Q3 43 ou SL3...

[Tom756]

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Hello,

I’d like to get users’ opinions on a question I’m currently asking myself as a professional photographer.
My clients are architects, municipalities, local authorities, public services, or craftsmen — in other words, only companies and administrations.

I’m equipped with a Leica SL3-S, a Q3, and a Q3-43. For my shootings, I often use the Q3 and Q3-43 during events because they are compact and convenient. But for portraits, construction sites, or architecture, I turn to the SL3-S. More and more of my clients, however, are printing my images for city exhibitions or communication campaigns. The SL3-S has 24MP, which makes me consider selling the Q3-43 in order to acquire the SL3 with its 60MP sensor. That would allow me to use both my M and L lenses, give me more flexibility for cropping, and provide peace of mind when delivering files for large or even very large prints.
The SL3-S would still remain useful for events in low light, fast-paced situations, or as a backup body.

Has anyone here worked with this type of setup? What do you think?

Thank you in advance.

[jankap]

No, 24 MP is sufficient! But I admit, that my largest prints are A3+. But - another but - I often crop heavily. If your prints are ok in A4 seen at arm length, a change is not necessary.

[BernardC]

You might consider looking for a used SL2. They are bargains on the used market, and 47MP is indistinguishable from 60MP.

People will probably remind you that the SL2 has slower autofocus, but you can try it out for yourself. In most cases, short of (some) professional sports, it's fast enough, and very accurate.

[Tom756]

3 hours ago, jankap said:

Non, 24 MP suffisent ! Mais j'avoue que mes plus grands tirages sont au format A3+. Mais – et encore un petit bémol – je recadre souvent beaucoup. Si vos tirages sont corrects en A4 vus à bout de bras, un changement n'est pas nécessaire.

I am convinced that 24 MP is sufficient for large prints. However, some of my clients sometimes plan advertising prints that are 2m by 4m in size, used in municipalities, on buses, or for outdoor city exhibitions in very large formats. And as you pointed out, if everything is well framed, it should more or less work. But in cases where heavy cropping is needed, it could become problematic.

[Tom756]

52 minutes ago, BernardC said:

Vous pourriez envisager d'acheter un SL2 d'occasion. Ce sont des bonnes affaires sur le marché de l'occasion, et 47 Mpx sont indiscernables de 60 Mpx.

On vous rappellera probablement que le SL2 a un autofocus plus lent, mais vous pouvez l'essayer par vous-même. Dans la plupart des cas, sauf pour certains sports professionnels, il est suffisamment rapide et très précis.

I know the SL2, I’ve had the chance to test it several times. Apart from its AF which is still a bit behind, it climbs quickly in ISO. I also regularly use Leica Fotos for client work and reporting, and on the SL2 the transfer is particularly slow — something that has been fixed on the SL3. Other than that, 47 MP is indeed sufficient. It’s just a pity the SL3-S isn’t a 40 or 47 MP sensor 😊

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I think the camera to sell is the SL3-S. From what you describe I see no benifit over the SL3. It's  obvious that you like the smaller camera so I'd keep those.

Or keep waht you have and add the brilliant S1Rii.

Gordon

[chris_tribble]

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@Tom756  isn’t the bigger question which lenses are you using?. If you have the 24-90 there’s hardly ever a need to crop, so the 24mp sensor on the SL3-S should be fine. While I have the Q3 43 and had the Q2 I wouldn’t have wanted to depend on them for client work.  If, as you say, your clients are:  “architects, municipalities, local authorities, public services, or craftsmen…” the 24-90 will cover pretty well all your needs.  If you really want more MP get two SL2 bodies and keep the zoom on one and an APO lens of appropriate FL on the other. The SL 75 APO is my favourite portrait lens ever (comparable to, but smaller, lighter and better than the Canon L 85 F1.2 lens back in the day - that was a monster, but beautiful glass!).

happy decision making 😎

 

Edited August 25 by chris_tribble

[Photon42]

I think the SL3 can replace your SL3-S and gives you the wanted addition of pixel-peace-of-mind. I would rent one for a weekend and check AF and noise behavior. From what you wrote, it seems the camera pays for itself plus the Qs are very useful for your event stuff.