Those of you who own both an M and a Q and you’re only taking one out, what drives your choice?

[Jskywalker]

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I had traded the M240 for a Q2. The M240 is heavy and my ailing eyes can't do manual focus as fast. But I do miss the color of the M240...

[TealWayFilms]

M user for 30 years, film and digital. I always have had an M camera available even when I acquire additional bodies.

I bought an original Q and didn't bond with it. I have 24, 28, 35, 50 and 75 mm M lenses which always worked fine.

I bought a Q3 43 at the beginning of this year and haven't touched the M10....

[Derbyshire Man]

How much of that is camera and how much focal length? I love both the 35 and 50mm summilux lenses but struggling to take the Rokkor 40mm f2 off the camera!

[TealWayFilms]

On 5/27/2025 at 7:10 PM, Derbyshire Man said:

How much of that is camera and how much focal length? I love both the 35 and 50mm summilux lenses but struggling to take the Rokkor 40mm f2 off the camera!

Both. The camera is close enough to my SL2-S that it's easy to use. Autofocus suits me just fine. Viewfinders are great. Adjustment of exposure with a thumb wheel is easy. I even do a little bit of video with the Q3 43.

I use my 35mm Summicron ASPH on the M10 the majority of the time. A 43 mm lens has been close enough that I'm happy. 

What has made a difference for me is that the Q3 43 body is an upgrade from the M10 (EVF, autofocus, higher MP) and the focal length has been about the same. I also have the ability to use the SL2-S when I want more lens versatility and video.

[Phatcat]

I moved from M to the Q for AF. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be so I am pretty much done with manual focus. 

[Pierre68]

On 5/26/2025 at 12:29 PM, Mikep996 said:

Further update re M10R/lens trade-in on Hasselblad X2D:  Trade fell through - I accepted the quote but when arranging for shipment of my gear - the packing list download I received which listed all the trade in items included the quote which was now £800 less than the agreed-upon quote.  So I canceled the transaction.  Further communication from the rep indicated it was a "glitch" in their system so it probably could have been sorted out but I was rather annoyed and not interested in pursuing it.

SO...I bought a slightly used X2D and an XCD 38mm lens for a "good" (😱) price on Ebay.    I haven't decided what to do with the 10R BP/lenses.  Could do Ebay I guess though I'd rather not.  I've never had an issue with Ebay - buying or selling - but I've become too lazy to do the listing/packing/shipping.   Nowadays I buy stuff on Ebay but don't sell anything on it.   But maybe I'll get up the energy to do so!

Nah, probably not... 🙄

Were you trading with MPB?

[S Maclean]

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Yes, I only take one of them most of the time.  I take the M when I'm taking pictures, at my pace, when I have the time and the presence of mind to "make" the picture. I take the Q43 when I am traveling. When I feel like hunting fast and furious rather than selective.

It's not about speed, the M on hyperfocal and specially under 50mm is often faster in use and even focus than the Q, or anything else really.  But it requires more focus.

I don't always have the energy.

Also, If I'm in dark, challening environments the Q or SL help my eyes quite a bit.

[S Maclean]

On 5/27/2025 at 6:37 PM, TealWayFilms said:

M user for 30 years, film and digital. I always have had an M camera available even when I acquire additional bodies.

I bought an original Q and didn't bond with it. I have 24, 28, 35, 50 and 75 mm M lenses which always worked fine.

I bought a Q3 43 at the beginning of this year and haven't touched the M10....

Yeah, there's something so easy about the Q form factor and design. It just feels right, and it takes incredible pictures.  It really marries the SL and the M perfectly.  Since I got the Q I jsut tend to reach out for it more than anything else. The SL feels a little to much of a commitment for a simple outing in the city....and sometimes (sorry) the M feels like too much work.

The Q is almost a perfect extension. You see something, boom, shot is there.  

And you can still do Hyperfocal and manual shooting quite easily.

No fear of the rain, or dust....no urge to take two lenses.  

All silly stuff, really, none of it should matter that much, but add them all together and your hand just grabs the Q on the way out.

[T25UFO]

I combine the Q3 28 with M11 Mono and 35mm APO most of the time.  Also have 50mm f1.2 Noctilux reissue and just bought the Classic 50mm f1.4 Summilux, which is excellent.

[brickftl]

for me it's purely a choice of lens. I love the Q3 28mm, and it's perfect as an all around travel camera. But it's a little too perfect and clinical. When, much more often, I want to create art out comes my M11M (and later this year either a M11P or M11V, we'll see) where I can use some of my magic Mandler lenses.

And of course there are times that film calls to me, so out comes my M6 classic.

Edited June 9 by brickftl