jimbo035 Posted March 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) already posted in another thread, viz "D-Lux 4 Viewfinder -what are you using ?" and repeated here for convenience ... and even LX 3 users ... a little experiment using EXIF data and a series of pictures taken at different zoom extensions which compared the location of the white zoom indicator bar to the: "1.64ft - 00(inf)" shown in the LCD while zooming. (The experimenter) used "P" mode and the digital zoom was turned off. Here are the results. If you set the white bar all the way to the left you (obviously) get 24mm. Under the "1" = 26mm. Under the "." = 28mm. Under the "6" = 32mm. Under the "4" = 37mm. Under the "f" = 41mm. Under the "t" 44mm. Under the "first empty space" = 48mm. Under the "hyphen" = 52mm. Under (actually a little to the left of) the "left infinity loop" = 57mm. And finally all the way to the right (again obviously) 60mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 Hi jimbo035, Take a look here D-Lux 4 : setting a focal length. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jllbms Posted March 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 8, 2009 This is a great algorithm. Can't we all write Leica for a firmware update to display the focal length???? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jllbms Posted March 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 8, 2009 Emailed to Leica: "Dear Sirs, If I may, I would like to pass along a recommendation for the D-LUX 4. I, along with others in the Leica forums, expressed a need to set the camera at a specific focal length in order to match a given external viewfinder. However, the D-LUX 4 does not display the focal length. Would it be possible to amend the firmware to provide a display of the focal length? Thank you," May not get a reply, but perhaps... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 8, 2009 Share #4 Posted March 8, 2009 Jim--could you link to the source of this information? It's certainly an interesting observation; I'm glad that someone took the time to figure it out and post it, and it was good of you to repeat it here! Of course, it would only be accurate if one weren't using the WA conversion lens. (Some folks do claim to use the zoom while it's mounted.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo035 Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted March 8, 2009 Jim--could you link to the source of this information? It's certainly an interesting observation; I'm glad that someone took the time to figure it out and post it, and it was good of you to repeat it here! Of course, it would only be accurate if one weren't using the WA conversion lens. (Some folks do claim to use the zoom while it's mounted.) I copied the info initially for my own use never thinking the question would crop up in a forum. (How wrong could I have been ?) All I can tell you is that I found it in a Flickr thread, apparently either under "Discussing Viewfinders" or the D-Lux4. I have just spent several minutes trying to track it down - regrettably to no avail. I presume many members here will know about Flickr, for those who don't , the URL is Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_K Posted March 8, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 8, 2009 thank you for sharing, Jim, this will prove useful too many d-lux users .... appreciate it :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveleo Posted March 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) jllbms.... your firmware request will save the day, if Leica runs with it. i would have purchased a d-lux 4 months ago if i could mount a 28mm or 35mm viewfinder and set the camera to start up at that focal length..... having a focal length indicator, as you suggest, would be the next best idea. let's hope Leica listens !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jllbms Posted March 8, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 8, 2009 Thanks. Well, I ran with the 28/35 CV finder and am using the "." and "4" algorithm. Results pretty good so far and I would hope they'd improve with practice. John (Lever, Long Beach, MS: jllbms) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2009 ... I have just spent several minutes trying to track it down - regrettably to no avail... Thanks for trying! Nice research, and good of you to post it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorman Posted March 9, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 9, 2009 I used to have a Ricoh GX100. It had the option to set the zoom lever to "Stepped Zoom" mode where each press stepped it through the focal lengths 24 - 28 - 35 - 50 - 70 mm equivalents. Also you could set it to go to one of these focal lengths on power up. I used 35. I sold the GX100 and bought a D-Lux 3. No regrets, but I miss that stepped zoom facility. It would be a great option to have on the D-Lux 4 when using an external finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 10, 2009 Share #11 Posted March 10, 2009 What would get my vote, big time, would be the ability to simply specify the "start-up" focal length. More often than not I shoot at the 50-60mm end and would welcome the ability to have the lens initialise itself at the 60mm setting. I waste precious moments zooming out (in?) every time. It would also presumably have a battery life benefit because the lens would have to move less every time you start up. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkey Posted March 14, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 14, 2009 My vote too for the suggested firmware update. I just got my D Lux 4 viewfinder. A little slip of paper that came in the box with it said the inner brightlines were the 35mm equiv. FoV. Thanks to Jim's suggestions here I gave the 35mm FoV in the VF a try setting the zoom mark on the "6". Very accurate for me considering the way I put my eye glasses up the VF. Thanks again, Jim - I now a 35mm for my D LUX 4. :-) . . . Burkey Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumistu Posted March 16, 2009 Share #13 Posted March 16, 2009 Is there a way to set one of the customs settings so that the camera automatically moves the zoom to a specified focal length set by the zoom bar? This would be fantastic! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkey Posted March 16, 2009 Share #14 Posted March 16, 2009 Lumistu - not that we know about. (I think.) That's why we're all hoping for a firmware update that might help us out with this problem. I wouldn't hold my breath so to speak but it would be a great improvement. . . . Burkey Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chkphoto Posted March 18, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 18, 2009 Even a firmware update could have the on-off option to automatically "step" the zoom to one of three focal lengths - 24, 35, 60. I have a hunch this could be done purely through the firmware. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 19, 2009 Share #16 Posted March 19, 2009 Even a firmware update could have the on-off option to automatically "step" the zoom to one of three focal lengths - 24, 35, 60. I have a hunch this could be done purely through the firmware. Perfect. And as I have said before, surely 60 would be fastest/use least power - the lens moves least to get there. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP3 Posted March 22, 2009 Share #17 Posted March 22, 2009 Could not agree more with all suggestion in this thread to Leica. After I bought a D-Lux 4 for my wife for the coming Kyoto tour, I found I miss the GX100 step zoom and custom-FL-ON settings so ...... much ! Come on Leica, we know the D-Lux 4 is a fast selling item, let's make it more perfect in we user's hand. Cheers ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuno Cruces Posted April 17, 2009 Share #18 Posted April 17, 2009 This is a great algorithm. Can't we all write Leica for a firmware update to display the focal length???? Did you get an answer to your email? I mailed them too, and this is what I got back: Technically it is possible to show the different zoom steps simultaneously on the display.So regarding your suggestions for improving the Leica D-Lux 4, be sure that I will refer your idea to the responsible product management. Customer suggestions like yours are always welcome, in this way we get to know precisely the needs of our clients and we will be able to optimise our products. For the conception of new camera models we will prove carefully your suggestions and their technical feasibility. With a new update version it might be possible to show the adequate focal length. This is the relevant part of my e-mail: Would it be possible to update the firmware to display the current focal length? Other options would be a stepped zoom option or, an arguably even better alternative, setting the start-up focal length.Not only would this help us easily match our viewfinders' focal lengths, as it would save precious time (and power), as the lens would have to move less at start-up. Probably not worth getting our hopes up, but they at least got the message. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted April 17, 2009 Share #19 Posted April 17, 2009 I agree that it would be very useful display the current focal length providing that it's translated into 35 mm format. For example 10.2 mm isn't going to help. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marooned Posted April 18, 2009 Share #20 Posted April 18, 2009 Subsequent to the idea of displaying focal lengths, an option to lock the zoom at any given focal length would be very useful as well. No accidental zoom button pushes, and it would feel just like walking around with a prime lens attached. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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