Very new to V-LUX1

[leica dream]

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After much debate in the past couple of weeks on this forum, yesterday I became the proud owner of a new V-LUX1. This is my first entry into digital (they took my film Leica camera in part exchange) so I was most interested to read Patrick's question and debate earlier to-day about ideal settings.

My setup is now V-LUX1 plus Epson R800 printer.

Can I really set the hares running now by asking............What are the 3 or 4 most important tips I should bear in mind to start producing reasonable shots quite quickly?

Richard

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[Luigi.Vercotti]

Most important tip: release the protection cap before shooting photos!

[hsw]

Sorry you had to trade in your film Leica.

 

Don't be discouraged by the electronic viewfinder, it takes a little while to get used to.

Learn and experiment with the different metering modes; I find the spot metering mode the easiest to use being more familiar with rangefinders.

 

My advice on the other thread you refer to was to use RAW and make your adjustments to contrast, saturation, exposure and sharpening in your Raw Converter. The reason for this is that there is no single setting in-camera that's going to give you optimal results for all the situations you'll encounter.

 

High ISO still not very usable; probably best to stay @ 400 or below

 

I most commonly use Program Mode and change the f-stop with the thumb wheel.

 

I had to read the manual a few times to really understand all the features (most of which I rarely use.)

 

Happy shooting,

Henry

[Paul Gruyters]

O.K I have had the V Lux since November. My Tips are thus.

 

If shooting JPEG always keep NR to LOW. Never use High on anything (Sat,Cont,Sharp)

 

For good results fast, seeing you are experienced, use Apeture Priority.

 

Keep ISO to 100.

 

The auto focus is excellent but if the shot is a set up go manual.

 

That's it other than going full auto or using a scene mode.

 

Regs,

PJG

[leica dream]

Thanks for those starters. I am a great one for trying out options, but I guess for a while it will be pretty straight forward automatic JPEG stuff. This instrument is so powerful that it will take ages to use every facility......if ever.

Richard

[Paul Gruyters]

You know I thought that too. What I did was use the scene modes for the first month or so wuth auto focus to get confidence up. From there I started to use Programme and Apeture priotity with manual focus for set ups. Next I moved to shutter priority and finally full manual. All this took roughly six months with a lot of refence to the manual. About a month ago I started shooting RAW and playing with ISO levels and ratios. Now I'm relatively happy I can use the camera to its full extent proficiently in a technical sense. My current learning curve is processing in Lightroom.

 

Regards,

Paul.

[Overgaard]

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The good thing with digital is that you can instantly look at the results and learn while you can still remember what you did.

 

So I would start out with JPG, shoot lots of pictures, then start playing with aperture mode and full manual exposure.

 

If you shoot series of pictures of a scene you can read what the lightmeter says about the light and go manual from there, adjust what you think would be better and shoot a series of that.

 

And keep the ISO at 100 or 200 unless you really need the speed for low-light stuff.

[euston]

Read the manual. It's exciting getting a new camera but take time to read the manual. Read it as many times as you need to. When you think you've absorbed everything, read it again. Digital cameras are more complicated to use than a film Leica. The V-Lux 1 is a very capable device. It really is worth finding out what it can do.

 

Practise and experiment. Get to know where the controls are and practise finding them without looking. If you can do that, you'll never be fumbling to find the right button or switch when you need it quickly. Experiment with all the settings until you find the combinations that suit you in various circumstances. Here's a tip I wish I could remember. Check your settings when you turn the camera on. Where you left them yesterday may not be where you want them today.

 

Consider using noise reduction software. You've had some good advice already about keeping to low ISO values but there may be occasions when you can't or don't want to. Some people don't mind the noise and try to turn it into film-like grain, especially in black and white photos. If you prefer to minimise it, however, noise reduction software can help and is essential, I think, when you use raw. There are many products available. In my opinion Neat Image does a good job.

 

Above all, have fun with your new camera!

[leica dream]

I am grateful for all this very sound stuff. Sometimes it takes an expert to point out what should be blindingly obvious. The manual is certainly good and the idea of "practice makes perfect" comes through clearly.

Thanks everyone. Who knows, I might get confident enough to post an image sooner or later!.

Richard