Leica Q2 for landscapes

[AlexMartin]

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Hello everyone, I am new and interested in Leica. I am wondering what the best Leica is for shooting landscapes and specifically a starry night sky? 

[ianforber]

I’m primary a landscape photographer and the Q2 is excellent. Good cropping ability so you have the 28mm but can crop in for a 50mm or 75mm view. Also, no temptation to but other lenses! Long exposures shots are difficult at high ISO as the camera limits it to less than 120s above base ISO  

I don’t do Astro-photography but I doubt that the low-light performance of the Q2 would make it a preferred choice. The M cameras are great and offer a huge range of small but high performing lenses. The M11 allows you to turn off automatic noise reduction, which you can’t on the Q2 and the exposure length is up to 60 minutes.  I tend to use the M11 for landscapes more than the Q2 simply because the size of the autofocus lens and the fact that it is fixed makes it more difficult to pack in a non-photo bag  such as a hiking rucksack  

That said, I wonder if the SL2-S is the best for you? I haven’t used it but people rave about its low noise capabilities and you can use m lenses with an adapter as well as the enormous L lenses. 

Probably worth browsing the image threads though.

[Cattoo]

Either you're going to need to buy two cameras or you'll need to accept some compromises.

For landscape, I'd recommend the SL2.  It excels at that.  

The Q2 is a fine camera for landscape too.  

The tradeoff is the versatility you get with the interchangeable lens SL2 vs the portability and lower cost of entry you get with the Q2.  

For astro, I'd recommend the SL2-S.

The tradeoff is the high megapixels and crop-ability you get with the SL2 and Q2 vs the low light sensitivity and cleaner astro photos you get with the SL2-S.

Obviously, the SL2 and Q2 can be used for astro and the SL2-S can be used for landscape. But one is more suited for one thing than the other.

You need to decide which is more important.   

Personally, I use the SL2 for landscape with the Q2 as a backup.  I also have an SL2-S that I use for astro.  

[M11 for me]

Hi @AlexMartin You ask an important question. But I think that when you want to shoot landscape and you have a camera with an interchangeable lens then you have to decide on which one you would take along if its only one lens. That is the question that you have to answer for yourself. No one here can help you with that as you find landscapepictures that are taken with 16, 21, 28, 35, 50, 90 or longer lenses. The Q would then be 28mm. Considering the resolution of the sensor you will be able to crop to different angles of view. Lets assume that in most instances a crop that reoresents a 75mm angle of view then you can say that with the Qyou can cover from 28 to about 75mm. 

Is that fine? Then go forthe Q. Its a terrific camera, small and light. You will always have it with you. And when you plan to have a xamera always with you the it has to be light, small, balanced (lens should not pull diwn the front of the camera). 

A Leica SL is a different camera: Its heavy and bulky 😪. But it has Zoom lenses and very long focal lengths as well. If you need that then go for the high weight and for the bulky camera. Otherwise keep away from it. 

Once you have a Q you understand what great tool it is. 

[Qwertynm]

Do you already have a camera, if yes which brand & model? Which focal lengths have you covered (35 eq.)? What are your pain points with your current system? What do you hope the Q2 to do better than your current system?

Would be good if you'd provide more info. Personally I'd prefer an ILC for astro and landscape. Leica SL with 28 APO and 90-280 or SoCaNikon with equivalent lenses will be probably just as good. The Q2 is more portable and has a faster lens than most ILC on the market. Is that what you're after? Then there is no real alternative. What comes closest would be the Sony A7c with Sony FE 28. If you don't need AF then there is Leica M...

[AlexMartin]

Hi everyone, thank you very much for your replies. I’m currently shooting with a Fuji x100v and feel that I’m ready to upgrade to a Leica. I love shooting street photography/daily photos as well as landscape. I would like to have a camera that is a great all around but also has the capability to capture the Milky Way if I were in that situation. I know it’s a lot to ask for something that is great to shoot in all situations but I am looking for something that comes close. I am not a professional but it is a hobby of mine that I love so I do it for fun. From what I’ve been reading the Q models seem to be best for the all around situations. What do you think? Also is it worth waiting for the Q3 since it is rumored to be out this year? Thanks again. 

[Farrell Gallery]

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You can do everything with the 100v that you can with the Q2....though the build quality, controls, and the glass are where you're going to notice the difference. Yes, you can shoot landscapes, though you already know the fixed focal length limitations...which sometimes makes you a stronger, more deliberate photographer. I've done long exposure with it too, just not of stars. 

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Edited February 1, 2023 by Farrell Gallery

[Farrell Gallery]

Oh, and the Q3 is a pipe dream until it exists. I bought my Q2 used, and am not concerned...I'm enjoying my camera now. (though I'd be surprised it it comes out sooner than 2024)

[AlanT]

Hi Alex.

I took this image in Tenants Harbor Maine, USA this past July with the original Q.  While I would never claim the Q to be an astronomical camera, I have learned to never ever underestimate what it is capable of capturing.  Coming from decades of film use, my Q continues to astonish me. Hope this helps in your decision making process.

Alan

 

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[AlexMartin]

Wow, beautiful! Thanks Alan! 

[Tobers]

@AlexMartin in my experience, you’d be better off with a 2nd hand Sony A7III and a 16-35 f2.8 for astro work. Or one of the numerous wide angle fast primes that you can lay your hands on. If Leica allowed you to turn off the long-exposure noise reduction it might be a different matter. However, you may find you frequently need wider than 24mm (eg 16mm) for nice starry stuff.

The Q-series is excellent for wide angle landscape, and has a real simplicity to it. The shallow DOF of the lens can also make for magical images. PITA for astro though.

 

[Cattoo]

I use the SL2-S with a sigma 14mm for astro work.  You can turn off noise reduction on the SL models, and they're not really that big/heavy.  Depends on what you want to do with it.  One issue I have with using the Q for astro, LENR aside, is the massive coma you get with that lens.  You can see it in the image above.  It's not really designed for starscapes.