Digilux 3 will arrive soon: What precautions to take?

[Learner]

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I was looking thru the M8 section and came across an interesting question, posed by Wm Mitchell, which I have copied and adjusted to my situation...

 

I'll soon be receiving a Digilux 3. I'm asking those of you who have experienced the ups-n-downs, trials and tribulations, the good and the bad, etc., with this camera to suggest what preliminary things I should do before snapping away?

 

Many thanks in advance!

 

John

[spylaw4]

While you are waiting go do a forum search on Digilux 3, D3, L1 etc. and read all the threads. In particular the ones about camera settings etc. That should keep you busy!

[dist]

There are no special precautions to take. You may want to tweak the "My Film" settings (again, use the search function, maybe also try tag search, "D3", "Digilux", etc.).

Other than that, just have a go at it. Rocket science it ain't.

Cheers,

[jdlaing]

The only caution I know of is severe addiction to the camera that requires going to Rehab.

 

Other than that......................snap away!

[stuny]

John -

 

You might want to go to the link below and download the user's manual. Start getting to know the camera before it arrives:

Leica Camera AG - Downloads

[martano]

Well, don't hit the camera on the ground violently when you don't find advertised lenses still not available, good information, or any other accesories that brands like nikon or canon has in excess everywhere.

[LVSBB6]

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I`m picking mine up this weekend too!

 

You mentioned the camera settings, what would they be? I can`t seem to find the thread on it..

 

While you are waiting go do a forum search on Digilux 3, D3, L1 etc. and read all the threads. In particular the ones about camera settings etc. That should keep you busy!

[MJLogan]

If you use JPEGs, the D3 is much happier with sharpening turned up a notch or two and noise reduction on low. I find that setting autofocus to single center point is a big improvement as well. Those changes to the default settings made a huge difference for me.

[spylaw4]

If you use JPEGs, the D3 is much happier with sharpening turned up a notch or two and noise reduction on low. I find that setting autofocus to single center point is a big improvement as well. Those changes to the default settings made a huge difference for me.

 

Set them in the 'My Film' menu option You may also want to review the settings for Contrast and Saturation as well. Experiment a bit until you get things the way you want.

Additionally use the OIS in Mode 2 rather than Mode 1.

[Riley]

Well, don't hit the camera on the ground violently when you don't find advertised lenses still not available, good information, or any other accesories that brands like nikon or canon has in excess everywhere.

 

yeah but, with good reason ...

[chrisbo]

Before taking the new Digilux III on a trip last week, I called my insurance agent & spent $110.00 (one year coverage) on personal property insurance policy that covers anything that might happen to my Digilux III, the D-Lux 3, the Digilux II, my Panasonic video camera or my notebook computer. This is about $12,000.00 in coverage with no deductible.

 

Coverage includes accidental loss (leaving an item on the beach or at a restaurant), loss from dropping the equipment or theft from a car or hotel room. They are insured for the original purchase price (along with the cost of the SD card) with no reduction for depreciation.

 

This allowed me to enjoy my cameras and trip without the constant nagging fear of an accident, petty theft or the haggling that goes on with your insurance company over deductibles and whether or not your home owners or auto coverage insurance provides any coverage for some of these losses.

 

It's the best accessory I've bought for my camera equipment to date.

[Learner]

I have taken the liberty of copying from one of "Dugby's" posts:

 

Hints for D3/L1 first time users....or in-shop test-drivers

 

1) switch off Auto-zones setting for AF and chose "central" only

2) Chose a customised "My FILM 1" profile and turn Noise Reduction to lowest

3) Set sharpness to highest

4) OIS to mode (2)

5) Image Quality to least compression

6) Image size to L

 

After you have done this.......the Magic of the Leica lens comes to life.

[dugby]

John congrats on getting your D3.

 

Further to the above post of mine, that you found. I'd like to add the following:

 

a) the newer V2.00 firmware seems to have improved the in-camera processing for jpegs.

 

I feel that the Auto-WB is not accurate, and manually selecting WB improves on this.

 

c) I bought a "Crumpler Zieube" water proof SLR bag that doesn't scream "CAMERA - CAMERA" It's a perfect fit for the D3, and has a flap for extra SD's, lens cloth and spare battery.... it's no longer sold new, but occassionally appears on ebay for USD20.00

 

It's a nice discreet slim shoulder bag that doesn't make one feel like a tourist.....

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[MJLogan]

I use a Crumpler 3 Million Dollar Home (still readily available new) as my walking-around bag for the D3. It fits (snugly) the camera with kit lens, the f/1.4 25mm prime, a spare battery and SD card. I also bought a Crumpler Brazillion Dollar Home (I love these mad names!) to use as a carry-on when I fly. It has a very well-padded laptop sleeve built in, and holds my loaded walking-around bag, with room to spare for a simple change of clothes, a book, etc...

[JBonner]

Remarkably, the neoprene every-ready case is really rather good. It weighs next to nothing and provides an acceptable level of protection.

For a Leica product it is also surprisingly modest in price.

Best to accept though that, wonderful as the D3 is in most respects, it will not look so good this time next year. The surface is rubbish and it will deteriorate rapidly in normal use. Even looking at it hard will scratch the surface and the supplied strap will begin to wear it away even as you fit it, although the fitting lugs are very much better than the D2 in this respect.

I have a Chinese mouse which cost me something in the region of £2.50 and which has suffered abuse and constant use for over two years. It's silver finish is in far better condition than my four month old D3. The D3 is a superb picture-taking machine, far better than the D2, but like that ill-fated device it is cheaply made and poorly finished.

Pity really, it is very nearly the perfect digital camera.

[MJLogan]

Mine looks brand new, and I've had it for 10 months. I don't baby it, either. YMMV.

[dugby]

Remarkably, the neoprene every-ready case is really rather good. It weighs next to nothing and provides an acceptable level of protection.

For a Leica product it is also surprisingly modest in price.

Best to accept though that, wonderful as the D3 is in most respects, it will not look so good this time next year. The surface is rubbish and it will deteriorate rapidly in normal use. Even looking at it hard will scratch the surface and the supplied strap will begin to wear it away even as you fit it, although the fitting lugs are very much better than the D2 in this respect.

I have a Chinese mouse which cost me something in the region of £2.50 and which has suffered abuse and constant use for over two years. It's silver finish is in far better condition than my four month old D3. The D3 is a superb picture-taking machine, far better than the D2, but like that ill-fated device it is cheaply made and poorly finished.

Pity really, it is very nearly the perfect digital camera.

 

John.......the things you have described about the D2 surface are exactly my experience. The silver paint on the magnesium case, is easily scratched and marked with simple use.

This is even with the Lumix leather Ever Ready Case on my D2 99.9% of the time.

 

My previous 3 SLRs were all black, the silver of the D2 has too much of a "bling" look.

 

Last year when I bought an L1, a D3 was almost the same price, the difference was a "dinner for two"...so no big deal. However, this time around I wanted that black stealthy look that the L1 provides.

 

After 11months, 35,000km, 2 hemispheres, 3 continents, 5 countries, -4 to 47 degrees Celcius, 30GB of shots, it's black enamel surface is unmarked. This is even with the body fully uncovered, when in use (unlike my D2 which always has the protection of the Ever Ready Case, when in use).