Leica Q3 43 as everyday camera AND a Leica Q2 or Q3 28+ Longer FF camera + short tele prime as 2 camera kit?

[Ertos]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I am parting ways with my Hasselblad X2D and 38mm + 90mm. Why is a different story. But one of my reasons is that I simply hate switching prime lenses. Don't convince me I should use a zoom, because I don't like that either. I love primes. I love the constraints. When I am in a city or just going through everyday life, I love the simplicity of one camera, one lens. That is where the Q3 43 would come in (I thought about the X2d + 55v but it is too big and frankly, overkill as an EDC). But when I go out hiking, or simply want to have a wide and more tele option, I need 2 cameras. And the Q3 43 won't be one of them for that scenario because it is not wide enough (don't like stitching). Because I want to find the best compromise between weight, appeal, ease of use, cost and image quality, I am thinking about using a Q (2 or 3) with something like a Nikon Z7ii for the (short) tele end with either an 85 or a 105. Oh, and this all needs to be somewhat in my budget.... I can't do a Q3 43 + Q3 28 + SL3/90mm for instance. If money were not an issue, that would be what I would choose. Somewhere I need to prioritize. My first option to spend my money is the Q3 43, as this is what I would use the most. My 2 camera setup is where I need to make some compromise, the Z7ii is a fine compromise. It could also be any other FF camera that I can afford but I won't do Sony as I just don't get along with them. I have doubt about going for a Q2 28over the Q3 28, since I will own a Q3 43. I worry I will get annoyed about the differences and since the Q2/3 would be used for hiking, I might miss the flippy screen. So I might choose a Q3 and rather downgrade to a Z7 for instance instead of a Z7ii.

I know you can't help me make my choices, I am just wondering if anyone else has similar thoughts on a set up like this? I might have missed good options.

Edited December 7, 2024 by Ertos

[Ertos]

APSC options can also work for the short tele option. I currently own a Fuji X-T5 and although I don't LOVE it, it might just be ok.

[Dazzajl]

A slightly off piste idea but if I was looking to fulfill your wish list then maybe the Fuji X100vi with the wide and tele converters might get you there  

It’s a much nicer feeling camera to use than the X-T series, has great image quality, great build quality and is more light and compact than most of the options  

 

[Ertos]

Not loving the idea of the converters but it this is the kind of suggestion I was looking for, in case I missed an option.... thanks! X100vi is definitely a much nicer camera than the X-T5.

[Dazzajl]

I don’t really care for the idea of converters either but I have a friend who makes amazing images with them and likes to tell me I need to get over my prejudice against them. And of course because it’s not actually a lens change you’re not risking a load of dust on your sensor if you use them on a hike. 

[Olaf_ZG]

My two camera setup is a Q43 plus SL2s with 21mm and a modest tele.

[Ertos]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Makes sense for me to think about as well. It would still require me to switch lenses though... I have had a similar setup in terms of focal lengths before when shooting Pentax; the k1 with 21 and 43mm and a k3 with the 77mm. Would definitely give me more focal length spread.

[coleica]

Leica D-Lux 8???  Personally, I have a Leica Q3 with a Sony A7RV with an 85mm lens (Sony 1.8).  For more fun, I will carry a Leica M6 with a Voigtlander 90mm.  Good luck with your search.  Let us know what you decide to do.

[Le Chef]

For longer I still have a CL and TL55-135. That combo is light enough to carry and to shoot without any form of stability. It’s easy to pan and capture fast moving objects without difficulty. IQ is good enough up to A2 size.

[jbdumont]

1 hour ago, Le Chef said:

For longer I still have a CL and TL55-135. That combo is light enough to carry and to shoot without any form of stability. It’s easy to pan and capture fast moving objects without difficulty. IQ is good enough up to A2 size.

Exactly my setup. I concur, very light, fits into a small bag with the Q2 and is so easy to take around.

[Jeff S]

My EDC is typically the M10 Monochrom with 35 or 50; infrequently a 28 (mostly 50 Summicron v.5 lately). I also have an M10-R (BP), but it rarely gets used, as I never carry it with a monochrome-based camera. For everything else, I use an SL2 with 24-90.  It’s the only zoom that convinced me in a one-lens solution (my 90-280 is also stellar, but will be sold due to lack of use). I found a strap that makes carrying easy, and generally it’s in the car anyway, not for casual every day use.

The Q3 43 is tempting, given my 35-50 preference. The benefits over my M bodies would be stabilization to address benign hand tremors, and perhaps the flip screen or close-up capability. M’s have served me well, however, since the 80’s. I’ve considered selling the M10-R and getting the Q3 43, but hesitate as I’d rather reduce choices, not  increase them.  

A friend just sold his M bodies and now uses the Q3 43 and the SL3 (mostly with his remaining M lenses, including now a 135). He’s visiting after the holidays and I’ll get a better idea handling the Q.  But I can’t see getting rid of my M10M; a fantastic camera for my shooting style, as long as eyes and hands permit.

Jeff

Edited December 7, 2024 by Jeff S

[Ertos]

6 hours ago, coleica said:

Leica D-Lux 8???  Personally, I have a Leica Q3 with a Sony A7RV with an 85mm lens (Sony 1.8).  For more fun, I will carry a Leica M6 with a Voigtlander 90mm.  Good luck with your search.  Let us know what you decide to do.

Yeah that would be my 2 camera kit then. Somehow I am not sure the 43mm works in a 2 lens setup. Q2/3 worked better with something FF 85-105-ish. I have a big soft spot for the Nikon 105mm f1.4

[Ertos]

3 hours ago, Jeff S said:

My EDC is typically the M10 Monochrom with 35 or 50; infrequently a 28 (mostly 50 Summicron v.5 lately). I also have an M10-R (BP), but it rarely gets used, as I never carry it with a monochrome-based camera. For everything else, I use an SL2 with 24-90.  It’s the only zoom that convinced me in a one-lens solution (my 90-280 is also stellar, but will be sold due to lack of use). I found a strap that makes carrying easy, and generally it’s in the car anyway, not for casual every day use.

The Q3 43 is tempting, given my 35-50 preference. The benefits over my M bodies would be stabilization to address benign hand tremors, and perhaps the flip screen or close-up capability. M’s have served me well, however, since the 80’s. I’ve considered selling the M10-R and getting the Q3 43, but hesitate as I’d rather reduce choices, not  increase them.  

A friend just sold his M bodies and now uses the Q3 43 and the SL3 (mostly with his remaining M lenses, including now a 135). He’s visiting after the holidays and I’ll get a better idea handling the Q.  But I can’t see getting rid of my M10M; a fantastic camera for my shooting style, as long as eyes and hands permit.

Jeff

I somehow can't get excited by zooms but perhaps it is an option. It would simplify a ton of things.... 

[Jeff S]

6 minutes ago, Ertos said:

I somehow can't get excited by zooms but perhaps it is an option. It would simplify a ton of things.... 

I’m not excited, but impressed.  A tool for me. It performs as well as primes for my print needs, and effectively replaces six!  Even two SL primes would be bulkier. I keep my M lenses on my M’s. I initially had the SL 75, but sold it.

Jeff

[Taloan]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb Ertos:

Not loving the idea of the converters but it this is the kind of suggestion I was looking for, in case I missed an option.... thanks! X100vi is definitely a much nicer camera than the X-T5.

I dont think so. Changed my X-Pro3 dura (what a nice camera) and X100VI (with WCL) for a Q3 - but kept my X-T5 with the 3 small fujicrons 23/2-35/2-50/2

The noise of the X100Vi lens was sounding like a toy njeeet - njeeet - it was no fun using it. just my 2 cents.

[Jerryrock]

I currently use the Q3 28 and the Hasselblad X2D with the XCD 55 (43 equivalent). I plan on getting the XCD 90mm to round out my kit. I also have the Fuji XT5 and XT4 with the triad of red badge zoom lenses, which I haven’t used since purchasing the Q3 and X2D. I am retired now and was gearing down to a smaller kit but the X2D was just too good to pass up. 

[Ertos]

5 minutes ago, Jerryrock said:

I currently use the Q3 28 and the Hasselblad X2D with the XCD 55 (43 equivalent). I plan on getting the XCD 90mm to round out my kit. I also have the Fuji XT5 and XT4 with the triad of red badge zoom lenses, which I haven’t used since purchasing the Q3 and X2D. I am retired now and was gearing down to a smaller kit but the X2D was just too good to pass up. 

Very interesting. Would you use the Q3 + X2D 90mm in combination?

[Jerryrock]

Absolutely 

[JoshuaR]

The SL2 and SL2-S are pretty affordable now, especially used.

You could do Q3 43 + SL2-S with wide and long Sigma lenses. Then you could replace the Sigmas with Leica APOs over time.

If it were me, though, I wouldn't take this route; I don't see the point in owning a Q camera if you need more focal length range than the camera allows for (through cropping). It seems expensive and unwieldy to me. Horses for courses!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[ggweci]

I would think a Q2 and SL2 with a Sigma 90mm would cover you pretty well.  28/35/50 from the Q and 90mm+ from the SL.  Button layouts are the same and no lens changes.

If budget allows, a Q3/SL3 would offer also offer similar config, but with more "cropability".