d-lux 3 beginner

[simo_pucci]

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hi everybody,

 

two days ago i bought a d-lux 3 and i was very happy and proud to be an owner of a leica. does anyone have tips how to start with this cam and how i can get the best results? normally i use it outdoor f.ex. next weekend at skiing...

do you recommend the leather bag for the d-lux 3??

 

thanks*

[philipotto]

Simo,

 

I have a D-LUX3 as well, but can't offer too much advice as it is a secondary camera, and I haven't used it much.

 

I would recommend shooting RAW and keeping the ISO to under 200. Above that there is noise reduction that causes smearing of fine details. If you need a higher ISO, I think you will find better results shooting at ISO200 -2EV and pushing it 2 stops in the RAW converter, for an equivalent 800 ISO.

 

I usually shoot on P and use spot focus.

[elgenper]

hi everybody,

 

two days ago i bought a d-lux 3 and i was very happy and proud to be an owner of a leica. does anyone have tips how to start with this cam and how i can get the best results? normally i use it outdoor f.ex. next weekend at skiing...

do you recommend the leather bag for the d-lux 3??

 

thanks*

 

Some good discussions here: Small Sensor Cameras - The GetDPI Workshop Forums

 

Regarding that leather case: at first I didn´t think much of it from a practical point-of-view; bought it more as a "collector´s item". But I´ve found it is superb, either on the belt, or around the neck with the strap. Reason is, it protects the camera well enough so one can do without that pain-in-the-arrears lens cap dangling around. Now, it´s what I use when using this camera.

[Maggie_O]

I would recommend shooting RAW and keeping the ISO to under 200. Above that there is noise reduction that causes smearing of fine details.

 

In RAW that simply is not true. I have shot at ISO 800 and gotten excellent results. In RAW mode, smearing can be caused by the image stabilization feature at lower shutter speeds. Also, some RAW processors will add NR that will smear the files and the noise in higher ISO files will trigger that NR; but be sure, the smearing is NOT coming from the camera.

 

I'll let my photos do the talking.

 

That said, ISO 1600 is, in my opinion, utterly useless on the D-Lux 3. Stick to ISO 800 and below, shoot RAW, and get yourself a SanDisk eXtreme III SD card- it'll cut the RAW write time down to 3-4 seconds.

 

(If you insist on shooting JPEG, ISO 400 is the limit, though perfectly usable files can be made at ISO 800, it's just trickier.)

[gesper]

In anything other than strong sunlight, I get a lot of noise above ISO 200.

 

I do a lot of street shooting, and generally prefocus to whatever distance I want and then change it to manual. It eliminates shutter lag. I also usually keep it set it on "A" with aperture at its widest.

[whertha]

I have the leather case that straps on to my belt. It's always there when I need it; that's why I bought a P&S. This is great camera; take lots of shots and learn how it feels.

[HarryW]

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Hi Simo,

 

Have at look at this thread started at the end of January which a number of people have responded to.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/44496-leica-dlux-3-a.html

 

Please search this site and look for Mitch Alland's posts on using this camera - his work is exceptionally good.

Also have a look at Jim Radcliffe's site Leica D-Lux 3 Photography by Jim Radcliffe

 

Both produce very good photographs with this excellent camera.

 

The leather case is expensive but it's a quality piece of work. I basically use it for transporting and storing the camera. When taking photographs however I keep the camera in my jacket pocket where it's quick and easy to get at.

 

Good choice of camera and best wishes to you in using it.

Regards

 

Harry