For quite a while now some people
have been asking for a Leica mirrorless camera.
That request is not without merit.
After all, this type of camera has certainly proven itself in many
variants from a number of manufacturers, including Leica. Leica could certainly say “been there, done
that”. As a matter of fact, they are still
doing it in form of the current Leica M.
This camera certainly is a mirrorless camera, full frame at that, with
interchangeable lenses and a wealth of other features. But it is not the first such camera from
Leica.
That honor goes to the Leica Digilux
2. It was first introduced in February
of 2004, almost ten years ago. As a
mirrorless design, the camera featured an electronic viewfinder besides the
standard LCD screen in back of the camera.
The camera came equipped with a 7-22.5 mm (28 to 90 mm 35 mm equivalent)
Leica Vario Summicron f/2-2.4 fixed lens.
The sensor has a resolution of 5 megapixels which, by today’s standards
is relatively low. But the low
resolution belies the actual performance of this camera. Even by today’s standards, the camera is
capable of delivering results that easily point to a substantially higher
resolution. This goes to the credit of
the amazing Vario Summicron lens. It
can easily be said that the Leica Digilux 2 is by far the best 5 megapixel
camera ever to appear on the market.
Unfortunately, the camera has long since been discontinued, but it still
has a large following of people that refuse to give it up.
Besides the outstanding performance,
the camera was obviously designed for former manual camera users. Thus it should come as no surprise that the
entire layout of the camera is reminiscent of a Leica M camera. The Digilux 2 features a conventional shutter
speed dial as well as standard f stop and focusing rings on the lens. Especially for Leica rangefinder users, the
camera is immediately familiar. Even the
fell of the camera is very similar and does not require any much getting used
to.
Of course there are a few modern
concessions like autofocus, but manual focus ability is maintained. As a matter of fact, it is possible to
activate a magnifying feature which will give a greatly magnified view of the
subject matter the moment the manual focusing ring is moved. This greatly facilitates the overall accuracy
of manual focusing.
The camera also has a built-in
flash. When activated, it pops up out of
the top of the camera. A very unique
feature is the two positions of the flash.
Initially the reflector stops at a 45 degree angle to allow for bounce
flash, a feature that has not to be found anywhere else until the introduction
of the Digilux 3. Pushing the flash
release button a second time will move the reflector into a standard, forward
looking position.
The ISO range of the camera runs from
100 to 400. That might seem inadequate
by today’s standards, but considering the rather fast f/2 lens, a camera with
an f/4 lens would need ISO 1600 to equal the Digilux 2.
In practice the camera has proven to
be a very handy, relatively light camera capable of tackling just about any
subject matter. It is no wonder that the
camera still enjoys a rather loyal following.
Sandra
Full frame image at ISO 100
Left eye cropped from the original above
Lana
ISO 100
Vanesa
ISO 100
Vice President Walter Mondale and wife Joan
ISO 100
Burg Braunfels
ISO 100
Weilburg, Germany
ISO 400
Children's Day Minneapolis Institute of Arts
ISO 400
Minneapolis Institute of Art
ISO 400
Those results look rather amazing. Are you sure these are taken with the Digilux 2? They look like they came from a camera with a lot more than just 5 mp.
ReplyDeleteI assure you that these photographs (with the exception of the picture of the camera) were all taken with the Leica Digilux 2 at the stated ISO settings.
ReplyDeleteDamn you, now you made me feel bad for having sold my Digilux 2.
ReplyDeleteOh come on, you don't really mean that.
DeleteYes I do, the feel bad part anyway, but not the damn you one. Even though I have owned this camera, I am amazed by the results you are showing here.
DeleteThe Leica M isn't really a mirrorless camera.
ReplyDeleteThen what is it?
DeleteIt is a rangefinder camera
DeleteOkay, that it certainly is. Please define what in your opinion a mirrorless camera is.
DeleteA mnirrorless camera is a camera with interchangeable lenses and an electronic viewfinder. Mirrorless cameras generally have the same features as a DSLR, but without the mirror and prism for the viewfinder
DeleteI agree, although interchangeable lenses are not necessarily a prerequisite. There are certainly mirrorless cameras without interchangeable lenses, like the Leica Digilux 2. By your definition, the Leica M is definitely a mirrorless camera. It offers all the aspects mentioned in your response, and, in addition, it has also a rangefinder.
DeleteBut the Leica M does not offer autofocus. All mirrorless cameras do have autofocus.
DeleteAren't you defining the camera's viewfinder system with unrelated features and by the offerings of other manufacturers? Basically, mirrorless is simply referring to a viewfinder system that employs an electronic viewfinder instead of a conventional SLR type viewfinder, therefore, mirrorless. All other features are unrelated. That makes the Leica M one of the most sophisticated mirrorless cameras on the market.
Delete