Leica Q2 vs Q2m

[Kayas.]

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A friend of mine is considering buying a Q" monochrome.

For comparison sake he would like to actually see the difference in B/W ooc pictures of the Q2 and the Q2M. Could anyone who owns both cameras post some pictures here.

Thanks, Kaya

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Driften]

DP review has sample galleries for both cameras and you can download the raw images.

[jaapv]

15 hours ago, Kayas. said:

A friend of mine is considering buying a Q" monochrome.

For comparison sake he would like to actually see the difference in B/W ooc pictures of the Q2 and the Q2M. Could anyone who owns both cameras post some pictures here.

Thanks, Kaya

Problem - there are no OOC images.The camera either provides JPGs which have been processed by. the camera software and are specific for each camera model. end depend on the user settings, or a data file which will be processed by the user in a postprocessing program with its user-definable defaults and settings.That makes such a comparison basically meaningless. It is like comparing two cameras each loaded with a different film, developed by different photographers.

[Farrell Gallery]

I love black and white....but I wouldn't consider a monochrome camera...as then the color option isn't there. Often color adds to a photo. You can always do a nice black and white in post. Many people like the idea of the Q-M but end up not using it as planned, unless you know you're that specific shooter. 

[Kayas.]

vor 10 Stunden schrieb jaapv:

Problem - there are no OOC images.The camera either provides JPGs which have been processed by. the camera software and are specific for each camera model. end depend on the user settings, or a data file which will be processed by the user in a postprocessing program with its user-definable defaults and settings.That makes such a comparison basically meaningless. It is like comparing two cameras each loaded with a different film, developed by different photographers.

You are certainly correct! But setting the Q2 and the Q2M both to HC B/W, same ISO f-stop and speed. Would that as a JPG give some comparable results?

[jaapv]

No. The monochrome camera would have about 40 % effective resolution more (no Bayer interpolation) and better tonality. Drawback: colour filters go in front of the lens and cannot be simulated in postprocessing. Although I do know a trick in Photoshop to get around this. 

[Kayas.]

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That's the point, I guess. My friend would like to see those 40% compared to the Q2

 

[ibramr]

I hope the following thread helps.  Regards.  

[Kayas.]

vor 23 Minuten schrieb ibramr:

I hope the following thread helps.  Regards.  

Thank you.

I just forwarded that thread.

[jaapv]

It is not just visible, it is an explainable fact. To begin with there is no Bayer filter which means that the optical aberrations introduced by the millions of colour filterlets are avoided and secondly the resolution loss by the Bayer interpolation does not occur. One pixel on the sensor ends up as one pixel on the print. 
 

I would also advise your friend to look through all Monochrom image threads to see what these cameras are capable of. Postprocess properly and do a large print on Baryta paper. You’ll be blown away. Internet JPGs are not capable of rendering the real-life results regardless of their size. 

[trickness]

On 3/17/2023 at 2:20 AM, Kayas. said:

A friend of mine is considering buying a Q" monochrome.

For comparison sake he would like to actually see the difference in B/W ooc pictures of the Q2 and the Q2M. Could anyone who owns both cameras post some pictures here.

Thanks, Kaya

You aren’t really going to see the difference in the quality of images that can be posted here on a forum. You will see the differences if you print, or if you zoom in on a high-quality monitor. 
 

with respect, your friend is asking the wrong question. Yes, there will be more gradations of tonality between ultimate white and ultimate black on the Mono. yes there is a visible difference in sharpness between the standard Q2 & Q2M, and yea, high ISO performance is better on the Mono.

But as an owner of a Q2M, all of these things are secondary importance to me… the fact that this camera has focus and an inherent limitation (only b&w) means that you approach shooting with it with a different philosophy. You just get in a different head with it. It’s not the same, shooting in color and then converting it in post.

if the most important thing to your friend is whether or not there is a big difference in conversions or native b&w shots between the two bodies, then I would tell them just get the Q2, because the differences are not going to leap off the screen. But if they want to be a black and white only shooter, then the Q2M is a superb tool for that, technically and philosophically.

Edited March 19, 2023 by trickness

[rustyrus]

Does any of the above even matter? 40% more of this, better tonality that?

If you want to shoot B&W 100% of the time, with a fixed lens camera at 28mm, the Q2m is for you. 

It being better or the same as the Q2 at any ISO, aperture or shutter speed is irrelevant because you want to shoot B&W 100% of the time. 

 

So having a color camera would be silly.

[jaapv]

26 minutes ago, rustyrus said:

Does any of the above even matter? 40% more of this, better tonality that?

Wel, it depends on the technical demands of the user.

 

 

 

[Genoweffa]

On 3/17/2023 at 5:15 PM, Driften said:

DP review has sample galleries for both cameras and you can download the raw images.

Hurry up...

They amzn is closing them

[Genoweffa]

On 3/18/2023 at 7:07 AM, Kayas. said:

That's the point, I guess. My friend would like to see those 40% compared to the Q2

 

Q2 vs Q2M images are:

awesome vs AWESOME

 

[bobtodrick]

1 hour ago, Genoweffa said:

Hurry up...

They amzn is closing them

Hopefully this will take its place

https://petapixel.com/2023/03/21/chris-niccolls-and-jordan-drake-join-petapixel-to-lead-its-youtube-channel/

[DenverSteve]

There is no shortage of threads addressing this question. I would search herein for some of the many, many answers we’ve posted on this.  My short is, no appreciable difference.  I have found that most who have tested these come up with similar results.  While those who have opted to purchase the Q2M seem to find more difference. 

[jaapv]

That depends entirely on the postprocessing skill of the user. When handled properly Monochrom files produce far richer B&W but it needs different processing. This explains the difference of opinion on the subject. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Tomas Eriksson]

 

[jaapv]

7 hours ago, Tomas Eriksson said:

 

I think this video answers the original question pretty definitely.