Thinking of trading my Q3 43 for an SL3. Am I crazy?

[quiet.seattle]

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I've had the Q3 43 for about six months. It is everything as advertised: Smallish, great lens, etc. Previously I had a Q2 and loved it but prefer a focal length near 50mm and traded it in for the Q3 43. I also own an SL2-S and a couple of Panasonic lenses. I seem to prefer operating the SL2-S more than the Q: the EVF if just startling sharp and the camera feels good, albiet heavy, in the hand. But, I rarely use it. The Q43 does just as well in low light and I prefer the 60 megapixels for resolution and cropping. I'm just an enthusiast street photographer that mostly uses autofocus; I don't do video. Am I alone in not finding as much joy in using the Q camera as in an SL? Should I trade the SL2-s and Q3 43 for an SL3? Help a fella out. 

[jaapv]

Depends on your photography. If you have an SL2S you already have an optimal camera for general photography. If you don’t have special demands like high MP count or, in the case of an SL3S,   improved AF, you will gain little to nothing. Otherwise if you have outgrown your Q, trading  it in for a lens of your choice will be more satisfactory. 

[Doc_P]

La raison d‘etre for an SL3 are the ApoSummicrons… You‘ve got a great combo as of now: SL2-S as color and low-light master and 60 Mpix with near ApoCron quality with the Q3 43. If you have the budget, jump for an SL3 with the 50 or 75 Apocron… Even better:   Apo 21 and Apo 75 or 50. The ergonomics are better, smoother than the Q3.  But i would  keep the Q3 43 if possible: small and performant, if you do not want to schlepp around significantly more weight … Summary: it‘s all about your budget… And weight… And real requirements… 

Edited June 9 by Doc_P

[Trankster]

Sounds to me like you already have the perfect set with the Q3 43 and 2nd camera that you could add wider or tele lenses to, if needed.    I don't have an SL...to compare to, but find the Q3 43 a pleasure to photograph everyday activities and travel.  Sorry, not much help.

[jaapv]

Yes, these are fantastic images making machines, no doubt. But shouldn’t we stop and ask ourselves what the purpose of our photography is? Taking the photograph that  expresses our ideas best or chasing that last percentage point of ultimate technical perfection?  

[quiet.seattle]

Thank you for your responses. I think I've fallen victim to the more/newer is better syndrome. Too many youtube videos about new cameras. A good slap in the face is what I need. I've got fine equipment already.

Edited June 10 by quiet.seattle

[jaapv]

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Let's put it this way - better is not necessarily better for YOU.  (or me 😉)  And YouTube videos should come with a health warning.

[Aram Langhans]

If what you have is not getting you the results you want, then look for a change.  If they are getting you what you want, then stop watching YouTube.

[jaapv]

There are three reasons to chase newer/“better” gear. .

 
1. It will give you results that you cannot get with your present gear and that you aspire to  

2. Your photography has getting the very best technical result as its sole purpose 

.3. You need to gain status at the photo club 

🙃

[oldsalt]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

Let's put it this way - better is not necessarily better for YOU.  (or me 😉)  And YouTube videos should come with a health warning.

That should read....And YouTube videos should come with a WEALTH (and loss thereof) warning... 🤣

[JTLeica]

4 hours ago, jaapv said:

Yes, these are fantastic images making machines, no doubt. But shouldn’t we stop and ask ourselves what the purpose of our photography is? Taking the photograph that  expresses our ideas best or chasing that last percentage point of ultimate technical perfection?  

Without doubt the best photos I have created are those with a camera I am inspired to shoot with or a location that I am inspired to shoot in. Either can work, but yes trying to achieve more technical perfection than a Q3 43 is unnecessary, it’s as good as a lens ever needs to be. Can be said for any APO summicron too.

Just need to chose the camera you are inspired to use and enjoy the most.

For me I wouldn’t want to swap a 43 for an SL3 for street and city photos. But then I couldn’t be without the SL3 for landscape, it’s the camera I use most.

 

[keithlaban.co.uk]

I can't help feeling that too many photo forum dwellers do the equivalent of listening to the sound system rather than the music.

[Chris W]

The Q3 43 is a pretty new camera.

I have an M and an SL2-S. I find the SL platform quite bulky and wouldn't want to walk around with it all day.

[jaapv]

Well, that is exactly what I do. 

[jaapv]

2 hours ago, JTLeica said:

Without doubt the best photos I have created are those with a camera I am inspired to shoot with or a location that I am inspired to shoot in. Either can work, but yes trying to achieve more technical perfection than a Q3 43 is unnecessary, it’s as good as a lens ever needs to be. Can be said for any APO summicron too.

Just need to chose the camera you are inspired to use and enjoy the most.

For me I wouldn’t want to swap a 43 for an SL3 for street and city photos. But then I couldn’t be without the SL3 for landscape, it’s the camera I use most.

 

The most successful landscape photo I ever posted on this forum was taken with an M240 and 105-280 R. I don’t think that I could not be without a SL3 for landscape As long as I have sufficient resolution for my print I am happy. . 
But then, the great thing about photography these days is that there are tools out there for everybody’s requirements. 

[F-train]

Yes.

[Pavel V]

15 hours ago, quiet.seattle said:

.........I prefer the 60 megapixels for resolution and cropping. I'm just an enthusiast street photographer that mostly uses autofocus; I don't do video. Am I alone in not finding as much joy in using the Q camera as in an SL? Should I trade the SL2-s and Q3 43 for an SL3? Help a fella out. 

Hey! 

You've listed the main reasons leading to "definitely yes"

Another option - trade Q43 and part of Pana lenses for better glass having in mind SL4 

Edited June 10 by Pavel V

[Simone_DF]

@quiet.seattle for me it was the other way around, I went from a SL2-S to a Q3 43, and have no plans of going back, because I value the smaller form factor more. 
You say you don’t use your SL often, so I’d recommend you to force yourself to grab your SL2 and use it exclusively for a couple of weeks in a variety of different situations. This will give you a better starting point to evaluate if you truly want to switch or if it is just GAS

[Mikep996]

The only Leica I would trade a Q for would be a later model Q!  

Re "best photo," the photo that did the best for me at local shops is an 11x16 B&W print that I took with an iPhone 11! 😱  As the old saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Camaro5]

I would be happy with both of those cameras.  One can do what the other one can't,  and vice versa.

I use a Q3 28 and a Canon R5 kit.  Love them both, but have often fallen victim to the GAS syndrome.  You Tube can kill your wallet, so I try and stay away but it's hopeless.  Just when you think you have everything you need, something else looks tempting.