The Q2 - The only camera you need?

[Mr.Q]

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The Q has been my primary camera for the last 4 years. It goes with me everywhere, and depending on the use case, I add another camera + lens(es). I consider my Hasselblad X1D and Fujifilm X-T3 to be complimentary systems to the Q, and I've purchased my camera bags accordingly. Nothing will change when I get the Q2.

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[ramarren]

I was out shooting with the CL yesterday. I had with me the Pentax-L 43mm f/1.9mm Limited and Voigtländer Color-Skopar 28mm f/3.5 lenses. There's little to say other than what an absolute joy the CL is to shoot with. I made most of my photos with the 43mm lens, it was nice to switch to the wider lens for a bit though. 

My "one lens-one camera" solution is at the shop now being given a clean up and tune after many years of sitting: A Fuji GS645S Wide 60 Professional. Compact, light, easy to use, a great field of view, a nice big negative to work with. 

But, d@mmit, I'm wanting a Q2 as well. Sigh. 😱

[Leica Guy]

Okay. Not meaning to totally derail this thread. I’m relatively new to Leica. Only three years and only with the Q. It’s embarrassing. My question is if one were to want to buy / use a film M what would be the “best” one to acquire? It’s so hard to define best, but is there a model that was considered the peak of film M’s? Not necessarily the last before moving to digital. An answer could easily start another thread. Thanks all for sharing your experience and learnings. 

[bags27]

Dan--since I've never owned a Leica film camera (only Pentax and Nikon), I can authoritatively 😀say that the M3 is THE classic. The M4 is problematic; M5 is really cool but weird and likely not one's first M. The M6 is the easiest to use. I wouldn't go later than the M6 personally.

[Fedro]

now you are getting into religion ... everyone has different opinions

I have had an M2, an M6, 7 and now MP. I have also had two film Rs

They are all great.

I am happy with the MP and I have been happy with the others before

Some of it depends if you want light meter or not ..

[bags27]

Fedro--the reason that I didn't go into the MP (a great camera) is because of the expense. If one is to start buying M lenses as well "from scratch" it can get very expensive very quickly. A well-maintained M 3 or 6 (one without and one with light meter) with a recent  cleaning and adjustment is probably the most economical way to get into the game, I would think. But again, I am blowing smoke out of my butt here.

Edited March 11, 2019 by bags27

[Leica Guy]

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Thanks guys. I suspect I should just buy a CL someday and get over it. I still have my Canon A-1. I can always buy film and use it and assorted lenses I still have and scratch the itch. I do realize my question transcended philosophy and jumped head first into religion. A very precarious and dangerous place to venture. 😁

[m9photo]

It should, until Q3 is released 4 years from now.

It will double the resolution up to 100 mega pixels (with crop ability of 14/28/35/50/75/100), water proof to 100meters deep so you can dive in the ocean , Bullet proof (better for journalist) and 10k video capability, and you can also make phone/video calls if needed

 

[viramati]

I really do wish it could be my only camera but unfortunately as good as it is I could not just live with a 28mm lens even though it will now crop well to 50mm when for landscape work I use the Sony 16-35GM and 100-400GM

Edited March 11, 2019 by viramati

[Fedro]

2 hours ago, bags27 said:

Fedro--the reason that I didn't go into the MP (a great camera) is because of the expense. If one is to start buying M lenses as well "from scratch" it can get very expensive very quickly. A well-maintained M 3 or 6 (one without and one with light meter) with a recent  cleaning and adjustment is probably the most economical way to get into the game, I would think. But again, I am blowing smoke out of my butt here.

I love 28mm so for me the one of those two that I would look at is the M6, which I had until 4-5 years ago. I bought the MP roughly when it came out, so not sure how much it is now, and I would have already absorbed the cost.  I am not sure if $  was a consideration - as it was not mentioned in the post, but yes the MP is more expensive, but I don't think we are talking about crazy differences, in the Leica world  , comparing like for like, i.e. used to used 

[ramarren]

3 hours ago, iQ2 (formerly Infiniumguy) said:

Okay. Not meaning to totally derail this thread. I’m relatively new to Leica. Only three years and only with the Q. It’s embarrassing. My question is if one were to want to buy / use a film M what would be the “best” one to acquire? It’s so hard to define best, but is there a model that was considered the peak of film M’s? Not necessarily the last before moving to digital. An answer could easily start another thread. Thanks all for sharing your experience and learnings. 

LOL! Yes, "Which M?" is on the edge of dogma and theological discussion.

I've had nearly every model of Leica M film camera over the past 50 years. M2, M3, M4-P, M6, M6TTL, M4 ... My uncle had the M5 that I used, I've only ever played with an M7. I was completely out of Leica M film cameras in 2011 when I decided to buy back in. I chose an early M4-2 that had been sitting in a sock drawer for 20 years. It was inexpensive. The viewfinder/rangefinder was full of dust, so I had that cleaned, collimated, and calibrated for $100. The shutter is slightly off at 1/500 and 1/1000 second but not enough to worry about. It's otherwise clean and nice, works great. 

I chose the early M4-2 because it has the same viewfinder as the M4, with the fine, light frame lines. Later models had an optical change to make the line brighter that induced more viewfinder flare. The M4-2 is the first one with a hot shoe flash sync terminal, and the first one that can take a winder if I do desire. The M4-2 has framelines for only 35, 50, 90, and 135 ... perfect for me, a less confusing/distracting viewfinder. I've been using it since 2011 now with no problems. It cost me, with the cleaning, $820. And I got the MR-4 accessory coupled light meter for it, for when I didn't want to carry a hand-held meter. 

But, basically, any M film camera in decent condition is just fine. They all work great. Just don't buy one that is in bad condition because then it will cost you a lot to service and put into proper shape for use.  

[pico]

33 minutes ago, ramarren said:

The M4-2 is the ... the first one that can take a winder

By winder ramarren means a battery powered version. Many Leicas accept manual rapid winders.

If you do not plan to use a 75mm lens, the M4 is wonderful. Versions from the M4-P on up to M7 have 75mm frames.  If you want a built-in light meter the second version of the M7 is good. (Second version M7 has an improved viewfinder and DX reader. I have version one with no troubles.)

 

Edited March 11, 2019 by pico

[i-Leica]

Am 10.3.2019 um 05:29 schrieb Flyer:

Bet not a single person would rather have a Q2 than an M10? 

Me.... I had M10 (sold) and now have the Q2 - and I couldn't be more happy: I love the 35mm and the Q2 gives me the feeling of an M10 with 35mm framelines so I can see whats around the frame and still have a nice 28mm when I need it.

Edited March 11, 2019 by i-Leica

[FHPdoc]

5 hours ago, bags27 said:

I am (for the moment!) passing on the Q2, still so happy with the original, but just bought a CL and feel slightly giddy about the elegance of that machine as well. I do lust for an M3 (more practically, an M6 TTL), but declining eyesight....

"Giddy"--yep!  "At one with," "at peace with," "in tune/in harmony with" also come to mind.  And "elegance"--perfect.  Years ago my daughter summed it up thus when we went shopping for her first serious quality violin:  After spending an entire afternoon trying out and comparing side by side countless new and used instruments, she finally settled on and walked away with the one that "felt like an old friend!"

[FHPdoc]

5 hours ago, Mr.Q said:

The Q has been my primary camera for the last 4 years. It goes with me everywhere, and depending on the use case, I add another camera + lens(es). I consider my Hasselblad X1D and Fujifilm X-T3 to be complimentary systems to the Q, and I've purchased my camera bags accordingly. Nothing will change when I get the Q2.

 

5 hours ago, ramarren said:

I was out shooting with the CL yesterday. I had with me the Pentax-L 43mm f/1.9mm Limited and Voigtländer Color-Skopar 28mm f/3.5 lenses. There's little to say other than what an absolute joy the CL is to shoot with. I made most of my photos with the 43mm lens, it was nice to switch to the wider lens for a bit though. 

My "one lens-one camera" solution is at the shop now being given a clean up and tune after many years of sitting: A Fuji GS645S Wide 60 Professional. Compact, light, easy to use, a great field of view, a nice big negative to work with. 

But, d@mmit, I'm wanting a Q2 as well. Sigh. 😱

The idea of "complementary systems" describes it perfectly!  I use a specific system or even a single camera for certain types of shooting (e.g. family, travel, "street", sports, landscape, macro, etc.).  Though a "one-size-fits-all" solution is VERY appealing (not to mention attractive to my pocketbook and convenient for my day bag), I'm afraid it doesn't suit me in practice.  That philosophy seems to prevail at my work and it drives me nuts!  Definitely don't want to bring that home into my leisure activities...