Q3 43 or M-EV1: Trying to make best decision as senior with vision issue

[lencap]

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Greetings!

Wasn't sure where to post this.  ADMIN - Feel free to relocate if appropriate.

I recently sold my extensive SL2-S kit for the Q3 43 and have been generally pleased with the decision, but I do miss the flexibility of the 24-90 Zoom at times.  Despite that 80-90% of my photos have been shot with 50mm lens for over 50 years, and it remains my preferred choice as a “go anywhere, do anything” focal length.  For wide angle and long telephoto my iPhone 14 Pro handles the load well enough.  Subjects are mostly people, shot candidly in all lighting conditions using available light.  Travel photos are the exception as are mood shots.  I have strong astigmatism, and as a senior citizen capturing critical focus on traditional M body is challenging, at best.  
 

I chose the Q3 43 as a “one and done” Leica solution.  For me, the 43mm FL is ideal (actually preferred to 50), APO quality is exceptional, and with one all in one camera it is with me all the time.  Autofocus, adjustable diopter compensation, APO quality, light weight, the ability to shoot video (rarely used, but could be useful) and more make it ideal. Still, the M-EV1 has caught my attention, and that’s why I’ve posted.  To duplicate my Q3 43 I’d likely add the M APO 50mm Summicron f/2.0 or M 50mm F/1.4 Summilux to the EV-1 body.  For that I get the classic M body, but lose autofocus and more.  There are clearly other differences, but given my use case and ability to do everything (including using manual focus and macro mode on the Q3 43), I don’t see a reason to shift to the EV1.  And when I consider the price difference, I see even less reason.  I’ve owned M7, M9, M-A, MP with 35/50mm M lenses for many years, and enjoyed the Rangefinder experience very much, but the realities of aging doesn’t make me a “Rangefinder at all costs” Leica fan.  My SL601, SL2-S, original Q were all fine cameras and I was happy with each.  I’m platform agnostic - just trying to get the right tool for the shooting I do.
 

Am I missing something, or does my decision seem reasonable given my use case?

Edited 22 hours ago by lencap

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[Dazzajl]

The Q very much sounds like the right camera for you. The question after that is can you be happy accepting that without trying the EV? 
 

GAS and curiosity make the most gorgeous couple. 

[lencap]

I admit that GAS is an issue, but at my age it’s unfortunately in more ways than just the gear!  I’ll likely try the EV1, but it would take a lot to have me switch yet again.  One camera, one integrated and optimized lens, resolution that allows me to crop and still print 11x17” photos covers pretty much everything I shoot.  Yes, there is only 1 focal length, but it happens to be my favorite and I can easily live with it.  And I’ve been amazed by the APO lens - depth of field and  bokeh compares very favorably to my Summilux M lens images from years ago, but without the challenges of getting crisp manually focused images.

Edited 22 hours ago by lencap

[thierry40]

Today I could briefly try the EV1 … with my APO TELYT 135 …all the photos were in perfect focus even wide open … ok I can manage the lens with the RF relatively well but not that well … so now I have a doubt … the EVF seems way better than my Q2 but I manage the 28 with the RF very well too … so a very interesting experience I must say

food for thoughts for the future, while I turned 60 not so long ago. 

[Jeff S]

Rent it and make a more informed decision.

I primarily use the SL2 with 24-90 and M10 Monochrom with 35 or 50 (both Summicron v5 and Summilux ASPH v1), RF only. I just added the SL 28-70 for a more compact alternative. I may rent the Q3-43, out of curiosity, to see if it’s worth considering as a travel option.  I usually decide against purchasing new gear after rental, but it’s the best way for me to assess.
 

I’m also a senior, with astigmatism.  So far, neither is an obstacle, adapting as required.

[LanceR]

@lencap I am in a similar predicament.  The M11 was my all time favorite camera with two of my all time favorite lenses.  I wear glasses and I have an astigmatism.  I found it increasingly difficult to detect the contrast pop in the rangefinder patch for critical focus.

I hoped that Leica would provide something more focus aids with the EV1 than just magnification and focus peaking.  In truth, they even lag what others are doing on the SL cameras with L mount lenses, where other system provide focus confirmation from the auto focus system when manually focusing.

So, I also picked up the Q3 43.  I would add one benefit you didn't list is that you do get some stabilization with the Q cameras, albeit not like you get on the SL or other systems.

You mentioned cropping.  One other item I would point out in case you were not aware of this feature.  A very clever feature of the Q3 cameras, both the 28 and 43, is that if you press the zoom button to bring up frame lines for other focal lengths, the camera computes based on that focal length.  For example, if you are in aperture priority and select a zoom focal length of 90mm, it will compute your shutter speed as if you had a 90mm lens, as well as engage stabilization, etc.  That really helps ensure your photos are sharp if you know you are going to crop with a RAW file in post.

When I discovered that feature was not just about showing me frame lines to compose, I truly found the Q3 43 to be a one camera one lens solution for most of my needs.

[lencap]

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Lance points out another reason I chose the Q3 43 - IBIS, which from natural light shooting, especially in dim light often makes the difference between capturing the shot or not.  

‘Now that I’ve watched and read some EV1 reviews I find my Q has other benefits I didn’t fully appreciate:  wether sealed body  AND lenses - very much appreciated on my SL gear, and now taken for granted on the Q body.  The Q 43 also fully captures EXIF data by communicating with the integrated lens.  My understanding is that the EV1 isn’t capable of doing this, but I may be wrong - I’d appreciate anyone who knows for sure adding a comment.  There also doesn’t seem to be a tilt screen on the EV1 - not required, but it is user full on occasion.  I initialed hated it (ruined “the look”, but found it allowed me to shot at waist level like my film Hasselblads did - a very pleasing perspective for many shots).

All in all, I appreciate the EV1 as a great solution for many, but for now I’m happy with the 43, and will likely remain so.  In fact, despite not really needing it, I can add a used Q3 with 28mm FL to my 43 for less than the cost to swap into the EV1.  I’m not likely to do so, but it makes it even harder to give up all the features the 43 offers that I’ve come to use and enjoy.  Among them, which is also on the SL bodies, is the ability to easily stitch images together at incredible resolution.  That takes the place of a wide angle lens when I shoot landscape and miss the wide angle FL of the other Q bodies.  No real need for adding another Q body.  The financial difference seems more and more favorable for the 43 as being the best choice for my needs - your decision may indeed be different.

Thanks for the replies - I welcome your thoughts!

 

 

Edited 21 hours ago by lencap

[Markey]

I`m in a similar situation.

Approaching 75 although I can still manage an RF.

I have a 246 ,a Q343  and the SL2S with 2490 and 90280.

That last set will probably go sometime in the future .

I  was going to upgrade to the SL3 but I`m so pleased with the Q3 43 that I`ve more or less dropped that as an option.  

Indeed it might make more sense to get the proposed Q3 mono and phase the the SL2s kit out sooner.

I only tend to use it for equestrian shots but with some careful cropping and even more careful positioning of myself I can make the Q work out in the field.

The 246 remains for now although the new offering looks promising.

I can envisage a Q / EVM set up in the future even though I`m fine with an RF .

Edited 20 hours ago by Markey

[Jeff S]

48 minutes ago, lencap said:

Lance points out another reason I chose the Q3 43 - IBIS, which from natural light shooting, especially in dim light often makes the difference between capturing the shot or not.  

 

OIS, not IBIS.

[lencap]

Agreed OIS, not IBIS.  I appreciate the differences, but my point was that having OIS or IBIS is useful for me and helps in capturing the image I'm attempting to create.  Neither is available in M body.

 

[MRJohn]

The Q3 43 is the best camera I have ever had. If I could only have one camera (and lens), that would be it. - I wished the M EVF would be similar in many ways, but we got less (in critical areas) for more $$$, which is annoying. At least they could have given it a Maestro IV processor and 256 GB of internal memory (in exchange they could have saved money on the red dot by excluding it). I picked it because it is the closest thing (size and weight wise) to a Q with the ability to change small M lenses (of which I have a few). The SL line works well with M lenses too and is technically better than the M EVF, but it just doesn't feel right for me, more like a bridging tool camera. So I welcome the addition of the M EVF but might switch back to the Q3 43 (or a Q3 43 monochrome) and do the rest with an iphone, just as you say.