Vacation Cam. As opposed to Travel Cam. Or "Serious" Cam.

For many years my focus about cameras was skewed towards models that I could use for professional applications. When I traveled by myself with the idea of making photographs for "art's sake" I had certain ideas about what would work best. And for most of my working life I tried to shoehorn work cameras into vacation cameras that I would take along on family trips. It was always a division of attention and intention between "being" a "working" photographer and not turning family fun into a photo "death march." 

Last week B. and I took a small vacation. We went to Chicago. In the past I might have taken along an SL2 or SL camera and a collection of "interesting" prime lenses. A bag to keep them all in. A million batteries. Maybe a back-up camera or two. Maybe a small tripod as well. Given enough packing time and I could fully get to the point where over half of my luggage was photo gear. And when I came back home I'd chide myself for taking along so many pieces of gear that I never used. Never touched. 

This time around I decided to concentrate on seeing stuff unencumbered by the addiction to endlessly documenting the encounters with life. I took two cameras but I knew all along that I'd be carrying and using only one of them. The other camera was there because the "need" to have a back-up camera is, at this time, too well ingrained in my mind to let go. 

On last week's trip the Leica DLUX8 was the perfect camera for me. It is small and light. I can wear it around all day without issue. The files coming out of the camera are very, very good --- considering the lower resolution than I am used to and the smaller format. In all it's a gem.

There are a few things I wish were a bit different. I would love for the camera to remember which focal length I was using when it shut down to save power. I also wish it had a setting that would enable zoom stops at the usual, traditional focal length angles of view. 24, 28,35,50 and 75. It would be quicker to use if the camera could do that. Another place I would change is the diopter setting wheel on the back. It's not lockable and sometimes, when it rubs against the pocket in a camera bag or against my shirt or jacket, the diopter setting changes. That's a pain in the butt which could be remedied just by increasing the strength of the detent.

Another small issue I have with the camera is that the lens extends a lot out front when one turns the camera on and the lens looks too skinny in relation to the whole package of the camera. It's just an aesthetic thing but it does give me pause from time to time. 

Oh, one more thing. When you create a user profile and then set it for use it works fine as long as the camera is on but once you turn the camera off and then turn it back on again it seems to default to the standard/non-user profile and you need to either choose the profile you want again or change the parameters that are important to you in the moment. Kinda renders the idea of user profiles moot....

The focus locks on quickly in the single shot mode. I can't tell you anything about the continuous autofocus mode because I've never used it and don't intend to use it. I like the single square right in the middle of the screen or the finder, the way the photo gods intended it. I do tend to reduce the size of the AF measuring square and in that regard you have a lot of options. The smaller the better for accuracy's sake.

Finally, a nod to all the Leica Haters.... at least the red, circle Leica logo is very, very small. Understated. You probably don't even need to tape over it to be adequately stealthy out on the street. 

Hint: Don't buy the $170 Leica battery if you feel like you need an extra battery. There is a Panasonic option that I believe is identical and it's about $35-40. There are also some generic options for about $20. I'll stick with the Panasonic ones, just to be a bit conservative. 

The camera needs an add on grip or a nice half case with an integrated grip to feel just right out on the street. And a thumb grip is a welcome accessory too. 

Finally, in their infinite gap of wisdom, Leica decided to only include a wrist strap. Major fail from my point of view. All cameras should have traditional neck straps to free one's hands for getting coffee, paying for coffee and drinking said coffee. I found a Q2 neck strap for $30 and it's perfect for this camera as well. I could write a whole new blog about straps. I think I've found the current favorite one of all time. We'll cover that later.

I'm so glad you asked!!! Yes! There are mannequins in Chicago. These were all around 

the Macys Department Store. I know you'll love glancing at them and will want to click in and see them in greater detail. It's just the thing to do...

The Navy Pier. My least favorite "attraction" in Chicago...

Homage to James Popsys.

Street photographer grabs my photo when I was walking down the sidewalk. 

Included as a daylight sample of the DLUX8 performance.

and, of course, you will look so cool as you go out to photograph the world around you!!!

Cheers.