Farewell Q3 ... Hello Dlux 8

[AdamMark]

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Farewell Q3.  Hello Leica D LUX 8 -

Back in 2023 I purchased a brand new Q3.  A magnificent camera with amazing image quality.  Easy to use but somewhat impractical despite the option to utilise the crop mode at 35, 50, 75 and 90.

I looked in awe at the images on my MacBook, television screen and 10” X 8” prints within the photo books that I created.  Great DR, colours, excellent micro contrast and image depth.  The files are very, very malleable.  And here is the problem,  my problem.

I clearly wasn’t using the camera to take advantage of its full capabilities ie

• Would I ever print beyond 8X10 or 11X14 - No
• Would I ever wish to exhibit my prints at an exhibition and require the best resolving equipment - No
• Would I ever use the camera in the capacity as a professional photographer - No
• Would I ever wish to sell images - No

Yes, I enjoyed looking at the images but I would never make use of the camera’s full potential.

I duly sold the Q3.

Enter the D lux 8 ………….

It’s a lovely looking camera.  Great design.  Very tactile with a quality feel.  Somewhat dense in feel.  And extremely versatile.  A total joy to use.

It takes good images, The DR is okay.  The lens is good however not quite so pleasing towards the very edge of the frame however this can only seen when pixel peeping at 100% plus.  I’m sure this wont be apparent on prints measuring up to 14” X 11” and definitely not on 8” X 10” prints.

I’m sure there are some hobbyists like me who always chase the best and do not use the camera to its full capabilities.  

I like the Dlux 8 very , very much.  Very portable, good image quality, decent DR and the ergonomics are great particularly with the JJC thumb grip which I purchased for it.

[Le Chef]

It’s a very valid question. I have a DL-109 and a Q3 28, and considered adding a Q3 43, but have paused to ask the same questions you raise. When you stop and consider output, what do you actually need. At this point I’m not sure.

Edited December 14, 2024 by Le Chef

[DaveMo]

I've also had the same thoughts about what do I really need in terms of output. I have a DL-109 and an X-Vario along with a couple of other X models an, X1, X2 and an X typ113 and the DL 109 keeps giving me really good results. I have just done a month long challenge using it and it performed very well. (see the Typ109 pictures page.

I was considering a Q3 but it the end I realized it was not worth the outlay for what I would gain.

Enjoy your D lux 8.

[PeXi]

vor 10 Stunden schrieb AdamMark:

Farewell Q3.  Hello Leica D LUX 8 -

Back in 2023 I purchased a brand new Q3.  A magnificent camera with amazing image quality.  Easy to use but somewhat impractical despite the option to utilise the crop mode at 35, 50, 75 and 90.

I looked in awe at the images on my MacBook, television screen and 10” X 8” prints within the photo books that I created.  Great DR, colours, excellent micro contrast and image depth.  The files are very, very malleable.  And here is the problem,  my problem.

I clearly wasn’t using the camera to take advantage of its full capabilities ie

• Would I ever print beyond 8X10 or 11X14 - No
• Would I ever wish to exhibit my prints at an exhibition and require the best resolving equipment - No
• Would I ever use the camera in the capacity as a professional photographer - No
• Would I ever wish to sell images - No

Yes, I enjoyed looking at the images but I would never make use of the camera’s full potential.

I duly sold the Q3.

Enter the D lux 8 ………….

It’s a lovely looking camera.  Great design.  Very tactile with a quality feel.  Somewhat dense in feel.  And extremely versatile.  A total joy to use.

It takes good images, The DR is okay.  The lens is good however not quite so pleasing towards the very edge of the frame however this can only seen when pixel peeping at 100% plus.  I’m sure this wont be apparent on prints measuring up to 14” X 11” and definitely not on 8” X 10” prints.

I’m sure there are some hobbyists like me who always chase the best and do not use the camera to its full capabilities.  

I like the Dlux 8 very , very much.  Very portable, good image quality, decent DR and the ergonomics are great particularly with the JJC thumb grip which I purchased for it.

Yep, these considerations have something

[rsolomon]

…. And I find the Q a bit too large for my EDC… I do own the M so with Dlux I’m feeling I have all I need (and obviously more). And I enjoy both 

[Markey]

I`ve gone through the same process myself and ready to pull the trigger a few times.

Instead I`m sticking with my CL .

Its all I need and of course its more versatile .

Plus I`ve finally earned my lesson re Leica AF performance and as far as I can deduce there has been little if any improvement on that front with the Q3.

 

[Taloan]

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I have had the LX100M2 (which is technically the same camera) and have the Sony RX100V, but what i did not like was the turtle-like lens-movement, when switching the camera on/off. Same for the Ricoh GR3, which i had several times. For *me* i want camera that does not change its size, when turning the power on, so I have the Q3 now.

But the Dlux8 is really nice, from its output and format - so enjoy it!

[davidzvi]

On 12/13/2024 at 9:46 PM, Le Chef said:

It’s a very valid question. I have a DL-109 and a Q3 28, and considered adding a Q3 43, but have paused to ask the same questions you raise. When you stop and consider output, what do you actually need. At this point I’m not sure.

These questions are the reason my "main" system is the OM System OM-1 mkII.  I've owned my share of high MP FF cameras over the years, but keep coming back to "do I really need that?"  And the worst part is, I know the answer is NO.  The largest print I've ever done is a 24"x36" canvas, and that was from a cropped Fuji S5 Pro image.