The Leica Q — A six month field test

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

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I enjoyed reading your review.....thanks

[m9photo]

Thank you! I really enjoyed this read.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Falstaff]

I stumbled on this and glad I did; enjoyed reading your article very much.

Thanks.

[cmod]

Great review. Weather sealing the Q is a no brainer. Could it have been a deliberate marketing decision to not do it?

 

The last fw update was disappointing. I was going for more fixes including the way the exposure lock works.

 

I wonder about the deliberate marketing decision. I don't want to feel that cynical though! 

 

At least the FW update dealt with high-iso noise. Fingers crossed we can remap that video button sooner than later. 

 

C

[cmod]

Great article! I would also love to see some of the FW upgrades you mention. Lets hope for the best.

 

By the way, love your wordpress(?) theme. Is it a custom made one?

 

Thanks matlep — it's actually an ancient expression engine install that I've almost completely gutted and rebuilt ... 

[biglouis]

A seriously good review. Thanks for creating and sharing.

 

I agree with all of it - especially the cropping. I am now seriously questioning whether I need my Sony kit with three lenses (28, 35 and 55) when I can get away with one camera. It certainly makes you think.

 

LouisB

Edited February 12, 2016 by biglouis

[Jeff S]

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I agree with all of it - especially the cropping. I am now seriously questioning whether I need my Sony kit with three lenses (28, 35 and 55) when I can get away with one camera. It certainly makes you think.

 

 

 

Same effect as cropping in PP....if one can do a bit of visualization when shooting.....the full image remains in DNG.  The capability resides within your Sony 28....and your mind's eye.

 

Jeff

[Stealth3kpl]

Can the touch screen be disabled once you've set up your camera as you like it?

Pete

[Peyton Hoge]

I now shoot with the Q maxed at 10,000 iso and the shutter low-capped at 1/120th of a second. You almost never need 10,000 iso. Technically, the Q maxes out at an absurd 50,000 iso. I've never used it. I find the camera rarely breaches 6,400, and I do a lot of lowlight shooting. But when it needs the extra bump, it’s nice to have. The iso 6,400 Q images are wholly usable. And images taken at 10,000 — if needed — work.

 

Great review! I don't know how he sets the camera to 10,000 iso. I thought they all jump from 6400 to 12500.

Edited February 12, 2016 by Peyton Hoge

[Lucena]

Thanks for excelent review, I shared it with some Leica users friends.

[Geoffrey James]

This a good review.  There's a tendency to obsess over new models as soon as they come out,  comparing them with other makes and getting all excited. It takes  a while to learn how  a camera really responds.  I have been shooting for a few months and was thinking of posting how much I like the Q.   One capability is closeup -- I am doing a book about an architect, shot mostly with a Monochrom,  but the Q was invaluable when working closeup with details,  and the b/w files are impressive.  I have just started to print seriously  and am happy with the results. I favour shooting at optimum apertures for sharpness and depth of field.  My default proof is 14x21,  and it is clear to me that I will be able to make seamless 36-inch prints with no difficulty.  Although it doesn't worry me,  the white paint is coming off the macro engraving.  Big Deal

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[Peyton Hoge]

I now shoot with the Q maxed at 10,000 iso and the shutter low-capped at 1/120th of a second. You almost never need 10,000so Technically, the Q maxes out at an absurd 50,000 iso. I've never used it. I find the camera rarely breaches 6,400, and I do a lot of lowlight shooting. But when it needs the extra bump, it’s nice to have. The iso 6,400 Q images are wholly usable. And images taken at 10,000 — if needed — work.

 Great review! I don't know how he sets the camera to 10,000 iso. I thought they all jump from 6400 to 12500.

Great review! I don't know how he sets the camera to 10,000 iso. I thought they all jump from 6400 to 12500.

Edited February 13, 2016 by jaapv
size

[jlindstrom]

cmod: you mention you deliberately underexpose by "few stops". Surely you mean by stop -> steps, thus ending at -0.6EV compensation?

 

Underexpose by two let alone few stops would be a huge thing.

 

Just wanted to clarify that. Truly enjoyed reading about your experiences.

 

Thanks for sharing.

Edited February 13, 2016 by jlindstrom

[cmod]

I now shoot with the Q maxed at 10,000 iso and the shutter low-capped at 1/120th of a second. You almost never need 10,000 iso. Technically, the Q maxes out at an absurd 50,000 iso. I've never used it. I find the camera rarely breaches 6,400, and I do a lot of lowlight shooting. But when it needs the extra bump, it’s nice to have. The iso 6,400 Q images are wholly usable. And images taken at 10,000 — if needed — work.

 

Great review! I don't know how he sets the camera to 10,000 iso. I thought they all jump from 6400 to 12500.

 

Ha! You know it — you're right. I'd never seen it breach 10k and somewhere along the line assumed that's what I capped it at. 12500 is indeed the correct number.

 

C

[wda]

Great review! I don't know how he sets the camera to 10,000 iso. I thought they all jump from 6400 to 12500.

Although it is an academic point, Auto ISO can select intermediate speeds such ISO 500. So I suppose it could select 10,000 if within the set parameters.

[Iduna]

Craig,

 

this is a great review, detrailed and well desinged. You can seldom read such balanced articles. Great work and many thanks for sharing it.

[KLManhattan]

Great review. Weather sealing the Q is a no brainer. Could it have been a deliberate marketing decision to not do it?

 

The last fw update was disappointing. I was going for more fixes including the way the exposure lock works.

 

While weather sealing may be a no brainer, but it most likely would have increased the cost.  As far as I know the Sony RX!RII is not weather sealed either.  

[cmod]

Although it is an academic point, Auto ISO can select intermediate speeds such ISO 500. So I suppose it could select 10,000 if within the set parameters.

 

Yes — this is what I was observing, the auto-ISO itself never hopping above 10k. 

 

C

[soizic]

Thanks, beautiful lesson

I feel no more shameful when I crop !

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Graafber]

Great review. Still thinking to replace my 240 for a Q. My 246 and a Q could be a perfect couple.