Leica 35 APO M for a Q3 43?

[Jan1985]

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Recently, I bought a Leica SL3-S for my professional wedding and portrait photography. It’s more practical than an M, so I traded mine in. I still own the 35 APO, which I can now use with the M-to-L adapter. However, I currently have only one body, and sometimes it would be great to have an additional one.

Not long ago, I came across the Q3 43. The images I’ve seen remind me of the 50 APO, which I also owned a few years ago. Now I’m considering selling the 35 APO to buy the Q3 43, as it could be a great companion, especially for weddings.

What would you do?

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[Le Chef]

Take out a business bank loan and buy an SL3-S body.

[Olaf_ZG]

4 hours ago, Le Chef said:

Take out a business bank loan and buy an SL3-S body.

Agreed. Would never do a wedding with only one body.

[Chris W]

But the Q is like a second body and also a small camera to use in tandem with the SL

[Jan1985]

That was my initial thought. Over 10 years I used the 50 Noctilux with an M on wedding support by a Canon 5D MK III and a 24mm lens at that time. And for a 35 APO I could get a body with a built-in APO lens delivering the same quality.

[Olaf_ZG]

4 hours ago, Chris W said:

But the Q is like a second body and also a small camera to use in tandem with the SL

The question is: if the SL3 stops at the beginning of the wedding day, can you shoot the whole wedding, including groups, with the Q43.

If yes, the Q can be a backup, if not, the Q aint a backup, but an additional camera.

[Chris W]

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It's a bit of a debate.

How likely is the SL3 to completely fail at the beginning of a wedding? You COULD salvage the day with the Q3 43. I agree, ideally own two of the same body, but quite a few wedding photographers have two different bodies with the back up being an X100VI or some kind of Q.

[Olaf_ZG]

4 hours ago, Chris W said:

It's a bit of a debate.

How likely is the SL3 to completely fail at the beginning of a wedding? You COULD salvage the day with the Q3 43. I agree, ideally own two of the same body, but quite a few wedding photographers have two different bodies with the back up being an X100VI or some kind of Q.

It is not likely. But it is a risk. It doesn’t even have to be Leica’s fault: the camera might be dropped, submerged in the pool, whatever. I have had cameras fail on weddings for the above reasons.

It is a real risk which a pro must have a backup for. 

The q43 is a great camera, but it isn’t the best for groups as it might be to tight.

If Jan is getting paid, my opinion is he must ensure a proper backup.

[Jan1985]

I thought that with the Q there is a chance to be a bit more „invisible“ to capture some special moments that you cant get with a big mirrorless camera and lens. But maybe I‘m wrong and it would be better to get a second hans SL2-S as a backup.

[Olaf_ZG]

Jan, don’t get me wrong, it is a great camera, and less obstructive, but I don’t see it as a replacement.

[ravinj]

I am not a pro who makes money with my gear, but I know people who do wedding photography. They generally have two of exactly the same bodies so they don't have to fiddle around with different settings and workflow. If one fails, the other body picks up seamlessly. Most of these people have a 24-70 as the workhorse on one and a large aperture prime on the other. 

Pro or not, if I had the 35 APO M, I would not sell it unless it was a dire financial situation.