The impact of Q3 43 on my gear

[Leslie22]

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Hi all, I’ve just finished a 4 week Japan  / Alaska / Canada trip. For the first time Most (not all) my used gear was SL3 with 90 to 280 zoom , and the Q3 43.

Other SL & M lenses stayed in the ships cabin …… the combination of the 280 zoom with the Q3 43 was brilliant. And for wider shots Lots of Panorama's with both Q3 43 & 280

This is just to note that after many years of travel carrying everything plus “the kitchen sink” I’m now down to just that set up , but will carry a 35 for the SL3 in case the Q3 malfunctions.

 

[F-train]

Next time just take the q3.

Everything else is kitchen sink 😀

[setuporg]

An SL3 with an enormous lens is a strange companion to a Q3 -- works only in a stationary setup with a car or boat.  

[Elliot Harper]

45 minutes ago, setuporg said:

An SL3 with an enormous lens is a strange companion to a Q3 -- works only in a stationary setup with a car or boat.  

I disagree.

Back in DSLR days, I carried a Nikon D850 with 70-280 f/2.8 VR lens hiking 3 days in the mountain. Also with me is a tiny Sony RX100 mark2.

And I came out live.

Edited June 9 by Elliot Harper

[Markey]

21 hours ago, Leslie22 said:

Hi all, I’ve just finished a 4 week Japan  / Alaska / Canada trip. For the first time Most (not all) my used gear was SL3 with 90 to 280 zoom , and the Q3 43.

Other SL & M lenses stayed in the ships cabin …… the combination of the 280 zoom with the Q3 43 was brilliant. And for wider shots Lots of Panorama's with both Q3 43 & 280

This is just to note that after many years of travel carrying everything plus “the kitchen sink” I’m now down to just that set up , but will carry a 35 for the SL3 in case the Q3 malfunctions.

 

I could work with that .

[Olaf_ZG]

21 hours ago, Leslie22 said:

but will carry a 35 for the SL3 in case the Q3 malfunctions.

 

I will trust my Q and take a 21 instead of the 35 😇

[Leslie22]

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The reason for the SL3 with 90 to 280 , was from a cruise ship and small boats in Alaska ... whales , Sea Otters et

and the Q3 43 for the rest .....It was unexpected , (other lens' stayed in the cabin) and it worked brilliantly , The Panos with the Q3 43 work very well.

Looks like I'll take the same next time plus maybe a 35 or 50 for the SL3

 

 

[ravinj]

On 6/9/2025 at 11:28 PM, Leslie22 said:

The reason for the SL3 with 90 to 280 , was from a cruise ship and small boats in Alaska ... whales , Sea Otters et

and the Q3 43 for the rest .....It was unexpected , (other lens' stayed in the cabin) and it worked brilliantly , The Panos with the Q3 43 work very well.

Looks like I'll take the same next time plus maybe a 35 or 50 for the SL3

 

 

Your combination makes sense. SL3/90-280 for long range shots, the Q3 43 for everything else. An underrated benefit of this combo is the ability to share the same batteries and charger which reduces the clutter.

[chris_tribble]

On 6/8/2025 at 10:33 PM, Leslie22 said:

Hi all, I’ve just finished a 4 week Japan  / Alaska / Canada trip. For the first time Most (not all) my used gear was SL3 with 90 to 280 zoom , and the Q3 43.

Other SL & M lenses stayed in the ships cabin …… the combination of the 280 zoom with the Q3 43 was brilliant. And for wider shots Lots of Panorama's with both Q3 43 & 280

 

I tend to agree. I’m off to the East Anglian coast next week.  In the past I’d have taken M + 28 / 50 / 90 and L + 90-280 (and maybe 24-90). This time I envisage a similar set up to yours. It’ll cover pretty well all my needs (and with SL2 I’m happy to use APSC crop to extend reach).

[Mikep996]

I'm not into carrying  multiple cameras/gear.  As I've stated in other posts, if my gear won't fit in a Domke FX5B, it's too much stuff!!!     The only time I ever carried multiple cameras was for a 2-week safari in Africa 10 years ago.  I carried a pair of Olympus OMDs, one with an equivalent 24-80 zoom and one with a long zoom - to an equivalent 600mm.  I admit I might do the same for an Alaska trip as described.  FWIW I lived in Eagle River, AK for 9 years.  Of the 15 US states/ other countries in which I have lived/worked, AK was my favorite!  I took lots of pics there but only carried one camera around although the type/brand changed several times while I lived there.

We are going to Egypt for a 10 day Nile cruise and the Q3 would be my Leica choice for a single camera.  

Edited June 12 by Mikep996

[Camaro5]

For most trips where I have to fly my Q3 28 is all I bring.  I say most trips because I haven't yet gone on a safari or anywhere that a telephoto lens would be needed.  Since we live in the Southwest U.S. most of our trips have been in our SUV, and for that I'll bring the Q3 28 and my Canon R5 kit with everything but the kitchen sink.  

We're planning an Alaska cruise for next summer and I'd definitely bring the Q3 28 plus the R5 and a 24-70 and 70-300.  The problem these days is the new weight limits TSA has for carry-ons and personal items.  I'll have to figure all that out when the time comes.   

[FrozenInTime]

On 6/13/2025 at 7:50 PM, Camaro5 said:

For most trips where I have to fly my Q3 28 is all I bring.  I say most trips because I haven't yet gone on a safari or anywhere that a telephoto lens would be needed.  Since we live in the Southwest U.S. most of our trips have been in our SUV, and for that I'll bring the Q3 28 and my Canon R5 kit with everything but the kitchen sink.  

We're planning an Alaska cruise for next summer and I'd definitely bring the Q3 28 plus the R5 and a 24-70 and 70-300.  The problem these days is the new weight limits TSA has for carry-ons and personal items.  I'll have to figure all that out when the time comes.   

The cruise, travel, and safari scenarios are why Leica needs to stop treating micro-43 like an illegitimate child. The existing Leica DG Vario-Elmarit tele-zooms are a great way to save weight and space ; especially in packaged travel situations where constraints mean the images are more likely of personal value than award winning. Lumix and Leica should build make a small CL like m43 camera.

[Tseg]

When I'm out/traveling to "play photographer" I take my M kit.   But most of my travel is for me participating in the fun, in which case I bring only the Q3 43 to capture the moments I'm enjoying.  My Oberwerth Q case fits neatly into the bottom of carry-on back pack that slips under the seat in front on the plane.

... a dingy following us into port...

 

 

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