To Buy or not to Buy: Leica Q3 as JPEG Only Camera :)

[Riz]

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Hi All,

   Just a background I have used many cameras in past starting from Canon to Nikon to Sony to Olympus and got settled with Fuji X-T1/2/3 and Fuji X100F and then said Goodbye to Camera Photography and settled for iPhones (Currently using iPhone 14 Pro Max).

Leica has always been one of my Dream Camera while I had others but never had funds and never been into street Photography and Manual Focus (So M been out).

After Fujifilm X100VI launched and my daughter showing interest in Photography, my old interest came back and was quite keen to buy Fuji X100VI but as it's sold out everywhere and in Grey market it's been on sale for 1.5x the price easily. In my usual way I started doing research and found out about Leica Q3 and For last few weeks have done lot of reading forums/reviews and watching zillions of videos on YouTube about Q3. 

With Fujifilm not available and ppl selling for 1.5x of original price and Leica in that way twice the price, Price went out of the window as a deciding factor (Yes I can afford to spend 6K on Q3).

In every aspect I liked Q3 and no doubt it's a better camera compare to Fujifilm, Yes I always loved Fujifilm Film Simulations (But as much I loved, I recall I didn't use so many all the time and was mostly stick to 1 or 2)

I have used Lightroom and other softwares in the past but I don't think so now I have the time and energy or my family has the patience to wait for Photo editing (One of the reason I stopped using Cameras and relied on Trust iPhone (pun intended) ) was you take photo and you enjoy right away. My wife hated when I took days to edit and then share images.

So My question is about Q3 SOOC Image quality in JPEG, Is it good? (People praise about RAW and what magic can be done and I believe it) But at least 80% of the time I would relay on JPEG quality as 80% of the use of camera will be family Trips/Outings and family would like to get the pics right away (Even on a 2 night trip they like to get pics daily at day end from iPhone).

so appreciate your comments and feedback, if I can count on Q3 SOOC JPEG quality for good pics and it's worth spending 6K on this camera if 80-90% of use will be family trips and JPEGs.

[jaapv]

It seems to me that one would waste an awful lot of money by buying a camera capable of superb raw images and then using it only to produce images that are no better than those of a Fuji at a fraction of the price. JPG throws away more than half the data the camera gathers. Fine for snapshots, easy sharing, smaller prints if you happen to like the look, etc. As soon as you want to adapt the image to your taste in postprocessing though, you are severely limited. At least shoot JPG+raw to leave your options open.
OTOH the Q is a great camera. If it suits you just buy and enjoy it. If you and your family like the results all the better. And having a camera that suits and inspires you will improve your photography 

[Riz]

18 minutes ago, jaapv said:

It seems to me that one would waste an awful lot of money by buying a camera capable of superb raw images and then using it only to produce images that are no better than those of a Fuji at a fraction of the price. JPG throws away more than half the data the camera gathers. Fine for snapshots, easy sharing, smaller prints if you happen to like the look, etc. As soon as you want to adapt the image to your taste in postprocessing though, you are severely limited. At least shoot JPG+raw to leave your options open.
OTOH the Q is a great camera. If it suits you just buy and enjoy it. If you and your family like the results all the better. And having a camera that suits and inspires you will improve your photography 

Thanks for your reply and yes you are right. But the way I sees it no-one buys a Porsche or Ferrari to be driven at high speed all the time but they know when they want they can drive fast but even when not it still offers comfort and pleasure to drive no matter whatever the speed is.

Sorry I did forgot to mention I do intend to shoot JPG+raw and at full 60M pixel all the time but was wondering if for all intended/sharing purpose with family for them to enjoy pics on their phones/iPads/Social will this camera produce good images (Yeah may not be Fujifilm simulations but good images, better than iPhones) or have that Leica Look for which ppl buy Leica

[jaapv]

Well, Leica sells Leica Looks as well nowadays. Not that anybody understands what is Leica about them. They are simply presets which one likes or not. 
Anyway, the Q JPG output is pretty decent and the lens quality shines through, but so are other brands. Hard to find a camera or phone that does not produce technically good images nowadays. I would not specifically buy a Q for that reason, but there are plenty of other considerations. 
 

It is a rabbit hole though. Many buyers end up with their a cupboard full of M cameras, M lenses, SL systems etc.  

[John62]

My first post since joining the forum when I bought my Q2 18 months ago - I haven’t contributed as I haven’t felt I could give any value to the topics until now 🙂

I used a Fuji X100s until I decided to buy the Q2 as a retirement present to myself. I only shoot jpeg images as I’m not bothered about post processing, and find the jpegs from the Leica perfect for my use as a travel and landscape camera.

I’ve tweaked the picture settings and saved my profile, and mostly shoot using medium jpeg quality as I don’t print poster sized images.

As you’d expect with the price difference, the Leica has a much better build quality and is more pleasing to use compared to the Fuji.

I still own the X100 but it remains unused stored in a cupboard.

Hope this helps in your decision making.

John 🙂

 

[Riz]

52 minutes ago, John62 said:

My first post since joining the forum when I bought my Q2 18 months ago - I haven’t contributed as I haven’t felt I could give any value to the topics until now 🙂

I used a Fuji X100s until I decided to buy the Q2 as a retirement present to myself. I only shoot jpeg images as I’m not bothered about post processing, and find the jpegs from the Leica perfect for my use as a travel and landscape camera.

I’ve tweaked the picture settings and saved my profile, and mostly shoot using medium jpeg quality as I don’t print poster sized images.

As you’d expect with the price difference, the Leica has a much better build quality and is more pleasing to use compared to the Fuji.

I still own the X100 but it remains unused stored in a cupboard.

Hope this helps in your decision making.

John 🙂

 

So glad to know that my post compelled to write your First post . Thanks for sharing your experience and views, much appreciate.

For me is also kind of retirement gift, though I'm not retiring soon. Would you mind Sharing your picture settings? 

Yes price difference between Leica and Fuji is a lot and that's something of a consideration that other than build quality and Photographic experience, does Leica offer a better PQ compare to X100.

[dpitt]

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2 hours ago, Riz said:

Thanks for your reply and yes you are right. But the way I sees it no-one buys a Porsche or Ferrari to be driven at high speed all the time but they know when they want they can drive fast but even when not it still offers comfort and pleasure to drive no matter whatever the speed is.

Sorry I did forgot to mention I do intend to shoot JPG+raw and at full 60M pixel all the time but was wondering if for all intended/sharing purpose with family for them to enjoy pics on their phones/iPads/Social will this camera produce good images (Yeah may not be Fujifilm simulations but good images, better than iPhones) or have that Leica Look for which ppl buy Leica

JPG+ RAW sounds good.  You get immediate results for 80% of your shots and you can always fall back on the RAW if you want to spend the time and effort for some keepers.
The top Leica camera's (Q, M, SL)  all produce DNG files with an amazing flexibility in PP. 

You could consider shooting DNG only and use the auto function that I am sure is available in most packages now. Since I use Capture One Pro, I found the auto function is really good and you have more control about what is adjusted automatically. Processing one picture is almost instant and batch processing a full shoot does not take that long too. The results are as in most cases better than my SOOC, so I stopped shooting JPG+RAW .
Using the auto output as a start point I start culling and in a few cases I tweak it a bit. I admit that this process is slower than using Jpeg only, but only by a fraction, and it gives so much more control. In some cases you have capture  the perfect moment but the light was difficult or exposure not optimal. A small adjustment in the HDR module lifting up shadows or reducing highlights would yield a great keeper where the original JPEG would be rejected. 

[Mr Perceptive]

Hi @Riz long time no speak since you were last on TP - I now sport a Q3 having ‘upgraded’ from the X100F

I was quite surprised at the quality of the Q3 JPGs having inferred from the internet that they were pants!! Yes you don’t have all the Fujifilm film simulations but personally I quite like the basic Leica ones and the monochrome settings are very capable. I do however process the RAWs in most cases as that’s what I want to do!!

From you past camera experiences I would really suggest that getting out and using whatever you buy needs more consideration than the perfection of the final output - these things need to be used.

You should be able to borrow a camera for a few hours from the likes of Leica (London/Manchester), that may help in your decision making process 

[Riz]

35 minutes ago, Mr Perceptive said:

Hi @Riz long time no speak since you were last on TP - I now sport a Q3 having ‘upgraded’ from the X100F

I was quite surprised at the quality of the Q3 JPGs having inferred from the internet that they were pants!! Yes you don’t have all the Fujifilm film simulations but personally I quite like the basic Leica ones and the monochrome settings are very capable. I do however process the RAWs in most cases as that’s what I want to do!!

From you past camera experiences I would really suggest that getting out and using whatever you buy needs more consideration than the perfection of the final output - these things need to be used.

You should be able to borrow a camera for a few hours from the likes of Leica (London/Manchester), that may help in your decision making process 

Thanks TP, Sorry my bad but I'm trying to remember as to where and how you know me. Can't ring a bell. 

Sorry right now not in a position to test Camera as I'm traveling and no option for testing. I also heard Leica is increasing the prices from 1st July so want to decide and buy before the price increase if I'm going for this option. 

I'm not saying no to PP or shutting in Raw as I was used too love Post Processing in different tools in past but I'm afraid now I don't have time like before or just doesn't want to relay on PP to get good pics. So posted the question to get a view.

[JNK100]

A Q3 for JPGs only would be a waste in my view.

Similar quality could be obtained with a much cheaper camera.

 

[LesR]

I feel that no camera is a waste if it gives you what you want from it. It could be the file type, size of the camera, quality of images or anything else. I'm new to Leica cameras and I know it's expensive but I wanted something lighter than my Nikon D3 + lens for travel etc. So I say, if it's what you want, no matter the reason just go for it.

[Mute-on]

If you prefer the Q3 shooting experience over the Fuji, just get the Leica. It’s your choice and your value judgement. A Leica does not feel like a Fuji in hand, and does not operate like a Fuji in terms of haptics, and vice versa. Who cares what anyone else thinks, it’s your money. Spend it on whatever you like. Asking others to justify an expensive purchase for you is pointless. 

 

[Anbaric]

I wonder if the strong advocates of shooting DNG would, if presented with a few dozen images, half shot as raw and converted to jpeg, and the other shot directly as jpeg, be able to tell which were which?

[Le Chef]

I have a Q3 with which I shoot RAW only. If I was only going to shoot JPG’s I would upgrade my phone and either not buy or sell the Q3. But in the end it’s your money.

[Barralad]

It sounds to me as though you’ve set your heart on a Leica, the Q3 no less. I agree with the comments above that you can probably get very similar quality with a camera costing much less than the Q3 but I suspect going down that route will prove unsatisfactory because no matter how good those images are you won’t be able to say to yourself that you bought the camera you really wanted. If you have the money and you want the Q3 then buy the Q3. That’s what I did. I looked around and tried to find an alternative that I wanted to buy that would save me some money, but in the end never found one. I’ve no regrets but you might if you end up buying something you don’t really want. For me, ultimately, it wasn’t about specs or ‘money’s worth’, it was all about buying something that I was pretty certain I would love (to hold, own and - yes - use). No other camera stood a chance, in reality. Go with your heart.

[Riz]

1 minute ago, Barralad said:

It sounds to me as though you’ve set your heart on a Leica, the Q3 no less. I agree with the comments above that you can probably get very similar quality with a camera costing much less than the Q3 but I suspect going down that route will prove unsatisfactory because no matter how good those images are you won’t be able to say to yourself that you bought the camera you really wanted. If you have the money and you want the Q3 then buy the Q3. That’s what I did. I looked around and tried to find an alternative that I wanted to buy that would save me some money, but in the end never found one. I’ve no regrets but you might if you end up buying something you don’t really want. For me, ultimately, it wasn’t about specs or ‘money’s worth’, it was all about buying something that I was pretty certain I would love (to hold, own and - yes - use). No other camera stood a chance, in reality. Go with your heart.

You are quite right, I did have my heart set on Leica Q3 and I do really want to buy. I kinda almost booked one to purchase today. For me it's not about money (I read so many post ppl comparing 6K worth money or even with Fuji or others) to me it's simple I like it, I want it and that will make me happy so let's just buy it and that happiness & satisfaction is worth the price. I don't compare what features I'm getting in that price compare to a cheaper option with more features.

But the reason I posted this question that almost all the posts/reviews I read or videos I watched most ppl talk about RAW+PP but I wanted to get an idea about SOOC JPG quality that if that's any good... I'm not looking for 20 Film simulations of Fuji being available (For that I can buy Fuji and I know I'll never use those 20 Sims) but at least know that Q3 will be able to produce good quality JPG if I want to live with JPG in a trip.

Though my plan is to switch to B&W Photography (As my personal hobby, when not traveling with family) so one profile sure will be set to RAW+JPG(High Contrast B&W).

[Barralad]

I’m coming from a place of blissful ignorance, I’m afraid, as I’ve nothing to compare my JPEGs to but they look very good to me. Are they better, or worse, or just the same as I’d get from another camera? I’ve no idea, but I accepted that when I decided to buy the Q3. It’s a lovely thing to own, which is a quality I decided - for a range of reasons, and with no evidence either way - I wouldn’t get with another camera. In the end, I have the camera I wanted, a camera that is very well regarded by others, something of high quality, and not a camera I settled for (I.e., something I would probably come to view as being second best, and not the one I really wanted in the first place). 

[Riz]

1 minute ago, Barralad said:

I’m coming from a place of blissful ignorance, I’m afraid, as I’ve nothing to compare my JPEGs to but they look very good to me. Are they better, or worse, or just the same as I’d get from another camera? I’ve no idea, but I accepted that when I decided to buy the Q3. It’s a lovely thing to own, which is a quality I decided - for a range of reasons, and with no evidence either way - I wouldn’t get with another camera. In the end, I have the camera I wanted, a camera that is very well regarded by others, something of high quality, and not a camera I settled for (I.e., something I would probably come to view as being second best, and not the one I really wanted in the first place). 

Thanks for your views. I have similar views and will sure go with my heart and not mind.

[Barralad]

I doubt you’ll be disappointed and you will have avoided any sense of regret, so I believe this is the right decision. Worst case scenario is you buy it and a few months down the line decide it’s not for you (for whatever reason) then you’ll probably find a buyer quite quickly, and get a good price for it. Better that than a lifetime of thinking ‘I wish I’d got that Q3 when I had the chance…’ as that would quite possibly mess with your head in a different way.

’Cheers!’ in anticipation of the upcoming purchase. Do let us know how you get on.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Riz]

1 minute ago, Barralad said:

I doubt you’ll be disappointed and you will have avoided any sense of regret, so I believe this is the right decision. Worst case scenario is you buy it and a few months down the line decide it’s not for you (for whatever reason) then you’ll probably find a buyer quite quickly, and get a good price for it. Better that than a lifetime of thinking ‘I wish I’d got that Q3 when I had the chance…’ as that would quite possibly mess with your head in a different way.

’Cheers!’ in anticipation of the upcoming purchase. Do let us know how you get on.

Hahahaha, I already like you lad :), You are so spot on  Yes I'm tilting towards the same that worst I won't like it or feel it's not worth spending 6K I can always sell and have high chances to recover my losses considering my local Leica store told me that new price increase will be 14% of current price and I don't want to regret later that I didn't buy knowing  I could before the price jump that will bite me more to pay extra 14% if I decide to buy later.

But I'm quite sure it won't come to a point of selling it so easily cuz I do like the camera and I might adjust my expectation of living with SOOC JPG and play with RAW+PP (Planning to use my M4 iPad Pro + Pencil Pro for this purpose anyways).