Leica Q in 2024: A Photographer's Honest One-Year Review
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- in this video, I'm sharing my thoughts about the Leica Q:, which I bought in 2023, one year later. Twelve months ago, the Leica Q blew my mind with its performance and range. Today, I take it for a spin in some of the most challenging conditions I could think of.
The Good: The Leica Q, released in 2015, still provides an amazing imaging experience, even in difficult conditions.
The Bad: The Leica Q struggles a bit with low-light performance.
The Reality: Despite its struggles, the Leica Q remains one of the best cameras on the market. If you're looking for a camera that can take on any challenge, the Leica Q is worth considering!
@LeicaCameraGlobal @paulreidphotography @ogonzilla
#streetphotography #camera #travelphotography
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Ricoh GRIII-X: RICOH GR III-X geni.us/nelxs
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Sony A7III📸
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- Sony 16-35mm F/4 Zeiss
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Share your experiences on the Leica Q series, what you like, what you would like to see improved
The Leica Q is my only camera I will never sale. Even in 10 years from now it will be great
I picked up a Q towards the end of 2022, after it having been my dream camera since its release. Finally sold off some other gear and got it for right at $2k with some minor dings and scuffs, but everything in perfect working order. I have been SO happy with it, it rarely leaves my side; the Q is everything I had hoped and dreamed it would be!
Same here :)
I bought my used Leica Q in October and had zero issues getting used to it coming from the Fuji system. I tend to underexpose 2/3 too. The pictures the camera renders are beautiful. Didn't regret buying the original Q. I use the BP-51 batteries from Sigma.
True same experience here I used the Lumix batteries
I sold my Q because I had GAS and wanted a Q2 and then a M10. Later, I sold everything and came back to the original Q. Best camera I've ever used.
I am glad to hear I am not the only one suffering from GAS. I have many time had the Q2 in my shopping cart, but always managed to delete it as the Qvis perfect in many ways. Only thing is lack of weather sealing bit that doesnt stop me :)
What makes the Leica Q better than say, a canon, Nikon, Fugi, Lumix, Olympus? I'm asking seriously. Do the photos stand out better?
@@Blah-blah-sure I have a Leica X (from 2014), and a Nikon Df - oddly I prefer to shoot with the Leica, the images just have a unique look and feel to them - and the Df is well known for giving unique results, but I tend to use that when the light is challenging, and the Leica is struggling. After around 8 years of use, I would buy another Leica if my bank balance can cope with it.
@@DS-cf1zc hmm! Thanks for your insight
@@Blah-blah-sureBetter lens. It also makes you a coffee in the morning.
The joy of ownership cannot be underestimated
I bought a Q-P in early 2019...has been my constant companion since. Haven't felt the need to upgrade. I love it. Excellent video, thank you for making it.
Thank you for the endorsement. Unless Leica brings out a q with a different focal length or improves the current 28mm (I wouldn't know how to behonest) I don't see a reason to upgrade from my q (especially the batteries are a steal).
Paul Nailed it! I bought mine 2 months ago and absolutely love the simplicity of it. I bought 4 batteries for cheap. Resale is awesome if it's not for you! I also under expose by 2/3'rds of a stop.
Glad to hear I am not the only one finding the batteries a big plus :)
Happy New Year! I bought one a month ago and totally agree with your assessment of the camera. The highlights I notice as well, but no problem if you know it. One other thing that I find striking is that the red is renderend weirdly in Camera Raw when you use the Leica profile. I had an X2 earlier and there the reds were georgeous, but the Q profile tends to make them more like pink. Fortunately, if you know what you are doing, that’s no problem. All worth it for the image quality, already it has made some of my all time favorite pictures. You didn’t harp enough how beautiful this lens and sensor render images!
I love the way my Q feels, the image quality, colour and monochrome rendering.
I don't like the On/Off button so easily selecting continuous, or the video button being so close to the shutter button (I frequently take a small video clip rather than a still!).
I'm cautious but not paranoid about no weather-sealing, though for the cost of the Q it should be there - that said I see no reason to choose a Q2 or Q3 as I don't believe either would improve my photography in any way. Leica Q & Ricoh GR iii are my perfect street partners. :)
It is like you have cloned my thoughts
Hi, Really enjoyed your video, and agree it is a really great camera. I bought mine pre-owned from a well known Camera Store in the UK and luckily for me they provided a Warrantee that they honoured - Sensor had to be cleaned by Leica - luckily done in London so not a long delay. Ironically, my M9 was already at Leica Germany for a new sensor, hence the reason I bought the Q. I’ve taped over the exposed ‘holes’ on the Q, (I only take photos), hoping it will help alleviate dust particles - I know they can get in elsewhere!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'll never part with the Q, such a good camera. Thank god I haven't faced any issues with dust, but I keep my cameras in a dry cabinet. On a different note I just bought a use m240 and the SD card doesn't click (my luck sent it over for repairs as well as the seller is a *ss.
Will post in August a video on the m240 debacle
I mainly use the Q for photos, love everything about it. I believe both Q2 and Q3 are great, so is the Q. Bring a spare battery is recommended when go out for a whole day.
@@hhz5469 and the batteries on the Q are cheap (simple Panasonic batteries)
I picked one up a few months back. You're right, it takes a minute to get used to. There are some genius subtleties hidden in the control scheme they've devised. Now that I have a couple different methodologies in place- bound to user profiles function key accessable- it's the *perfect* companion for street around my city (Manhattan) or travel. It retired all my other gear.
I am retiring my Sony A7III soon as the Leica is far more suitable for street and travel photography 😔
100% agree, still can't find a reason for upgrade because happy with my Q... Happy New Year!
Same hear, obviously the gear head in me would love to, but practically speaking I see no reason too
I agree, great camera! I have mine from one year and it took my eyes to a new level. Because of the lens, that is so magnificient, really I don't think I want to get back from that standard of quality anymore; and because of the experience of shooting: I took A LOT more photos, A LOT! And this makes you improve, constantly.
What I can say, everytime, despite of the pictures, is that... is kind of that picture will be important for me in the future: imagine you want to take a picture with your old father (like a I did), or family, I mean, the camera will give this picture a "touch of ethernity", since it resemble so much the high quality lens of the "ancient" camera, when people take picture to remain.
A the moment, I bought used at 2400 euros, is not a "bargain", but it is kind of if you dreaming to touch a lens that gives you that timeless results. :)
It is a very special camera indeed. The IQ is unbelievable and yes the price is still not for everybody... But the results are worth it. Shutter keeps on going too. So well build and it will last for a couple of decades :)
I currently use the Q2 at work, and plan to buy a Leica of my own in retirement. Each new version is enticing. But whatever I buy, I really want it to be a great deal for at least a decade after purchase.
I think you nailed it by pointing out that Leica is build for long time use. Took me some time to realise
I looked at your review for many of the same reasons invoked by you and the comments to this video. I currently own a Fujifilm X100S which I purchased new in 2014. I want to have a full frame camera, but I want to keep the same concept of having a fixed lens. The X100S is always in my bag with me. I never take a photo with my phone. Ever.
I wish I could afford a Q3, but I do not have the budget.
I am scrubbing the usual places to find a used one for about 2k USD; that's all I can afford...
Q is just one of a kind, hits the sweetspot in many ways, in my opinion. Little tip or piece of advice. If you see a well priced Q, ask the owner when it was cleaned/serviced by Leica? Also ask for the proof of it :)
@@PaulTakesPhotos Thank you for replying to me! one of the issues with purchasing from the usual marketplaces, is that the seller is often not the owner. They usually buy lots, and they resell. It is always a lottery.
Because of the current shortage of basically all Q3s and X100VI, used equipment is listed at outrageous prices. I have been looking since 2023, and have not so far found anything priced fairly.
@@p6x2 that is in part true. Used prices in general for most brands have gone up at least 50% over the last year. But as they say, patience is a virtue... I normally get good deals as I monitor prices for long periods of time. Don't give up, you'll get that deal :)
@@PaulTakesPhotos I am not giving up, and I am very patient. I am an old guy. However, there is a factor that works against me. The shortage of supplies has created many opportunists trying to resell goods that are in high demand. You can find used Q3s selling at prices above new!
best camera ever!!! seriously, made me sell my M and SL systems
In a nutshell you can pretty much everything you can do on an M. That said M remains a good choice :)
Abundant? Redundant!
I picked up a Q2 Monochrom last year & I haven’t been disappointed yet. It’s my favorite camera & has produced some of my favorite images. As many others have commented, I will likely never sell it
The monochrome is on my radar too, but have to sell cameras first before even going to pick it up. So it might take some time
Any chance you can tell us which grip that is?
yes it is the leica q hadgrip amzn.to/3wACe6U and the thumbhold (size m)
Paired one with my M10 kit and they live well together...
Well I am considering venturing in the M series, but haven't really made up my mind yet. Loads of pros and cons (price mainly to be honest)
@@PaulTakesPhotos Understand completely. I'm very happy with the M10 with small voigtlander glass.
@@mwales2112 I am about to buy a type 240 with loads of accessories but will be selling some of my other cameras :)
Most Leica sensors blow highlights, same on my M, just dial in 0.76 ev comp and raise shadows in post sorted 😀
I paid that for my Q-P! Great video!
Thanks! And I wanted to buy a q-p but they weren't available at the time :)
Please, send me this one for Happy New Year)))
Hahaha sorry but that camera will not leave the collection any time soon 😂 Happy New Year
@@PaulTakesPhotos No problem, next Happy New Year 😉😂
The Q has a Fujifilm WP 26 battery?
No it has the Panasonic Lumix model DMW-BLC12P battery
is it the type 116?
Yes it is