Anyone who has received and used their Q2 feel like they should sell it or return it?

[ralphh]

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This seems to happen with Leica more than other brands; people spend $xxxx on a camera and then realize it's just a camera and sell it.  I don't really get it.  You knew it was a single lens compact camera before you bought it.  Nothing changed, so why was it too much money after a weekend?  (not having a go at you - this happens over and over again - just curious as to why)

Perhaps people expect something magical out of a Leica and then the reality doesn't live up to the mystique. 

Edited August 29, 2019 by ralphh

[Mr.Q]

Well you're right in saying that Leica is just a camera.... Ferrari's are just cars too, and the first time sitting in the driver's seat or hearing the exhaust note can make or break one's ownership. Likewise, Leica's strengths aren't really technical, so something about the camera, whether it be the design, user experience, or color science, has to hit you personally/emotionally to justify keeping it. Trial is the only way to determine those qualities, and for a lot of folks, renting is not an option. If he recouped the cash spent, I'd say it was worth the test-drive.

 

[4peterse]

vor 47 Minuten schrieb Ian Brown:

Nice camera but £4250 is a lot to be tied up in a single lens compact camera.

I think that statement is nonsense. Did you calculate the price of a state of the art Nikon / Panasonic / Canon / Sony mirrorless camera with a top of the line 28mm lens? And did you compare the size of both? If you don't feel that a relatively compact 28mm camera is not what you need, you shouldn't have bought it in the first place. Anyway, it's good that you were able to sell it without loss.

That said, the Q2 is not the "accept nothing but perfection" camera that Leica advertises, and it's really a shame that Leica is so bad in software. I'm also just keeping it because of two reasons:

1. Image quality is really excellent; there are (technical) reviews that state the opposite, or at least say that the sensor is not state of the art and that the lens is digitally corrected. In reality, the camera is just as good as it can be with today's technology. You won't notice any difference, regardless which other brand / model you chose. Sure, when taking photos in complete darkness, you will see noise and bad colors etc. But it's darkness. What do you expect?
2. The size and weight is perfect (for me).

The reasons why I sometimes want to throw it away and consider selling it are:

• The reduced Leica style handling is implemented badly. The few buttons are not helping for quick customizations while on location. Not having a dedicated Live View button. Not having a control display, that quickly shows basic settings, having to dig through menus all the time to change simple settings is so bad. I'm getting used to that, more and more, so it's less painful, but still, other cameras do a much better job (coming from Nikon, you know). 
  People may say now, that I'm not using it in a way it is intended, and that there are so many nice controls (aperture, focus, shutter speed…), but those are just the very basic settings of a camera. Bracketing? Dive into menus. Drive mode? Go to menus. Self timer, interval timer? Go to menus. Live view? Go to menus. Etc.
• The software / firmware has a number of shortcomings and issues. But that can be fixed. 🤞

I understand if people are annoyed by these shortcomings, but not because it's a "overpriced fixed lens compact camera".

[BXL Gotham]

I complain about it but it's hard to put down, as much as I revere the RX1 that arrived shortly prior to it. 

[BXL Gotham]

54 minutes ago, 4peterse said:

I think that statement is nonsense. Did you calculate the price of a state of the art Nikon / Panasonic / Canon / Sony mirrorless camera with a top of the line 28mm lens? And did you compare the size of both? If you don't feel that a relatively compact 28mm camera is not what you need, you shouldn't have bought it in the first place. Anyway, it's good that you were able to sell it without loss.

That said, the Q2 is not the "accept nothing but perfection" camera that Leica advertises, and it's really a shame that Leica is so bad in software. I'm also just keeping it because of two reasons:

1. Image quality is really excellent; there are (technical) reviews that state the opposite, or at least say that the sensor is not state of the art and that the lens is digitally corrected. In reality, the camera is just as good as it can be with today's technology. You won't notice any difference, regardless which other brand / model you chose. Sure, when taking photos in complete darkness, you will see noise and bad colors etc. But it's darkness. What do you expect?
2. The size and weight is perfect (for me).

The reasons why I sometimes want to throw it away and consider selling it are:

• The reduced Leica style handling is implemented badly. The few buttons are not helping for quick customizations while on location. Not having a dedicated Live View button. Not having a control display, that quickly shows basic settings, having to dig through menus all the time to change simple settings is so bad. I'm getting used to that, more and more, so it's less painful, but still, other cameras do a much better job (coming from Nikon, you know). 
  People may say now, that I'm not using it in a way it is intended, and that there are so many nice controls (aperture, focus, shutter speed…), but those are just the very basic settings of a camera. Bracketing? Dive into menus. Drive mode? Go to menus. Self timer, interval timer? Go to menus. Live view? Go to menus. Etc.
• The software / firmware has a number of shortcomings and issues. But that can be fixed. 🤞

I understand if people are annoyed by these shortcomings, but not because it's a "overpriced fixed lens compact camera".

I agree with your comments, however the OP you quoted isn't wrong. The price is a *lot* to be tied up in a *single* combo of body and lens. He didn't say it was overpriced in the way as is typically thrown around with the Leica brand. At least that's not how I read it. The reality is that I believe it is to be the most expensive fixed lens camera on the market today, is it not?

Edited August 29, 2019 by BXL Gotham

[4peterse]

vor 7 Minuten schrieb BXL Gotham:

however the OP you quoted isn't wrong

Fair. I may have misinterpreted that statement. 

[ralphh]

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4 hours ago, Mr.Q said:

Well you're right in saying that Leica is just a camera.... Ferrari's are just cars too, and the first time sitting in the driver's seat or hearing the exhaust note can make or break one's ownership. Likewise, Leica's strengths aren't really technical, so something about the camera, whether it be the design, user experience, or color science, has to hit you personally/emotionally to justify keeping it. Trial is the only way to determine those qualities, and for a lot of folks, renting is not an option. If he recouped the cash spent, I'd say it was worth the test-drive.

 

I agree it was certainly was worth the test drive; nothing lost.  And If he'd have said "tried it, I didn't like it" I'd not have questioned it - not everything is for everyone.  But to say it's too much money for a fixed lens camera... well he knew the price and fixed lensedness before purchase.  I would also be confused if some bought a Ferrari and then said "it's just too much money to tie up in a 2-seater sports car" after buying it.

It's still a matter of expectations surely?  People expect Leica to be something more and when it isn't, it's just like any other camera, they then feel it costs too much.  I guess we're making the same point.  I think people expect a Leica to hit you personally/emotionally because that's the only way to justify the price (although I personally feel the Q2 is pretty good value for money compared to the other options for 47MP FF+28mm f1.7).

Edited August 29, 2019 by ralphh

[sturkel]

I started with the Q when it first came out and only kept it for about a year and sold it.  I missed it so went and bought another one which I gave to my son.  The lesson learned is we all have some buyers remorse at some time.  I am 95% happy with the Q2 for what it does for me a small package landscape camera.  I did end up adding the Nikon Z7 to my kit for all the other times.  I think I have the best combination for now.