Six Months with Q2 Monochrom...

[fontilan]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm a Manchester UK-based, amateur documentary photographer. I spend much of my time out and about, in crowds, finding angles etc.

I came from a Fuji X-Pro 2 and 35mm lens and since purchasing I have tried to use the Q2-M as my only camera wherever possible.

I operate the camera in manual, sometimes I let the camera choose iso up to a limit of 6400. Always shooting in RAW/DNG at 28mm. 

I underexpose to -1/3 to retain the highlights although having to underexpose means out of camera images arent good enough without editing. 

The focus ring is still still a bit stiff (and the AF lock on the ring isnt very intuiative - luckily I dont use it much). I've about managed to train myself to focus from position memory with the focus ring.

Zone focussing measurements on the lens are reliable and I get predictably good results. Shooting from the chest with a wide lens works well and 45MP gives good scope to crop.

Peope say the camera is extremly light portable. It is and it isnt. I often find myself having to remind myself to pick it up and take it out. It is not an insignificant weight and it's not as stealthy as I'd like mainly due to the lens and hood.

Aside from my favourite slim brown leather strap, I don't have any accessories (thumb grip, half case etc) and carry it as nature intended. It's wearing well with some "brassing" around the hood, the camera strap hooks and I've got a lovely ding just left of the rear screen. After a session I put it into a very small, cheap padded bag, unzipped ready to grab and go next time.

Battery life is good, no complaints.

I havent got the immediate empathy with the camera in so much as it doesn't feel like a natural extension to my body as people say.

It's simplicity means that manual operation is lovely and predictable with no silly distractions. Beoynd the on-body fn buttins i dont use the menus exept on rare occasions. So much so that I switch the back screen off to extend battery life and remove distractions.

I don't get stoppped in the streets and I dont get asked about my camera. For some Leica owners this is may be unfortunate (they are beautiful cameras), but for me anonymity is perfect.

Would I buy it again? I think so, it was a big purchase for me. Whilst it hasnt chanmged my life it's a very intriguing beast in that despite it's simplcity there seems to be a certain enjoyable unpredictability and challenge to applying the camera to a situation. I am hoping that it continues to support, challenge and surprise me.

I'm not a gear addict and love to restrict myself when it comes to cameras, lenses, accessories (and colour!).

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by fontilan

[fontilan]

Some sample photographs:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by fontilan

[Alan Friedman]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and images. I hope you'll post more pictures on the Q2M image thread.

I enjoyed reading your observations. In the era of iPhone, it is very difficult for a camera of any size/weight to compete as an extension appendage. I did travel recently with the Q2M and enjoyed carrying it on walks and hikes, slung over my should with the camera resting against my shoulder blade. The rubber lens cap sold by Really Right Stuff adds another level of security and ease of use - highly recommended. EVF extended works well for me, keeping the LCD off unless I engage it for menu or playback review. At my age I've given up on the potential for any camera to change my creative life though I would say I don't remember ever enjoying a camera as thoroughly as I am enjoying the Q2M.  

[Dennis]

Glad you like it. It's a terrific camera. Now, it's time to add some color filters. Did you try any? I would recommend orange

[fontilan]

32 minutes ago, Alan Friedman said:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and images. I hope you'll post more pictures on the Q2M image thread.

I enjoyed reading your observations. In the era of iPhone, it is very difficult for a camera of any size/weight to compete as an extension appendage. I did travel recently with the Q2M and enjoyed carrying it on walks and hikes, slung over my should with the camera resting against my shoulder blade. The rubber lens cap sold by Really Right Stuff adds another level of security and ease of use - highly recommended. EVF extended works well for me, keeping the LCD off unless I engage it for menu or playback review. At my age I've given up on the potential for any camera to change my creative life though I would say I don't remember ever enjoying a camera as thoroughly as I am enjoying the Q2M.  

Thank you Alan for your response. Apologies if I should've kept my images to the correct topic! I'm relatively new to the forum.

I dont mind slinging my Q2M over my shoulder and resting on the opposite hip - and I do that without case for ease of access. I guess its about as convenient as its going to get, and is at least as compact as my Fufifilm X-Pro 2. I think you're right, unless it's the size of phone it isn't going to compete in the portability stakes.

Yes, also I also love the EVF

Edited March 1, 2022 by fontilan

[fontilan]

8 minutes ago, Dennis said:

Glad you like it. It's a terrific camera. Now, it's time to add some color filters. Did you try any? I would recommend orange

It is indeed a unique, simple, quirky, little monochrome beast of a machine.

I havent tried any colour filters yet, Dennis. I used to use red on my prevous non-Leica cameras to get the contrast-y skies.

Orange would be good for portraits and the people in my street photos?

Edited March 1, 2022 by fontilan

[Dennis]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The orange filter is permanently attached to my Q2M. It gives me the kind of contrast I really like to see for general street photography and landscape. But I do expose for highlights and like high contrast scenes. For portraits I would suggest yellow, or not filter. 

You can find more info here: https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/using-coloured-filters-in-black-and-white-photography

Very simple explanation 

The red filter I believe could be aggressive sometimes. I don't have it.

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by Dennis

[jaapv]

Please do not use the technical forums to display your images;  we have the photo forums and photo threads for the purpose. 

[Kreeshp]

Thanks for your observations of the Q2M.  I, too, have owned mine for over six months and also have a favorable impression of it.  (I'm also a fan of the permanent orange filter on my Q2M.)

Why have you elected to shoot mostly with manual focus?  Is it for the challenge or the haptic experience or have you found the autofocus lacking in some way?  I shoot completely the opposite way, using autofocus the majority of the time.

 

[fontilan]

8 hours ago, Kreeshp said:

Thanks for your observations of the Q2M.  I, too, have owned mine for over six months and also have a favorable impression of it.  (I'm also a fan of the permanent orange filter on my Q2M.)

Why have you elected to shoot mostly with manual focus?  Is it for the challenge or the haptic experience or have you found the autofocus lacking in some way?  I shoot completely the opposite way, using autofocus the majority of the time.

 

I was finding that autofocus sometimes was missing what I wanted in focus especially in quick situations on the street. 

Manual focussing is a pain to start with but well worth the effort. Aim to be able to instantly focus by feel of where the tab is. Manual focus also makes sure my choice of aperture is more considered especially at close distances. Then if I f*ck up, it’s all my fault and not the camera and vice versa. Satisfying. 

Edited March 2, 2022 by fontilan