... Regarding 3D, the D-Lux 5 does not take 3D pictures...

It's true that the D-Lux 5 can't take 3D pictures with a single button press as recently-released cameras can but on page 218 the book describes how to take 3D photos with the D-Lux 5 using freeware called Stereo Photo Maker. Hence the 3D glasses.

 

Pete.

[Rick1975]

Thanks for the advice---bought the White book on the DLUX 5 and it it TERRIFIC!!! Solved many of the frustrations I've been having. I love the camera and I'm finally on my way to using it effectively. Once again, thanks for all your help.

 

Rick

[Rick1975]

PS to my prior note. Had a major problem with video on DLUX 5 that the White book would've solved if I had read it first. Says to shoot in JPEG movie---for those of you who are buying or have the camera this is pretty good advice unless you are extremely proficient and knowledgeable on AVCHD Lite. The first day I had the camera I shot lots of video of my first grandchild (born that day!) Great and irreplaceable video that I've been having a horrible time playing, saving, converting to a format to share. Shooting Jpeg solved all of the problems--works well with all of my software on Windows 7. Now, I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with about an hour of special video in AVCHD that is driving me crazy.