D-Lux 3 Confusion...Mass Confusion

[GoldieLocs]

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I am really trying to learn how to use this camera with all of the many options provided. I tried to use Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority, but I'm wondering if all of these options provide a better end result than just taking the photos in the auto mode?

 

Thanks

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[Speenth]

Hi' Goldi,

 

I can't decide if you're taking the michael or not. All your posts hint at a little more knowledge than you're claiming ... but I'll take you literally.

 

The 'manual' options are what set the camera apart from the P&S herd.

 

Most P&S cameras are just that - you point, you shoot and the camera makes all the decisions. The result is snapshots - sometimes good, more often just OK. The 'ordinary' P&S camera has no idea what you intend creatively and chooses instead the best technical compromise - that may result in a good exposure, but not a good picture. You're denied creative control.

 

With the D-Lux 3 you can set it to point and shoot, or you can make it obey your every command. If the circumstances call for control of exposure time (shutter priority) you have that option, and if control over depth of field is essential to your creative masterpiece you have that option too (aperture priority).

 

When do you need shutter priority? When you're trying to 'stop' rapid action (a passing racing car, for instance). To minimise blurring of the car you'll choose the shortest available exposure time, or alternatively, when you want to soften the rushing waters of a tumbling stream you'll deliberately set a long exposure time.

 

When do you need aperture priority? When the flower you're imaging needs to stand out from the foliage behind - so you set a wide-open aperture to reduce the depth of field, ensuring your flower is in focus but the leaves behind are all soft and blurry - so your flower stands out. Or alternatively, when you want the person one metre from the lens to be in focus and also the distant mountain tops behind - so you close down the aperture as far as the light conditions will allow - both man and mountains are sharp as a pin.

 

There are many other such features on the D-Lux 3 that give you creative control in other ways, including exposure and colour balance. That's what sets the camera apart (although not from its much cheaper, but if we're being honest Leica-likers, identical Panasonic twin, or the equivelant Nikon, Canon etc - the competition are always quick to learn).

 

You have a camera which is limited only be your creativity and technical knowledge, both of which will improve immensely, thanks to your D-Lux 3 (and maybe a good book on the technical elements of photography).

[sanqhar]

Remember that with "Auto" "A" mode you lose control over the ISO. Better set the ISO yourself (100 or 200) and then use "Program" "P" mode.

[Malo1961]

There is nothing wrong taking pictures in auto mode. As long as you agree with the choices the camera makes for you. Putting the camera out of auto mode and use it in M,S or A gives you a better understanding in taking the picture as you visualise it before pushing the button. And as mentioned above, it gives you total control over the used iso. For example....., sometimes you want to underexpose because of the effect you are after.

Following blindly the auto mode won't make that happen.

Have a look at the little shadow thread at the photoforum, section people. U find 18 pages of examples, and believe me....... Very few pictures were taken on auto mode.

 

 

Good luck with finding out the advantages

 

Martin.

[GoldieLocs]

Thanks. I wish I was taking the Michael. I had some technical experience many years ago with film 35mm but nothing beyond basic photography in college. So, I know some of the language. But since I switched to digital point and shoot cameras, around 5 years ago, I've just been pointing and shooting and have basically forgotten everything. Every time I try to take the camera off auto mode and try something, it doesn't look as good. Hence, the reason for my question.

[Edward48]

Thanks. I wish I was taking the Michael. I had some technical experience many years ago with film 35mm but nothing beyond basic photography in college. So, I know some of the language. But since I switched to digital point and shoot cameras, around 5 years ago, I've just been pointing and shooting and have basically forgotten everything. Every time I try to take the camera off auto mode and try something, it doesn't look as good. Hence, the reason for my question.

 

As well as the excellent advice from the previous posters don't forget you can change your preferences in the Picture Adjustments menu:

 

Try these out for starters.

 

Contrast... Standard

Sharpness... High

Saturation... Standard

Noise Reduction... Low

 

Mike

[Speenth]

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Thanks. I wish I was taking the Michael. I had some technical experience many years ago with film 35mm but nothing beyond basic photography in college. So, I know some of the language. But since I switched to digital point and shoot cameras, around 5 years ago, I've just been pointing and shooting and have basically forgotten everything. Every time I try to take the camera off auto mode and try something, it doesn't look as good. Hence, the reason for my question.

 

I'm sorry Goldie,

 

There was something about your posts that made me think you were having fun with us photo-geeks. But I understand exactly how you feel. I grew up with manual cameras and it became second nature to plan a shot, stop the aperture down and strive for a compromise of speed and image quality. In other words, it was a long, but satisfying creative experience. With the advent of automatics, especially now in the digital age, its easy to forget all that and just snap away. But the results will always be disappointing.

 

Photography is an art with a technical component, never the other way round. Re-learning the technical bits frees us up to be artists once again.

 

As I suggested before, I recommend you read a good book on the technical basics and it will pay dividends - you'll realise just what that wonderful D-Lux 3 is capable of with the aid of your mind's eye and an intimate understanding of the sophisticated tool in your hands.

 

I like John Hedgecoe's combination of simple prose and inspirational images - you could try this book for instance:

 

Amazon.com: John Hedgecoe's Photography Basics: Books: John Hedgecoe

 

Other forum members will have their own favourites.

 

Have fun with your D-Lux and post some images (taken using a manual option preferably)!

[GoldieLocs]

As well as the excellent advice from the previous posters don't forget you can change your preferences in the Picture Adjustments menu:

 

Try these out for starters.

 

Contrast... Standard

Sharpness... High

Saturation... Standard

Noise Reduction... Low

 

Mike

 

My manual is dog-eared, but I didn't even realize I should make these changes in the picture adjustments menu. I'll get back to the manual, find this menu, and make the changes to see what happens. I'm nervous, but re-learning the basics and learning the new stuff should be fun. I'm going to try not to stress out. I don't know why it's so challenging this time around. Goodness, I hope it isn't age. I feel like my manual Pentax and Nikon were so much more basic!

[jlp]

To further expand the settings options, these are an excellent starting point. Also, as mentioned above, for all intents and purposes, forget there is an Automatic setting and use the Program mode as minimum.

 

Lots of d-lux3 users on that Leica forum and picture/gallery intensive (Radcliffe/Shanidze/Slack are worth reading/viewing.) Good luck and enjoy . . . it's a wonderful and capable small camera.

 

Jack

 

As an additional note/user friendly mode, read page 82 of the manual and learn to use the dynamics of the joystick . . . it will immedaitely remove much of the menu confusion and bring a sense of comfortable dynamics to the camera functionality.