Leica Q3 black and white photos

[kirkmc]

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For those lucky few who have already obtained a Q3, how are black and white images (from DNGs)? I have a Q2M, and I am thinking of replacing it with a Q3. It seems that with the increased resolution, there’s a little advantage to a Monochrom camera anymore. The color filter won’t lose that much detail in a 60 Mp file. I don’t care about low light photos, which seems to be the only advantage to the Monochrom camera anymore.

My desire is to reduce all my camera gear to one camera, one lens. So I would sell off all my Fujifilm gear, and the Q2 monochrom, and replace them with a Q3, assuming that black and white photos are good enough. There is a possibility that I can order one tomorrow, so I’m trying to decide if I should take the plunge. And, no, I can’t afford to keep both the Q2 Monochrom and the Q3.

Edited June 19, 2023 by kirkmc

[ianforber]

Leica Mayfair often let people borrow equipment for a weekend, although they probably don’t have enough Q3s at the moment do do it. Worth asking?

[hedleyw]

On 6/19/2023 at 8:46 PM, kirkmc said:

For those lucky few who have already obtained a Q3, how are black and white images (from DNGs)? I have a Q2M, and I am thinking of replacing it with a Q3. It seems that with the increased resolution, there’s a little advantage to a Monochrom camera anymore. The color filter won’t lose that much detail in a 60 Mp file. I don’t care about low light photos, which seems to be the only advantage to the Monochrom camera anymore.

My desire is to reduce all my camera gear to one camera, one lens. So I would sell off all my Fujifilm gear, and the Q2 monochrom, and replace them with a Q3, assuming that black and white photos are good enough. There is a possibility that I can order one tomorrow, so I’m trying to decide if I should take the plunge. And, no, I can’t afford to keep both the Q2 Monochrom and the Q3.

You’ll find several in my Instagram feed @hedleywright_street, from June 21st onwards. Raw edited in Lightroom then SilverFX. Full resolution images on Vero with the same username.

Edited July 3, 2023 by hedleyw

[ChrisGA]

Am 19.6.2023 um 21:46 schrieb kirkmc:

For those lucky few who have already obtained a Q3, how are black and white images (from DNGs)? I have a Q2M, and I am thinking of replacing it with a Q3. It seems that with the increased resolution, there’s a little advantage to a Monochrom camera anymore. The color filter won’t lose that much detail in a 60 Mp file. I don’t care about low light photos, which seems to be the only advantage to the Monochrom camera anymore.

My desire is to reduce all my camera gear to one camera, one lens. So I would sell off all my Fujifilm gear, and the Q2 monochrom, and replace them with a Q3, assuming that black and white photos are good enough. There is a possibility that I can order one tomorrow, so I’m trying to decide if I should take the plunge. And, no, I can’t afford to keep both the Q2 Monochrom and the Q3.

I reduced the green-saturation…

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[ChrisGA]

This ist F8, DNG, only hitting the B&W-Button:

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[sparkone]

On 6/19/2023 at 9:46 PM, kirkmc said:

For those lucky few who have already obtained a Q3, how are black and white images (from DNGs)? I have a Q2M, and I am thinking of replacing it with a Q3. It seems that with the increased resolution, there’s a little advantage to a Monochrom camera anymore. The color filter won’t lose that much detail in a 60 Mp file. I don’t care about low light photos, which seems to be the only advantage to the Monochrom camera anymore.

My desire is to reduce all my camera gear to one camera, one lens. So I would sell off all my Fujifilm gear, and the Q2 monochrom, and replace them with a Q3, assuming that black and white photos are good enough. There is a possibility that I can order one tomorrow, so I’m trying to decide if I should take the plunge. And, no, I can’t afford to keep both the Q2 Monochrom and the Q3.

I can make some pictures for you in B&W. How do you want them?
 

[NicholasT]

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On 6/19/2023 at 8:46 PM, kirkmc said:

For those lucky few who have already obtained a Q3, how are black and white images (from DNGs)? I have a Q2M, and I am thinking of replacing it with a Q3. It seems that with the increased resolution, there’s a little advantage to a Monochrom camera anymore. The color filter won’t lose that much detail in a 60 Mp file. I don’t care about low light photos, which seems to be the only advantage to the Monochrom camera anymore.

My desire is to reduce all my camera gear to one camera, one lens. So I would sell off all my Fujifilm gear, and the Q2 monochrom, and replace them with a Q3, assuming that black and white photos are good enough. There is a possibility that I can order one tomorrow, so I’m trying to decide if I should take the plunge. And, no, I can’t afford to keep both the Q2 Monochrom and the Q3.

I’ve owned the Q2 Monochrom and just received my Q3.

The Q2 Monochrom will still give you about an extra stop of light compared to Q3 ( better high ISO performance) but I seriously doubt you will be disappointed with the black & white output from the Q3. 

I haven’t had the Q3 long enough to share comparable Black & White photos with my prior Q2 Monochrom images.

That said, I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen so far from Q3, both in terms of the 60MP BSI sensor output, as well as the many enhancements versus Q2, which was and continues to be an exceptional camera in its own right.

Edited July 4, 2023 by NicholasT

[katieg]

4 hours ago, NicholasT said:

I’ve owned the Q2 Monochrom and just received my Q3.

The Q2 Monochrom will still give you about an extra stop of light compared to Q3 ( better high ISO performance) but I seriously doubt you will be disappointed with the black & white output from the Q3. 

I haven’t had the Q3 long enough to share comparable Black & White photos with my prior Q2 Monochrom images.

That said, I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen so far from Q3, both in terms of the 60MP BSI sensor output, as well as the many enhancements versus Q2, which was and continues to be an exceptional camera in its own right.

heavy Q2m user here (and have used Leica monochrome sensor cameras a lot in the last 4-5 years) and just got my Q3 just over 2 weeks ago and I’m having similar results so far. 👍

[Richard K]

My exact situation also, kirkmc. Let us know what you decide. Is there a place where side by each comparisons between Q2M and Q3 might be seen?

[Dmkke]

Really on the fence about either purchasing the Q2M or the Q3. I do like the ability to shoot on color with the Q3 and I believe they have really improved the ISO noise level in the Q3 I just want to know a comparison with both cameras Q3 set in camera for monochrome and both SOOC pictures. I don’t always want to do post processing. Any thoughts anyone have both cameras? Can you please share your comparison? Thanks 

[Ad Dieleman]

I'd say, download some Q3 DNG sample images and convert them to B&W yourself, that should give you a good idea of the Q3's behaviour in this respect.

[fordfanjpn]

I have both. The Q3 is an amazing camera. I'm absolutely loving it. And it makes beautiful B&W images. But it's not a monochrome. The gradation of gray tones from the Q2M can't be matched by a color sensor. IMHO. The closest I've seen so far is the Fuji GFX50R. On the other hand, I think most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference without A/Bing them side by side. So unless you're a serious hardcore B&W junkie, the advantages of the Q3 make it the obvious choice. Again, IMHO. In my case, since getting the Q3, I've only shot the Q2M once. But even so, I won't be getting rid of the Q2M.