D Lux 8. My review after 2000 images

[Yoki]

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Thank you for sharing the DNG files, Gaston. I've been experimenting with editing one of the files using Lightroom Classic, and I'm quite pleased with the results so far.

I've noticed that using the "Auto" editing feature in Lightroom Classic (and also Photoshop 2024) produces a different level of saturation and vibrance compared to the DNG files from my Leica X and Leica Q (the Leica D-Lux 8 tends to produce images with lower saturation).

I hope you won't mind if I upload my edited versions of your photos here. I'd like to showcase the capabilities of the Leica D-Lux 8's DNG files and address some of the concerns surrounding their quality. If you have any objections, please let me know and I'll remove the post. Cheers..

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

[Mt83073]

Thanks for sharing. This may have been answered, but what do you feel is the highest usable iso? By usable I mean print 8x10 or put in a  photo book.  I am used to my sl2-s but am looking for something smaller for just family trips etc. I don’t mind noise or fairly natural grain as I still use my m7 mostly  

mark. 

[Jon Schick]

19 hours ago, Mt83073 said:

Thanks for sharing. This may have been answered, but what do you feel is the highest usable iso? By usable I mean print 8x10 or put in a  photo book.  I am used to my sl2-s but am looking for something smaller for just family trips etc. I don’t mind noise or fairly natural grain as I still use my m7 mostly  

mark. 

I think this depends upon your personal preferences but from the DNGs posted, I reckon even 6400 would be ok for these purposes, especially if you have decent post processing/noise reduction software.  They're not great at 100% but more than usable as a 10x8.  

[Ratzlaff]

I’m having a difficult time finding this information. Is the lens of the dlux 8 compatible with 43mm threaded filters?

[Le Chef]

5 hours ago, Ratzlaff said:

I’m having a difficult time finding this information. Is the lens of the dlux 8 compatible with 43mm threaded filters?

Yes, according to the website.

[plantagoo]

Am 3.7.2024 um 21:37 schrieb Ratzlaff:

I’m having a difficult time finding this information. Is the lens of the dlux 8 compatible with 43mm threaded filters?

Yes it is. It is exactly the same as the D-Lux 7/LX100II. All 43mm filters, screw on lens hoods etc. are usable.

Also the snap on automatic lens covers for the 7/LX - even the cheap JJC ones - work.

[Le Chef]

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What apparently not mentioned in this review though are the features that were removed from the DL8 that were on the DL7 and DL109.

The ability to “step zoom” at 28, 35, and 50 full frame equivalent.

”Function Lock” the ability to hold current settings without accidentally changing them. Apparently Leica in its wisdom decided to remove them without asking.

It’s not “Das Wesentliche” but “Decontenting”…

Anyone seen a review that mentions this?

[SrMi]

4 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

What apparently not mentioned in this review though are the features that were removed from the DL8 that were on the DL7 and DL109.

The ability to “step zoom” at 28, 35, and 50 full frame equivalent.

”Function Lock” the ability to hold current settings without accidentally changing them. Apparently Leica in its wisdom decided to remove them without asking.

It’s not “Das Wesentliche” but “Decontenting”…

Anyone seen a review that mentions this?

https://www.macfilos.com/2024/07/15/leica-d-lux-8-loses-popular-features-in-quest-for-the-essential/

I have never used the "step zoom" or "Function Lock" on my D-Lux 7s. 

[Le Chef]

3 hours ago, SrMi said:

I have never used the "step zoom" or "Function Lock" on my D-Lux 7s. 

That’s not the issue: it’s the fact that Leica removed it from the menu of the DL-8.

[SrMi]

21 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

That’s not the issue: it’s the fact that Leica removed it from the menu of the DL-8.

If they remove functionality that very few use, then that makes sense. The question is, whether those functionalities were used a lot and whether Leica made a mistake removing it.

Leica probably did a study before removing them.  But they do make mistakes. I wonder how many D-Lux 7 owners used the missing functions.

[Jk1002]

So lets just run with the oh it wasn't used notion for a moment.

I would not be surprised if many were not even aware the step zoom was there.

I was using a Sony RX100 for a year until I found out it had it. You set the default to 35, turn on the camera wiggle once or twice with the zoom lever to get to a suitable prime value and focus on your frame. Versus having to hold the zoom lever and wait until the zoom reached an approximate position.

I do not know how many M shooters were using the Dlux 7. I skipped it over the controls and now with the 8 I am really warming up to it. There are situations where with the M I can not or do not want switch lenses and so having this as a 2nd body just for the variable lens would make a lot of sense without adding much bulk or weight in my bag.

Interestingly if you read the DPReview carefully the reviewer was not warming up to the electric zoom of the Dlux. Fast switching between primes might have changed that.
 

JK

Edited July 16, 2024 by Jk1002

[Le Chef]

2 hours ago, SrMi said:

Leica probably did a study before removing them.

I very much doubt it. Their track record of learning what owners and potential buyers want is poor.

[Le Chef]

1 hour ago, Jk1002 said:

would not be surprised if many were not even aware the step zoom was there

I guess that would prove the point about people not reading instruction manuals…

[SrMi]

29 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

I guess that would prove the point about people not reading instruction manuals…

Maybe we should consider D-Lux 8, a new camera (software) that uses old hardware. In that context, there was never a before, and nothing was removed.

[SrMi]

33 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

I very much doubt it. Their track record of learning what owners and potential buyers want is poor.

They removed DOF Preview on SL cameras; queried users reported a lack of interest in that functionality. 

I think Leica is pretty good at guessing what is not needed. Otherwise, we'd have UI like that of Panasonic or Sony. 

I miss certain functionality in Q3 and SL cameras, but I accept their absence if the camera continues with Leica ergonomics. Of course, I will continue sending Leica feature requests to be added and, hopefully, included at some point 😁.

[Ko.Fe.]

2k images is a lot of work. Not sure if I take same amount during entire year on my Leica cameras.

Watching review makes me think the Leica magic is not in DNG files. But how camera is made overall.

Even if we all know it is based on outdated Panasonic, it looks nice.

If someone doesn't have lot of money and strong back this is the only new entry left for Leica.

Smart marketing, no reason for Leica anymore to invest in compacts. Sell a teaser:)

Would I sell my X2 over it? No. Pencil shows made in Germany on my X2

[KarinSG]

hi, I want to know if it is possible to do back button focus (BBF) with this camera. The Q allows you to program a back button to be the focusing button instead of the shutter release, and I cannot find this possibility in the menu here.

[SrMi]

8 hours ago, KarinSG said:

hi, I want to know if it is possible to do back button focus (BBF) with this camera. The Q allows you to program a back button to be the focusing button instead of the shutter release, and I cannot find this possibility in the menu here.

It is weird. You can set a back button to AF-On (change the setting by keeping the button pressed), which locks focus for a while or until the scene changes. I have not yet found how to make that usable.

[mhoutman]

On 7/3/2024 at 9:37 PM, Ratzlaff said:

I’m having a difficult time finding this information. Is the lens of the dlux 8 compatible with 43mm threaded filters?

Yes you can fit any E43 filter. When fitted you can’t use the auto lend cap!

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[ColdShower]

Hey guys, I’ve been using my new D-Lux 8 for a while now, and a detailed long-term review is coming soon. Here are my main thoughts:

    •    The camera is super easy to use.
    •    The 17MP sensor is enough for me but limits heavy cropping.
    •    I do wish it had an APS-C sensor, but the lens would’ve been huge.
    •    The lens isn’t super sharp at any aperture, but it’s sharp enough for 17MP.
    •    I shot wide open for most of my initial review to showcase the lens’ flaws, and I’m impressed despite that.
    •    Having owned the Sony RX100 M4-7, I think Sony’s image output is more pleasant straight out of the camera, even with its 1” sensor. However, I prefer the D-Lux 8 for its handling and better battery life.
    •    Autofocus is slow and not very accurate. Even with focus confirmation, I’ve had several missed shots.
    •    The best way to minimize misses is by using the cross-hair focus mode.
    •    Face detection isn’t reliable at all, nowhere near what Sony or even the iPhone offers.
    •    The tracking feature exists but can’t be fully trusted either.
    •    The D-Lux 8 is great to use and fun, but it’s not as fast or reliable as the RX100 M7, which never misses.
    •    I’ve paired it with my Leica M11M + 35 APO setup, and together they cover all my needs.
    •    Surprisingly, the D-Lux 8 performs well in low light, with pleasant noise levels. The little flash makes it my go-to for casual night shots.
    •    Is it better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Yes and no. The iPhone has impressive computational photography but lacks the viewfinder and flexibility of the D-Lux 8’s zoom lens. In some situations, like long exposures, the iPhone might outperform the D-Lux.
    •    For video, the D-Lux 8 isn’t great unless conditions are perfect. The iPhone easily outperforms it for video.
    •    Bang for the buck? For me, sticking with Leica makes it worth it. But if I were unbiased, I might choose the RX100 M7—it’s more pocketable, better for both photos and video, and even has a mic input.
    •    Would I recommend it? It depends. Try it out—it may or may not be your ideal camera. For me, it’s Leica’s best option in terms of size, features, and price.
    •    Ricoh GRIII vs. D-Lux 8: If you want ultimate pocketability and don’t need zoom, the Ricoh GRIII has better image quality, though its battery life is lacking. But if you need zoom options, the D-Lux 8 is the better choice.
    •    I hope to see an APS-C 35mm equivalent that’s as small and portable as the D-Lux 8 one day. 
 

I’ll keep you posted with my latest review. I shot a ton of street photography with just the D Lux 8 and I’m really please with the results. Getting a few images out of focus is not as important to me. I miss a few with my M11M anyway  😂so I’m used to.