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Goodbye Q, Welcome SL


Delrosa81

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On this (off)topic, I've been thinking about a compact alternative to the SL.  A recent trip to Wanaka with the SL, 24-90 and 90-280 zooms, tripod, laptop, iPad and related bits an pieces as carry on baggage in a Peak Design backpack (the smaller one) brought home to me how quickly weight builds up.  As it happened, I didn't really get the time to go out and take many pictures.

 

It occurred to me when I got back that next time I take either the SL and 24-90 zoom (and little else), or I take something smaller and lighter.  An M camera and a couple of lenses (28 & 50 Summiluxes would be the obvious choice) makes more sense.  I could even expand that to 21-28-50 and still be inside the weight of the SL and zoom.  Lenses always cry out to be taken on any trip, even if they just sit in the bag.  Then, I thought I only have my Monochrom and M-A (both black and white), so the SL (and adapter) would be logical.  Soon I get back to a heavy bag with more stuff than I would use.

 

So, it got me thinking.  The SL and 24-90 zoom, with spare battery in my pocket and polarising filter, is enough on its own.  You don't need to add any more, and it was perfect for my trip last year to the US (soon to be great again, apparently).  But, that is a big unit if photography isn't your purpose.

 

The M, whether Monochrom or M-A, is a great compact choice, with a spare lens and battery, and even some filters.  But it's black and white.  Adding an M10 would be logical, but extravagant (back to three M cameras ...).  The SL is a fantastic colour camera with M lenses.

 

So, that still leaves me wondering about a small, light camera that ideally goes in a pocket and I can take everywhere.  Coincidentally, Ming Thein recently blogged about his need for an "Un-Camera" along the same lines.  Currently, I have my M-A and 50 Summitar (collapsed) in my bag and it is a perfect size.

 

In Leica-land, there is the Q (full frame with a fantastic lens and sensor), the X-U (all weather) and the TL (with the diminutive 23mm Summicron and the benefit of being able to use M and SL lenses if needed).  At this stage, I'm waiting.  I'd rather have a compact platform that I could use with my existing lens collection (it's the lenses that count); I sold my T because the blackout problem drove me mad.  Otherwise, I thought it was a fantastic camera.

 

I'm hoping Leica does something about this; but in the meantime, if I had a Q, I'd keep it.

 

Cheers

John

Incurable romantic!

Use your head, not your heart.

Ditch (sell) the M-A and the Monochrom and get the M10. What can that and the SL not do that those two limited options can?

 

 

:p

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Incurable romantic!

Use your head, not your heart.

Ditch (sell) the M-A and the Monochrom and get the M10. What can that and the SL not do that those two limited options can?

 

 

:p

Sacrilege! That's a step onto the never ending upgrade cycle! Though the M10 is clearly the perfect camera on any estimation!

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

Sacrilege! That's a step onto the never ending upgrade cycle! Though the M10 is clearly the perfect camera on any estimation!

i can't comment on the M10 as I don't have one but the SL is pretty much perfect for any photography challenge

Neil

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i can't comment on the M10 as I don't have one but the SL is pretty much perfect for any photography challenge

Neil

And you were only recently considering getting rid of the SL and relying solely on your S.

 

Jeff

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

And you were only recently considering getting rid of the SL and relying solely on your S.

 

Jeff

exactly
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I'll keep my Q and order the SL-50. I also had to get Eizo monitor after the SL and a new computer.

 

This is by far the most expensive hobby I ever had. Not photography itself but Leica photography particularly!

 

Someone should have warned me when I sold my Sony RX1 out of frustration with the slow AF!

 

Thanks for the comments!

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I'll keep my Q and order the SL-50. I also had to get Eizo monitor after the SL and a new computer.

 

This is by far the most expensive hobby I ever had. Not photography itself but Leica photography particularly!

 

Someone should have warned me when I sold my Sony RX1 out of frustration with the slow AF!

 

Thanks for the comments!

Don't forget a nice printer, papers, mat cutter, framing supplies, display lighting, etc. Lots of ways to spend money and time.

 

Jeff

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I'm in the midst of selling my Q and procuring the SL. Am pretty excited! I was advised by friends that I should keep the Q to compliment the SL and for travelling when you need something light to use rather than lugging the heavy SL.

 

I'm somewhat of an amateur photographer and only do some photography in my free time.

 

Any ideas on this?

stating the obvious that many have said. If you don't sell the Q you might never use it. I rather cash it out for a lens. Size of the Q is not tiny either. If you have to travel light have a cheap 28 or 35 on the SL. N

 

 

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Ok some tots after spending a few months with the Q and an hour or so with the SL last night. Both have this teutonic solid feel of quality and efficiency. During my purchase of my SL yesterday, I had the opportunity to test drive the new M10, in contrast to the Q and SL, the M10 is so romantic. The manual focus, the feel of the shutter clicking, the photos that turn out with some minor adjustments, beautiful! Im not a manual everything kinda person but the M10 makes everything so romantic and beautiful. Especially the focusing part where u have to align 2 images to focus.

 

Wonderful experience. Now my tots are to grasp the skills and settings of the SL and get the M10 later in the future. Now the M10 would be ideal for trips and taking of landscape photos with a romantic feel. Thats the beauty of Leicas, I don give a f about spec sheets about competitors with much more powerful specs and so called photo quality, the M10 does it with reassuring ease in line with the photographers' tots and emotions. Wow!

 

 

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That is not the say the SL is inferior, it is a camera that forces one to give more thoughts into a particular setting like light conditions, the angle, the feel U r looking for. It is indeed a camera that is for the photographer looking to convey his full emotions and thoughts from the end results, the photos taken. Exceptional piece of equipment. Im considered new to leica and now understand the allure of the Brand. I started with the Panasonic LX-3, Nikon D90 and jumped onto the Leica Bandwagon late last year. Its been a journey and Im liking it more day by day.

 

 

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I know this is the SL folder but would like to share some unprocessed shots from my Q except for the black n white shot, a day before I got my SL. Very amateurish but I hope you guys don mind and give some comments.

 

4cbe89680f0d6ce5f5285de2c01f85e2.jpg

 

8c1d7fb07878ce3d5d7303f01838d872.jpg

 

40ec82473c6c24203ebd4a14ca2ae0a1.jpg

 

f9435990a16535681b1fc3f026e39c7b.jpg

 

f470f7d877bfd6279d0ef1f7fd8268a5.jpg

 

 

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Ah, well done. Enjoy your SL - I'm loving mine.

 

Thanks and Im indeed enjoying the process of learning how to use the SL. Signed up for a class in august organised by Leica for the SL. Looking forward to it.

 

 

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stating the obvious that many have said. If you don't sell the Q you might never use it. I rather cash it out for a lens. Size of the Q is not tiny either. If you have to travel light have a cheap 28 or 35 on the SL. N

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Yup U r so very right. I expected not to use the Q much after getting the SL but luckily someone took it off my hands and will be well used by the new owner :)

 

 

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Good luck with your SL!

 

The SL has a slightly unconventional control paradigm, if you're not familiar with the Leica S. It can feel difficult to master at first until the "ah hah!" moment arrives, then the rest of it is easy as can be. Once you get it, and have the camera set up, it really takes very little time or thought to use; it becomes quite the seamless shooting experience. And it's still simple enough that even with a month or two away from it, I can pick it up and be completely familiar with it again in five minutes. That's in stark contrast to my experience with various other cameras.

 

Of course, the M is even simpler particularly if you've used film Ms in the past. My M is the M-D typ 262 ... It's amazingly simple because there literally are no settings other than the time and date, ISO, shutter, aperture, drive mode, and focus. It's a wonderful complement to the SL. :)

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Thanks and Im indeed enjoying the process of learning how to use the SL. Signed up for a class in august organised by Leica for the SL. Looking forward to it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I like to control as much as I can, so my standard set up (for what it's worth) is to set ISO myself for the lighting conditions; set the camera to M; set aperture for the depth of field I want; press the fn button twice to get the exposure preview and adjust the shutter speed so I get the exposure (judged through the EVF) I want; set MF, and press the joystick to activate AF and then manually fine tune the focus.

 

This has a number of benefits I enjoy (1) the camera is not making any decisions for me (apart from AWB, which I'm happy with); (2) I get no focus hunting; and (3) the meter becomes irrelevant.

 

But, then when I'm in a hurry or fast moving situation, I'm likely to switch some or all to Auto and leave the camera to sort out everything but composition!

 

 

 

... Of course, the M is even simpler particularly if you've used film Ms in the past. My M is the M-D typ 262 ... It's amazingly simple because there literally are no settings other than the time and date, ISO, shutter, aperture, drive mode, and focus. It's a wonderful complement to the SL.  :)

 

When the M-D version of the M10 comes out, I'll be very tempted.

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Don't forget a nice printer, papers, mat cutter, framing supplies, display lighting, etc. Lots of ways to spend money and time.

 

Jeff

 

 

Canon Pixma Pro-1 is my printer now and it sucks nice amount of money in supplies. When I have the space I'll get ChromaLuxe.

 

I went to Photokina last year and the best camera in my opinion was the SL, the best monitor Eizo CG318-4k and the best printer ChromaLuxe.

 

Now I just have to learn to take photos, at least the potential is there!  :D

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Ok some tots after spending a few months with the Q and an hour or so with the SL last night. Both have this teutonic solid feel of quality and efficiency. During my purchase of my SL yesterday, I had the opportunity to test drive the new M10, in contrast to the Q and SL, the M10 is so romantic. The manual focus, the feel of the shutter clicking, the photos that turn out with some minor adjustments, beautiful! Im not a manual everything kinda person but the M10 makes everything so romantic and beautiful. Especially the focusing part where u have to align 2 images to focus.

 

Wonderful experience. Now my tots are to grasp the skills and settings of the SL and get the M10 later in the future. Now the M10 would be ideal for trips and taking of landscape photos with a romantic feel. Thats the beauty of Leicas, I don give a f about spec sheets about competitors with much more powerful specs and so called photo quality, the M10 does it with reassuring ease in line with the photographers' tots and emotions. Wow!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That reminds me of a quote that other cameras are for people who like photos and Leica is for people who love taking photos!

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