Should I sell my Q now or when the Q3 is out: money-related question

[cj3209]

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2 hours ago, smoothlander1 said:

I own a Q and an M240.  When I think about upgrading (which I don't think about very often) I go back and look at images taken in the past by photographers that had none of the technology that we have--Henri, Ansel, and my new favorite Dorthea Lange.  While they didn't have technology, they did have an extraordinary eye for seeing and composing pictures.  Photos that have stood the test of time.

Then, I take my old, archaic Q and M240 cameras and go out and shoot pictures.   Enjoy what you have today and don't spend so much time what is coming down the pipe tomorrow. Enjoy the freedom and process of taking any and all of the  pictures that you want.  

I choose to focus on the image composition and not the equipment.  

Well stated and it reminded me to be satisfied with what I have and I have a lot to be thankful for.

CJ

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[LeicaR10]

Smoothlander1,  Your post #10 is spot on.  I have written here and tell my workshop students it is the content of the photograph that is paramount, not the latest camera or lens.  The early masters of photography clearly understood that too.  Way too many photographers and myself included in my early years, fall prey to marketing hype, technology and suffer the nearly incurable and wallet debilitating, GAS.  I often courage both young photographers and when I am judging photography competitions to concentrate on the content of their photograph.  Photographs with the characteristics that cause a viewer to:  Stop, Look, Think and perhaps Feel something about that moment in time are those that separate a mere photo from a most excellent and superb photograph.  A photograph with excellent content created using composition, light, shadow, texture, perspective etc, all help the photographer create the masterful and superb photographs.  I believe if photographers took more time learn and master the aforementioned basics photographic attributes would also lead to more enjoyment and happiness in using the tools they have at hand.  r/ Mark 

[Lucena]

I have both a Q and a Q2, sold all other gear I had (M10 and lenses). I keep the excellent Q to teach photography in family. The reason I upgraded is that the improvements of the Q2 over the Q made it to cover all my current needs in photography, what the Q did not.

I don't even think about next Q versions, if they come they would have to be an huge improvement to the Q2 fo me to upgrade.

Appart from that I have pro gear for birdwatching photography, the same since 6 years and surely for many more.

 

I think your answer is in defining what your needs really are, I mean for the kind of photographer you are (not the GAS 🤣). 

[Leica28]

23 hours ago, smoothlander1 said:

I own a Q and an M240.  When I think about upgrading (which I don't think about very often) I go back and look at images taken in the past by photographers that had none of the technology that we have--Henri, Ansel, and my new favorite Dorthea Lange.  While they didn't have technology, they did have an extraordinary eye for seeing and composing pictures.  Photos that have stood the test of time.

Then, I take my old, archaic Q and M240 cameras and go out and shoot pictures.   Enjoy what you have today and don't spend so much time what is coming down the pipe tomorrow. Enjoy the freedom and process of taking any and all of the  pictures that you want.  

I choose to focus on the image composition and not the equipment.  

So well said

[Lucena]

On 8/14/2020 at 11:00 PM, LeicaR10 said:

Smoothlander1,  Your post #10 is spot on.  I have written here and tell my workshop students it is the content of the photograph that is paramount, not the latest camera or lens.  The early masters of photography clearly understood that too.  Way too many photographers and myself included in my early years, fall prey to marketing hype, technology and suffer the nearly incurable and wallet debilitating, GAS.  I often courage both young photographers and when I am judging photography competitions to concentrate on the content of their photograph.  Photographs with the characteristics that cause a viewer to:  Stop, Look, Think and perhaps Feel something about that moment in time are those that separate a mere photo from a most excellent and superb photograph.  A photograph with excellent content created using composition, light, shadow, texture, perspective etc, all help the photographer create the masterful and superb photographs.  I believe if photographers took more time learn and master the aforementioned basics photographic attributes would also lead to more enjoyment and happiness in using the tools they have at hand.  r/ Mark 

I fully agree. I tell my “students” that photography is light management and our capacity to look at things and capture them that way, I mean the most important is that a photograph must show how you felt, what your feelings were while taking it.
Of course gear helps, but if one does not have “the eye” no gear will compensate. And some of my students revealed themselves using smartphones or small pocket cameras...

Edited August 16, 2020 by Lucena

[LeicaR10]

Lucena,  I agree with you.  Developing ones "eye" is a key part of becoming a good or great photographer.  When I was at university many moons ago and studying photography, our instructor prohibited the use of our film Nikons, Canons etc.  We had to use a $5.00 Holga 120mm film camera.  Our portfolio had to be totally created with that camera and you had to include your negatives to get the final grade.  What he was teaching us, it was not the expensive cameras that helped you create your portfolio, rather your ability to create photographs through light, shadow, perspective, texture etc..  Ultimately, the goal was to create photographs that made one Stop, Look, Think and if possible Feel something about that moment in time.  It was a excellent course that caused me to think about my creations and that cameras are merely tools that helped you achieve your resulting photograph.  Even today, I teach my workshop students it all gets down to light management through aperture and shutter speed.  Most in short order begin to understand this principle.  The bottomline:  I believe the above aforementioned characteristics will make the difference between a mere photo and that of a superb photograph.  r/ Mark

[Lucena]

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2 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

Lucena,  I agree with you. ... The bottomline:  I believe the above aforementioned characteristics will make the difference between a mere photo and that of a superb photograph.  r/ Mark

And therefore I teach them to use manual settings as much as their gear allows (My Q is useful to show them and make them try). I shoot manual 99% of the time. manual shooting gives magical results, I am really against those multi-programed cams which are sold as a must, the aberration is to the point that simple manual camera is now a luxury, more expensive than multi-programs ones... and who can dominate all those features?

I started photographing 58 years ago and it was really about light... Aperture, speed, focus and film sensibility. Easier, more creative IMHO.

[Archiver]

On 8/3/2020 at 9:39 PM, jaapv said:

Well even the Digilux2 holds its value better than the Panasonic equivalent and M8 still holds a reasonable value. 

At my local pusher, er, dealer, a secondhand M8.2 is about AUD$2500. A secondhand Canon 5D Mark II of similar vintage is about $500-650, and a 5D Mark III is about double that. Leica's value retention, even in digital cameras, is real.

As for the economics of the situation, if you want to sell your Q and go to the Q2, better now than later. In Australia, a great condition Q goes for about $4500, which is amazing, considering that it retailed for about $6500. The problem is that we have no real idea of when a Q3 will be released, and how much your Q2 will be worth by then. Your choice with resale is either sell now and get a reasonable amount of money, or sell later and face a hefty upgrade difference with what is likely to be an even more expensive Q3.

[Herr Barnack]

@Atriya JMHO but stop stewing about the Q3.  Get a Q2 now and enjoy it now. 

We are not guaranteed a Q3 in 2021, 2022 or any other year.  We are not guaranteed that we will be alive this time next week.  There are no guarantees, Leica related or otherwise.

Get a Q2 and be here now. 😊

[Chris W]

Q1 is a fantastic camera. The only thing that would tempt me to change it is if they brought out a Q with a native 35mm lens. Yes, I know you can crop in the body.

Q2 is weather sealed too?

I am more downgrading these days. Just bought an M8 to have fun.