Q3 handling vs Q2?

[msimanyi]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I am not currently a Leica owner, but I am strongly considering a few products (Q3 43, M11, possibly the Q3M or M11M.) 

One that seems like almost a sure-thing is the Q3 43.  I can get my hands on this in a camera store nearby - including the Leica store in Los Angeles - but I can't find anyone locally who has a loaner or rental where I could apply the rental charges to a purchase if I like it.

But I do have a friend with a Q2, and he's offered to lend it to me.  

Can anyone who has used both the Q2 and Q3 comment on similarities between the two, in the sense of how they handle?

[LocalHero1953]

More or less identically, with the exception of the Q3 flip screen, and the transfer of of buttons from left to right. After a few weeks I didn’t notice the difference. 

Edit: I had the Q2, and exchanged it for a Q3 43.  

Edited 15 hours ago by LocalHero1953

[Aram Langhans]

I used the Q2 for a few years then got a Q3 that I have had a year.  My Q3 is the 28mm version, so  not sure how valid my observations will be.

As far as just handling, I did not notice much difference at all when I went to the Q3.  Yes, it has the tilt screen, but if you are not using it, to my feel there was no difference at all.  Some have objected to the aesthetics to which I say, who cares....  That said, while the tilt screen was not why I traded up, I have found it useful from time to time for low angle shots with my old knees.  How you feel about the aesthetics is a personal choice, but from a strictly handling perspective, with my shooting style the extra thickness did not affect my shooting at all.  It took me a while to get use to the new button positions on the Q3.  Now that I have used it, I think the location of the function buttons above the screen still bothers me a bit.  Probably because the way I have my camera set up with the profiles I have made, I rarely ever use the buttons to change anything but old habits die hard.  And as a new user you would not have any habits to break, so I guess that would be a non-issue for you. 

Since you strictly asked about handling, I will not comment on feature difference.  From my experience you will not notice a difference in handling between the two as a new user.  Now, of course, the lens is a different story, and you will have to pick the focal length that is right for you.  If you like some wide shots like I do, then the 28 over the 43 would be the way to go.  If you seldom go into the wide territory, then the 42 would be for you.  The only other thing I can think of is when the new firmware comes out for the Q3 series to match the Q3 Monochrom, that will make the handling of the Q3 very different from the Q2.  I am having worries about that for me as change comes hard for me sometime.  Haven't heard if they will also change the Q2 firmware.  

Hope this helps.

[LocalHero1953]

In response to @Aram Langhans post…..

I have the SL3-S which has the same interface the Q3M appears to have, and which the Q3 and Q3 43 are likely to get. Aside from getting used to different icons on the quick menu screen, the difference is in greater customisation of the quick menu, which is an improvement (IMO). 

Edited 15 hours ago by LocalHero1953

[Pelu2010]

Hi,

I owned the q2  and switched to q3.

there was one thing that bothered me with the q2: You can’t charge the camera while you travel. If you like to shoot a lot and shoot more than 200 images a day , then you need more batteries for the q2. And if you plan to film even more. 
that is much relaxed with the q3. The consumption is the same but you can use a powerbank. 
 

If you invest that much money in a camera I would only buy it if I can test it. So maybe there is a dealer that ships the camera to you with this conditions. 
what about keh? 
https://www.keh.com/shop/search/?q=Leica+q3

Talk to them and I am sure you can they let you test the camera. 
 

and they seem to have a good service. 
 

cheers peter 

 

[Derbyshire Man]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

In response to @Aram Langhans post…..

I have the SL3-S which has the same interface the Q3M appears to have, and which the Q3 and Q3 43 are likely to get. Aside from getting used to different icons on the quick menu screen, the difference is in greater customisation of the quick menu, which is an improvement (IMO). 

That's good. I asked for that ages ago. I hope they also make it so you can either disable swipe for video or at the very least swipe back to get back to stills. I ran a survey on it and should put the results in it's own post.

Edited 14 hours ago by Derbyshire Man

[msimanyi]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thank you everyone!  Your comments have been very helpful.  I will borrow my friend's Q2 for a few days to see how I like it, and make my purchase decision based on that.

I tend to prefer wider focal lengths, and given that his Q2 is 28mm, I'll be able to see if that has the right feel for me or decide if the 43 is more appropriate.  Honestly, I'm leaning toward the 43 to hold me over for the M12, then I can compare it with the M11 and determine which way to go.  Just add their 21 & 28 lenses, as well as a macro 90 and between the two cameras, that would likely cover all my needs.  

Or as someone else posted in one of the threads here, get the Q3 in both focal lengths, and they were pretty well set.  I'd probably add the Elpro closeup lens set to facilitate macro shots.

 

[PhotoCruiser]

vor 9 Stunden schrieb Pelu2010:

The consumption is the same but you can use a powerbank. 

Good point.
However the same can be achieved using the NiteCore USB charger for the Q and SL batteries SC-BPL4 and SC-BPL6 so i have mine in most cases with me.
There are other, non Leica branded batteries who seem to work well and are considerable cheaper then original Leica ones.

The USB port on the Q3 would make life easier for me as using the Q2 the SD Card need to be extracted to download the photos reasonable fast (or using Fotos App what is unreasonable slow for DNG's and they end on cellphone or tablet. There is basically not much wrong with pulling the SD Card but i have the Leica Hand Grip and need to unscrew it first to be able to open the SD card compartment.
 

Chris

[S Maclean]

I didn’t get along with the Q2, but did with the Q3.  I found the AF more accurate and faster, do use the flip screen and like the extra MP, specially for shooting at 35 and 50 mm which I do, since I like the RF like experience of having the crop lines superimposed on the EVF/LCD

i got the Q43 since I’m primarily a 35 and 50 user…. BUT, ended up liking the Q3 28 better as it does give me a more flexible single lens use. Also has closer focusing distance.

With the Q3M release I found the best setup for me is to have the Q3M + the 43

To my taste the 43 is a superior lens and a great straight shooter, the 28 or the Monochromes are more artistic in rendering and, to my use, in focal length. There’s just a little more room for perspective control and POV ( at least for me)