Approaching The Scene 269: Leica Q3 Review, Pros, Cons & Critical Accessories

(LINKS BELOW): I’ve had some time with my Leica Q3 now. In this video I’ll share why I love it and am keeping it. I’ll also share some things I’d love to see Lecia change and show you some of the accessories I feel are critical for me when using this amazing little powerhouse of a camera.
My Q3 compete setup video and menu guide: • Leica Q3 Setup Video &...
My Q2 compete setup video and menu guide: • Leica Q2 Comprehensive...
Download my Q3 importable profiles: bit.ly/HHPQ3Profiles
Download my Q2 importable profiles: bit.ly/HHPQ2Profiles
Leica Q3 camera: bhpho.to/3OWRWQX
Match Q3 lens cap: bhpho.to/41XqhSA
Kirk QD Arca plate: bit.ly/3LoLkb8
Mirrorless Mover 10 bag for Q3: bhpho.to/3rg6i5l
Luma QD strap - discount code “HUDSON10”: bit.ly/HHPLUMAQD
PD capable 20,000mAh power bank: amzn.to/3LoKf3k
Q3 spare battery: bhpho.to/3ODviwA
LCD screen protector: amzn.to/3ZfkwA2
3-pack soft shutter buttons ($12): amzn.to/46c04T0
Leica $70 red button: amzn.to/3sORlHP
Leica grip with wireless charging: bhpho.to/3rez1Ye
Native Union wireless charging pad ($80): amzn.to/3Zk4QeY
Leica branded Native Union pad ($175): bhpho.to/3EzMBIO
Our selection of Kase filters: bit.ly/HHKase
My custom tripods & support parts: bit.ly/HHPTripds
Our selection of NYA-EVO packs & RCIs: bit.ly/HHP_NYA
Updated links to all the gear I use and recommend: bit.ly/HudsonsLinks
Using my links helps support this video series. Thank you!
I invite all of you to join Rick, Woody, David, Darren and me for our next free live Office Hours session. Submit a question when you sign up.
Office Hour signup site: bit.ly/2UgDaX4
Thanks to everyone for the great questions you are sending in. Keep them coming either in the comments below or by emailing me directly. I hope to see you in the next Office Hours session.
Stay safe and healthy.
LINKED TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Intro to ATS 269
00:55 Why I love the Leica Q cameras
01:45 My complete setup and downloadable profiles for the Q3 are live
03:05 Changes & improvements from the Q2
05:00 The new 60MP sensor is crazy amazing
06:00 The AF is improved from the Q2
07:45 What I don’t love on the Q3
13:33 Q3 image review and analysis
27:53 Q3 accessories I find critical

[@Gobekadam]

The sample images are simply gorgeous! The transition between in-focus to out-of-focus regions are so pleasing, plus the colors are simply beautiful. I had no idea the image quality was this good, now I need to find a way to afford/get one..

[@CharlieRoberts-he7hb]

Just picked up my Q3 yesterday. Your videos have been so helpful transitioning into a new system! Thank you!

[@SirIronJim]

I'm really starting to feel the Leica, I might have to really start giving this Camera a serious look as a go to Travel Camera. Great Video as always Hudson

[@iTriguy1]

Watching through this for the second time it occurred to me that many people may not have actually used manual focus lenses and may not understand how the markings work. I think it would be great for you to do a video with the Q3 going over how to use the lens in fully manual model.

[@jorsetti]

Beautiful images Hudson! can't wait to receive Q3, excellent video!

[@RobertFalconer1967]

Thank you for the informative and honest review. I remember the first time I handed my Q2 to another photographer and let them make a few images. Their eyes widened and their jaw dropped open a bit. The results really do distinguish themselves immediately, and I often characterize the Q series files as being "lush" - which is to say they have a brightness, sharpness, cleanliness and depth that really does pop. Plus the color is rich and beautiful, and the DNG files are very easy to edit quickly. The Q series may have a narrower, more specific set of use cases, but for those use cases there is nothing that can touch them.

[@RalphSalomon]

I've been on the fence about buying a q3. You've pushed me over it. Thanks, I hope!

[@poche660]

Thank you! Been waiting for this review.

[@torchbox]

Hi, I got my Q3 in finally few weeks ago. I’m using LIM’s Q3 leather half case with built in grip which has access to battery and pier and has arcs-Swiss base. Liking it so far. I just realized you’re on Oregon as I am. Would love to attend one of your workshops.

[@craigkoch4585]

Nice job! Thank you …

[@user-dv7eo1mf4v]

Nice video. still watching it, but wanted to let you know that RRS did make an L bracket and I love it. I have used RRS brackets on all my cameras since the Nikon D7000 way back. OK. On with the video.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Oh I know m it was largely due to people calling and ragging on them. I prefer the one for the Q2, but this one is nice. Sadly RRS is just not the company it once was. I prefer Kirk and acratech whenever possible now. :) nice people run those companies.

[@absonus]

You`re correct that the crop lines are there to mimic those of the RF cameras but they do have a function. They let you see what is outside of the frame in order that you can take the shot when a subject enters the frame. This has been carried over into the Q3 . Traditionally Leicas have been designed for capturing moments (which you have to prepare for ) rather than scenes. Nice review.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I love how my Nikons' crop in and give me a nice big view of more distant subjects. Perhaps Leica could allow us to choose our preference. I understand tradition, but I've long ago learned to keep both eyes open while shooting with a viewfinder to see what's coming into frame. ;) To me, the crop function is absolutely useless and I program it out. I'm capable of framing for a crop quite well without lines. What I want is a more detailed view of the tighter composition.

[@Pengranger]

Leica are so lucky to have you as an owner. Hopefully RRS will take a look at the grip - they could just charge an increased price because Leica owners have loads of money 😂

[@JenHamon]

Leica owners HAD loads of money. Then they bought a Leica. 😂

[@mrlouisleon]

At the 15:00 mark, when the photo of Pepper came up, I was impressed by the dimensionality and clarity of her face, I suppose this is the result of the lighting and the rendering of the 28mm on the Q3. And then I remembered the photo of Pepper in ATS 258, at 15:30, taken with the Voigtlander 50mm f1 on the Z6ii on the High Line. That 2nd image struck me for its painterly look. I know these two kits are very different setups and that you did return the 50mm f1 while keeping the Q3, but when just considering these kind of portraits of your children, which set of images pull on your heart more? Those taken with the Q3 or those take with the Voigtlander 50mm f1?

[@rcgrant9310]

Hudson, Thank you for sharing the detailed Leica Q3 review. Fantastic images! Maybe someday... A non-Lecia question -- Which app do you recommend for tracking the Sun for info on Sunrise, Sunset, Golden hour, Blue hour and other special moments to capture the perfect lighting?

[@elizabethgbrooke]

Im not Hudson, but I would recommend PhotoPills and TPE (The Photographers Ephemeris)

[@Gus-nv1qw]

I can’t find any links to all the accessories you mentioned for-the q3?

[@OpenDGuitar]

I’ve been using a Q2 at work for two years, and as I look toward retirement in a couple years, I struggle with what I might get with my own money…I’ve always leaned to another Q2, but by that time it will be 7yrs old, and the Q3 only 3yrs old. So, although several of its upgrades don’t really interest me…it might have a longer life. Or a used M11. I know the Q2 is the economical choice, but powering old gear becomes a struggle (I’ve experienced this in my video career).

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Thanks so much! Great video, including your walk through of your images. I just bought a Q2M and I’m still getting used to the focus. I find that I either have to use spot or eye auto, or manual focus, field is just not reliable. Comment? Also, I still go between B&W and color and I use film sims in my Fuji XT5 to help visualize the scene. Do you think the Q3 can produce the same or near the same quality B&W as the Q2M, so I can just use one camera? Thanks. Geoff

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I find field incredibly accurate. I use it more than any other AF mode. I keep the bracket small and I find that it snap focuses so fast and accurately on the object I'm after that I'm always surprised it nailed it. The spot is too slow to move and hard to see for me, but it is even more precise. I use it in my landscape mode. I find the eye detect still a bit finicky. It causes me to miss the moment too often. The Q3 sensor is just nuts. I did some work with it and a workshop participant's Q2M during a night shoot and found that the Q3 kept up pretty nicely at 3200 ISO when I ran it through lightroom's DeNoise and converted the raw file to B&W.

[@monsieurBoutte]

I appreciate the conversion tip for larger filters but which nd filters do you recommend that would be fitted already for the q3

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I share a set of 82mm Kase filters between the Q3 and my other lenses, particularly the Voigtlander 50 1.0 and 105 1.4 Nikkor on my ZF. I just never go smaller than 82.

[@finnurp.frodason1884]

thank you for some vere good and informative videos. How the heck can I totally disable the video? I want to disable it from button 1&2

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I show how to remove settings from your custom buttons in my setup video. Video is only accessible on mine via a screen swipe or from tapping video in the quick menu.

[@gam3955]

Hi thanks for this video. I own Q3 since announcement and I’m very happy with it but I’ve some questions: - have you tried tethering, if it’s possible ? - when I shoot outside with the wireless grip, it drains the battery more than usual. I’ve done the same shoots without the grip and the battery was ok. The workaround for using the Q3 with grip and longer battery life is to put one plastic strap on the grip contacts to the Q3. Ok, I lose the ability to charge wirelessly but I prefer having longer battery life.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

My tethered work is with my Z9 generally, so no I haven't. I've been using the grip a ton and haven't noticed a battery lag at all...? Perhaps put it in airplane mode and prioritize the viewfinder if you're really needing to stretch it. I have been using it a lot on workshops and around home and haven't had the need to switch batteries out mid day yet.

[@gam3955]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto thanks for your reply.

[@franknurnberger1102]

GOOD NEWS about the RRS-Q3 grip from their support "We appreciate you expressing your interest in this plate! Yes, we will be making a plate for the Leica Q3 , but it's too early to provide a specific time frame for release. Once our product development team gets a plate design, we can get the plate started and know a more specific time frame for manufacturing and anodizing. For now, all the news is that a plate will be made soon!" ​​​​​​​"

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I've heard about 2 to 3 three opposite out of them. I tried asking myself a few weeks ago and was told they had no intention of making one. Seems they are a bit disorganized there. Thankfully it wasn't hard to modify my Q2 version to work. ;)

[@user-oq1we2sh8r]

RRS is looking to borrow aq Q3 so they can fine tune the L-bracket. You might want to give them a shout.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Sadly they told me they had no plans to make one a couple of weeks ago.

[@ericjaw]

How's does the depth feel when you can fully blur out the background?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It's a 28, it's different than a longer fast lens. You won't find a more lovely bokeh and focus falloff on any other 28, but you won't be blowing backgrounds to smithereens. ;)

[@cameraprepper7938]

Leica should make a "Q" style Camera with Leica M-mount and a new series of "Q/M" Lenses with electronic contacts and much better close focus. The "Q/M" Lenses do not need the "pin" to activate the rangefinder "focus".

[@ArminHirmer]

I liked my Q3, but sold it for a SL2

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I could see that if I didn't have a bagfull of great Nikon gear. :-) I think when they put a Q3 like EVF and low light AF in an M body I'm going to have some severe tempation. Until then, nothing but the Q3 tempts me. I would call it my favorite camera though. That lens and sensor combination are mind bending.

[@MarkHummerNikonZ9]

Hi Hudson, May I ask if you know how I can speed up the shutter speed control for photos on my Z9, it goes in very small increments at the moment and takes ages to increase even from 100th to 1,000th.

[@nick_on9553]

is it worth to upgrade vom q2?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

If you have the cash, the new sensor and updated interface is fabulous, plus the Q2 is worth a lot used. If you have the Q2 and are on a budget, there is nothing wrong with that camera. Nothing.

[@cjgetreal]

You give up on modifying a RRS Q2 L bracket?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Nope. It's ready and waiting for me when I get back from Moab. Chap says it fits perfectly, but obstructs the SD slot.

[@Pengranger]

I would love a Q3. Hope the used Q2 price will fall shortly. Just hate the scalpers who have bought the Q3 and are trying to sell at a premium- hope they get burnt 🔥

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yeah... They probably won't though. Leicas are much like Porsches, outrageous build quality & engineering, best in class performance, ergonomics and reliability, and limited production. That all leads to used models selling for more than the unavailable new models and older models becoming collectible and not depreciating like other brands.

[@meditationdaily1129]

How do you focus for street photography?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It varies, sometimes I just frame up and shoot with more unobtrusive cameras. I do no look shooting at Hyperfocal distance focus at F11 on my Q3 and sometimes with auto area AF eye detect close subject priority with the Z cameras at wider apertures.

[@meditationdaily1129]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto thank you! was looking into some info on hyperfocal distance shooting, but it is kind of complicated... i'm getting the q3 soon too, do you mind sharing what is the hyperfocal distance at f11/f8 for the q3? or how i can calculate it :? many thanks in advance!!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

So easy. Maybe a video is needed for that, but... Just set aperture to f11, then use the manual focus dial to set infinity just inside the F11 mark on the lens barrel. Now infinity to close as possible will appear in focus.

[@meditationdaily1129]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto thank you so much!!! :)

[@lextr3110]

please compare to nikon fc... hesitating between both

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

You mean ZF? I'm carrying both in Scotland right now. Different machines. Fixed spectacular 28mm with one of the worlds best 60MP sensors and intuitive handling vs a great 24mp interchangeable lens Nikon body with great low light peformance, particularly using fast glass. No nikon lens or sensor comes close to the Q3's performance though.

[@arndtbc]

You can buy 3 Nikon Df's for the price of the Q3, kind of makes you think.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It has barely more than a third the resolution and will never mount a 28 Sumilux like the Q3s though. That lens is astounding even with the new 60 megapixel sensor. It's a marvel. Leica lenses are legend and priced accordingly. In all honesty, if you compare the cost of a Sumilux lens for the M system, the camera portion of the Q3 is quite cheap if not free. It's not a brand for bargain shoppers, but it delivers on performance, design, durability and value retention.

[@arndtbc]

I hear ya, maybe I'm just trying to talk myself out of it a Q3/Q2. Happy trails!@@HudsonHenryPhoto

[@DeanAllman]

I can’t understand why, in 2023, manufacturers won’t implement headphone or even AirPod connection via Bluetooth. They go to great lengths to implement video in these cameras, yet decent audio is just as important to a production as good video. Then we don’t have to worry about a camera not having a headphone jack. Headphone jack?? That is so 1999.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

To be honest, for monitoring purposes... A headphone jack is simple, requires no power, has no latency and only takes a second to use. Most filmmakers I know prefer a headphone jack on their editing machines too for these reasons. I hear you that it feels old-school, but some old school things are still nice to have. :)

[@DeanAllman]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto I agree. I just think it would be nice to have it as an option. When we use an iPhone it’s really our only choice.

[@rsa008]

You say every aperture is good on the Q2, but you can get some ugly lens flares at very bright sunlight at the wrong angles with F10 and upwards.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hmmm, I actually really like the F11 & 16 sunstars when executed carefully from the Qs. I haven't had that issue with the stock rectangular hood at all personally, but even if you've induced flare, it doesn't mean the lens performs poorly at that aperture. Sharpness, contrast and color are fabulous edge to edge 1.7-16. It's an easy lens to flag if needed for flare in an odd situation with intense oblique frontlight.

[@rsa008]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto I understand what you mean. I will try to use a wider range of apertures after watching your vid. However, my case was sunlight from 60-70 degrees angle where the hood doesnt help…

[@DNNSBMN]

Is that the Voigtlander 50mm 1.0? Love that lens!