Q3 43 - Why

[JTLeica]

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...why cant I stop buying cameras.

When this was rumoured, I thought, finally a camera from Leica I definitely wont buy. 5 days later and mine is turning up tomorrow. Lord help me.

Do you think this is a good deal or was I just sugar coating it to make me pull the trigger?

I have a Mint M11 (I have an M11-P now as bought from my Dad) that I sent to a local camera shop to sell for me on a commission sale, they said they'd give me £5600 when it sold (they take 20%), but instead they offered my the same £5600 as a PX price on the 43mm Q, so I said yes. So the Q43 cos me my M11 and £300.

Thoughts?

I mean its too late now but I like to hear opinions.

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[LanceR]

I am always happy to assist others in the power of rationalization!

Seems like it was a reasonable trade, assuming you like the focal length.  You already have an M11, and the Q3 43 offers something a bit different.

I loved M11, but started to struggled with critical focus.  I traded it for an SL3, but missed having a smaller camera for travel and everyday carry.  I complemented my SL3 with the Q3 43 last Friday.

I was always a bit reticent to take my M11 out in the rain, but I have already had my Q3 43 out in the rain without hesitation.  I have also been making use of the macro mode.  My primary lenses on the M11 were 35mm and 50mm, so I find the 43mm very natural.

In my experience, one needs a backup camera to an M.  When my M11 had to go to Leica for warranty repair and adjustment, it was gone for quite sometime!

Most of all enjoy the camera!  I have found it a pleasure to shoot with...

[T25UFO]

The trade-in value looks OK.  I suppose the only question is: why Q43 and not Q28.  I carry two cameras to have a choice of focal lengths and to avoid having to change lenses in the field.  Whatever is my 'first camera', the 'second camera' is always the Q28.  So, M10R and 50 APO coupled with Q28; M11M and 35 APO coupled with Q28; SL3 and 90 coupled with Q28.

I not sure where the Q43 would fit for me, probably as a 'one camera, one lens' option.  It would easily cover all focal lengths to 90 and beyond, but I would miss going wider.

That's just me . . . Q43 is still a great camera so enjoy your purchase.

[frame-it]

53 minutes ago, JTLeica said:

...why cant I stop buying cameras.

When this was rumoured, I thought, finally a camera from Leica I definitely wont buy. 5 days later and mine is turning up tomorrow.

I mean its too late now but I like to hear opinions.

you're helping a small company called Leica not a huge Japanese Conglomerate

[LanceR]

22 minutes ago, T25UFO said:

The trade-in value looks OK.  I suppose the only question is: why Q43 and not Q28.  I carry two cameras to have a choice of focal lengths and to avoid having to change lenses in the field.  Whatever is my 'first camera', the 'second camera' is always the Q28.  So, M10R and 50 APO coupled with Q28; M11M and 35 APO coupled with Q28; SL3 and 90 coupled with Q28.

I not sure where the Q43 would fit for me, probably as a 'one camera, one lens' option.  It would easily cover all focal lengths to 90 and beyond, but I would miss going wider.

That's just me . . . Q43 is still a great camera so enjoy your purchase.

Completely agree, that it depends on your use cases, preferred focal lengths, etc.  For me, I am just not a 28mm photographer.  My first Leica camera experience was renting a Q2 for a week.  I absolutely loved the camera, but the focal length does not fit me.

[T25UFO]

17 minutes ago, LanceR said:

Completely agree, that it depends on your use cases, preferred focal lengths, etc.  For me, I am just not a 28mm photographer.  My first Leica camera experience was renting a Q2 for a week.  I absolutely loved the camera, but the focal length does not fit me.

Yes . . . but then I don't see the 28 as my standard, do it all, lens.  It's the option to go wider that I want.  Architecture and interiors are examples where I need something wider than 43 or even 35; in fact, for that use case I would prefer a 21.  The new SL 21 is tempting, but a lot of money for [what would be] limited use, so I adapt the 28, sometimes as a pano.  

Maybe the SEM 21 is the answer - a little over half the price of the SL 21 and I could use it on both M and SL systems.  Don't need f2.0 and don't need autofocus, but we are straying off topic.

[Likaleica]

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6 hours ago, JTLeica said:

...why cant I stop buying cameras.

When this was rumoured, I thought, finally a camera from Leica I definitely wont buy. 5 days later and mine is turning up tomorrow. Lord help me.

Do you think this is a good deal or was I just sugar coating it to make me pull the trigger?

I have a Mint M11 (I have an M11-P now as bought from my Dad) that I sent to a local camera shop to sell for me on a commission sale, they said they'd give me £5600 when it sold (they take 20%), but instead they offered my the same £5600 as a PX price on the 43mm Q, so I said yes. So the Q43 cos me my M11 and £300.

Thoughts?

I mean its too late now but I like to hear opinions.

I feel your pain.

[Trankster]

I am in the same boat.  I thought the Q3 28mm would be my last everyday carry camera, but am trading in for the Q3 43.  I do crop most photos from the Q3 and my preferred focal length has always been the 50mm.  I have also have other cameras when wide-ultra wide is desired.  

[luetz]

19 hours ago, Likaleica said:

I feel your pain.

Too much GAS.....?

[Hans Stinis]

Why.... Why not?  There are a lot worse things to spend your money on.

[Stuart Richardson]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:20 PM, frame-it said:

you're helping a small company called Leica not a huge Japanese Conglomerate

Well...not sure if that is completely accurate. They are 45% owned by the Blackstone Group which is the world's largest private equity group and has a trillion (literally) dollars under management. The other 55% is owned by the Austrian Capital Management, which is the family of Andreas Kaufmann. They also own multiple companies and were previously the owners of the largest paper mill in Austria and billionaires etc. Not saying there is anything inherently wrong with this, but it is not like helping Leica is helping a small business. Leica's revenue is higher than Sigma as far as I can see, as an example.

Edited October 2, 2024 by Stuart Richardson

[Dr. G]

On 10/1/2024 at 10:05 AM, T25UFO said:

Yes . . . but then I don't see the 28 as my standard, do it all, lens.  It's the option to go wider that I want.  Architecture and interiors are examples where I need something wider than 43 or even 35; in fact, for that use case I would prefer a 21.  The new SL 21 is tempting, but a lot of money for [what would be] limited use, so I adapt the 28, sometimes as a pano.  

Maybe the SEM 21 is the answer - a little over half the price of the SL 21 and I could use it on both M and SL systems.  Don't need f2.0 and don't need autofocus, but we are straying off topic.

Not that I want to spend your money, but the SL 21 is a stellar lens.  Even used in APS-C mode on the SL3 for 32.5mm in a pinch the images are amazing.  

[frame-it]

6 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Well...not sure if that is completely accurate. They are 45% owned by the Blackstone Group which is the world's largest private equity group and has a trillion (literally) dollars under management. The other 55% is owned by the Austrian Capital Management, which is the family of Andreas Kaufmann. They also own multiple companies and were previously the owners of the largest paper mill in Austria and billionaires etc. Not saying there is anything inherently wrong with this, but it is not like helping Leica is helping a small business. Leica's revenue is higher than Sigma as far as I can see, as an example.

i know all that, but sometimes sarcasm is lost on the LUF

[nemendes]

15 hours ago, luetz said:

Too much GAS.....?

Too much money i think  

[JTLeica]

On 10/1/2024 at 3:05 PM, T25UFO said:

Yes . . . but then I don't see the 28 as my standard, do it all, lens.  It's the option to go wider that I want.  Architecture and interiors are examples where I need something wider than 43 or even 35; in fact, for that use case I would prefer a 21.  The new SL 21 is tempting, but a lot of money for [what would be] limited use, so I adapt the 28, sometimes as a pano.  

Maybe the SEM 21 is the answer - a little over half the price of the SL 21 and I could use it on both M and SL systems.  Don't need f2.0 and don't need autofocus, but we are straying off topic.

Well UFO that would be because I have the Q3 already 🫣

The Q3 is always my second camera too. Now that decision has become more complex. Also, I generally take two cameras... Do I now need to take 3?

I am off to venice Monday, so a darn perfect time to try the Q3 43. I will probably just take one Q per day along with my M and two lenses.

I love carrying weight on a hike, but for some reason in a city it feels off.

[JTLeica]

15 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Well...not sure if that is completely accurate. They are 45% owned by the Blackstone Group which is the world's largest private equity group and has a trillion (literally) dollars under management. The other 55% is owned by the Austrian Capital Management, which is the family of Andreas Kaufmann. They also own multiple companies and were previously the owners of the largest paper mill in Austria and billionaires etc. Not saying there is anything inherently wrong with this, but it is not like helping Leica is helping a small business. Leica's revenue is higher than Sigma as far as I can see, as an example.

Well its sure nice to see Leica is still Leica and producing top tier products and have not changed due to the above.

[Stuart Richardson]

Yes, it seems like Andreas Kaufmann has true affection for the company and product, which is great.

[newtoleica]

The Q series are a great alternative to the M. One lens, very wet weather, when photography is a very secondary thing and you might want to grab a few images, and you can justify the cost. For me that cost stops at a used Q2 as I preferred to add an M10-M than get a newer Q. YMMV.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[JTLeica]

1 hour ago, newtoleica said:

The Q series are a great alternative to the M. One lens, very wet weather, when photography is a very secondary thing and you might want to grab a few images, and you can justify the cost. For me that cost stops at a used Q2 as I preferred to add an M10-M than get a newer Q. YMMV.

Haha I feel I am literally going to have to go out in the rain just to make me feel like I am getting the most of out of it.

A wet venice would be a great start to the Q 43 ownership, not sure my family agree.

[JTLeica]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:48 PM, LanceR said:

I am always happy to assist others in the power of rationalization!

Seems like it was a reasonable trade, assuming you like the focal length.  You already have an M11, and the Q3 43 offers something a bit different.

I loved M11, but started to struggled with critical focus.  I traded it for an SL3, but missed having a smaller camera for travel and everyday carry.  I complemented my SL3 with the Q3 43 last Friday.

I was always a bit reticent to take my M11 out in the rain, but I have already had my Q3 43 out in the rain without hesitation.  I have also been making use of the macro mode.  My primary lenses on the M11 were 35mm and 50mm, so I find the 43mm very natural.

In my experience, one needs a backup camera to an M.  When my M11 had to go to Leica for warranty repair and adjustment, it was gone for quite sometime!

Most of all enjoy the camera!  I have found it a pleasure to shoot with...

Yes I think you are right about the focal length, I actually love 35 and 50. Probably prefer 50 but get on with both. So 43 might be good too.