Q2 or Q3 and Owning a Ricoh GR3

[ktmrider2]

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I have been bitten and thinking about a Q camera.  I have found several versions of the Q2 for $4000 and a couple copies of the Q3 for $5000.  I know the differences and wonder if the upgrade is worth the extra bucks.  I don’t really care one way or the other for the folding rear screen but the more modern sensor might be worth the money as well as the latest operating system.

Now I mainly use a Leica MP and have been shooting with film M’s since 1975 and it is still my preferred camera.  I am not blind to technology so I also own a Ricoh GR3 and a Nikon Zf.  The Q appears to have it in image quality and weatherproofing over the GR3 but the GR3 beats the hell out of the Q in terms of size and weight.  The GR3 goes everywhere with me.  Before digital, the M went everywhere with me.

I can afford either Q model or even an M11 but I had both M9 and M240 and sold both of them.  At 71 I am trying to avoid accumulating too much “stuff”.  Most of my photography these days is either family or “travel”.  I am enroute around the world as I write this using my MP and GR3 but I left the Zf back in Alaska. I am trying to beat GAS but it is hard.

Am looking for advice.  My present feeling is it would not be worth it in images over the GR3.  Am I wrong?

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[lykaman]

Big congrats on your world travels, no mean feat at any age.. A Q3 may well offer somewhat more than your GR3, but, it may take awhile for you to learn the Q and get the IQ you  demand.. The difference between ‘on paper’ and ‘in the hand’ is purely down to the photographer… In you position I would rent a Q3 and decide for yourself.. 

[Smogg]

50 minutes ago, ktmrider2 said:

I have been bitten and thinking about a Q camera.  I have found several versions of the Q2 for $4000 and a couple copies of the Q3 for $5000.  I know the differences and wonder if the upgrade is worth the extra bucks.  I don’t really care one way or the other for the folding rear screen but the more modern sensor might be worth the money as well as the latest operating system.

Now I mainly use a Leica MP and have been shooting with film M’s since 1975 and it is still my preferred camera.  I am not blind to technology so I also own a Ricoh GR3 and a Nikon Zf.  The Q appears to have it in image quality and weatherproofing over the GR3 but the GR3 beats the hell out of the Q in terms of size and weight.  The GR3 goes everywhere with me.  Before digital, the M went everywhere with me.

I can afford either Q model or even an M11 but I had both M9 and M240 and sold both of them.  At 71 I am trying to avoid accumulating too much “stuff”.  Most of my photography these days is either family or “travel”.  I am enroute around the world as I write this using my MP and GR3 but I left the Zf back in Alaska. I am trying to beat GAS but it is hard.

Am looking for advice.  My present feeling is it would not be worth it in images over the GR3.  Am I wrong?

Rumors say GRIV will be out early to mid next year. Wait for it and then decide.

[Qwertynm]

Take a Q into your hands. If you don’t know by then, stay with the GR3. 

[JNK100]

Image quality will be better with the Q3 for sure and it would be worth the extra for this over the Q2 in my view.

I would also relish having an EVF and not having to use the rear screen to compose - but that may just be me!

[ktmrider2]

I do not enjoy using a phone for photography.  Friend went on recent once in a lifetime hunting trip and was told just to take IPhone 14 or 15 by a “professional photographer”.  He showed me lots of 8 x 10’s he had printed and they sucked.  Any sensor larger than a phone’s would have made the prints so much better.

I have had both digital Leicas (M9 and M240) and a couple different models of the Fuji X100 and do enjoy viewfinders.  I did not use the rear screen and do not pixel peep at all.  The GR3 is the only camera which requires the use of the rear screen.  Funny, but I do not mind using the rear screen on the GR3.  I even had the optical finder for the GR3 but took it off the camera as it was not needed and just seemed to get in the way.  It has become my aux viewfinder for my 21 on my MP.

Since I already own 6 M mount lenses I am wondering if a digital M would not be the way to go.  Of course, that totally defeats the idea of a Q.  I thought I had driven a stake through the idea of a digital Leica a few years ago when I went back to film M’s.

[mokona]

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Or what about a SL2/2s to use with your M mount lenses ? or even a Q3 43 to pair with the GR3?

[nicci78]

Having both Q2 and GR III. At first I resisted the idea to add the GR III to my existing Q2. 

Then it makes sense. I can bring GR III everywhere I want. And the Q2 when it makes more sense : low light or nice bokeh shot.

I also used to own the GR IIIx. It is also a nice wingman to the 28mm Q2/Q3.

The other way around is also true : GR III + Q3 43

[ianforber]

I’d get the Q2, that way if you decide against it you’ll probably lose very little in resale value. Obviously, none of us really need all our cameras but sometimes we just have to embrace the GAS!

PS. I had the M11 and its sensor was noticeably better at any ISO over 1600 so I would expect the Q3 to be better too. That said, after processing with noise reduction I couldn’t tell the difference. 

[LocalHero1953]

But a GR3 can probably fit in the outer pocket of a camera bag holding a Q3 43 !

[BruceRH]

I have a GRIII, a Q3 28 and an M11-P. Obviously you can not beat the GRIII's size and I really like the mono profiles but it is really hard to beat the Q3's images. I had a Q2 and upgraded to the Q3 (both bought used). The Q3 28 is a great camera and low light performance seems to be much better compared to the Q2. The Q3 makes magical images IMHO. With that said, I wouldn't be without my M11-P. I love having a lens choice for my mood/subject. My GRIII has been used a lot less since I bought the Q3. Prior to the Q3 I was more indifferent when choosing between the Q2 and GR but that is just a personal preference. I am not planing to get rid of the GRIII because it is perfect for some situations but I don't plan on getting the GRIV either. I handled the ZF a few times but ergonomically it wasn't for me and I do like having a bigger sensor. The M11-P/Q3 combination works very well for me. If I had to choose between the M11-P and Q3 I would choose the M11-P. Since you have the ZF, I think the Q3 makes sense in my mind because you can always use M mount lenses on the ZF. Add the tech art adapter to the ZF and from what I have read, you have a pretty capable combination for M lenses. 

[ktmrider2]

I spent the last couple days walking around Bangkok with my MP and GR3.  I really like the MP and have thought about getting an M11.  Digital makes lots of things easier compared to getting film processed these days.  However, I am finding that I am using the GR3 for an overwhelming number of photos.  The size of the GR3 and the 28 FOV make it an excellent choice.

Now I can finally see why the Q3 is the choice of so many photographers for their travel camera.  I could almost see selling the MP and my five M mount lenses and just carry the Q3 (28 or 43?) for travel.  I am going to have to give the idea of a Q3 serious consideration but keeping the MP as well.

By the way, the Leica Store in BKK has a Q3 for US$7100 while I can pick one up in Hong Kong for US$5800.  I can fly from Clark in the Philippines to Hong Kong and spend a couple nights for $400 so I think my next trip to renew my Philippine visa will be to Hong Kong.  By the way, Q3s at the Leica Store Kuala Lumpur were $6200.

My favorite focal length with film is 35 so Q3 with crop may be just prefect.

Edited December 8, 2024 by ktmrider2

[ktmrider2]

I purchased a Q3 today in BKK from A.V. Camera.  Prices were pretty competitive with a price of US$6579 if purchased on a credit card.  If purchased for cash $6492.  There is a 7% or 8% VAT refund if purchased by a foreigner so I should take $460 off the final price which gets it to within spitting distance of B&H prices without sales tax.

The Leica camera store in BKK wanted $7071.  I assume there would be a VAT refund there as well but do not really know.

[Simone_DF]

4 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

The Leica camera store in BKK wanted $7071.  I assume there would be a VAT refund there as well but do not really know.

Avoid the Leica store in BKK like the plague. It’s pretty much the worst camera store I’ve ever visited. Arrogant, unhelpful staff, and prices are higher by a significant margin. 

[KFo]

First up: not a Q owner.  I looked seriously back when the Q came out and nixed it.  Too bulky and too heavy for my taste and for how I'd envision its use.  

Like you, I have the GR cameras, GRII specifically because I value the built-in flash over the GRIII features.  I imagine the Q may be a little more durable than Ricoh but I suppose it is got to do with the treatment it receives.  I've had five of them and one twice (lost it in a backpack for a year).  I've broken and repaired one and somehow have managed to keep the last one purchase working and unbroken.  I think for my use it is a wonderful little camera that exceeds point-and-shoot capability by a long stretch.

I picture the Q depending on the version as on par with my M10P only lacking the versatility of changing lenses.  For the bulk and the price I just don't see having a Q when the GR handles the same mission.  IQ for my purposes the GR is just fine.  I've never looked at one of my GR images as said "for god's sake this would be brilliant if it only had another 15 mega pixels."

[Aram Langhans]

I'll add my 2 cents worth.  I looked seriously at the Q when it first came out years back as a replacement for my little carry around camera, the Sony RX100iii.  Took it for a test drive and loved the images I got. Bigger sensor for better photos, but at "only" 24mp with a 28mm lens I hemmed and hawed a lot and put it mostly out of my mind.  Then the Q2 came out and I jumped on it.  48MP would give me a lot of room to crop and easily give me the quality of image I was getting from my Nikon D750 without the weight and bulk.  It took a long time to get it, but when I did, I loved it.  The images of course far exceeded the RX100 but even exceeded the D750 unless of course I was dealing with lenses over 80mm or so.  My main gripe about the Q2 was the high ISO performance and I do take a lot of shots in poor light.  The Nikon sensor was much better at that.  But the weight, simple menus, profiles (that I really learned to love) and of course, that lens, made the Q2 my go-to camera unless I needed something wider than 20 or longer than 80ish.  It worked well.

Then the Q3 came out and I was excited that is probably used a Sony sensor with much better high ISO performance.  60MP was a bit of a bonus, but did not really influence my decision.  In fact, it was almost a negative as I thought it might have a negative effect on the higher ISO's.  Maybe it does, but it is still better than the Q2. As far as the tilt screen, I was rather neutral about it, but since getting the Q3 I am surprised at how many times I use it, even though I am a viewfinder guy.  Aching back and knees does find it useful in many situations, so don't underestimate its utility.  The Q3 does have a few growing pains to overcome vs the Q2 that was a very mature camera/firmware combination.  But none of those are not something I can't live with in the meantime.

I sold my Nikon D750, lenses and Q2 and bought the Nikon Z7ii for the much higher quality Z wides and teles, and that sensor is better than the Q3 buy a bit at high ISOs, but the Q3 is still my go-to camera for general use and walking around.

[ktmrider2]

I took the Q3 out yesterday leaving the MP and GR3 at the hotel.  I am still learning a few quirks with the menus and buttons but really enjoyed it. I played tourist at the Grand Palace and Wat Arun in Bangkok.  First time here was Xmas, 1980, with the Marines and last time was 2011 with my daughter.  Good memories from both trips and the Q3 was fun.  Next project is to learn to transfer photos to phone so I can send them back to US.

Why does any camera manufacturer leave the manual out of the box?  My biggest complaint is that it does not have even a quick start guide!  Thank the gods for YouTube!  How did you customize the function buttons?  I have one for cropping and the other for jpeg types.  The camera reminds me a lot of my former X100 with control settings to “A”.

[LocalHero1953]

12 minutes ago, ktmrider2 said:

 How did you customize the function buttons?

Left Fn button: crop size
Right Fn button: ISO settings
Thumb dial: exposure compensation
Thumb dial button: AF-L
Lower centre button: AF type

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Taloan]

I have had a GR 3 several times and have sold it as often as I have owned it
The smartphone is the camera, that is always with me. But a normal smartphone doesn't give you the feeling of taking photos. I solved the problem by getting the Xiaomi 14 ultra with the photography grip. This turns the smartphone into a very useful compact camera.
For proper photography, I then have a Q3

 

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[stindiri]

Have sold Q2 and XH2 with some lenses to get the Q3. The only camera i have never considered to sell is my beloved GR3x (previously GR3 which i have killed) 😀

I also would suggest to wait for the GR4. Then you can evaluate the situation further in detail. 
 

In any case the GRs are unbeatable in daily carry. And the BW pictures come close to the Qs BW, which i really adore. 
 

Edited December 14, 2024 by stindiri