Addy444 Posted August 10, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 10, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi -I wonder if some-one can help me? I can't find any articles or even a specification/instruction booklet on the Digilux 4.3 -I know its old but even Leica don't appear to have anything on the camera or even a downloadable information sheet on it. Does anyone have this camera ? Does it take reasonable pictures with that Leica look ? I'm not expecting to blow these up very large but have been offered one cheaply and if its recommended by you I would be tempted. Something to carry around rather than my bulky normal camera. I'm also keen to try some black and White on the camera but I don't think there is any way of altering the colours within the camera itself to that setting -again I don't have any access to any instructions for the Digilux 4.3 so can't check. Appreciate your views. Thanks Adrian:) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Hi Addy444, Take a look here Digilux 4.3 Ancient but is it any good?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
drolfe Posted August 10, 2011 Share #2 Posted August 10, 2011 I have one. It did fine for a while, but began to eat batteries at a rapid clip and became unusable. Can't recommend it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addy444 Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted August 11, 2011 Thanks -was that because it ate batteries? or because the picture quality was not good? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted August 11, 2011 Share #4 Posted August 11, 2011 It was made for Leica by Fuji quite some time ago - About 2000? I suspect that many current point and shoot cameras can better its performance. Perhaps the Panasonic Lumix ZS8. It's lens is designed by Leica, so you are permitted to post photos from that camera on this forum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addy444 Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted August 11, 2011 Thank you -I guess many modern cameras can better the performance of the Leica Digilux 2 as well but that doesn't seem to stop the Digilux 2 being a very sought after camera and from being able to produce superb quality pictures at 100 ISO. I am not after better performance -just that "Leica look" that I know the Digilux 2 Pictures and even the V Lux 20 pictures both have that "Look" -although I guess there are many Leica fans who would not agree about the v lux 20 being a real Leica. As for the Digilux 4.3 lens being made by Fuji -are not some modern Leica Lenses made by Panasonic? My main concern is that can the Digilux 4.3 produce that "Leica look" pictures/colours? I don't want 12 million pixels -as that is not what photography is about for me -just a nice useable Leica carry around camera -there appears to be very little about it anywhere! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesh Posted August 12, 2011 Share #6 Posted August 12, 2011 I believe there were three models from the collaboration (if that's the word) with Fuji, I think the 4.3 was the last one. I have it's earlier sister, the Digilux Zoom which I bought with the idea of copying slides with a gadget acessory they had for that job. FWIW that didn't work out, the camera eventually died and now serves as a paperweight. But I digress - the impression I have is that these early Digilux models are the ones Leica would rather forget about. If you read these columns regularly you'll know that the Digilux 2 is a completely different kettle of fish, is revered despite it's age, and is in a class of it's own - I think you'd be disappointed if your hope was that the 4.3 could produce similar results. All IMHO. Disclosure - I don't have a Digilux 2, but I do own it's sibling the Panasonic LC1, and wouldn't part with it. They sell for less than the Leica equivalent but still has the same Leica lens, you could do worse than search for one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted August 12, 2011 Share #7 Posted August 12, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) The 4.3 was not just a Fuji lens. It was a Fuji camera with Leica markings. The D2 earned it's reputation on merit - fabulous lens, excellent software, traditional controls for focus, aperture, shutter speed and zoom. Leica designed the D2 and Panasonic built it to Leica's specs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addy444 Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted August 12, 2011 Thank you for the helpful comments -I guess I'm going to rule out the Digilux 4.3 --I've also been offered a Digilux 1 -this one seems to have a Leica lens and is the same price (£100) i cant afford to buy the Digilux 2 however much I would like it -so my next question --is the Digilux 1 any good ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addy444 Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted August 12, 2011 === and can I take Black and White Pictures with the Digilux 1 or do I have to use photoshop to convert? Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesh Posted August 12, 2011 Share #10 Posted August 12, 2011 Always thought the Digilux 1 looked fantastic - very stylish, a one of a kind design - but how does it perform? I have no idea. However there are people who frequent this board who can probably provide you with a detailed analysis. Maybe if you posted a new thread with 'Opinion wanted on Digilux 1' in the title you'd get a quicker answer. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Thompson Posted August 13, 2011 Share #11 Posted August 13, 2011 I've also been offered a Digilux 1 -this one seems to have a Leica lens and is the same price (£100) i cant afford to buy the Digilux 2 however much I would like it -so my next question --is the Digilux 1 any good ! Can you just meet with the seller, bring along a SD card, snap off a few frames and see how they look on your computer and do a little pixel-peeping? That's what I would do in your case. After all, it is a used camera and I'm sure the seller won't mind. You also might want to check out the camera's specifications in the Forum's Wiki section - there's a lot of good information to be gleaned there. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 13, 2011 Share #12 Posted August 13, 2011 For a similar price I would prefer to investigate the Digilux 1 camera. But try it first before deciding. It had a good reputation in its day but many preferred its successor which you should try to get one day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobitybob Posted August 14, 2011 Share #13 Posted August 14, 2011 I've got a Digilux 1 which I use occasionally. It's got a real zooming viewfinder and a very nice Summicron f2 lens with manual, auto and macro focus, and lots of exposure options including basic video. I'm not sure about the photos having a 'Leica" look as that's a matter of individual opinion but I believe the results are very nice for a £100 camera off the Fleebay. As the resolution is a little low by modern standards it wouldn't suggest you blow up or crop the images to much as they can become pixilated. It don't do B&W out of the box so you'll need to post process these, and instructions are still available from the Leica web site. If you are looking for a cheap Leica to start you off and really can't afford a Digilux 2 then I believe this is a very good option. 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! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/159065-digilux-43-ancient-but-is-it-any-good/?do=findComment&comment=1765076'>More sharing options...
Addy444 Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted August 14, 2011 Thanks -will look at the Digilux 1 -can't afford the Digilux 2 -just yet --and to be honest I think for the very hight prices the Digilux 2 are going for now I would prefer a more compact Leica such as the D lux 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted August 14, 2011 Share #15 Posted August 14, 2011 There are some very nice copies of the Digilux 2 on offer both here in the classifieds and on ebay right now. The Panasonic DMC-LC1 is very comparable. If these are at the moment beyond your budgeted range, I would not look at any other Digilux camera. They are not even distantly related to the Digilux 2 and share none of the properties the Digilux 2 is so much loved for by so many. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted August 14, 2011 Share #16 Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) The Digilux 1 (Leica’s version of the Pansonic LC40) had a lens that you saw a lot in those days, on cameras from Canon (labeled as Canon), Casio (labeled as Canon), Panasonic/Leica (labeled as Leica), and Sony (labeled as Zeiss). As far as I know it was originally a Canon design. The Panasonic LC1, on the other hand, had a lens designed specifically for that model and Leica will have had more influence on its design. They later introduced their version of the camera as the Digilux 2. Edited August 14, 2011 by mjh 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addy444 Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted August 22, 2011 Well -I managed to try out the Leica 4.3 -quite nice -compact and easy to carry around plus it uses normal rechargeable AA batteries -and not bad pictures -at least to my old eyes check out the attachment that was taken straight out of the camera on a pretty miserable day out shopping ( weather wise! ) 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/159065-digilux-43-ancient-but-is-it-any-good/?do=findComment&comment=1771958'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted July 26, 2013 Share #18 Posted July 26, 2013 (edited) Well -I managed to try out the Leica 4.3 -quite nice -compact and easy to carry around plus it uses normal rechargeable AA batteries -and not bad pictures -at least to my old eyes check out the attachment that was taken straight out of the camera on a pretty miserable day out shopping ( weather wise! ) Just ordered a Digilux 4.3 complete with NOS Leica Digicopy 4.3 slide copier and Leica Digimacro 4.3 macro adaptor; latter is an achromat capable of imaging 17mm x 13mm subject onto the 7.6mm x 5.7mm sensor ... which is equivalent to 0.45 magnification on the sensor. Macro images should look enormous on a computer screen and with the small sensor the depth of field should be good. Looking forward to using the camera to see how good/average/bad the results are - particularly for close-up photography. An early noughties Leica digital collectible Maybe this thread should be in the Leica D-Lux / Digilux / V-Lux section? When the camera arrives I'll post some images of both the camera and accessories and the image results. Best wishes dunk Edited July 26, 2013 by dkpeterborough Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted August 2, 2013 Share #19 Posted August 2, 2013 Just ordered a Digilux 4.3 complete with NOS Leica Digicopy 4.3 slide copier and Leica Digimacro 4.3 macro adaptor; latter is an achromat capable of imaging 17mm x 13mm subject onto the 7.6mm x 5.7mm sensor ... which is equivalent to 0.45 magnification on the sensor. Macro images should look enormous on a computer screen and with the small sensor the depth of field should be good. Looking forward to using the camera to see how good/average/bad the results are - particularly for close-up photography. An early noughties Leica digital collectible Maybe this thread should be in the Leica D-Lux / Digilux / V-Lux section? When the camera arrives I'll post some images of both the camera and accessories and the image results. Best wishes dunk The camera arrived but unfortunately drained three sets of batteries in less than 30 minutes Live and learn. Dealer has agreed to refund the €cost. dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted August 5, 2013 Share #20 Posted August 5, 2013 My first digital camera was the Fujifilm version, the Finepix 4700 zoom. It's really only 2 megapixels but upsamples the resolution up to 4.3. In 2001 it had the most vibrant colors and the least shutter lag of all the digitals in the shop. It also came with four rechargeable AA batteries. I could get about 22 photos on a 16MB SmartMedia card. These days your iPhone takes much better photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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