Jono Slack Review: Leica Q3 Monochrom

[Eoin]

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Nice and informative review as always Jono, thank you!.

I was half expecting a Q3M-43, but 28mm is the smart choice.
I really enjoy my Q2M, wonderful camera and I know that I have no need of an upgrade... ever. 

 

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

[AlanJW]

Thank you Jono.  As uusual, first rate.

[Filip Baraka]

Thank you for a great review. This is a Q that I could get in the future. TBH I would love a SL line monochrome.

[bilbrown]

This looks like a solid addition. I've owned and used most every Monochrom until the M11-M and now Q3-M. This is a choice however, as I think in 2025 if you shoot black and white primarily you really don't "need" a dedicated monochrome camera. Its just nice and this one is very very premium. There are some use cases, but even then Im not sure.

Let me explain.

 

 

I shoot in almost darkness for a particular project and the 1/2000 at ISO 200,000 sounds wild and usuable since many of my subjects are moving fast. But then the M10-M and Q2M both had this odd morie pattern at ISO 100,000 unless you turned off lens detection in Lightroom and C1 and sometimes that didn't even work. The M11-P has a similar pattern in color and I wonder if anyone has tested it in extreme low light (not just your living room although I am sure its dark), like almost pitch black or color LED lights? Maybe I will do it and report back.

For most things now, I use my M11-P and get basically up to ISO 12,800 or 25,000 and for what I do see no issues. I used to use my SL2-S and various Monocrom cameras for low-low-light and yes, things were sharper up to the 40MP of the M10M and 47 of the Q2M, but the 60MP of the M11/SL3/Q3 variant sensor is more than adequate to get insane sharpness even with the bayer color filter layers up to a pretty high ISO. For anything else I will add my own light or use flash.

I assume the highlights in the Q3M once gone are gone like all of the non-bayer color filter cameras. I guess there is nothing we can do about that. Sometimes and in some scenerios you need those highlights. I have learnt this the hard way more than once. Sure, I dial it down or push down the EC a stop or two, but its still rather annoying to not have a shot because the whites have ZERO information in them. Film doesn't even do that.

 

 

That said, yes of COURSE I want one...

There is something about these monochrom digital cameras that make them "spiritually" a LEICA. I miss my Mono cameras. Its WILD to tell people that it is a digital camera that ONLY shoots in black and white and get their reaction. That has opened a lot of conversations and opportunities. I love that the branding is still stealth like the Q2M and I love the addtion of the screen profiles changing per profile (although I usually stuck to one but occasionally!!).

I don't need it. I know I don't need it. But sometimes you make the best images with something that forces you to do something that you don't absolutely need to do, right.

I love that the Monochrom is now a line, with both a M and Q variant (maybe the much hoped for SL or an EV variant on the horizon!). I think the Q is phenominal and although I sold my Q2M to fund my M11P years ago, I kept my quite destroyed OG Q (Typ 106) that everyone would borrow, from my friends and assistants to my family and honestly if I go through my even recent catalogs and look to see what cameras are giving me the best images it would be my M11-P and Q, not even the Q2M. The Q2M was very good and very used, but the color Q (and I assume Q2 or Q3/Q3 43) give serious monochromatic files (and I honestly didnt like the tinny color of the OG Q at all, or the high contrasty color of the Q2/SL2... but the conversion to black and white was SUPERB on all).

I'm still very curious, I hope to use or own one eventually but it seems for someone like me that does a very good portion of their work in black and white saying I am not sure I will go right out and buy one might say something to someone. You don't need to have the GAS right away. It's okay to sit with what you have, if you have any of the 24MP, 40MP, 47MP or 60MP variant Leicas. You aren't wrong, the black and white rendering IS THAT GOOD on ALL OF THEM.

But yes, I guess I need to test it. OF course I will, and likely make some incredible images with it. Monochrom, to me, is how photography draws – Color is how it FEELS.

 

Also, last thing. In this day and age Content Credentials IS KEY and I am glad this camera has it. I could go on and on on this, but I have already gone on. Rambling man as it were.

Thanking Leica again for giving us this option.

 

Edited 5 hours ago by bilbrown
clarity

[jonoslack]

6 hours ago, SrMi said:

Jono mentions firmware update 4.0, but did not list the changes, as the firmware has not been released yet. If you are as impatient as I am 🤣, you can download Q3M instructions and see the changes.

Well Done!

I haven't read the Q3M instructions and didn't realise the 4.0 changes were in it - but you have just won a Sherlock Holmes medal!

It's all good stuff - but I wasn't quite sure I was supposed to talk about it yet!

All the best

 

[LeicaR10]

Jonoslack,  Thank you for the review.  Just ordered a Q3-M to replace my non-repairable Q2-M damaged climbing Mt Whitney in CA.  r/ Mark