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D-lux 4 quality - this is a Leica? Really?

tbannon

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tbannon

tbannon

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I bought a D-Lux 4 a couple of years ago as an introduction level camera into the world of Leica. After three years I suddenly received the system error message (Zoom). I sent it to Leica in New Jersey and received an estimate for $350 to replace the lens assembly. Is this a common occurrence with this camera?

I am shocked and disappointed at the poor quality from Leica. Yes, I know it is manufactured in Japan but it has the Leica logo on it and I thought that stood for something. If this is what "Leica quality" represents then I am done with this brand.

When my German engineered cars or appliances break, they are repaired for free within a reasonable time period - but they generally never break.

My perspective is that Leica is selling the little red dot as a status symbol and they don't really give a damn about what is behind it.

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becker

becker

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I bought a D-Lux 4 a couple of years ago as an introduction level camera into the world of Leica. After three years I suddenly received the system error message (Zoom). I sent it to Leica in New Jersey and received an estimate for $350 to replace the lens assembly. Is this a common occurrence with this camera?

I am shocked and disappointed at the poor quality from Leica. Yes, I know it is manufactured in Japan but it has the Leica logo on it and I thought that stood for something. If this is what "Leica quality" represents then I am done with this brand.

When my German engineered cars or appliances break, they are repaired for free within a reasonable time period - but they generally never break.

My perspective is that Leica is selling the little red dot as a status symbol and they don't really give a damn about what is behind it.

 

Ask Mrs Merkel why they do that, ( going into bed with Japanese ) they need the deal to get forward.

But there is a guarantee space as a important part of Your deal You have to accept that.

Cant compare a German built car with that camera.

Leica Germany sometimes mostly is not like that, Youd bought a real Leica not a fake.

Its allways a bit of luck in life to get things in line.

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MarkP

MarkP

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Very frustrating,

 

I think this may be bad luck or perhaps it sustained some damage (dropped or knocked) that you were unaware of. For $350 it's probably not worth repairing and the money better put into a newer model.

 

I've had a D-Lux 4 since it was released in 2008. It's been used, abused, dropped and soaked on and off for years (including by my kids on trips and excursions) and I have never had a problem with it. Can't say the same for my digital M cameras & lenses.

In fact, I've been waiting for the D-Lux 4 to fail as an excuse to buy the new model but it just wont die!

 

Regards,

Mark

 

 

ps: Oh, and welcome to the forum even if its not been a happy start.

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otto.f

otto.f

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Very frustrating,

 

I think this may be bad luck or perhaps it sustained some damage (dropped or knocked) that you were unaware of. For $350 it's probably not worth repairing and the money better put into a newer model.

 

I've had a D-Lux 4 since it was released in 2008. It's been used, abused, dropped and soaked on and off for years (including by my kids on trips and excursions) and I have never had a problem with it. Can't say the same for my digital M cameras & lenses.

In fact, I've been waiting for the D-Lux 4 to fail as an excuse to buy the new model but it just wont die!

 

Regards,

Mark

 

 

ps: Oh, and welcome to the forum even if its not been a happy start.

 

+1 (2) (my first has been robbed on the Péréphérique in Paris by guys who in one second break your carglass and snatch your wife's purse from her lap in a traffic jam - so be ware)

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tbannon

tbannon

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Thanks for the responses.

So I called Leica Service and let them know my disappointment. They apologized and offered:

1. a 20% discount on the repairs, or

2. they would allow me to buy the new Leica C for $440, or

3. they would sell me the D-Lux 6 for $520.

 

Both seem to be significant discounts of the list price of new items.

Now I need the Forum's advice on whether I should accept one of the offers.

I put great importance on small size of the D-Lux 4 since I carry the camera as I walk to work in NYC and take street shots.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

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Guest badbob

Guest badbob

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DLUX 6 for $520 - I'd go for it, provided you have the cash on hand. Remember you are getting a Lightroom 5 download with the camera.

 

Indeed - either camera is a deal - take the offer.

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  • 2 months later...
GordW

GordW

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I, too have had my D-Lux 4 since they first came out.

I did add the Lensmate barrel to mine for the purpose of mounting a polarizing filter as well as a neutral density filter. The combination really punches up the color saturation and the protection of the lens, well, that's a nice plus that I knew would come in very handy after several years of significant use.

 

Hope you took advantage of the nice discount afforded you on the D-Lux 6!

 

:D

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stuny

stuny

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Based on the manufacturing dates of the D-Lux 4 (a very nice little camera) yours has probably been out of warantee for about a year. It strikes me that Leica has handled the issue very well.

 

BTW: Based on my experience with the US Panasonic repair service (If I recall I had to send the camera to the Chicago area), I doubt that would work out well for you. If it were me I'd take up Leica on one of the two cameras they are offering so that I can again have it with me every day (I carry one of my cameras every day to and from work, and most other times, too). You might want to try handling both cameras before making up your mind.

 

Since you work in town we should meet sometime.

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  • 1 month later...
TwinSparx

TwinSparx

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I've also had the Dlux-4 safari edition since 08/09 and it's been heavily used and abused but has not skipped a beat. And still takes pretty awesome pictures. And I think we're all alike here. I'm also waiting for it to die so that I have a good enough excuse to get the dlux-6 which I find really cool.

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tbannon

tbannon

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First of all I want to thank all the forum members who replied to my whiny post.

I eventually took the Leica offer for a new D Lux 6 for $520.

I love the camera - especially the f1.4

I have thought a lot about what could have happened to zap the deluxe 4 and my theory is that it got fried sitting in my car while I was having lunch. It was a hot July day.

.???

 

Thanks again to all of you.

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  • 1 month later...
Digitom

Digitom

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If I can give a recommendation - buy the D-Lux 6.A very good camera also for street photography I think. I own Number 5 but the Model 6 is more good in lowlight (f1,4) and otherwise, it had he ND filter and the aperture ring at the lens. And if you are very familiar with the D-Lux, you do not have to adapt to a new camera. C Model is also well, but I think these are located "under" the D-Lux. Let me say there is C,D,and finally X from lower to higher level, And D is more next to X then C to D...

 

About the CS of Leica: I live in Germany and when I had problems and I ask, all things everytime were well managed. I told on other thread here in the forum - but once again I tell here: some years ago before I started a trip to asia I recognised one of my 2 batteries for Digilux2 was not well. I went to my Leica dealer and asked but he told me it takes 3 weeks for ordering the Leica compatible battery (Haehnel). On ebay I say these nonames for about 6 Euro, but I was sceptic. I wrote email to Leica CS in city Solms and described my situation and if they recommend or tolerate these nonames as a 2nd battery for "backup" only. 2 days later (was about 1 or2 days before my departure to asia) I found a little envelope when I came from work - express letter, inside a brand new battery for my Digilux 2, and a little card "with best recommendations, from your Customer Service Solms". Isn´t it great? By the way: it was a nice trip to South Korea :)

 

2nd: a sensor was replaced at my Digilux 2. You maybe know here was a Problem with a series of Sensor delivered from Sony, and Leica make decision to chang it by "lifetime guarantee" for free (as long they have sensors). Well, and when my Digilux came back to me from CS Solms, I saw also that the leather latches were also renewed, some srews were changed, and the whole camera looks "refreshed". Remember: Digilux 2 is a "Panaleica"....and I expect such a thing when I see a Model like M, but not for a -that time- 5 year old D2...

 

Let me say: the first contact to CS you had was not optimal. Only giving you the price for repair is not ok, and not very flexible. Also not logical! But the reaction of the CS was good when you contacted them again and they offered you a D-Lux 5. That is how it should be - and that is the little difference between a red dot and no red dot ;)

 

Have fun with our -i hope- D-Lux 6!

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Digitom

Digitom

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This little gem could certainly, with a bit of luck and effort, deliver "Leica Quality". Possibly one of the best small digicams ever. Have a look at pics taken in January 20111 in Egypt. RAW developed in Phase One Capture.

Zenfolio | Andrzej Poniatowski | Egypt 2011

 

Very nice Photos! Good colors. I also love that cam.

Would be interesting to see the JPGs Out Of Cam (OOC).

Thanks for sharing your Egypt impressions.

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