Leica Q3 or Fujifilm XT-5 with 18/1,4

[gotium]

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10 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Smaller, lighter, can fit in your jacket, integrated ND filter, more stealthy, IBIS is more effective than OIS, option of OVF and EVF, better out of camera JPGs, supports wide angle and 50mm adapters (with caveats), body has a small grip which I greatly prefer to the Q flatness, price is 1/4th of a Q3, and finally I prefer 35 to 28mm. 
The Q3 has its advantages too: full frame, sharper lens at least in the centre, colors out of camera closer to my SL - easier for me to have a consistent look - better skin tones, high iso looks slightly better, fully weather sealed without the needs of an add on, EVF is nicer than the one on the X100VI, aperture ring on the lens barrell is nice to have. 
This is MY list. Other people may have different reasons to pick one over the other. 

Thank you, I've had less than a week with the X110V but I'd agree with all points except the focal length issue (28 is definitely better than 35!). I also find the Q3 AF better, for faces and eyes at least. 

[Simone_DF]

11 hours ago, SrMi said:

Have you tried it? For me, the 1/15 sec is the lowest safe shutter speed for both Q3 and X00VI (when pixel peeping).

It was about the same for me on the Q2, 1/15. But I've been able to shot IBIS equipped cameras at 1/4th.

 

11 hours ago, SrMi said:

Q3 is much more solid, better looking camera, with ergonomics vastly superior to Fuji. Manual focusing is way better than with Fuji.

Sure, if they are good points to you, all the better for you, but all these pros are irrelevant to me. Ergonomics I find inferior on the Q3 because it's flat, I need to wrap my fingers around a grip, otherwise after a while my hand gets sore. Better looking is totally irrelevant. While I do appreciate good design, cameras are tools to me, not jewelry. I'll pick function over form any day. I don't use manual focus except in very rare situations, so I don't care about that either.

A good point I'd make about the Q3 is the UI is vastly superior though. 

[David Wien]

9 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

. Ergonomics I find inferior on the Q3 because it's flat, I need to wrap my fingers around a grip,

Yes. That is true for me also.  I also have a Canon R6 and the shutter button is at an angle, which is better for me.

David

 

Edited March 6, 2024 by David Wien

[Le Chef]

6 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

Ergonomics I find inferior on the Q3 because it's flat, I need to wrap my fingers around a grip

Buy a grip: problem solved.

[SrMi]

7 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

It was about the same for me on the Q2, 1/15. But I've been able to shot IBIS equipped cameras at 1/4th.

You cannot extrapolate from one camera to the other. IBIS effectiveness varies a lot, regardless of the CIPA number.

I have also been able to shoot Q2 with 1/4th, but that is when I am taking the risk of blurred images and need appropriate techniques.

7 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

Ergonomics I find inferior on the Q3 because it's flat, I need to wrap my fingers around a grip, otherwise after a while my hand gets sore.

The main handholding differentiator for me is the weight. While X100 has a small grip, I am missing Q's thumb indentation. 

You will see both cameras with added grips on them. I prefer both without an additional grip.

Edited March 6, 2024 by SrMi

[Mr Perceptive]

23 minutes ago, SrMi said:

You cannot extrapolate from one camera to the other. IBIS effectiveness varies a lot, regardless of the CIPA number.

I have also been able to shoot Q2 with 1/4th, but that is when I am taking the risk of blurred images and need appropriate techniques.

The main handholding differentiator for me is the weight. While X100 has a small grip, I am missing Q's thumb indentation. 

You will see both cameras with added grips on them. I prefer both without an additional grip.

I agree with this^  I've used X100 series cameras for 11 years and now have a Q3, in all cases I feel that a grip unbalances the camera when handheld. I only ever attach the grips when I need an Arca plate to attach to a tripod.

Leaf shutters also make the system easier to shoot at longer exposure speeds, I'm not a fan of IBIS for wide angle views, invariably something is moving in the scene, which will blur/go soft anyway. In these cases bumping the ISO to get a sharp shot is my preferred way to go. IBIS has its place with telephoto lenses though.

[Simone_DF]

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4 hours ago, Le Chef said:

Buy a grip: problem solved.

I did, and sold it together with the Q2. I was talking about the vanilla camera pros and cons for me. 

[ksrhee]

5 hours ago, SrMi said: 

You will see both cameras with added grips on them. I prefer both without an additional grip.

I'm with you. I prefer the classic film camera design without hand grips. I learned to hold the camera with both hands when I was a child and never became comfortable holding it with one hand with the grip. Of course, I love the well-designed manual focus camera and lens. Give me a split image finder any time . . .

[MindsEye]

To OP: I own both. I shoot for my living and I travel frequently. I have a whole bunch of lenses for my X-T5 bodies. My favorite camera to use is my Q3. BUT that's ME. I suppose if I were going to travel and have only one camera and lens I would seriously consider the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DG DN for the X-T5. My main reason is "seeing" the focal lengths. I like the frame lines in the Q3 but not being able to zoom in with the viewfinder is a handicap. If you're okay with the framelines for longer focal length equivalents then the Q3 will work well. If you don't already know it, with the X-T5, you can set up a couple zoom/crops on a custom function for longer focal length equivalents if you're set on getting the 18mm only for the X-T5.

As so many have mentioned, no-one can choose for you.

Good luck.

[FocusDot]

On 3/5/2024 at 12:40 PM, Simone_DF said:

Because the user has already a XT5, but not a 28mm equivalent lens, and because the X100 is 1/4th of the price of a Q3 and offer some distinct advantages and disadvantages over a Q. 
Q2 is a mediocre camera compared to the three listed above, imho. 

Q2 mediocre camera compared to X100, XT5 - even to Q3??  If you say so... 🙄

[Simone_DF]

50 minutes ago, FocusDot said:

Q2 mediocre camera compared to X100, XT5 - even to Q3??  If you say so... 🙄

Yup. For ME it was a mediocre camera and I sold it within 3 months of purchase. 

[GREG PLAT]

Hello everyone.

I would like to thank everyone here all this time for the suggestions, thoughts, opinions etc, especially AussieQ(he knows).

I ordered today my first Leica. Its a Leica Q3 and I will entry happily in to Leica family. 

I create a new topic LEICA Q3 ACCESSORIES (LEICA and THIRD PARTY), if you like to post your suggestions and experiences about Leica Q3 accessories. 

Thank you 

Greg

Edited March 7, 2024 by GREG PLAT

[ksrhee]

Congratulations!  Now the waiting game begins . . . you will be happy with the purchase!

[R.Theberge]

I have the X-T5 with  the 16-80mm lens. The X-T5 is a very goos camera and with the 18mm lens it will be light and smallish. Previously I used the Leica CL with the Sigma 18-50mm. Sold the CL when Leica announced they were abandoning the line. The Sigma is a great lens and very light.  Started with a X-Pro3 which I still have and love.  Now in the process of buying a used Q2, so full circle I guess. If I were you, I'd go the X-T5 with 18mm and the Sigma 18-50.  Buy the Q2/3 when you have more money. Travel can get expensive very suddenly (speaking from experience).

 

Rene

 

[Patrick NL]

You mentioned you like the color science of Fujifilm. The Leica is a RAW shooter for me. The JPGs are not special in any way.

I also shoot Fujifilm since 2014 and have a ton of lenses and now the X-T2, 3 and 4. And a Q3 which I love. In your case, I would buy the 18/1.4 and a 50/2. That is all you will need. The 50/2 is so small, why not bring that along to get more shallow DOF.

[donphotog]

I have both Leica Q3 and Fuji X-T5 with the 16-80 f4 lens.  While the Leica is incredible for photo art (landscapes, street photos), I shoot DNG (RAW) in the Leica for maximum result, the Fuji X-T5 will probably be better for your trip as you can shoot JPEG with various film simulations. Fuji colors are hard to beat even with a Leica.  Also, the Leica is single card slot whereas the Fuji has double cards for backup protection. If I were you, I'd go with the Fuji for your trip.

[charles tay]

I used to own a Leica Q2, but sold it and experimented with Nikon, Sony, Canon and settled on the FujiFilm XT5. Purchased multiple lenses for street photography and hiking with telephoto lenses. XT5's film simulation and video capabilities are excellent, and I really enjoy it.

However, when I look back at my old Leica Q2 photos ... there is a certain texture, color, and feel I can't reproduce with the XT5. Fuji color science is my favorite, but I didn't want to buy a Leica Q2 again since I owned one previously.

As a result, I waited and continued to use XT5 until Leica Q3 was released in May 2023. Due to the fact that Q3 was a new product and sold out. As a result, I decided to skip it and wait for the reviews.

I revisited my decision in 2024 to re-enter the Leica Q world again and reviewed all the videos on this camera.

Despite being a minimalist camera, Q3 comes with a very capable image processor, sensor, and most importantly, it comes with a unique Leica optics lens. Macro photography is one of my favorite things to do with my Q2, and now I can revisit it. With the XT5, I have never done macro.

I initially considered getting a X100VI, but then I dropped the idea.

As I am located in Singapore, leica Q3 limited stock, I decided to swing by on a weekday evening to try the physical camera. There is only one piece left and I bought it. 

Q3 will deliver a minimalist experience with the power of Leica optics. Moreover, the Leica app works well and offers Leica looks and film simulations for experimentation.

Since it is very expensive, I've taken out a property insurance policy to protect my photography gear from theft and damage.

You can get into Leica Q3 and experience it while keeping your Fujifilm gear. If Q3 doesn't meet your expectations, you can resell it.
 

[David Wien]

Yes, I find the Q3 very stimulating to use. However, it cannot cover all situations. Your choice to have Fuji XT5 for these occasions is a good one. I have never had a Fuji camera, and my only experience of the company is Fujichrome, the colours of which I never liked. So for me, my Canon R6 Mk.I enables me to continue to do telephoto and wide angle shift lens shooting.

David