I messed up and Cancelled my Q3 43 order. Now the tariff has raised the price - Am I silly to still buy it now at the higher price?

[lencap]

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Greetings!

My bad on cancelling the original order.  Now it's higher and may go higher still if another round of tariffs hits.  I have the SL2-S Summicron 50 f/2.0 ASPH lens.  The kit is fine, but heavy.  I originally was moving to the Q3 43 for the size and weight benefits.  I still feel that way, but clearly have some remorse as the resale for my gear is lower and the Q3 is higher.  I have the Panasonic 20-60 lens for few times when I need a wide angle, but I don't like the feel of the lens, even though it takes reasonable pictures.

Still, it's likely to meet my needs, I miss my M and the manual features of the Q3 43 lens remind me of the joy of shooting manual lenses.  The M cameras/bodies have priced themselves out of my reach, and anything older than a M10 seems not to be a good choice, at least for me.  For the price of used M10/P with M lens I can just about get the new Q3 43.   I don't need 60MP, but variable MP choices help.  

What should I consider, and what would you do?  

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Tarekith]

You’re not silly if you use it a lot and enjoy the experience enough to warrant the cost.  Otherwise, yes silly.

[Cogito]

Looks like the price increase is $485 or about 7%. If this was the right camera for you before the increase, it’s still the right camera now. It is a joy to use. I think of how little I’ve spent on camera gear since I bought my Q3 43 (not buying multiple lenses, etc.) it’s basically paid for itself. How’s that for rationalization?

The camera has been out for nearly nine months, can you get one on the used market? Personally, I think Leica cameras look better with age and shouldn’t have quality issues, you might end up saving money by waiting.

[erl]

Fuel cost more, food cost more, so do cameras.

Is that a reason to stop using them?

[lencap]

I was considering the Q3 43 as a replacement for my SL kit, but wonder if it’s worth keeping.  Anyone else consider the Q3 43 as a replacement or supplement?  

[Tseg]

Leica raises prices every few years… if not for one reason there will be another.

[pgh]

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36 minutes ago, erl said:

Fuel cost more, food cost more, so do cameras.

Is that a reason to stop using them?

In the land of unlimited income, no. Not sure about OP but not everyone can afford to think like that.

For the average person making decisions where one purchase necessarily negates another, yes, maybe.

2 of these three are not really negotiable. The camera is. 

To the OP’s question - if you’re getting along okay without it, there’s no reason you’ll be less okay tomorrow. 

And if you miss your M’s, the Q won’t scratch that itch. It’s a nice piece of equipment and all but it’s still not an M. And I would say the consideration of resale value should never really be considered in a camera one is buying or using if you can help it all. Buy it with the attitude that you’re with it for the long haul and that whatever shiny other stuff goes on the market, none of that impacts what the tool you have does. The worry about resale gets in the way of the process in all kinds of ways and is never guaranteed anyways. 

[lencap]

Thanks all.  The issue isn't solely cost, it's use and utility.  At this stage of my life the most important asset I have is time.  Shooting with gear that puts a smile on my face, makes me feel the "zen" of photography or otherwise encourages me to use it, is the goal.  Yet seeing great gear just sitting on a shelf and rarely used seems wasteful, and it bothers me.

I've owned M, SL and Q bodies over the years, and regret selling any of my Leica gear.  The M-A, MP, M9, M7 all got "some use", but not enough to justify their cost.  Still, I enjoyed having a "tool chest" of gear to suit any purpose.  Now I'm solo with the SL2-S 50mm F/2.0 Summicron ASPH.  I realize the near perfection of the APO designs, but I also remember the character of the Mandler era lenses fondly.  

I'm also guilty of GAS, chase specs and MTF charts for hours on end, yet spend more time reading/researching that I do shooting.  It reminds me of my motorcycle days - instead of riding, the oldsters would meet at the dealership, swap stories and talk of the old days.  I don't want that to happen to my photography hobby.  I'm not a great photographer, but that isn't the point.  I'm seeking an immersive experience of enjoying the entire "zen" of photography, only less tilted to gear, and more to subject/composition.  And at this stage of life, I have the luxury of doing so.  I also realize that if I am to follow the M body nagging at me, the longer I wait the less likely it will be to happen.  The Q3 43 remains my "one and done" idea with a combination of the autofocus of the SL line, quality of an APO lens, lighter weight of the M, and the fun of using a quasi manual lens with real distance markings and manual control.

Truth be told, like many I found the M body/lens combo to be "The Leica experience", but with cataracts, arthritis and other "senior issues" the SL became my default system.  It's a fine camera, but as much as I try to ignore it the M still "calls to me".  I can't focus it well, it's totally impractical for getting focused well composed shots on the fly (again at my age), but it is a magical tool.  The Q3 43 is my attempt to downsize the weight of the SL kit, but it too has compromises.  And at the price of current M bodies/lenses starting over and getting them now is what my heart seems to want, but what my head seems to resist.

The forum is my "therapy".  Filled with Leicaphiles that have vast experience, friendly comments and offer me a way of rethinking what is the best path forward.  Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome and fully encouraged - and the forum far less expensive than going to a psychiatrist - sadly, any Leica is no longer just an impulse purchase.

Thanks to all of you for the help.

[jaapv]

On 6/17/2025 at 2:08 AM, lencap said:

I was considering the Q3 43 as a replacement for my SL kit, but wonder if it’s worth keeping.  Anyone else consider the Q3 43 as a replacement or supplement?  

I never considered any Q camera as a replacement for my SL (or indeed CL) kit. Whilst it is an excellent camera its lack of versatility would relegate it to supplementary camera and the photographs I would use it for can just as well  be taken by my iPhone.  I am aware that there are people out there that do fantastic work with the camera but for me it would not work; think very carefully before you give up your SL system. 

[oldsalt]

17 minutes ago, lencap said:

Thanks all.  The issue isn't solely cost, it's use and utility.  At this stage of my life the most important asset I have is time.  Shooting with gear that puts a smile on my face, makes me feel the "zen" of photography or otherwise encourages me to use it, is the goal.  Yet seeing great gear just sitting on a shelf and rarely used seems wasteful, and it bothers me.

I've owned M, SL and Q bodies over the years, and regret selling any of my Leica gear.  The M-A, MP, M9, M7 all got "some use", but not enough to justify their cost.  Still, I enjoyed having a "tool chest" of gear to suit any purpose.  Now I'm solo with the SL2-S 50mm F/2.0 Summicron ASPH.  I realize the near perfection of the APO designs, but I also remember the character of the Mandler era lenses fondly.  

I'm also guilty of GAS, chase specs and MTF charts for hours on end, yet spend more time reading/researching that I do shooting.  It reminds me of my motorcycle days - instead of riding, the oldsters would meet at the dealership, swap stories and talk of the old days.  I don't want that to happen to my photography hobby.  I'm not a great photographer, but that isn't the point.  I'm seeking an immersive experience of enjoying the entire "zen" of photography, only less tilted to gear, and more to subject/composition.  And at this stage of life, I have the luxury of doing so.  I also realize that if I am to follow the M body nagging at me, the longer I wait the less likely it will be to happen.  The Q3 43 remains my "one and done" idea with a combination of the autofocus of the SL line, quality of an APO lens, lighter weight of the M, and the fun of using a quasi manual lens with real distance markings and manual control.

Truth be told, like many I found the M body/lens combo to be "The Leica experience", but with cataracts, arthritis and other "senior issues" the SL became my default system.  It's a fine camera, but as much as I try to ignore it the M still "calls to me".  I can't focus it well, it's totally impractical for getting focused well composed shots on the fly (again at my age), but it is a magical tool.  The Q3 43 is my attempt to downsize the weight of the SL kit, but it too has compromises.  And at the price of current M bodies/lenses starting over and getting them now is what my heart seems to want, but what my head seems to resist.

The forum is my "therapy".  Filled with Leicaphiles that have vast experience, friendly comments and offer me a way of rethinking what is the best path forward.  Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome and fully encouraged - and the forum far less expensive than going to a psychiatrist - sadly, any Leica is no longer just an impulse purchase.

Thanks to all of you for the help.

Photography is what makes you happy... not being a "great" photographer (or otherwise) is irrelevant - so buy the Q3 43 and enjoy it.  

I've had my Q2 for a couple of years now and love it... there's days when I stick it on full auto and just shoot away... and there's days when I go full manual and really get into my artistic type of photos... it does both very well (in my opinion) the bottom line is that it makes me feel happy when I use it, and that's the reason I bought it. 

cheers

[F-train]

You’re silly indeed, because you cancelled it.

Worrying about a price of something you really like to have makes it only more expensive.

A Q3 will give you peace of mind, because there is nothing to choose, and therefore nothing to worry about.

[Elliot Harper]

Go on to used market, there are plenty there with reasonable price 

[erl]

The only useful thing about money is that you can spend it.

The only useful thing about a camera is that it makes pictures.

So which do you want?

[Cogito]

32 minutes ago, Elliot Harper said:

Go on to used market, there are plenty there with reasonable price 

what are they going for now?

[JNK100]

If you haven't already done so, I strongly suggest you handle or borrow a Q3 before purchasing.

In terms of handling, it could perhaps be considered 'half-way' between the SL and the M.

I use my Q more  of the time than my M and only use my M when I want more connection with the process and am not with the family.

[BobsFirstLeica]

13 hours ago, lencap said:

Truth be told, like many I found the M body/lens combo to be "The Leica experience", but with cataracts, arthritis and other "senior issues" the SL became my default system.

An off-topic remark.  If you have not had your cataracts removed and new "lenses" placed, that can be a real life-changer.  I was very myopic my entire life.  I wore coke-bottle bottoms into my 60's.  The cataracts got progressively worse so getting surgery was the only option.  It has been exactly 3 years since my transformation.  The surgery was the easiest of any of my numerous ones in the past, and yielded a new world.  Having had to rely on AF with my cameras for the previous 15 years, I could now manual focus with precision.  Colors, shapes, tonality, revealed themselves like never before.  Not all cataract surgeries are without complications but it is one I had put off because of some anxiety.  Sorry I did so for so long.  So, if you have had surgery then congrats.  If not, and you are a suitable candidate, consider it.  

[Biotar]

vor 15 Stunden schrieb lencap:

I've owned M, SL and Q bodies over the years, and regret selling any of my Leica gear.  The M-A, MP, M9, M7 all got "some use", but not enough to justify their cost.  Still, I enjoyed having a "tool chest" of gear to suit any purpose.  Now I'm solo with the SL2-S 50mm F/2.0 Summicron ASPH.  I realize the near perfection of the APO designs, but I also remember the character of the Mandler era lenses fondly.  

What's wrong with Mandler at the SL2-S? - If you're looking for characters, you'll get bored of the Q after less than half a year.

I also switched from the M to the SL because of the eyes, but now I've treated myself to a cheap M-P again for the occasional kick.

[jaapv]

17 hours ago, BobsFirstLeica said:

An off-topic remark.  If you have not had your cataracts removed and new "lenses" placed, that can be a real life-changer.  I was very myopic my entire life.  I wore coke-bottle bottoms into my 60's.  The cataracts got progressively worse so getting surgery was the only option.  It has been exactly 3 years since my transformation.  The surgery was the easiest of any of my numerous ones in the past, and yielded a new world.  Having had to rely on AF with my cameras for the previous 15 years, I could now manual focus with precision.  Colors, shapes, tonality, revealed themselves like never before.  Not all cataract surgeries are without complications but it is one I had put off because of some anxiety.  Sorry I did so for so long.  So, if you have had surgery then congrats.  If not, and you are a suitable candidate, consider it.  

OT indeed. In my case I had a nice chat with the surgeon about his holiday while he did the lens replacement in my right eye in 15 minutes   I think that many complications arise from people choosing complicated lenses like "multifocal". I opted for a simple lens optimised for 2 m (Leica M 😉!) and couldn't be happier. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[jjroroek]

tip: book a nice trip to europe. enjoy the trip en buy a Q3. 

[thierry40]

On 6/17/2025 at 12:25 AM, lencap said:

Greetings!

My bad on cancelling the original order.  Now it's higher and may go higher still if another round of tariffs hits.  I have the SL2-S Summicron 50 f/2.0 ASPH lens.  The kit is fine, but heavy.  I originally was moving to the Q3 43 for the size and weight benefits.  I still feel that way, but clearly have some remorse as the resale for my gear is lower and the Q3 is higher.  I have the Panasonic 20-60 lens for few times when I need a wide angle, but I don't like the feel of the lens, even though it takes reasonable pictures.

Still, it's likely to meet my needs, I miss my M and the manual features of the Q3 43 lens remind me of the joy of shooting manual lenses.  The M cameras/bodies have priced themselves out of my reach, and anything older than a M10 seems not to be a good choice, at least for me.  For the price of used M10/P with M lens I can just about get the new Q3 43.   I don't need 60MP, but variable MP choices help.  

What should I consider, and what would you do?  

I have been trading commodities markets for many many years. Amongst other things I learned one thing. When one takes a decision, it has to be the right one at that time. There is no way back nor regrets to have, it’s done. 
Now, we live in a moving environment which, at times, turn the way we haven’t predicted or analysed.
Recognise your decision turned to be wrong with time, assume and take a new decision that will be right for now. 
 

In brief, if you can afford it and will use it then buy de camera and enjoy ! 
 

On a cash pov it’s not far from same, buy now , resale lose a bit … wait to buy later at higher price … same 😉

Edited June 19 by thierry40