sonare Posted August 11, 2008 Share #1 Posted August 11, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) The D2 thread seems to have morphed into a gallery, so I thought it best to start a thread precisely focused on my dilemma. I have owned and used a D2 for several years after working through M2-6 and have never been disappointed. Yes, something faster than 400 ISO would be nice, but the Leica firmware does make a visible difference when comparing the Panasonic "equivalent." Further research has raised the question of whether that difference would exist with RAW format. And while it would be nice to have more resolution to be able to go larger than 11x14, in 20 years of shooting film I can only think of a few times when I actually DID. However, I have noticed that I do not carry it with me as often as I used to because of the size. I have been considering a D-LUX 3 as a replacement that is easy to always have at hand, but this forum is causing some serious re-consideration! I have not actually used a D-LUX 3-- perhaps some of you could build a case for the D2 over the D-LUX 3 based on image quality and similar factors rather than intangibles? After seven M rangefinders (and a Leicaflex) I am familiar with Leica "feel" and do think the D2 has some of that. Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 11, 2008 Posted August 11, 2008 Hi sonare, Take a look here Keep Digilux 2 or get D-LUX 3 instead?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted August 11, 2008 Share #2 Posted August 11, 2008 After seven M rangefinders (and a Leicaflex) I am familiar with Leica "feel" and do think the D2 has some of that. Rich The D-Lux 3 doesn't. It's got no Leica feel at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted August 11, 2008 Share #3 Posted August 11, 2008 Get D-LUX 3 instead .....probably, ,,,the new Lumix DMC-LX3 could be the go. Then if you shoot 100iso only, don't mind the bulk and love the silent shutter the D2 still has its place.I keep mine for bnw work only these days, other than that it stays relatiely cupboard bound.....does come out for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonare Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted August 12, 2008 I appreciate the opinions but the question is "D2 or D-LUX 3"? The Leica feel is important, but more important are the non-emotional factors. Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted August 12, 2008 Share #5 Posted August 12, 2008 I appreciate the opinions but the question is "D2 or D-LUX 3"? The Leica feel is important, but more important are the non-emotional factors. If you're not using your D2 because of its size, then haven't you already answered your question? The image quality of the camera you don't have with you doesn't matter much... That said, I have both a D2 and a DMC-LX1 (the D-Lux 2'd oriental twin), and I finally reached the point where I simply stopped carrying the LX1 with me despite its convenient size because IMO, the photos I took with it were never any better than just snapshot quality. I replaced it with a Sigma DP-1 -- IMO, a significant improvement in IQ -- but after I accidentally destroyed it, I started carrying my D2 around with me instead. Although it's nowhere near as compact as the LX1, it's compact enough that I can carry it in my messenger bag (I'll spare everybody the photo of it I've offered up previously as proof!) and its IQ, while a bit noisier than I'd like, is good enough that I can make 6"x8" to 9"x12" prints that I'm proud to show to others. The LX1 images, however, never seemed to look good anywhere but on a monitor and were used solely for web and/or email purposes. I'm not sure exactly what sort of answer you were expecting, but there's my two cents worth... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonare Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted August 12, 2008 I do appreciate your response! While your DMC-LX1 seems to have lost in the comparison (and your impressions matched mine when my daughter owned one) I do wonder whether the D-LUX 3 might produce better IQ. Can anyone offer any data on D-LUX 3 vs D2 in RAW? Rich PS I do carry the D2 along when there is serious photography to be done; I just find that I do not bring it every time I leave the hotel and wish I had something for the simple snap that doesn't happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted August 12, 2008 Share #7 Posted August 12, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I do wonder whether the D-LUX 3 might produce better IQ. You needn't wonder, as I specifically chose the LX1 over the LX2 because I thought its IQ was the better of the two and if you search around a bit, you'll see that I'm not alone. As such, I'm fairly confident my comments apply to the LX2 as well, only more so... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruhayat Posted August 12, 2008 Share #8 Posted August 12, 2008 I have had both cameras for over a year, but while I still use my Digilux 2 on a regular basis, the last time I used my D-Lux 3 was about 6 months ago. I prefer the Digilux 2 mainly because of the mechanical controls and the type of photography I'm interested in, which is people (not portraits, more street) and indoor events. So I'd say it comes down to what type of photographer are you? If you're the journalistic, street type, then the Digilux 2 is better because of its faster response and great B&W jpegs right out of the camera. If you're the SLR, "pretty pictures of inanimate object" type, then I'd say the D-Lux 3 would suit you better because the images it makes have glossier colour and the 16:9 format is very nice. These days I take the Digilux 2 to events, and use the Zeiss Ikon (film) with Ricoh GR-D for backup for street photography. I have to say, though, the new Panasonic LX-3 is quite interesting and if I didn't already have the GR-D I'd probably be looking seriously at that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonare Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted September 4, 2008 In case anyone is interested-- I ordered a D-LUX 3 and after 25 minutes of use decided to send it back-- it really didn't feel like a serious camera, which the Digilux 2 DEFINITELY does. Thanks for the replies! Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted September 4, 2008 Share #10 Posted September 4, 2008 Good decision ! Keep the Digilux 2 by all means but have a look at the D-Lux 4 after PHOTOKINA. The successor of the D-Lux 3 also has a SUMMICRON lens, f 24- 60 mm (equv.). I played around with the PANASONIC twin (forgot it´s exact name, sorry; *) recently. It allows the use of an extra optical viewfinder which P. offers for about EUR 250. Most LEICA- M users have one or two wa- viewfinders in stock, might be pretty useful for this new digital baby. Best ____________ *) LX-3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted September 4, 2008 Share #11 Posted September 4, 2008 In case anyone is interested-- I ordered a D-LUX 3 and after 25 minutes of use decided to send it back-- it really didn't feel like a serious camera, which the Digilux 2 DEFINITELY does. Thanks for the replies! Rich I own both. I understand your decision perfectly well; I often wonder what on earth I was thinking of when I bought that Dlux 3..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted September 4, 2008 Share #12 Posted September 4, 2008 Rich - One of my cameras is the D2, and I love it. However, for a carry everywhere camera that I can always have with me I keep the Panasonic equivalent of a C-Lux in my briefcase on workdays, and in my pocket on play days in which I do not expect photography to be a major activity. In short, you might want to keep the D2 and get something to have at all times other than photo-specific times. I recommend you go to a camera store and try the D-Lux to see if you think you can live with it under those conditions. Regarding relative success of photos with a Pana-Leica tiny camera, go to my site, to the New York photo galleries. Almost all the photos on pages 23 through 31 are with my tiny camera. Most of the rest of the pages are shot with my D2. A few are with an FZ-20, and a few are with a DMR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme_hutton Posted September 4, 2008 Share #13 Posted September 4, 2008 M8 40'cron has replaced my D2 & little Panaleica and Nikon (sorry)D50 - Very portable and no compromises.......Only one you need. Graeme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted September 4, 2008 Share #14 Posted September 4, 2008 Graeme - The wonderful M8 you switched to is about the same size as the D2 (and much heavier), which is part of Rich's quandry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted September 5, 2008 Share #15 Posted September 5, 2008 My vote for a carry anywhere camera also goes to the C-Lux2. It really is tiny, a fraction of the size of a III, never mind one of those giant M things. Of course it will have no "Leica feel" but are you interested in photos or feel? I bought mine as a snap-shot camera but it has turned out to be much more than that. Do look at Stuart's NYC shots, they show just what these tiny cameras can do. Also look at the C-Lux2 section of the LFI Master Shots gallery. [/url]http://www.lfi-online.com/gallery/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
netdog Posted September 5, 2008 Share #16 Posted September 5, 2008 I own both. I understand your decision perfectly well; I often wonder what on earth I was thinking of when I bought that Dlux 3..... I own both the D-Lux 3 and the Digilux 3 and think that the D-Lux 3 is great for the size. I use it a lot more simply because it fits in my pants pocket. Until Leica/Lumix come out with a compact with a sensor as good as or better than the SD1, my D-Lux 3 will continue to get a lot of use. I don't think it is usually a matter of one or the other. They are very different, and I find having a compact and a camera that accepts more significant glass to be an optimal solution for my needs. Maybe you would too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted September 5, 2008 Share #17 Posted September 5, 2008 I own both the D-Lux 3 and the Digilux 3 and think that the D-Lux 3 is great for the size. I use it a lot more simply because it fits in my pants pocket. Until Leica/Lumix come out with a compact with a sensor as good as or better than the SD1, my D-Lux 3 will continue to get a lot of use. I don't think it is usually a matter of one or the other. They are very different, and I find having a compact and a camera that accepts more significant glass to be an optimal solution for my needs. Maybe you would too. Well, maybe I should have been more specific. I´ve no real quarrel with the image quality from the Dlux 3 (even though the Digilux 2 beats it big time). It´s just that it´s too d**mn FIDDLY in my big hands; I always push the wrong buttons inadvertently, suddenly finding myself in review mode when ready to expose a fleeting moment or something similar. Also, the lens is too slow in the longer range, which leads to blurry shots because of too long shutter times (the IS helps with static subjects, but not with live ones). In fact, the other day I dropped into a camera shop and tried the new Panasonic LX3: quite an improvement on both points. It has a tiny, but quite helpful, handgrip on the front, plus a more "square" LCD that leaves more room on the back for a normal thumb. I certainly hope this won´t be removed when the model is "Leicafied"! Also, the lens was a lot faster (but far shorter). I had no opportunity to test this in practice, so I´m awaiting reviews. To tell the truth, I was on the verge of doing a swap there and then, but in the last moment I thought of my trusty Digilux 2, waiting for me at home..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted September 6, 2008 Share #18 Posted September 6, 2008 well my wife made the decision for me- she has listened and listened and listened to me whine about the M8 - she says I can get one for my birthday .... but on condition that I sell my D2.... as much as it pains me to dump the D2 i am going for the gold and getting the D2.... (if anyone is interested look for my D2 on ebay- user name prk60091) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted September 7, 2008 Share #19 Posted September 7, 2008 well my wife made the decision for me- she has listened and listened and listened to me whine about the M8 - she says I can get one for my birthday .... I´d like to meet your wife.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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