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D-Lux4 vs DigiLux2


tungolcild

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Dear Leica users,

 

I want to ask you a simple question (preferably by those who own these cameras). I want to have a camera for photo-journalism, personal work and some wedding photography. I know that I am trying to push the limits on these cameras, but which one would you prefer?

 

I have seen pictures from Jim Radcliffe with D-Lux 4 and was highly impressed...! Also, I have been enjoying many people with DigiLux2 and the say it's great for it's mechanical style handling.

 

One last question. How about printing? I don't want larger prints than A4 page size (about 30cm (12in) large side......Digilux2 has the half pixels of D-Lux4 but I have heard that the images have more sharpness.

 

Thank you everyone :o

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Pixels aren't every thing. The D2 has an extremely good lens with a wide f2.4 aperture.

The camera also has a useful zoom range of 28-90 mm(35mm equiv).

The Dlux 4 has a wider angle zoom, and is probably of more use to Estate Agents taking lots of photos of room interiors.

The D2 will print out to A3 size with no problem. Hope that helps.

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Dear Leica users,

 

I want to ask you a simple question (preferably by those who own these cameras). I want to have a camera for photo-journalism, personal work and some wedding photography. I know that I am trying to push the limits on these cameras, but which one would you prefer?

 

I have seen pictures from Jim Radcliffe with D-Lux 4 and was highly impressed...! Also, I have been enjoying many people with DigiLux2 and the say it's great for it's mechanical style handling.

 

One last question. How about printing? I don't want larger prints than A4 page size (about 30cm (12in) large side......Digilux2 has the half pixels of D-Lux4 but I have heard that the images have more sharpness.

 

Thank you everyone :o

 

I'm guessing you're not getting a ton of response due to the striking diffrences in the cameras. Not necessarily in image quality.... but honestly, I think they're two different beasts.

 

I love the Digilux 2... and I own a D-Lux 3. I don't know that I'd necessarily choose one over the other... and while I do use both in my professional work, I wouldn't want to rely on either to cover all of my bases.

 

My guess is that if I had to choose one, I'd go with the Digilux 2. If you know your photography fundamentals, you can make this camera scream. If file size isn't an issue... it's a marvelous camera. It's not necessarily quick... but you're in control. For me, that's important.

 

Other's may have praise for the D-Lux 4. It's getting rave reviews. I think you'd find the 60mm zoom limiting... though the 24mm wide is nice.

 

I'm not sure I'd want to shoot a wedding with either. But with an off camera flash, you could get by with the Digilux 2. You'd need to stay on your toes though. When things are moving fast, the Digilux 2 isn't. And... high ISO is not a friendly environment.

 

I'd strongly urge you to read everything you can about both cameras... then make your own decision on what will work for you. Frankly, you may find it's neither. To be honest, given the wide spectrum of shooting you've outlined, if that were how I was going to make my living, I'm not sure I'd choose either.

 

JT

 

Here's Thorsten Overgaards page on the Digilux 2: leica.overgaard.dk - Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Sites - Leica Digilux 2 sample photos and tests (as well as Panasonic DMC-LC1)

 

And here's mine: The Leica Digilux 2 - Journal - Motorsports Photographer ~ John Thawley :: Photography of American Le Mans, Grand Am, SPEED World Challenge

and just for fun: Pimp My Ride!!! - Journal - Motorsports Photographer ~ John Thawley :: Photography of American Le Mans, Grand Am, SPEED World Challenge

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Hello

 

I´ve just been through the same decission making, and I chose the Digilux 2.

 

I like the "real camera" feeling and looks of the D2.

 

The zoom range on D2 is perfect for allround shooting.

 

90mm can actually make some nice portraits, which is one of my main targets.

 

The flash (if you like to use such thing) has a nice bounce effect.

 

I like the look of the D2 files more, the noise at iso 400 (raw!) looks much more film like I think.

 

The D2 has a real viewfinder, even though electronic, it works fine for me.

 

I´ve been printing A4, no problemo:o)

 

If it has to fit Your pocket, go for the D-lux4, personally I think the D2 is a light weight easy to carry around camera, and it fits my shoulder very well;o)

 

Best regards

 

Martin

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Thank you for the replies :)

 

ajthornbury: I don't care so much about lens lengths (though I like the wide angle setting of D-Lux4) but it's not my primary issue. If it prints well on A3, that's great for me!

 

John Thawley: Thank you for your links. I have read many things about these two cameras that's why I came here for a personal word....I also know Thorsten Overgaard's site and that's he's around this forum:) Your site was also a source of inspiration and also your comment on the forum "I use the D2 and the extra $6K in place of the M8." :p

 

martinvath: I don't care about the size. To tell you the truth I love that its (almost a) replica of classic viewfinder camera!

 

I feel that I'm inclined to Digilux2....time will tell.....

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One consideration might be your willingness to accept risk. Buy a D-Lux 4, you'll get at least a 2 year warranty (a third year is offered by Leica free of charge in USA and UK, perhaps other places as well). Buy a Digilux 2, and you're on your own. Couple this with the not uncommon occurrence of sensor failure in the Digilux 2, and you might rue the decision to buy a camera several years old.

 

Jeff.

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One consideration might be your willingness to accept risk. Buy a D-Lux 4, you'll get at least a 2 year warranty (a third year is offered by Leica free of charge in USA and UK, perhaps other places as well). Buy a Digilux 2, and you're on your own. Couple this with the not uncommon occurrence of sensor failure in the Digilux 2, and you might rue the decision to buy a camera several years old.

 

Jeff.

 

FYI, insofar as defective sensors are concerned, Leica is still repairing these free-of-charge in Digilux 2s, regardless of when the warranty expired. Of course, there's no guarantee this practice will continue indefinitely...

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FYI, insofar as defective sensors are concerned, Leica is still repairing these free-of-charge in Digilux 2s, regardless of when the warranty expired. Of course, there's no guarantee this practice will continue indefinitely...

 

Good to know, thanks for the correction. Do you happen to know if there are any conditions on this, like needing to be the original owner of the camera? Even if there aren't any conditions today, you make a good point: Leica could suspend this very generous service any day with little recourse for the Digilux 2 owner.

 

Jeff.

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The D2 I just bought from PopFlash cost me 600$ and has new sensor and 1 year warranty from Leica US. The camera looks as new, so I think it was an ok deal.

 

That must have been the one they ended early on eBay just minutes before I press the buy-it-now button... :-(

 

Congrats on the great pick up :-) It's not a bad deal at all considering that the Digilux 2s are pretty hard to find...

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That must have been the one they ended early on eBay just minutes before I press the buy-it-now button... :-(

 

Congrats on the great pick up :-) It's not a bad deal at all considering that the Digilux 2s are pretty hard to find...

 

Just call PopFlash. They get Digilux 2 refurbs all the time. They'll let you know when they have them and I think you even save a bit over the eBay price.

 

JT

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having used a digilux 2 for six years, and an M6 for the last 15 years, and giving the subject you've outlined, there is no question- I'd go for an M6 with perhaps two lenses. I covered everything with that combination, whereas although the Digilux 2 is good, it is SLOW ! You do need a touch of speed occasionally, and if you miss a shot because of that EVF, you will be kicking yourself evermore.

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The D2 is slower than my EOS for sure, and I would like faster AF and higher ISO. But I think it snaps quite fast and I have no real problem with shutterlag or EVF, I just prefocus. My main target is children who moves around quite a lot, and with a little patience it works fine:-) Though I like the look of film, it is just too slow and too much trouble to work with (development and scan), and my clients like to get their pictures on mail and/or dvd asap.

Here are some of my first shots with the Digilux and on NOERGAARD FOTO some more shot with a LC1 I had a couple of years ago (still wondering why I sold that???).

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