Advice on options pls

[qvsm]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi all, I'm looking for a bit of impartial advice and suggestion on options please, if you'll indulge my dilemma.  Hoping this is one shared by others, so perhaps may be useful.

 

I'm a previous M9 user who is looking at returning to Leica after a stint with Fuji.  My M9 went on all travels and was used for family and friends.  I do remember being frustrated at times, blown highlights and not so great shadow recovery, noise at higher iso, poor lcd.  But, even today, despite my style and ability moving on, my favourite images are with that camera (and 35/50 Summilux).  I changed to Fuji as I wanted something easier for kids and I wasn't willing to buy into two systems.  While Fuji worked remarkably well, I've missed the rendering, colours and enjoyment of Leica and now its time to return.  

 

So far, I've tried the Q, SL and M10.  I loved the Q and M10 but didn't bond with the SL.  A brief summary below:

* Q - I surprised myself with how much I fell in love with 28mm and I realised how the focal length suits me better than 35mm.  Fast, easy to use, this camera made me the most creative.  Most of all I loved the simplicity, just grab and shoot.  The output is fantastic, but at times some of the files didn't have the colours I love.  All of the files need edited.  No use for macro.  I'd take this camera everywhere though.

* SL - too big for daily use IMO, didn't like the colours as much, the menu system while generally simplistic, had more than I needed.  EVF to die for however.

* M10 - surprisingly heavy, I enjoyed the OVF, despite being a long term EVF user.  Quick to use, natural, but 28mm framelines are still not easy to use.  Sublime colours and the files barely need editing.  The most direct exchange for an M9.

 

I haven't tried an M262/240 or a CL.  

 

I do a mix of travel, walkabout/street, some home studio - but a strong focus on people and street scenes.  No interest in landscape, architecture, animals, etc, simply people in their environments and portraits.  The 28mm focal length is perfect for documenting the world around me and people, alongside a mid-tele for portraits and detail (50-90mm).  I am a little wary of sometimes needing more than the Q's fixed 28mm however.

 

Thoughts so far are leaning a few ways:

* Q + M with 50mm (could be an M9 or M262)

* Q + CL with M lens (as above)

* M + 28/50 M lenses

 

Budget is £5500, which impacts at least one of these choices.

 

I've attached a few images (Q and M9) to show what style I typically shoot.

 

Any thoughts and considerations much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

[Leica Guy]

Perhaps the Q and CL is the best overall choice. I had multiple Fuji’s in the X100 series. Loved the cameras, but was not satisfied with the image quality or focus speed. The Q perfectly solved that and I’m very happy with the switch. The m-10 seems heavy to me although I’m sure its a great camera. The CL would give you options for longer focal length. A friend has one and loves it in addition to his Q. He also has an M-10, but does not use it a lot. Take a look at people and street photos on the forum. There are some fantastic images by really talented photographers.

[Advertisement]

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

[paulsydaus]

Looking at your budget, I presume you are willing to buy second hand? Because otherwise I don’t see how you will fit what you need into the budget you specified?

 

If I were you, I’d look at the CL. You mentioned needing multiple focal lengths... And even if you are happy with the 28mm now, what about in the future?

 

What about a CL, M lens, say 24mm to give you 28, and an optical viewfinder to go on the hot shoe?

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hazesus]

The best choice IMO would be the M + 28 and 50. It covers everything that you mentioned that you do and care about. Look at it this way one camera, two lenses to carry around, full frame look, nice straight out of the of camera, nothing else to worry about but to just take pictures and enjoy photography.   

 

The CL doesn't have the same look and feel as the M or Q. and that's my opinion based on looking at photos on the CL section and having them compared to the Q photo section. 

The Q would be a great choice, but you already noted what you don't like and trust your gut feeling, you are right about them   .

The M's Weight like any camera after using it all the time you won't feel the weight at all. and based on your comment the weight was the only issue with the M10, everything else you loved so the M wins here hands down. 

 

And here is my Instagram 98% done with the Q. What i would like in the future is a SL with the 24-90  .   for now am still in love with the Q.  

Edited April 15, 2018 by Hazesus

[redrider469]

Based on the style of photographs you make, I'd go Q + M+50mm.  It is a set up that I think could give you the most versatility.  I use a Q+M10+MP240 and can deal with the weight for the amazing IQ.

 

https://www.instagram.com/redrider469/

[bags27]

I've got the Q and can't say enough wonderful things about it. I sort of lust for the CL as well. It's funny that you don't like the SL. I agree that it's way too big, but, for me, it produces the best non-medium format pictures I've ever seen. But it's about the eye of the beholder....

 

Same experience as Infiniumguy: liked and admired my Fuji x100, but it doesn't hold a candle to my Q.

 

great pictures, by the way!

[qvsm]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thankyou all for the kind replies.  Its helped me rule the CL out, but still teetering between the Q and M.  Both would be great, in all honesty, but the budget wouldn't allow that right now.  Yes happy with used bodies - the debate on M lenses having a longer life than the bodies does play on me a bit.  Intending to trial a Q again and make a final call.  Call me crazy, but tempted by an M9 and 28/50 pair.  Comparing the images I've personally taken using an M9, Q, SL and M10, the M9 files stand out.  Subjective I admit, but perhaps thats my calling!

[Tailwagger]

...I'm a previous M9 user who is looking at returning to Leica after a stint with Fuji.  My M9 went on all travels and was used for family and friends.  I do remember being frustrated at times, blown highlights and not so great shadow recovery, noise at higher iso, poor lcd...  

 

Between the Q and M10, the M10's sensor is noticeably better in terms of dynamic range as well as high iso noise.  As with all Leica's one has to mind one's highlights, but the M can easily pull over a stop more from the shadows than the Q.   I love the  Q dearly, but in high contrast scenes where one exposed for highlights, I've noted on a few occasions some banding when bringing up shadows. something I've never had a problem with the M10.  If the tipping point is DR, I'd recommend the M10. 

[jaapv]

Thankyou all for the kind replies.  Its helped me rule the CL out, but still teetering between the Q and M.  Both would be great, in all honesty, but the budget wouldn't allow that right now.  Yes happy with used bodies - the debate on M lenses having a longer life than the bodies does play on me a bit.  Intending to trial a Q again and make a final call.  Call me crazy, but tempted by an M9 and 28/50 pair.  Comparing the images I've personally taken using an M9, Q, SL and M10, the M9 files stand out.  Subjective I admit, but perhaps thats my calling!

How so? I ditched the M240 for the CL. Most users report little difference between M10 and CL files. Actually, the usable DR of the CL at base ISO is better than the M10. And yes, I kept the M9.