Leica Q3 43 FIRST IMPRESSIONS! Who is this for?

[@benjhaisch]

Ah that’s awesome. I called up my local Leica store and asked if I could take it out for a little first impression video as well. They said no… haha

[@davidherring]

I was in Rome last summer when the Q3 came out and Leica Rome let me borrow it for an hour to walk around Rome. Leica SF is awesome and very communal. Too bad they’re not all like that!

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Oh would think you would be able to pull it off :)

[@yukioi3503]

I just called the Leica Boston store a couple days ago and they put me on waitlist for a third person in the line and they called me today and said they have a Q3 43 for me if I still interested! I check out immediately and they shipped it to me now! ❤

[@john_in_Berlin]

Straight up pro move: engaging over a cup of coffee, covers all the bases efficiently, adds killer shots for proof of concept, does a little street photography to show how the everyman can use it. Great review. Makes me hungry.

[@davidherring]

Thank you John!

[@socratesa2536]

Got mine 3 days ago. The salesman at Leica was telling me that the sensor size across for the q3 is also 43mm. So there is essentially zero lens distortion as you are not warping the imaging coming into the sensor. Very neat technical advantage design wise

[@davidherring]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[@AlessandroGriccioli]

It’s perfect as first or second body for street photography and as a first or second body for wedding, portraits, professional head shots, or any kind of studio staff. In conclusion super versatile!!!

[@davidherring]

I agree that it's super versatile!

[@simonbnyc]

Excellent video and comparison test! The Q3 43 looks stunning. When I got my Q2 over 2 years ago, the 28mm lens was a serious adjustment (call it shock!) from my many years as a 50mm shooter but over time I got used to it. Now I naturally see the world in 28mm as my eyes seem to have made the adjustment. As much as this Q3 43 looks amazing, I think if I was to purchase a companion to my Q2 it would be the M11 with a 50mm lens that would make more sense for me. I think they would work perfectly as a team!

[@davidherring]

I could never settle with 28mm. It’s a special case lens for me. This 43 felt more at home.

[@michaelberg507]

Over half a century ago, while working at a camera store, our understanding was that the human eye "sees" at the equivalent of 43.7mm. So, yeah ... I imagine the Q3 43 would seem very comfortable. That's why I am so comfortable with my Zeiss 2/50 Planar on the M11. That lens feels a little wider than a standard 50mm, really about 48mm - subtle but noticeable, at least to my eye.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Spearmanmark]

On day one, I cobbled together a trade-in and snagged this amazing camera from their other store in WC. What a delightful experience, by the way, as their people are so engaging and fun. The 43 APO is quite a lens!

[@davidherring]

The people of Leica SF / CW are the best, most communal people of any camera shop I’ve ever experienced.

[@vinylisland6386]

@@davidherring You should try the Leica store in Village Royale, Paris. I love them, and the people you meet in there are amazing. I started chatting with some guy and he turned out to be Phil Penman.

[@WithCielo]

Thanks for the comparison with the M11 with the 50mm. I was wondering exactly how those 2 compared to each other.

[@davidherring]

I was surprised by the width of the 43!

[@JohnBradbury-in7lz]

The quality of your video (including sound) from the DJI Osmo is amazing.. very impressive.

[@davidherring]

I love it. It’s really a great device.

[@luluphoto]

Your review was the first I looked for when the Q3 43 was released. Great to know what you think of the camera, I was never that wowed by the IQ from previous Q's compared to my M9/ M11 and 50 Lux but this does look nice.

[@davidherring]

Thank you! I do like it, but ultimately just prefer my M.

[@theazurian2778]

NGL I feel like this camera would be a great starter studio camera, with its macro capability u can shoot smaller products and at F2 you can use lesser flashes or bigger softboxes. Outside it would also dominate in potraiture compared to the 28MM and would pair well with stronger strobes for outdoor shoots because of its lens factor

[@davidherring]

I think its great all around, but I don’t think starters are going to go for it haha

[@forgiveness_denied]

Great review, love watching your videos

[@davidherring]

Thank you so much!

[@spoken2]

man, happy you got to try it ! there have been some mixed reviews , but I think I’m in love with the overall diss around it !

[@davidherring]

I really like it! It’s a Q, so you’d have to want the Q experience, but I much prefer the 43 APO to the 28 Summilux if I had to choose one.

[@JJ_Photo]

How is it possible to make a lens that sharp - and still have this dreamy soft look. Looks fantastic.

[@davidherring]

Right? Freaking Leica magic!

[@JJCPhotography]

So cool first impression for Leica q3 43!

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@rudigerwolf9626]

Dave, just used mine in Sedona and the lakes above Bishop (fall colors). Just love shooting this camera. With the macro, it is an amazing nature camera. If you need wider, use the pano technique. So versatile. Such an amazing lens. A highly “croppable” sensor. Auto focus or manual focus with magnification. Simply terrific. Really glad you got to use one. More glad Jenn got to use it.

[@davidherring]

I loved it. Best Q yet! Hope to get a more thorough experience with it soon.

[@tjmanou6422]

I think this camera will be another hit. Great move by Leica.

[@davidherring]

Agreed!

[@mjcatto]

I got my Q3-43 on launch day in Marseille. I have been using it relentlessly since. I have the Q3 and the SL3 and this 43 blows me away. I think it beats the SL3 with the 35mm APO. I love it and think it’s an awesome pairing with the Q3. Small bag, small cameras, excellent results and great travel kit. Great channel Dave! Mark At walkacrossitall on the web. Lots of Leica galleries and blog posts.

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@jeffscott2246]

So Dave, to you, is there any difference in image quality between the Q, and the M?

[@davidherring]

To me, M glass can’t be beat.

[@bsmayerr]

That’s the perfect walk around camera in my opinion. I have the impression that if this camera had been released with the original Q3, we would have half of the sales on the Q43.

[@davidherring]

I think it's a perfect walk around camera as well!

[@dzkilnd]

The Q was often thought to be wider than 28mm. Do you feel the 43 is closer to 40 or even in the 30’s? As a 35 shooter, that would be nice!

[@davidherring]

It’s wider than tighter, so it’s a true 43 or lower.

[@Funktrainer]

I will stay with the M system and the 35 for street stuff with a little headroom for cropping and, of course, the gold standard, the 50.

[@davidherring]

Same! But for those looking for a Q, this is the one.

[@Foto384]

Great video Dave and the Q343 is an amazing camera. I have the Q2M and Q2 plus recently bought a M11. I have to say never has so much fun shooting as I have had with M11. The reason I went for the M range in the end was I just do not like flip screens and really feel it spoils the look. I realise this is stupid to worry about looks over practicality but it just not for me. I wish that the Q came with a choice and then maybe I would get the Q343. However I do think Jen should upgrade and get one.

[@davidherring]

I think Jenn should as well! Then I could take it anytime I want.

[@A.Andreychenko]

Seems like this is the same story as 28mm Summilux on original Q. I heard that natively it has 24mm focal length, but it's cropped to remove distortion. Looks like this 43mm Q also has 40mm, but it cropped. That's why focal length is so weird

[@davidherring]

The 28mm is def closer to 24mm. I'd be curious to see what exactly this one is.

[@bryanlovephotography]

Snagged one on launch day…one of my favorite cameras ever! It’s such a versatile camera. The lens is nuts! Happy shooting!

[@davidherring]

Congrats!

[@neonrain9978]

Are the shots in the cafe straight out of cam? And is the video’s LUT applied on top of it? Great video, really contemplating getting this to replace my X100 VI

[@davidherring]

They are slightly edited using Generalities from verygoodpresets.com

[@andrewsnape1705]

Great video and San Francisco looks amazing. This probably isn't what you want to hear, but the 43 felt tight with those beautiful buildings & streets I wanted to see more of, although people looked absolutely perfect. Thank you to you & Jen

[@davidherring]

I hear you completely. If I was a city / street guy, 28 would be great.

[@thatsamuellu]

I prefer the M system too, but it is cool to have a weather-sealed system in some situations, that's the only thing I would pick a Q over an M.

[@JJ_Photo]

Also OIS is nice. I often miss this on my M10

[@davidherring]

Yeah I’m about to be in a rainy spot for a week with the M. Only slightly nervous.

[@SamAbram-dl1mg]

Let’s say you were a Leica sl user only are you comfortable using the Leica q3-43 mm as a 50mm or you would buy a 50mm apo sl lens.

[@davidherring]

Personally, if I already had an SL and I was using that ecosystem, I’d prob just stay with it.

[@LensForgotten]

Now the Q line has a focal length I could use. No cropping. Easy close focus and macro. Bliss

[@davidherring]

Agreed!

[@jeffphoto940]

Great video and one of the only reviews that compare M11 photos with a 50mm. I always wanted the Q3 but didn’t like the 28, so ended up going with the M. This is the Q that I wished they came out with before and it’s great that it’s now available. Outside of the user/shooting experience, it would be interesting to see the sharpness, compression, and bokeh comparison between a $7k Q3 43 and a $13.5k M11 + 50 Summilux CF (or 18.5k M11 + 50 APO), or 35mm.

[@davidherring]

Perhaps I’ll be able to do something like this in the future!

[@colinfoxphoto]

I was lucky enough to buy one at Leica Bellevue on Sep 28th, it is a wonderful camera, your review is also great (I used to live in SF and miss it dearly), I'm also a Q2M owner and absolutely love it, that sensor is special. With the Q343 the lens is special for sure. I'm however disappointed with no charger being included, the super cheap packaging, the lack of drawers, no bags for the items, the plastic flap for the usb charging feels cheap, the buttons don't feel super solid. And most of all the lens hood, so no UV etc filter can be fitted if you want to use macro mode, what a huge oversight, they should have let the lens hood be longer to allow use of filters with the Q hood. The Q2 was a rock, incredible design and quality. However with those particular criticisms of the Q3 43 packaging and lack of a charger (yes I am are of the Euro rules, but Leica should have kept with the same Q3 packaging in the US market) overall it's a great camera, pricey yes - but the form factor, the lens, the menu system, the sensor, it's a great buy. Well done Leica. Now just release a Q style square hood that will allow a filter, tks.

[@davidherring]

The M11 packaging was similar. The M10 was an experience. M11 felt cheap with the packaging. Ultimately, it's about the camera, so we just gotta be ok with it.

[@koobs4549]

I have the Q2 Monochrom, I’d love to have a Q3 43 but will have to wait till they hit the 2nd hand market. I sold all my Canon gear to fund my Q2M, but I’m not willing to go into debt for a camera. By the time I save up enough money to buy one 2nd hand, they’ll be worth what I can afford to pay.

[@davidherring]

Give it a while and the used market will start to show up. Never go into debt for a camera unless it’s a business expense you can reclaim 10X on in a year.

[@noenken]

Pretty good explanation overall. Just wanted to mention that the makro mode is mostly just what other lenses have as their close focus capabilities without switching to a specific mode for that. The cheapo 40mm f/2 Nikon Z lens has a similar maximum magnification for example. But it is nice to have a separate manual focus scale for that range, so still a good thing. Just not "really" macro. And Jen, you're not alone in being "incompatible" with range finders. I tried many times and I just can't. xD

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Johnny641]

I have no doubt they will sell like hot cakes but I am wondering once the novelty wears off we will start to see some gripes from the new owners. I liked my Q3 but it did have some issues, enough so I ended up moving it on.

[@davidherring]

I personally think it’s pretty refined out of the box.

[@AndrewWells]

Wow showing that against your 50 was brutal in that first coffee shop portrait... hope Leica overlooks that! ;)

[@davidherring]

43 and 50 are much more different than I expected!

[@AndrewWells]

@@davidherring I've had 50's and mostly ignored them my whole life, but the lens space of your 50 crushes the 43... I understand why Leica chose that length for versatility, but the Leica lens space in a 50 is singular

[@rmletu]

I wish there was a cheaper 24mp Q 43. Love my Q3 but I would not need 60mp for a more portrait oriented Q. Can't justify 12k tied up in multiple Qs lol

[@davidherring]

Snag an A7C and a 40mm and you’re set!

[@sinpolpy]

This is filmed with the sony or with the dji ? Love it

[@davidherring]

DJI pocket 3!

[@sinpolpy]

@@davidherring amazing, thx !

[@ByJ.Francois]

I hope I get to rent this out because I love the idea of 43. I just got the new 50 lux for my M and love my 35. Like you said I love the m system

[@davidherring]

Yeah it’s the M for me, but this camera is an amazing fixed lens camera!

[@charliipresley]

The SL motto : “not nearly as good as Sony, canon, Nikon and 3x the price.” Also…I’ll wait for a ‘Q4 34’ lol And…this guys presets are probably the best I’ve ever bought.

[@davidherring]

Nah just wait for the Q34 4 Glad you like the presets!

[@ronanderson5736]

Great video! Wow! What an amazing camera! Would definitely love one! Jenn you did a great job with the M11!

[@davidherring]

Thank you! She really did!

[@ronanderson5736]

@@davidherring you all have a great weekend! Keep up the awesome videos!

[@davidherring]

Thank you! Same to you!

[@Emma_yusufdikec_Japan]

Great review! currently I have Q2, but how do you think sold Q2 and get Q3 43?😂

[@davidherring]

Thanks! If the Q3 43 is for you then sell the Q2, otherwise the Q2 is still a fantastic camera.

[@sam.halljr]

Pretty crazy that the Q3 43 is less expensive than a 35 or 50 APO lens alone! Do you think the 43 will be released as an m mount one day?

[@davidherring]

Doubtful, this is an innovation purely for the Q3.

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Great first impression Dave! I had the Q, Q2M, Q3 and after some time always sold them. But now I got the Q3 43 since release day and I have to say, it's the Q I always wanted, since the 28mm Q was somehow always too wide for me. Really enjoy this beauty and I'm curious, although you are an M shooter, if you will get one at some point :)

[@davidherring]

I have no plans to get one, as I'm really happy with the M. The Q line just never seems to last for me.

[@davide88rn]

Amazing camera! But I prefer my M10R (M in general) with good lenses but I miss AF sometimes. Hope someday in a M weather sealed

[@davidherring]

I'm about to shoot my M11 in the rain for a month. Will report back.

[@davide88rn]

@@davidherring that’s great! ;)

[@MKWHD]

I bought it the day it came out. Fantastic optics. Light and nimble to carry around. Excellent image quality. I am super happy. Now I am thinking of selling my M11.

[@davidherring]

Wow selling the M11 for the Q? I couldn’t imagine haha.

[@MKWHD]

More like having too many leicas. M7, M11, SL3 and now Q343. But we will see.

[@ed-schramm]

it is for me! I just don't have the funds yet.

[@davidherring]

It would be for me too if the Q was a camera system I’d use. Definitely an incredible camera.

[@ianforber]

I wonder how long it will take for the 35mm lovers to come out and say Leica made a massive error in not making a Q35!! I preferred shooting with my Q2 than my M11(up for sale if anyone wants it). I don’t think I have a preferred focal length as I usually crop my shots regardless of the lens used. I know a 43mm focal length gives a different look, DoF than a 28mm but the ability to crop on the Q2 is such that I never noticed much difference between that and my M11 with a 50mm Summicron. Do you see much difference?

[@davidherring]

I don't have the 28mm version to compare, but I always prefer native over cropping. That said, 43mm is much closer to what I shoot than 28mm, so the 43 would be a win for me.

[@mandiworld]

Is that the same sensor as the M11?

[@davidherring]

As far as I know, yes.

[@Leicam10]

With Q3 having 60mp shot wide open it should behave pretty much like a 43mm f2 cropped in and still have like 40mp? Regular Q3 also being “cheaper” it feels like more allround and more bang for the buck?

[@davidherring]

Probably? I don’t really know. That said, there’s something nice about just shooting as it is, and not worrying about your cropping plans.

[@Leicam10]

Sure but the crop mode frame lines in the Q3 is the closet you can come to a digital M so it’s pros and cons. Like always 😊

[@F15IDriver]

great video...jenn is cool

[@davidherring]

She’s awesome for sure!

[@painkiller1258]

Damn, she's beautiful and I'm not talking about Leica

[@davidherring]

Lol

[@debbiemowry2591]

I’d like to get one but couldn’t justify it right now. My job isn’t in photography & working for a nonprofit I don’t have the money.

[@davidherring]

Understandable.

[@RikMaxSpeed]

I can see myself walking around with several Leicas just in case I want to shoot at different focal lengths! 😁

[@davidherring]

Q28, Q43, Q71, Q108

[@rickwink]

Awesome video! Love the Q3 43! Maybe turn off the face tracking on the osmo pocket. The moving frame becomes a little annoying to follow while your talking.

[@davidherring]

I feel like I’m always turning it off and it finds a way to turn back on. Drives me insane.

[@rickwink]

@@davidherring ooh that’s weird! I know you can turn it off in the settings, but it’s probably a resetting function when you turn the camera off and on again🙄 Not your fault tho hahaha, but it does affect the experience a little

[@1superherobryce1]

Love Leica sf!

[@davidherring]

They’re the best!

[@loneleica]

Liking your channel. Cheers from Switzerland

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@GeoffreyEduard]

Nice video. Nothing nuts about the crop modes though. It doesn't change the perspective so it's utterly useless.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

I shoot on the Q(1) and have always said the 40mm would be welcome, 43mm even better rigth? Well have to come back on that one. A 20-50mm f/2.0 would be perfect, but in reality not so practical.

[@davidherring]

Yeah this thing would be huge with a zoom lens.

[@kidnoble]

So jealous! I want this camera so bad lol.

[@davidherring]

Dude I LOVE it and if I was interested in a Q, this would be it.

[@Dave24hrs]

8:36 So if you don’t own a Leica and shoot manually, you are considered to be a “Casual Shooter”? Right…

[@davidherring]

Meant no offense, and certainly that phrase isn't meant to be all-inclusive.

[@OpenDGuitar]

It is an awesome camera…but after pricing it with accessories…coming in at almost $8,000 for kit…it just doesn’t make sense for me. I have to go older gen used in Leica, and even that is pricey.

[@davidherring]

It's definitely spendy and it has to make sense for the person buying it!

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Is the M11 and 35 APO more superior system than Q343 How do M lens such as M 35 APO / M 50 APO compare with the lens on Q3 43 which are superior

[@davidherring]

Not sure, I don’t use APO lenses on the M.

[@bryanstanton4983]

If you're a casual shooter would you spend Leica money?

[@davidherring]

Don’t have to be a professional to appreciate and use Leica cameras.

[@BeanEW]

Sorry to say... based on your photos, I like the Q3 43 better than your M.

[@davidherring]

Well say that’s a Jenn issue haha

[@212frankny]

HI Dave I got mine last Saturday. It is an absolute treat to use the camera. The lens is amazing. Thank you for the great report. Greets from Germany.

[@davidherring]

Congrats! It’s a fantastic camera.

[@smooth111012]

Buggers ain’t called me up

[@davidherring]

Start hanging around the store 6hrs a day.

[@BorderlineBored]

Its for me, hand it over.

[@davidherring]

Haha

[@wrtlprmpft2]

Unforgivable!

[@davidherring]

I'm sorry?

[@wrtlprmpft2]

@@davidherring I can't forgive Jen 🤣

[@davidherring]

Oh haha of course, I don't expect ANYONE to!

[@HopefulForever-ln5xm]

This is the Q for the refined Leicaman

[@davidherring]

The most refined Leicaman.

[@Nicosalgadophotography]

It’s not a point and shoot camera . It has a fix lens

[@davidherring]

I consider a fixed lens a point and shoot, but that’s just me.

[@Nicosalgadophotography]

Ok. Bec you can adjust everything as you can in the SL and do manual also for the lens

[@davidherring]

@Nicosalgadophotography that’s also true for the Fuji X100 series.

[@KofieBluejay]

@@davidherring Any camera with a lens already attached (whether you can remove it or not, bought together for example) and in automatic mode is a point and shoot by that definition. A point and shoot is an automatic only camera, with a fixed lens. The Fuji X100 or the Q3 are not point and shoot, but can be used as such. It's just a bit sad that influencers are using the same wrong term everywhere because it's confusion the less technical potential buyers :/

[@Nicosalgadophotography]

I dnt ok care about Fujifim . We were just talking about the Q just giving the facts

[@xmarcika]

Haha I was checking yesterday if you made a video about Q3 43. And today it’s here! Always happy to hear your experience 🙏🏼 I’m unhappy with my 28mm too. So looking forward to 43. By the way I really love your photo style. Do you have somewhere a preset or just a quick screenshot from Lightroom settings? I’m coming from Fuji (6years) and still even after a few months with my Q2 struggling to define my new style here on Leica. And yours is really great

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the kind words! Check out my color grades at verygoodpresets.com as it’s all developed on Leica but quality tested on everything.

[@xmarcika]

@@davidherring Thank you very much!

[@SamiPaju]

Me. It’s for me.

[@davidherring]

Haha

[@HN-sk2lr]

I'm not a big fan of 28 mm at all😅

[@davidherring]

I only like it close to big things, like mountains.

[@vitz0924]

Not 35mm, not 50mm Someone said best portrait lens. It's Ridiculous.🤣

[@davidherring]

To each their own.

[@caskraker]

The human eye has a viewing angle like super wide angle around 7mm. With two eyes even more. If you use a kit lens with a range of 28-75 or so, you will see the eye matches 70mm for perspective and size of objects in the scene. Trying to match what the human eye sees is therefor total nonsense.

[@davidherring]

K