Everything else being equal - when you nail the focus on M11 will it give you the same image quality as the Q3 43?

[BWColor]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I basically made this suggestion in the closed thread.  The OP would benefit from just using one camera and getting to fully understand that one camera’s function and result.  Also, it seems that the OP has discovered that money does not buy skill and does not necessarily lead to great results.  The photographer’s skillful use of the tools at hand and the understanding of basic photographic principles combined with lots of use of a single camera can be quite rewarding.  If you want to know what these cameras can do, use the search function in Flickr.

[DadDadDaddyo]

19 hours ago, DadDadDaddyo said:

Which is better, a bassoon or an I-Mac?

The long awaited answer....

The I-Mac is a better hammer but the bassoon is a better pizza cutter.

[charlesphoto99]

19 hours ago, DadDadDaddyo said:

This series of threads is getting really silly. 

No, but seriously, I need to know...

Which is better, a bassoon or an I-Mac?

Which Oberwerth bag can one fit the iMac in? And does Harry Benz make a strap for the bassoon? Those are the truly pressing questions. 

[SrMi]

On 11/20/2025 at 5:02 AM, finance0402 said:

Hi guys!

I don't have an M11 yet, but I have an MEV-1 and I did a test shoot. It was an easy target and I used the same ISO, aperture and other settings. 

Q3 43mm vs. 50mm Summilux 1.4 ASPH. 

The Q3-43 was significantly sharper. Is this because of the micro-shakes I potentially had with the MEV1, or would you have had the same clarity and sharpness if you had nailed the focus exactly? 

The 50mm Summilux has a special look wide open, but if you want sharpness, you need to stop it down.

Comparing the 50mm APO-Summicron-M with the 43mm, I do see differences, but not in the way that would make me choose one over the other.

[S Maclean]

as everyone has agreed, 1/16th SS is your problem here. This said:

• The 43 on the Q3 is one of the best optical lenses from Leica.
• The 50 M Lux (one of my asolute favorites) is NOT as perfect.  Specially fully open. But it will deliver as good and crisp an image as anyone without a magnifying lens would ever possibly need.
• When I shoot street, I often walk and Shoot (and talk) all at the same time. For this, 1/500 still gives me some softness. When I shoot the same way at 1/1000 for example, the images are incredibly sharper.
• To really look at the (lens) rendering as a comparison, use both in Manual focus. AF and RF focusing techinques are very different. If you  want to compare them this way, at least make sure you're closed to F4 or 5.6, so you can really compare the lenses, and not your focusing.

A better exercise, or way to see this comparison is not so much "which lens or camera is sharper e.t.c" but which if them used by you gives you the better results. Both cameras and lenses are capable of giving you whatever you need ir want, if you use them right.

[S Maclean]

These have been  taken with an M11M, a 75 1.4 lens and rangefinder only. No EVF. All street shots. 
 

So, yeah, don’t be afraid of rangefinders. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited December 8 by S Maclean

[mekener]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think it's not about sharpness. The apo lenses have crazy micro contrast. Most of my photos are converted to bnw and the difference is very visible in my opinion. The blacks are so rich and the photos feel like they have greater depth. After getting the q343 I sold all my gear that wasn't getting much use and got the apo 35mm, very happy with both. 43 for rainy and lazy days, m11 for the rest...