A few days with the Leica Q3... The perfect camera for EVERYDAY photo & video???

Join Carlo as he takes the Leica Q3 for a few days to see if this is the perfect camera for everyday photo & video! Let us know what you think of the new Leica Q3!?
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Gear Used:
Leica Q3
Filmed with:
Leica Q3
Leica SL2-S
Leica 50mm f2 APO-Summicron-SL
Sigma 105mm f2.8 DG DN MACRO ART L-Mount
Saramonic Blink500 Pro B2
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Quick Time Stamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:42 - Tech Specs
5:45 - Flip Out Rear LCD
6:43 - Day 1 | Motion Video & Low Light Test
9:33 - Day 2 | "Vlog" & Daylight Test
13:07 - Day 3 | Understanding the Optical Stabilizer
15:00 - Day 4 Pt.1 | Bay to Breakers
17:03 - Day 4 Pt.2 | Low Light Video & Photo
19:32 - User Experience Recap
21:36 - Final Thoughts on the Leica Q3
23:47 - New Oberwerth Q Bag
24:42 - Outro

[@tedtrimmer635]

Thank you Carlo, good information. The Leica Q3 is now enroute to me.

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching and enjoy the camera!

[@ThePoisonDrummer]

I have the SL2-S and the Q. Trying to vlog with the SL was too difficult for me on na few levels. However, I am hopeful that the Q3 works for me. I have been doing a bunch of tests. Also, I really like the new zoom mic that is onboard, but records to itself. Great match for the Q until this "dongle" that allows a mic to plug in happens. Cheers man!

[@gingerbearrr]

really enjoyed this style of video to review the camera! solid photos as always too

[@CameraWestTV]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@johntocho8954]

Thank you for the 5-day, extensive review, well done! I have a Q2 and just love it. See no compleling reason to switch to the Q3. Not really a video person, so flippy screen is okay but... And to hear it is not substantially better than the SL2 just cements that decision to remain pat with the Q2. The resolution of the Q2 satisfies pretty much all my photo requirements and I am pretty certain we will see more firmware updates for the Q2 now that the Q3 has been released. Will there be plenty of people that updgrade, absolutely, if nothing else but FOMO and bragging rights. Thanks again!

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching! Agreed, as a stills camera the Q3 holds it own but as a video camera it works best as a stationary angle or B-Cam for alternative angles. Plus the Q2 is still a great camera!

[@mike_qbik]

Leica plans to do USB C - audio in cable. Fingers crossed.

[@RandumbTech]

By Day 4 you finally figured out that you basically can't move when shooting video with the Q3. Which honestly is fine. I don't think most people in the market for this camera will vlog with it. I record all my audio externally anyway so that's not a big deal for me. Looks like a fantastic everyday camera, especially if stills are the priority.

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching! For storytelling purposes, yes it took until day 4 to figure that out haha. But to your point, there are definitely other options that better suite vlog style videos. This camera is great for everyday photo use while having the option to make fun b-roll footage could be a plus.

[@damir8focalvisionmedia61]

Why would you "stick the Q3 on f16 & go and shoot"? How about f2 at twilight and shoot some 3/4 length portraits with subject in it's environment. So we can see Leica's capability of differential focus. Or at least close working distance. Your all focused images (akin to f64 group) could have been captured on a "me" phone. Apart from that quite informative. All the best Dmr

[@TheKimNeeper]

You can probably plug-in the Røde VideoMic GO II directly, as it's a usb-c mic for computers and iPhones.

[@JoelWolfsonPhoto]

Very much enjoyed the style of the video! Just want to point out that you do indeed get the compression and depth of field of a 35/50/75/90mm or whatever focal length when you crop to the same dimensions as the equivalent lens. It is a common misconseption that DOF and perspective change with focal length. Here is a simple way to prove it to yourself: A zoom is probably the easiest but you can switch primes too. Using a tripod, keep the same aperture and focus point, shoot a frame at each end of the zoom range, then crop the wide angle shot to same as the telephoto frame and voila, you will see they look the same. The real reason we change lenses is to maintain resolution for a given perspective. I think this is quite important when one is considering something like the Q3, which, because of its high resolution sensor provides very useable 35mm and 50mm crops. You essentially have Q2 resolution at 35mm and M9 resolution at 50mm. And depending on your final use, even the 75mm and 90mm can be useful. I have been a full time photographer for decades. Twenty years ago I was making and selling beautiful 40x26 inch prints from my 11MP Canon 1Ds. Granted it took a lot of time and precision and using custom interpolation with little room for cropping but I was able to do it. I probably shouldn't be pointing this out as I'm on a waiting list for a Q3 and as all those folks clamoring for a Q with a 35mm or 50mm lens figure this out, the waiting lists will get longer 😂

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@ulfw]

Your pictures were lovely mate! I miss SF

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching, we really appreciate it!

[@pixelmixture3067]

Leica should add pano crop … could be the perfect digital xpan

[@grjlynch]

Really useful, thanks. That lack of audio outpot is a real bummer. I howe they work out how to use the USB C for this!

[@keehung646]

Thank you for your real life test on Leica Q3. I am curious about what sd card speed you were using for 8K video. Is V60 fast enough?

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching! We used a 128GB Hoodman UHS II Blue V60 card. The card handled the files really well, however when editing in Premiere pro the L-Log 8K file size were much too large to work with for our computer and the purpose of this video. A possible workaround if a computer can't handle full res 8k log files would be to create lower res proxy's to not slowdown Premiere or your computer. Hopefully we can showcase the 8K and 1080 Pro-Res Video in a future video.

[@rollsolow]

Did you use a gimbal for video too? Didn’t see any footage yet

[@donald5378]

Was interested in the Q3 - now I'm not . Thanks for showing it's flaws so well.

[@kingbaaaaam]

Is it Oberwerth Q3 bag?

[@MrMarkallwood]

Thanks for the informative video. Would using a gimbal and/or tripod for 4k and 8k shots get rid of the rolling shutter effect?

[@CameraWestTV]

It might be possible. This would be a great test for a future video! Thanks for watching!

[@MrMarkallwood]

@@CameraWestTV would love to see that! I am currently debating wether or not this camera could be my only camera as I love the 28mm and the files coming out of that sensor are just gorgeous! Loved the video btw very useful information and great shots. 👍

[@sc1]

I’m curious what makes the SL2-S a better video camera than the Q3? (Besides the audio input and focus-follow, the SL2-S is bulkier and heavy). Rumors are the Q3 will get a firmware update to use the USB port for an external mic.

[@nariza7]

My guess would be the better stabilization system (IBIS instead of Q3's OIS), and less rolling shutter from the 24mp vs 60mp in Q3. Maybe better low light too since it's 24mp vs 60mp in Q3?

[@sc1]

@@nariza7 Yes, low-light and IBIS. Can you explain rolling shutter to me, in simple terms? I'm not familiar with the concept.

[@nariza7]

@@sc1 rolling shutter has to do with the sensor reading line by line from top to bottom, so sideways movement makes things look slanted instead of straight. Too much movement in all directions will make things have a jello-ish/wobbly look which is very unnatural. This is an example or just moving left and right kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XOaHymhcynr6M

[@sc1]

@@nariza7 Thank you, that was a very helpful video. As I understand it, the Rolling Shutter problem is dependent on resolution (4K is worse than HD) and frames per second (24 is worse than 50). Couldn't you get around it on the Q3 by opting to film in lower resolution and lower fps?

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for this great discussion! @nariza7 is correct, those features that the SL2-S have over the Q3 make for a better camera for video. To answer your question, lower resolution could be a possible solution for rolling shutter. As for now the Q3 works best as a stationary angle or B-Cam for video.

[@masterpeace925]

the focal length, IBIS (or lack of), screen, and perhaps no mic input (?) definitely make this less than ideal for a vlog style video camera. its undeniably an amazing photography tool and good travel camera for documentary purposes. as you demonstrated, either too casual/untrained use or fast-paced/action use are not the strong suits. great video, Carlo

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@Peter-tc3ep]

Just curious how goes the 1080 video look, rolling shutter, I occasionally take short clips for social media so I don’t even need 4k?

[@CameraWestTV]

Technically, it should be less noticeable due to the step down in video resolution but we'll have to test that out for a future video. In most cases the Q3 works best as a stationary angle. Thanks for watching!

[@hlash99]

Carlo, what are the odds I could get a Q3 at the SF boutique anytime soon?

[@taileezz]

Where can I buy one in San Francisco?

[@jal2550]

You must be pretty brave to walk around SF at night with a Leica.

[@TheKimNeeper]

Why would you shoot at f16? It is the worst possible image, no bokeh, and tons of diffraction from the high res sensor and closed down lens, an iPhone outperforms this at these settings. Notice this guy always also tests lenses closed down, and anything above f10 is a crime on high res sensors, makes everything soft on high res sensors due to diffraction: www.youtube.com/@christopherfrost

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback! Most of photos were shot at f8-f16 during the day and wide open at night. As for the video, we were shooting in L-Log which defaults the base ISO to 400. Normally we'd use a variable ND filter to be able to shoot at 23.97fps wide open in bright daylight but for the purpose of this video we left the Q3 on "Auto" or "Aperture Priority" to simulate anyone who is new to photo or video. Hopefully we can explore more ways to best use the Q3 for video in future videos.

[@nariza7]

Is the OIS video still shaky if set to On and not Auto?

[@CameraWestTV]

The OIS will only stabilize a still or motionless angle regardless if the camera is set to Auto or full manual. Any type of camera movement will cause video shake and rolling shutter due to the 60mp sensor. You might experience less shake or rolling shutter at 1080 vs 4k or 8k. It could also be possible that a gimbal or an external stabilizer could minimize camera shake. Hope that helps!

[@nariza7]

@@CameraWestTV ah i see, so it mainly kicks in during little/no motion? Was hoping it could work like canon IS lenses or something during video which looks just a lil floaty/stabilized. Thank you for the response!

[@dval823]

Had the Q2. Sold it in anticipation of the Q3 being a better hybrid camera. Disappointed at the lack of mic input, the rolling shutter and the overall stabilization for video in the Q3. I think I will wait for the next iteration three years from now!

[@brutaltruth7197]

Get a Leica if you just getting into photography or upgrading from a smart phone as a good starting base 😂…. Good for photos ..video is just a side feature…Legit Like your user review though

[@CameraWestTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@tedtrimmer635]

Still photography only.

[@bngr_bngr]

Didn’t Leica know that other camera manufacturers make fully articulating screens?