Q3 for Bali?

[Dr. G]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm heading to Bali in a few months and am thinking about what to take.  I currently have the Q3 43, SL3 with the 21/35/75 APOs, the 50 Lux SL and the Sigma 50 1.2.  

For this trip I'd like to travel relatively light and was thinking of taking the Q3 43 plus one other lens/camera combination.  Is the ~26mm equivalent of the Q3 going to be wide enough for what I'll encounter there?  I could take the SL3 and 21, but it's bigger and heavier; or maybe rent the M11 with a 21mm.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Advertisement]

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

[Jeff S]

Stitch if needed.  

[Yoki]

I've been to Bali many times, and for casual travel, the 43mm lens (Q3 43) is all you'll need. I learned this firsthand years ago when I brought only my Olympus EPL-1 with the 20mm lens (which -more or less- has the same field of view as a 43mm lens on the Q3). Surprisingly, I captured more of my favorite Bali images (and lot's of images too) with that minimalist setup than on trips where I lugged around a full camera bag. Traveling light makes a huge difference unless you're shooting professionally. For paid gigs, definitely bring all your gear.

[costa43]

17 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I'm heading to Bali in a few months and am thinking about what to take.  I currently have the Q3 43, SL3 with the 21/35/75 APOs, the 50 Lux SL and the Sigma 50 1.2.  

For this trip I'd like to travel relatively light and was thinking of taking the Q3 43 plus one other lens/camera combination.  Is the ~26mm equivalent of the Q3 going to be wide enough for what I'll encounter there?  I could take the SL3 and 21, but it's bigger and heavier; or maybe rent the M11 with a 21mm.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I went to Bali in 2016 and had a 35mm only. It did a fine job.

I always prefer to travel light and find that my photography adapts to the gear I take. Mentally I prefer this approach but I'm relatively indecisive and I would also prefer to always have my gear with me if possible than leave it in hotels rooms/rentals. Unless there is a specific purpose (astro/wildlife etc) a normal focal length, especially at 60mp should do a nice job overall. You mention the 26mm of the Q3 being an option? I would much prefer this over the 43 for travel as an only lens with 60mp but of course, subjective.

 

Edited January 31 by costa43

[Sparkassenkunde]

For a trip to Bali last year I took the Q3 (28) only and didn’t miss any other kind of gear. With now the opportunity to choose between the Q3 or the Q3 43 I think I would take the 43 as I realized that the field of view of the 43 seems to cope with my style of photography just a tad better. And for the wider landscapes I would rely on the stitching possibilities in Lightroom. 

[stuny]

I'd Bring both Qs (same batteries & charging) so that I'd have a backup in case one camera fails.

[Patrick NL]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I had my Q3 28 with me last year in Indonesia (Sumatra, Java and Bali). I used it next to my Fujifilm X-T3. I used the Q3 by far the most and would not have missed the X-T3 really. Of course I shot things with it I could not have done with the Leica. Mostly monkeys and things further away and some portraits. I walked whole days with just the Leica if I did not expect to miss the X-T3 "too much".

[LocalHero1953]

I worked in Bali around 1980, and attended the wedding (NZ to Balinese) of a friend there (my language teacher); that time I used mainly a M3 and 50mm, 90mm, and a Rolleiflex T. I returned for a holiday around 2000 and carried M2 and Summicron 35. Another time I would be happy to just carry a 35mm lens - the place is such a visual overload that one cannot fail to get good shots if one concentrates on what's in front of one rather than changing lenses. Now, I'd take the Q3 43.

Edited January 31 by LocalHero1953