The CL and Q3

[Le Chef]

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Much discussion and conjecture about the forthcoming Q3 - 60MP sensor, PDAF, better EVF, flippy-flappy LCD etc.

But one thing caught my eye: the possibility of a 90mm crop.

At what point do you buy a Q3 (funds permitting) and sell the CL because it has become redundant? I’m loathed to do that (apart from selling a kidney to pay for the Q3) as it still delivers good IQ, and with denoise software that capability stretches a little further.

What are your thoughts?

[Boojay]

I found it easy to part with both the SL2 and the Q2, for various reasons.  The CL is a different story, it might sit on the shelf for the odd day or two now but I can't imagine selling mine.  

 

 

[Le Chef]

Thanks Jayne. I have a Q2 which gets quite a lot of exercise, but I find it hard to think of getting rid of the CL and putting all my eggs into a Q3 shaped basket, but I think as you get older “decluttering” becomes a life’s work, so one has to ask the question.

[jdlaing]

3 hours ago, Le Chef said:

Much discussion and conjecture about the forthcoming Q3 - 60MP sensor, PDAF, better EVF, flippy-flappy LCD etc.

But one thing caught my eye: the possibility of a 90mm crop.

At what point do you buy a Q3 (funds permitting) and sell the CL because it has become redundant? I’m loathed to do that (apart from selling a kidney to pay for the Q3) as it still delivers good IQ, and with denoise software that capability stretches a little further.

What are your thoughts?

Just the advantage of removable lenses is a benefit.

[DenverSteve]

10 hours ago, Boojay said:

I found it easy to part with both the SL2 and the Q2, for various reasons.  The CL is a different story, it might sit on the shelf for the odd day or two now but I can't imagine selling mine.  

Yep.  I found the CL and Q2 a bit redundant, and sold the Q2.  I had first sold the CL but missed it so much I, very quickly, ordered a new CL kit and am still glad I did.  I then sold the Q2 and don't miss it a bit.  Only disappointment - no CL 2.  

 

 

[lct]

Perspective remains the same with a Q camera. With interchangeable lenses we zoom with our feet and perspective changes accordingly. In any case, i am an M-lens user to begin with so i prefer cameras adapted to them. I will then keep the digital CL and when it dies, or become obsolete, i will acquire another compact mirrorless camera like the Sigma FPL, possibly, if Leica does not launch an EVF-M in the meantime.

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Consider having the CL's sensor modified to 'full spectrum' thus enabling any type of IR or UV pass filters to be used. My Leica T has a new lease of life following its full spectrum conversion. 

https://www.infraredcameraconversions.co.uk

[tom0511]

...IMO it depends. I mean the more MP the more room to crop.

So the Q3 if it has 60MP, would be like a 28mmfov 60mp camera, but with room to crop to 35,50 and 70mm for and still have good resolution.

Of course it doesn't offer 24mm and wider for (like the 11-23) or tele range. But for people who shoot a lot in the 28-50mm range, Q3 is quite interesting IMO.

[Le Chef]

It’s interesting but I don’t think I can get rid of the CL, particularly the 11-23 and 55-135 lenses. The Q3 would offer some gain over the Q2 but on reflection not enough to sell or trade for. The unspoken “danger” as a friend suggested is an M camera, which I have yet to try. I spent years with manual focusing SLR’s with split prism focusing so at some point I may have to try an M…

Edited May 14, 2023 by Le Chef

[Brilliant Observer]

On 5/14/2023 at 1:45 PM, Le Chef said:

It’s interesting but I don’t think I can get rid of the CL, particularly the 11-23 and 55-135 lenses. The Q3 would offer some gain over the Q2 but on reflection not enough to sell or trade for. The unspoken “danger” as a friend suggested is an M camera, which I have yet to try. I spent years with manual focusing SLR’s with split prism focusing so at some point I may have to try an M…

Start with a good M240, that cant be wrong

[swatch]

Earlier in May I purchased pre-owned TL 18mm for CL, making the combo being “baby Q” 😅

In terms of technology, Q3 of course is better than CL with TL 18mm; moreover compactness and lightweight are the reasons IMO to keep using CL as my daily camera when I go for a walk or coffee at corner shop.  User experience has higher priority than IQ for me when I just want to be at ease.

Software for reducing digital noise is getting better, surely extend the lifespan of CL😅

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Edited May 29, 2023 by swatch
make the reason more clearer

[Rac1ngsnak3]

Q3 might as well be another rebadged/redesigned Panasonic camera. The flip screen is a no-go for me. I’ll keep my TL2. Wish someone would do sensor swap conversions for more dynamic range 

[jaapv]

My CL functions as a backup and 2x extender to my SL besides as a light and small interchangeable lens system. I fail to see how a Q could replace it 

[Le Chef]

4 hours ago, jaapv said:

My CL functions as a backup and 2x extender to my SL besides as a light and small interchangeable lens system. Ji fail to see how a Q could replace it 

It can’t. At some point between a 35mm or 50mm crop on the Q3, the CL has more MP, if that kind of measurement is important to you. A CL with standard 18-56 lens is lighter than the Q2 or Q3. With either the 18mm or 23mm, lighter still.

And with Pure Raw3 or the new built in AI noise reduction in Lightroom you can offset most of the advantages of the full frame sensor.

As has been said by many before it’s a shame Leica could not have seen a way to keep the CL line going. 

[LocalHero1953]

5 hours ago, jaapv said:

My CL functions as a backup and 2x extender to my SL besides as a light and small interchangeable lens system. Ji fail to see how a Q could replace it 

It can🙂!

Your conclusion (and Le Chef's) and mine are easily reconciled when you consider what what one uses the cameras for. For my wants, the Q2 (nearly) replaces the CL system I had. I shot my CL almost entirely in the 18-60mm range (28-90 FFEq). The Q2 gains in weatherproofing, stabilisation and the convenience of a single small body/lens, while losing out for better macro and better portraits (60mm TL).

With any such comparisons, "YMMV" must be taken as read.

Edited May 30, 2023 by LocalHero1953

[ruskkyle]

4 hours ago, Le Chef said:

And with Pure Raw3 or the new built in AI noise reduction in Lightroom you can offset most of the advantages of the full frame sensor.

Yes. I’ve recently been making heavy use of the new noise reduction feature in Lightroom for a project I shot on the S5 II and it’s marvellous.

[AdHox]

I have a deposit on a Q3, waiting for more stock to arrive, and I intend to keep my CL and its collection of lenses. Obviously too early to know how often I’ll grab the Q3 vs CL vs A1, but I don’t see any of them as replacing each other.

[mikeLD]

I have a Q2 and a CL with the Leica 18mm f2.8 (my q2 backup), Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6, and a Sigma 30mm F1.4 (for low lighting situations).  I use the Q2 for planned projects and the CL for walk around and travel. I seriously considered the Q3 and even had a deposit out but pulled it.  The articles here about seeming bugs in the initial release firmware are no surprise but more reason to wait for me.

With the CL at end of life plus 6 years of promised support from Leica, I will certainly keep it.  My Q2 is getting less and less use as I am at the end of my 50 year career as an amateur photographer!!!  However, the long looking wait for a Q3 and the sell off (dumping) of Q2's right now tells me to wait.  I expect to sell my Q2 when true valuation returns.

Does this seem like a reasonable plan??

Hope to see you at Wetzlar in October.😄 

[jhulton]

I think the Q3 and the CL with 60macro, 55-135 makes a pretty compelling "street kit".

 

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[Le Chef]

23 hours ago, jhulton said:

I think the Q3 and the CL with 60macro, 55-135 makes a pretty compelling "street kit".

 

You don’t really need the 60mm macro, as the Q3 (and Q and Q2) has a very capable macro lens built in.