Regret selling my Q: Get another Q, save for a Q2, or something else?

[Och]

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I owned a Q for about 2 years, and it was easily my favorite digital camera yet. However, when COVID19 first hit the stock market dived and my company was talking about layoffs and I got scared.  So I sold off most of my camera gear including the Q. 😔

3 months on, and the market has come back but more importantly my company's outlook has brightened quite a bit.  And I REALLY miss the Q.

That being said, the only thing I REALLY liked about the Q was the OUTPUT. 28mm is probably my favorite all-around focal length, and I found 1.7 just enough for both shallow DOF and low light. I know the following runs contrary to what many people say about the Q, but I actually did not like the ergonomics.  The only thing I liked was the aperture ring. I generally slightly SLR style cameras over RF style VF location. I found the EVF's eyecup a bit uncomfortable (I wear glasses) and had a weird tearing effect towards the edges. And holding the camera wasn't super comfortable either.  But man the images I got from it just made me ignore all of that.  To me, they were that good!

So now I'm debating. Do I get a used Q? Or is there another camera with a prime (I'd like 28mm but I think 24, 28, or 35 would work) that could get me the same type of IQ? Again, it's not just the IQ but also the rendering that I really liked.  If there's a camera/lens combo that comes close at around the same price as a used Q I'd be willing to consider it especially as it would add the ability to change lenses. OR I could save up for a Q2.  What sounds like my best option?

[w44neg]

I could recommend a GRiii, RX1R Mkii (rumours of a Mkiii coming soon) etc, but let's face it, nothing will equal the Leica in overall terms of usability, simplicity, image quality etc.

I would say the Q2 is the way to go. It's a better-built camera, noise is similar when downsized to 24mp, but the 47mp allows you to make more use of the crop modes, and it's just overall, a more streamlined camera, with the latest 3-button layout.

At `around an extra 50% of the cost used though, that'll be up to you, but Q or Q2, you can't go wrong. Q-P may also make a good in-between option.

[Leica Guy]

The Q2 is a really superb 28mm camera with stunning IQ. 

[PhotoCruiser]

Save to get the Q2, its a big improvement!
Chris

[Ning Ning]

+1

[johntobias]

Q2 viewfinder is much improved and the extra resolution makes selective cropping a breeze

 

you know you won’t be happy until you get another Leica and imho, it has to be  a Q2.  Sorry but you will never regret buying the best! 

[nicci78]

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Whatever. The cheapest option. If only for 28mm, get the Q. If you want a great 35mm too. Get the Q2.

If you want 4K ? Q2 I guess.

If you want to bloat your hard drive with giant DNG? Q2.

If you want to save money to buy its best wingman : the CL ? Q

If you want better high ISO ? Q

If you shoot in very bad weather ? Q2

If you want the latest ? Q2

 

I always regretted upgrading to Q2. So much, unnecessary money spent to get it. For so little real improvements. Don't forget that you will need : bigger storage, 4K/5K screen (what's the point for so many pixels if you can't see them), A2 printer, biggest and fastest SD card available (trust me you will need all the speed to avoid glitches), über expensive batteries, thumb rest & handgrip (Q2 is heavier, it will need them). Oh yes Q2 will trigger a lot of hardware upgrades. 

On the other hand, you will get a free Summicron 35mm and potentially a free Elmarit 50mm. So does it worth it ? Only you can tell. 

 

 

 

 

[vedivv]

I went through the similar debate.  To me, definitely pick the Q2.  I have seen Q2 for about $4300 used (vs. $2600 Q).  If price of used Q drops more, I might consider the used Q.

The file size of Q2 is unnecessarily large, and FF 47MP at 28mm is rarely needed.  But the whole point of 47MP file is to allow for heaving cropping.  I don't agree with the argument against Q2 noise either.  If you downsample Q2 files form 47 to 24MP, the noise level should be similar (for me Q2 noise is definitely lower after downsampling).  Another consideration is Q2 sealing against moisture and dust.  

Both offline and online storage tend to get cheaper over time, and so are computers.  If you don't like 80MB DNG files from Q2, you can also use compressed DNG.  Lightroom can generally compress the Q2 DNG files to 20MB.  I really wished Leica offers compressed DNG, and made the feature request many times.

[nicci78]

Noise level is not the issue. It is noise pattern.
In one hand you get no banding with Q2. But its noise looks ugly (to my eyes) 

About trading resolution for noise reduction. It only worked at 28mm (47MP) and somewhat at 35mm (30MP) But there is nothing to trade at 50mm (15MP) and 75mm (7MP). 
Which is quite sad, because the noise will be way more visible at those crops. 
 

You cannot trump physics law. Bigger pixels will gather more light. With similar sensor tech. 
Sadly Q2/SL2/S1R sensor are still FSI. So they cannot compete with 24MP FSI or BSI in the noise department. 

[chasdfg]

I do like the 35mm f2 Sonnar which comes with the RX1/RX1rII. It's wider than 35mm actually, more like a 30-32mm. In terms of rendering it is as charming as the Q's 28mm in my opinion. The downside of the Sony is that its very small and a grip might make handling better. Also, I'm not a fan of the Sony menus and cluttered layout. You really pay for the streamlined and clean aesthetics of the Leica along with it's menus.

The Ricoh GRIII and the X100F/V come close for alternative fixed-lens camera solutions. They are very capable cameras with their respective manufacturer's updated technology but I'm not a huge fan of the lenses they come with (doesn't have the pop or charm to me). You could get a GRIII and an X100V for the price of a used Q (those two cameras combined weigh about the same as a Q2...just checked their weights for the fun of it).

Between the Q and Q2 I'd just pick the Q. I've had both and the biggest advantage of the Q2 is the ability to crop. Unless you shoot a lot in wet weather the weather sealing isn't going to be a huge practical advantage. I can't say the low light performance of the Q2 is better than the Q, as echoed by others here. Lens is the same, as with the manual focus controls, and the EVF is better on the Q2 but I'm not very fussy about the EVF because I use it just for composition. The 3 button layout is more useful for those who have other cameras which employ the same 3 button layout (M10, SL2, CL etc). To me it's really a 24mp vs 47mp decision - it's there you'd see the biggest advantage of the Q2 over the Q. The other differences are too minor for me.

[Herr Barnack]

I can't see how a person can go wrong with the Q2. 

You mention the ergonomics of the Q as a drawback for you personally.  I added the Leica Q2 handgrip #19540 and the Match Technical EP-LQ2 Thumbs Up Grip for Leica Q2 to my Q2.  It fits my hand like a glove as a result. 

Some will complain that you shouldn't have to spend "X" dollars on a grip to make the camera more ergonomic, which it should have been to begin with.  Leica could have built the handgrip into the body of the Q2, but then some people would have complained that it is too big; that's probably why they made the grip as a separate option. 

If you  love the 28mm perspective, another option would be an M10-P (or an M10 Monochrom) with a 28mm Elmarit, Summicron or Summilux attached.  This setup will cost significantly more than a Q2, but it is a viable option.

Or you could get a Q2 and a grip for it and possibly a EP-LQ2 Thumbs Up and save yourself a ton of money. 

IMHO, the Q2 and the M10 Monochrom are without question the best digital Leicas of the digital epoch.  Leica has really outdone themselves with these two.  I can't imagine ever regretting investing in either.

[Stealth3kpl]

The grip transforms handling.

Pete

[johntobias]

for what its worth, the file size isn't a problem...2TB SSD's are not expensive, I run 2 in a mirror raid for safety and they hold 25,000 DNG files....4TB ssd's are just round the corner and if you want to go old-school, spinning disks of 8-12 Tb cost not that much these days...so that excuse is gone, next the resolution ...well my 3 yr old imac has a 5k screen and really shows off the resolution...is anyone still on 1080p ??...really???   

finally...the crop 35 and 50 are just sublime...you are getting 3 lenses and a body for a very good price....   get the Q2      the satisfaction of doing the correct thing lasts much longer than the pain of paying for it...(I keep telling myself that :-)  )

the only reason (other than cost) for not going Q2 is that you are waiting for an M11 with the same sensor , interchangeable lenses and a 3x dent in your finances

 

just my 2cents worth......choosing is fun but using is way better

 

[Och]

So just as an update... a local camera store gave me a very good deal on an open box near mint Leica Q Khaki edition. I don't like it more or less than the generic black Q, it was just all about wanting to get another Q and get those wonderful images again, so that's what I decided!

[Southern]

I sold all my Nikon and Sony gear and purchased the Q2 in April 2019. Since then I have experienced a deep pleasure each time I pick up my Q2. I did look at the M10 and other Leica cameras but the Q2 "stuck to my hand" as I walked out to the Leica store.

[malbooth]

Q2. Sold my Q to justify the extra money. Happy as Larry. Have not looked back since.

[Anakronox]

23 hours ago, nicci78 said:

You cannot trump physics law. Bigger pixels will gather more light. With similar sensor tech. 
Sadly Q2/SL2/S1R sensor are still FSI. So they cannot compete with 24MP FSI or BSI in the noise department. 

Yep.   If you want less noticeable noise at 47 megapixels and higher, you need a medium format sensor.  

[Qster]

7 hours ago, malbooth said:

Q2. Sold my Q to justify the extra money. Happy as Larry. Have not looked back since.

 

What are the biggest differences you notice in your day to day shooting experience? I'm also a Q user and been offered a Q2 for a really good price and was wondering what are the advantages I can look forward to

[stefanusj]

Q vs Q2 for me it's about:

1) Battery (if you also have SL / SL2);

2) pixels /cropping behaviour; and 

3) weather resistant 

and i think you deserved an upgrade after recovering from a financial issues, LOL.

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Hallo,

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[nicci78]

On 6/12/2020 at 4:16 PM, johntobias said:

well my 3 yr old imac has a 5k screen and really shows off the resolution...is anyone still on 1080p ??...really??? 

You will be surprised they 90% of computers sold are laptop. Hence not 4K and neither 5K. At best it is 2K monitors. 
most of monitors sold are still 1080p. 4K is not gaining that much traction, because Windows 10 is still very bad at scaling at such resolutions. Every texts will be extremely small. 
If you want to use 4K/5K/6K monitors, you will be better serve with macOS. 
But iMac are less than 10% of Mac sales, which are only 10% of the PC market. So less than 1% of PC sold are 4K or 5K Mac....

4K TVs are not suitable for PC/Mac works. It is made to display videos not photos, nor texts. 
 

So no we are not all using 4K monitors. Please add one in the cart along with your Q2.

Do not forget to get 32GB of ram of the memory hungry couple : Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. 32GB is cheap in PC world but very very expensive in Macs.