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?

[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.