Leica Q3 43 - is it REALLY worth it?

[@blakeandrew2158]

Dope video! Only thing, when you said changing to aperture priority or shutter priority isn’t intuitive, idk how you came to that when all you have to do it move the shutter dial or aperture ring away from “A” and it automatically shoots. I think the camera is perfectly made to be used in both auto and fully manual mode almost. Aside from the EVF it can give you a great point and shoot experience as well as a manual one

[@stevemphoto]

This ^^

[@super.saigon]

💯

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Yeh I didn’t do a good job explaining what I had wrote down but Thankyou for sharing!

[@teseglet]

I have the Q3 43 and M11-D... this weekend I am heading to my son's college graduation and I'll be bringing the Q3 43. Reason: I want to enjoy the graduation more than the experience of photographing my son's graduation. The Q3 is just easier to use (than an M), which is not necessarily better or worse... just depends on the situation.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

This!!

[@ilyamiskov]

Your setup is literally my dream. I've got an M11 and an M6 2022 Reissue, and a ton of lenses for them. I'd much rather have an M11-D to have a similar experience to my film camera and then a Q3 43 for times when I don't want to think a lot and just stay in the moment without fiddling with manual lenses.

[@teseglet]

You have to dream it before you can live it.

[@paulboskerphotography]

thanks for this review, I enjoyed listening. I pretty much agree with you on the Q3, in fact I have both Q3's and carry them in my EDC bag. I'm blessed to be able to do this. Have to recommend my grip, RRS L-Bracket is amazing. VERY comfortable and functional. I came to the Q's from using the Nikon Zf with a MF lens, you should check that out as the MF is AMAZING on it. Only camera to allow eye detect in MF. Yes, zooms in on the AF point when in MF! But I still love the slowness of that and the Q3's.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Also a big fan of the ZF. The EVF on that thing is ridiculously nice

[@JonnyRoams]

I've been reconsidering the Q3 43 and this video has probably sealed my decision

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Uh ohhhhh he’s gunna do it

[@raily9713]

Chris... Did You use any diffusion filter with it? Or the jpgs are just straight out of the naked glass... Because I notice some subtle and soft diffusion in the the highlights, and I'd like to know if this is Leica cooking the files that way (which I like) Regards from Spain

[@BigOreoSmoothie]

First time viewer, great video and helpful thoughts and impressions. I have an SL3 (and previously an SL1 for ten years) and your mention that the SLs can do x-pan aspect (65:24) surprised me. I just consulted the camera and the user manual and unfortunately that appears to be not available in camera--I wish it was! Available options are 3:2, 7:5, 4:3, 1:1, 3:1, and 16:9.

[@BrandonTalbot]

I’m still impressed👍🏼 I don’t care what people shoot on, I just want them to be stoked. To the slowness of the camera, and honestly nearly all Leica cameras. I have a sneaking suspicion, for whatever reason, Leica despite charging so so much are cheaping out on the processors they put into their cameras. So many of the issues I’ve seen across my Q, SL and M line feel processor related. Great video amigo.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Thankyou sir! This is a great theory about the processors.. might have to go deeper

[@bwest6275]

Did you contact Leica about the missing photos bug?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I didn’t

[@Spearmanmark]

Appreciate these reviews. It’s a terrific camera; I don’t use the film styles, as the DNG files are so much fun to edit. Are you shooting JPEGs only on the Q3 43?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I always shoot JPG and RAW but never use the raws. I’m a big do it in camera person as of late

[@Spearmanmark]

@ OK I get it

[@OpenDGuitar]

Lovely sample images. I use the Q2, and won’t be able to afford the Q3 until it’s been in the used market for quite a while. But I am beginning to play with the crop lines (which I’d always ignored) since even cropped, the images are good on computers, and print reasonably large. The whole Q series make the experience satisfying.

[@jurrevandermeer4857]

I had the reset once on my q3 right after a firmware update too. Same story: had to set my max iso again etc but images all still there

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Ok glad it’s not just me

[@KarloXRamos]

what's the printer info again

[@JJCPhotography]

Thank you for sharing！Very beautiful shooting！

[@Tetra84]

why can't you just crop the image in post for the xpan ratio?

[@reptilespantoso]

Cool review. Honest. It's a beauty.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Thanks!

[@chronocross85]

I like the new "Brass" leica look. New York scenery definitely goes well with Brass

[@birgit1855]

Very nice, sehr nett und angenehme Story. Thanks & Danke

[@loudandclearmedia]

I may have an explanation for your "missing photos." That has happened to me as well with the Q3 43 when I've shot using the interval mode. I set it up to shoot a couple hundred frames at 2sec apart or whatever and just as you described, they couldn't be accessed or even seen to exist in-camera, but they were on the card visible to my computer later.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Hmmmm I haven’t shot that way yet but it’s good to hear it’s not just me

[@ShervinShares]

i want one, i dont need one

[@justonbrazda3846]

I have my a7cii with small Sony 40 2.5. I don’t think I’m missing out on anything at all.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Great combo

[@sgpork]

The same could be said. You no need Q 28. You can just put 24GM prime or 25Batis on the 7cii. As long you’ll happy. Is ok. Diff pple like to spend money on diff things. No problem! Its their money their choice.

[@justonbrazda3846]

@@sgpork And that would also be true. Much better deal to get the Sony.

[@AlanGreenberg-i8p]

New firmware available

[@brotherted9212]

I'm wondering how that Leica camera would compare to a Sony a7Rv, which has very similar resolution, arguably better auto-focus and undeniably more lens options -- with the Sony costing only about two-thirds the price?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I have one. It’s way more than just the sensor and AF tech. Different tools

[@brotherted9212]

@ That’s what I’m interested in hearing. Can you articulate what the Q3 offers that the a7Rv doesn’t?

[@RegrinderAlert]

​@@brotherted9212 If you don't need a crazy focus system you gain: - Better image quality than any 40mm option on Sony (also holds for the 28mm Q3). The built-in close--up mode is nice as well. - Better EVF - Sony tricks you into thinking it is sharper when in reality it reduces resolution to something lower than the Q. Also the Q's have way better glass in front of the EVF, it makes a big difference - Best focus-by-wire implementation out there - Better rear screen by far - Just fun, tactile ergonomics overall. The plastic dials and convoluted interface on the Sony just don't compare. If you don't absolutely need the advantages the Sony offers, the Q series is a great experience for a painful price.

[@07SATS]

I have Q3 28, Q3 43 and Sony A7CR.. The Autofocus of Sony A7cr is second to none, even if I am blind without looking at the subject and can still nail the focus.... Menu etc really sucks on Sony.

[@sgpork]

Fact is fact.. People buy lecia or Q in this case is because the brand, their dream, the lecia experience and a small camera body with a 28 or 43 lens package. Other than that. .. other brand are just better, perform faster.. , more lens choice, more fps.. etc etc and alot cheaper. But its not leica. Because some people actually cares. Fact is fact. No right or wrong. Buy what you can afford and know what you’ll buying. Simple as that.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I think the question probably should be. Would you get value out of it? As opposed to? Is it really worth it? If only the camera brings you a sense of accomplishment and you love the images out of it and you can afford it then go for it but if you are a working professional like me this camera is not something I would buy and you could use it for professional work in some situations no problemsbut it would be very limited so it would be a nice toy to have on top of my collection, but it's not gonna make me money with all due respect the images out of these cameras are nice. They're okay they're even good but she wouldn't go out and do professional shooting with this camera and that's my point with it so it's then aimed at wealthy and I know this will sound unfair rich amateur photographers and that's okay. If you are one of those and you've got money go for it go and buy the camera but think about it. You could buy another camera with five different lenses a backpack and a tripod all for the cost of one camera think about that.

[@adrianfaulkner1353]

for me I much prefer Sony A7CR 40mm 2.5G

[@RegrinderAlert]

In terms of price, sure. Image quality doesn't really compare tho. And the A7CR and C II have atrocious viewfinders. My Fuji X-T2 had a better EVF experience 8 years ago.

[@adrianfaulkner1353]

@ I'm not sure about image quality it's the same sensor! a couple of tweaks in lightroom and they're identical, like they're identical, i agree the EVF is pretty bad but I'm hoping the next update it'll improve, but way better AF and lots of lens choice even if you just want the tiny lenses👍

[@RegrinderAlert]

@ Yes the sensor is the same. I was referring to the lens 😅

[@mr_cramberry]

If your questioning the worth of a Leica then obviously you've overstepped your comfort zone😂

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Nahhh

[@DudeGamer-roo]

I have found the white balance too unpredictable for jpeg only. Plus skin tones can go Magenta in one picture but then the next photo immediately after can be perfect... Shame as i would love to only shoot jpegs but it does my head in

[@davidrosenblit]

XPAN is 65 X 24. Just add the custom crop to Lightroom. Problem solved.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Shooting and editing in this format are very different experiences

[@davidrosenblit]

@chrisbrockhurst ​ agreed, but at least you would have the option to shoot the Leica and still have that aspect ratio in post. But I do agree with you, the experience is important

[@iproduit]

The Q43 is beautifully built but doesn’t justify its premium price for the performance it delivers.

[@mirrorlessthesis3599]

Is it worth it? If the price was below 1K, it will be.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I’m not sure it’ll ever be that low, not even in 10 years haha

[@AllCarsUnited]

The Leica crashing, files disappearing and horrible auto focus is called " camera character " in the Leica word.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Ok

[@stayuntilforever]

No camera is worth that money unless you're rich or making alot of money from photography.

[@_rhapsodist]

admit it: the "Leica look" is a myth you've made yourself believe 😜

[@RegrinderAlert]

You can get it from other lenses and makers as well. Leica just happens to almost exclusively built lenses with at least a decent amount of Microcontrast. Lens design is a compromise and Sony/Sigma & Co. just optimise for sharpness. That's why the images often look super 2D as if you blurred the Background in post. Just look at the Canon RF28-70 vs Sony 28-70. The Canon is so much more 3D looking, the difference is immediately obvious side-by-side.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

It’s no myth but I also understand that it’s hard to comprehend from the outside. It’s something that doesn’t make sense until you have one in your hands and use it. Someone showed me photos yesterday and I was immediately able to tell which were Leica and which went.

[@Davidbattan]

Another channel had a video comparing Leica M with Sony A7-something with similar glass. Showed 5 photos blind. In every case you could pick out the Leica (which I preferred each time). Maybe he goosed them in post process to get that result, but……