Two kids.... Q2?

[JimKnopf]

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Am 2.11.2023 um 11:05 schrieb JoshuaRothman:

I sold my Q2 a while back to concentrate on the M system. I used the proceeds to buy some very nice M lenses. The Q2 was my main camera for a couple of years, but in the end I concluded that I just loved using M cameras, and I now have three: M10, M10M, M6. Since selling the Q2, I can count on one hand the times I've missed having autofocus.

All that said: my wife and I just had our second kid. Oh boy. Over the weekend, I was out with the family, pushing the baby stroller, wrangling the diaper bag, chasing my five year old as he ran one way while my daughter stayed behind in her stroller, holding on to one child or the other at pretty much all times . . . . Focusing with two hands was very difficult, and as for changing lenses, forget about it. I managed to get some decent photos with the 21 SEM at f/8, but that's it. My pictures were basically grab shots using range focusing. Okay sometimes, hardly ideal as the norm.

It made me miss the Q2. Thanks to the Q3, I could probably afford a used one. (I'm not very tempted by the improvements in the Q3.) I'm thinking that what I'd do is sell one of my Ms, plus the 21 SEM. Maybe I'd sell the M6 or the M10M—not sure which—but the M10 is my main squeeze and I don't really need three M cameras. I've also been streamlining my M lens kit so that all my lenses are pre-ASPH anyway; I'd end up making the Q2 my sole modern lens. I'm aiming to get down to three M lenses—28 Summaron, 35 Steel Rim, 50 Summicron. I could then have the bitingly sharp Q2 lens with its autofocus as my modern setup. There's something appealing about that division of labor. Maybe it makes sense?

But maybe I'm overreacting! Maybe I'll be able to handle two kids and an M. Perhaps I'm just sleep-deprived as a new parent, and giving in to totally senseless GAS. I sold the Q2 before because I was no longer enjoying AF or an EVF. I've since handled many very complicated family vacations with lots of kids and dogs on my Ms. And yet, suddenly, I'm finding myself wishing that I had the Q2 again, because it's the ultimate family camera. A bonus would be that my wife can use it, so maybe I'd finally be in some pictures.....

What should I do? I hate re-buying gear that I've sold, but maybe, in this case, it's justified?

I have a very similar family situation.
With 21mm f1.8 and zone focus you can take very nice photos. However, the zone focus models can hardly be used correctly with the M11 with 60MP. from 35mm it is pure luck to hit. 
I now have the Q3 and the Af in combination with the crop mode is excellent. One-handed operation. the folding display for ground recordings. a perfect family camera that I really like to have with me even with a bag and a stroller and that I can carry and use as a dad.

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[Gavin G]

I put a lot of effort into my family photography too, especially my baby girl since last years.
End up I with SL system with auto focus, and M lens if own time.
The EVF help a lot and easily to focus and get result when on M lens, compared to M body.

If looking for compact, I think Q series is great, or maybe CL?

[MontyMo]

On 11/2/2023 at 5:22 AM, JoshuaRothman said:

Not for me..... I really put a lot of effort into my family photography!

I too try very hard with family photos. Yes, I use my iPhone occasionally, but I love using my Q2M. I am one of those weirdos that uses manual focus. I feel more engaged when everything is manual. 

 

My comment to the OP, if you are missing photos or not even photographing because because your hands are "full" and cannot fit an M camera into your lifestyle, purchase a Q2  

 

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[JoshuaR]

After some hemming and hawing, and some time spent looking back through my past photos, I bought a Ricoh GR III and am going to try using it for one-handed shooting.

My reasoning was that the GR III is so small that I can pack it alongside my M in my bag. So I don't have to choose *not* to use the M, which is what I'd have to do if I bought a Q2. 

[bobtodrick]

2 hours ago, JoshuaRothman said:

After some hemming and hawing, and some time spent looking back through my past photos, I bought a Ricoh GR III and am going to try using it for one-handed shooting.

My reasoning was that the GR III is so small that I can pack it alongside my M in my bag. So I don't have to choose *not* to use the M, which is what I'd have to do if I bought a Q2. 

Great choice if you’re not (like many here) hypnotized by the red dot 😆

[TK!]

My experience, for familiy photos the eye focus of the Q3 is a huge step forward compared to Q/Q2. But yes, smaller is better in your setting 😉

-TK

[ErickT]

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@JoshuaR  Can you give us an update? Interested how auto focus vs. Manual with kids ended up working out. 

[JonathanJ]

OK, let me start by saying that, to me, the autofocus on the Q3 is a lot better than on the Q2.  I’ve had both.  I sold my Q2 to buy a Q3, and I think it was a great decision.

I’ve also had the Ricoh GRiii and GRiiix.  To me, they were not fun cameras to use, and I was not impressed with build quality.  I sold them both and bought a Dlux8–nice enough, but the Q3 is still my daily carry.

And, I do have an M3 that I love—an unbelievable camera.  Still, the Q3 is my go-to

Think of it this way—years down the road, are you going to regret not getting the Q?  Or, are you going to be satisfied with the iPhone photos?  Only you can answer that one.  To me, taking photographs of family is very important, so I can’t bring myself to ever relegating those photos to just my iPhone.  iPhone can do a decent job—heck, it can do a great job.  But it is not a Q

[Cogito]

On 2/19/2025 at 5:20 PM, JonathanJ said:

OK, let me start by saying that, to me, the autofocus on the Q3 is a lot better than on the Q2.  I’ve had both.  I sold my Q2 to buy a Q3, and I think it was a great decision.

I’ve also had the Ricoh GRiii and GRiiix.  To me, they were not fun cameras to use, and I was not impressed with build quality.  I sold them both and bought a Dlux8–nice enough, but the Q3 is still my daily carry.

And, I do have an M3 that I love—an unbelievable camera.  Still, the Q3 is my go-to

Think of it this way—years down the road, are you going to regret not getting the Q?  Or, are you going to be satisfied with the iPhone photos?  Only you can answer that one.  To me, taking photographs of family is very important, so I can’t bring myself to ever relegating those photos to just my iPhone.  iPhone can do a decent job—heck, it can do a great job.  But it is not a Q

would you say AF is better on the Q3 or D-Lux 8? I’ve seen some excellent shots from the D-Lux 8 in the portrait thread and fondly remember my D-Lux 3

[Ko.Fe.]

I was/taking our children pictures with M digital and prior to it with film non-Leica RF and M.

I also used many cameras with AF.

From my experience following is important at any time, place:

- it must be camera and lens you like to use.

- it must be light and compact. Stroller hadding, neck strap should be long enough to push camera on the back, But I always had messenger camera bag for those moments. Humongous AF cameras didn't worked and it is not easy to keep them always within a reach at home. 

-it must have outcome (images) you will like.

I used M or another RFs from kids early ages to more manageable ages.

It was, is possible. Just extra effort is needed, but outcome and the fact I like camera, lens is compensating it.

Personally, I'm not good with any EVFs... Not sure if Q2 any better, after tryout in the store of Q I had something fanny with my eye, for an hour or so.

Didn't have it with crappy Canon RP for two years, before it crapped out.

But every time it was some motion, EVF was not something I was as confident as with OVF and M framelanes which gives extra space for accurate choice of framing.

I have one and Leica camera with EVF left, but I don't really use it for family pictures.

I'd rather use screen for framing, focusing if no OVF.

I have seen one photog using his Q with screen, not EVF and results are awesome (well, for the street photogaphy  )

[JoshuaR]

On 2/19/2025 at 5:08 PM, ErickT said:

@JoshuaR  Can you give us an update? Interested how auto focus vs. Manual with kids ended up working out. 

@ErickT: I've stuck with manual focus and it's been great! Using mainly M10-R and M10M with 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm.

I did buy an SL2-S, not really for AF but for telephoto—dance recitals, soccer games, and the like. The camera is awesome, but big and heavy, and so I almost never take it out of the house except for in those circumstances; I'm also finding that, for the reasons @Ko.Fe. outlines, I simply prefer the OVF experience. But I'm happy to own the SL2-S and will probably keep it as a kind of super-powered EVF for my M lenses, especially the weird focal lengths (40mm, 75mm, 135mm). I may eventually add some R zooms or long telephoto lenses, as well.

The only circumstances where I find myself wishing for a Q-type camera is really bad weather. But I got through the whole winter this year just by putting my M, with a small lens, in the pocket of my rain shell. In the meantime, I've used my digital Ms for everything: sledding with the kids, baby's first steps, birthday candles, Disney World, all that kind of stuff. It's been fun and the pictures are everything I could want.

[jmschuh]

I would add a third child and buy a Q3. But the upgrade to a Q4 shouldn't happen before the fourth child.