Fuad7 Posted March 27 Share #1 Posted March 27 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am sorry if I am asking too many questions but I am new to Leica and am trying to gather valuable information from this amazing forum. While I await my Q3 43, I am researching all options. Those who are using the Leica M11/P with the APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH lens and have had experience with the Q3 43 may be in a particularly good position to answer the question but all input is most welcome. I have learned that the above noted 50 f2 ASPH lens is one of the most desirable M mount lenses. I have also learned that the 43 f2 ASPH that comes standard with the Q3 43 is an outstanding lens as well. Now, the Q3 43 is not inexpensive but far more accessible than the combination cost of the M11-P + 50 f2. Is the Q3 43 then really a true bargain or is the combination M11 + 50 f2 is in a different league when only image quality is considered? Please ignore the fact that the M11 is a rangefinder. I thank you again for any input and insight for this newbie! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 27 Posted March 27 Hi Fuad7, Take a look here APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH vs the Q3 43 APO-Summicron 43 f2 ASPH. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pedaes Posted March 27 Share #2 Posted March 27 5 minutes ago, Fuad7 said: only image quality is considered? If you are happy with just a 43mm lens go with a Q. IQ is a non question if you don't tell us the size you are wanting to print. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuad7 Posted March 27 Author Share #3 Posted March 27 25 minutes ago, pedaes said: If you are happy with just a 43mm lens go with a Q. IQ is a non question if you don't tell us the size you are wanting to print. 8 x 10 will be the most common but perhaps 11x14 at times. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseg Posted March 27 Share #4 Posted March 27 I have the Q3 43 and M11-D, including the 50mm 1.4 Summilux ASPH v2. Way more obvious than IQ and focal length is the photographic experience. The Q3 is much closer to an iPhone in experience whereas the M is more retro. I use the Q3 to photograph what I am experiencing in life, because it can be quick and simple to use (and somewhat brainless - point and shoot, if desired), and the M11 to capture life happening round me (which can be quick, and only simple after sharpening one's skills). If you like to "play photographer", get the M, if you want to document what you are experiencing in life, get the Q. Plenty of cameras in this world are capable of rendering great images... which experience best forces/reminds/enables you to optimize your creative composition skills? Just be honest with yourself what you are trying to accomplish with photography and your photographic experience and that will help guide your decision. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
la1402 Posted March 27 Share #5 Posted March 27 1 hour ago, Fuad7 said: I am sorry if I am asking too many questions but I am new to Leica and am trying to gather valuable information from this amazing forum. While I await my Q3 43, I am researching all options. Those who are using the Leica M11/P with the APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH lens and have had experience with the Q3 43 may be in a particularly good position to answer the question but all input is most welcome. I have learned that the above noted 50 f2 ASPH lens is one of the most desirable M mount lenses. I have also learned that the 43 f2 ASPH that comes standard with the Q3 43 is an outstanding lens as well. Now, the Q3 43 is not inexpensive but far more accessible than the combination cost of the M11-P + 50 f2. Is the Q3 43 then really a true bargain or is the combination M11 + 50 f2 is in a different league when only image quality is considered? Please ignore the fact that the M11 is a rangefinder. I thank you again for any input and insight for this newbie! If you need to ask the question, go for the Q3 43. It is easier to get good results with the Q because of IBIS and AF, and having more pictures in focus will matter more than any optical advantage the 50 APO may have. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot Harper Posted March 28 Share #6 Posted March 28 I have both, Q3/43 and M11+APO-summicron-M 50mm. I can't tell the difference between two in terms of IQ. But I might be just ignorant though. Shooting experience is wildly different as you probably already know. For me, when I go with family with impatient wife/kids, I take Q3/43. When I want peace with myself, I take M11. It's just style, not about image quality. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoworks Posted March 28 Share #7 Posted March 28 Advertisement (gone after registration) the two lenses have both excellent quality. For me the busy background and sharpness in not desirable; the APO lenses have more micro contrast and side-to-side sharpness. I find myself using lenses that have more magic, can have a creamier background and more separation. The Summilux is an excellent lens, wide open and very sharp if you close the f-stop a bit. it is like two lines in one, great at 1.4 and f4 on it compares to the APO cron. If you like something simple, get the Q43, easy to use, has macro, and you can hold your during in the other hand. If you are thinking to get M11, I think the most versatile lens is a 35mm to start with. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted March 28 Share #8 Posted March 28 On 3/27/2025 at 3:33 PM, Fuad7 said: Is the Q3 43 then really a true bargain or is the combination M11 + 50 f2 is in a different league when only image quality is considered? In the world of Leica, the Q (any version) is a true bargain. It has often been said you buy the lens and get a camera thrown in for free, or the other way around; repeat, in the world of Leica. In any other world, the Q is an expensive item, and the M plus APO a stratospheric expense item. But you are in the Leica forum so I assume cost is not an issue. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Posted March 31 Share #9 Posted March 31 I own both. The Q3 43 is marginally better in the corners wide open than the Summicrom M 50mm Apo. You would only notice the difference shooting two dimensional objects. When designing the Q3 43, Leica would have had the advantage of not needing to be as concerned with distortion and vignetting since they knew the could rely on the camera to take care of that, so that likely provided some additional degrees of freedom to address astigmatism, coma, and flatness of field. Just speculation on my part, though. In any event, the Q3 43 has equal or better image quality wide open. By f.4, I can’t tell them apart, though Leica’s MTF charts suggest the Q would still have a slight advantage. Both lenses are technically excellent. Those who like softer lenses or lenses with character and glow would describe either the 50mm Summicron M Apo or the Q3 43 as “clinical” with lots of micro contrast. If you are looking for a technically excellent camera/lens combo, you can’t go wrong with either. - Jared Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymoose Posted March 31 Share #10 Posted March 31 The Q3 and Q3 43 both have amazing lenses on them. I had a Q3, rented a Q3 43, and currently own a Q2 and an M11 + 35 Summilux. It's really hard to tell a difference between images taken on my Q2 cropped to 35mm at f1.7 and images from my M11 + 35mm at f1.4. If you don't need/want the rangefinder experience and don't care about swapping lenses, the Q line is a great option. I compared photos between the Q3 and Q3 43 APO and despite the Q3 being non-APO I found them to perform very similarly. If I had to pick one, I'd go with the Q3 for the additional light gathering and it being wider since it's fixed lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseg Posted March 31 Share #11 Posted March 31 Here's to the Q3 43! Always good to have an IP52 camera when drinking and shooting. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/420080-apo-summicron-m-50-f2-asph-vs-the-q3-43-apo-summicron-43-f2-asph/?do=findComment&comment=5779670'>More sharing options...
otto.f Posted March 31 Share #12 Posted March 31 Look at this one: and the many portraits with the Q43 to be found on this Forum and you have your answer. My personal answer is that the bokeh of the APO 50 is more inspiring and among the top 3 from Leica lenses. And you really don't need a new, latest digital M for that. I find the images from the Q3 43, although striking at first site, a bit too slick when seen often. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot Harper Posted April 1 Share #13 Posted April 1 21 hours ago, otto.f said: Look at this one: and the many portraits with the Q43 to be found on this Forum and you have your answer. My personal answer is that the bokeh of the APO 50 is more inspiring and among the top 3 from Leica lenses. And you really don't need a new, latest digital M for that. I find the images from the Q3 43, although striking at first site, a bit too slick when seen often. Can you elaborate what you mean by "slick"? I am intrigued to hear that. I have both APO 50 and Q3/43, and not sure what you mean slick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted April 1 Share #14 Posted April 1 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Elliot Harper said: Can you elaborate what you mean by "slick"? I am intrigued to hear that. I have both APO 50 and Q3/43, and not sure what you mean slick. I don't know how to put it in English, but you can find it under street language I'm sure. Something like too perfect to be true (probably caused by image stabilization too). Edited April 1 by otto.f Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyCheng Posted April 1 Share #15 Posted April 1 Lens quality is the last thing that should worry you at this day and age, even 3rd party lenses are very good. More important question is focal length, aperture and style of shooting. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot Harper Posted April 1 Share #16 Posted April 1 1 hour ago, otto.f said: I don't know how to put it in English, but you can find it under street language I'm sure. Something like too perfect to be true (probably caused by image stabilization too). Street slang is "chocolate-box". More academic is "ethereal" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted April 1 Share #17 Posted April 1 2 hours ago, otto.f said: I don't know how to put it in English, but you can find it under street language I'm sure. Something like too perfect to be true (probably caused by image stabilization too). I think too 'clinical' is the term you are looking for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted April 1 Share #18 Posted April 1 (edited) 46 minutes ago, charlesphoto99 said: I think too 'clinical' is the term you are looking for. close enough, thanks Edited April 1 by otto.f Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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