Leica M11 and the Q3

[dennersten]

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I am a part time photographer. Mostly into art photography and making books. All of that work has been in my own time and paste. But now I got the job of illustrating two books with a deadline. I have only one M6 and a M9 as backup.They wont work. It's a lot of indoor photography. So it seems I need a Q3 as a backup. I read somewhere here that it had taken 5 months to repair their M11. 

The question is: You guys who have both the cameras. When do you use the M11 versus Q3? 

I owned a M2M two years ago together with my Hasselblad X2D. I found myself getting lazy. I was just clicking away. Not composing, creating etc. So the Hasselblad gathered more and more dust. I got rid of it when I eventually swapped to the M11. 

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[newtoleica]

I've owned a Q2 and several Sony equivalents (RX1Ri/ii). For me a fixed lens FF camera with a 28mm and 35mm lens isn't a 'back up' for an M body, its a completely different kind of photography (fixed lens AF etc...), different mind set etc. I got rid of them in the end.

A used M10 would be cheap back up that's close to the M11 in use, but actually there are quite a few used M10 variants and M11s around at the moment in dealers, MBP and eBay so I personally would just pick one up IF needed. Sole M10-P body here.

[dpitt]

Disclaimer: I do not own M11 or Q3.

I do not like to have a backup that just sits there waiting for when my main camera fails. I would like to have an extra body that brings its own strengths and maybe even things that can not be done with the main camera.

The Q3 can be such a thing, if you consider AF as the main addition to the toolset compared to the M11.

Did you consider a CL or TL2 + EVF as backup?
They would add AF, zooms, 1,5 extender (crop factor) for your M lenses, long tele... With a small TL or M lens they are very similar in size to your M11, and more compact than a Q3. With an M-L adapter all your M lenses will be compatible, although my advice is to make sure you have the wide end covered with a nice TL lens like the 23mm Summicron or 18mm. Their IQ is close enough to the M11 to finish the job if your M11 is out.

[GuyS.]

Hi, I hope I can help as I own both an M11 Monochrom and Q2 Reporter. 

 

I work in the coffee world and generally use the Q2 for work, i.e. social media, product photos, and most specifically trips to origin which involve a lot of walking and climbing.  It is a brilliant travel camera, I don't mind if it takes a knock, and weather sealing is incredibly useful when visiting coffee farms where it is often misty or raining.  The macro function is really important too for product photography.  The lens on the Q2 is exceptionally sharp. 

The M11M is for me, it is a very personal experience.  I use it when I want to take photos, not when I have to take photos.

[Olaf_ZG]

9 hours ago, GuyS. said:

Hi, I hope I can help as I own both an M11 Monochrom and Q2 Reporter. 

 

I work in the coffee world and generally use the Q2 for work, i.e. social media, product photos, and most specifically trips to origin which involve a lot of walking and climbing.  It is a brilliant travel camera, I don't mind if it takes a knock, and weather sealing is incredibly useful when visiting coffee farms where it is often misty or raining.  The macro function is really important too for product photography.  The lens on the Q2 is exceptionally sharp. 

The M11M is for me, it is a very personal experience.  I use it when I want to take photos, not when I have to take photos.

Perfect summary!

[dennersten]

23 hours ago, newtoleica said:

I've owned a Q2 and several Sony equivalents (RX1Ri/ii). For me a fixed lens FF camera with a 28mm and 35mm lens isn't a 'back up' for an M body, its a completely different kind of photography (fixed lens AF etc...), different mind set etc. I got rid of them in the end.

A used M10 would be cheap back up that's close to the M11 in use, but actually there are quite a few used M10 variants and M11s around at the moment in dealers, MBP and eBay so I personally would just pick one up IF needed. Sole M10-P body here.

Hello. I agree that it is not the ideal backup. I thought it could fill some overlapping needs I encountered with the M11. I would be excellent with autofocus shooting gala dinners and conferences. And it would be nice to have a simple setup for private pictures. An M10 would undoubtedly sit on the shelf always.  And a q3 would certainly be fine for booth of my books now. It's garden and people indoors. 

[dennersten]

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23 hours ago, dpitt said:

Disclaimer: I do not own M11 or Q3.

I do not like to have a backup that just sits there waiting for when my main camera fails. I would like to have an extra body that brings its own strengths and maybe even things that can not be done with the main camera.

The Q3 can be such a thing, if you consider AF as the main addition to the toolset compared to the M11.

Did you consider a CL or TL2 + EVF as backup?
They would add AF, zooms, 1,5 extender (crop factor) for your M lenses, long tele... With a small TL or M lens they are very similar in size to your M11, and more compact than a Q3. With an M-L adapter all your M lenses will be compatible, although my advice is to make sure you have the wide end covered with a nice TL lens like the 23mm Summicron or 18mm. Their IQ is close enough to the M11 to finish the job if your M11 is out.

Hello, no actually i haven't! Thanks will do that! 

[idusidusi]

4 hours ago, dennersten said:

Hello, no actually i haven't! Thanks will do that! 

Bearing in mind that is now a 'dead' camera, no longer sold by Leica, so if you find one secondhand that is the only route. 

[mikelevitt]

First thing, buying a "backup camera" because you have heard that your main camera takes a long time to repair is silly.  If your main camera fails, and Leica tells you it will be 5 months to fix, well then you should worry about a backup, and it probably should be something like you are already shooting if that is the right tool for the job.

Second thing, you haven't told what your new assignment actually is, but if it is shooting people at parties, there are much, much better tools for that job than anything Leica makes.  Either Nikon or Canon or Sony can provide a camera with extended low light capability, a selection of lenses, reasonably priced flash that works properly, and perfect AF that always works, and can be set up to work how you like it.

I love my Q2 but would never use it as my only camera for a paid assignment.  The AF is a joke compared to the ones I mentioned above.  The back button AF (which is what I prefer) is even more of a joke.  The results can be superior, but the process of using it means a lot of missed shots and weird exposure problems.  And forget about Leica flash if you need flash - I have bought them all, and none of them work worth a damn, and they are ridiculously priced.  

Use the right tool for the job.  I love my Leicas (m2, m3, m4, m9, m10, M11, Q2, Q2m) for personal work, but I rarely find a situation where they are the best solution for my paid work, which usually involves Canon R3 and R5, Fuji GFX100 (1, 2 and S) or my Leica S and CS lenses.  You can buy an EOS R6 and a 24-105 f4 lens for half the price of a Q3.

On the other hand, if you are trying to talk yourself into a Q3, just do it.  I love my Q2s, regardless of the flaws.

[dennersten]

On 10/26/2023 at 5:32 PM, mikelevitt said:

First thing, buying a "backup camera" because you have heard that your main camera takes a long time to repair is silly.  If your main camera fails, and Leica tells you it will be 5 months to fix, well then you should worry about a backup, and it probably should be something like you are already shooting if that is the right tool for the job.

Second thing, you haven't told what your new assignment actually is, but if it is shooting people at parties, there are much, much better tools for that job than anything Leica makes.  Either Nikon or Canon or Sony can provide a camera with extended low light capability, a selection of lenses, reasonably priced flash that works properly, and perfect AF that always works, and can be set up to work how you like it.

I love my Q2 but would never use it as my only camera for a paid assignment.  The AF is a joke compared to the ones I mentioned above.  The back button AF (which is what I prefer) is even more of a joke.  The results can be superior, but the process of using it means a lot of missed shots and weird exposure problems.  And forget about Leica flash if you need flash - I have bought them all, and none of them work worth a damn, and they are ridiculously priced.  

Use the right tool for the job.  I love my Leicas (m2, m3, m4, m9, m10, M11, Q2, Q2m) for personal work, but I rarely find a situation where they are the best solution for my paid work, which usually involves Canon R3 and R5, Fuji GFX100 (1, 2 and S) or my Leica S and CS lenses.  You can buy an EOS R6 and a 24-105 f4 lens for half the price of a Q3.

On the other hand, if you are trying to talk yourself into a Q3, just do it.  I love my Q2s, regardless of the flaws.

Thanks for a sobering message. I guess I really wanted to collect arguments for me getting a Q3,  I loved my period with Q. I have read and looking at Youtube films all the weekend. I have finally ordered a Nikon Zf, picking it up on Wednesday. I do believe it's the right camera for me now. Q3 will have to wait.  

Edited October 30, 2023 by dennersten