Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Share #1 Posted April 5, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm new to the Leica fraternity having recently purchased a Q-P 3 months ago. I bought the Q-P to use as an all purpose/travel camera. Despite some concerns about the shutter release button, absence of GPS geotagging and a lack of weather proofing , I bought the Q-P on account of the "totality of the experience". When I saw announcements of the Q2 with all of its "improved" features I immediately placed an order for the Q2. My main reasons for considering the Q2 are: 1) The weather sealing, 2) redesigned shutter release button, 3) low power bluetooth connection for GPS. Reading through the forum posts it appears that the Q2 is not as robustly weather sealed as I expected and even worse the weather sealing is NOT permanent. Second while it's early days yet for the revised FOTOS app (GPS functionality) early reports are not encouraging. I haven't seen any commentary on the redesigned shutter button. Yes I understand it is a singular purpose on/off button but I wonder if its still too easy to accidentally switch on and inadvertently drain the battery. Further compounding my decision matrix are early reports of a "overly digitized" IQ in the Q2 vs the "analog" like quality of the Q. Add to that issues with the new EVF and some other reported quirks like removal of a dedicated video button and low buffer capacity and I wonder if the Q2 is all that it is cracked up to be. To put this differently, I could care less about a 47 mp sensor and slightly better battery life. IF the Q/Q-P had weather sealing, better shutter release button and GPS I would get off the merry go round. But it doesn't, hence my lengthy post/diatribe. Perhaps someone in the forum with more experience can comment on my dilemma. Am I being unfair or unrealistic as to the Q2's capabilities? Are many of the issues (EVF, Buffer, GPS) things that will get sorted out with firmware updates? Am I being overly short sighted and underestimating the Q2? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 5, 2019 Posted April 5, 2019 Hi Matsaly, Take a look here Waning interest in Q2 (pre-purchase). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted April 5, 2019 Share #2 Posted April 5, 2019 I would suggest an objective review of the design features you desire in a camera, instead of yearning for the newest release just for the sake of it being a shiny new bauble. The Q2 has some improved features, probably acceptable weathersealing (I'm puzzled by your remark about it deteriorating over time) and some other improvements. I would advise visiting a dealer and checking the camera out in real life to decide whether it is worth the considerable extra amount over an original Q -to you. Internet opinions are worthless in this respect in my experience. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted April 5, 2019 The gradually deteriorating weather sealing is stated in the owners manual and reported in other posts on this forum. Apologies as I don't know how to cite them. To be fair, I know that everything wears out in time... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 5, 2019 Share #4 Posted April 5, 2019 Well, as the weathersealing is quite limited to begin with, I wouldn't worry about it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitford Posted April 5, 2019 Share #5 Posted April 5, 2019 I will elaborate more in a bit regarding the camera but as far as weather sealing goes, it is impermanent on all cameras. The weather sealing on a 1DX Mark II will eventually fail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donzo98 Posted April 5, 2019 Share #6 Posted April 5, 2019 If you don’t care about 47 mp or weathersealing save your money. Its not overly complicated. Peiole on forums obsess over everything That includes ME. The Q-P is beautiful... and about 1.2K less new. Used even less. i went Q2.... and don’t regret it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted April 5, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) 28 minutes ago, Donzo98 said: If you don’t care about 47 mp or weathersealing save your money. Hi Donzo98, I DO care about weather sealing as explicitly stated in my original post. 42 minutes ago, Whitford said: I will elaborate more in a bit regarding the camera but as far as weather sealing goes, it is impermanent on all cameras. The weather sealing on a 1DX Mark II will eventually fail. Whitford I look forward to your elaboration. I agree nothing is "permanent". I'm just trying to align my expectations. I would be very dissapointed if I bought the Q2 principally for weather sealing and it wore off in ay a year or two. (Or more likely right after the warranty expired:) FWIW- I am not planning on using the Q2 in a monsoon or as a hurricane hunter. Basically thinking whether I should upgrade early in the cycle to enjoy a modicum of weather protection on an expensive camera I plan on keeping for 7+ years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learner Posted April 5, 2019 Share #8 Posted April 5, 2019 Just wondering why the weatherproofing would degrade.... Also, does the degradation affect the workings of the Q2? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donzo98 Posted April 5, 2019 Share #9 Posted April 5, 2019 I’m sure the weather sealing degradation is vastly overblown... i would not hesitate to use the camera in light rain... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted April 5, 2019 There are various references on the forum by more technically savvy users than myself, but my basic understanding is there are two main components to weather sealing a camera. 1) Various gaskets which insulate internal components from moisture intrusion and 2) a coating applied to external surfaces which helps repel moisture. It's my suspicion that it's the latter protection level which would degrade first given its exposure to the elements as well as to wear and tear imposed by normal handling of the camera. As Donzo98 points out the degradation issue may be overblown. As I don't have extensive experience with Leica cameras I am not in a position to speak from personal experience. Perhaps someone with the SL series cameras (which I understand are the same IP 52 level rating) would weigh in on the matter. To take the high road, if a user stays within the limits of the IP52 rating then I guess the Q2 will perform as specified. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 5, 2019 Share #11 Posted April 5, 2019 3 hours ago, Matsaly said: Apologies as I don't know how to cite them.... I’m sure it’s still better sealed than the Q, and still imperfect like every other camera, always requiring common sense. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMagoo Posted April 5, 2019 Share #12 Posted April 5, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Matsaly said: Further compounding my decision matrix are early reports of a "overly digitized" IQ in the Q2 vs the "analog" like quality of the Q. Add to that issues with the new EVF and some other reported quirks like removal of a dedicated video button and low buffer capacity and I wonder if the Q2 is all that it is cracked up to be. Not sure what people mean by the digital vs analog IQ but i'm going to go ahead and assume the variable is 47MP vs 26MP sensor. The sharpness/detail of a 47MP file can be pretty shocking when you are used to working in the 20MP range (which most of us have for a number of years). It can be a little disturbing just like how 4K video looked at first compared to 1080p. The nice thing with 47MP of course is the crop capability. Speaking of video/4K.. Q2 has got pretty sweet Cinema 4K.. so yeah you lose video record button but you gain substantial IQ/Resolution. Not sure about the EVF issues? what are they? Edited April 5, 2019 by MisterMagoo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted April 5, 2019 41 minutes ago, Jeff S said: I’m sure it’s still better sealed than the Q, and still imperfect like every other camera, always requiring common sense. Jeff As the Q makes no mention of any weather sealing no doubt the Q2 is better sealed. In the land of the blind the man with one eye is king:) But your point is well taken Jeff. No camera is perfect and common sense should prevail. I guess I'm just fishing around for actual field reports of Q2 users who are shooting in inclement weather. My local dealer isn't going to allow me to pour a bottle of water on it in the store. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 5, 2019 Share #14 Posted April 5, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Matsaly said: My local dealer isn't going to allow me to pour a bottle of water on it in the store. Because he has common sense. Jeff Edited April 5, 2019 by Jeff S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted April 5, 2019 What I understand from posts by actual Q2 users is that several of them "feel" the Q2 has a more digital/overetched quality. I'm sure this is related to the increased resolution of the new sensor. While it may be a godsend for mega croppers it may not be everyones cup of tea. Apparently the EVF is not as crisp in certain use modes with the Q2. Plenty of posts on this forum about that topic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted April 5, 2019 Just now, Jeff S said: Because he’s got common sense. Jeff Ha ha..touche! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 5, 2019 Share #17 Posted April 5, 2019 Well, given that I had an emphatically non-sealed M8 sitting in a pool of water on a rough lake crossing, used an M9 in the tropical rainforest for days with the viewfinder fogging up completely, and that some users managed to dunk M8 and M9 cameras and all this without ill effects, I think that a "weathersealed" Leica camera should be rather robust in this respect, even if the IP specification only covers spray coming straight from above. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags27 Posted April 5, 2019 Share #18 Posted April 5, 2019 The problem, however, with weathersealing which is declared by its maker to be impermanent is that the first time you know it will fail is when it actually does; and it will almost certainly not be warranted for it. So, it is a great thing to have and use...cautiously and reasonably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsaly Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share #19 Posted April 5, 2019 Points well made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBo Posted April 5, 2019 Share #20 Posted April 5, 2019 (edited) My interest in the Q2 is waning because whereas three weeks ago I really wanted one, I still have no idea where I am on the various waiting lists, other than it will be “months” A used M240 with a 28mm Elmarit is looking pretty good now. Apples and oranges I know, but still.... Edited April 5, 2019 by JimBo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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