Swap Out Gray Leatherette on Q3 43?

[Richard K]

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I thought I read somewhere that we might be able to order a Q3 43 with black leatherette rather than gray? Has anyone here heard this?

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[LocalHero1953]

No

[Cogito]

you can get gray leatherette swapped out for black at certain Leica dealers, I believe there's one in New Jersey, and another in Seattle that have the expertise. Leica Los Angeles said they'd be able to do it soon, but their training has proceeded more slowly than planned. you still have to buy the regular gray Q343 and pay extra to have the leatherette replaced. I'm using the alphagvrd 3M matrix black grip ($10 delivered) in the meantime, it's fine but I'd rather have an OEM Leica version installed professionally.

[Olaf_ZG]

At first I thought the grey isn’t that nice. But that was before I had the camera. Having the camera now, with a wooden grip and the red dot taped, I must say it is rather nice.

[JTLeica]

On 11/16/2024 at 6:51 AM, Olaf_ZG said:

At first I thought the grey isn’t that nice. But that was before I had the camera. Having the camera now, with a wooden grip and the red dot taped, I must say it is rather nice.

Agreed the grey is really quite nice. I am a fan. 

[jcraf]

I have a (black) half case protector on mine, so nice though I think the grey is, it is pretty much hidden anyway.

[LocalHero1953]

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I would still rather have a Reporter edition with the grippy aramid wrap, like my now sold Q2. The fibre weathered nicely to grey-green with heavy use, and no sign of the fraying that others occasionally mentioned.

[Olaf_ZG]

2 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I would still rather have a Reporter edition with the grippy aramid wrap, like my now sold Q2. The fibre weathered nicely to grey-green with heavy use, and no sign of the fraying that others occasionally mentioned.

It will come. As well as a mickey mouse edition…

[keithlaban.co.uk]

As much as I like the grey I use a LIM half case in black which has a very decent built-in hand grip and Arca Swiss tripod plate.

[Cogito]

Leica Los Angeles said the Leica NYC store in the meat packing district is also expert in swapping leatherette. (is there a trick to editing one’s posts on this forum? I would have just added this info to my previous post)

[Craggs 101]

I asked this question of a Leica store in Germany who checked with HQ and gave me this answer: 

“The upgrade from gray to standard is about 300 Euro and takes 1 month“

I had to smirk at the oxymoronic “upgrade to standard”

What I actually wanted was the black leather of my silver SL2 and the Q2 Monochrom, but apparently that is no-can-do…. for now at least.

Edited February 20 by Craggs 101