Q3 Monochrom ...Yes / NO

[mhasman]

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Leica announced price hike in US. From July 1st, Q3 costs $6,295. So, by the announcement time, Q3M might cost very close to $7K. 

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[RobW0]

57 minutes ago, mhasman said:

Leica announced price hike in US. From July 1st, Q3 costs $6,295. So, by the announcement time, Q3M might cost very close to $7K. 

May be $6700 based on the difference between the Q2 and Q2M. 

[bobtodrick]

23 hours ago, leicameech said:

I would like to see a Monochrom version of every Leica camera. 

Hard to do with the Sofort 😂

[cltlz3n]

If a Q3M comes out I’d probably trade my current Q3 for it. I’ve since gotten an SL3 and I am in love with my M lenses there for all types of photography. I like the idea that if I decide to take my Q3M somewhere with me then I know I’m only shooting in B&W for that trip for example.

[Simone_DF]

5 hours ago, bobtodrick said:

Hard to do with the Sofort 😂

Actually that’s the easy one. Leica can drop the color Instax film and sell only the b/w one

[bobtodrick]

7 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Actually that’s the easy one. Leica can drop the color Instax film and sell only the b/w one

And what, make it illegal to put Fuji film in the camera?

[Simone_DF]

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1 hour ago, bobtodrick said:

And what, make it illegal to put Fuji film in the camera?

Please, don’t give them ideas. 

[ianforber]

On 6/14/2024 at 3:45 PM, Barralad said:

Me neither. No interest in video at all. But then I’m old(-ish) and wonder whether video appeals more to younger owners?

I have no interest in video either. I can only imagine that people taking pictures might use it if there’s something (kids dancing?) that suits a short video and you dont have the time or inclination to get a mobile phone, which is much better for video. Personally, I still wouldn’t do that but that’s just me. 

[Ad Dieleman]

I was of the opinion that a monochrome camera is not for me. That is, until I saw what happens in these photos from the Q3. The photo is hardly cropped in post (to 9392x6251 px or 58.7 MP). However, when pixel-peeping I saw artefacts in the girls' hair, see the crop. I know, it's an extreme crop but even when I view the whole photo on my 27" screen I'm slightly bothered by the grittiness, the lack of smoothness in the hair. Given that I often crop a lot in street photos, I'm afraid this will happen more often.

I suppose these artefacts stem from the demosaicing of the color image and wouldn't be present in a true monochrome image. I downloaded image samples of a Q2 Monochrom, which indeed shows smoother details in comparable circumstances.

The disadvantages of a monochrome camera still hold: no post-processing to mimic color filters, AI masking doesn't work well, futzing with color filters and of course being stuck with B&W. And no, I'm not prepared to carry 2 cameras, not even a Q3 and a Q3 Monochrom. Don't get me wrong, I love the Q3 for what it is. But knowing myself, the monochrome itch might not go away...

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Edited June 17, 2024 by Ad Dieleman

[Erik S]

Having been bequeathed M6 by my grandfather, I have found myself profoundly immersed in the Leica ecosystem few years ago. Recently, I entertained the notion of acquiring either Q2 or Q3 - so I ventured to my local Leica boutique for a hands-on experience (yay).

As someone with inherent achromatopsia - I felt that Q2M somewhat presented an exaggerated contrast to my eyes compared to Q2... If Leica does release a Q3M in the foreseeable future, I do wish they refine and tone down their color science slightly to deliver a more natural rendition of the B&W and accurate mirroring of the dynamic range and subtleties of the monochrom world I live in 🙂.

[mhasman]

August already, and still no rumors 

[intermediatic]

C’mon Leica, take my money.

[TomBC]

we do have rumours, and a Q3m might not be coming.

I am trying to understand if the problem is phase detect on a Monochrom sensor or what else might be. I thought any Monochrom version has been a success so far/

Leicarumors

[intermediatic]

No Q3M would make me quite sad.

[Dr. G]

Is phase detect autofocus compatible with a monochrome sensor?  
 

Edit: I was trying to reply to @TomBC but forgot to quote him.

Edited September 8, 2024 by Dr. G

[Richard K]

I would like to have seen a Q2 43 Monochrom. Unless you’re printing big you don’t need 60 Mpx when you’re starting from 43mm. The phase detect would not be an issue with this sensor.

[Matt Stevens]

On 1/17/2024 at 2:00 PM, vitrail said:

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?

I'm a b/w photographer and I want a tilting screen.

 

[Le Chef]

I convert images to B&W in LR and enjoy using the tilt screen from time-to-time.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[viramati]

As it appears that phase detect AF is not possible with the monochrom sensor the only real benefit I can see in a Q3 version would be the tilting screen

[thelivingyears]

So no Q3 Monochrom coming?