Leica V-LUX 2 User manual

LEICA V- LUX 2
Explore the world with new eyes.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HUMBOLDT
A traveler becomes an explorer.
LEICA V- LUX 2
At home around the world.
No detail remains hidden.
Professional image and video management.
TECHNICAL DATA
AND ACCESSORIES
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CONTENTS
From 1799 to 1804, the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt traveled through South America, exploring the New World and its
plants and animals. The volcanic landscape of Ecuador became the focus of his research in 1802. In 2010, we take the new Leica V-Lux 2
to Ecuador to follow in the footsteps of this remarkably gifted explorer and naturalist.

IN THE
FOOTSTEPS OF
HUMBOLDT
The crater lake of Quilotoa lies 3,914 meters above sea level. From the lip of the crater to the lake’s edge is a 100-meter vertical descent. Understandably, the three-
hour climb back up the wall of the caldera can be particularly arduous, but the spectacular view from the crater’s edge more than rewards the visitor’s efforts.

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Ecuador is one of the most diverse nations on Earth. Nowhere else can the traveler discover such a wide variety of
landscapes, animals and plants, immaculate, palm-lined beaches, desolate volcanic mountain ranges, and ancient
rainforests rich with wildlife. Alexander von Humboldt was immediately fascinated upon his arrival in this country
in 1802 and during his expedition through South America. Internationally acclaimed during his own life time as a
leading naturalist, Humboldt observed that the one geographical constant here is diversity. Even 200 years later,
this truth remains unchanged. To the delight of globetrotters and adventurers, the remarkable variety and beauty
of Ecuador is preserved to this day. And any travelers in this country will find themselves crossing paths with
Humboldt’s journeys of two centuries ago. Naturally, today’s travelers will find it slightly easier to traverse the dra -
ma tically mountainous terrain of Ecuador than the indefatigable Humboldt did. But then as now, the fantastic view
from the top of the Chimborazo volcano ensures that all exertions are quickly forgotten.
Humboldt and today’s globetrotters have something else in common: the desire to preserve a record of each new
discovery. Humboldt documented all his impressions, observations, and feelings in countless sketches, diaries, and
notes. These grew into a collection that proved to be of immeasurable value to the world – though for Humboldt
himself, it meant an ever-increasing load to carry. Today, the Leica V-Lux 2 is the perfect companion for anyone who,
like Humboldt, wants to discover more of the world and is ready to head off the beaten path. The V-Lux 2 lets you
effortlessly capture your experiences forever – with a compact yet high-performance camera. It is for everyone
who feels the longing to one day make a discovery of lasting value.
LEICA V- LUX 2
A traveler becomes an explorer.
Guayaquil: 444 numbered steps lead through a vibrantly creative
neighborhood up to Santa Ana. Alausi is the starting point for one
of the most hair-raising train rides in the world – a series of razor-
sharp switchbacks into the valley and back again. In stark contrast,
the view of the Panamerican Highway winding toward Chimborazo
is perfectly serene.

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The world’s tallest free-standing volcano captivated Humboldt on his journey here 200 years ago. Standing 6,310 meters above sea level, the Chimborazo
rises majestically from the Andean mountain range. To the left and right of the road, the local people carry on their daily life. Flocks of sheep are herded along
the Panamerican Highway, and at roadside stalls, smiling indigenous Ecuadorians sell grilled bananas.
Blaring car horns fill your ears, a damp film coats your skin, and the smell of frying food tickles your nostrils. Wel come
to Guayaquil, home to more than three million people. It’s the largest city in Ecuador and also the loudest. In
complete contrast to this endless noise stands the silent Andean mountain range. The Panamerican Highway winds
away from Guayaquil up to Alausi, 2,300 meters above sea level. Traveling along it, one sees the vegetation quickly
change; the concrete jungle of the city becomes a rainforest. Higher up, the rainforest becomes a cloud forest. True
to its name, clouds and mist cover the landscape, with the occasional break revealing a spectacular view of the
mighty Chimborazo.
Alausi disappears in the rearview mirror, while ahead, a herd of peacefully grazing alpacas appears. At 3,500 meters
above sea level, the air is noticeably thinner. 1,300 meters higher up marks the start of the permanent snowline
in Humboldt’s era. Without gloves and crampons, he went even higher – up into the region of absolute stillness.
Yet every ache and strain was forgotten the moment the clouds lifted and revealed the view over this spectacular
landscape. Also unforgettable is the onward journey to the “Road of the Volcanoes”. It leads through the village of
Zumbahua, home of one of Ecuador’s oldest and most authentic Andean markets. It continues past the crater lake
of Quilotoa, its waters changing color from green to blue to purple depending on the time of day.
There are even more colors at the rose gardens in the Cotopaxi National Park. One of them lies directly in front of
the Hosteria la Cienega, a hacienda in which Humboldt was the first guest. Somewhat less idyllic, but no less hospi-
table, is the world’s highest capital city, Quito. People say that the sunlight in Quito makes colors look different,
because it is so close to the equator. The compact Leica V-Lux 2 is the perfect tool for revealing the secrets of
Quito’s light, capturing brilliant images with absolute fidelity. The Leica V-Lux 2 is ideal for discovering and captu ring
the world’s diversity.

LEICA
V- LUX 2
Measured from the center of the Earth, Chimborazo is the world’s highest mountain. Nowhere on the planet is closer to the sun than this 6,310-meter-high volcanic peak.

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LEICA V- LUX 2
At home around the world.
1 ULTRA-WIDE FOCAL-LENGTH RANGE
2 CONTINUOUS SHOOTING AT HIGH SPEED
3 FOLD-OUT LCD DISPLAY
4 VIDEOS IN FULL HD QUALITY
5 COMPACT DESIGN
6 VERSATILE SOFTWARE OPTIONS
The roots of today’s photography can be traced back to Oskar Barnack’s passion for the world of nature. Thanks
to his role in the invention of the 35 mm negative format a century ago, photography is now mobile. Instead of
the enormous and heavy large-format cameras of the period, Barnack’s new, convenient cameras offered photog-
raphers an unprecedented level of freedom.
Barnack set people’s curiosity free, enabling them to fulfi ll their passion for capturing new experiences. This passion
remains just as strong today. For contemporary explorers, Leica has created the Leica V-Lux 2. Born of the desire
to develop a perfect companion for globetrotters and nature lovers. It’s a fl exible, compact, high-performance tool.
Its super-zoom lens lets you capture both close-ups and distant objects, in brightly lit environments or at night.
The enormous focal-length range in just one zoom lens eliminates the need to switch lenses and means less weight
to carry. The Leica V-Lux 2 is simply the perfect companion for adventurers.
Full-size view
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Full-size view 3
Follow in the footsteps of other explorers at www.explorer.leica-camera.com
Full-size view
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Full-size view
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LEICA V- LUX 2
No detail remains hidden.
2 CONTINUOUS
SHOOTING AT
HIGH SPEED
Just like every other Leica lens, the Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 1:2.8-5.2/4.5-108 mm ASPH. on
the V-Lux 2 is a true optical masterpiece. The equivalent focal lengths of this 24x super zoom
for photo and video range from a super-wide-angle 25 mm to an extreme telephoto of 600 mm.
This makes the Leica V-Lux 2 a true all-round genius – and the perfect camera for any situation.
Its super-zoom lens ensures tack-sharp pictures, whether finely detailed macro close-ups, breath-
taking wide-angle vistas, or super-telephoto shots. It is the ideal camera for travel and nature
photography. Thanks to its enormous zoom range, the V-Lux 2 opens up almost infinite photog-
raphic opportunities without any need to change a lens, and makes it an attractive alternative
to comparable SLR systems with interchangeable lenses.
In addition to its enormous range of focal lengths, another compelling feature of the compact
V-Lux 2 is its high-performance 14.1 megapixel, CMOS image sensor. The combination of this
sensor and the excellence of a Leica super-zoom lens ensures the unmistakably brilliant picture
quality one expects from a Leica.
The ultra-fast consecutive burst capability of the Leica V-Lux 2 is more than impressive. With
11 frames per second at the full resolution of 14.1 MP, or 60 frames per second with a resolution
of 2.8 MP, the Leica V-Lux 2 is one of the world’s fastest consecutive shooting cameras. This
means that you won’t miss the crucial moment – even when shooting the fastest-moving sub-
jects in the worlds of sport and nature. What’s more, the V-Lux 2 can even reveal the details of
motion sequences otherwise invisible to the human eye. This is made possible by its newly
designed 14.1 MP, CMOS sensor. An integrated electronic Live-View monitor makes the V-Lux 2
perfect for use in bright surroundings, too. It’s the perfect travel companion for any situation.
1 ULTRA-WIDE
FOCAL-LENGTH
RANGE
Full-size view
Taken at an equivalent focal length of 25 mm. Taken at an equivalent focal length of 600 mm.
11 images per second at full resolution.
World travelers are open to new experiences. Unexpected, spontaneous opportunities can only be captured
authentically if one has the right tool at hand: the Leica V-Lux 2. Remarkably intuitive in use, it is a compact
camera that gives you scope for creativity. Thanks to its powerful 24x zoom lens with an enormous equiva-
lent focal-length range of 25 to 600 mm, it is extremely flexible. It captures every detail with its full HD video
function and an amazingly fast 11 images per second in continuous shooting mode. The Leica V-Lux 2 is
perfect for every journey of discovery.
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1
Full-size view

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Another highlight of the Leica V-Lux 2 is its ability to shoot videos in 1080i AVCHD full HD. This feature is
often found only in high-quality digital camcorders, and in contrast to the usual M-JPEG format, it uses about
50% less memory – without any compromises in terms of brilliant image quality.
Video capture can be started quickly and easily by simply pressing a button on the camera’s top deck. The
entire 24x zoom range is available during video recording, and an integrated stereo microphone with an
electronic wind-noise filter guarantees crystal-clear sound. What’s more, the V-Lux 2 also features an option
for taking still pictures in video capture mode. It’s convenient and user-friendly – you can delete unwanted
scenes and save individual photos while reviewing the results. With its extensive range of video functions,
the V-Lux 2 is more than a match for true camcorder systems. All this makes the Leica V-Lux 2 the best choice
for anyone looking for a camera to take still pictures and video footage without compromising on quality.
4 VIDEOS IN
FULL HD-QUALITY
3 FOLD-OUT
LCD DISPLAY
The Leica V-Lux 2 offers entirely new viewing perspectives when taking photographs. The reason is its 3" LCD
screen that can be twisted and turned in almost any direction, making it so easy to compose pictures taken
from unusual angles. If you need to shoot stills or video from over your head or down close to the ground –
using the V-Lux 2, you are in full control whatever the situation. And its high-resolution display with 460,000
dot resolution guarantees a finely detailed and brilliant viewing image. Creative freedom has a new name –
the Leica V-Lux 2.
Running between the market’s food stalls, wild dogs eagerly wait for any leftovers that the women might drop from the fi re-blackened
cooking pots.
Tilts 180° horizontally and 270° vertically. Taken from ground level.
On Saturdays, the beautiful village of Zumbahua comes to life. It is market day. At the stalls, the goods essential to life in the Andes are piled
high. Always at hand, the Leica V-Lux 2 captures the vitality of the market from fascinating perspectives. An image taken from overhead reveals
the remoteness of the village on the other six days of the week.
Tilts 180° horizontally and 270° vertically.

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ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® ELEMENTS 8
The V-Lux 2 package includes the powerful image processing software Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 8.
This amazingly versatile and easy-to-use full-image-processing solution lets you view, organize, archive,
and process both photos and videos. A wide range of options enables intuitive image processing of both
compressed and RAW image data files. And the convenient Before and After feature lets you compare
your processing results with the original image at any time.
ADOBE® PREMIERE® ELEMENTS 8
The V-Lux 2 package also includes the high-quality software Adobe® Premiere® Elements 8, especially
designed for video processing. This easy-to-use software offers optimum features for processing videos
recorded by the V-Lux 2 in AVCHD Format, and also enables users to create animated videos, as well as
professional audio and video effects. For people who like to have everything under control, the Media
Manager offers powerful and effective data administration.
The combination of these two high-quality image-processing software packages from the Adobe family of
products opens up almost infinite options for the creative manipulation of still and video images. Never be fore
has it been so easy to make such incomparable pictures for printing, online galleries, and mobile devices.
The Leica V-Lux 2 is packed with a fantastic range of compelling features in a handy and compact form. Its
integrated handgrip keeps it rock-steady in your hands and its light weight means you can even take pictures
with one hand. Its combination of an enormous zoom range and ergonomic design makes it the ideal com-
panion for travel and wildlife photography. Thanks to its compact construction, the V-Lux 2 is considerably
easier to handle and carry than an SLR camera with comparable features.
5 COMPACT
DESIGN
6 VERSATILE
SOFTWARE
OPTIONS
LEICA V- LUX 2
Professional image and video management.
LEICA V-LUX 2 I 19
With an altitude of 5,897 meters, Cotopaxi is the second-highest mountain in Ecuador. Hundreds of wild mustangs graze in the grasses of the
endless plateau at its feet. It is believed that they are descendents of horses that escaped from the colonizing Spaniards. Since then, they have
lived in this breathtaking landscape around the active volcano.