Former Nikon FE2 user considering D LUX4

[paullgj]

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Hi!

 

This is my first post here, I'm considering a Leica D-LUX4 and need some input/advice from users. In the film days, and to this day, my favorite camera was a Nikon FE2 with two primes - 24 and 50 mm. Small, dense, very portable and great IQ. Fast forward to digital - Nikon D70s replaced by D80 and zooms, good IQ, but I really don't like using them, maybe too heavy, particularly on long hikes, and not very discreet for street shooting.

 

On a recent trip to Costa Rica a friend had a new Leica D-LUX 4. I noticed he was able to get off many more candid shots than I. And when I went on a 10 km. hike by myself with a nature guide, I was overwhelmed by the weight/mass of D80/lenses/tripod etc. in a shoulder bag climbing and descending 300 m. in the 35 degree C. heat.

 

Gene Paull, Brownsville, Texas

 

So enter the D-LUX4 as a complement to my present Nikon system. I do have some reservations/questions re. framing/compositionwith LCD (not a problem on tripod), overall IQ, and dynamic range. I usually print 8-12, or 11-14. What I liked about the D LUX-4 is that it reminded me of the FE2. My two types of photography are candid street and hiking/landscape.

 

Need your input. Will the D-LUX 4 serve my needs.

 

Thanks.

 

Gene Paull, Brownsville, Texas

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[integrale]

Hi and welcome!

 

In short, the answer to your question is 'Yes! (most likely)'.

 

Choice of camera is a highly individual process involving considering many (often opposing) parametres. My experience is that the DL4 is a perfect companion to a dSLR - I have a Nikon D300 which - with a 50mm prime - is also quite handy although not pocketable :-)

 

DL4's IQ is very high and it is very portable, although some would prefer an even smaller camera (like the C-Lux, which I also have - a nice camera but in a completely different league from the DL4).

[marknorton]

For me, cameras should have viewfinders.

[jaapv]

Welcome! An interesting post. Reading it, I felt that you might be approaching the question from the wrong side. Maybe you should be asking yourself what you need a heavy DSLR system for. There are a number of choices out there for your style of shooting that might fit better. Apart from the obvious M8, there is the G1, the Sigma SD2 and quite a few others. Time for a rethink?

[daveleo]

hi there

 

your question seems to be "if i switch from my big bulky setup to a more handle-able setup, will my images degrade?"

 

i switched from SLR's (nikons and minoltas with a bag of lenses) to rangefinders (konicas, leicas, voigtlanders) before switching to digital (olympus, leica).

 

i still own most of those cameras, and the only camera i ever use any more is the leica Digilux-2 (not the dlux-4 you asked about).

 

carrying around bags of stuff, i learned, just slows you down and is pointless.

 

read up on the dlux-4 (many postings on this site here) .... maybe that's your baby, maybe it ain't, but stop hauling around buches of stuff ..... not worth it unless you're getting paid $$$$$ for full page magazine images.

 

/mytwocents

[earleygallery]

Hi,

 

The Dlux4 certainly has its fans here, but it's similar to a Nikon FE in the same way that a wedge of Stilton cheese is similar to a slice of chocolate fudge cake.

 

The only way you can decide is to try one out I guess.

[bill]

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And a welcome from me too. I have in the past used an FE2, and fully understand the point about the weight

 

As James has said, the D-Lux 4 is a very different proposition. In my experience it is the first digital compact since the Digilux 2/LC-1 that actually handles like a much larger camera (with the possible exception of the G7-G10). That handling informs the way I treat, and use it. With an external viewfinder (SBOOI in my case), a grip and an adaptor tube attached, it handles very much like a small rangefinder or SLR, while still being different from either. In terms of your stated wishes, it is certainly light enough, and the images it produces are exceptional. As has been stated elsewhere in the thread comparing it with the new Sigma, however, it is the hit rate that is impressive - the number of keepers seems higher than with less capable computers-with-a-lens-attached.

 

Again, the best advice has already been given - try one for yourself - it is a very personal thing.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[paullgj]

Hi everyone,

 

Thanks for the responses. I have access to both D-LUX 4 and Panasonic LX3 owned by friends. So I will give them a try. Bottom line, no rationality involved, I just liked the D-LUX 4 used by one of the people on my Costa Rica trip. If I do get it, I would add the filter attachment and the remote release plate. The negatives (for me) are (1.) lack of viewfinder (probably not a big thing) and (2.) lack of real telephoto (could be major for street photography). I'm going to borrow one of the two cameras (they'll get my Nikon as collateral) and see how I like it.

[jaapv]

But you can fit a (limited) viewfinder to the DLux-4.

[Alan Philpotts]

Gene, welcome to the forum.

 

Jaap is right, you can use a viewfinder. I tend to use my D-Lux4 at either end of the zoom range, so I carry 25mm and 50mm viewfinders. But for close-up or snapshot work I just use the LCD.

I have been very pleased with the results:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/87240-critical-mass.html

Regards

Alan

[Bob_Benner]

I was in the same boat you are in. I was carrying a D700 with me along with a 50mm f/1.4 lens everywhere I went and was getting tired of the weight. I did research on the Dlux 4 and decided to try one out. All I can say is WOW!! It is one amazing little camera. My D700 collects a lot more dust now than it ever did before but there are times when I need it. You can't go wrong with the Dlux 4.

[paullgj]

It's a year and a half later and I think I'm going with the DLUX-5. I'm planning to attend an indigenous event in Guatemala - fiesta in Nahuala in November of this year and low key is the word. The D700 and lenses will kinda stand out. This way I go without camera bag.

 

Why DLUX 5 over LX5? Twice the price, but Lightroom and a 3 yr. warranty mean a lot to me. Nothing to back up this statement, but I'm thinking the Leica is more geared to Adobe software than the Panasonic with Silkypix. Now, here's the items I'm looking for - Richard Franiec's remote release and an adapter tube for the 52 mm. filter.