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

[bobtodrick]

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Count me as another that shoots mostly JPEG.

I’m a stickler for exposure control and using fill flash where needed so I don’t need to do a lot of contrast manipulation and such post processing.

I also have always seen ‘wide angle’ so I have little need for lots of cropping, whether in camera or post…the number of times I have shot at anything other than the native 28mm is very small.

I do a couple or three gallery exhibits locally every year.  I print full frame to 16x20 and am happy with the results…stuff sells so others must think it looks okay as well.

I’d rather spend time shooting, doing stuff with my kids or reading than sitting in front of a computer…but that is me.  I have friend who enjoy the post processing as much as I enjoy shooting…whatever makes you happy…go for it.

As to the extra cost of the Leica.  I’ve had two X100’s…completely happy with the results.   But I’ll be the first bro admit I have always been a sucker for the Red Dot 😂

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[Trankster]

I also shoot Raw+JPEG and save both on my computer.  When travelling I transfer select JPEGs to my phone or tablet via the Fotos app and do a some minor adjusting in Snapsead before sharing.  I have done this for years on numerous trips and family visits.  When I moved from my prior Fujifilm X100F to the Leica Q2, I was initially surprised by the few JPEG settings compared to the Fuji.  With a few adjustments (plus Snapsead for traveling) I was able to achieve acceptable JPEGs for sharing and posting.  That said, for selective shots I will do post processing of raw files.  One hidden cost of the Q3 is the need for more computer storage for the huge raw and JPEG files, and a possible upgrade in processing power.  Similar to bobtodrick, I would rather take photos of family and travels than processing on my computer.  My Q3 is probably my last and primary camera and likely to outlast me.   

[Riz]

32 minutes ago, bobtodrick said:

Count me as another that shoots mostly JPEG.

I’m a stickler for exposure control and using fill flash where needed so I don’t need to do a lot of contrast manipulation and such post processing.

I also have always seen ‘wide angle’ so I have little need for lots of cropping, whether in camera or post…the number of times I have shot at anything other than the native 28mm is very small.

I do a couple or three gallery exhibits locally every year.  I print full frame to 16x20 and am happy with the results…stuff sells so others must think it looks okay as well.

I’d rather spend time shooting, doing stuff with my kids or reading than sitting in front of a computer…but that is me.  I have friend who enjoy the post processing as much as I enjoy shooting…whatever makes you happy…go for it.

As to the extra cost of the Leica.  I’ve had two X100’s…completely happy with the results.   But I’ll be the first bro admit I have always been a sucker for the Red Dot 😂

Thanks for sharing your view. Me too I have spend hours in past doing post processing but now I would rather spend that time taking pics or being with family.

5 minutes ago, Trankster said:

I also shoot Raw+JPEG and save both on my computer.  When travelling I transfer select JPEGs to my phone or tablet via the Fotos app and do a some minor adjusting in Snapsead before sharing.  I have done this for years on numerous trips and family visits.  When I moved from my prior Fujifilm X100F to the Leica Q2, I was initially surprised by the few JPEG settings compared to the Fuji.  With a few adjustments (plus Snapsead for traveling) I was able to achieve acceptable JPEGs for sharing and posting.  That said, for selective shots I will do post processing of raw files.  One hidden cost of the Q3 is the need for more computer storage for the huge raw and JPEG files, and a possible upgrade in processing power.  Similar to bobtodrick, I would rather take photos of family and travels than processing on my computer.  My Q3 is probably my last and primary camera and likely to outlast me.   

Yes there was a time when I wanted to have lot of features and options in my cameras but now I want to keep things simple so not spending too much time making things work but getting work done :). As mentioned in my original post I have bought many cameras in past but I have not had a single camera for last 4/5 years or so and this camera if I buy would be the last camera I want to buy. Fuji/Sony and many others are in my view part of rat race, every year or other year no features no models new upgrades. I want to buy something which I buy and last until I or my hobby lasts :). The way I see Leica Camera is what in music systems Naim is for me... I was used too to change my music system almost every year cuz new model/new feature etc but since the day I bought Naim I stopped even being bothered about new models/features. So satisfied that not even once it occurs to me that I need something better to enjoy music anymore. If it makes any sense :)/

[SLamb]

Leica camera, Naim audio....a man of taste 👍

[Kozonoh]

4 hours ago, Anbaric said:

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?

Let’s try. The différence is just day and night as soon as you want to do some basic pp. 

[Riz]

3 minutes ago, Kozonoh said:

Let’s try. The différence is just day and night as soon as you want to do some basic pp. 

Would be interesting to see

[Patrick NL]

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The Q3 produces pretty good JPG files. I do not like any of the Leica Looks personally, so I do not use them. The black and white is pretty good too. And The Q3 itself is a gem with a stellar lens. It measures very well too; the camera should give you a file with a good histogram. If 28mm suits you (cropping no problem!), go for it!

It is wise to shoot JPG + DNG like you said. It doesn't take (me) much time to produce a better file from the DNG, so you should do that I think for the best shots. The ones deserving the extra time and effort.

Enjoy your Q3. We both know you will get one. I read it in every. pist you did in this thread. 😉

[Riz]

25 minutes ago, Patrick NL said:

The Q3 produces pretty good JPG files. I do not like any of the Leica Looks personally, so I do not use them. The black and white is pretty good too. And The Q3 itself is a gem with a stellar lens. It measures very well too; the camera should give you a file with a good histogram. If 28mm suits you (cropping no problem!), go for it!

It is wise to shoot JPG + DNG like you said. It doesn't take (me) much time to produce a better file from the DNG, so you should do that I think for the best shots. The ones deserving the extra time and effort.

Enjoy your Q3. We both know you will get one. I read it in every. pist you did in this thread. 😉

Thanks, By Leica Look I didn't mean the new Leica Looks, Leica introduced but the Leica Magic ppl talk about 😂

Thanks I'm also quite sure about buying it (Well almost sure) as mentioned in one of my post I would have bought it today, was at Leica store even choose the camera color (Going for Leica Individualisation) but last min pulled the sale to think one more time 🤣.

Hopefully will end-up buying soon If something or someone didn't change my mind in next few days.

[jaapv]

Just do it. 

[Riz]

27 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Just do it. 

Most likely, still deciding about the color, No option for black have to pick among other 4 colors.

[Simone_DF]

I think Fujis produces better jpegs than the Q3, or any Leica. That said, if you think you’ll enjoy using a Q3 more, then by all means go for it. You live only once, get the camera you enjoy the most, and that will also have a positive impact on your photography. Both cameras are great anyway for one reason or another, you can’t really go wrong here. 

[MikeD70]

Q3 .jpg's can stand up to near billboard sizes, if processed in PS, and you use a good up-scaling program.  I know, some folks, other than old news photographers swear by .RAW, and consider anything else inferior, but the fact is, .jpeg's are indeed good enough.  Before anyone throws rocks at me, I'm just saying they both have their goods and bads.  With a Q, the choice is yours.

[bobtodrick]

6 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

I think Fujis produces better jpegs than the Q3, or any Leica. That said, if you think you’ll enjoy using a Q3 more, then by all means go for it. You live only once, get the camera you enjoy the most, and that will also have a positive impact on your photography. Both cameras are great anyway for one reason or another, you can’t really go wrong here. 

So true.

Most high end cameras today have more capability than the owner can utilize.

It is common on the sales floor for people to ask which camera is best.  
We tell them to play with them (our demos) and go with the one that feels most comfortable in their hands.

[Wellsyboy]

As long as you are happy with a fixed lens and the occasional rolling shutter then you're golden. If you get more into post processing or if you get the occasional image that require it then RAW+jpeg the way to go. My missus likes me to be able to produce an image for her as soon as I take it so I shoot jpeg to share with her. Then I delete all the jpegs and post process my RAWs - it gives me more flexibility for what I want to do but the jpegs are superb too once you find the profile that you like. Personally I find the reds a bit too saturated out of camera on the Standard Profile......anyhoo... you only live once... fill your boots!

[jaapv]

36 minutes ago, Wellsyboy said:

As long as you are happy with a fixed lens and the occasional rolling shutter then you're golden. If you get more into post processing or if you get the occasional image that require it then RAW+jpeg the way to go. My missus likes me to be able to produce an image for her as soon as I take it so I shoot jpeg to share with her. Then I delete all the jpegs and post process my RAWs - it gives me more flexibility for what I want to do but the jpegs are superb too once you find the profile that you like. Personally I find the reds a bit too saturated out of camera on the Standard Profile......anyhoo... you only live once... fill your boots!

Rolling shutter? With a leaf shutter ?? That is a new one for me  

https://petapixel.com/2023/05/26/leicas-q-series-always-used-a-leaf-shutter-but-it-went-unnoticed-till-now/

[Driften]

41 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Rolling shutter? With a leaf shutter ?? That is a new one for me  

https://petapixel.com/2023/05/26/leicas-q-series-always-used-a-leaf-shutter-but-it-went-unnoticed-till-now/

The leaf shutter would not produce any rolling shutter effects, but the extended Electronic shutter will. I guess someone could also set the electronic shutter to be always on and suffer from rolling shutter as well. At least my Q2 works that way.

[LeicaRoy]

Here is a SOOC jpg taken a few days ago - not too bad 🙂

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[jaapv]

5 hours ago, Driften said:

The leaf shutter would not produce any rolling shutter effects, but the extended Electronic shutter will. I guess someone could also set the electronic shutter to be always on and suffer from rolling shutter as well. At least my Q2 works that way.

Yes, but that problem is not specific for the Q3. 

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[Qwertynm]

7 hours ago, LeicaRoy said:

Here is a SOOC jpg taken a few days ago - not too bad

really nice. would be even better without the slanted horizon. @Riz maybe activate perspective control too if you want to shoot jpgs and share right away without doing anything. It's reversible in the raw file

[student]

47 minutes ago, AussieQ said:

Oh and also, when you get your Q3, if other non Leica photographers in public rag on you that you wasted money and that their other camera brand takes the same if not better photos then know one thing. Your camera will be made of metal and when it makes contact with a rude, anti Leica photographers forehead, you will have inflicted the true power of Leica on them. It's built not like a tank, but its a solid block of metal, unlike other non Leica plastic cameras.

 

Enjoy!!

Valuable advice, much appreciated; and all the more so because it comes gratis!

Edited June 23, 2024 by student