Popular Post jonoslack Posted September 26, 2024 Popular Post Share #1 Posted September 26, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) Introduction The Q has been an amazing success for Leica, which is absolutely deserved, it was a brave move in the face of the almost complete demise of compact cameras. All the other manufacturers had stopped making them, so Leica made an expensive, full frame model which was not all that compact, but which had a peerless lens and incredible image quality; and it sold like hot cakes! Ever since it first arrived with it’s 28mm f1.7 lens and 24 mp sensor there have been people who have said “It should have had a 35mm lens” or “I want a 50mm version”. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica have been very aware of these requests, but I think they were wary of spoiling the clarity of purpose of the Q models. Finally they have been convinced and today we have the release of the Q3 43 (September 26th 2024). In this article I’m going to have a look at the implications of the new camera. If you would like to know more about the previous Q cameras then here are links to some older articles Leica Q Field Report for Q Leica Q2 Leica Q2 Monochrom Leica Q3 However, I think that there are a lot of Q2 users out there who resisted the temptation to upgrade to the Q3, so it’s worth briefly mentioning some of its advantages. The Changes from Q2 to Q3: New 60mp BSI Back Illuminated CMOS Sensor (similar to M11) USB-C and Mini HDMI connectors Phase Detect Auto Focusing Tilting LCD Improved Bluetooth and WiFi Small, Medium and full sized DNG and/or JPG files 60,3, 36.5, 18.6 mp Reliable Geotagging in conjunction with Leica Fotos Rear Button Layout change Long exposures possible (with any combination of ISO and shutter speed) Long Exposure NR can be disabled. One additional function button USB-C Charging Optional Grip enabling wireless charging Better resolution EVF 5,760,000 dots magnification 0.79 Better resolution Display 3" 1,843,200 dot Digital Zoom now has 28, 35, 50, 75 and 90mm framelines Leica Looks Why 43 mm Well, I just wondered if it was because it was half way between 35mm and 50mm, but I thought there must be more to it than that, so I asked Leica! 43 mm is the diagonal of the full frame 24 x 36 sensor. It is also approximately the focal length of the human eye. It is a better focal length for both portrait and street photography (keep your Q3 for landscapes!). There are also historical connections for Leica who have made many lenses around 40mm. There was the Leitz Milar 42mm f/4.5 from 1905. The Ur-Leica used the Mikro-Summar 42mm f/4.5 (replaced by a 50mm lens in series 1). Then, later on in 1973 the original CL used a 40mm Summicron-C f2 lens and the lens on the Minilux was around 40-42mm. Finally there are practical considerations. Leica wanted to create a lens with the best possible quality and bokeh characteristics, but they wanted to keep the Q3 size and weight. All these factors combined to lead towards the new 43mm APO Summicron. The difference between 28 and 43mm 28mm is such a versatile focal length (you can always crop but you can never make it wider). Ricoh understood this with their popular and versatile GR range of cameras. When the Q2 came with it’s 48mp sensor and the Q3 (60mp) this cropablility became more and more true; with the Q3 it’s quite reasonable to crop to 75mm for portrait images (even if you don’t get the isolation of a true 75mm lens). Indeed, even the 5.8mp of the 90mm crop is just about enough for a good A3 sized print (or to look at full screen on an Apple Studio display) Q3 Crop vs MP 28mm 9520 x 6336 px 60.3 MP 35mm 7616 x 5072 px 38.6 MP 50mm 5328 x 3552 px 18.9 MP 75mm 3552 x 2368 px 8.4 MP 90mm 2960 x 1968 px 5.8 MP Q3 43mm Crop vs MP 43mm 9520 x 6336 px 60.3 MP 60mm 6816 x 4544 px 31 MP 75mm 5456 x 3632 px 19.8 MP 90mm 4544 x 3024 px 13.7 MP 120mm 3408 x 2272 px 7.7 MP 150mm 2736 x 1824 5.0 MP The Lens: APO Summicron 1:2/43 Asph. The lens is almost exactly the same size as the lens on the normal Q3, with the same 49mm filter thread. In macro mode it focuses down to 27cm, and the maximum aperture in macro mode is f2.8 (even if you have the lens set to f2) this aperture change is the same as the 28mm Q lens. Changing to and from macro mode changes the distance display for manual focusing in just the same delicious manner as the Q3! In normal mode the minimum focusing distance is 60cm. The Q3 focuses closer (17cm in macro mode, 30 cm in normal mode.) So the maximum magnification on the Q3 43 is 0.25 - 1:4 Whist the maximum magnification on the Q3 is 0.26 - 1:3.8 Pretty similar in fact! Bokeh is rather a subjective matter, but the bokeh on the new lens reminds me very much of the M APO lenses - very creamy with a quick but very gentle transfer to the incredible detail where the lens is in focus. Many of the images in the linked gallery were shot at f2, so you can check this out. MTF figures can't tell you everything about a lens, but at least looking at these gives you an idea how technically accomplished this lens is. right up there with the 35 APO Summicron SL (perhaps the best lens Leica have ever made). Leica Fotos The connection with Leica Fotos is now very quick, and file transfer is lightning quick over the cable, and very satisfactory over WiFi, even for full sized DNG files. You can easily drop images into the Leica Gallery (and thus Apple Photos if you are on an iPhone). You can also send images directly to Lightroom without needing to clutter up your Phone or Tablet (or you Apple Photos application): My technique is as follows: Connect the camera to your device using the supplied USB-C cable Go through the images marking the best as favourites Set the filter to Favourites Choose Select - then Select all Press the Share button and choose DNG - files transferred to a. buffer From the Share dialog choose Lightroom Then, in Lightroom Mobile, go to imports and choose your import Select the files and then choose Add To at the bottom of the screen Choose the Collection you wish to add them to. The DNG files will appear on your home computer via Adobe Cloud in the mobile backup folder, and in the collection you chose from your phone / tablet. I've started to use this method for all my photography except for Event Shooting. This is because you can only transfer 50 images a time to Lightroom using the share button - So for event work I import from the SD card to my Macbook Pro. Leica have been doing a lot of excellent work with Fotos over the last year or so, and I plan on writing an article about incorporating it into a device to Lightroom Classic workflow at a later date. Conclusion This camera has been a long time coming, indeed, many photographers had assumed that Leica were going to stick to the one focal length, the development of the Q3 43 has been a well kept secret! The obvious advantages over the Q3 are more control over depth of field, and slightly more than twice the resolution for any given focal length. Of course you lose the wide angle view of the Q3. The design of the Q is an evolution from Kaoru Mokunaka’s perfect concept in the Leica X1, it has developed into a really well thought out camera aimed solidly at photographers rather than ticking technical boxes! I would challenge anyone not to love it. However I’m sure that a lot of photographers are like me - we tend to go hunting for pictures with a 35mm or 50mm lens and stick with what’s on the camera for the shoot. The 28mm of the Q was very flexible, but in the end a lot of cropping meant that it was more like an 18mp file at 50mm (okay), or 8mp at 75mm which was a compromise for me, and still one had the depth of field characteristics of a 28mm lens. I had not shot with a 43mm lens before (or 40mm come to that!), and it’s been an absolute joy! Having 20mp for a 75mm portrait lens with a narrow depth of field is quite enough. Add to that the wonderful bokeh of this APO lens and quite honestly I’m in camera heaven! Although I loved the Q3, in the end I didn’t buy one, but in this case I’m certainly doomed, and when Leica manage to recover the kidnapped test camera I’m afraid I’ll have to stump up. Pictures from Crete coming up in the next few days! More images on Jonos website! 35 21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica have been very aware of these requests, but I think they were wary of spoiling the clarity of purpose of the Q models. Finally they have been convinced and today we have the release of the Q3 43 (September 26th 2024). In this article I’m going to have a look at the implications of the new camera. If you would like to know more about the previous Q cameras then here are links to some older articles Leica Q Field Report for Q Leica Q2 Leica Q2 Monochrom Leica Q3 However, I think that there are a lot of Q2 users out there who resisted the temptation to upgrade to the Q3, so it’s worth briefly mentioning some of its advantages. The Changes from Q2 to Q3: New 60mp BSI Back Illuminated CMOS Sensor (similar to M11) USB-C and Mini HDMI connectors Phase Detect Auto Focusing Tilting LCD Improved Bluetooth and WiFi Small, Medium and full sized DNG and/or JPG files 60,3, 36.5, 18.6 mp Reliable Geotagging in conjunction with Leica Fotos Rear Button Layout change Long exposures possible (with any combination of ISO and shutter speed) Long Exposure NR can be disabled. One additional function button USB-C Charging Optional Grip enabling wireless charging Better resolution EVF 5,760,000 dots magnification 0.79 Better resolution Display 3" 1,843,200 dot Digital Zoom now has 28, 35, 50, 75 and 90mm framelines Leica Looks Why 43 mm Well, I just wondered if it was because it was half way between 35mm and 50mm, but I thought there must be more to it than that, so I asked Leica! 43 mm is the diagonal of the full frame 24 x 36 sensor. It is also approximately the focal length of the human eye. It is a better focal length for both portrait and street photography (keep your Q3 for landscapes!). There are also historical connections for Leica who have made many lenses around 40mm. There was the Leitz Milar 42mm f/4.5 from 1905. The Ur-Leica used the Mikro-Summar 42mm f/4.5 (replaced by a 50mm lens in series 1). Then, later on in 1973 the original CL used a 40mm Summicron-C f2 lens and the lens on the Minilux was around 40-42mm. Finally there are practical considerations. Leica wanted to create a lens with the best possible quality and bokeh characteristics, but they wanted to keep the Q3 size and weight. All these factors combined to lead towards the new 43mm APO Summicron. The difference between 28 and 43mm 28mm is such a versatile focal length (you can always crop but you can never make it wider). Ricoh understood this with their popular and versatile GR range of cameras. When the Q2 came with it’s 48mp sensor and the Q3 (60mp) this cropablility became more and more true; with the Q3 it’s quite reasonable to crop to 75mm for portrait images (even if you don’t get the isolation of a true 75mm lens). Indeed, even the 5.8mp of the 90mm crop is just about enough for a good A3 sized print (or to look at full screen on an Apple Studio display) Q3 Crop vs MP 28mm 9520 x 6336 px 60.3 MP 35mm 7616 x 5072 px 38.6 MP 50mm 5328 x 3552 px 18.9 MP 75mm 3552 x 2368 px 8.4 MP 90mm 2960 x 1968 px 5.8 MP Q3 43mm Crop vs MP 43mm 9520 x 6336 px 60.3 MP 60mm 6816 x 4544 px 31 MP 75mm 5456 x 3632 px 19.8 MP 90mm 4544 x 3024 px 13.7 MP 120mm 3408 x 2272 px 7.7 MP 150mm 2736 x 1824 5.0 MP The Lens: APO Summicron 1:2/43 Asph. The lens is almost exactly the same size as the lens on the normal Q3, with the same 49mm filter thread. In macro mode it focuses down to 27cm, and the maximum aperture in macro mode is f2.8 (even if you have the lens set to f2) this aperture change is the same as the 28mm Q lens. Changing to and from macro mode changes the distance display for manual focusing in just the same delicious manner as the Q3! In normal mode the minimum focusing distance is 60cm. The Q3 focuses closer (17cm in macro mode, 30 cm in normal mode.) So the maximum magnification on the Q3 43 is 0.25 - 1:4 Whist the maximum magnification on the Q3 is 0.26 - 1:3.8 Pretty similar in fact! Bokeh is rather a subjective matter, but the bokeh on the new lens reminds me very much of the M APO lenses - very creamy with a quick but very gentle transfer to the incredible detail where the lens is in focus. Many of the images in the linked gallery were shot at f2, so you can check this out. MTF figures can't tell you everything about a lens, but at least looking at these gives you an idea how technically accomplished this lens is. right up there with the 35 APO Summicron SL (perhaps the best lens Leica have ever made). Leica Fotos The connection with Leica Fotos is now very quick, and file transfer is lightning quick over the cable, and very satisfactory over WiFi, even for full sized DNG files. You can easily drop images into the Leica Gallery (and thus Apple Photos if you are on an iPhone). You can also send images directly to Lightroom without needing to clutter up your Phone or Tablet (or you Apple Photos application): My technique is as follows: Connect the camera to your device using the supplied USB-C cable Go through the images marking the best as favourites Set the filter to Favourites Choose Select - then Select all Press the Share button and choose DNG - files transferred to a. buffer From the Share dialog choose Lightroom Then, in Lightroom Mobile, go to imports and choose your import Select the files and then choose Add To at the bottom of the screen Choose the Collection you wish to add them to. The DNG files will appear on your home computer via Adobe Cloud in the mobile backup folder, and in the collection you chose from your phone / tablet. I've started to use this method for all my photography except for Event Shooting. This is because you can only transfer 50 images a time to Lightroom using the share button - So for event work I import from the SD card to my Macbook Pro. Leica have been doing a lot of excellent work with Fotos over the last year or so, and I plan on writing an article about incorporating it into a device to Lightroom Classic workflow at a later date. Conclusion This camera has been a long time coming, indeed, many photographers had assumed that Leica were going to stick to the one focal length, the development of the Q3 43 has been a well kept secret! The obvious advantages over the Q3 are more control over depth of field, and slightly more than twice the resolution for any given focal length. Of course you lose the wide angle view of the Q3. The design of the Q is an evolution from Kaoru Mokunaka’s perfect concept in the Leica X1, it has developed into a really well thought out camera aimed solidly at photographers rather than ticking technical boxes! I would challenge anyone not to love it. However I’m sure that a lot of photographers are like me - we tend to go hunting for pictures with a 35mm or 50mm lens and stick with what’s on the camera for the shoot. The 28mm of the Q was very flexible, but in the end a lot of cropping meant that it was more like an 18mp file at 50mm (okay), or 8mp at 75mm which was a compromise for me, and still one had the depth of field characteristics of a 28mm lens. I had not shot with a 43mm lens before (or 40mm come to that!), and it’s been an absolute joy! Having 20mp for a 75mm portrait lens with a narrow depth of field is quite enough. Add to that the wonderful bokeh of this APO lens and quite honestly I’m in camera heaven! Although I loved the Q3, in the end I didn’t buy one, but in this case I’m certainly doomed, and when Leica manage to recover the kidnapped test camera I’m afraid I’ll have to stump up. Pictures from Crete coming up in the next few days! More images on Jonos website! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/412737-the-new-leica-q3-43-review-by-jonathan-slack/?do=findComment&comment=5630159'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Hi jonoslack, Take a look here The new Leica Q3 43 - Review by Jonathan Slack. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
brahms_4 Posted September 26, 2024 Share #2 Posted September 26, 2024 Jono for President ! 6 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
student Posted September 26, 2024 Share #3 Posted September 26, 2024 Thank you. Quite an explanation there for the 43mm! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmars Posted September 26, 2024 Share #4 Posted September 26, 2024 As always a great report, Jono. Thank you! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nussbusch Posted September 26, 2024 Share #5 Posted September 26, 2024 As a (very happy) Q3 28 owner I see that the AF/MF switch is done in exactly the same way which is my only complaint. I would prefer an AF/MF switch that is not a part of the focus wheel, by this being able to use AF and switch off AF without changing focus. This is very handy in eg low light situations (AF on a distant streetlight and then disable AF) . With the Q3 implementation you are forced to MF in such situations without anything brighter in your field of view. 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mboerma Posted September 26, 2024 Share #6 Posted September 26, 2024 You have been busy, Jono. But my bank account since the previous announcement. Glad to see the obligatory cat picture is in your case a photo of a chicken. Thanks again for the insightful article. I started using your share workflow too for when I’m on the road. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 26, 2024 Share #7 Posted September 26, 2024 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you! As always, a helpful intro, and lovely pictures! I shall spend time looking through my Q2 archive, to see how much I rely on the wider end of the crop range. I have often regretted the lack of longer reach (and shallower DoF) for photographing people. I could see a Q3 43 replacing my Q2 before too long, but I will wait till my practical, rational mind regains control from my current excited version. Edit: I realise I spent many happy times with a Voigtländer Vito C in the 70s, so I should have no problem with the Q3 43😁. Edit 2. But maybe I should wait to see the SL3-S (December?) before committing too much cash........ Decisions..... Edited September 26, 2024 by LocalHero1953 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoolyproductions Posted September 26, 2024 Share #8 Posted September 26, 2024 29 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said: I could see a Q3 43 replacing my Q2 before too long, but I will wait till my practical, rational mind regains control from my current excited version. Yes, since I heard this rumour I've thought about trading my M11 for a Q3 43. I'd lose the classic M design and versatility of other lenses, but as I've posted elsewhere I seem to overall prefer EVF, (some) OIS, autofocus etc. I don't get such sharp shots with the M11 as I do with SL2-S (or got with my prior Q2). And generally when I do still use the M11 it's when I need something much more compact - tending to use only the 50mm anyway. On the other hand I am still waiting for my SL3, and I remember some of the niggles I had with the Q2 - EVF not as good as SL2/S, lack of BBF, autofocus and IOS not quite as good as SL2/S. Also maybe at some point I will return to appreciating the aesthetic of the M11 (but am not so keen to hold on to an expensive camera that I rarely use). I found one Q43 in stock in an EU store, which did not help with the GAS, but will close the browser now and spend some quality time with my SL2-S 😃 ps. Thanks Jono for the great review, awesome and tantalising shots! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 26, 2024 Share #9 Posted September 26, 2024 If the M11 had the same shutter sound and feel as the Q2 leaf shutter, I'd have had an M11 by now........... Reason doesn't always play a part in my choices. 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATB Posted September 26, 2024 Share #10 Posted September 26, 2024 Does the Q3 43 (and the Q3 28mm) have IBIS? I can't seem to find any information on this for some reason. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott kirkpatrick Posted September 26, 2024 Share #11 Posted September 26, 2024 (edited) 2 hours ago, mboerma said: You have been busy, Jono. ... Glad to see the obligatory cat picture is in your case a photo of a chicken. Indeed. But with the vigorous terrier that seems to accompany Jono on his missions, I think any cats at the Slack household stay out of camera range. Horses and grandchildren will have to be the willing subjects he needs. And chickens if he moves fast. Edited September 26, 2024 by scott kirkpatrick 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aficionados Posted September 26, 2024 Share #12 Posted September 26, 2024 35 minutes ago, PATB said: Does the Q3 43 (and the Q3 28mm) have IBIS? I can't seem to find any information on this for some reason. OIS is in the lens 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF’sDelight Posted September 26, 2024 Share #13 Posted September 26, 2024 Leica keeps you busy. 😁 Thank you Jono for another informative and insightful review. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M11 for me Posted September 26, 2024 Share #14 Posted September 26, 2024 Hi Jono, thanks for your report. Its very intersting to read and most instructive. Cheers, Alex 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lelmer Posted September 26, 2024 Share #15 Posted September 26, 2024 Thank you for this presentation, Jono. 43mm is a great choice, and it seems to be excellent...the first Q I am seriously looking at. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjroroek Posted September 26, 2024 Share #16 Posted September 26, 2024 does anyone know if the viewfinder on the q3 43 shows the zoomed image or just de framelines again like onde the regular q3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkochheiser Posted September 26, 2024 Share #17 Posted September 26, 2024 2 minutes ago, jjroroek said: does anyone know if the viewfinder on the q3 43 shows the zoomed image or just de framelines again like onde the regular q3 Framelines, as before. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjroroek Posted September 26, 2024 Share #18 Posted September 26, 2024 1 minute ago, kkochheiser said: Framelines, as before. then useless to zoom in to 120 or even 150 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aficionados Posted September 26, 2024 Share #19 Posted September 26, 2024 17 minutes ago, jjroroek said: then useless to zoom in to 120 or even 150 why? it's always like this since Q2. 120 or 150 is too small of a box? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangosix Posted September 26, 2024 Share #20 Posted September 26, 2024 I appreciate your reports. Brilliant organization of such complicated ideas. Perhaps you should start a loan agency with your write ups ! ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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