Leice Digilux2

[BlueTit]

I posted this in General Chat as I KNOW it is a Canon forum!

I have and love the 20d and various L glass, but I was looking for something with a quieter shutter for street photography. I was thinking of a P&S with a flexible LCD screen, but I got to have a look at the Digilux2 today which is totally silent and I really liked it. It feels nice and solid, looks great and most importantly is silent. I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with the D2 or what they would recomend for street photography.

I have joined the Leica forum to ask this but naturally they all say it is a great camera, so I would like to hear what you guys think.

(edited to spellcheck!)

[Andy_T]

Look for posts by user SDommin ...

... and when you look at this portfolio ... don't fall for the assumption that the Leica takes better images ... his G2 images are just as good :wink:

BTW, I didn't know that the Canon P&S cameras made any noise ... my G2 sure doesn't (once shutter sound is turned off :p ).

Best regards,
Andy

[BlueTit]

BTW, I didn't know that the Canon P&S cameras made any noise ... my G2 sure doesn't (once shutter sound is turned off :p ).

Sorry, I did not mean for it to read that they did, I know they don't, that's why originally it was my plan to buy one of those, but when in the shop looking they showed me the Leica as well. Sorry for the confusion.

[BlueTit]

Somebody out there must have a Digilux2 or at least some suggestions ? ? Anyone?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Be sure and check out the Panasonic as well. it's the same Camera but cheaper...

[Andy_T]

Daragh,

as mentioned, user Sdommin does have the Digilux 2, check out his portfolio (http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/root).
A search for 'Digilux' also revealed that user tapeman most likely has the Digilux 1 ... don't know how this model compares.

Best regards,
Andy

[sdommin]

I knew that someone had mentioned me when I felt my ears burning! (Thanks, Andy!)

Yes, I own and LOVE the D2. The lens is the best part - it is easily "L" lens quality, if not better (and I know because I own several L lenses and a 20D). In my opinion, it is the best "compact camera" on the market (I refuse to use the term "point & shoot", because it is not one of those).

The color rendition is wonderful; similar to my beloved G3, though the colors seem to be somewhat brighter (I enjoyed the "pastel" colors of the G3).

Here are my latest galleries with the D2:

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/cal05

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/disney04

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/fall2004

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/roadtrip04


If you need more convincing, let me know.

[BlueTit]

Hi Scott, thanx for posting those, when Andy mentioned, look out for sddommin, I thought he meant on the Leica forum doh! They are some great photos that you posted, I think alot of it is down to the photographer too though :-)

I have read as much as I can find on the D2 and am generally interested to go ahead and purchase, but of the three negatives that keep coming up, Electronic viewfinder, Noise and RAW write speed, I am most worried about the viewfinder and the noise. I am not bothered about the write speed. I don't like using the LCD on P&S camera (not that the D2 is P&S ahem) I treat them as a luxury for taking akward angles etc., but prefer to rely on the viewfinder. How do you find it or do you use the LCD? Is the noise really as bad as some reviewers claim or are they being too picky for a 5MP camera? Finally do you do much PP work on those images, I tend to do as little as possible except lighting contrast and sharpness on 20d shots, but I always shoot raw.

Thanx for the input.