My one and only Q3 43 sadness

[jwstudio]

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A portion of a note I sent to Leica (Germany) in December 2024:

"To make a photograph, I use the rear screen. I initiate a half press of the shutter button in order to set the focus and exposure, then readjust my framing to compose the image. (See page 86 of the manual.)

But when I do this, I also see a footer bar with black on white information that COVERS a portion of the image I am trying to compose. Not only does it distract from whatever subtleties of image tonality I am trying to consider, but I am continually guessing as to what visual information lies beneath this covered portion. And then having to check every single frame afterwards to see if I have framed as intended.

I understand that this may be useful to some photographers, but to me it is a very big problem. Can you please engineer a way to turn this feature off in your next firmware update? Thank you!"

A request if I may:

I would appreciate it if any similarly-frustrated rear screen users could add some momentum to the possibility of Leica resolving this issue in an upcoming firmware update, by reaching out to them with your thoughts. Enough of you perhaps for them to say okay, okay, okay, and firmware a way to turn it off.

Thank you for listening, as they say....

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[jaapv]

Are you sure that the bar actually covers part of the image or is it under the image? I actually thought the same about the edges on my iPhone camera but it turned out that I was wrong.  

[jwstudio]

Yes, I am sure. It covers part of the image.

[gotium]

yes this is really annoying

[SrMi]

Yes, it overlays real image data only in LCD, not in the EVF, where the data is shown below the image.

[Stephen_C]

This is a constant annoyance for me, as well, using a Q3 (28mm). I do a lot of landscape work so:

1. I want to frame very precisely; and

2. I need to have the level gauge showing (horizons that are unintentionally not level drive me crazy!).

If I have 2 I have to suffer the problem mentioned in this thread (turn off the bottom bar and the level gauge disappears as well). I think it's fair to say Leica is aware of the problem.

Stephen

[SrMi]

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7 hours ago, jwstudio said:

A portion of a note I sent to Leica (Germany) in December 2024:

"To make a photograph, I use the rear screen. I initiate a half press of the shutter button in order to set the focus and exposure, then readjust my framing to compose the image. (See page 86 of the manual.)

But when I do this, I also see a footer bar with black on white information that COVERS a portion of the image I am trying to compose. Not only does it distract from whatever subtleties of image tonality I am trying to consider, but I am continually guessing as to what visual information lies beneath this covered portion. And then having to check every single frame afterwards to see if I have framed as intended.

I understand that this may be useful to some photographers, but to me it is a very big problem. Can you please engineer a way to turn this feature off in your next firmware update? Thank you!"

A request if I may:

I would appreciate it if any similarly-frustrated rear screen users could add some momentum to the possibility of Leica resolving this issue in an upcoming firmware update, by reaching out to them with your thoughts. Enough of you perhaps for them to say okay, okay, okay, and firmware a way to turn it off.

Thank you for listening, as they say....

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!

A workaround is to lock focus via a function button instead of shutter half-press. The other workaround is to use the EVF.

[JNK100]

I don't think many Q-users compose using the rear screen.

The EVF is big and has decent resolution.

[Stephen_C]

1 hour ago, JNK100 said:

I don't think many Q-users compose using the rear screen.

It is extremely useful—particularly for low down landscape shots.

Stephen

[Stuart Richardson]

The overlay of white text over the image was one of the main reasons I did not buy the SL3. The image area should be sacred, with only the absolute essential tools in it (like a focus point), and there should be an option to have a completely clear view. Older cameras all seemed to do this...with the info above and below the image, not on top of it. Whomever does UI for Leica seems to have implemented this change recently, and I find it really unfortunate.

Edited May 20 by Stuart Richardson

[Tarekith]

Just adding my voice that this is extremely annoying for me as well.  I use the LCD all the time for composing.

[SrMi]

4 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

The image area should be sacred, with only the absolute essential tools in it (like a focus point), and there should be an option to have a completely clear view.

You can have a completely clear view with Q3. The issue is "only" with the shutter half-press, when the mandatory exposure data overlay is applied. 

 

[jwstudio]

Thank you all for your comments. (Somewhat) reassuring to hear that I am not the only one impeded by this "feature".

Can I talk any of you into expressing your thoughts about this directly to Leica? The email address I have used is: info@leica-camera.com

There may be better ones, I don't know.

I know little about firmware engineering, but would logically guess that if they figured a way to implement this feature in the first place, they should, with little effort, be able to firmware a way for those who prefer, to turn it off.

[SrMi]

Since we need to be able to see the exposure data, at least with the shutter half-press, I see that the only solution is to reduce the image size in the LCD.

[jwstudio]

Or provide a menu option so that those who want it can continue to see it and those who don't can turn it off...

[Mikep996]

"I don't think many Q-users compose using the rear screen."

 

I used it once though I can't remember why!  

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, jwstudio said:

Or provide a menu option so that those who want it can continue to see it and those who don't can turn it off...

Adding menu options to a Leica camera involves using a Ouija board to contact the spirit of Ernst Leitz. Unlikely to happen.

😂