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Product Reviews:

          
EXPENSIVE, BUT WELL WORTH THE COST!, December 30, 2004
Reviewer: William V. Mcclung "ncbill"

31 DEC 04: Let me preface this review with a little personal history. I have been taking photographs for 53 years and ran a part-time wedding photography business for 24 years. I fought the change to digital for years, but finally succumbed in 2002. Since that time, I have never looked back. The Digilux 2 is my sixth digital camera and I can honestly say it takes better photographs than any of my other cameras, including my Nikon D-100. The Nikon is more flexible, with interchangable lenses, but the Leica is much more portable and intuitive.

Some might complain that the camera is "only" a five megapixel unit. But, there are megapixels and there are megapixels....not all are created equal. The CCD on the Digilux 2 is very large, providing larger megapixels. This solves a lot of problems currently being experienced by high-megapixel "pro-sumer" cameras and creates stunning photographs.

Having used range-finders and other "analog" cameras for many years, the Leica is like an old friend. There is no other digital camera on the market that is easier to use, when switching from "automatic" to manual or shutter/f-stop priority. This camera is usable by everyone, from a beginner (just go "full auto", until you learn more about the camera's capabilities) to a professional.

The Digilux 2 is built like a tank and will stand years of service and abuse. The LCD is HUGE, as well as being the clearest and brightest I have ever seen. It's usable even in bright sunlight. The built-in straight or bounce flash capability is extremely useful.

My only complaint is that Leica should have made the switch from "Autofocus" to "Autofocus-Macro" a little stiffer. It's easy to move the switch and not be aware that you have done so (if you set the display to show the switch position, it is easy to check through the viewfinder before you take the shot). With all the other things going for it, I will not let that minor thing keep me from giving the camera a full five stars.

If you can afford it, the Digilux 2 will serve you well for many years.

UPDATE (5 JAN 05): Now that I have used this camera for a longer period of time, I would like to add some additional thoughts/information, based on that usage. (1) Because of the weight, configuration, minimum shutter lag, and lack of "monkey motion" (flipping mirrors, etc.), it is extremely easy to hand-hold the Digilux 2 at low shutter speeds that would be impossible with digital SLRs or most other digital cameras. Check out the sample photos on this site, many of them taken hand-held at 1/20th - 1/25th sec. (2) The depth-of-field is amazing, even at F-2.0. (3) The "out-of-the-camera color is the best of any digital camera I have ever owned or used, including top-of-the-line SLRs. (4) The custom white balance settings are quick, easy, and spot on. (5) The tonal values, when the camera is set on B&W are outstanding. (6) Contrast is also outstanding. BOTTOM LINE: I am in love!.
UPDATE 2 MAR 05: Check out the two new photos I have added. The landscape photo has been enlarged to 16 x 20 by a custom shop the level of detail is incredible (even the horses at the bottom right of the photo have amazing detail). This camera has an OUTSTANDING lens/sensor combination.
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Traditional Design in the Digital Age, June 3, 2004
Reviewer: M. Beltran "kkrome25"
AESTHETICS: The Leica Digilux 2 can be described as a modern "retro" design. The body style is a direct descendant of the M6 and those before it. The body looks huge. It is about 33% larger than an M6, but this isn't readily apparent until you set it next to any Leica M chassis. There is a gaudy overabundance of faux chrome in the back. This is the least appealing part of the camera, because of the chrome finish that surrounds and accentuates the presence of the LCD monitor. I would have preferred a more predominant use of either a black finish or the faux leather. The rubber around the eyepiece is bulbous, but acceptable. Overall, it is a handsome camera.

ERGONOMICS: What sold me are the traditional manual adjustments: The focusing ring, the aperture ring, zoom adjustment, and shutter speed dial are so much more workable in the field. You do not have to take your eye away from the viewfinder like you would with touch pads and four-way rocker switches. Leave that for reviewing the recorded images. The box construction has the familiar feel of an M body, but weighs less. The "grippy" black rubber finish is handsome and remotely resembles leather. The flash has two positions: press halfway and it will set up for bounce flash. Press all the way down, and it will point directly towards the subject.

PRACTICALITIES: At the average price of about $1850 U.S. dollars, one would have to factor in the name. But also figure in the build quality. There is the magnesium body, real metal hinges on the doors (which are designed beautifully), traditional aperture ring, manual & auto focusing, shutter speed dial, superior image processing (for markedly lower noise levels than the competition), aspherical Summicron lens, larger than average lcd monitor; and a few more, but the general impression is that it's built well. The baseplate is bare, but there are three 1/8" diameter round rubber feet, and one round plastic foot that is molded out of the battery door itself. Attention to small details are what I like about the Leica. For example, the camera strap also comes with two leatherette scuff protectors that fit around the camera strap eyelets. And not only is a lens cap included, but a lens cap for the lens shade.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The photographs are the bottom line. The images and image quality are on par with the pro-level dslr's. There is a real Summicron aboard this camera, and of it, I rest assured. There are and will be cameras with higher pixel counts, but I've come to realize that if most of my photographs will be printed smaller than 11" x 14," then I am not lacking with the five megapixels. I've compared identical images side by side with images from my Olympus C8080, and the Digilux 2's images can almost qualify as 8 megapixel images!! Magnify both the C8080 & the Digilux 2's images to 200%, and the Leica wins convincingly. This is not a point-and-shoot, as most would regard it as such. It can be set up for that if you wish, but the manual focusing, aperture and shutter adjustments make the D2 a capable tool for anybody who pursues photography seriously.

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