The Death of my Q?

[trequartista]

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Last Saturday, the absolutely worst happened: My Leica Q dropped on concrete. I bought it in spring 2016 and it was more or less my main camera during that time. I made numerous reportages and portraits with it (www.marioheller.ch). After it dropped, I gasped and checked if it still works – it did! But, unfortunately, it shut down every ten seconds with a "System Error" or "System Error (OIS)". The camera still works though, I can make photos, change all the settings, apperture, shutter and so on. I was even able to upgrade to the new firmware. Seems like the lens blades are not on one line anymore when I look inside of it. I never treated the camera like a holy grail, so it has numerous dents, marks and scratches because I just used it as a tool to create good photography.

After hours of grieve, I started to analyze my options. I called Leica and discussed, what could be done. They suggested, that the lens is probably broken and needs to be replaced. More thant that, they said, that they do not offer repairs of the lense, since it would be too much work to them. They only swap it completely, and so they offered me the following solutions: They offered me the following solutions:

• Swap the whole lens for 900.– Euros at least and maybe also repair other damaged parts
• Send it in and get a new Leica Q2 for 15% off

Now I am asking myself, which solution is the best. It feels a bit odd to pay that much for a camera that actually still works. It also feels odd to just throw away a camera that was 4000 Euros to get a low discount on a new one. What would you do?

[caissa]

That's interesting (sorry, of course not for you). Because then 900.- is a guestimation for the price of the Q lens. I would be very happy, if they would produce this AF lens in L-mount for the SL or SL2. Maybe for 2000.-    That would probably be my most used lens (being so small and "wearable").    Sorry for my smiley  

I think you should get it fixed for 900.-   Seems a decent offer to me.  (I cannot find the "thumbs up" smiley).

[Leica Guy]

The Q is a great camera. The Q2 is better IMHO in every way. Fixing the Q will cost you around $900. Buying a Q2 will cost around $4250. That’s a big difference. Plus if you switch to a Q2 you’ll need accessories. Battery is $250, half case $100-500 depending on your preference, UHS-II 64GB SD card $100. It adds up. When the Q2 was introduced, I sold my Q and upgraded. I have no regrets, but it was not cheap making the move. 
 

BTW, cameras do get dropped. Even when you’re super careful. It happened to me twice in the last 20 years. The last was my new Q2 in a rain storm in the dark on Cape Cod. I was devastated. I sent it to Leica as soon as I could and it cost me $850 to repair. It came back perfect and I’ve seen no problems since then. I was sick when it happened. Stuff happens!! Good luck. 

[trequartista]

I would do the 900.– Euros repair, but then again, the whole camera is so worn out, that I am asking myself if it is worth. If I really spend 900.–, I would also like to have like a general overhaul and this would probably cost 2000.– total easily with replacing also a scratched screen, dented bottom plate and top plate. Basically, the whole outer camera needs to be replaced! 😬

[Leica Guy]

The other damage changes the equation. Q’s are now selling below $2000. I’ve heard some in the $1500 range, but I’ve not verified that. It sounds like the camera is a write-off. Did you have it insured? The 15% discount on a Q2 will basically cover all the Q2 specific accessories with extra for Starbucks. 
 

I know it’s heresy and I love my Q2, but if I were in the market for a brand new camera, I’d take a hard look at an SL2 and pick up a used 28 or 35mm M lens. The SL2 looks like a fantastic camera. Great EVF. IBIS, very similar IQ to the Q2, slightly heavier with lens. The M lenses don’t give you AF so it is a trade off. I see the SL2 as a great complement camera to the Q2. 

[trequartista]

I got a Nikon Z6 as a camera with interchangeable lenses and I am very happy with it, the SL2 is just too expensive and does not offer a unique experience like the Q(2) does.

[KidSkee]

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1 hour ago, Leica Guy said:

half case $100-500 depending on your preference,

I'm so glad I followed this forum closely and your recommendation of the Arte Di Mano half case for the Q2 was game changing for me. It was worth the wait and I feel like between that and the thumbs up rubber lens cap, my Q2 is at least marginally protected from a fall.

[Leica Guy]

14 minutes ago, KidSkee said:

I'm so glad I followed this forum closely and your recommendation of the Arte Di Mano half case for the Q2 was game changing for me. It was worth the wait and I feel like between that and the thumbs up rubber lens cap, my Q2 is at least marginally protected from a fall.

Glad to hear it. I know of no one who bought an Arte di mano case who has regretted it. The quality is so nice and perfectly fits the perfection of the Q / Q2.
 

I’ve no found a need for a lens cap. I mostly keep the Q2 in my Oberwerth bag when not in use. With a UV filter then front element is well protected. I look at the filter occasionally and have a microfiber to clean it, but frankly it’s just not a problem.  

[Leica Guy]

1 hour ago, trequartista said:

I got a Nikon Z6 as a camera with interchangeable lenses and I am very happy with it, the SL2 is just too expensive and does not offer a unique experience like the Q(2) does.

I get it. I have multiple friends with Z6 and Z7’s. They love the cameras. Enjoy!! 

[DexL]

$900 not bad for Leica... I would probably fix it unless you were already secretly fiending for the Q2.

[jwestman]

I'm sorry but this discussion seems a bit nuts.   If you like the camera spend the 900 and get it repaired.   If not, move on to the next adventure.   The discussion of cases and bags is totally irrelevant.    Personally, I keep mine shrouded in the glove box of a 2020 Porsche Panamera which bathes it in the luxury it deserves, but my pictures are crappy.   It must be the car.

 

[Viv]

3 hours ago, jwestman said:

I'm sorry but this discussion seems a bit nuts.   If you like the camera spend the 900 and get it repaired.   If not, move on to the next adventure.   The discussion of cases and bags is totally irrelevant.    Personally, I keep mine shrouded in the glove box of a 2020 Porsche Panamera which bathes it in the luxury it deserves, but my pictures are crappy.   It must be the car.

 

Be careful. I stored my Kindle e-reader in the glove box of may Audi TT and the electronics behind the glove box wiped the memory of the Kindle. Lesson learned the hard way.

Thinking about buying a Cayman ...

[jaapv]

18 hours ago, trequartista said:

I would do the 900.– Euros repair, but then again, the whole camera is so worn out, that I am asking myself if it is worth. If I really spend 900.–, I would also like to have like a general overhaul and this would probably cost 2000.– total easily with replacing also a scratched screen, dented bottom plate and top plate. Basically, the whole outer camera needs to be replaced! 😬

Ask yourself: would you buy a beaten-up Q for 900 Euro (and certified functional by Leica!) to use in adverse conditions? I would as a no-brainer..
Get something else that takes your fancy - be it a Q2, SL2, CL, M10, mint-used, if needed, and keep the Q to use in conditions that would be hazardous for your main camera. And get insurance.

Come to think of it - would you buy an as-new Q for 2000 Euro? I bet you would.

[LexS]

After the repair the camera will be as good as a new one (but for the "used" look perhaps). If you where satisfied with the Q there is only one choice: have it repaired !