d-lux or digilux

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First and foremost i would like to introduce my self as a newbie.

My Name is Taff and I am from Perth Western Australia, Hi to all!!!

 

My question may seem at first easy to answer, seeing as the d-lux 3 is a compact camera and the digilux is NOT.

I have put my nikon dslr equipment up for sale to join the elite and own a leica, with my first thought being a d-lux 3, saw the camera and fell immediately in love with it, read some reviews got disheartened, then came across this forum and seen some images made with the little beast. So down to the local (or not so local) leica dealer in perth only too see the digilux 3 with kit lens on special for $1999, mmmmm i mused, images will be sooooooo crisp, clear maybe i should buy the digilux.

 

So on to the question at hand, heeeeeeellllpppppppp!!!!

 

which would you choose, considering the extra size and cost of the larger digilux over the d-lux?

does anyone own the digilux?

 

I thank you all in advance for your patience in maybe a question i really should be answering alone, but then it doesnt hurt to see others' opinions

 

Taff

 

any good links to digilux3 galleries?

[stuny]

Taff -

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Both cameras are very good, but both are very different, with different virtues and limitations. The D-Lux-3 is without a viewfinder, which can be somewhat limiting, expecially when trying to compose in very bright light (the LCD screen will be difficult to view). Some members have figured out how to add optical viewfinders, but of course that does increase the size a bit, and one of the advantages of the D-Lux-3 is its size. You can use the search fucntion of the Forum to find those discussions, and see photos of the D-Lux-3 with added viewfinder.. The Dignlux 3 is more like your Nikon since it is a digital SLR.

 

There are many members who own those cameras, so expect quite a few responses. Once you do get your first Leica please post photos here for us to see.

[thomasl.se]

Taff,

 

It's indeed a hefty sum even without adding the price of Pana-Leica optics for the D3. If having a Leica body is at all negotiable to you, consider that most other 4/3rds are less expensive and they all mount Pana-Leica's 4/3 optics.

I own neither of D-Lux or 4/3rds but am awaiting Photokina (Sept-08) to see if anything significant is happening with the 4/3 format. I'm interested in it mainly for Leica optics, live view LCD and the likewise personal preference of ratio. I actually like 3:2 better than the actual 4:3 but the latter is closer to my preferred allrounder: for the bulk of my shots, the 4/3 size will be very much ballpark of [cropped to ratio] APS-C and Foveon.

 

Thomas

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thanks stuart and thomas for your input, i am ging to the store today for a hold \

[dugby]

Taff.

 

I currently own a D-Lux2(DL2), Digilux 2 and L1 (D3 is a re-badged L1), we must not forget that Panasonic manufactures ALL of the Leica Digilux range.

 

I got over the "red-dot" thing with my D2, too many people approached me whilst using the D2. So ended up putting stickers over the red dot and <LEICA> name plate for anonymity.

For me it became too much of a distraction in my photo shooting. At the Perth Royal Show, I had people chasing after me wanting to talk about the D2. (I got mugged as a youth, so I still feel uncomfortable when approached by strangers, I've also travelled to many unsafe locations so have a security paranoia).

 

So when buying the D3/L1 owing to circumstances, I bought the L1 at the same price as what a D3 was going for.

 

There are comparisons on pbase-dot-com showing the DL2 images to be less noisy than the newer DL3. Based on that information I specifically chose the DL2 over the DL3.

I can say that the D2 images are significantly better than those from the DL2 (which I've given to my daughter).

 

The DL2 was purchased to be a backup to my D2 in 2006/7 for a trip to Tokyo/Paris/London. But 2 weeks before the trip, the D2 died so I urgently bought the L1.

 

The L1 images once again significantly better than both my D2 and DL2. I've posted a few samples on this forum already.

 

All I can say is go for the D3, ($1999 is a great price for Australia). If you get the D3, also look for a Crumpler Zieube camera bag,......they're a perfect fit for the D3, but very hard to find......took me 1 year looking on ebay.

[AUDIOXPRESS]

thanks dugby for your advice

 

i am now sooooo much closer to joining the elite ranks of the leica owners as I put a deposit on the digilux 3 (D3), i ended up getting it for the amazing price of $1900 Australian which is a steal. Now to pay it off over the next few weeks as it was still considerably more than i intended to spend, but isnt that always the case?

 

I look forward to shooting with my new Camera i assure u all, i really dont look forward to being stalked by the minioms of poeple lusting after it though :/

 

thanks Taff

[Thomas Edwards]

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thanks dugby for your advice

 

i am now sooooo much closer to joining the elite ranks of the leica owners as I put a deposit on the digilux 3 (D3), i ended up getting it for the amazing price of $1900 Australian which is a steal. Now to pay it off over the next few weeks as it was still considerably more than i intended to spend, but isnt that always the case?

 

I look forward to shooting with my new Camera i assure u all, i really dont look forward to being stalked by the minioms of poeple lusting after it though :/

 

thanks Taff

 

...good move, imho...the digi3 is an extremely competent dslr (especially with the 25/1.4 summilux lens) that i tend to use as a 'first choice' camera these days over my d-lux3 (relegated to back-up status), digi2 (iso 100 / tripod-constrained), v-lux1 (pana version) and other leica's...

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you have many camera's thomas, i will see if i can find your gallery

[hunghang]

Have a look at Teds.com.au internet specials.... they currently have a digilux 3 for $1499

[ASpes]

...

which would you choose, considering the extra size and cost of the larger digilux over the d-lux?

does anyone own the digilux?

...

 

Hi Taff,

 

that's a tough question you ask, not just bc you compare such different cameras, but bc you do not give us any hint about what you want to do with it.

 

Maybe the best suggestion I could give you is to take reviews with a grain of salt, so to say, and the same goes with the images you see around. The former bc the very same facts can be be judged somewhat differently by different reviewers, the latter bc they express the photographer mastering of the instrument, or maybe just his luck ... :-)

 

Try to apply to you what they say in words and images, then go to a shop where you can handle them, and pick the one you feel better with, this alone will help greatly your images.

After that, stick to your choice, if you do not get what you want, try first to understand why before blaming the instrument, learn to "tame" it, that's what we all do, then come here and share with us the good ones I'm sure you will make.

 

As for pure hw comments, I prefer a DSLR to a P&S, bc of the flexibility of having a full system around it, and my Digilux 3 has become my walk-around camera. The "kit" lens is outstanding, you will never regret it and with 4/3 you will have room to expand in any direction, quality and/or money-wise, you choose.

 

Feel free to browse my galleries, you'll find many pix with this camera, but if you do not like them, do not feel "disheartened", it's just me and not the camera which is capable of great results.

 

Best of luck.

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Have a look at Teds.com.au internet specials.... they currently have a digilux 3 for $1499

 

thanks for the link, it is appreciated, but i would prefer to buy from a dealer so as get continual support, easier if warranty needs to be called upon, and considering where i purchased this camera is a leica repair agent

[AUDIOXPRESS]

Hi Taff,

 

that's a tough question you ask, not just bc you compare such different cameras, but bc you do not give us any hint about what you want to do with it.

 

Maybe the best suggestion I could give you is to take reviews with a grain of salt, so to say, and the same goes with the images you see around. The former bc the very same facts can be be judged somewhat differently by different reviewers, the latter bc they express the photographer mastering of the instrument, or maybe just his luck ... :-)

 

Try to apply to you what they say in words and images, then go to a shop where you can handle them, and pick the one you feel better with, this alone will help greatly your images.

After that, stick to your choice, if you do not get what you want, try first to understand why before blaming the instrument, learn to "tame" it, that's what we all do, then come here and share with us the good ones I'm sure you will make.

 

As for pure hw comments, I prefer a DSLR to a P&S, bc of the flexibility of having a full system around it, and my Digilux 3 has become my walk-around camera. The "kit" lens is outstanding, you will never regret it and with 4/3 you will have room to expand in any direction, quality and/or money-wise, you choose.

 

Feel free to browse my galleries, you'll find many pix with this camera, but if you do not like them, do not feel "disheartened", it's just me and not the camera which is capable of great results.

 

Best of luck.

 

Thanks very much for your advice mate, I have decided to go for the D3 as mentioned in an earlier post, My needs will be met by the Digilux 3 I would imaging, i am letting go of my nikon d50 etc and feel that this will now be an upgrade

The idea of the d-lux was moving on to a smaller lighter option but after holding and playing around with the D3 I just knew it was the one for me

 

Looked at your gallery, you are a talented person

 

Taff

[earleygallery]

Hi Taff,

 

I've been to Perth when I was backpacking around Oz. Fond memories of the city and area, especially Fremantle and a journey out to Wave rock.

 

Just a few comments for you to consider in your decision. As you know and others have already advised, the D lux 3 and Digilux 3 are very different cameras. I would guess that if you have been using a Nikon DSLR you might find the D lux too limiting as your only camera. Personally I bought the Clux2 (Pana version) as a carry everywhere camera and its great, but complements my other SLR/rangefinder gear rather than replaces any of it. I chose the Clux for the slightly smaller size although no doubt a Dlux is the better camera.

 

The Digilux 3 four thirds sensor is slightly smaller than APSC but as the Digilux has more MP's and the 'pack' lens will be superior to the standard Nikon zoom you should find it a useful upgrade, along with the other unique features. With adaptors you can also use all sorts of other glass on it which might be interesting for you.

 

Now here's the but........it is rumoured that Leica will not be making more four thirds cameras, and given that we are not far away from Photokina where Leica will be announcing new products, then it may be preferable to wait a little while.

 

You could also find a limited amount of options in terms of lenses if Leica are not going to support the system in the future (although if Panasonic continue with it then I expect they will bring new Leica branded lenses to market).

 

Decisions decisions..........good luck!

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Thank you james for your valued opinion, of course i have gone for the D3 and am waiting in anticipation for the time to be able to pick it up (two weeks) I have many old lenses (olympus) pre AF, im wondering wether these will work with the Digilux

 

Perth is a great place, I have lived here for 27 years, moved from Wales UK when I was a little lad, couldnt think of a better place to live, although I havent seen too much of the big wide world

 

Taff