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Leica Q?
- Thread starter cmaier
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Sorry, doesn't seem like there are any users here - plenty of wanters, but no users 
What is your problem? There may still be some help to be had.
Cheers
Hugh
What is your problem? There may still be some help to be had.
Cheers
Hugh
While a fixed lens camera, such as the Q, wasn't on my shortlist, I did consider the M...briefly. While both are excellent cameras, looking at reviews such as DXOmark, the sensor - while good - the sensor just didn't compete vs Sony and Nikon (which uses the Sony sensor). That to me was the weakpoint. If going to pay the premium price that Leica represents and I was willing to do, I also expect premium, unparalled performance. Very nice camera though.
The Leica Q is an amazing camera as are the Ms if you are into their quirks.
For me ultimately I didn’t get a Q because I am not a 28mm kind of shooter. If it were a 50mm fixed I would have had one in the blink of an eye. I know a couple of people who have them and they adore them.
The two Leica M’s I have the joy of shooting are beautiful cameras and yes as said above, on paper the sensor doesn’t appear to be as good technically as the current top end Sony and Nikons, but WOW..... the images you get from them are beautiful none the less.
What advice are you needing?
For me ultimately I didn’t get a Q because I am not a 28mm kind of shooter. If it were a 50mm fixed I would have had one in the blink of an eye. I know a couple of people who have them and they adore them.
The two Leica M’s I have the joy of shooting are beautiful cameras and yes as said above, on paper the sensor doesn’t appear to be as good technically as the current top end Sony and Nikons, but WOW..... the images you get from them are beautiful none the less.
What advice are you needing?
I have a Leica M (the old film M6) and, as @kenoh observes, it is a beautiful shooter - (that is, when I remember to bestir myself and get out with it).
But, I have no experience whatsoever with the Leica Q. However, what sort of advice do you want?
From what I have read, while the fixed lens is a 28 (and the summilux lenses are superb, I have two), it can be set to 35mm or 50mm for the purposes of shooting.
With an aperture of 1.7 (standard summiluxes are 1.4), you have a lovely fast lens, and you will be able to - or should be able to - shoot very well in a great many low light situations; moreover, the 28 lens will allow you to shoot in low light settings as well.
But, I have no experience whatsoever with the Leica Q. However, what sort of advice do you want?
From what I have read, while the fixed lens is a 28 (and the summilux lenses are superb, I have two), it can be set to 35mm or 50mm for the purposes of shooting.
With an aperture of 1.7 (standard summiluxes are 1.4), you have a lovely fast lens, and you will be able to - or should be able to - shoot very well in a great many low light situations; moreover, the 28 lens will allow you to shoot in low light settings as well.
Agreed. Very nice camera but the RX1 is a bargain compared to the Q especially used and I could not justify paying the difference. If you can deal with the quirks the original RX1(non R version) is a steal on the used market if you get one in good condition.
I rented the Q on several occasions. Never thought the 4300 price range was justified. While it produced great images the biggest drawback for me was how small the camera was. Just too small for me. I loved the 28mm lens on it as I preferred that focal length during my film days. I would suggest you rent one and see how you like it.
Actually, I like small cameras, and had grown to loathe the SLR monsters - both digital and film - that many people seemed to have.
One of the attractions of the Leica M6 that I have is how small, neat and ergonomic it is; plus, it takes great shots.
Renting sounds like a great idea.
How about a Fuji X100T instead? I have one and it is my most beloved camera by far. Would I say no to a Leica Q? Nope. But I am not willing to pay 4x as much.
I have the Q and an M240 with 35 Summicron and 50 Summilux ASPH.
Would I buy the Q again? Perhaps, it is good for shots where autofocus is necessary.
But I like the manual shooting experience with the M more.
Would I buy the Q again? Perhaps, it is good for shots where autofocus is necessary.
But I like the manual shooting experience with the M more.
No doubt about that, but is it worth the premium and the larger form factor. I own the older sister, the X100s, and despite (because?) its flaws, it’s one of two cameras I have owned that I love to use. I don’t think I’d love the RX1 — but I might love the Leica.
Used RX1 is an absolute steal on the used market. Note I am not talking about the RX1R which commands more $$$.
Size wise they are both small but the Fuji is no doubt a better form factor, better autofocus, longer battery. The problem is the images that come out the RX1 are just fantastic and it's hard for me to want to use the Fuji in many scenarios over the RX1.
I'll throw my 2¢ in as somebody who primarily uses the M system but who has used the Q a fair bit. Give the camera a serious try if you're the type of photographer who instinctively frames in that ~45 degree angle of view. Leica cameras are interesting in that they always seem to over-perform their specification sheet.
It's everything I want in a camera with one exception. It's relatively light, small, fast, has a simple layout, is artfully designed and the files print beautifully at 12x16 (the size I print 99.999% of the time). The 28 mm lens is phenomenal and relatively fast, but I find that angle of view a bit wide for how I typically compose, and I don't care for the exaggerated perspective stepping in extremely close gives (unless I have a specific goal). My standard kit for the M is a 50mm and 28mm Summicron, but I use the 50mm 75% of the time. I simply can't make 28 mm work often enough to be completely at ease with the Q. If you like that focal length and aren't married to rangefinders I don't know if you will find a better camera.
Thanks very much for your response, much appreciated.
With my old Pentax P30T, I had a 28-80 lens, and I found myself using the 28 an awful lot more than I had ever thought I would.
However, with the Leica M6, my lenses are a 35mm summilux (which I use mostly) and a 50mm summilux.
When I read that Leica were developing a 28mm summilux, I was delighted and wished to learn more.