XMan Posted March 2 Share #1  Posted March 2 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have not seen any other posts regarding the D-Lux 8 so I am probably wasting my time here, but worth a try.  I recently purchased a D-Lux8 as a companion for my Q3.  Nothing so lonesome as a sole camera.  🥲 For many years I used the Lumix range of LX cameras and own them all, buying the next iteration as soon as released.  Fantastic travel cameras, so compact, and with the Leica lens wonderful images.  My last was the LX100 which was simply great.  However the plastic around the viewfinder finally disintegrated along with the thumb 'grip'.  Patched up the camera still worked OK but started to have a few, very few, random glitches and I would not trust it for travel where, for me, the travel is for photography!  So I was really pleased to see Leica release the D-lux8, expensive but with most of the features of the Lumix range, the very fast Leica lens, and the menu a la Q3.  BUT, I found that unlike the Lumix range the camera is very flaky when trying to focus in the macro setting.  For flowers etc. I would use spot metering and spot focus.  I find my D-Lux simply does not want to co-operate and hunts for focus.  To the extent that I give up and grab my one of my reliable Fuji X  cameras and a macro lens.  But I like to travel light and having to use the Fuji defeats the whole purpose of buying the D-Lux. I will be interested to see if there are any comments on my situation.  Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 2 Posted March 2 Hi XMan, Take a look here Flaky macro focus with D-Lux8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stuny Posted March 3 Share #2  Posted March 3 You are in the right place for your issue, though since the camera is so relatively new I don't know what kind of response you'll get. Maybe, the focus hunting is due to there being too little contrast difference between what's within the spot focus area and what is outside it. Try another macro subject where there is good contrast between in and out of that area and see what happens.  If that's the answer, you may need to widen your focus size.  Additionally, if you are closer than the closest the camera can focus at a particular zoom setting, you need to zoom a bit less, or back away just a bit. Let us know what happens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMJ Posted March 4 Share #3  Posted March 4 Quick and dirty test, as Stuart says, you need to be within the focus/zoom range of the lens in macro 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419625-flaky-macro-focus-with-d-lux8/?do=findComment&comment=5767257'>More sharing options...
XMan Posted March 14 Author Share #4  Posted March 14 Thank you Stuny and GMJ.  For some reason my computer did not tell me that you had replied to my post so you may think I am ill mannered.  Apologies.  I understand your comments.  But, I have been shooting close up with the whole series of Lumix LX cameras, almost identical to the Leica Dlux series AND with the Leica lenses, for decades, without ever having a problem, and being mindful of the nature of the subject and avoiding zooming.  The fact that my LX100 was getting tired moved me to take the deep breath required before investing in another Leica and purchasing the DLux 8.  I have been testing the camera for closeup work along side my ageing LX 100 which I am sorry to say is outperforming its new little mate from Wezlar.   I really wish there was a Leica Help desk to supplement the forum which can certainly be an amazing help, but not yet with the Dlux 8 due to low market penetration, and the fact that the camera is not probably used as 'seriously' as I intend to use mine.  One reason I purchased it is that it is potentially as brilliant a travel camera as the LX100 with the advantages of the Leica menu with which I am familiar because of my Q3 photography.  I am to travel for 8 weeks in Europe commencing late April and the DLux 8was to be my main camera with a FujiX camera and 8mm lens for architecture.  Having the powerful but compact DLux in a pouch on the belt is just so unobtrusive and convenient!.  My question now, is there a Leica Help desk anywhere on line ?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted March 14 Share #5  Posted March 14 11 hours ago, XMan said: Thank you Stuny and GMJ.  For some reason my computer did not tell me that you had replied to my post so you may think I am ill mannered.  Apologies.  I understand your comments.  But, I have been shooting close up with the whole series of Lumix LX cameras, almost identical to the Leica Dlux series AND with the Leica lenses, for decades, without ever having a problem, and being mindful of the nature of the subject and avoiding zooming.  The fact that my LX100 was getting tired moved me to take the deep breath required before investing in another Leica and purchasing the DLux 8.  I have been testing the camera for closeup work along side my ageing LX 100 which I am sorry to say is outperforming its new little mate from Wezlar.   I really wish there was a Leica Help desk to supplement the forum which can certainly be an amazing help, but not yet with the Dlux 8 due to low market penetration, and the fact that the camera is not probably used as 'seriously' as I intend to use mine.  One reason I purchased it is that it is potentially as brilliant a travel camera as the LX100 with the advantages of the Leica menu with which I am familiar because of my Q3 photography.  I am to travel for 8 weeks in Europe commencing late April and the DLux 8was to be my main camera with a FujiX camera and 8mm lens for architecture.  Having the powerful but compact DLux in a pouch on the belt is just so unobtrusive and convenient!.  My question now, is there a Leica Help desk anywhere on line ?? Since GMJ was able to get a good macro photo with his Dlux8, maybe yours is faulty. You might want to go back to where you bought the camera, have them look it over, and if it's faulty, replace it. You might also want to try contacting some of the people posting a lot of good photos in this section, and asking about their experience using the camera's macro setting: fotografr, NaAn and HeinzX Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoCruiser Posted March 14 Share #6 Â Posted March 14 I never had a D-Lux but two LX100 and i agree that is was probably the best compact cameras ever made and definitively the best of all i had, and i had many mainly for underwater photography. I did some land based macro but literally thousands under water and the focus hunting was some times a issue but maybe related to the underwater housing and the SubSee macro lens. I suggest you to do more tests with macro to figure out if you find a way to make the D-Lux 8 macro focus more reliable or if it's a general or camera related problem. What i don't really understand is why you want another compact if you have a Q3 what is not really so much bigger that the LX100 and the Q series can be carried easily in a small bag, i use a small Lowepro bag for her. I find my Q2 my perfect travel camera but missed the lack of ultra wide and macro lenght so i pulled the trigger and bought a SL2 with 14mm, 28mm and 105mm Macro Sigma ART series and i'm more than happy with the camera, but less that i am back where i was; shlepping heavy and bulky camera bags with me. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzajl Posted March 14 Share #7  Posted March 14 Advertisement (gone after registration) It does sound like your D Lux could well be faulty. You clearly know your way around an LX camera and should find the results on this new one to be unsurprisingly similar to your LX100. I would take it back the shop, if it came from one and compare yours side by side with another. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus84 Posted March 14 Share #8  Posted March 14 Mine works as it should. But i remembered i needed to be really close at the wide-angle zoom setting (like some cm from the subject), if you are too far away it will "give up" since the subject is not within the macro range. Also you need to switch to marcro with the switch next to the lens (obvious of course but woth to double check it). Regards! Love my DLX8 as a good complement to the CL with the TL35 lens! 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! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419625-flaky-macro-focus-with-d-lux8/?do=findComment&comment=5771882'>More sharing options...
GMJ Posted March 18 Share #9  Posted March 18 Another test, all at 24mm, the two macro images are at minimum (closest) focusing distance at f16 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419625-flaky-macro-focus-with-d-lux8/?do=findComment&comment=5773430'>More sharing options...
MelodyMcLean Posted April 15 Share #10  Posted April 15 On 3/14/2025 at 9:20 AM, XMan said: Thank you Stuny and GMJ.  For some reason my computer did not tell me that you had replied to my post so you may think I am ill mannered.  Apologies.  I understand your comments.  But, I have been shooting close up with the whole series of Lumix LX cameras, almost identical to the Leica Dlux series AND with the Leica lenses, for decades, without ever having a problem, and being mindful of the nature of the subject and avoiding zooming.  The fact that my LX100 was getting tired moved me to take the deep breath required before investing in another Leica and purchasing the DLux 8.  I have been testing the camera for closeup work along side my ageing LX 100 which I am sorry to say is outperforming its new little mate from Wezlar.   I really wish there was a Leica Help desk to supplement the forum which can certainly be an amazing help, but not yet with the Dlux 8 due to low market penetration, and the fact that the camera is not probably used as 'seriously' as I intend to use mine.  One reason I purchased it is that it is potentially as brilliant a travel camera as the LX100 with the advantages of the Leica menu with which I am familiar because of my Q3 photography.  I am to travel for 8 weeks in Europe commencing late April and the DLux 8was to be my main camera with a FujiX camera and 8mm lens for architecture.  Having the powerful but compact DLux in a pouch on the belt is just so unobtrusive and convenient!.  My question now, is there a Leica Help desk anywhere on line ?? Lumix LX cameras and were excited about the D-Lux 8 as a travel companion. I can understand your frustration with the macro focusing issues. It's unfortunate that the D-Lux 8 doesn't seem to perform well in that setting, especially given the quality of the Leica lens. It might be worth reaching out to Leica support for potential firmware updates or troubleshooting tips. Hopefully, others with similar experiences can provide insights too! To explore this further and get all the detailed information, simply check out the link below. https://mycompany.filemail.com/d/vfnznwfsyyfiuki Any update? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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