Q3 Monochrom ...Yes / NO

[Edwin De S]

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Hello Leica Community,

 I've been an avid fan of Leica cameras for quite some time, and I'm particularly excited about the potential release of a Leica Q3 Monochrom. The idea of a monochrome version of the Q3 is truly thrilling, as it would undoubtedly bring a unique and fantastic camera to the market.

I wanted to reach out to the community and gather your thoughts on the possibility of a Leica Q3 Monochrom. Do you believe it's on the horizon, and if so, would it be a game-changer for you? Personally, I think the allure of the Monochrom series combined with the features of the Q3 would make for an exceptional photographic tool.

Moreover, wouldn't it be incredible if Leica also considered manufacturing a reporter version? The thought of a specialized edition designed for the needs of photojournalists is something I find intriguing. If such a variant were to be released, I'd be one of the first to pre-order.

I'm curious to hear your opinions and speculations on this matter. Let's share our enthusiasm and hopes for the future of Leica cameras.

EdS

[Simone_DF]

7 hours ago, Edwin De S said:

The thought of a specialized edition designed for the needs of photojournalists

A different type of leatherette doesn’t cater to photojournalists, but to fashion conscious people. 

[vitrail]

Hello,

The Q2 Monochrome is more than enough, the 60 MP is superfluous as well as the mobile screen not adapted to the more composed photography of Black and White.

 

[Qwertynm]

I‘d preorder a Q3-P without the logo and 256GB internal storage. That would be my desert island camera. 

[pcgarner]

4 hours ago, vitrail said:

Hello,

The Q2 Monochrome is more than enough, the 60 MP is superfluous as well as the mobile screen not adapted to the more composed photography of Black and White.

 

 

 

The Q2M represents a certain level of B&W perfection. A "3" version would hardly trump what already sings.

[Simone_DF]

4 hours ago, vitrail said:

as the mobile screen not adapted to the more composed photography of Black and White.

Can you expand on this? Why would b/w photographers not use a tilting screen?

[Miltz]

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Leica has been incredibly consistent and predictable with releases. No on here really knows when it is coming, but it will come eventually. We can expect up to 2 stops of high iso performance over the Q3 just like we saw in the Q2 variant. The difference this time is the Q3 is already so amazing at high iso that the Q3M might not be needed. The idea of having a black-and-white leica is very romantic, and I almost got the Q2 Monochrome myself. Ultimately owning 2 cameras one for color and one for BW isn’t very efficient. Not to mention expensive. I personally can’t own a camera that can never shoot color. I want the option. With my Q3 I can have my cake and eat it too. It’s the first Q camera that is amazing at high iso that shoots color so I won’t be getting a Q3M

[vitrail]

Can you expand on this? Why would b/w photographers not use a tilting screen?

@Simone_DFAn idea like this: I think that the black and white photographer behaves differently with respect to the image, he works more the composition, the light and most often, in the old, that is to saysay with the viewfinder so certainly not on a screen and even less with a hold at the hip or misaligned as allows the tilting screen of the Q3.
But maybe I’m wrong about this idealization of the amateur monochromatic?

[Stuart Richardson]

Just curious myself what the most compelling reason would be for people. The Q2M has a very sharp sensor and 47mp with no bayer matrix is already not being utilized fully by the lens in the Q2 (obviously, image quality is a synergy of lens and sensor, but what I mean here is that the edge and corner performance of the 28mm 1.7 is not all that great even in color, let alone on the monochrome sensor). Boosting it to sixty will give you more pixels, but most likely no additional resolution. You might get slightly more dynamic range and slightly higher ISO, but then you are already in the tens of thousands before a difference is obvious. So I think then it becomes more about whether the changes in the body from the Q2 to Q3 are important enough to justify buying one. I suspect Leica may well do it...they already have the same sensor in a mono configuration in the M11M, so it might not need special adjustment. Personally, however, I think the Q series would be improved substantially more by bringing a 40-50mm version, be it color or mono. Or at least updating the lens such that it can make better use of all that extra resolution. I know from my own experience of the Q2 versus the 35mm and 50mm APO Summicrons on the SL2 (same sensor) that Leica is capable of making substantially better lenses than the one that has been on the Q since its first incarnation, which would have been designed 10 or 11 years ago now. Whether it would be economical or wieldy is of course another question. But I think it is one that Leica has to explore if they keep boosting the resolution.

Edited January 17, 2024 by Stuart Richardson

[mhasman]

Yes. Can't wait.

[Simone_DF]

2 hours ago, vitrail said:

@Simone_DFAn idea like this: I think that the black and white photographer behaves differently with respect to the image, he works more the composition, the light and most often, in the old, that is to saysay with the viewfinder so certainly not on a screen and even less with a hold at the hip or misaligned as allows the tilting screen of the Q3.
But maybe I’m wrong about this idealization of the amateur monochromatic?

 

First of all, there's nothing wrong about your idealization. You are looking at this from a more "romantic" point of view, I'm more practical and look at usability first and foremost. For example what if the composition you have in mind is from a high or low angle? Between squatting and tilting a screen, I'll take the tilting screen any day. And sometimes squatting is not even enough of a low angle. 

Regarding holding at hip level, all TLR users had a top-down view from above and shot from the hip. Many also shot black and white. Vivian Maier is the first that comes to mind. A tilt screen would allow for something not too different, tilt the screen, position the Q like in the photo below, compose, shot.

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Simone_DF]

2 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

So I think then it becomes more about whether the changes in the body from the Q2 to Q3 are important enough to justify buying one. 

Dramatically improved AF, tilt screen, USB-C charging, more responsive, more juice in the battery are good features. Perhaps not enough to upgrade for some people, but enough for new customers who were not satisfied with the Q2 to jump in. 

[RobW0]

7 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Dramatically improved AF, tilt screen, USB-C charging, more responsive, more juice in the battery are good features. Perhaps not enough to upgrade for some people, but enough for new customers who were not satisfied with the Q2 to jump in. 

I agree with all of your listed improvements except the battery, because the new "more juice" battery can be used in the Q2 also. I like the Q3 improvements but I agree with some about the sensor. Just for reference I also have an M11P and had the Q2 before Q3. 

[Leographie]

Q3 Monochrom ...Yes!!!

[Stuart Richardson]

51 minutes ago, AussieQ said:

Lately I have been curious of the monochrom cameras and so I downloaded RAW DNG files from Q2M and M11M. I know this may seem offensive to monochrom owners, but when processing and even assessing the RAW files in photoshop, I really couldn't find anything that stood out in the fashion that monochrom youtube influencers rave about. I find I am able to achieve the similar results in just converting my RAW Q3 files to monochrom and realistically, I can make them look as dramatic as I choose. I was a tad cheeky and even posted some Q3 raw converted to monochrom on social media groups on the M11 Monochrom and they got rave likes. But nobody knew the photos were actually taken with a Q3 and converted to back and white. I appreciate the extra dynamic range and lower iso noise, but in this age of noise reduction and amazing dynamic range on most cameras, is a Monochrom camera even worth while having such a limitation of only shooting in BNW? I would rather have the option of colour and be able to convert. Not being rude, just can't get my head around buying a monochrom Q3 and be limited.

The biggest reason is that the limitations help focus the photographer on black and white compositions. To remove distractions. The technical advantages are real, but usually secondary unless you are using particularly high ISO or printing at a size where the printer resolition is higher than that of the camera. 

[thegobi]

28 minutes ago, AussieQ said:

Lately I have been curious of the monochrom cameras and so I downloaded RAW DNG files from Q2M and M11M. I know this may seem offensive to monochrom owners, but when processing and even assessing the RAW files in photoshop, I really couldn't find anything that stood out in the fashion that monochrom youtube influencers rave about. I find I am able to achieve the similar results in just converting my RAW Q3 files to monochrom and realistically, I can make them look as dramatic as I choose. I was a tad cheeky and even posted some Q3 raw converted to monochrom on social media groups on the M11 Monochrom and they got rave likes. But nobody knew the photos were actually taken with a Q3 and converted to back and white. I appreciate the extra dynamic range and lower iso noise, but in this age of noise reduction and amazing dynamic range on most cameras, is a Monochrom camera even worth while having such a limitation of only shooting in BNW? I would rather have the option of colour and be able to convert. Not being rude, just can't get my head around buying a monochrom Q3 and be limited.

Not offended at all… 

Here is a serious answer to your question — totally free of bs 😉, but for an actually really real Q2M instead.

 It’s a bit like asking why you wouldn’t use a camera with a 24-300mm f2 lens, 120frame per second motor drive and ferret left-eye detection — why limit yourself? (Ok that bit wasn’t so serious 🤣)

I actually bought a Monochrom to be limited. I take my Q2M out to take monochrome images, nothing else. By that I mean I only look for images that will work in B&W. There are an infinite number of potential photos out there— I am narrowing it down the same as I would by only taking a single prime with me. A Monochrom seriously helps me to get into that head space—more than a colour camera ever could. It’s black and white with no safety net.

Thats reason one…

A few points before I go on:

• being dramatic (whatever that means) is not really a good yardstick for what a Monochrom can do (or any b&w photo really)
• I don’t believe anyone could tell what camera has been used to take any given photo—especially just by looking at it on the web. 
• Random RAW files from the web are not the whole story. Not all of the time, but some of the time, I have had RAW files out of this thing that have taken my breath away. A very specific quality from this camera (believe me or not, your choice)
• I really don’t care what YouTube influencers and fad merchants say on the web—I am equally unimpressed with gear addicts that take demo photos of their cat or brick walls and bang on about IQ or PQ or whatever. 😝

So reason two…

Most of what you said is technically true… most of the time… until it isn’t.

The Monochrom is technically better for b&w images… but not dramatically better. It comes down to the individual and if they want to pay more for that extra bit. There is more to the RAW output than just dynamic range and ISO (again, believe me or not - your choice… 🙂)

“I would rather have the option of colour and be able to convert. Not being rude, just can't get my head around buying a monochrom Q3 and be limited.”

…and not being rude, but thats where we discover that a Monochrom may not be the camera for you… 😉

 

Bonus reason 2.1: I love the simplistic, matt black finish and leather texture finish—with no other colour at all on it. It’s just a lovely piece of industrial design…

 

 

psst… also, there is no such thing as a Q3 Monochrom so your choice is fairly limited there… 🤣

[jimtong]

2 hours ago, AussieQ said:

Lately I have been curious of the monochrom cameras and so I downloaded RAW DNG files from Q2M and M11M. I know this may seem offensive to monochrom owners, but when processing and even assessing the RAW files in photoshop, I really couldn't find anything that stood out in the fashion that monochrom youtube influencers rave about. I find I am able to achieve the similar results in just converting my RAW Q3 files to monochrom and realistically, I can make them look as dramatic as I choose. I was a tad cheeky and even posted some Q3 raw converted to monochrom on social media groups on the M11 Monochrom and they got rave likes. But nobody knew the photos were actually taken with a Q3 and converted to back and white. I appreciate the extra dynamic range and lower iso noise, but in this age of noise reduction and amazing dynamic range on most cameras, is a Monochrom camera even worth while having such a limitation of only shooting in BNW? I would rather have the option of colour and be able to convert. Not being rude, just can't get my head around buying a monochrom Q3 and be limited.

You may be right that the color and the monochrom are very close but one thing you miss out is the mentality when you hold a real monochrom camera in your hand. You have no choice but only think in black and white mindset. I have a Q2M and every time I pick it up and out shooting, I have to think in a black and white composition.

[Le Chef]

18 minutes ago, jimtong said:

one thing you miss out is the mentality when you hold a real monochrom camera in your hand. You have no choice but only think in black and white mindset.

That’s easy to replicate with a color Q: just set the EVF to show B&W.

[jimtong]

10 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

That’s easy to replicate with a color Q: just set the EVF to show B&W.

No, the mindset is different. I get what you mean though.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[blaaberkat]

First, I really don’t like it when people tell others that there isn’t a need for something(Q3M) because of some other thing(Q2M). We all have different needs!

Second, I’m sure the Q3M will come. I’m debating myself whether to get it over my Q2M.

Third, my reason to have a monochrom: I just can’t get myself to shoot b&w with my M11/Q3 since I have the Q2M. It’s the whole experience. The high ISO performance is a bonus.