The new Leica Q3 43 - Review by Jonathan Slack

[NicholasT]

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3 hours ago, SrMi said:

BBF is more efficient as it acquires focus quicker (use AF field for pre-focusing), while keeping all the benefits of MF.

The short answer is that Leica should listen to its loyal customers and implement proper BBF functionality on the Q3 and Q3 43.

While there clearly are users who do not wish to use BBF, its use is sufficiently widespread that having the “option” to setup the camera to properly enable this functionality, falls in the category of a “no brainier”.

Also IMHO there is no downside to those who do not wish to use BBF, as they can continue to use the default shutter half press to their hearts content.

Hard to believe we are even having this conversation in late 2024!

Edited October 8, 2024 by NicholasT

[yanidel]

7 hours ago, SrMi said:

BBF is more efficient as it acquires focus quicker (use AF field for pre-focusing), while keeping all the benefits of MF.

This is highly debatable, depending on what is the use of your camera. Setting aperture while looking at the corresponding depth of field or hyperfocal all at the same time is in my opinion faster on a manual focus lens. While shooting street, I do it before I raise the camera to my eyes, estimating focus distance too. 

But the previous comment is spot on, BBF should be implemented correctly anyways for those who prefer it or feel it is more efficient.  

[Likaleica]

7 hours ago, NicholasT said:

The short answer is that Leica should listen to its loyal customers and implement proper BBF functionality on the Q3 and Q3 43.

Leica definitely do listen to their customers.  It's probably the main driving force in their development of new products.  And they have a robust beta testing program prior to announcement, and often prior to the rumor mill.  

[NicholasT]

3 hours ago, yanidel said:

This is highly debatable, depending on what is the use of your camera. Setting aperture while looking at the corresponding depth of field or hyperfocal all at the same time is in my opinion faster on a manual focus lens. While shooting street, I do it before I raise the camera to my eyes, estimating focus distance too. 

But the previous comment is spot on, BBF should be implemented correctly anyways for those who prefer it or feel it is more efficient.  

+1

I’m inclined to agree that for certain style of street shooting, relying on fixed setting using hyperfocal distance is the most efficient process i.e. relying on fixed pre focus distance.

The further point about BBF is that for those of us that rely on it, its our one and only preferred way of focusing when we chose to use autofocus.

This is not an insignificant issue because one develops muscle memory around using BBF on other cameras (SL for example) and then one switches to Q3 and press the back button expecting similar behavior, only to have to remind ourselves that on this camera and this camera alone BBF does not work as expected.

I’m confident that I’m not alone in having this rather frustrating experience.

I do ultimately share Likaleica’s belief that Leica does listen to its customers. Sometimes it may take awhile for it to become fully apparent

Edited October 8, 2024 by NicholasT

[LocalHero1953]

On 10/7/2024 at 2:13 PM, jonoslack said:

 

I think I need to shut up for a bit!

Hi Jono - I'm curious! Did you change your mind about how the Q3 43 behaves, or are you in the middle of investigations?

[Jeff S]

4 hours ago, NicholasT said:

This is not an insignificant issue because one develops muscle memory around using BBF on other cameras (SL for example) and then one switches to Q3 and press the back button expecting similar behavior, only to have to remind ourselves that on this camera and this camera alone BBF does not work as expected.

 

This is basically why I initiated the BBF discussion with Jono.  I use M bodies if I want manual focus (and other simple user controls); and the SL2 for AF and other user aids, when desired.  But I hesitate to add a Q3-43 if it would feel like an adopting a third system; two is more than enough for me.

Jeff

[ianforber]

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On 10/8/2024 at 1:28 AM, SrMi said:

It is probably more that the MF mode disables AF connection like is done with MF clutch on Panasonic, Olympus, and Hasselblad lenses.

I assume it’s not a physical disablement though. Using earlier firmware on the Q2, even when the camera was set to MF, using FOTOS to release the shutter caused it to revert to AF

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, Quarterpounder said:

Looks very much like the photos I am taking at home at family events.

Nice composition!

You have a lovely family! 🤣

[hoppyman]

On 9/27/2024 at 6:00 PM, jonoslack said:

Thank you. I’m sorry to muddy the water!

on the other hand the SL3 is great. I have both cameras with me in Crete now, experimenting with the SL3 and a couple of lightweight Panasonic 🫣 zooms: 20-60 f3.5-5.6 and the 70-300 f4.5-5.6 — together they weigh just over a kilo and they seem to be very good!

 

all the best

hmm you certainly did muddy the water for me Jono. I blame you that I have now purchased both the SL3 and the Q3 43! I have pledged family kidneys to get there.

[jonoslack]

On 10/27/2024 at 1:49 AM, hoppyman said:

hmm you certainly did muddy the water for me Jono. I blame you that I have now purchased both the SL3 and the Q3 43! I have pledged family kidneys to get there.

I'm sorry to have muddied your water - I hope you're very happy with both of them!

all the best (your fellow penniless photographer!)

Jono

[Le Chef]

Hey Jono @jonoslack you mentioned recently that you would have more images from Crete. Have you added them to your site, or is this still work in progress?

[jonoslack]

16 hours ago, Le Chef said:

Hey Jono @jonoslack you mentioned recently that you would have more images from Crete. Have you added them to your site, or is this still work in progress?

Hi There - it's a work in progress . . . . . but this is where I've got so far (improvements over the next few days)

 

The Leica Q3 43 in Crete

[farnz]

11 minutes ago, jonoslack said:

Hi There - it's a work in progress . . . . .

Hi, Jono, as much as these pictures demonstrate the Q3 43 they are a testament to your superb photographic eye.

Pete.

[jonoslack]

4 minutes ago, farnz said:

Hi, Jono, as much as these pictures demonstrate the Q3 43 they are a testament to your superb photographic eye.

Pete.

Thank you Pete - I'm very flattered, especially coming from you! Thank You!

[Le Chef]

1 hour ago, jonoslack said:

Hi There - it's a work in progress . . . . . but this is where I've got so far (improvements over the next few days)

 

The Leica Q3 43 in Crete

Many thanks Jono! Some lovely shots in there. I haven’t been to Crete since the early 80’s so this is a wonderful reminder of what a great place it is.

Did you learn anything new/further about the Q343 than you knew when you posted your earlier review?

[LocalHero1953]

1 hour ago, jonoslack said:

Hi There - it's a work in progress . . . . . but this is where I've got so far (improvements over the next few days)

 

The Leica Q3 43 in Crete

I fully agree with Pete - I enjoy your photos as much for composition and craft as for what they technically demonstrate. Thank you!

Looking at the portraits, I see that you cropped to anything up to around 80-90mm equivalent, which is very encouraging. Would you / could you go further?

And looking at low light shots, I saw the shot of yourself at ISO 16,000, but in B&W, and another street scene at 12,500 in colour. They look very clean on my laptop screen. Do they remain so at larger sizes? Is the noise easily controlled? (My low light experience is with the SL2-S, which I will take to 25,000; but that is often with the VE 24-90SL, so the Q3 43 has a two stop advantage).

I can easily see this replacing my Q2, and being a lightweight/discreet substitute (or at least back-up) for the SL2-S and its lenses up to 75mm (or more).

[jonoslack]

2 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I fully agree with Pete - I enjoy your photos as much for composition and craft as for what they technically demonstrate. Thank you!

Looking at the portraits, I see that you cropped to anything up to around 80-90mm equivalent, which is very encouraging. Would you / could you go further?

And looking at low light shots, I saw the shot of yourself at ISO 16,000, but in B&W, and another street scene at 12,500 in colour. They look very clean on my laptop screen. Do they remain so at larger sizes? Is the noise easily controlled? (My low light experience is with the SL2-S, which I will take to 25,000; but that is often with the VE 24-90SL, so the Q3 43 has a two stop advantage).

I can easily see this replacing my Q2, and being a lightweight/discreet substitute (or at least back-up) for the SL2-S and its lenses up to 75mm (or more).

Hi there Paul

Thank YOU!

The portrait below was cropped to 120mm - I keep meaning to do a bit print of it, and perhaps you will prod me into it later!

As for the noise, I'm not shooting critical indoor low light stuff like yours very often - I tend to use auto-iso and allow it to go to 25,000 (hoping it won't need to!). I haven't had much issue with noise - and I have used it in low light a fair amount. I tend to shoot it wide open anyway. Of course it has 'the same' sensor as the SL3 - but I would have thought it would be a great backup for your SL2-S.

In the end I didn't keep the Q2 - or buy the Q3 either, basically because I shoot a lot around 70mm and the crop was a bit much - of course it's fine with this!

here is Erica at 120mm:

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All the best

Jono

[jonoslack]

24 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

Many thanks Jono! Some lovely shots in there. I haven’t been to Crete since the early 80’s so this is a wonderful reminder of what a great place it is.

Did you learn anything new/further about the Q343 than you knew when you posted your earlier review?

HI There

Thank you - I think Crete has changed pretty radically since the 80's, but this little corner less so - except for the food and wine, which is so much better!

There is an article to go with these pictures, which I'm hoping to finish in the next day or so - but I don't think there are any serious revelations!

All the best

[Falco63]

Hello, Was Erica's portrait re-recorded at 120 in post production or is it an image out of the case without modification

 

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Hallo,

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[LocalHero1953]

23 minutes ago, jonoslack said:

Hi there Paul

Thank YOU!

The portrait below was cropped to 120mm - I keep meaning to do a bit print of it, and perhaps you will prod me into it later!

As for the noise, I'm not shooting critical indoor low light stuff like yours very often - I tend to use auto-iso and allow it to go to 25,000 (hoping it won't need to!). I haven't had much issue with noise - and I have used it in low light a fair amount. I tend to shoot it wide open anyway. Of course it has 'the same' sensor as the SL3 - but I would have thought it would be a great backup for your SL2-S.

In the end I didn't keep the Q2 - or buy the Q3 either, basically because I shoot a lot around 70mm and the crop was a bit much - of course it's fine with this!

here is Erica at 120mm:

 

All the best

Jono

Gorgeous, thank you!