Hektor6644 Posted August 10, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi: This is my introduction as a new member to this forum (If it is not the right sub-forum to do so, I apologize in advance) I just ordered the Leica D-Lux 4 (Estimated delivery date: August 14th , Friday.) I did so amidst rumors of a D-Lux 5 in the works, soon. I have no idea what is going to happen but will deal with it, when it does. The digital medium is maddening with the fast and furious pace of technology. It is impossible to know what’s down the road. I wrote about the D-Lux 4, which I consider all I want in a Compact Digital Camera, in my blog: Hektor's Blog: Leica D-Lux 4 My name is Hektor, but it was taken. Therefore, I opted for my often used handle of Ramesses, instead (I’m a student of Ancient Egypt and my other hobby besides Photography.) I’m an avid Nikon shooter with the D300 and D700 and a whole complement of lenses including the Zeiss ZF 35 and ZF 50 Planar. I’m also a RAW shooter and thus my question. I downloaded the trial version of Capture One 4 to try it out. Do I need to use C1 as a raw converter for the D-Lux 4 or Lightroom 2 (LR,) my favorite, is good enough? The reason for this question is because of the Nikon NEF files. Capture NX is by far the best NEF (RAW) converter for Nikon. LR does not even come close even using the D300 or D700 camera profiles. Is JPEG good enough for the D-Lux 4, besides the degradation issue? Thanks for welcoming me to this forum. I’m in pigs’ heaven now. I just finished building a digital “Eco-Photo System” and just not a photography one. I have everything now: Gitzo, Nikon, Zeiss, and now Leica. Yes, I understand that the DL4 is not the M8, M7, or even an M3, but it comes with the mystical Red Dot. Best Regards, Hektor (AKA: Ramesses) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 10, 2009 Posted August 10, 2009 Hi Hektor6644, Take a look here My New D-Lux 4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Shootist Posted August 10, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 10, 2009 LR/ACR, the latest version (LR 2.4, ACR 5.5?), will work no problem with D-L4 RAW files but the adobe RAW converter may not include the lens corrections found in Phase One's Capture One version 4.8.2 specifically for the D-Lux4. In any event the D-L4 comes with a license key for the lite version of C1. Oh by the way try the standard font at the standard size and NO BOLD when posting. Thanks and good luck with your D-L4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted August 10, 2009 Thanks for your advice. OK. Another software! I will post with the standard text from now on. Ramesses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted August 10, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 10, 2009 Welcome to the forum Hektor, It just happens that I am watching Anthony Bourdain in Egypt while reading your introduction. Cario would make a fantastic backdrop for a photo trip. You will be pleasantly surprised with the photo quality from such a small camera. Regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted August 10, 2009 Hi Carlos: Thanks for your response. Please do not talk to me about Egypt. It is not that I’m envious. OK, I’m very envious! Enjoy your fantastic trip. We are neighbors – I live in Rancho Palos Verdes. . Yes, I was very impressed with the quality of the photos from the D-Lux 4; it is a small camera, after all, something that might be hard to to keep in mind. In LR, I have the compliment of the Nik software suite, including Dfine 2. I should be able to shoot at ISO 800, without any problems, and even at 1600 with minor noise problems. The f/2 – f/2.8 for a small camera is just out of this world. On top of that, it is a Leica and the camera I will use the most. Best Regards, Hektor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted August 14, 2009 Hi: I got the D-Lux 4 today and I’m in the process of learning how to use it. Here are my preliminary impressions of the camera. There are good things and bad things about the system I got. First the good: I love it and I am very glad that I got the Leica version and not any other P&S camera. The camera reminds me, from years past, of the little models that the shops used to have to advertise their Leica products; this little model takes pictures. It is like a retro little baby Leica. To say that is cute does not even begin to describe it. The pictures are surprisingly very good for such a small camera. To make the story short, this little baby is not going anywhere. I might even take it to my grave with me. The RAW photos seem to be a bit better but JPEG ain’t bad, either with LR. Now to the bad things. It is a bit noisier than I thought it would be. However, I have some pretty good and aggressive software like DFine 2 or even Noise Ninja. The first is doing a very good job with ISO 400, with the inside shots. The instruction manual is useless. I believe that it was written in Japanese before being translated into German. The German version was then translated into French and it was the French version that got translated into English. Somewhere along the line, it became useless. On the other hand, the camera controls are very intuitive. I gave up on the manual. The Lowepro Rezo 30 camera pouch, did not work – too tight. I had to cut a hole and let the lens get through and into the outside compartment. I will order another one. The LCD screen is very exposed. The Giotto screen protector is arriving tomorrow, though. I’m thinking of protecting the protector, though. Onwards to the firmware update - I have version 1.1. I’ll be taking the D-Lux 4 for a an extensive “test drive” this Saturday. I’ll post the links to the photos on Sunday or Monday. Best Regards, Ramesses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvBilly Posted August 14, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The instruction manual is useless. I believe that it was written in Japanese before being translated into German. The German version was then translated into French and it was the French version that got translated into English. Somewhere along the line, it became useless. On the other hand, the camera controls are very intuitive. I gave up on the manual. Welcome to the club! I really love my D-Lux4 too. Many have found the Panasonic DMC-LX3 manual easier to understand. Since the two cameras are almost identical, you may find it useful. Click here for the US Manual Click here for the UK Manual Click here for the (smaller) European Manual Click here for languages other than English. Then specify "DMC-LX3" as the model. Billy ps The one thing I would like changed is a quieter sensor. I don't much care for the particular character of this sensor's fixed pattern noise (like saying I don't care for a particular film's grain structure), but it's not a show stopper for me. My default settings include limiting the ISO to 200, and I use Noise Ninja when I have to go higher. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted August 14, 2009 Hi Billy: Thanks for your help and links. I will download the English version of the LX-3. Ramesses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted August 14, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 14, 2009 .... The instruction manual is useless. I believe that it was written in Japanese before being translated into German. The German version was then translated into French and it was the French version that got translated into English. Somewhere along the line, it became useless. ... Well, consider yourself lucky; you didn´t have to cope with the Swedish version... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjfischer Posted August 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 14, 2009 I have also had a few problems with the English manual. For example how to increase the flash output which is not accurately explained.. Thanks to this forum, I found the answer. Many thanks to those who have de-constructed the manual and helped those of us who were confused. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted August 16, 2009 Hi: The following is my link to the Test Photos with the new D-Lux 4. They were taken at the South Coast Botanical Gardens and the Wayfarers Chapel, my testing grounds, today, 15 August 2009. The camera is great. Never mind about the noise, JPEG vs. RWL, pixels, sensor size, f-stops, Leica built, etc. It is all about the LCD screen. In the sun, I could barely see what I was shooting Not a good thing. Viewfinder in the works? No way – it defeats the whole purpose of a compact digital camera. Hektor's Photos- powered by SmugMug Best Regards, Ramesses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted August 16, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 16, 2009 Hi Hektor, This is the FIRST time someone here posted pictures from my own immediate area. I mainly shoot indoors at concert halls, church concerts and the Long Beach aquarium, thus haven't experienced the glare problem you encountered. I purchased the Panasonic viewfinder but don't care to use it as it does not zoom at all. Many of the experts here prefer using a viewfinder with the DL4. Maybe you should post a new question asking how others shoot in full sun with this camera without a viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjfischer Posted August 16, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 16, 2009 Hi Hektor, This is the FIRST time someone here posted pictures from my own immediate area. I mainly shoot indoors at concert halls, church concerts and the Long Beach aquarium, thus haven't experienced the glare problem you encountered. I purchased the Panasonic viewfinder but don't care to use it as it does not zoom at all. Many of the experts here prefer using a viewfinder with the DL4. Maybe you should post a new question asking how others shoot in full sun with this camera without a viewfinder. With great difficulty! That's why I got an inexpensive vf for backup in those cases where the screen suffers from sunstroke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted August 17, 2009 Hi Carlos & HJ: I just got back from shooting at the San Gabriel Mission with the D700 & Zeiss ZF 35 – I have my work cut out for me, for the next week. I am very impressed with D-Lux 4, which I registered today. I got the extended 3-years warranty. Great! The optical viewfinder shortcomings have been the downfall of the rangefinders cameras. If not for that, they would still be the king of the castle. It is not the way to go with the D-Lux 4, imho. There are other ways. One is the pop-up shade by Delkin or something similar: Delkin Devices | eFilm Point & Shoot Mini | DU3.0-M BLK The other is the Hoodman HoodLoupe w/Cinema Strap or something similar: HoodLoupe 3.0-Hoodman Corporation However, I am afraid that neither one can be adapted or used with the D-Lux 4. I will have to go to Sammy’s Camera to see them before I buy. Sooner or later, someone will integrate the principle of a built-in and integrated LCD Screen with a magnifier, in the camera, just like the HoodLoupe principle. When that happens, the RF will make its return with a vengeance. Best Regards, Hektor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Barry Posted August 17, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 17, 2009 Here's my D-Lux 2 with Hoodman Loupe used as a viewfinder; also with the little folding filter holder so I can use filters (yours has filter threads, a great improvement over the earlier D-Luxes). I just hang the loupe around my neck and use it in any bright light situation, holding it as pictured. It's the only way I can compose with confidence in bright light and wouldn't even use the camera in such situations if it weren't available. I've been using Noise Ninja 2 and shooting only in RAW with the D-Lux 2 and that helps with noise - your new D-Lux should be much better with regard to noise. I haven't decided whether to upgrade, because I'm getting good results. Good luck with your new Leica: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted August 19, 2009 Hi Tom: Thanks for the pictures and advice. I’m still thinking about the “HoodLoupe,” but not just for the D-Lux 4. It is, imho, the way to go for a viewfinder instead of the optical ones. However, I’m a bit reluctant to get it, because it would defeat my main purpose for getting the D-Lux 4, in the first place. That is to have a compact digital camera, clipped to my belt, at all times. Thanks, Hektor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hektor6644 Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted August 21, 2009 Hi Tom: OK. I took your advice and got the Hoodman "HoodLoupe" Pro. It is not just for the Leica, but also for the D300 and D700. However, it was the D-Lux 4 that tipped me over. Like a lot of things I get: "What took me so long to get?" The loupe is great - thanks. Every day that goes by, I like my "Baby Leica" more and more. It is with me, all the time. Best regards, Hektor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.