Leica V-LUX 2 2 User Manual

LEICA V- LUX 2

Explore the world with new eyes.

CONTENTS

From 1799 to 1804, the German nat uralist Alexander von H umboldt tr aveled through Sout h America, exploring the New World and its

plants and animals. The volcani c 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 remar kably gifted explore r and na turalist.

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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IN THE
FOOTSTEPS OF

HUMBOLDT

The crater lake of Quilotoa lies 3,914 meters ab ove sea level. From the lip of the crater to the lake’s edge is a 100-meter ver tical descent. Understand ably, the three-

hour climb back up the wall of the caldera can be p articularly arduous, but the spectacular vi ew from th e crater’s edge more th an rewards the visitor’s efforts.

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 star ting 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.

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.

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The world’s tallest free-standin g volcan o captiv ated Humb oldt on h is journey here 20 0 years ago. Standing 6,310 meters above sea lev el, the Chimborazo
rises majestically from the Andean mountain range. To the left and righ t of the road, the local people carr y on their daily life. Flocks of sheep are herded along
the Paname rican Highway, and at roadside stalls , smiling indigenous Ecuadorians sell grill ed 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.

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