Finally give up with D-Lux 3

[atournas]

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I have either owned or used extensively all the P&S-like digital Leicas: Digilux (Fuji built), Digilux 1, Digilux 2, and D-Lux 3. Recently, I took the D-Lux 3 with me on a trip in Scandinavia (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/60884-any-advice-scandinavian-shooting.html); you can find some comments on the camera there.

 

I must say right away D2 outshines all the others--period! Some people also claim that D2 pictures have a "special look" ( there is a relevant thread in this forum). But even without such a comparison, the lack of a viewfinder is of no remedy. Indeed, the unacceptably non-sharp pictures are many more when taken with the D-Lux 3 than with the D2--stabilization features.may occasionally help but do not solve the problem. And, of course, shooting in bright sunlight...well...

 

But, IMHO, it is the lack of the familiar "photographic" feeling of framing one's object through the viewfinder that will always stand up against the otherwise quite capable D-Lux 3.

 

Paul

[bobtodrick]

One wonders who designs these things!?

I sell 'em and I do everything I can do to persuade people to buy a P&S with a viewfinder...especially schools that are replacing film cameras.

When they don't wish to be persuaded I've been known to take a customer into our parking lot (when it is a sunny day), and have them try and take a pic with the sun at their back.

Usually works.

It's the one thing I give Canon credit for...even their least expensive P&S's have an optical finder.

[intex]

I am now on a trip, taking about 50-100 shots a day with the D-3, and when in sunlight, I usually take 3 shots of each subject, one where I think its pointing, one to the right, and one to the left. I hate this, and for those that recommended a viewfinder, my camera does NOT have a hot shoe to connect to.

 

If cameras weren't so expensive here, I would buy a replacement. My wife has a Panasonic- same problem. I'll try the new G9 or something else that is coming out. Any suggestions?

 

Also, EVERY time I take this camera out of the case, for some reason the mode wheel changes, and sometimes I find myself taking shots on "A" when it should have been on "P". My problem, but why does it move so easily.

[intex]

I am now on a trip, taking about 50-100 shots a day with the D-3, and when in sunlight, I usually take 3 shots of each subject, one where I think its pointing, one to the right, and one to the left. I hate this, and for those that recommended a viewfinder, my camera does NOT have a hot shoe to connect to.

 

If cameras weren't so expensive here, I would buy a replacement. My wife has a Panasonic- same problem. I'll try the new G9 or something else that is coming out. Any suggestions?

 

Also, EVERY time I take this camera out of the case, for some reason the mode wheel changes, and sometimes I find myself taking shots on "A" when it should have been on "P". My problem, but why does it move so easily.

[nugat]

SUN:

Do you have "power LCD" option on?

[intex]

Yes, without it, I can barely see anything.

[nugat]

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In that case only a foldable LCD hood can help (difficult to find on a trip) or, seriously, use your other hand to shade it.

You can also use it as if there was a finder. In wide, just put the camera to your eye like the viewfinder was there in the left upper corner.

Look with your other eye. After some practice you can reach 90% fairly good shots. The wide lens plus 16:9, cover a lot of real estate.

[Tom Barry]

I use a slide-viewing loupe. I carry it around my neck and in bright conditions put the loupe up against the LCD of my D-Lux 2 and hold the camera and loupe together with my left thumb, forefinger and pinkie. This effectively turns the LCD into a real viewfinder. It also stabilizes the camera. There is some pixilization in the "viewfinder" due to the loupe's 4X magnification, but I can assure you it works. Hoodman makes a purpose-built LCD loupe with little magnification that may work even better, but I haven't tried one. I also ordered from Cokin a $14 filter holder that screws into the tripod mount. It arrived yesterday and works just fine. I may appear a little weird using the makeshift combo, but I can see to compose and you have to admit the price is right.