Macfilos: Leica D-Lux 8 loses popular features in quest for “the essential”

[ceflynn]

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Macfilos:  Leica D-Lux 8 loses popular features in quest for “the essential”

 

Excerpt (one of three such questions):

 

Leica’s essential response

We asked Leica’s press office for clarification on the slimmed-down capabilities of the D-Lux 8 and these are the responses we received by return.

Macfilos: Why has the step-zoom been deleted? This was a favourite feature on the D-Lux 7, but we can find no menu option for zoom functions.

Leica: This is due to prioritisation of other features, we wanted to focus on the essential.

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[Einst_Stein]

Fro people want it so badly, just get Dlux 7!

[2M6TTLs]

D Lux 7 is hard to find already if at all..

D Lux 8 is a camera that  according to Leica, is supposed to focus on the essentials but doesn't have a way to accurately set the focal length.

That is THE essential function of any zoom lens and it is missing. 

[SrMi]

52 minutes ago, 2M6TTLs said:

D Lux 7 is hard to find already if at all..

D Lux 8 is a camera that  according to Leica, is supposed to focus on the essentials but doesn't have a way to accurately set the focal length.

That is THE essential function of any zoom lens and it is missing. 

The exact focal length is displayed on LCD when zooming. Yes, you can set the exact focal length.

[TL3]

Step zoom would definitely be an essential in my book.  I use it on the iPhone instead of pinching to zoom.  It shouldn’t take up more than one space in the menu, hopefully they can add this back in a firmware update

[Jon Schick]

Agree it would be helpful if they added this back.  I don't understand the rationale as it's simpler and faster than trying to adjust a rocker to the exact place you want it..... But of a miss, but easy enough to fix?

[SrMi]

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I never adjust to an exact focal length when working with zooms, so I am not missing it. Working with the step zoom is not the same as working with primes. The point of primes, apart from increased quality and lower weight and size, is to have a series of images with the same focal length. A zoom always entices me to change the focal length between the shots.

[Einst_Stein]

Step zoom could be good to have if it doesn't cost any other features. 

I have Leica M MATE, its step zoom is essential only for M camera without EVF.  

A feature is essential if and only if you can't live without it.   

[zyThuM]

Step Zoom associated to one of the FN-Buttons, like Leica Q, it would be a great way to implement it. 

 

[Einst_Stein]

3 hours ago, zyThuM said:

Step Zoom associated to one of the FN-Buttons, like Leica Q, it would be a great way to implement it. 

 

One button for each FZ !?

 

[TL3]

Or just press the button to cycle through the classic prime focal lengths.  This is how I shoot on the iPhone as well, cycle between 24, 28 and 35 with the same button.  I was contemplating selling my X100V to get a D-LUX 8, but I don't I will do that anymore unless it gets step zoom added in.

[PanHay]

The ‘loss’ of the stepped zoom feature doesn’t really appear high on my wish list, as I’ve not experienced it before and I’m getting on fine with zoom as is.

However, I would find useful a feature where the camera could remember its last zoom setting on powering up after an auto power off.

[Einst_Stein]

2 hours ago, TL3 said:

Or just press the button to cycle through the classic prime focal lengths.  This is how I shoot on the iPhone as well, cycle between 24, 28 and 35 with the same button.  I was contemplating selling my X100V to get a D-LUX 8, but I don't I will do that anymore unless it gets step zoom added in.

Now I see why Leica abandoned it!

[2M6TTLs]

On 7/17/2024 at 12:03 PM, SrMi said:

The exact focal length is displayed on LCD when zooming. Yes, you can set the exact focal length.

If you are lucky yes you can.You have to toggle the zoom lever backwards and forwards in an attempt to set the focal length where you want it often missing the 35mm position and getting 38 or whatever. That is not exact focal length. It is more hit or miss.

Displaying the focal length used isn't the same thing as being able to set it accurately and quickly when you want to take a picture.

Also toggling the zoom lever back and forth is wasting your battery. Poorly implemented.They need to bring back the step zoom feature at least. Even better, would be a zoom setting on the lens. How difficult is that when it was already included on the D-Lux 7?

[Lelmer]

8 hours ago, 2M6TTLs said:

If you are lucky yes you can.You have to toggle the zoom lever backwards and forwards in an attempt to set the focal length where you want it often missing the 35mm position and getting 38 or whatever. That is not exact focal length. It is more hit or miss.

Displaying the focal length used isn't the same thing as being able to set it accurately and quickly when you want to take a picture.

Also toggling the zoom lever back and forth is wasting your battery. Poorly implemented.They need to bring back the step zoom feature at least. Even better, would be a zoom setting on the lens. How difficult is that when it was already included on the D-Lux 7?

I completely agree.

I had a zoom lever on an old compact camera and hated that feature. I am seriously considering the D-lux 8 as a light companion to my M's, but not in the current configuration. I hope they'll correct it with a new firmware.

[SrMi]

3 hours ago, Lelmer said:

I completely agree.

I had a zoom lever on an old compact camera and hated that feature. I am seriously considering the D-lux 8 as a light companion to my M's, but not in the current configuration. I hope they'll correct it with a new firmware.

Operating the zoom with the ring instead of lever is not the same as using a real zoom ring. The D-Lux 7 zoom ring fakes it, as it simulates the level. It is just another option to do the same thing in a different way, without any real benefits. Hence, off with its head 😂.

[2M6TTLs]

Then they should put a real zoom ring on it and stop faking it. 

[SrMi]

2 hours ago, 2M6TTLs said:

Then they should put a real zoom ring on it and stop faking it. 

At that lens size, it is not possible to add a "real" (mechanical) zoom.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Lux

[NigelG]

3 hours ago, SrMi said:

At that lens size, it is not possible to add a "real" (mechanical) zoom.

Fuji X10/20/30 managed it perfectly fine…

[2M6TTLs]

On 7/21/2024 at 5:51 PM, NigelG said:

Fuji X10/20/30 managed it perfectly fine…

Yes, thank you. Leica could do it too if they wanted.