Do I need it, no - Do I want it - yes

[SometimesLostInSpace]

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Hello all,

I just purchased a LDL8 because I wanted to give this camera a go - I should have it in a few days. I cannot wait as this will be my first new digital Leica.

I must have overlooked the battery charging situation. I know the camera comes with a battery, but no charger. It charges via a USB-C to USB-C cable - which is not supplied. 

Would I be correct in assuming that any USB-C to USB-C cable would work? Leica would be very happy to sell me a cable, but I already have a few around here somewhere.

Thanks in advance. - I'm sure I'll be back with additional questions

 

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[leica_kh]

Not sure if "any" USB-C cable would work but I know from my experience that the cable from Apple used to charge my iPad works perfectly. HTH. 

[magowitten]

I think it's better to use a charger. Leica support recommended to me this one:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08LZ1PWNG?tag=lufviglink-21&geniuslink=true

I bought it and it works perfectly.

[Sandokan]

Any cable should work. On M11 and other cameras, i use the cable to charge. No problems. 

[SometimesLostInSpace]

Thanks everybody for the input. I should be receiving the DL8 in just a few days. This will be my first new Leica. I have a 1936 Leica III. It works, but not a daily walk around without effort 🤪

8 hours ago, magowitten said:

I think it's better to use a charger. Leica support recommended to me this one:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08LZ1PWNG?tag=lufviglink-21&geniuslink=true

I bought it and it works perfectly.

I'm a little surprised that Leica would recommend an aftermarket battery for their cameras - but if it works and does not crater the warranty I guess all is good.

[GRBrown]

I've had good experience with Wasabe Power batteries and chargers bought from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Battery-Charger-BP-DC15/dp/B00T511Q7G?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BqXlvGLxbu1KLM3MVxxoSRbGcCzU5NjeT4worT68-2b_xOzkSkFdS9915yuxMvcTwjRyVF_pdng_YUTLtoi87u_n9_l1h3uedQexFkTyMsC4n4soMOD3HnmwG-vSI1HW3Qhjm6zFXtJkA0SEopjhRWxJy8T93GBI6Z2NXuglSk5vSDQonc-9SvFVoSqAVEM_0DDXf6vlMigLv2NFKfeeNK3Gj5c5lDPExsexgBr_Hkk.PMNeDB6_hP-YI1Gi2vOrYMhTZjuNAUZq7BvYUTvbk0g&dib_tag=se&geniuslink=true&keywords=cellonic+bc+dc15+bc+dc15+e+dual+fast+charger+compatible+with+leica+d+lux+d+lux+d+lux+7+bp+dc15+bp+dc15+e+bp+dc15+tk+bp+dc15+u+usb+cable+battery+charger+charging+cable+dual+charger&sr=8-3

[SometimesLostInSpace]

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5 hours ago, GRBrown said:

I've had good experience with Wasabe Power batteries and chargers bought from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Battery-Charger-BP-DC15/dp/B00T511Q7G?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BqXlvGLxbu1KLM3MVxxoSRbGcCzU5NjeT4worT68-2b_xOzkSkFdS9915yuxMvcTwjRyVF_pdng_YUTLtoi87u_n9_l1h3uedQexFkTyMsC4n4soMOD3HnmwG-vSI1HW3Qhjm6zFXtJkA0SEopjhRWxJy8T93GBI6Z2NXuglSk5vSDQonc-9SvFVoSqAVEM_0DDXf6vlMigLv2NFKfeeNK3Gj5c5lDPExsexgBr_Hkk.PMNeDB6_hP-YI1Gi2vOrYMhTZjuNAUZq7BvYUTvbk0g&dib_tag=se&geniuslink=true&keywords=cellonic+bc+dc15+bc+dc15+e+dual+fast+charger+compatible+with+leica+d+lux+d+lux+d+lux+7+bp+dc15+bp+dc15+e+bp+dc15+tk+bp+dc15+u+usb+cable+battery+charger+charging+cable+dual+charger&sr=8-3

Thanks GRBrown. I think that is the one in my Amazon shopping cart. Will the Wasabi charger charge the Leica battery? 

I am located in CO (Denver) too.

[ceflynn]

From the Leica D-Lux 8 manual, page 10:

 

IMPORTANT NOTES ON CHARGING VIA USB • Use a switching adapter with a max. 100 W output or less, which complies with the USB-PD standard. Ensure compliance with the safety standards IEC62368-1 (ES1, PS2-compliant – 60 V or less, 100 W or less). Contact the manufacturer of the switching adapter if you are not sure that it complies with the safety standards.

[ljclark]

On 9/15/2025 at 9:01 PM, magowitten said:

I think it's better to use a charger. Leica support recommended to me this one:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08LZ1PWNG?tag=lufviglink-21&geniuslink=true

I bought it and it works perfectly.

Maybe not 100% perfectly.  Note that it has only two contacts -- offers no thermal protection. 

Nitecore used to sell their "NITECORE UL109 USB (dual) battery charger for LEICA D-Lux 109, D-Lux 7, C-Lux, Panasonic LX100, LX100II battery BP-DC15-E".  It has the third sensor for thermal monitoring but it only monitors and does not shut down charging -- which is a bit odd.  I found one NIB for sale in China a bought it.

There used to be a Panasonic kit that included a BP-DC15-E and a proper charger, but those seem to have vanished as Panasonic left the LX100 series halted at the LC100ii. 

[ljclark]

On 9/16/2025 at 5:50 AM, SometimesLostInSpace said:

Thanks everybody for the input. I should be receiving the DL8 in just a few days. This will be my first new Leica. I have a 1936 Leica III. It works, but not a daily walk around without effort 🤪

I'm a little surprised that Leica would recommend an aftermarket battery for their cameras - but if it works and does not crater the warranty I guess all is good.

If you'd rather go with a charger that has thermal protection (this requires at least three contacts in the charger) consider the DMW-ZSTRV LUMIX Travel Pack that includes both the DMW-BLG10 Battery and the DMW-BTC9 External Charger.  This particular package is a little difficult to find, but I was able to find a link to dealers from the Panasonic site:

https://shop.panasonic.com/products/rechargeable-battery-and-charger-travel-pack

The DMW-BLG10 battery is the one I prefer to use anyway -- I'm not paying Leica battery prices for their Panasonic battery.

In my case, I bought the travel pack from Mike's, which was the closest dealer to me when I purchased the D-Lux8 last March.  (Somehow, the concept of a $1,600 battery charger is something that never caught on with me.) 

[GRBrown]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:40 PM, SometimesLostInSpace said:

Will the Wasabi charger charge the Leica battery? 

GRBrown replied: Yes.

[SometimesLostInSpace]

Just a followup - I used my USB-C cable from my MacBook Pro - Charged it right off of the laptop! Took about an hour. All is good.

 

Thanks for all your input.

[starcolony]

On 9/19/2025 at 12:17 PM, ljclark said:

If you'd rather go with a charger that has thermal protection (this requires at least three contacts in the charger) consider the DMW-ZSTRV LUMIX Travel Pack that includes both the DMW-BLG10 Battery and the DMW-BTC9 External Charger.  This particular package is a little difficult to find, but I was able to find a link to dealers from the Panasonic site:

https://shop.panasonic.com/products/rechargeable-battery-and-charger-travel-pack

The DMW-BLG10 battery is the one I prefer to use anyway -- I'm not paying Leica battery prices for their Panasonic battery.

In my case, I bought the travel pack from Mike's, which was the closest dealer to me when I purchased the D-Lux8 last March.  (Somehow, the concept of a $1,600 battery charger is something that never caught on with me.) 

I also went this route as well. As a bonus, Panasonic was the manufacturer of the batteries for previous D-Lux models. 

The Panasonic batteries and charger were an easy and high quality choice, as well as far more affordable compared the Leica battery.

Cheaply, improperly made or designed lithium batteries are a potential fire hazard. Many cheap ones also swell up and jam in the camera. When batteries swelled/leaked in my flashlights, I would drill a hole in the bottom of the battery and screw in a lag bolt to assist in removing the stuck battery. Try that with a lithium battery in a camera, you will end up with toxic smoke, fire, and maybe worse.

That said, I have an older Panasonic LX5 that even Panasonic no longer makes replacement batteries. I have purchased multiple Wasabi batteries over the years with no issues. There are reviews of Wasabi batteries swelling up, but I have not had that problem.