Digilux 3 question

[pretzel logic]

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Hi guys,

 

I am considering the purchase of a Digilux 3, I already have a C Lux 2, and would like to hear some user experience of this camera. Is it true that you can shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio, but only whilst using the Live View mode? Also, would you recommend purchasing one now, or waiting to see what appears at Photokina? Tbh a digital R camera would be out of my price range, whilst a Digilux 3 fits in. I've heard the Digilux comes with quite a good lens, does anyone have any experience of it?

 

Thanks in advance for your input,

Robert.

[spylaw4]

The Digilux 3 and its clone the Panasonic DMC-L1 (or is it the other way round?) attract on this forum both praise from users and scorn from others (who possibly have not actually used one). Actually in my view most of the detractors are opposed in principle to the 4/3 system rather than the actual camera, due primarily to the small sensor size and resultant noise at higher ISO levels. Using ISO 100 or 200 there is no problem.

 

I had until recently a DMC-L1 and found it and its kit lens capable of producing excellent quality, mostly shot in RAW format. You can see plenty of examples if you search through the photo forums and on my web galleries (2007).

 

Truthfully I can't recall anything about 16:9 as a) I never shot any at that aspect ratio, and I only used live view rarely. I now don't have the instruction book....! I suggest that you look at either the Leica or Panasonic website where you can download the manual as a pdf.

 

I note you are a new member so welcome to the forum! Post some shots in the Photo section!

[ASpes]

Hi guys,

 

I am considering the purchase of a Digilux 3, I already have a C Lux 2, and would like to hear some user experience of this camera. Is it true that you can shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio, but only whilst using the Live View mode? Also, would you recommend purchasing one now, or waiting to see what appears at Photokina? Tbh a digital R camera would be out of my price range, whilst a Digilux 3 fits in. I've heard the Digilux comes with quite a good lens, does anyone have any experience of it?

 

Thanks in advance for your input,

Robert.

 

Buying a D/3 has always been a challenging decision mostly because of its price, and not because of its build quality or the results you get from it. At the moment the D/3 price has dropped to a very interesting level, and if you look around carefully you can get deals (quite a few demos too) very close to its twin sister, the Pana L1, with the advantage of buying into Leica, namely for its bundled software and the extended warranty, and of course the Leica feel of its jpegs.

 

Lens is definetely among the best, and results are outstanding, especially if you go the raw route, but jpegs are no slouch at all, quite a few pix in my galleries are from jpegs, and the D/3 has become my all-around camera after the D/2. Have a browse at them, just have to say that if you do not like them, do blame the photographer and not the camera.

 

So, is it worth to get one? after all prices can be low but not exactly cheap. As usual it depends on what you like in it, and want to do with it.

The mad megapixel race is not over yet, but if you are more interested in taking pictures the D/3 will offer you a sound and reliable instrument that can deliver high quality results and, being part of the 4/3 world, has a pretty wide system around it.

Waiting for the new model will likely expose you to quite higher prices and it will take the best part of a year maybe before you can get your hand on it. Besides will you be able to put the differences to work? You're the only one who can answer that. In any case the D/3 would make a wonderful backup to it.

 

As for your question about the 16:9 ratio, this is mostly done by cropping the sensor image, so imo it's always better to do it in pp. Very few cameras have a native sensor in 16:9 and afaik no DSLR is among them.

 

Hope this helps.

[Telecentric]

Hi guys,

 

I am considering the purchase of a Digilux 3, I already have a C Lux 2, and would like to hear some user experience of this camera. Is it true that you can shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio, but only whilst using the Live View mode? Also, would you recommend purchasing one now, or waiting to see what appears at Photokina? Tbh a digital R camera would be out of my price range, whilst a Digilux 3 fits in. I've heard the Digilux comes with quite a good lens, does anyone have any experience of it?

 

Thanks in advance for your input,

Robert.

 

Hi Robert

 

It is indeed true that you can shoot in the 16:9 (and indeed 3:2) aspect ratio, but only when in live view mode. I for one prefer the native 4:3 aspect ratio as it is perfect for portraits and landscapes in the same way that the old 6x4.5cm format (on 120 roll film) was.

 

The Digilux 3 is an outstanding camera providing extremely high image quality with the supplied Leica 14-50mm lens which also benefits from having Panasonic's Mega-OIS technology included.

 

Like any instrument it has its limitations, in this case in the high ISO stakes. Performance between 100-400 ISO is extremely high, at 800 ISO the noise levels rise but can easily be dealt with, but 1600 ISO (the top setting) can be more of a challenge and I tend to avoid using it if at all possible. Also the autofocus system is sluggish in low light (below EV 6) and not so good at focus tracking of high speed subjects compared to the latest systems from other makers. That is not to say it is bad, just that it is lagging behind the competition in latest performance, so will not appeal to sports or action photographers, though for the rest of us it is just fine.

 

Being a four thirds standard camera you have access to the range of Panasonic Leica lenses (e.g. 14-150mm and 25mm f1.4) which live up to their Leica billing. You also have access to an exceptional range of lenses from Olympus (really sharp optics) and also some of the Sigma range.

 

Oh and the camera is "only" 7.5 mega pixels, but this allows me to produce high quality prints up to A3 with no problems and, with the judicious application of Genuine Fractals, way beyond A3 (I have happily produced prints at A1+ from this camera using this method - wonderful). So forget the megapixel race, its all a marketing myth.

 

Should you buy now? Hmm... my answer would be, at the current prices now obtainable for this camera, yes. There is no guarantee that Leica will be producing a replacement for this camera in the near future, indeed there are indications that they are not enamored with the sales levels achieved by the Digilux 3 and this could be their first and only four thirds SLR? If (and I sincerely hope they will) they do produce a Digilux 4 then that will be a bonus.

[pretzel logic]

Thanks for your replies, they are much appreciated. I've seen a Digilux 3 for £999 on ffordes.co.uk, which is about as good a price as I could find online. Anyone seen it cheaper? I'm glad to hear that owners of the camera enjoy using it and are pleased with their purchase.

 

Spylaw 4, here are some pictures I took around Queens University Belfast with my C Lux 2.

 

 

 

Regards, Robert.

[spylaw4]

Thanks for your replies, they are much appreciated. I've seen a Digilux 3 for £999 on ffordes.co.uk, which is about as good a price as I could find online. Anyone seen it cheaper? I'm glad to hear that owners of the camera enjoy using it and are pleased with their purchase.

<snip>

Regards, Robert.

 

Nice pics - the C is a remarkable camera - there are many examples on the photo forums.

 

I just had a look at ffordes (who have a very good reputation - there was a thread re them a little while ago) they have an Ex demo D3 with 1 yr warranty for £849 right now.

[MJLogan]

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I love my Digilux 3, which I've had since shortly after its release. While the lenses are stellar and the build quality excellent, the thing that sets the D3/L1 apart from the scrum of DSLRs is the control layout. Everything is exactly where it belongs, with very little need to fuss about with menus. The aperture control is on the lens! Using the D3 feels like using a camera, rather than an "image-capture device." If you have a long history with film SLRs, it will feel like coming home. Pity it's not a bit smaller, though.

 

That said, I would not put up with an inferior result just to get an almost ideal user experience. If brilliant hIgh-ISO performance or lightning-fast autofocus mattered to me, I'd have sold the thing by now. Since neither looms large for me, I can enjoy the strengths of the D3: That user experience, the great lenses, and the "Leica" glow.

[jdlaing]

I love my Digilux 3, which I've had since shortly after its release. While the lenses are stellar and the build quality excellent, the thing that sets the D3/L1 apart from the scrum of DSLRs is the control layout. Everything is exactly where it belongs, with very little need to fuss about with menus. The aperture control is on the lens! Using the D3 feels like using a camera, rather than an "image-capture device." If you have a long history with film SLRs, it will feel like coming home. Pity it's not a bit smaller, though.

 

That said, I would not put up with an inferior result just to get an almost ideal user experience. If brilliant hIgh-ISO performance or lightning-fast autofocus mattered to me, I'd have sold the thing by now. Since neither looms large for me, I can enjoy the strengths of the D3: That user experience, the great lenses, and the "Leica" glow.

 

Ditto for me.

[Telecentric]

Ditto for me.

 

And me:)

[Telecentric]

Nice pics - the C is a remarkable camera - there are many examples on the photo forums.

 

I just had a look at ffordes (who have a very good reputation - there was a thread re them a little while ago) they have an Ex demo D3 with 1 yr warranty for £849 right now.

 

I see this morning that ffordes now have an ex demo Digilux 3 listed at £699 describe as being in EX+ condition with a 1 year warranty as well as the brand new one at £999.

 

I bought a used one in Mint- condition from them recently, for my wife, at £799 and it was in perfect condition - I would have said mint.

[hpu]

And me:)

 

and me too:D

[normanf]

Its a good camera. Its a DSLR successor to the famed Digilux 2. Its a clone of the Panasonic L1. I just bought the L1 since I can't justify paying double for the famous red dot for what is essentially the same camera.

[jdlaing]

It's not a clone and it's not the same as an L1.

 

If you can't "justify" paying for a Leica you ae in the wrong forum.

 

Try the Panasonic Forum.

[normanf]

They're both manufactured by Panasonic, have the same Leica lens and the differences are primarily a matter of branding and different software bundles and warranty lengths. For some, the extra cost is worth having the prestige of the Leica name and the famous red dot. I do have Leica film cameras. Leica entered into a partnership with Panasonic and the cameras are PanaLeicas - Japanese made cameras with German designed optics. That's all they are, whether its the Panasonic Lumix or Leica digital line made by Panasonic.

[jdlaing]

You are not even close.

 

I own and use all three.

 

There are many differences including image differences.

 

Be happy with yours as it is a fine camera capable of producing fine images in capable hands.

 

It still is not the same as a Leica.

 

We don't need to justify purchase of a Leica.

[normanf]

I happen to differ. A German-made Leica is superb and no one has to justify the purchase of one. But a PanaLeica that is made in Japan, I would think they are all fine cameras capable of producing fine images as you say. But none of them are in the category of a German-manufactured Leica.

[jdlaing]

You are entitled to have a different opinion.

 

That still doesn't make the Panasonic the same as the Leica with the company backing from leica.

 

And.............it still does not have the red dot.

[cboudier]

We don't need to justify purchase of a Leica.

Cannot agree more with this sentence !

 

To all :

There are 2, and only 2 differences between the D3 and the L1 :

- aesthetic

- firmware, and this is why you may get (slight) different images

 

PLEASE, don't start again the same sterile discussions as the ones on the D2 / LC1 differences...

 

Enjoy what you own and take photos

[ASpes]

Thanks for your replies, they are much appreciated. I've seen a Digilux 3 for £999 on ffordes.co.uk, which is about as good a price as I could find online. Anyone seen it cheaper? I'm glad to hear that owners of the camera enjoy using it and are pleased with their purchase.

 

Dunno if this is interesting for you, but was for me .. there's an Aussie Leica dealer on eBay that is selling his stock of Digilux 3, one at a time, new boxed ones with full three year Leica international warranty. Was lucky enough to win one myself as a backup for £804 including shipping, got it in a few days via EMS, and indeed they're no refurb but really new.

Just beware of import taxes and duties, they declare a low value for shipping but stick their full price invoice on the outer box, so this got me heavily bitten by Customs for the full value. Maybe ask them to put it inside. They have one actually on auction, see eBay UK for a header like "Leica DIGILUX 3 outfit...".

 

Best.

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[goodbokeh]

Hi guys,

 

I am considering the purchase of a Digilux 3, I already have a C Lux 2, and would like to hear some user experience of this camera. Is it true that you can shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio, but only whilst using the Live View mode? Also, would you recommend purchasing one now, or waiting to see what appears at Photokina? Tbh a digital R camera would be out of my price range, whilst a Digilux 3 fits in. I've heard the Digilux comes with quite a good lens, does anyone have any experience of it?

 

Thanks in advance for your input,

Robert.

 

You'll like it!