Couple of Q2 questions from a new member & owner

[Lancej]

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Hello,

 

I am brand new to the Leica Forum.  I finally pulled the trigger on a new Leica Q2 and it is sitting under the Christmas tree as we speak. As a passionate  Nikon wildlife and nature photographer, my DSLR's are just too big and heavy to walk around the city with. They often either just sit in my room, or I carry it around in a knapsack that if I am honest I am far too lazy to keep taking off my back,  reach in,   shoot, and repeat the process all over again. It definelty   leads to a sore shoulder but little to no images on your card at the end of the day.  Hence the Q2 purchase  a smaller, brilliant camera to hopefully  capture great images with.

 

 To that end, I  am  well aware that every camera comes with compromises and that this  new one is not the same system as I currently have.

 

 However I have three questions that I may have missed while  searching through the forum for the answers on any help greatly appreciated. 

 

1. Can one  do  back button focus on the Q2 ? There is some  internet debate on this topic, with a work around that may or may not work,  but it is  not really an elegant solution?  I found this thread from 2019 ,  is there any new news with software updates since then?  https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/294975-q2-back-button-focus/  

 

2. I am aware there is no bulb mode,  does that mean the longest you can keep the shutter open under any  circumstances is 2 minutes? Ideally four minutes is my sweet spot, for my LE images with various ND filters. But that might be wishful thinking with the Q2?

 

3. Lastly I am looking  for the best person/source  [video, blog, online book] that details the best camera settings for a Q2? My  internet or youtube searches  has found  various people  giving one  a quick tip or two in a short video or blog,  but none  I can find like Nikon guru Thom Hogan who can help you set up your camera for your specifc needs,  and provides far more insight than any factory manual.  Like this https://www.dslrbodies.com/books/bythom-complete-guides-/nikon-d850-guide.html 

I do know Mr. Overgaard has a Q2  course for $448.00 at 50% off [yikes] or an ebook for $147.00 US ,  I  do not need any Q2 presets, nor  composition/why to shoot B&W,/think like an artist  tips etc , just the nitty gritty on the  optimal settings in various genres  for all things Leica.  Is there  good thorough  source that I can turn to ?

 

I hope I have not asked too much here, my doctor in Toronto always  reminds me, '' I will only answer one question, if you have 2 questions  you need to book another appointment?'’ I think prior to med school he worked at Nikon in customer  service. :-]

 

Thank you so much for reading this,  and for your time,  

 

Lance J

 

 

[LimesX]

As far as I know, there is no back button focus.

With regards to YouTube and Long Exposure, please check out the Channel of Mathphotographer

https://www.youtube.com/c/mathphotographer/videos

He has some excellent videos on general settings as well as long time exposure (and limitations), time lapse and macro, give it a try.

Enjoy your new toy!

Christian

Edited December 10, 2021 by LimesX
Typo

[LimesX]

Lance, I have an update on back button focus.

You can customize the Zoom/Lock button to AF-Lock

( Page 3 -> Customize Control -> Zoom/Lock-Button -> AF-L)

Just tested it briefly and it seems to work as expected.

Christian

[stuny]

Lance -

Welcome to the forum and I'm certain you'll enjoy your Q.  Though i don't have answers to your questions I do have an observation:  Years ago I noticed that if my camera wasn't "out" I'd miss too many shots - some due to it's too much trouble to take it out of the backpack (or when I used to buy "never-ready" cases, to even open one up), and some due to missing the moments.  I used to travel with two matching camera SLR bodies and an assortment of lenses.  Since we travel carry-on only as I got older and technology improved, it made sense to reduce mass and volume of camera gear.  I slowly got to my current travel of a Q and a Vlux114.  I'll always have at least one of them out (depending on the situation), and always take one locally - The Vlux if it's likely to see wildlife, and the Q all the other times.

I look forward to seeing your photos.

[Herr Barnack]

@Lancej  You might want to consider getting a small, light messenger bag to carry your Q2 in - they are much quicker to access the camera from and easier to work out of than a backpack or rucksack.  There is an endless variety of these type camera bags out there; here three of my favorites.  The Wotancraft Pilot 7L has become my go to bag for daily carry of my Q2.  IMHO it is pretty much perfect for that application:

https://www.camerawest.com/new/billingham-hadley-small

https://www.wotancraft.tw/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-7L-khakibrownC  

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16038-REG/Domke_701_83S_F_803_Camera_Satchel_Shoulder.html

As Stuart said, we look forward to seeing some of your Q2 images.

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by Herr Barnack

[Lancej]

6 hours ago, LimesX said:

Lance, I have an update on back button focus.

You can customize the Zoom/Lock button to AF-Lock

( Page 3 -> Customize Control -> Zoom/Lock-Button -> AF-L)

Just tested it briefly and it seems to work as expected.

Christian

Christian hello,

Thanks so much for your replies  and going ahead to see if BBF  actually works, very kind of you. Also, that link seems terrific and I had not come across it.

Thanks again,

lancej

[Lancej]

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3 hours ago, stuny said:

Lance -

Welcome to the forum and I'm certain you'll enjoy your Q.  Though i don't have answers to your questions I do have an observation:  Years ago I noticed that if my camera wasn't "out" I'd miss too many shots - some due to it's too much trouble to take it out of the backpack (or when I used to buy "never-ready" cases, to even open one up), and some due to missing the moments.  I used to travel with two matching camera SLR bodies and an assortment of lenses.  Since we travel carry-on only as I got older and technology improved, it made sense to reduce mass and volume of camera gear.  I slowly got to my current travel of a Q and a Vlux114.  I'll always have at least one of them out (depending on the situation), and always take one locally - The Vlux if it's likely to see wildlife, and the Q all the other times.

I look forward to seeing your photos.

Stuart hello,

I agree with you,  and being Canadian I cannot resist a hockey quote from the great Wayne Gretzky and while he is talking about shooting pucks,  well it holds true for photos as well,

 “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take.” 

Thanks for your reply,

lancej

[Lancej]

54 minutes ago, Herr Barnack said:

@Lancej  You might want to consider getting a small, light messenger bag to carry your Q2 in - they are much quicker to access the camera from and easier to work out of than a backpack or rucksack.  There is an endless variety of these type camera bags out there; here three of my favorites.  The Wotancraft Pilot 7L has become my go to bag for daily carry of my Q2.  IMHO it is pretty much perfect for that application:

https://www.camerawest.com/new/billingham-hadley-small

https://www.wotancraft.tw/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-7L-khakibrownC  

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16038-REG/Domke_701_83S_F_803_Camera_Satchel_Shoulder.html

As Stuart said, we look forward to seeing some of your Q2 images.

 

Stuart hi,

i am thinking of just always carrying my Q2 on a wrist strap or around my shoulder something I could not do with a Nikon D850, battery grip, and 24-70 lens as it was too heavy and bashed into everyone and everything. Love the Billingham and Wotancraft brands they are terrific. But if i bring another 'nice bag'  into the house my wife said that she will go to Louis Vuitton and buy another new purse. She is definitely  onto me,   

I may blame you if that is ok? ;-]

Thanks for the links,

Lancej

[Herr Barnack]

@Lancej  Yes, you may blame me.  I have been blamed for worse. 

Camera bag/purse wars are not uncommon occurrences where there are Leica cameras and a female spouse under the same roof.  Wives can sense when there is a great disturbance in The Force.  It's all part of the fun.

Herr B.

(Stuart is @stuny).

[Dannyred]

3 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

@Lancej  You might want to consider getting a small, light messenger bag to carry your Q2 in - they are much quicker to access the camera from and easier to work out of than a backpack or rucksack.  There is an endless variety of these type camera bags out there; here three of my favorites.  The Wotancraft Pilot 7L has become my go to bag for daily carry of my Q2.  IMHO it is pretty much perfect for that application:

https://www.camerawest.com/new/billingham-hadley-small

https://www.wotancraft.tw/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-7L-khakibrownC  

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16038-REG/Domke_701_83S_F_803_Camera_Satchel_Shoulder.html

As Stuart said, we look forward to seeing some of your Q2 images.

 

Thanks for posting the links to the bags - I was not previously aware of the Wotancraft series - awesome looking bags - just may have to get one (to replace a small domke) - great looking bag (as is their entire product line)

cheers from Los Angeles (formerly from Toronto and Montreal) 

[_Michael]

16 minutes ago, Dannyred said:

Thanks for posting the links to the bags - I was not previously aware of the Wotancraft series - awesome looking bags - just may have to get one (to replace a small domke) - great looking bag (as is their entire product line)

cheers from Los Angeles (formerly from Toronto and Montreal) 

The Wontancraft products are great. I have the Pilot 7 (and a larger trooper previously). I agree that the 7 is the perfect size. On a recent trip, I actually carried a Q2M and a SL with a Sigma 45mm on the bag, extra batteries, cards, etc. Worked out quite nicely. 

 

Only recommendation I have would be to upgrade the latching option when if.when ordering. I find the standard clip a bit difficult at times. The upside of that however it that it does stay closed with a certain level of comfort. 

[oldsalt]

Hi Lance,

you may like to check out Leica Camera Australia (on you tube) Nick Rains has a Q2 menu set-up video which I found quite helpful.

Good luck with your new purchase, I'm enjoying mine, it's a refreshing change from my Nikon gear (which I use mainly for wildlife)

cheers

[iRandom]

I'm a fan of Wotancraft - especially the older WWII looking stuff that was made from waxed canvas and vintage looking leather. The older stuff tends to be on the heavier side due to the materials. The cordura fabric they are using now probably addresses that.

I use a Pathfinder for my Q2. I also have a Scout that I used for Fuji or Sony before settling on just using an iPhone & Q2. I have the Scout sitting out as a display piece now since it looks so nice. 

Peak Design bags are also nice if you want something modern. I picked up an Everyday Sling 3L v1 for the Q2 but only used it a couple of times since I quickly found I missed the look of the Wotancraft. The PD weighed nothing compared to the Wotancraft.

[liggy]

I’m also a soon to be Leica shooter with an incoming Q2 Reporter.  Big fan of Wotancraft too.  I plan on just having it around mt neck most of the time but will be using an older discontinued model for the Q2 - the Scout.  
 

Looking forward to having this little gem soon.  As to BBF - being all mirrorless I never really use it and the Q2 autofocus is so good I don’t think it’ll be necessary for the way I plan on using it. 

[Le Chef]

If you want to be a minimalist then look at a Peak 3L Sling. It will fit a Q2, spare battery, phone, iPad, wallet, keys etc. It’s truly a compact everyday bag.

[Astropap]

On 12/11/2021 at 6:00 AM, oldsalt said:

Hi Lance,

you may like to check out Leica Camera Australia (on you tube) Nick Rains has a Q2 menu set-up video which I found quite helpful.

Good luck with your new purchase, I'm enjoying mine, it's a refreshing change from my Nikon gear (which I use mainly for wildlife)

cheers

Fantastic videos. I’ve learned a lot from them

[John Webb]

Congrats on your Q2 purchase. I'm also a long term Nikon shooter (68), who purchased the Q2 in September. My main reason ws that after back surgery was and strength loss was finding the Nikon little heavy to lug around. Thought was that the Q2 would allow me to keep shooting but at the same time help in the recuperation from the surgery. Results was that I really like shooting with the Q2. Love the simplicity of the camera and that it's not burdened with a ton of settings. Still love my Z7 and the images it can produce (landscapes, portraits and even wildlife to some extent. 

Really do love the files from the Q2, both the color and those converted to B&W. For the most part all raw conversions have been in Capture 1 and have been extremely pleased with the results.

Also looking for a small messenger style bag that I could use on extended day trips to carry extra battery and cards, small note pad and accessories. Thorsten Overgaard has exactly the bag I would like in his Von Mini Messenger bag but no way am I going to spend $2k on a bag. Feel that most of his wares as are his e-books  are way overpriced. 

 

[Le Chef]

For bag suggestions, check out the RedDot forum which is run by a Leica AD if you’re not familiar with them.

[Leica28]

The Ona Bowery bag is also excellent for the Q line.

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