cobbslane Posted October 30, 2006 Share #1 Posted October 30, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just taken delivery of new D Lux 3 and sumptuous leather Leica case and now having tried it I thought I would pass on my comments for what they are worth. Firstly I should point out I did my homework. Having tried a Pan LX2 in a local Pan dealer who praised the lens but strenuously denied any technical difference between the Pan and D Lux save for finish I was initially impressed but not bowled over. So I did more research. That was frustrating. As well as this Forum, many sites had a great deal of 'noise' about 'noise'. Mostly, I found, from people who had not even seen the camera in the flesh. The DPReview was extremely useful as a pointer to potential issues - but no more after all it had tested an LX2. Interestingly I got three diffierent answers to the same obvious question from three different Leica dealers here in the UK. It would appear that either Leica's training of their dealer network is poor or they failed to anticipate the obvious question, namely, 'what is the difference between the LX2 and DL3?'. I was attempting to justify the £190 difference between LX2 - internet price and D Lux 3 - dealer price!! Dealer 1: I was told that Pan submit all their LX2 output to Leica scrutiny in Japan. Those that pass become Leica's, those that don't become Pans. The Leica's are then shipped to Germany where the 'lens is then fitted'. They add their own software and encase it in the Leica case. Pack and ship from Germany. Mmmm! Dealer 2: I haven't yet seen the new D Lux 3 as it's just come out. But I can tell you it's the same as the Pan but rebadged and cased. Lens is same as is firmware except that levels of contrast etc have been set Leica's way. We're getting there! I asked if they were finished in Germany and got a laugh - certainly not although Leica do scrutinise assembly and testing of their own models in Japan. Dealer 3: A friend by now, from whom I've bought M6, M7 and R8 as well as my current Canon 20D & 30D's. (I am a pro wedding photographer, full time by the way) I find I can trust what he tells me! According to him all cameras made in Japan under watchful scrutiny of Leica staff. Tolerances slightly tighter but that is not a reflection on Panasonic. Firmware tweaked considerably by Leica to get that Leica feel in the finished shot. Lens the same, mechanics and electronic the same. Warranty two years rather than one. Leica accessory case available and resale value will recoup about 60% of buy price difference. Now that sounded right to me! Dealer 1 came back to me - this time the Proprietor himself, no less. He effectively agreed and repeated the story of Dealer 3....so at least I have two stories that coincide. Anyway, I am a Leica fan and so I took the plunge after trying one in store at Dealer 3. WOW! It is a stunning camera. The 16:9 28mm is just superb and given all the ways of setting it up it is a genuine photographer's point and shoot. More importantly the output is tremendous. Yes there is noise if you look for it at 200% in Photoshop. Yes there is purple fringing and at 300% in Photoshop it is unbearable. But, you see, I do not view my shots at these settings and at A4 or A3 or panorama A3 there is no noise and there is no purple fringing. In other words, use it for what it was designed for and you will not be disappointed. Use it as the 'mockers' would have you use it and ..... well who cares. I have one, I'm delighted and to me that's waht matters. If I was CEO of Leica I woudl be pleased that I could sell such a camera proudly with the Leica mark. Oh and I nearly forgot. The case! The leather case will turn you into a leather fetishist overnight. It is superb. Exceptionally well constructed, robust, it fits (!) and screams Leica at you. It clips to belt or uses shoulder strap and lemind me very much of the old M cases we used to see. Very Retro as my son calls it. So there you are. I needed to get that lot off my chest. Buying Canon 30D etc is a much easier decision both commercially and technically but I'm afraid it is not done with the heart. And as for noise? Well, I have to admit I am getting it....but not from Leica....just my wife! Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Hi cobbslane, Take a look here D Lux 3 kit and noise . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jbm Posted October 30, 2006 Share #2 Posted October 30, 2006 And as for noise? Well, I have to admit I am getting it....but not from Leica....just my wife! Gerry I can't stop laughing! :-) I just placed an order for a D-Lux3 also today with Popflash. I guess I'll be getting some noise too. --Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommycrown Posted October 30, 2006 Share #3 Posted October 30, 2006 Laugh Out LOUD as h***~~~ Same here.. a BIG NOISE FROM MY WIFE!!! But, congradulations to Gerry! Having a Leica isn't owning a mundane camera you would leave on a desk or a table, but it is taking it every step you walk out to go anywhere! Our security blanket! Then, our wives get jealous and make noise! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
schatzoy Posted October 31, 2006 Share #4 Posted October 31, 2006 Thank you Gerry, a very good report. But why is it not possible to get an official word from Leica as to what their cams are different from the Panas? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhoutman Posted October 31, 2006 Share #5 Posted October 31, 2006 Great first post Gerry ! The information from your source 1 made me really laugh. Gee, think of al the humbug telling these guys. Excellent kit too, I hope to receive mine (in silver with the leather case) in a few days. And yes the smell of leica leather really makes me fettishist too Michiel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjans Posted October 31, 2006 Share #6 Posted October 31, 2006 Thanks Gerry for your report. It made me happy and helped me really to make a decission. In fact I'm not looking pictures at 100 or 200 % magnification. Have been looking at pictures posted by other members here in the forum and even downloaded some from dpreview of the LX2. Those testprints I made were of good quality for the purpose I need them. Now I know fore sure, I will get as soon as possible a black D-Lux3 kit. Roger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pygoscelis Posted October 31, 2006 Share #7 Posted October 31, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi - For what it is worth, I thought I would add my own experience. I have just purchased a D-Lux 3 today, but only after my dealer let me take home two D-Lux 3s and a LX2 to test them. After seeing some comparison shots by Karen (Koo22) on the DPReview Leica forum, I must admit to being sceptical of the obvious differences that were apparent in her photos: the LX2 definitely looked softer at the edges. To my mind, it did not make sense: both cameras had almost identical form factors, had the same lens and sensor, and were made in the same factory by Panasonic. I was not surprized by my testing to discover that the colours on the D-Lux 3 were toned down compared to the LX2, with the former being most natural and the colours of the LX2 (even on the low settings) being slightly more saturated than were the actual colours (this was especially apparent with reds and bright blues). This was a feature that Leica had been touting and, while it is subtle, it is definitely a difference between the two cameras. I was, however, extremely surprized to discover that while the centre sharpness of the LX2 matched that of the D-Lux 3s, its edge performance was much worse. In fact, overall, I was surprized at the individual variation between all three cameras/lenses: even the two D-Lux 3s were not perfect, with one exhibiting substantial softness when wide open on the extreme right-hand side of the image (but very sharp on the left), and the other showing some softness on the left-hand side. Centre sharpness was good on both. Stopping down improved the sharpness somewhat (albeit not as dramatically as it does on many slr lenses), with the sweet spot seeming to be between f3.6 to f4.5. Note: I largely tested at 28 mm, because that is where I primarily want to use the camera. Anyway, the point of this post is to add to the original poster's comments: 1. Is it possible that even though the LX2 and D-Lux 3 use the same lens that Leica has more exacting tolerances, meaning that you are more likely to get a sharper lens with a D-Lux 3? 2. It is worth testing your camera before you purchase, if your dealer will let you, because there is a surprizing (to me at least) amount of individual variation in the sharpness of the lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye_a Posted October 31, 2006 Share #8 Posted October 31, 2006 Where'd you order the D-Lux 3 camera case from ? ive been looking for it for like a month !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted October 31, 2006 Share #9 Posted October 31, 2006 doi knia – same but diferent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobbslane Posted October 31, 2006 Author Share #10 Posted October 31, 2006 I got my kit from https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm in the north of Scotland of all places. Superb service and if you've goit a moment take a look round the 'used' part of the site. It's photographic heaven. I've bought 2nd hand - used goods and the descriptions are always an underestimate ie goods will be surprisingly good for the description shown. And their rpices are good too. As for the Leica D Lux 3 case it is part number 18669 - D Lux Classic Case which according to my box is £53.00 but check first. Good to know you all enjoyed the spirit of my post. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dNorm Posted October 31, 2006 Share #11 Posted October 31, 2006 I had the same lens sharpness issues with my C-Lux 1. This symptom can be characteristic of a tilted sensor. I'm guessing that anything that is mass produced will have these sample variations and it would seem that Leica is not immune to this as well. My D-Lux 3 has a couple of small dust specks on the sensor visible in images only at f7.1 and beyond. Again, Leica is not immune to these sorts of things. It doesn't bother me so much that I am willing to send it in for CLA to have it come back possibly worse. That has happened to me from other manufacturers. Not to put down Leica, afterall, I own two of their cameras and soon it will be three, but I wonder exactly what does it really mean that Leica has their own QC rep at Panasonic overseeing the process to ensure the legendary Leica quality. Thus far, I have not seen any evidence of this based on my Japanese produced Leica cameras. -Norm I was, however, extremely surprized to discover that while the centre sharpness of the LX2 matched that of the D-Lux 3s, its edge performance was much worse. In fact, overall, I was surprized at the individual variation between all three cameras/lenses: even the two D-Lux 3s were not perfect, with one exhibiting substantial softness when wide open on the extreme right-hand side of the image (but very sharp on the left), and the other showing some softness on the left-hand side. Centre sharpness was good on both. Stopping down improved the sharpness somewhat (albeit not as dramatically as it does on many slr lenses), with the sweet spot seeming to be between f3.6 to f4.5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edtpm Posted November 18, 2006 Share #12 Posted November 18, 2006 Hello, The questions of difference between Leica D-Lux 2 and Panasonic LX1 had been in my mind for long time. While I made up my mind to get a D-Lux 2 in July of this year, all D-lux 2 were sold out. I get a LX1 instead. Before D-Lux 3 and LX2 release, I am quick happy with my LX1. Of course, I am still happy with my LX1 now. The problems is that while D-Lux 3 release, the question in my mind was changed to "How much different between D-Lux 3 and LX1 ?" Finially, I spend money 2 days ago to get my first Leica camear : D-Lux 3. I had posted 2 pictures in below link while doing some test by using LX1 and D-LUX 3. http://www.leica-camera-user.com/other/9690-1-43-collection-vw-golf-r32.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.