One Q to rule them all? I am torn...

[JulianHalliday]

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I currently have an SL2-S with a 24-90 Vario-Elmarit, a 16-28 Sigma, a 100-300 Lumix and a 105mm macro from Sigma. I am pretty pleased with this collection, which is reasonably comprehensive. I do, however, find myself hankering for a simpler setup, and I wonder if the Q3 may have at last provided that solution.

The dilemma is, I cannot buy a Q3 without divesting myself of the SL2-S and all its lenses.

I would be interested in the opinions of the group on this, and in particular one issue: With the much larger sensor -- current body has 24 Mpx, Q3 has 60 -- is it reasonable to hope to get away with cropping full-frame images to emulate longer lens coverage? And how far do you think one could go with that? 

An alternative, of course, would be to get a lesser mirrorless body and a long lens -- a Sony alpha of some kind perhaps. But in recent years I have become content with the IQ of my Leicas (serially, an M10, an SL and the current body) and am not eager to compromise. On the other hand, long-lens photography is a minor -- but significant -- part of my shooting regime.

Undoubtedly others have thought about this, and with any luck will be willing to share their insight. If I were wealthy enough I'd simply buy a Q3 and break out my photography into two genres; alas, that is not an option.

Thank you!

Edited July 9, 2023 by JulianHalliday

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[pcgarner]

Leica's tech data addresses that question well. It's direct about the size of each image based on the "lens" selected by the Q3 shooter. I think the answer would be driven by the end file size you need (i.e., the size of your largest prints). That said, the Q will not emulate a 300mm lens. Not by any means.

[Aram Langhans]

Having a Q2 I can say it can emulate most of what I do with my Nikon Z7ii between 28mm and say 100mm, unless of course I want to make a very large print.  But I am amazed at how much cropping the sensor/lens combination can support and the Q3 should be even more cropable.  Even in "Macro" mode it works quite well.  That lens is so darn sharp.  Still, if you need long or wider you will be disappointed.  If you need true macro you might be disappointed, again depending on what you want to do with the image for presentation.  If I get serious about macro I strap my 100/2/8 APO on to my Nikon.  Now that is a serious gun at 45MP.   I think you should start looking at the photos posted in the Q3 threads and see how they are doing.  Would you be satisfied with what they are showing?  Of course, you are not sure what cropping they are doing, but it should give you a starting point.

[beewee]

5 hours ago, JulianHalliday said:

But in recent years I have become content with the IQ of my Leicas (serially, an M10, an SL and the current body) and am not eager to compromise. On the other hand, long-lens photography is a minor -- but significant -- part of my shooting regime.

I think you’ve answered for yourself already.

The Q3 is a great camera but it’s not a replacement for the SL2-S. It excels for situations when all you need is a ~26mm prime but I wouldn’t try to crop to 100+mm and expect to get anything useable for anything other than maybe a shot for a low-res social media post. I can’t imagine being limited to 26mm in situations where I’d otherwise be shooting with a 100-300mm (or 90-280mm in my case).

I’m pretty sure you’ll have regrets if you sold your SL kit for the Q3.

[Driften]

From the lens you have, I expect you would regret selling them all for a Q3. If normally you're happy between 28-75 then yes I expect you would be ok, but if you do much shooting beyond that you will end up selling the Q3 after a short while. You also have to remember when composing at the simulated focal lengths on a Q series you only see the frame lines not the magnified view you get on a longer lens while composing. 

[LocalHero1953]

Look at the Q2/Q3 as the modern equivalent of a M (without its external EVF): good for what you can see in the viewfinder, roughly 28 to 90 - though I don't find the 90 equivalent crop in the Q2 particularly satisfactory. But also think what photographers have achieved over the years within the 28-75/90 range. Forget about the photography you can't do (100-300), and think about what you can do with a great little camera between 28 and 75. After all, you're already missing out on that 300-800 range😉.

Enjoy just looking at wildlife while photographing people.

[stuny]

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I'm all but certain you'll miss the longer end of telephoto photography, plus, even though cropping (even with the original Q) is most remarkable, you will still not actually see through the viewfinder detail of that distant subject.

[city of bristol]

I use my Q 2 as a 28mm lens camera with the option to sometimes crop but mostly its a superb 28mm lens camera.

PS fred miranda ran some tests and found the focal length to be 27mm which i agree with and makes it perfectly legitimate for leica to call it a 28nn camera in my view.

[dpitt]

Why does it need to be a Q3?
I suggest selling part of your gear to buy a Q2. Keep the SL2-S for the things the Q2 can not do. I think if you use the Q2 for area's it is designed for, it will satisfy you much more than trying to use a Q3 for everything. Even a Q3 is not really designed for macro and upwards of 70mm crops.

[Phil75]

Selling used gear usually means realizing losses (if bought new). Seldomly one ends up with an acceptable amount of money spent for our beloved hobby during the holding period but much more than anticipated. I (and this is purely personal) try to desist tentations of newly introduced gadgets. I'd keep the current equipment and would go for a Q2, eventually a pre-owned one if you can get a good/mint one.

[bobtodrick]

2 hours ago, Phil75 said:

Selling used gear usually means realizing losses (if bought new). Seldomly one ends up with an acceptable amount of money spent for our beloved hobby during the holding period but much more than anticipated. I (and this is purely personal) try to desist tentations of newly introduced gadgets. I'd keep the current equipment and would go for a Q2, eventually a pre-owned one if you can get a good/mint one.

Agree.

I used to be in the commercial photography business…until I realized how effective advertising is at convincing us that we need to spend our hard earned money on stuff we don’t really need.

I have a gallery show on at the moment…all 16x20 prints.   I’ve had images in publications and books…all with (horrors) the original 24mp Q.

But many have been convinced that without the latest, greatest, their photos will be failures.