Here lies a Leica Digilux 2

The Final 5 Frames with My Leica Digilux 2

By Michael Kaplan

After several years of faithful service, my beautiful Leica Digilux 2 finally succumbed to the inevitable death of its sensor. The failure of the now infamous Sony ICX282AQ2 2/3inch CCD Sensor has been well documented and has plagued D2 owners for decades.

Last week, I took my D2 out for a photo walk and was met with the bad news. These are the final five frames that I shot with this camera…

I just purchased a fairly hard to find ELpro-D E69 close-up lens for the Vario-Summicron 28 – 90mm f2 lens. This image was handheld with available window light:

 

The next three images were taken on a short photo-walk around the Clintonville area of Columbus, Ohio the same day.

 

The following day, I took the Digilux 2 to campus at Ohio State. Between classes, I enjoy walking around and shooting some photos. I turned on the camera, pointed it at one of the Physics Lab buildings and knew immediately what had occurred. The inevitable…

At this time, the camera still renders impressive Monochromatic shots as the luminance has not been affected. However, it will only be a matter of time before the sensor fails completely and I am left with a very beautiful shelf queen. One that I can look at and be reminded of the wonderful images that it had provided.

Thanks for reading along.

 

 

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About The Author

By Michael Kaplan
Michael Kaplan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts at The Ohio State University where he teaches Film and Video Theory and Production and specializes in Post-Production Theory. Kaplan’s career as a practitioner of the photographic arts is in its 50th year celebrated by exploring the aesthetic possibilities of the CCD sensor.
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Comments

Michael Kaplan on The Final 5 Frames with My Leica Digilux 2

Comment posted: 03/11/2026

Article Addendum: Sadlly, since writing the article, the Sony sensor died completely leaving me with an impressive lens attached to a non functioning camera. Presently, the Digilux 2 is literally on my shelf holding up a stack of film theory books. —MK
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Neal Wellons on The Final 5 Frames with My Leica Digilux 2

Comment posted: 03/11/2026

I really like these shots and love your introductory photo. That was fun.
People pay a lot of money for digital monochrome cameras and now you have one too.
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Michael Kaplan replied:

Comment posted: 03/11/2026

Neal, Thanks for the note. I was hoping to use the D2 as a monochrome camera. That’s primarily how I use my Ricoh GR Digital 3. Unfortunately, since the writing of the article, the Leica no longer has a functioning sensor. So on the shelf it goes.

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