New Digital Cameras:Leica D-Lux 4… my first impression & exposures shooting Raw.
I always looked for a small point and shoot Camera that I can carry with me to meetings or shooting the odd images out of the car Window.
As you know, I just love shooting out of Car Windows.
I used a few other models in the past but somehow was never real happy with the results until now when the Leica D-Lux 4 was announced at the recent Photokina 2008 a couple of month ago.
Why I decided on the Leica D-Lux 4 is very simple; only a few Compact Cameras have Raw format and at the same time a perfect lens range suited for me.
This 10.2 mega pixel Camera has a fast f:2.0 lens ranging from 24 to 60 mm, perfect for carrying around attached to my belt.
What’s new about this camera is the wide range of accessories for additionally widening its photographic potential, offering the sophisticated user even more possibilities for creative photography. With its 1/1.63“ CCD image sensor, which is unusually large for this class of camera, the Leica D-LUX 4 produces images of superlative quality. The Leica D-LUX 4 sports a high-speed Leica DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5.1-12.8 mm f/2.0-2.8 ASPH lens with a focal length range of 24 to 60 mm in 35 mm format.
The Leica D-Lux 4 with the attached optional Viewfinder
OK. I have to admit not a cheap Camera but when it comes to Quality no need to say anymore. The only draw back at present is the Raw format it is not supported yet by Aperture 2, but I am sure Apple has this fixed very soon with a new software update.
How do I convert the Raw files now? Leica has supplied Capture One and that seems to work fine for the moment. Of course it is not Aperture 2 but it is Ok for the time being until we get an update for Aperture. I hope very soooon…..
I had very little time in Singapore to give this little black beauty a good test drive but I am really impressed from what I have seen so far. I love the very easy to use controls; fast response time, large LCD Screen and the first images I have taken on the Snap Shot Mode came out fantastic in color and sharpness.
The view out of my Hotel Window...through the glass and straight out of the Box in the late afternoon, shot on Snapshot mode and no image adjustments applied only straighten and resizing.
A super cool black viewfinder with 24 mm brightline frame can be attached to the flash shoe of the Leica D-Lux 4, enabling the photographer to view his subject without using battery power.
The mode dial let’s you select from Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Program mode, Manual exposure (real great), plus option for two Custom settings there is also a Scene mode plus a motion picture mode.
The camera is also prepared for photos in HDTV format: By connecting the camera’s HD port to a HD television set with optional component cable, slides can be shown in high definition.
A cool Marco Mode of subjects as close as 5cm, manual focus and so much more, in other words this little marvel has a lot of power and possibilities maybe that’s why it is called the “Son of the Leica M 8” a perfect little companion in the field or for the weekend snapshots of the Family.
Apple, please hurry up and upgrade Aperture 2 with the Leica D-Lux 4 Raw conversion.
PS. In the next few days I also give you a first hand impression on the Nikon D700, which has now replaced some of my older models.
But I can tell you that much already…a great Camera and I can imaging what the new Nikon D3X is going to be like after I had my first gentle drive with the D700, more on that in a few days.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
GD
