Leica Q3 or Fujifilm GFX 100RF

[Telemetric]

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20 hours ago, Chris W said:

Sure, that is subjective. In the beginning you kept repeating Leica colours are bad, which is more of a statement of fact than a personal opinion.

Quote: The TRUTH is Leica colours science is NOT GOOD.

Stating that colourists charge extra to work with leica images. And also making your statement leica wide, despite the systems all having different sensors and colour science (M, Q, CL, SL)

Precisely… in my M’s is bad because is hard to work with. 
On the other hand, isn’t it significant that a different color science is used in cameras with the same sensor?

Also, If you are happy with the camera’s colors, good for you. I wish I were!
 

Edited March 30 by Telemetric

[Telemetric]

On 3/25/2025 at 4:14 PM, BobsFirstLeica said:

I don’t doubt the cam can achieve perfect focus at 1/8 sec.  Assuming the image hand held, are you getting the full benefit of the 100mp sensor with no motion blur?  Absolutely flawless “non-tripod” technique would be necessary to do so.  I am used to stabilizing my arm on something solid, but I am not a perfect substitute for a tripod.  

I have been able to use it at 1/8. Obviusly, it depends on the photographer’s steadiness. In this case, I rested my arms on my legs, since I was sitting. 

[Chris W]

17 hours ago, Smogg said:

This is just my guess. Many products have a Lite version, the main purpose of which is to involve the buyer in their ecosystem.

The Q is it's own eco system.

I know YouTubers think buying a Q is the gateway to ending up with an M, but they are vastly different camera systems. Like saying buying an X100VI is the first step to buying an M. I also don't think there is anything 'lite' about a $5000 fixed lens camera with a superb lens on the front.

[Chris W]

9 hours ago, Dazzajl said:

I think if you like the characteristics of a pancake lens, then you should be very happy. My experience with previous compact lenses from Fuji has been very good. 

I used an X100T for a few years, then I bought a Q (first version). I was absolutely shocked when comparing the image quality. The Q images being much sharper, clearer and just 'nicer' than the Fuji images. I lost faith with Fuji lenses at that point.

[jjroroek]

On 3/26/2025 at 12:06 PM, Smogg said:

Q3/Q3 43 is a great camera, judging solely by the quality of the photos. However, the ergonomics, design and usability are somewhat specific and will not suit everyone. I always have the feeling that Q3 wants to change my habits, this camera is a little different from other cameras, I always experience minor inconveniences. In addition, in appearance, due to the unusual proportions, it reminds me of a pregnant woman in about 8 months 😂

there is nothing more beautifull than a pregnant women in her last months of pregnancy. they look beautifull, they feel beautifull, they behave beaytifull.......so you convinced me to keep my Q3 🙂

[Dazzajl]

14 hours ago, steve edmunds said:

Define a pancake lens? do all pancake lenses perform the same? none of the reviewers have mentioned a pancake lens

This is the GF 30mm f3.5 lens, that Fuji describes as light weight and compact.  A little short in focal length and a third of a stop faster. 
 

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The 35mm f4 in the 100RF is almost flat by comparison, so I have called it a pancake. A quick check of the actual definition doesn’t go beyond “a flat or thin lens design, usually a fixed length and wide angle”. Hence it will definitely have optical compromises made over a more conventional design but that doesn’t necessarily mean bad. It really is a question of taste and priorities. 

[Dazzajl]

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6 hours ago, Chris W said:

I used an X100T for a few years, then I bought a Q (first version). I was absolutely shocked when comparing the image quality. The Q images being much sharper, clearer and just 'nicer' than the Fuji images. I lost faith with Fuji lenses at that point.

I can completely understand that. Reactions to how a camera renders is a very personal thing. I’ve had all the X100 versions, apart from the vi, though not in order. The T was my favourite of them all. For me it’s the sweet spot of being modern enough to ‘just use’ and vintage enough looking to interest me. 
 

I would like to get a camera of this ilk again this year but it won’t be a 100RF or Q3

[Simone_DF]

Petapixel has some DNG samples available to download, including the traditional brick wall test. The lens looks sharp enough to me.

https://petapixel.com/2025/03/28/its-crazy-how-sharp-the-fujifilm-gfx100rf-lens-is/

[steve edmunds]

7 hours ago, Dazzajl said:

This is the GF 30mm f3.5 lens, that Fuji describes as light weight and compact.  A little short in focal length and a third of a stop faster. 
 

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The 35mm f4 in the 100RF is almost flat by comparison, so I have called it a pancake. A quick check of the actual definition doesn’t go beyond “a flat or thin lens design, usually a fixed length and wide angle”. Hence it will definitely have optical compromises made over a more conventional design but that doesn’t necessarily mean bad. It really is a question of taste and priorities. 

Thanks, makes perfect sense , its a very interesting camera and i will follow its progress while using my Q2 with a view to possibly buying it one day, i love 28mm so it is attractive to me.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 3/30/2025 at 9:45 AM, steve edmunds said:

Define a pancake lens? do all pancake lenses perform the same? none of the reviewers have mentioned a pancake lens

Any lens wider than it is longer is described as a pancake lens. It’s a descriptive term, not a technical one. Being a pancake has had little to do with it’s optical performance. Being slower generally means it’s easier to make a sharp one.

Being a fixed lens, has, however. I don’t know for sure but likely the rear optic is millimeters from the sensor surface. It has a leaf shutter, like no other GFX lens. These will affect how it draws.

If you can find good review samples, which is hard, the lens seems to perform extremely well except the very far corners, which is consistent with many lenses of this type (rear element close to the sensor). In the centre 80% it’ll easily out resolve any small format system but for perfect landscapes you’ll need to stop down or use something like an APO lens.

The qualities of the falloff are affected by the aperture blades and the shutter, when there’s a leaf shutter. It looks fine. No real issues but not buttery like some small format ultra fast lenses from the major players. Again, expected n an ultra small lens.

I don’t have one (and won’t be getting one) as 28 isn’t my primary, but I expect this camera will be quite brilliant for those who already like to work around 5.6, which is a pretty natural DoF for us. So it’s an excellent, *this is what I saw* camera and if you’re good at composing in the chaos then it’ll be a sensational travel companion. K would love this but she HAS to have IS (medical, not just because). Otherwise I’d be buying another camera this month. It’s exactly her focal length. And she loves her Q3 and Q2M.

Personally I prefer something longer and I don’t fuss over a few grams so my current X2D/55V or Q3-43 suit me more. And I suspect that v2 will have IBIS added, But it’s still a really interesting camera and I applaud Fuji for doing something interesting.

Gordon

[BobsFirstLeica]

On 3/29/2025 at 9:13 PM, Telemetric said:

I have been able to use it at 1/8. Obviusly, it depends on the photographer’s steadiness. In this case, I rested my arms on my legs, since I was sitting. 

I can get great images doing the same.  The question I have is how steady can one hold the cam in real world situations?  When I frame a subject for any photo while standing without supporting my arm, body, etc. on a solid stationary object, what is the minimum shutter speed to take advantage of a 100mp camera?  For me, without stabilization, a 28mm equivalent focal length would require a minimum 1/120s if I want to minimize motion blur.  Without IBIS or IS in the past, my method, as much as possible, would be to find a solid support or use a tripod.

Fuji has made a compelling product.  User reports when it is released will be interesting.  I use the GFX system professionally but will hold onto my Q’s for awhile.  The fast lenses and IS provide wonderful IQ.  But this could change.

[steve edmunds]

15 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Any lens wider than it is longer is described as a pancake lens. It’s a descriptive term, not a technical one. Being a pancake has had little to do with it’s optical performance. Being slower generally means it’s easier to make a sharp one.

Being a fixed lens, has, however. I don’t know for sure but likely the rear optic is millimeters from the sensor surface. It has a leaf shutter, like no other GFX lens. These will affect how it draws.

If you can find good review samples, which is hard, the lens seems to perform extremely well except the very far corners, which is consistent with many lenses of this type (rear element close to the sensor). In the centre 80% it’ll easily out resolve any small format system but for perfect landscapes you’ll need to stop down or use something like an APO lens.

The qualities of the falloff are affected by the aperture blades and the shutter, when there’s a leaf shutter. It looks fine. No real issues but not buttery like some small format ultra fast lenses from the major players. Again, expected n an ultra small lens.

I don’t have one (and won’t be getting one) as 28 isn’t my primary, but I expect this camera will be quite brilliant for those who already like to work around 5.6, which is a pretty natural DoF for us. So it’s an excellent, *this is what I saw* camera and if you’re good at composing in the chaos then it’ll be a sensational travel companion. K would love this but she HAS to have IS (medical, not just because). Otherwise I’d be buying another camera this month. It’s exactly her focal length. And she loves her Q3 and Q2M.

Personally I prefer something longer and I don’t fuss over a few grams so my current X2D/55V or Q3-43 suit me more. And I suspect that v2 will have IBIS added, But it’s still a really interesting camera and I applaud Fuji for doing something interesting.

Gordon

thanks,great stuff

i have a Q2 but may buy this in the future unless a Q4 arrives before i get round to it!  one review does mention a large rear element being close to the sensor.

[Dazzajl]

This odd camera is really starting to carve out some space in my head now. I can't currently make much of a use case for it and this combo offers pretty much all the X100RF can and some pretty useful features on top of that. Yet still I keep circling back around to the idea that it somehow it would offer a more creative prospect 🤷‍♂️

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(Shot just now with an SL. Because you know, standards)

[JNK100]

I had a decent look and play with the Fuji today at The Fujifilm store in London.

First impressions are of a nicely-built camera but not to the build -level of the Q3.

Unusual proportions do make it look a little like an Instax but it feels good  in the hand and has very nice EVF which is slightly larger than the Q3's

The lack of Ibis or OIS is not a big deal for me and the format dial was useful and interesting.

The biggest difference I noticed was the 4:3 format Vs the Q3's 3:2. I am more used to the latter so prefer it. Using the Fuji at 3:2 takes it to 90mp which is still huge of course.

It looks like Raw file size is about 100mb.

I can say though that the dof of field is noticeably greater with the Fuji which I think is equivalent to F3.2 in FF terms.

I take a good number of shots close up at F1.7 on the Q so a big plus for the Q3 here.

 

Nice camera but I will stick to the Q3.

[Dazzajl]

8 minutes ago, JNK100 said:

looks like Raw file size is about 100mb.

209, uncompressed 16bit on that sensor. Quite the PITA to deal with. 

[JNK100]

18 minutes ago, Dazzajl said:

209, uncompressed 16bit on that sensor. Quite the PITA to deal with. 

Wow that's huge! The unit I tried must have been set on 14 bit perhaps.

[Dazzajl]

31 minutes ago, JNK100 said:

Wow that's huge! The unit I tried must have been set on 14 bit perhaps.

I’m fairly sure that the lossless compression would deliver great quality files for less but you lose the previews for Lightroom, so I stick with the full size. And if you don’t need every last drop of dynamic range and shadow recovery, the 14 bit files wilL do very nicely too. 

[JNK100]

8 hours ago, Dazzajl said:

I’m fairly sure that the lossless compression would deliver great quality files for less but you lose the previews for Lightroom, so I stick with the full size. And if you don’t need every last drop of dynamic range and shadow recovery, the 14 bit files wilL do very nicely too. 

Interesting - thanks

 

[Simone_DF]

13 hours ago, Dazzajl said:

you lose the previews for Lightroom, 

But wouldn’t Lightroom create its own previews?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Dazzajl]

4 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

But wouldn’t Lightroom create its own previews?

Once they’re imported, yes it will but you don’t get to see what’s on the card in the import panel. Not the biggest problems in the world to be fair.