Leica D-Lux 8 - the wait is over!

[2M6TTLs]

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3 minutes ago, Indeepthought said:

I don’t think anyone looks or thinks of the ‘8’ as a replacement CL. 🍻

Apparently Leica does. I think what most people wanted was an improved version of a CL but Leica gave us a D Lux 8. If you want to buy a smaller compact camera from Leica now, this is your only option and the spec is much worse than the CL. It's a big step backwards from that model and that is the disappointment of it all. Ask all the CL users.

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, 2M6TTLs said:

I agree, I think of the D-Lux 8 as a sad substitute for a Leica CL.

I do not see D-Lux 8 as a substitute for Leica CL. 
I see D-Lux 8 as a real Leica version of LX 100 II, instead of a rebadged version like D-Lux 7.

[dkCambridgeshire]

3 hours ago, Indeepthought said:

I don’t think anyone looks or thinks of the ‘8’ as a replacement CL.  We do  definitely want a a CL mk11 and not forgetting a Mono version.. 🍻

Replacement Leica CL = 3 years design / develop / test for an insufficiently large Leica market to €break even. Leica is a small company compared to Fujifilm and does not have the resources in the broadest sense to justify ICL APS-C production – and Panasonic has no plans for same either. 

[Tobers]

Camera manufacturers must be looking at the X100 series success and licking their lips. Huge waiting lists and high demand will not have gone unnoticed.

There’s very little in that same space at the moment, and I’m sure Leica will address that. A D-Lux 8 looks attractive but I agree it feels a bit sub-par specs-wise compared to the X100VI.

If I was Leica I’d be working my arse off to build an APS-C “mini Q” that is half the price of the Q3 (therefore more than the Fuji X100VI), more portable, with Leica build quality, looks and simplicity. It would sell like hot cakes, and even Q3 owners would have one (I would).

[SimonTyp109]

Does anyone have any details about the hdmi out port spec? Is there a clean hdmi output option in video mode?

[Foxtwo]

On 6/13/2024 at 4:31 AM, Tobers said:

If I was Leica I’d be working my arse off to build an APS-C “mini Q” that is half the price of the Q3 (therefore more than the Fuji X100VI), more portable, with Leica build quality, looks and simplicity. It would sell like hot cakes, and even Q3 owners would have one (I would).

An APS-C “Mini Q” would be attractive, but it would still leave all of us who have TL lenses for our current CL’s orphaned. Without existing lens compatibility, there is little incentive to purchase an APSC camera.

To make it competitive, Leica would at minimum need to include a 40MP sensor with IBIS and a tilting rear screen. Leica would end up pricing it at over twice the acquisition cost of the X100VI, making its success in the market doubtful. 

[Le Chef]

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Leica has said many times that they will not return to APSC - that’s a dead end for them. What has been rumored for some time is a “Q-E” with something like a 24MP FF sensor and with an up-to-date processor with PDAF. The trick is to avoid cannibalizing sales of the Q3 but be appealing to people who are looking at the X100VI.

[ymc226]

I never use a lens cap and have a clear or UV filter on my lenses.  For the Lux-7, the filter size is listed on B&H as 43mm but not for the Lux-8.  Given Leica is using the same lens, what are the chances the Lux 8 will accept screw in filters?

[2M6TTLs]

On 6/13/2024 at 6:31 PM, Tobers said:

Camera manufacturers must be looking at the X100 series success and licking their lips. Huge waiting lists and high demand will not have gone unnoticed.

There’s very little in that same space at the moment, and I’m sure Leica will address that. A D-Lux 8 looks attractive but I agree it feels a bit sub-par specs-wise compared to the X100VI.

If I was Leica I’d be working my arse off to build an APS-C “mini Q” that is half the price of the Q3 (therefore more than the Fuji X100VI), more portable, with Leica build quality, looks and simplicity. It would sell like hot cakes, and even Q3 owners would have one (I would).

Yep, me too. Let's hope that's what they are doing then.

[ColdShower]

On 6/8/2024 at 4:51 PM, SrMi said:

D-Lux 7 has raw output.

Yes correct, RWL I meant to say DNGs. My apologies. I edited that part out.

[ColdShower]

On 6/6/2024 at 1:20 PM, ianforber said:

I’m tempted given that it can use DNG. I’ll wait to see comprehensive tests from people but DNGs should allow software like DxO PureRaw4 or Topaz PhotoAI to overcome any slight quality problems with high ISO files or heavily underexposed images. I always found the raw images from my Olympus EM-5 Mk2 excellent after processing and that was a 16MP sensor so I can’t see why this would be worse as long as the lens is of good quality. 

Image quality and recoverability is awesome. I Made a final video split in two parts after 2000 images and a week with the camera.

I posted that video here: 

 

[ColdShower]

On 6/8/2024 at 11:44 PM, SrMi said:

It seems so. Before it used Panasonic's raw format.

Does anyone see any advantage of using DNG instead of other raw formats?

 

 

On 6/8/2024 at 11:44 PM, SrMi said:

It seems so. Before it used Panasonic's raw format.

Does anyone see any advantage of using DNG instead of other raw formats?

 

Smaller, I believe and easier to process on most computers and software.

[BradS]

On 6/8/2024 at 8:44 PM, SrMi said:

It seems so. Before it used Panasonic's raw format.

Does anyone see any advantage of using DNG instead of other raw formats?

 

DNG is an open standard like TIFF and JPEG.   It is not manufacturer specific.

[SrMi]

4 hours ago, ColdShower said:

 

Smaller, I believe and easier to process on most computers and software.

There is no difference in processing, and the size depends on the compression applied. 

[RM8]

22 hours ago, ColdShower said:

Image quality and recoverability is awesome. I Made a final video split in two parts after 2000 images and a week with the camera.

I posted that video here: 

 

Made in China! Kills it for me. If the trade disputes or geopolitical issues between West and PRC heat up, hi tech luxury trinkets will be among the first pinpricks. Forget service or spare parts then no matter what the warranty states

[SrMi]

1 minute ago, RM8 said:

Made in China! Kills it for me. If the trade disputes or geopolitical issues between West and PRC heat up, hi tech luxury trinkets will be among the first pinpricks. Forget service or spare parts then no matter what the warranty states

I do not doubt that Apple, Fuji, Sony, Leica, etc., will be able to move production out of China in the unlikely event of any issues.

[RM8]

1 minute ago, SrMi said:

I do not doubt that Apple, Fuji, Sony, Leica, etc., will be able to move production out of China in the unlikely event of any issues.

Unlikely, hmm. Anyhow three of the four you list have manufacturing capabilities way beyond Leica's. Of course I'm sure that Leica can manufacture DLUX 8 parts if really needed but their cost would become crippling, even if they store a huge 5 year supply right now (judging from their bungling the CL's demise that's about the term they'll commit to is my guess)

[giganova]

To me, this is the perfect travel camera to complement my SL2-S. Great form factor, user interface, has DNG files, and the Leica Photo app is stellar. Couldn’t care less about the lack of a new sensor, camera sensors have been phantastic for years now. And since it’s impossible to get a Ricoh GRIII or Fuji 100VI and used ones cost the same as a new D-Lux 8, I am happy to get mine next week.

Edited June 28, 2024 by giganova

[2M6TTLs]

On 6/13/2024 at 5:20 PM, dkCambridgeshire said:

Replacement Leica CL = 3 years design / develop / test for an insufficiently large Leica market to €break even. Leica is a small company compared to Fujifilm and does not have the resources in the broadest sense to justify ICL APS-C production – and Panasonic has no plans for same either. 

They miraculously came up with the resources to make the discontinued digital CL  with a whole line of lenses as well as the resources to make watches! 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Lux

[2M6TTLs]

On 6/22/2024 at 11:45 PM, SrMi said:

I do not doubt that Apple, Fuji, Sony, Leica, etc., will be able to move production out of China in the unlikely event of any issues.

Not so easy now. The Japanese have surrendered their electronic production capabilities to Chinese suppliers in 2024 with only a handful of exceptions.. Many Japanese companies in the audio visual space can no longer make the parts in sufficient quantities at cost effective prices and totally depend on Chinese production and supply.. Sadly, it is not the late 70s or 80s anymore.Whatever camera you are using is already probably running on a Chinese made battery. You'd think that an item like that could easily be manufactured in any country but... If Japan can't compete, Germany certainly can't. Yes, Leica is managing to produce some cameras still but for how long? It will be hard to sustain that. Fuji has been subsidized by the Japanese government and Sigma is flying the flag, for now. Labor costs and workers productivity would be major issues in the U.S. and Japan now if you look at the economies.