Is the LEICA Q3 Really Worth the Hype?

[@Scoober222]

Hi, some constructive feedback, I find your videos and a lot of other KZbinrs don't share enough actual photos in your videos. The photos that you do show are very brief and limited in quantity. It would be great if we get more photographs and less shots of the gear in 2025 across the photography KZbin world. I'd be great if we just got more photographs in general on KZbin. Though I appreciate your and the Leica's pretty face - we know what y'all look like at this point. I'd rather see 200 photographs on the b-roll than you holding the camera. Again, this just feedback and not trying to bring toxicity. It's just something I've noticed a lot of lately. Not enough focus on the actual photographs from the gear we obsess about.

[@benjhaisch]

I appreciate it, it’s sadly over analytics. When I show lots of photos, I actually see a notable cable dip in view retention at those exact moments. Obviously I try to get a mix in there though

[@ryN45678]

whoa that’s wild (and kinda sad). i always appreciated the shots as a show of what the camera can actually do in talented hands. Maybe these videos are frequented by gear heads more so than art minded folks? The shots you do show are phenomenal btw.

[@benjhaisch]

@ryN45678 appreciate it! I try to scatter them throughout as I talk to show the points I’m trying to make, but it’s most often when I put together a series of images that I see a massive drop off in retention. Ironic ;)

[@Iuckylukey]

@@benjhaischwhy don’t you just add a link to an online album with these photos like DPreview.

[@Dpul945]

What would you gain from seeing images from a 60mp camera online. The only way to tell the quality of images would be to see the RAWS. He could post an image from a 10mp camera and it would look the same

[@ab185]

I *love* my Q3. I shoot it with the 35mm frame lines on and get a rangefinder-like experience that gives me flexibility to reframe shots in post if I need. The sensor+lens combo is comically sharp and I can zoom in and count the number of eyelashes on someone's eyes at a surprising distance.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Just got my Q3 28, it is my ABSOLUTE Favorite DIGITAL camera EVER! I shoot with an M6 for film and i love the Q3 more.

[@ka_sh_iif]

Got the Q3 and sold it for the 43mm, because I am more of a longer focal length shooter. I actually am starting to regret my choice. The 28mm just seems more versatile in day to day use. I thought I’d use the 43mm for street but find myself still reaching for my M. The Q was supposed to be my edc and 28mm seems to have fit better in my life as an edc. I purchased this camera to have something quick and easy to use with auto focus, but because the auto focus is so bad, I found myself manually, focusing with it most of the time, and for some reason I found I got better auto focusing results with the 28 over the 43. Always love your perspective, thanks 👍🏾.

[@ck81818]

I sold my Q3 28mm and MP240 for Q3 43mm and never look back. The 43 APO lens is simply too awesome and the colours are nicer than the 28mm Summilux.

[@ka_sh_iif]

@ yeah l have to admit, when it hits, it hits. Especially shot wide open, there is a beautiful swirly effect you get. Realistically I probably just need to give it more time and reps.

[@ck81818]

@@ka_sh_iif I lower my expectation for its autofocus(I use Sony A9 III for work) and treat it as a rangefinder, be patient to wait for the moment and nail the focus. The colours, the swirly bokeh effect, the details and the solid built quality of the body & lens hood are lovely!

[@jeffchastain2977]

Im not familiar with the autofocus in the Q3 43, but I am very familiar with the autofocus in the q3 28. Ive owned the 28mm for over a year and its autofocus is every bit as good as the AF in my Sony a6700. Try playing with your AF settings because some of the setting can kinda cripple your AF speed, but overall, it is a great AF system. At least on the 28.

[@jamesbarron5590]

Thanks for the honest review. I’ve had this and the Q3 43 in the cart a few times and haven’t pulled the trigger. The price tag definitely helps calm the GAS but knowing all of the cameras you have and your perspective helps. It’s just hard to pay way more for something that doesn’t perform better than lower priced cameras.

[@RegrinderAlert]

@@jamesbarron5590 That’s the theme with anything Leica makes. And how I start to feel about Fuji’s high end offerings. What you are paying for is the materials, tactile ergonomics and fun. And yeah, the first two things don’t cost *that* much to manufacture but nobody else seems to fill that niche except Hasselblad. And those are just as expensive.

[@ChaseMoreLight]

As a wedding photographer who has shot with Sony and Fuji cameras and currently using a Nikon Z9 and Z8. The Q3 is just more fun. It doesn’t feel like I’m just carrying around using a computer. These modern cameras are great for work, but they’re kind of boring and don’t have much character. I use the Q3 at weddings sparingly. I keep it my Holdfast Lens Quiver. Will use it for intimate moments, moments where a larger camera can seem so intrusive. Q3 is less intimidating for some folks and almost always a conversation starter. I’ve only had the Q3 for about 9 months, but I love it.

[@constantinephotography5287]

Totally agree on all accounts. As an M user and canon shooter for paid work, I used the Q2, and switched to the 43 and it’s a camera that is always with me. I have small kids and the 43mm. Has been perfect for more portrait shots of my family but still wide enough for travel and everyday snaps. One thing or way of using it which I don’t think you touched on is as a manual focusing, evf M with a fixed focal length. I primarily use this for manual focusing with the weather resistance, flip it screen (for kids) and EVF for critical focus at farther distances. I use the auto focus in a pinch or when I can hand the camera to my wife or other people and get a picture of me with my family.

[@benjhaisch]

Yeah, you totally can, I just don’t use it as I mostly just use AF and then very rarely use MF. The jump between the two is really clever, but it tosses you off from your current focus, so it’s probably better to use one or any other as a primary. I didn’t touch on the close focusing either. Hard to fit it all into one video :)

[@07SATS]

Leica who offered this camera for review must be regretting about it, but we need honest reviews like this! I have Q3 and I am 100% aligned with this review.

[@benjhaisch]

There are plenty of amazing things about it and I had thinned out my cache I’d probably buy one too, just have to be objective about the things that could be hold ups for people.

[@MichaelYoungKim]

Totally agree with all the things you said. I really hope their af can be better with firmware updates in the future, especially the face detection af because it's a mess with more than 1 person in the shot.

[@Ben-cx8de]

I use highlight weighted metering on the Q3, works totally fine. To me it has better dynamic range than the M10 and M10r for that matter - same as the M11 in my experience.

[@Ben-cx8de]

Also the EVF is excellent on the Q3, it's a real pleasure to use and much nicer than the A7CR

[@alex.mathioudakis]

Finally, a review of a Leica camera that is objective and doesn’t come across as an advertisement of or a love letter to the brand. Well done man, it must feel good to be able to speak your mind

[@benjhaisch]

Appreciate it. I still love the brand but try to be realistic about comparisons. Part of the reason I try to use all of the different brands as well.

[@collinheath3290]

I've been waiting for this video! I watch your reviews just to see your photos lol Lovely work as always. I have the Q3 43 and can't wait to see you review that one!!! :)

[@lusny1]

I had Q3 and GR3, but I sold Q3 then got Q3 43. To me, 28mm is just street snap so GR3 is better(faster boot speed). However, Q3 43 is totally same hardware specification except lens. I love Q3 43 because I can take snap and simple portrait all together. Of course, 28mm can take portrait, but lack of eye tracking AF made me feel tired. Anyway, its not bad camera, just expensive. That's all(and most biggest bad thing).

[@RegrinderAlert]

I have the same combination (GR III 28mm, Q3 43) and it works really well

[@sashheji5867]

@@lusny1 I am thinking about the same combo. How is the pictures quality of the Griii compared to the Q3 28mm?

[@lusny1]

@ If you zoom, Q3 is more detail because of 6000M sensor. However, I don’t feel much difference on normal use.

[@SimonHird]

Great to hear your thoughts on it, from my experience, I'd agree with you on all of those things. I've had the Q3 since May and the Q2 for a few years before that. I tend to use the Q3 as a day-to-day camera or an auxiliary camera for commercial work or weddings. I find the Q is an easy additional camera system to fit in my bag and if I need a backup I know it can cover most things I throw at it, but equally the slower autofocus, the one card slot and general lower reliability of the system makes me lean towards my A7RV or M11-P for the majority of my photography work

[@theonlyredspecial]

My 240. I always underexposed it a little too and fixed it in post. Didnt bother me but was interesting to hear you mention that. My x2d doesn’t do that. Not meaning to compare but I haven’t used a 240 in years and it brought back memories.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

I had a Leica q and used it as my Dad camera and loved it. It’s the one camera I regret selling and if it had an interchangeable lens it would be my only camera. For manual focus it was sooo nice.It seems expensive but I sold it for ONE RF lens. The Leica photos app worked ZERO times.

[@loganwebb5449]

I’ve really enjoyed my q3 and have been surprised how versatile it’s been. I’m usually able to crop to make most situations work. It does have me pining for an M though.

[@RegrinderAlert]

@@loganwebb5449 I went from the M system to the Q because it better matches my style of shooting - mostly documentary, geometric, people included to add some life, not as the main subject. I like low light and i am adamant on not sacrificing my ideal aperture choice (often f/8). With the M I’d constantly shoot 3 or 4 stops of ISO higher to achieve a shutter speed that works with 61MP. The Q has decent stabilisation. Shooting at ISO 3200 instead of 200 is a big deal. A flip screen will let you take (better) pictures with more interesting and pleasing perspectives. Shots that you would never take with a rangefinder with fixed display. Makes a real impact. I like shooting in the rain and most M lenses only like a drizzle, especially Voigtländer ones are horribly sealed. Non-issue with Q/SL. Rangefinder is super fun but in challenging lighting situations like shooting into the sun you would lose your eye sight (same for a mirror OVF). All of this made me give up on the M system after drooling over it as my dream camera.

[@loganwebb5449]

@@RegrinderAlert Would IBIS in a future M change your opinion?

[@RegrinderAlert]

@@loganwebb5449 Yes but it is just not possible without increasing the thickness of the camera. This will most likely never change. Maybe without a screen but even the M11-Ds encoder takes too much space on the inside. So the area behind the sensor would need to be totally blank.

[@rmletu]

Had the X100V thought it was meh, switched to the Q2, loved it so much that I sold it and my 24 GM to buy the Q3. The resolution, flip screen, little better dynamic range, and usb charging are handy. For me the upgrades were worth it but if I had to stick with the Q2 I would not have been sad. I use it as an everyday/travel camera that also is my wide angle for weddings. I agree highlights are easy to blow. I usually have comp set at -2/3. Love the way it renders images. Wish AF was better but it is good enough for most portrait/ everyday use. I never use tracking, just seems to unreliable. Careful and smart use of single point seems the most reliable. Even with its quirks I love using it and am still pleasantly surprised at the image quality. I also agree that it needs internal storage. I would use it it even more than I already do professionally if it did. I would also have a harder time justifying it if I have multiple M11's, GFX and Hasselblad cameras! Though the Q3 is some of my favorite aspects of most of those rolled into one fairly compact camera.

[@jerrylee188]

Q3 is for those who understand what they need and understand photography. Otherwise they will always be unsatisfy the fact that it is a fixed lens and fixed focal length.

[@davidruzicka1]

Im still using Leica Q (type 116) and its my most favourite family camera ever :)

[@sithbk0075]

Always enjoyed your videos Benj but I have one small complaint on this video. It’s not about the Q3 or your feedback on the camera. It’s more about your audio production. From the very beginning of your video, you speaking audio is fine but from 00:24 that leads into B-roll the music was extremely high compared to your speaking audio level. Maybe it’s just me but it sounded 3x louder than your voice audio level. As for Q3 camera, I really wanted a Q2 but decided to wait for Q3. In the mean time I decided to purchase SLs model and now I am at a cross road if I do want to spend over $6000 for the Q3. While it maybe a great for a compact camera for traveling but I just can’t justify obtaining it since money doesn’t grow on trees for me. For now, I’ll be sticking to my Nikon z9/z8, Fuji x100 V, Fuji GFX100s and Ricoh GR IIIx. I’m currently eyeing Sony A7c II for a full frame traveling camera. It is small and light enough for traveling yet provides flexibilities with great images.

[@stevemphoto]

As an owner of the Q3 43 I'll say that the draw of the Q series is the lens (and the Leica experience if that means anything to you). From a speed/performance standpoint there are better cameras for sure! If you want the Leica lenses and like fixed lens cameras and the Q's are a good choice. I'm mostly a one camera/one lens kind of person and sold my M11 to get the Q3 43. I was "done" with Leica due to my rollercoaster of issues with the M but then they released the 43 (insert The Godfather III "pull me back in" meme). The Qs have their place....but for the price I'd only recommend it for a select few.

[@3BMEP]

Hey, Benj! Thanks so much for the mention! That’s a custom anti-tamper screw. Sorry you didn’t get the chance to try out the modular thumb rest which actually does the business without taking up the hot shoe (it frees it up so it can still be used for a flash or mic). Bigger picture? Totally agree that there is room to improve the balance of the camera. 😎👊🏻

[@flixbert]

I've never owned a Leica camera but I've shot with the M9, M10, SL, SL2 and the original Q. And I've worked with files from the Q3 and the SL3. To me, while always having lusted after the SL- and Q-Series, the SL3 and also the Q3 have lost their appeal. Sure, the lenses are amazing. But the files from these high resolution sensors just feel lifeless. Maybe it's the huge dynamic range, maybe it's the sheer resolution. But I don't feel the same joy editing and looking at images from these cameras that I have felt when working with files from older Leica digital cameras. And that's kind of incredible because on paper, these are as near to being 'perfect cameras' as it gets.

[@MarkMclennon]

loving my Q3 so far

[@MurrayMcMillan73]

I’ve had mine for most of this year, having had a Q2 before, then stupidly selling that for an X100vi- lasted two weeks with it and sold it and bought the Q3. I shoot Sony for weddings but have been taking the Q3 with me a lot more now as well- I absolutely love the camera and although it has its quirks, issues etc, it’s by far my fave ever camera, and I adore using it.

[@TheVFXbyArt]

16:07 TY for your review. I find this issue with hilights and Leicas unacceptable. To ask photographers to underexpose images, and have your client see dark images behind the camera is unacceptable. Fujis feature a dr400 mode that gives you 3-5 stops of hilight range ABOVE your exposed image. This not only allows you to recover hilights WITHOUT underexposing your image, it also allows for a filmic rolloff of such hilights. Thx is all done with software, so Leica should be able to introduce this.

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

Have been using Q3 and A7R5 for over a year. Took both for a recent holiday. The A7R5 is great if you want snappier performance, versatility and feel like holding a beast...Q3 is better if you want a more relaxed casual style shooting....both take fantastic images

[@benjhaisch]

100% agree

[@abarofigaro]

Thank you for this review. I really value your opinion and you covered the exact things I wanted to know, so thank you!

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Very, very good. I don’t have the wedding, group, or people tracking use case, for the most part, although I would like better object tracking. I have the Q2M and that has the highlight/exposure issue. I’m getting used to it, but it always requires some thought. I am frequently using ETTR, especially when shooting landscapes, and even then especially at sunrise/sunset, but I don’t like to have to do it almost routinely when shooting outdoor, candid portraits. I also use the Fuji XT5 with a variety of lenses, but I’m waiting til the end of the year now for them to “nail” the autofocus. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be an industry leader for autofocus. Contract the damn thing out in the meantime, if you can’t nail it. Which camera do you like for an EDC? Thanks. Geoff

[@RegrinderAlert]

@@GeoffGrant2010 With monochrome sensors you need to watch out more for highlights in general.

[@TI3GIB]

I think the 28mm's issues with AF are a bit deeper than that unfortunately. I focus using the spot mode (then reframe). What I've been noticing is that a lot of the time, on frames with a lot of negative space the camera would hunt for focus a lot, then ultimately fail to lock similar to a contrast detect based auto focus system. But more worryingly, is that the AF would often indeed lock (green cross hairs) only to find out later that it focused on something 'close enough' to the cross hairs, bit not the actual target. This, and the slightly large size are my only gripes with this camera, which I otherwise enjoy using immensely.

[@jonhoward7627]

I have the QP and I’m not sure if it’s lighter than the Q3, but I find adding the Leica case provides enough grip, I guess I’m only using it casually and not for long periods.

[@phillipallaway7306]

Always great to hear your views on cameras and lenses Benj. As someone who has used the Q3 for over a year including as an every day travel camera on a full 10 month journey throughout Europe, I agree with most of your comments. But as to the highlight recovery issue, did you use highlight weighted metering? It makes all the difference and I never leave home without it :)

[@benjhaisch]

Yes, you can totally use highlight weighted metering and just trust it, but it felt a little more underexposed in the EVF, which totally makes sense. That’s sort of the good/bad about an EVF vs OVF

[@richard_cawthorne]

Love your content man - always super valuable insight. Just a note, maybe have a look at compressing that intro music to the same level as your dialogue (the volume shift is a little noticeable).

[@benjhaisch]

Appreciate that, I usually lower the music to -3 from where it starts at, but the dynamic difference is harder to tell on my speakers in my studio than it is when just listening on headphones:

[@ChrisBrogan]

You can't be a photographer and not have GAS around Leica. You just saved me at least six or more months for the Q3 at least. ;)

[@joetrent4753]

It's very easy not to have GAS when you consider Leica prices, especially their lenses.

[@ChrisBrogan]

@ true.

[@davidlogan3874]

I’m curious if you would ever consider using a Pixii max with Leica glass? It seems to be the size of a Q but with all the M lenses could be amazing. Thoughts?

[@donjagoe]

Good, honest review. For the reasons you note, I just prefer an M.

[@mattandrews5983]

this is off topic, but chomping at the bit for the new Cascade Presets! Any release date range on those? Thanks, love your work and the time you put into all your videos.

[@styledliving]

between the x100vi and the q3, the q3 wins alone on the app. you'd imagine that fuji with its vast experience in the digicam market over the past decade, they might get their act (app) together, but this hasn't been the case. not easy to use, not easy to work with. Leica Fotos on iOS is dead nuts simple and easy to use on the Q3. I can download my images fast, I can edit them, and I can export them into my camera roll. From there I can share on social media or anywhere else. I can even upload from my phone to my storage solution. i still have an xe3 and xpro2 (sold the xt5) and I use these with my 40-150 28, 56mm, and 18mm for event work like weddings. but if i'm doing fashion work i'll pull out the r5 or r5c. Q3 works best for just simple shoot and share without a lot of work. I picked it up in Thailand on a whim and honestly, best decision. The Q3 is a no brainer for me.

[@veryjr2966]

Q2 user here (and X100V for that matter). Cost aside it all comes down to the simple question: “What focal length are you?“ If you are not comfortable shooting 28mm (or 35mm with the X100 series) and end up cropping more shots than not, it ain‘t gonna work in the long run. You either have to adapt your shooting style to the focal length or let go. I have seen too many folks talking themselves into needing a Q series and ending up being frustrated because of that. This holds true regardless of price. One con which is hardly talked about: owing to the macro capabilities the FOCUS THROW at the long end (it goes from 2m right to infinity unlike all other Leica M mount lenses) makes manual focus much less of a joy.

[@polygoncoco]

Isn’t it also focus by wire? Or is that false? I saw that mentioned somewhere else. That makes the manual focussing not like M lenses

[@veryjr2966]

@@polygoncocodespite it being focus by wire it is super smooth and feels mechanical and tactile (unlike X100 series).

[@UnconsciousChanting]

I used the Q3 @ 28 for the last year and found I was cropping more than I wanted. Loved everything else, so the 43 was the perfect answer. Sold the 28 and the 43 is, IMO, the perfect balance of context, compression, and reach. If I want to crop now, I can get into quite a bit of abstraction and texture which feature quite a bit in my photography style.

[@scotttuckerphotography]

I’m super curious to see the GFX rangefinder coming next year…either that or the Q3 will be my 2025 experimental buy. Every Q3 review comes with asterisks that either cost you more money or leaves you wanting (AF, ergos, non portrait tilty, wonky tracking, etc) I’m having a hard time justifying either, though, because the ZF is just SO nails for so many things.

[@peterboyadjian7635]

They should have made a 28 APO version. Q43 is nice, you've reviewed the 50 APO so the output is sorta like that.

[@polygoncoco]

I tried it, but it’s so big for an everyday carry camera, it’s almost the same size as my XH2 with the 33mm f1.4 lens on it. I know we’re comparing full frame to aps-c but it did shock me at how big it is. Especially compared to my X100V/VI. That coupled with almost no ergonomics, made it a no go for me. I’d much prefer an M body with a smaller lens.

[@davidbrighten2572]

I sold my Q2 and Q2 Monochrome and bought an M11-P and M11 Monochrome. I love the Q3 but having a rangefinder is so much more compelling. If spending this much money - it needs to be unique - like a rangefinder. Not to similar to other autofocus cameras.

[@cshevlin]

I'm still a fan. However, I recently sold my Q2 and went back to sony. I like the option of different lenses.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I’ve had the Q2 Monochrom (regrettably sold it) and Q3 43 (definitely a keeper). Not being able to change the lens is indeed limiting, but 1) some notable photographers primarily used one lens, and 2) cropping mitigates the limitation to some extent (especially on the Q3 43, because of the higher resolution sensor).

[@cshevlin]

@@johnkasianowicz6536 I agree. I think I’ll get another one eventually. Or maybe an M11.

[@journalweddingfilms]

Hope so - just bought one!

[@dimesdede]

How did you get the PD Anchors fixed to the camera without the rings? I tried at my Q3 the the PD Anchors chords are to "fat"

[@benjhaisch]

Lots of patience

[@settingofthesuns]

Really odd about the difficulty with highlights since that was such a pain on the Q2. It may have something to do with the switch to base ISO 100 versus 64 on the M11, which by itself shouldn't be an issue, but perhaps how they implemented it is the problem. For example, perhaps the true base ISO is actually ISO 200 as was the case with the M10/M10-P blowing highlights until Leica changed Auto ISO to use ISO 200 as the base. (edit to add: just saw an older post on LUF where it was shown that C1 has a harder time recovering highlights from the Q3 than LRC.)

[@jayj8524]

Hi, Very good, interesting and very honest review! Good job! 👍

[@theday2learn]

I guess the question would be, is the Q3 worth the extra $ for a non paid photographer over the x100vi? This is something I am struggling to decide (I own a q3 43 now)

[@Kevon420]

This is very very nitpicking but....Leica "made" a 19mm f/1.9 lens for their Leitz Phone 2 they labeled a "Summicron" so I suppose all we can go on is Summiluxes are between f1.4 and f1.7.

[@rashodbacon]

The highlight thing was a deal breaker for me. I’m glad I bought it but the M system is my clear preference now. With that being said, when I learned how to manage the highlights, I created some amazing print worthy images.

[@chronocross85]

Yes but my only gripe is you will never get the same colors on camera when you import them to lightroom or Capture One.. Even if you shoot on jpeg the colors are still different.

[@marcp.1752]

For myself, 28mm is since ever not fish, nor meat. It's into the middle - between 24mm & 35mm, therefore, it never made any sense, for my taste. It's not wide enough, and it's not more universal like the all star evergreen 35mm, the one focal length, to shoot it all. Into forums, one can read about ppl, which sold their Q-series, because of the odd 28mm focal length. No, to crop is not the same, then native a differentfocal length. I shoot 35mm since the late 80s, that's it. Your milage may vary... 🙂

[@picturemaker]

Overall I think the Q2 is the better camera. If you need the autofocus then the Q3. But there is something about the Q2 that the Q3 doesn't have. Perhaps the dimensions and balance of weight just work better. For me at least.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

I have the Q3 43 and just love it. I have M bodies and an X2D but this little puppy is just a honey. I got a hand grip and thumb grip and that is nice. I love the IQ and color, very nice. Tracking has not yet been an issue. It is an agreeable, usable camera of quality, and I am not a :Leica fanboy.

[@Onboredatlast]

Each to their own but I don't get this reliance on 'face detect' etc. I turn it off on all my cameras, I want to decide where to focus and I generally get all the shots I want, including of my moving kids. There is little that upsets me more with a camera than when a software programmer decides what is important in my image by deciding how 'face detect' should work. I have the original Q and the image quality is still fantastic even when compared to my more recent cameras. Cameras from 5+ years ago are still very, very capable. I am of the opinion, cameras now have way too many features and megapixels, none of which makes me or helps me be a better photographer.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

This is not a camera for general family stuff. I've seen a lot of reviews of this camera and I think it's a wonderful camera. This is the camera you buy when your kids leave home. It's your present. It's your gift to you for being a great parent and honestly, I probably can't actually afford one now but and my kids have left home but I choose not to have a Leica camera. I think it would be an amazing camera but I really don't I think this is a good investment in $10,000 in Australia because that's what it would cost to buy this camera. The 43 is too tight. The 28 would be wonderful if I decided to get one. It would definitely be a 28.....43 is too tight for me.

[@benjhaisch]

What’s more important than taking photos of your kids growing up? Why not get something you love if it helps you bring it out more for stuff like that? I dunno, I know a ton of friends who use it as their primary “dad cam”

[@smooth111012]

Perhaps for the price of these cameras they could have a sim / gps built in and a passcode. A find my camera system

[@gewglesux]

ANY Leica is worth the hype!

[@AlexMorenoFoto]

So it does not have EV to highlights? Thats a bummer.

[@benjhaisch]

It does, it just underexposes the rest of the image fairly significantly, which is fine. I was just trying to convey the fact that if you want to retain shadows, you need to underexpose

[@AlexMorenoFoto]

@@benjhaisch I´m not a Leica user, but in my Ricoh you can tune AE by a fair amount. Normally, to use the whole DR of the sensor, I`m overexposing the highlight EV by 1 to 1.3 stops depending if I have or not the Sun in front of me, and I find this doing the trick most of the time.

[@justcallmesando]

My short answer is NO, it´s not worth the hype and it's nothing against this beautiful camera or Leica or any other camera or brand. I am the recent happy owner of a SL2, really happy owner, but somehow after making the switch I started focusing more and more on the images and not on the gear, I think it´s due specially to the fact that I kind of got way too deep in the Leica hype myself before switching to Leica and I got kind of tired eventually, so my resolution today is: No, no camera or brand is worth the hype, we should make more hype about our images and that´s all for me. Don't get me wrong, I madly love my SL2 and would love to own more gear not only from Leica but from other brands but I definitely love more the fact of going out and shoot with whatever I have at hand and feel excited about it.

[@mcelliot]

Benj, this is a disappointing review for a number of reasons. Let me work through some of the areas where I think you have ‘got this wrong’ Back button focus. You can. It is not the same as the BBF on your Sony, but it works fine. Create a profile where you want to use BBF. Allocate one of the 2 function buttons to AF-L, autofocus lock, and use that. I allocated button 2 so it is in reach of my right thumb. Works very well. It does reset after one shot, so you need to relock for the next shot, but generally I need to refocus after I have taken one shot anyway. You complain about blown highlights. Set the exposure to highlight weighted. Problem solved If you need eye tracking some times and general tracking at others, then again, have a profile for each. And set function button 1 to allow you to quickly shift. Works perfectly. And then your complaint about tracking fast moving kids. Please. You cant be serious. That is not what this camera is for, and neither is wedding photography. Wedding is rarely going to be covered by a fixed lens, especially something wide like this There are too many reviews on YT by people who are not familiar with this camera and don’t understand its use case. I am not a long standing Leica fan. This is my first and possibly last Leica camera, but I love it. It is not for weddings. It is not great for tracking children. For that sort of work I use an R5, but for street, urban landscape, travel photography, it is peerless

[@benjhaisch]

I’m very familiar with this series. Having used each of the Q’s over the years for months at a time. Yes, you can autofocus lock, but that’s not back button focusing unless you use that very specific style of focusing. It won’t replace your shutter button. Like I mentioned, the dynamic range is there, you just have to expose for the image differently than other cameras. For eye tracking, if you have more than 2-3 people in an image, it’s chaotic. It just is. I’m also not complaining about the autofocus, I’m setting expectations against other, similar cameras. I know probably 25-35 different wedding photographers that use a Q series camera in their work. It’s never the only camera, but you have to set good expectations. I probably use 5-20 new cameras a year depending on release schedules, so I’m comparing every camera against the others. Just because it’s not the best in a particular category doesn’t mean it’s a bad camera unless that particular feature it’s important to you. But it is my role to point out these differences.

[@mcelliot]

@@benjhaisch fair enough, but a few things to consider. It is not just back button focus lock. It prompts the camera to focus before locking so it is a back button focus, just different to what you are used to. The point about highlight weighting is very important. There is no point complaining about blown highlights if you have not set the camera correctly. And yep, if there are lots of eyes around, it get confused, but again, that is not the strength of his camera. If that is what you are doing, then track or zone focus

[@markovich88]

So basically it's not got great autofocus and the dynamic range is limited too. £6,000 for this doesn't fee like good value for money

[@RegrinderAlert]

The dynamic range is not limited. It’s the same as the Sony A7R4/5 and still best in class - except for some “medium format” options. It’s an issue with his RAW conversion software and/or metering. You can look up actual performance measurements online.

[@benjhaisch]

Like I mentioned, the dynamic range is there, you just have to use exposure comp or simply meter differently than others to retain it. Still more typical of an M10 imo. The sensors are probably the same but they processors render out the images differently

[@RegrinderAlert]

@@benjhaisch All M11s use Maestro 3 processor while the Q3 is running the Maestro 4. The photon gathering stack is the same on both sensors but: - Q3 has phase detect pixels - Q3 has a slightly raised base ISO (100, not 64) - M11 has an anti-aliasing filter, Q3 has none - M11 needs a microlens array because M-mount Still not sure why the color science is notably different though. M11 is more magenta, Q3 a bit more pleasant to me.

[@benoasan]

Sold mine. AF is just not good enough (fact) and I don't like the handling (personal taste).

[@profan10]

Music is way too loud or voice volume is a bit too low

[@michaelj7069]

No it isn't Thank you for attending my Ted Talk.

[@watchmedicine7747]

YEAH THE LEICA Q3 43 IS THE CAMERA TO REVIEW NOT THIS ONE

[@benjhaisch]

Send me one and I’ll review it

[@cameraprepper7938]

IMO, no !

[@Gundolf300]

Allmost 6300$ and in order to change lens you need to buy another camera for allmost 6900$. Can some explain to me what exactly makes these cameras worth that kinda money and how it's not utterly braindead?...

[@RegrinderAlert]

You don’t understand fixed-lens cameras. The point is to not change the lens 😂

[@Fastball3267]

if you demystify them, you will see this is a status symbol item

[@Gundolf300]

@@RegrinderAlert Thank you for the explanation Professor Obvious, but that wasn't really my core question.

[@Gundolf300]

@@Fastball3267 Undoubtedly.

[@sgpork]

Some people earn $100. Some earn $1000 and etc etc. its their money their problem.

[@ThomazMartinez]

damn lower the music, its does not match when you talk and your intro music is to loud

[@benjhaisch]

What? I can’t hear you over the music?

[@Fastball3267]

no ibis, bad auto focus, less complexity for "german build quality"

[@belivmi]

No

[@binquisitive]

Worst camera ive ever owned. Brand is more interested in money than actual cameras. Build quality is shocking, viewfinder is appalling, photos are average at best. Emperor's new clothes. Your paying for the red dot!