Unboxing a $6000 Point & Shoot Camera: The Leica Q3

Recently I got a call from the local Leica rep. He told me that a package arrived, the new Leica Q3. I jumped into my car immediately, grabbed the camera, and off I went to shoot this unboxing video. I only had the Q3 for the evening, as I was taking off on vacation with Camera Girl the very next day. I returned it the next morning, and I've sat on this video for 2 weeks. Sorry about that. Here's my unboxing and first look at one of the most anticipated updates for Leica fans. The price is $200 USD higher than the previous version, but is the upgrade worth it? I think it is, but it's not just about the sensor or the 8K video. Almost everything has been upgraded or updated except for the amazing lens. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for my first shooting impressions video.
Affiliate and non-affiliate links for items mentioned in the video:
Leica Q3: bhpho.to/3J9i2fD
Wotancraft Leather Straps: bit.ly/3VWBTlY
COOPH Orange Collection Rope Straps: bit.ly/3KMoMkK
COOPH Leica Rope Straps: bit.ly/42t70bW
Retro Photo Reading brass shutter release: bit.ly/3PxOQ41
Camera Film Photo Japanese silk straps: camerafilmphot...
KEKS Light Meter::www.kekscamera...
Hedeco LIME 2 Light Meter: hedeco.myshopi...
Camera West Pre-Owned Camera Gear: bit.ly/42scBQt
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#leicaq3 #leicaq3unbox #leicacamera

[@kqschwarz]

What’s the deal with two watches?

[@Leroyy536]

He loves people seeing his toys

[@MrMightymassa]

like kiddo@@Leroyy536

[@zmohammedac]

Obviously it's one for show and one for go!

[@lassenforge7648]

whats the deal with 2 shoes??

[@AlejandroAlbagli]

The "deal" logic is so dumb... You're buying. device filled with electronics that will eventually fail. Once they do, the great lens goes in the trash. A lens (any of those you mentioned) can be used for decades on multiple cameras over time. The camera is great, if you have the money you'll love it, but don't try to convince people that they're getting a deal. They're getting a very expensive camera that has a lens that will become unusable the minute those electronics die.

[@TungstenOvergaard]

Taco loves 28mm and we love Taco! How lucky you are, Incredible camera.

[@bigheadtaco]

I do love the 28mm!! The Q3 was just a temporary loan, but I am seriously looking at a pre-owned Q2….

[@stephenelliott7071]

@@bigheadtaco we just need to hassle Fujifilm for the v2 18mm (28 FF) f2 lens ;-) ...Oh and an X-Pro 4 too ofcourse.

[@TungstenOvergaard]

@@stephenelliott7071 we need that lens! A decent mark II. And we need NOW!

[@bigheadtaco]

@@stephenelliott7071 I might cave and buy the XF18mm f/2 R because it's an OG lens. But definitely want a V.2

[@stephenelliott7071]

@@bigheadtaco I like the 18 f2 v1's size but not it's image quality, slower focussing and lack of WR so I've stopped using it. I'm currently using the 16 f2.8 and 23 f2 on the wide end for my 'Fujicron' setup until v2 comes out.

[@jnf1270]

why are you wearing two watches?

[@bmeclipse]

As a bird shooter, $6000 will buy me a nice supertelephoto lens. But man, leicas look nice.

[@bigheadtaco]

As a bird shooter, you have lots of great lens options in most systems :-)

[@bmeclipse]

@@bigheadtaco That $6000 would go a long way. Would love to have a Leica one day, though.

[@gunghoman414]

Everyone knows 28mm is the perfect bird focal length 😂

[@bigheadtaco]

@@gunghoman414 he he he

[@blakelyle2158]

This is the most flex video i’ve ever seen. Two watches rare NMDs rare leica and then the q3 ahahaha

[@mjcatto]

So just 2 months ago I buy the Q2 Ghost and a 24-90mm for my SL2-S. and now arrives a Q3 with 60MP, tilt screen, PDAF , 28-90 digital crop, etc etc. Asaaaugh. I appreciate your channel. Mark in Victoria

[@tsotnekhetsuriani4987]

Q2 ghost still is the best camera because of its aesthetics, stay cool, you have my dream camera bruh

[@mjcatto]

Cheers! U2..

[@bigheadtaco]

congrats on ordering the Q3. I can't believe the Q2 Ghost is now your 'back-up' point-and-shoot!!

[@mjcatto]

@@bigheadtaco I am over in Van tons. I’d love to shoot Gastown /Chinatown with you. We chatted about it via KZbin message several months ago. Please drop me a line if you ever see an opening. Cheers! Mark

[@zenjitsuman]

Ordered several weeks ago on launch day from B&H, they don't know my position in the queue or even the next delivery date from Leica. I called Leica and they have no info on date of next ship to dealers either. Adorama says 12.23 is next time new stock will be available, Bummer. Leica did this with the Q2 also. I have 4 other Leicas, I am a fan, but guys learn to manage your inventory better and don't keep us fans waiting half a year for a new camera

[@bigheadtaco]

Sorry to hear about the long wait. Sometimes buying from such a popular retailer means you’re number 200 of 400 or something like that. If you call around, I’m sure you can find a retailer that has a shorter waiting list? Not the best solution, but it’s probably the best one at the moment.

[@sc1]

Did you get it yet? I also ordered on launch day from B&h and got it one week ago.

[@JoeGiz64]

@@sc1when was launch day? I ordered from BH 5 weeks ago…nothing yet. I noticed yesterday they now have a floor model so maybe a good sign.

[@sc1]

@@JoeGiz64 it was announced on May 25th. I put in my order at B&H on that same day. Also pre-ordered from Leica Store Miami but they did not contact me so I cancelled that order after it came from B&H

[@ShakeelNaim]

Nice unboxing. I’m still waiting for my Q3. I think I’ll get that Cooph orange and blue strap, it looks so cool.

[@bigheadtaco]

I really love the orange collection, and the Blue is probably my favourite, followed by the green version :-)

[@DonaldHawk]

I may eventually come to my senses while I wait in queue.

[@bigheadtaco]

Ha ha

[@Gvacam1222]

Many thanks very good unboxing, in my case i sold Q3 one week after i got it for a small premium...very slow startup and battery consumption was crazy..i replace it with q2ghost for 2K less 😅

[@nariza7]

ohh the battery life isnt good? darn

[@bora79]

I think especially after using the 28mm phone cameras, we got more familiar with this focal length. Smartphone cameras and software departments are improving every year, and i’m carrying my Fujifilm x70 much less, although it’s a compact camera. I really like the Leica Q concept from the first 24mp version it’s released, and think that it justifies its high price tag. Maybe one day i will be brave enough to buy that magnificent piece of art 📷. I will be waiting for your detailed review 🙋‍♂️

[@bigheadtaco]

100% agree that the smartphone popularized the 28mm equivalent field of view for most people. At 60MP, a high resolution interface, and amazing optics, I think you get what you pay for. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@MurrayMcMillan73]

Great video. I am in love with my Q2, I would love sometime maybe next year to upgrade it to a Q3, it really would be my dream camera which I would probably use for years and years, with no need for anything else

[@enshongmiranda]

Back tilt screen looks tacked on. X100V and X-E4 looks better integrated into the body.

[@Youknowthebo]

Thanks for the unboxing. I would love to use this. But the formfactor probably would lead to me leaving it at home

[@bigheadtaco]

The lens sticks out too much for a “point-and-shoot”?

[@raytbrown2]

@@bigheadtaco Yep. Especially for 28mm. If it were a pancake, it would be unstoppable.

[@Getorti]

Nice unboxin! Btw whay are you wearibg 2 timepieces?

[@vytranstore]

H😂😂

[@johnwheelwright799]

Watch guys often wear two or even more at the same time.

[@bigheadtaco]

Thanks! Why where two watches? Why not 😂😂? I’ve been wearing two for decades. I initially learned pilots wore two so they could have two time zones when flying. I started doing it when travelling, but continued to wear two as my thing. It’s also fun 😅😅

[@historyoneonone9690]

Man do you know you are wearing two watches? Just FYI.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Why do you wear two watches?

[@07SATS]

If you still have this Leica Q3 camera, can you please create video with Lens sharpness Chart? I think people want to see how its compared FujiFilm X-T5 or X100v

[@Durka-Durka01]

Or the Sony a7cR.

[@discogene]

Fantastic camera

[@ghas4151]

I’ve heard everyone who has reviewed this say that you get a 28 Summilus with body for less than the M-mount 28 Summilux, but they’re not the same lens. First of all, the 28 on the Q opens to f1.7 and it’s not the same optical design. I don’t see the comparison. I’m not aiming this at you. I’ve heard it many times before. I just find it a bit odd when the lenses are totally different lenses.

[@bigheadtaco]

for sure, 2 lenses can have the same specs, but optical design can be very different with various characteristics. For instance the 28mm Summicron L-Mount vs the 28mm Summicron M-Mount. Both 28mm f/2 lenses, but very different optical designs. The 28mm f/1.7 Summilux on the Q series is a unique design. It focuses down to 30cm, versus the M-mount that only focuses to 70cm. It also has a 17cm macro mode (but stops down to f/2.8). It's also autofocus and has a built-in leaf-shutter for high flash sync speeds. For the sake of comparison, it's easier to talk about the basic spec, but of course, no two lenses are the same.

[@E.S.87]

i've tried the Q3 at a store, beautiful camera, had not much time to test it out, but whats the think with the DR or generally the highlights and shadows, the camera tends really to overexpose the highlights while the shadows are slightly underexposed. Just asking because i had not seen this on any other camera i shoot with. Seems really contrasty and punchy on leica, sure u can recover it in post.. Anyway is there somethink i didnt know? 😅

[@Kdkjdjewerdnxa]

Might be the back display. My Fuji cameras lcd screens shows highlights looking clipped when the brightness is turned up so it’s always good to view with the histogram enabled to make sure the highlights aren’t actually clipped. The q3 uses a Sony sensor I believe so the dynamic range should be great and very flexible to edit in post.

[@E.S.87]

@@Kdkjdjewerdnxa yes ok, but I really have never used the histogram to photograph in my life 😂.. Maybe I just need some time with the camera to understand it).

[@bigheadtaco]

I didn't shoot with it long enough to figure out which is the best setting. You can change the way the camera meters, from centre weighted, spot, or multi zone. I do find in general that most digital cameras tend to over expose, so I usually shoot slightly under, as you don't want to wash out your highlights.

[@E.S.87]

@@bigheadtaco have tried it of course the metering settings out, but it was not that much a change. However i must try it out for longer time than just 5 minutes 😁👍🏼

[@Jonahc-u6h]

Pretty materialistic / product-geared individual. But enjoyable to watch

[@__emanuelflores__]

Q2, Q2M or Q3 for B&W photography?

[@finallyanime]

Damn I’m so jealous….I’d love one of those

[@bigheadtaco]

Me too, but now used prices of the Q2 has come down quite a bit. Check out Camera West for availability (link in description)

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

Do you think that the quality of the Q3’s lens is comparable to the standalone Summilux

[@bigheadtaco]

Good question. Because the M-mount 28mm Summilux is fully mechanical, not focus by wire, aperture by wire, no autofocus motors, I would say the build quality and build stability is higher on the M-mount version. When compared to the L-mount there is a 28mm Summicron APO. That’s a $5200, it’s a beast, it’s APO so IQ I would imagine who be higher, but no macro mode. I also think the build quality might be slightly higher on the L-Mount version since it’s a stand-alone lens.

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

@@bigheadtaco I hear you on build quality....I also think that the M mount lenses have more room for profit than the Q2/3 and that factors in as well. Build quality....most Leica shooters that I know either keep their cameras in a safety deposit type box or only on sunny days......

[@PYYYYYY]

Would you go for the cheaper Q1 or Q3 given glass being the same?

[@bigheadtaco]

If you think you’ll do a lot of cropping, I say Q2 or Q3, since the Q1 is 24MP, Q2 is 47MP, and Q3 is 60MP.

[@georget1152]

Q3 a point and shoot camera really ? You must be joking

[@strippedlist]

If you check, on leica battery is written Fuji :)) fuji electric i believe

[@bigheadtaco]

I don’t think it’s Fujifilm, but it is probably made by one of the major Japanese manufacturers. Most camera brands don’t make their own batteries, as there are companies that specialize in certain components. For instance, LCD and EVF components are rarely made by camera manufacturers. But the battery system was built and designed for Leica to their specs, which is the important thing.

[@strippedlist]

@@bigheadtaco fujierelrctric says on q2 battery, just check q3 one

[@bigheadtaco]

@@strippedlist cool, but Fuji Electric is not the same company as Fujifilm. Fujitsu and Fuji Bikes also different companies. Fuji is a very popular name in Japan :-)

[@gsdwong794]

Very good presentation ! 👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏

[@bigheadtaco]

Many many thanks

[@ren1818ren]

Can you please share the link to that beautiful shutter release 🙏

[@Durka-Durka01]

The price is hilarious!

[@msbrownbeast]

That camera strap looks like you're wearing a snake around the neck. Wouldn't a flat design be more comfortable?

[@Funktrainer]

Video on a stills camera will always be nonsense

[@h34dca5e6]

What is the striped watch band??? 🔥

[@teerawattang5071]

Is the LCD screen same size as Fuji XT2 ?

[@drwatsonismine]

Do you own the m10R? If so, when do you use the pro 3?

[@bigheadtaco]

No the M10-R is on loan from Camera West and I’m still deciding what to do with it. I still use my X-Pro3, especially if I need to go compact and light but still want the versatility of an ILC.

[@drwatsonismine]

@@bigheadtaco I am trying to decide about it vs. M11. Don’t like using apps to update, seems confusing to me. I am very old school. Any thoughts would help. Thanks for your time.

[@bigheadtaco]

@@drwatsonismine I've produced two videos recently talking about M10-R vs M11. Personally, if you're buying brand new, from a technical standpoint the M11 is the better choice. However, there are some reasons why you would get the M10-R. Here's my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5m3d6uijddpnqM

[@drwatsonismine]

@@bigheadtaco yes. Thanks.

[@christianpatrickdouglass4810]

What type of watch with the brown strap?

[@KAROLCHECINSKI]

Kudos for double wristing!

[@dakotaxu4792]

Cane you PLEASE tell me where your awesome accent is from?!

[@Vespa1500-w3s]

still a dream

[@greger589]

Made in Portugal

[@lrb05131963]

I don’t like that that side ports are rudder

[@craftandfiction]

lol shows of two watches, rimowa collab trainers and a Leica Q3. stop stunting on us!

[@carljuztine3328]

i want one.

[@rmle23]

6000 for a camera with fixed lenses? They are everything crazy? Come on people for buy a Leica Digital I will go for the M or even better I will buy a Leica film camera special edition, much better investment than this. Just my opinion.

[@im_a_fish225]

I need thi- O wait I'm broke (shit)

[@lucianoadami7231]

👍👋👋

[@bigheadtaco]

🤓🤓🤓🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@MIGOunboxingcollab]

Hey ! Sincerely invite you to create some videos if you are interested in please feel free to let me know. Thanks again😇🥰

[@Funktrainer]

Don't need 60 megapixels. I will stay with my M8 with the 21mm 1:4 Super-Angulon instead. Nothing more needed here for the next decades in terms of 28mm focal length.

[@bigheadtaco]

Thanks for sharing. If you’re good, you’re good 😊😊😊

[@nathanlunev8187]

keep riding the 🥩 bro

[@HogbergPhotography]

Why in gods name the useless focal lenght of 28mm? I just cant.. wow.. So freaking useless.

[@pixelmixture3067]

the flip screen really looks like a thirdt party screen glued to the back of a Q2 ... they ruined @vincent_Iaine amazing design ... too bad

[@bigheadtaco]

I do wish the articulating screen was more flush. When I get a chance to talk with the designers, I'll ask them why they went with the design. However, I'll forgive them a bit since it's their first attempt at adding an articulating screen on one of their in-house cameras (I think....)