First pictures with Leica Dlux 109

[alainD]

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I got the camera this morning. The first picture is ISO 200, 32mm equivalent, the second is ISO 1600, also 32mm equivalent. I printed them 17x22 and they look really good. Not Leica M or Leica S good (I own those cameras, I can compare, the color gradation is not the same), but really good considering the camera.

 

Pictures shot in RAW, converted in LR5.7 with Nik pre/post sharpener applied.

 

The other thing I really enjoy is how fast this camera is: focusing, controlling, etc...

A real point and shoot!

 

Enjoy.

 

Alain

 

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A3Gf693ZJul2Hp;138D5D87-3ECB-4711-B8C0-F9B3C8904575

[gbealnz]

Wow, stunning, stunning good.

Gary

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[vicaf]

Great photos with rich detail and colors - they exhibit the true Leica signature - the first time that I have seen a marked difference between a Leica camera and its Panasonic counterpart. Apparently, the Leica Type 109 is made in Japan and the Panasonic LX-100 is made in China. The difference is sharpness and color rendition between the two is quite apparent to the eye. Makes spending the extra money for the Leica a non-issue. Thanks for the beautiful work.

 

Vic

[Jon Schick]

Has anyone seen examples of the same image taken by the two cameras by the same photographer around the same time? If not, I think any comments about IQ differences are conjecture at best.

 

That is not to say the images linked in this thread aren't great; they are. But they were raw not JPEG, so the LX100 would have delivered identical results. I look forward very much to receiving my D Lux but do not expect it's image quality (at least from raw files) to be any different from the Lumix.

[vicaf]

Hi Jon -

 

I should have added that my brother-in-law had purchased a Panasonic LX-100 that had to be returned for quality control issues - his lens would only front focus and he could not adjust the EVF to compensate for his eyeglasses. These are issues that others have reported since the LX-100 was released. I was also considering purchasing an LX-100 until that occurred, so I would have no problem buying a Panasonic otherwise. Based on pictures I have seen taken by both cameras, to my eye I have seen differences between the two cameras, therefore I don't mind spending the extra money for the Leica. And for the occasional time I take JPEGs, I prefer the Leica output over the Panasonic JPEG engine. Having discussed the matter with Leica management in Germany recently, I know that the difference in software for JPEG output has usually been the only difference in the past between the similar Leica and Panasonic cameras. And, if it makes a difference to certain folks, the raw files from the Leica are DNG, while the Panasonic files are RW2.

 

Best regards,

 

Vic

[Jon Schick]

Hi Vic,

 

As a long time Pentax user I really like the idea of DNG raw files...but I'd understood they only came from Leica's own products rather than the reworked Panasonics? I think the D Lux produces a different raw format to DNG, but would like to be wrong.

 

Actually I'm slightly glad the D Lux is coming out a little later....hopefully some of the early adopter glitches from the LX100 will have been sorted by the time I get my preordered camera! However I've sold the camera(s) it will be replacing, so I could do with it soon now....I've no compact camera other than my phone currently, and I hate using phones for photography.

 

Best,

 

Jon

[vicaf]

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Hi Jon -

 

I just ordered a Leica D-Lux 109 that will be delivered on Tuesday - I will keep you abreast of my impressions of the camera as I break it in. Hopefully, neither of us experience the occasional glitches of the early adaptors of the LX-100. Good luck with getting yours in your hands shortly!

 

 

All the best,

 

Vic

[Jon Schick]

I'm waiting to hear from Ffordes in Scotland for confirmation but they were cautiously optimistic that mine would arrive thus week:)

[lct]

the raw files from the Leica are DNG, while the Panasonic files are RW2

Would you mind to confirm?

[alainD]

I can confirm that the raw files from the D-lux are NOT dng.

Lightroom 5.7 can handle them the same way, though.

 

Alain

[Dopaco]

Buy D-lux109..: Meister Camera Hamburg - Leica Spezialist seit 1925: Neuheiten : Produkte

 

Who knows if they come with spanish language?.

Edited November 23, 2014 by Dopaco

[alainD]

Buy D-lux109..: Meister Camera Hamburg - Leica Spezialist seit 1925: Neuheiten : Produkte

 

Who knows if they come with spanish language?.

 

 

 

Yes, it does.

 

Alain

[ayewing]

I'm waiting to hear from Ffordes in Scotland for confirmation but they were cautiously optimistic that mine would arrive thus week:)

 

That was the estimate I was given too. I have not seen any reports of deliveries in the UK yet though they seem to be available on the continent.

[hbmobile]

Great photos with rich detail and colors - they exhibit the true Leica signature - the first time that I have seen a marked difference between a Leica camera and its Panasonic counterpart. Apparently, the Leica Type 109 is made in Japan and the Panasonic LX-100 is made in China. The difference is sharpness and color rendition between the two is quite apparent to the eye.

 

 

 

Vic

 

 

Wow. And you are human, really?

[dmclalla]

Hi everybody,

I just got my D Lux last Friday.

First impressions.

The camera is gorgeous and feels great in the hand, being a bit bigger than the RX100, is easier to handle (the additional grip does not seem necessary to me) and to operate.

The autofocus is fast enough and the evf even if not on par with the EM1 evf appears bright under different light conditions (I noted a slight difference between the color saturation of the evf and the LCD screen, in the latter the image looks more accurate).

Pictures will follow soon.

[vicaf]

Wow. And you are human, really?

 

Human, yes, and also a Leica shooter for almost 40 years: what's your story?

[250swb]

Well maybe you should get out more often, because they are the same camera, the same lens, the same sensor, made in the same factory, and the same RAW files.

 

Edit: bought first Leica in 1978

 

 

Steve

[vicaf]

Well maybe you should get out more often, because they are the same camera, the same lens, the same sensor, made in the same factory, and the same RAW files.

 

Edit: bought first Leica in 1978

 

 

Steve

 

Very simply, I have gotten out enough to know that with this particular camera, the firmware for the JPEG is different in the Leica than in the Panasonic (as in past cameras), and it is very clear per the specs and the notations on the cameras themselves that the Leica D-Lux 109 is made in Japan and the Panasonic LX-100 is made in China. Therefore, we are not dealing with cameras that will produce the same output, especially considering the already reported defects in some of the already released LX-100s. Photography is art, and subjective at that, and my impressions of the differences in photos I have seen are mine alone and distilled from my unique experiences. I would not attempt to tell you that your impressions of photos were incorrect, only that your facts used in being overly critical of my analysis of why the photos seem different to me are totally misplaced. If I did not believe that the Leica was different that the Panasonic, I would be happy to pocket the difference in cost between the two and buy the Panasonic. My decision alone, put out on a public forum of impressions and ideas for intelligent give and take between all parties, hopefully without rudeness and rancor.

 

Vic

[hbmobile]

Great photos with rich detail and colors - they exhibit the true Leica signature - the first time that I have seen a marked difference between a Leica camera and its Panasonic counterpart. Apparently, the Leica Type 109 is made in Japan and the Panasonic LX-100 is made in China. The difference is sharpness and color rendition between the two is quite apparent to the eye. Makes spending the extra money for the Leica a non-issue. Thanks for the beautiful work.

 

Vic

 

My decision alone, put out on a public forum of impressions and ideas for intelligent give and take between all parties, hopefully without rudeness and rancor.

 

Vic

 

 

No, I do not want to be rude at all. But your conclusions on these 2 photos, being RAWs, processed and NIK-sharpened, are simply ridiculous.

 

You may be interested in reading Ming Thein's review and comments, Opinion-review: the Panasonic LX100/ Leica D-Lux 109 – Ming Thein | Photographer

 

He had a chance to seriously test and compare both cameras over some time. He draws different conclusions than you, and he noted several quality issues in the Leicas as well.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Lux

[vicaf]

No, I do not want to be rude at all. But your conclusions on these 2 photos, being RAWs, processed and NIK-sharpened, are simply ridiculous.

 

Thank you for not being rude.

 

You may be interested in reading Ming Thein's review and comments, Opinion-review: the Panasonic LX100/ Leica D-Lux 109 – Ming Thein | Photographer

 

I read the review when it came out. There are also a multitude of reviews online that love the camera.

 

He had a chance to seriously test and compare both cameras over some time. He draws different conclusions than you, and he noted several quality issues in the Leicas as well.

 

He agrees about the focus problems, but did not specify that they were from the Leica - he mentions in the comment section that the Leicas tested were pre-production, but the Panasonics were finished products.

 

Perhaps we can agree that we both have a right to our opinions, that we will most assuredly not change each others minds on subjective thoughts, and that we can proceed forward in our love of photography.

 

Best of luck in all your future shooting.