Leica D-Lux 3: 2nd Camera and Trekking Solution

[Scott Brady]

One of the challenges of a full-size DSLR is the bulk and weight, requiring extra bags, multiple lenses, etc.

I purchased the Leica for two reasons:

1. A back-up camera that can still shoot Journal quality images. If one of the staff is on assignment and their Canon breaks, the trip is not lost.
2. Lightweight solution: For quick trips and trekking where light weight is critical, but we still need quality and image size.

What made the decision easy:

1. Very compact, about 5"x3". Almost too small for my hands.
2. 10.4 mp with RAW image capture
3. Wide angle sensor for 16:9 format
4. ISO 100-1600
5. Full manual control of focus, white balance and exposure
6. LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 6.3–25.2 mm f/2.8–4.9 ASPH. (equivalent to 28 to 112 millimeters for 35 mm format), 4 x optical zoom.
7. HD construction, large display
8. Reasonable price at $600

I also picked up a few Scandisk Ultras, a leather case and extra battery.

Leica D-Lux 3 (http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/compact_cameras/d-lux_3/)

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/DSCF2024.JPG

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/DSCF2025.JPG

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/DSCF2026.JPG

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/DSCF2027.JPG

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/DSCF2028.JPG

[Scott Brady]

Here is the first proof from the camera. I am very impressed.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/first_leica_proof.jpg

[pwc]

You don't need smaller for a trekking solution. My wife got the Sherpas she was with to carry the 5D the whole time. :)

That Leica does look interesting...

[Lost Canadian]

Very nice. What other point and shoots did you consider Scott, for comparison sake?

[Dirty Harry]

I agree that a DSLR can be a pain at times. I use my Canon G5 almost exclusively on tech articles.

My girlfriend even got "my" first cover shot with the G5! :oops:

[sinuhexavier]

That is such a great camera... I have yet to buy one, but I have used one half a dozen times and impressed me it has, everytime.

One thing you failed to mention is it's ability to capture HD video...


...Ummm are those plastic grapes on your door?

[Scott Brady]

Very nice. What other point and shoots did you consider Scott, for comparison sake?

I did consider some of the Canon units, like the PowerShot SD850 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=15262). The D-Lux was the only compact with RAW image capabilities and exceptional glass combined. The Leica image processing is pretty impressive too.

The only other real option I considered was the Digilux 3 (http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/d_system/digilux_3/), which is larger and considerably more expensive. I would rather spend the extra on the D5

[Scott Brady]

I am even considering only bringing the D-Lux 3 on my Alaska 4wd trip and Cincinati Zoo trip that I leave for next week. Stealth with my new D-Lux and Maxpedition bags ;)

[Lost Canadian]

The D-Lux was the only compact with RAW image capabilities...

Really, that's surprising. I can easily understand your choice then.

[articulate]

My girlfriend even got "my" first cover shot with the G5! :oops:
:REOutArchery02:
Nice! That's hilarious.


I purchased the Leica for two reasons:

1. A back-up camera that can still shoot Journal quality images. If one of the staff is on assignment and their Canon breaks, the trip is not lost.
2. Lightweight solution: For quick trips and trekking where light weight is critical, but we still need quality and image size.

What made the decision easy:

1. Very compact, about 5"x3". Almost too small for my hands.
2. 10.4 mp with RAW image capture
3. Wide angle sensor for 16:9 format
4. ISO 100-1600
5. Full manual control of focus, white balance and exposure
6. LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 6.3–25.2 mm f/2.8–4.9 ASPH. (equivalent to 28 to 112 millimeters for 35 mm format), 4 x optical zoom.
7. HD construction, large display
8. Reasonable price at $600
I'm impressed! Redundancy: novel idea. What a powerful little camera, thanks for sharing that one.

[adventureduo]

Yeah that is impressive for its size. Large SLR's can get heavy lugging around after a bit.

[Scott Brady]

How about this for a lightshow for my new camera :wings: , man I love Prescott

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/Leica_proof_2.JPG

[bigreen505]

Scott, you know I love you man, but you're screwed. Leica is a one-way trip. All my Canon gear hit the auction block the day after I spent an afternoon shooting with a DMR and I definitely have an M8 in my future.

Do try processing your raw files through something besides Aperture as for some reason Aperture doesn't play nicely with the M8 and DMR.

[Scott Brady]

The only other Leica I lust after is this one: (the full kit with 28mm, 50mm and 160?mm, oh and the cool case and small binoculars)

http://www.hood.de/img/full/1181/11814599.jpg

Oh, and this too (to Jonathan's relief):
Leica Geovid 42mm
http://www.eagleoptics.com/images/Rangefinders/lc_geovid_10x42_40029_200.jpg

[sinuhexavier]

Do try processing your raw files through something besides Aperture as for some reason Aperture doesn't play nicely with the M8 and DMR.

Lightroom by Adobe is the cat's meow... It makes processing .raw extremely easy and it's interface is incredibly user friendly.

[Lost Canadian]

Performance aside, you can't help but dig the looks of the Leica stuff. Their cameras remind me of the 1940's Kodac 35's. Very Art Deco-ish.

http://mattdentonphoto.com/images/kodak_35rf.jpg

[Bella PSD]

Very nice. What other point and shoots did you consider Scott, for comparison sake?

You could take a look at the Nikon P 5000. Full man. controls and a hot shoe.(no raw:( )

Louie

[spressomon]

Scott,
I have a Leica Mini-luxe that I just love...except for the film developing part. And I have a PanaLeica FX9 which for a small P&S takes good pics...but it, like most digital's, is not dust/shock/moisture resistant...just having it out of its case at SnT last year did the lense rack system in.

So...how durable do you think your new Leica is against basic dust, shock & moisture? Any better in this department or the same? I have been looking at the Pentax K10D...for the durability aspect...but the form factor is just too large for even carrying around in the LC and popping off quick shots...

[Scott Brady]

Scott,

So...how durable do you think your new Leica is against basic dust, shock & moisture? Any better in this department or the same? I have been looking at the Pentax K10D...for the durability aspect...but the form factor is just too large for even carrying around in the LC and popping off quick shots...

Great question. The case is metal and seems quite robust. But I am worried about the LCD and the lens sealing. I will start be getting an LCD protector and then a good mini Pelican case.

Another concern is the inability to fit a UV filter to protect the lens...

I will need to be super careful with this one.

[haven]

The Leica D-Lux 3 is a version of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2. The knock on the LX2 is that its images are overly noisy. even at lower ISO. Maybe the Leica folks have tweaked the in-camera software to reduce this issue.

The original camera in the series, Panasonic's Lumix DMC LX1, has lower noise, according to the reviews I've seen. It uses the same Leica-designed lens as the current model.

One interesting alternative to the Panasonic and Leica models is the Ricoh Capilio GX100. It has a 3X zoom rather than 4X, but otherwise has features and performance that match up well against the Panasonic and Leica models.

Chip Haven

ps. I'm very happy with my Fujifilm Finepix F30 as a pocket-size camera. The F30 is an older model, still available new for about $250. It's excellent in low light situations, like indoors, outdoors on a cloudy day, or outdoors at dusk or night. Now my DSLR stays home most of the time.

[bigreen505]

Scott, you might want to confirm this, but I'm pretty sure R lenses are usable on the D3 with an adapter.

[bigreen505]

Ah, thanks for the clarification!

[DaveInDenver]

Ah, thanks for the clarification!Yeah, very clear, eh? Digilux 3, D-Lux 3, it's perfectly logical. ;-)

[Lost Canadian]

The Leica D-Lux 3 is a version of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2.

I read that Matsu****a Electric Industrial Co. (Panasonic) and Leica joined forces, and that Matsu****a builds the electronic and digital components for both camera's and Leica builds the optics. The joint venture is reportedly designed steal market share from others with a 10% goal to be shared between the two companies.

From the reviews that I've read both camera's are, for all intensive purposes, the same, with only some minor differences in how they process jpgs. RAW is reported to be processed exactly the same on both cameras.

http://i.pbase.com/o5/60/2660/1/68263147.xKSIXuiU.top_resize.jpg
http://k43.pbase.com/o5/60/2660/1/68263145.LFCmyejJ.front_resize.jpg
http://k41.pbase.com/o5/60/2660/1/68263146.MOmzJVrZ.back_resize.jpg

[detailbarn]

Yes they are the same camera essentially, but the leica d-lux 3 looks so much better! lol but seriously I've read that the firm ware is different making the Leica a step ahead in terms of image quality.

[Lost Canadian]

Yes they are the same camera essentially, but the leica d-lux 3 looks so much better! lol but seriously I've read that the firm ware is different making the Leica a step ahead in terms of image quality.
Would the firmware make a difference if shooting in RAW, or would it only apply when shooting in JPEG? For guys like me who have the time to process RAW images, if I can get the same image quality while in RAW with the Panasonic it may be a nice way to save a few dollars....if I can convince my beautiful wife we could use a costly point and shoot camera. :p

[detailbarn]

Would the firmware make a difference if shooting in RAW, or would it only apply when shooting in JPEG? For guys like me who have the time to process RAW images, if I can get the same image quality while in RAW with the Panasonic it may be a nice way to save a few dollars....if I can convince my beautiful wife we could use a costly point and shoot camera. :p


that is a good question , that i do not know the answer to. but it would seem that it may not make a difference in RAW.

[DesertRose]

The only other Leica I lust after is this one: (the full kit with 28mm, 50mm and 160?mm, oh and the cool case and small binoculars)

http://www.hood.de/img/full/1181/11814599.jpg

Oh, and this too (to Jonathan's relief):
Leica Geovid 42mm
http://www.eagleoptics.com/images/Rangefinders/lc_geovid_10x42_40029_200.jpg

Oh wow! I've been lusting after that camera, Scott. Jonathan just HAPPENED to leave the master B&H Catalog lying around . . . whew. What a gorgeous one.

And I love your new D-Lux. Bring it Saturday - I want to see it!

[detailbarn]

Just wanted to say thanks Scott , after reading this post and your mini review I deceided I wanted one. I drove an hour out to princeton NJ to pick up one of these d-lux 3 camera's. I've only played with it a bit so far but this is a great little camera well worth the money if it fits your needs. Compact easy to use with enough manual controls to keep me occupied and great pictures.

[detailbarn]

i'm loving this camera , granted it's not as good as the D40 it replaced but I'm happy i can have a camera with me at all times. Here's a quick shot I just took with it off my back roof of a storm rolling past.


http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p151/detailbarn/L1010127.jpg

[Scott Brady]

quick update:

HD video is a nice feature. I would venture to say that this camera is an almost perfect Dual-Sport unit, as HD video and 10mp RAW in an ultra-small unit. I can fit the camera, card case and charger in a cargo pocket...

Some issues.

1. Don't even try shooting above 400 ISO. Noise is excessive.
2. Image quality is similar to my 20D with a Tamron lens, but nowhere near a 20D with L glass.
3. RAW does not work out of the box with Aperture. Fortunately there is a fix, which involves modifying Raw.plist and doing a .dmg conversion with Adobe DMG Converter. Then Aperture can work with the shots. A few more steps, but worth the effort.

What I really like

1. A compact camera with 90% of the image quality at 100 ISO of my DSLR
2. HD Video
3. Big LCD and logical menus
4. RAW image capability
5. A nice digital warming option that does a lot to help mid-day cool scenes
6. Solid construction (metal body)
7. 2.8 lens with a reasonable focal range 28-105 approx.
8. Portrait work and soft light images are actually impressive. Must be a Leica zen thing.

I like it enough for it to be the only camera I am bringing on my Alaska and Ohio trip (more fun than business type trip).

[Scott Brady]

Now that I have used and reviewed this camera for nearly a month now, I am quite happy with the choice and it has exceeded my expectations in all areas with the exception of noise at higher ISO.

I also wish there was a way to protect the lens glass.

I have purchased an 1120 Pelican case with foam to protect the unit and allow easy shipment to other Overland Journal staff that might need it.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/image1/leica_in_pelican.jpg

I still need to get an LCD display protector

Great little camera!

[Willman]

You can't go wrong with the Leica brand...I have bought a few of these Total Station for land Surveying for work.

http://www.leica-geosystems.com/corporate/en/products/total_stations/lgs_8276.htm

Great products that get the job done right!

:jumping:

[tdesanto]

Do you miss having a viewfinder?

After using SLR's ever since I took up photography, I added a compact point and shoot for taking on the kayak (in pelican's smallest case). I too had to give up a viewfinder in order to get such a compact camera.

I miss the speed of simply composing and releasing the shutter.

I have always had the impression that that's what drew people to the Leica rangefinders in the first place.

[Boston Mangler]

You can't go wrong with the Leica brand...I have bought a few of these Total Station for land Surveying for work.

http://www.leica-geosystems.com/corporate/en/products/total_stations/lgs_8276.htm

Great products that get the job done right!

:jumping:

Hey Will

We use the Leica Total stations as well! Shoot me a PM

Fellow Land Surveyor here!