Leica Q4 - wish list

[40mm f/2]

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I would like a more compact lens. I think that the reason both lenses are so bulky is mainly that they have OIS which requires more lens elements, which was the more mainstream technology at that time. If the camera would have IBIS then likely smaller and lighter, of course 40mm preferred.

One feature I use a lot and is missing with most Leicas is focus bracketing (for stacking later in software because up to date all in camera focus stacking is subpar)

 

[Le Chef]

For IBIS, which essentially does what OIS does, you just move the bulk from the lens to the body. In this instance it would require a ground up redesign from lens to shutter mechanism to stability.

After the obvious success Leica has had with the Q family, a change to IBIS is highly unlikely

[40mm f/2]

1 hour ago, Le Chef said:

For IBIS, which essentially does what OIS does, you just move the bulk from the lens to the body. In this instance it would require a ground up redesign from lens to shutter mechanism to stability.

After the obvious success Leica has had with the Q family, a change to IBIS is highly unlikely

Then it stays with old technology, there are a lot of recent compact cameras with IBIS, so why can Leica not invest to keep up with modern standards. OIS has presently only an advantage for long focal length (more than 200mm) and then only in  combination with IBIS. OIS is only 3 axis whereas IBIS can do with most cameras 5 axis.

Also not incorporating OIS in the lens design, gives more design options for excellent lens performance requiring less electronic corrections

Edited December 20, 2024 by 40mm f/2

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, 40mm f/2 said:

Then it stays with old technology, there are a lot of recent compact cameras with IBIS, so why can Leica not invest to keep up with modern standards. OIS has presently only an advantage for long focal length (more than 200mm) and then only in  combination with IBIS. OIS is only 3 axis whereas IBIS can do with most cameras 5 axis.

Also not incorporating OIS in the lens design, gives more design options for excellent lens performance requiring less electronic corrections

There does not seem to be a correlation between OIS and need for software distortion correction.

I would think that the macro ability and the excellent MF system contribute more to the size than OIS.

[JNK100]

4 hours ago, Le Chef said:

For IBIS, which essentially does what OIS does, you just move the bulk from the lens to the body. In this instance it would require a ground up redesign from lens to shutter mechanism to stability.

After the obvious success Leica has had with the Q family, a change to IBIS is highly unlikely

+1

[LocalHero1953]

On 12/3/2024 at 9:07 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

I'm sure they will smooth off the fitment of the tilt screen anyway, but please no built-in flash! I take as read there will be improvements in performance (better AF, OIS, faster start-up, better low light performance). Assuming they could be done without an increase in bulk, the new things I'd like are (in order of priority):

• ISO dial, perhaps in the same place as on the M10/M11, to give total direct manual control of shooting.
• Arca-Swiss QR fitting moulded into the base.
• Industry standard flash protocol; Nikon, Canon, #####, it doesn't matter which, just so I don't get ripped off buying Leica branded or Leica-compatible stuff at high prices. I'd like this change to happen to ALL Leica cameras.
• CFexpress B memory card instead of SD.
• ND filter; I agree this would be nice to have.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a choice of colours and styles at launch? Get a Reporter version immediately rather than wait for a market-tickling release two years into the product cycle? 

 

I will add an additional function to this list. It could probably be added to the Q3 by firmware:

• Enable changing frame in both directions by use of a dial. At present the frame only changes by repeated press of a button, and in one direction only. There are often times when I want to change it much more quickly, and both bigger and smaller. The current firmware could accommodate this by changing the process: press the button, which activates the thumb dial to select the preferred frame.

(For those who are not aware, the main value of the frame is to set the area used for exposure metering and auto focus - this is extremely useful in scenes of complex lighting and multiple subjects).  

[SrMi]

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9 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I will add an additional function to this list. It could probably be added to the Q3 by firmware:

• Enable changing frame in both directions by use of a dial. At present the frame only changes by repeated press of a button, and in one direction only. There are often times when I want to change it much more quickly, and both bigger and smaller. The current firmware could accommodate this by changing the process: press the button, which activates the thumb dial to select the preferred frame.

(For those who are not aware, the main value of the frame is to set the area used for exposure metering and auto focus - this is extremely useful in scenes of complex lighting and multiple subjects).  

For the record, if you use histogram and shoot raw, you should not care about exposure metering "accuracy."

[LocalHero1953]

3 minutes ago, SrMi said:

For the record, if you use histogram and shoot raw, you should not care about exposure metering "accuracy."

I do both. When you have light sources within the frame, they make a dramatic difference  to exposure metering.  There's a limit to how much inaccuracy the system can tolerate before you get blown highlights or blocked blacks. In any case, I would rather have my images somewhere close to a reasonable exposure before I start editing.

[SrMi]

2 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I do both. When you have light sources within the frame, they make a dramatic difference  to exposure metering.  There's a limit to how much inaccuracy the system can tolerate before you get blown highlights or blocked blacks. In any case, I would rather have my images somewhere close to a reasonable exposure before I start editing.

If you use the histogram, you do not care what the exposure metering tells you as long as you use EC to adjust the histogram to get good exposure.

[LocalHero1953]

Just now, SrMi said:

If you use the histogram, you do not care what the exposure metering tells you as long as you use EC to adjust the histogram to get good exposure.

I don't want to get into an argument with you about this - I am well aware of different ways of metering. For the record, EC can give you three stops adjustment. In a scene that has light sources, illuminated areas and shaded areas, I want more than three stops. And when shooting fast, I'd rather the camera did a bit more of the work rather than my right thumb.

And note my post. I want this for both AE and AF.

[AdrianTurner]

I would like two things -

A dedicated button for video mode, so you can get rid of it completely.  I find swiping to the right for ISO values, for example, brings the video mode into play.  Annoying.  I never, ever, use video.

Secondly, one of my preset buttons is for bracketed exposure.  To return to single exposure is a bit of a chore.  It should always default back to single exposure after taking a bracketed exposure.  

[keithlaban.co.uk]

I can't be bothered to read through this whole thread, but my wish would be for an interchangeable M lens mount.

I know, I know, it's been discussed Ad infinitum elsewhere. Doubt it'll ever happen.

[JNK100]

54 minutes ago, keithlaban.co.uk said:

I can't be bothered to read through this whole thread, but my wish would be for an interchangeable M lens mount.

I know, I know, it's been discussed Ad infinitum elsewhere. Doubt it'll ever happen.

But then it wouldn't be a 'Q' would it?

[keithlaban.co.uk]

53 minutes ago, JNK100 said:

But then it wouldn't be a 'Q' would it?

No, but I'd live with it and refer to mine as my QM.

😉

Edited December 20, 2024 by keithlaban.co.uk

[SrMi]

2 hours ago, keithlaban.co.uk said:

No, but I'd live with it and refer to mine as my QM.

😉

That would be a  Q monochrome. What you want is an M-E (M with EVF).

[Cogito]

5 hours ago, AdrianTurner said:

Secondly, one of my preset buttons is for bracketed exposure.  To return to single exposure is a bit of a chore.  It should always default back to single exposure after taking a bracketed exposure.  

personally, I’d like bracketing to continue until I reset camera to single exposure, but I should be able to reset with a single press of the chosen button, ie button should be a toggle, bracketing on / bracketing off. 

[Michael Jones]

Quite simply if the Q4 was a Q2 accepting interchangeable M lenses, that would be for me the last camera I would need.  Probably not the last I would WANT.  But that would be perfect for me.  For now, its the Q2 and M10.

[keithlaban.co.uk]

2 hours ago, SrMi said:

That would be a  Q monochrome. What you want is an M-E (M with EVF).

M with EVF, yes please and thank you Father Christmas.

[SrMi]

22 minutes ago, keithlaban.co.uk said:

M with EVF, yes please and thank you Father Christmas.

Or SL3 with an M adapter, available now 😁.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Le Chef]

12 hours ago, 40mm f/2 said:

OIS has presently only an advantage for long focal length

Why then would Leica use OIS in a camera with short focal lengths? It works well, so why the need to change something that would add more expense and more bulk? If that’s what you’re looking for, then an SL3 might be a better choice for you.