Leica M11P, Leica Q3 43, or Leica 35mm M APO

[KenLW]

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5 hours ago, M8X2 said:

I'll take the role of devil's advocate. You're welcome! I would get an M11 and a modern rendering 35 like the Summarit 2.4, which is comparatively cheap but still great.

The first reason is driven by personal taste. At least for me, the Q experience was not as great as I thought it would be. Partly, it was due to the fact that I had the Q2. Maybe, the Q3 43 would have been more versatile for me, but it was not available. I was cropping a lot as there often was stuff in the frame I didn't like. Also, using the Q was not as satisfying as using an M. I know at least one other person who went through this ... twice.

The second reason is interoperability and consistency in user experience. If there would be nothing the Ms/SLs cannot do for you, that way, you get access to way more permutations, e.g., old glass/new cam or new glass/old cam.

Thanks for providing an opposing view! I get what you’re saying—the Q series doesn’t offer the same fun as the M or even the SL. When I travel, I typically bring one M digital camera, one M film camera, and sometimes the SL2. This setup allows me to use my M lenses across all three bodies, giving me different experiences and looks. For this reason, I didn't end up using my Q much when I had my M cameras and eventually let it go.

I’m not really a 28mm person either, and most of my best work has been with a 35mm lens. However, I recently noticed that cropping some of my 35mm shots to around 50mm often results in a stronger composition. That’s why I think 43mm is a great middle ground—it offers more flexibility without being locked into either 35mm or 50mm. The Q3 28mm may work well too because the new sensor has more megapixels for cropping compared to my old Q. 

When traveling, I still plan to bring an M camera, but the Leica Q3 43 can often replace my need for the SL2—except in cases where I need a telephoto lens for landscapes or a standard zoom for events.

[KenLW]

4 hours ago, Almizilero said:

Got the M11-P and the 35 APO. The combo is amazing! I just tried it as the only lens during a trip to Naples and it just delivered. The lens if everything one could wish for and makes it possible to use the M11 in a Q kind of way with the ability to crop to at least 85mm and still have plenty sharp and detailed images. Add the excellent minimum focus distance and it's a near perfect one lens for all setup (at least for my travel needs).

I had no freezes or any problem with my M11-P. I always reset the camera when I upgrade the firmware and that seems to work fine.

If the choice is between the lens and the body, I'd go for the lens. In your case, it is not so easy. The SL 35 APO is an absolute dream lens, but the combo of an SL camera with the lens is much bigger and heavier than an M with the surprisingly small 35 APO M.

I think you have an excellent setup in both SL and M terms, so maybe it is time to give the Q another shot.

Thanks for confirming the freezing issue. The M11-P with the 35 APO M sounds like a fantastic combo, and I like your approach of a single-lens setup with the option to crop when needed. Plus, the M11-P + 35 M APO is definitely more compact than the SL2 + 35 SL APO. A good middle ground could be the SL2 paired with the 35 M APO, so I agree that getting the lens first is the right move.

And yes, the best and worst part of the Q is that it simplifies things by taking away the need to consider the entire SL and M lens collection. I remember getting caught up in the process of figuring out which serial number of the Leica 35mm Summicron V4 offered the best value.

[hdmesa]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

The base silicon is of course only relevant for noise behaviour ,  DR and possibly crosstalk, as it is a monochrome analog measuring device. The filter stack and in-camera processing make the real difference. 

If you're comparing them to themselves, of course, because those are the only differences. And often they are differences without relevance, for example comparing SL3 with SL lenses to M11 with M lenses: each sensor is designed to make the most of their respective lenses, so the meaningful difference in IQ comes from the lenses themselves. The Q3 has a unique advantage in that the lens and sensor are designed for only each other; however, software distortion correction brings that advantage back down to the same level as the SL3 or M11 with a high performing lens.