jeannieism Posted January 28, 2009 Share #1 Posted January 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello! I was camera searching for the past month. Last week, I narrowed it down to the Cannon SD990 versus the Panasonic Lumix FX150. I wasn't satisfied with the way the Cannon looked and felt, but I knew it captured colour beautifully. I was in love with the Lumix's wide angle feature and sleek look, but was not at all impressed by the grainy photos. I sat on it for the longest time, but still couldn't decide. Two days ago, I decided to do some more research into the two. Then I came upon the Leica D-Lux 4 and instantly fell in love..I didn't need to know the specs, I didn't need to see the camera in person, I just knew it was the one. And today, I purchased it! No regrets! I've browsed through some of the photos posted here, and I am even more blown away! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 Hi jeannieism, Take a look here I am a believer!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
chris_yu Posted January 28, 2009 Share #2 Posted January 28, 2009 Wow...its the one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Duminy Posted January 28, 2009 Share #3 Posted January 28, 2009 I think many of us here share your sentiments jeannieism. It is a remarkable piece of engineering, and is just plain fun to use with superb results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted January 28, 2009 Share #4 Posted January 28, 2009 Hi Jeannie, Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of Leica. The D-Lux 4 is an exceptional piece of equipment. Quite a few forum members have these and have posted some amazing images. Look forward to seeing some of your images. Enjoy your new Leica (even just the unpacking of a new Leica is special). Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted January 28, 2009 Share #5 Posted January 28, 2009 Hallelujah! That is the true spirit, knowing it's the right camera when one see it. That's how simple it should be deciding what is right and what is not. Welcome to the forum. Have you considered the external viewfinder for it? Have you seen the page of Jim Radcliffe: Leica D-Lux 4 Photography by Jim Radcliffe When I see a Canon G10 I wonder how anybody can believe in design like that. The design looks like it was designed as a box for screws from the local mall. How can anybody *believe* in products like that? Anyways, congratulations. You have entered a route of no return. Many more Leica cameras will follow ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 28, 2009 Share #6 Posted January 28, 2009 At least the G10 has a viewfinder. How do you folks manage to compose with those chimping machines is frankly beyond me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_in_dallas Posted January 28, 2009 Share #7 Posted January 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) When I see a Canon G10 I wonder how anybody can believe in design like that. The design looks like it was designed as a box for screws from the local mall. How can anybody *believe* in products like that? I have the G9 and I actually wish the D-Lux 4 had similar styling.. the shutter settings controlled by a knob on top. The G9 is built like a tank and feels very substantial. It also does a good job as far as images go. It's video capabilities are extremely good. All in all I am pleased with the G9 and it does have a better reach in optical zoom than the D-Lux 4. I think the D-Lux 4 images are a bit better but the G9 is no slouch. I've not taken the time to examine the G10 yet but my guess is that the construction is similar to the G9.. which I found to be quite pleasing... utilitarian is the word. I like the solid construction and the controls. Jim Radcliffe Leica D-Lux 4 Photography by Jim Radcliffe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted January 28, 2009 Share #8 Posted January 28, 2009 Oh, I did a very bad job in discrediting the G10 :-) I know many are happy with it, both images, build quality and even design. I'm just referring to the other day when I looked at it and thought "damn, it's ugly design." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted January 28, 2009 Share #9 Posted January 28, 2009 Congrats on the D-lux 4 ! It is much-loved by its owners. I hope the D-lux 5 can be set to start up or snap into, say 35mm focal length, so we could attach our favorite external viewfinder and not have to fiddle with zooming to that focal length at every startup. That is my one personal gripe about the design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
USA road racer Posted January 28, 2009 Share #10 Posted January 28, 2009 I have to agree that some of the menus are a bit much and many of us "old film" guys wish that we didn't have to fiddle with joysticks instead of top mount dials. But, hey this is the digital age! I guess we just have to suck it up & learn how to operate a handheld computer that records images. The thing most likely has more computing power than an Apollo space craft! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted January 28, 2009 Share #11 Posted January 28, 2009 At least the G10 has a viewfinder. How do you folks manage to compose with those chimping machines is frankly beyond me. I'm with you LCT. I've adapted to "arms length" LCD framing, but don't enjoy it. That's one of the reasons I am particularly pleased with the addition of a hotshoe. I doubt I'll ever use a flash gun on the D-Lux 4, but I'm also likely never to pick up the camera without an external viewfinder mounted on it either. Once one has used a really great optical viewfinder (M or R), it's awfully difficult to give it up. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted January 28, 2009 Share #12 Posted January 28, 2009 Jeff, The D-lux4 really does a pretty good job at focusing, I find that shooting it at 24mm with a old viewfinder works great. I do grab and hold focusing just like any other digital camera, but since it is so wide one can also very successfully scale-focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted January 28, 2009 Share #13 Posted January 28, 2009 Welcome to the forum, I enjoy owning a DL-4 and a Canon G-10. The DL-4 does better in low light without flash, which is most of my use in concerts and churchs. I like the retracting lens of the Canon and not needing a lens cap plus the battery lift is much longer than the DL-4. Start posting some pictures, that the most fun part of the forum! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeannieism Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted January 28, 2009 Thank you for the warm welcomes. I am honoured to be here, really. overgaardcom - Perhaps I will get the external viewfinder some day. I need to get the case if anything! I'm a poor student living off my love of photography. And I agree with the believing thing too. I was told to just choose the Canon over the Panasonic because it takes better pictures. I think Cannon has built a good reputation in the "main stream photography", so that's why they can get away with bad design and still have a big fan base. But as graphic designer, I can't pay $500 for a badly designed equipment. jr_in_dallas - Thank you for posting your photos taken by the d-lux 4. The comments underneath each photo are absolutely beautiful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_in_dallas Posted January 28, 2009 Share #15 Posted January 28, 2009 jr_in_dallas - Thank you for posting your photos taken by the d-lux 4. The comments underneath each photo are absolutely beautiful. You are quite welcome. I know that many think photos should stand on their own but quite often I like to tell viewers of what I shot a bit about the place, thing, event, etc.. it sometimes helps to put the photo in context with what I was doing, where I was or what I was feeling. Jim Radcliffe Leica D-Lux 4 Photography by Jim Radcliffe Leica D-Lux 3 Photography by Jim Radcliffe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 28, 2009 Share #16 Posted January 28, 2009 Glad you like the images it produces. They are what count. I have had a look at one, and am tempted, but for me, I would find its tiny buttons easy to nudge and far too fiddly. Same goes for cellphones and remote controls. I really would far prefer simple knobs and dials -- shutter speed, aperture, ISO, manual zoom -- that's all you need, after all, to create good pictures. Oh, and of course, a top lens. Menus and modes are a waste of time as far as I am concerned. Hotshoe is a good idea, and it's so basic. You can mount a 24mm finder for clear composition, and use an accessory flash which is far superior to tiny in-built flash. No red eye! There is also an ultra wideangle accessory lens available for the D-Lux 4 and its Panasonic brother, the DMC-LX3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted January 28, 2009 Share #17 Posted January 28, 2009 jr_in_dallas yes let me chime in on this .... the comments alongside your images are a very nice complement to them. maybe images "should stand alone", maybe they shouldn't (who knows ?) ... but your words add a lot about how *you* felt about the pictures .... nice job (GREAT photos, by the way!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeannieism Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted January 28, 2009 NZDavid - I was not aware any lens could be attached at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted January 28, 2009 Share #19 Posted January 28, 2009 NZDavid - I was not aware any lens could be attached at all. Yep, the ring on the outside of the lens unscrews, allowing the mounting of an adapter tube, and then a filter and/or accessory lens. Panasonic makes a full range of adapters and filters/lenses, and at least one third party (Lensmate) will be releasing an adapter within days. Here's a couple of sites for you to see your options: Lensmate - Specialty Digital Photo Products DMC-LX3 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 29, 2009 Share #20 Posted January 29, 2009 That's very helpful, Jeff. Can you use the Panasonic accessory lens on the Leica? Jeannieism, the equivalent focal length is 18mm -- that's super wide. One other nice thing about the camera seems to be the case, which looks to be exquisitely made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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