Leica Q3 Setup Video & Full Menu Guide

(LINKS BELOW): This is a long and comprehensive video. There is a complete linked table of contents in this full description below the break. I run through every menu option in the Q3’s photo mode, customize the camera’s favorites menu and controls, run quickly through video settings and then cover how I’ve set up my custom profiles to quickly swap settings for different shooting scenarios and to limit the plethora of choices in each customizable control to a sensible group for each button. I’ve linked a download of those custom profiles below.
My Q3 review and accessory guide: • Approaching The Scene ...
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
Mirrorless Mover 10 bag for Q3: bhpho.to/3rg6i5l
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 grip with wireless charging: bhpho.to/3rez1Ye
Native Union wireless charging pad ($80): amzn.to/3Zk4QeY 050505
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 this setup video
03:00 Q3 camera controls and custom button structure
05:20 Photo quick settings menu (focus/quality/metering/looks & profiles)
10:50 Profiles are powerful / default profile is factory settings
16:43 Photo Favorites Menu is customizable
18:50 Photo Main Menu Page 1
28:30 Photo Main Menu Page 2
31:03 Photo Main Menu Page 3
34:10 Photo Main Menu Page 4
37:50 Photo Main Menu Page 5
43:06 Photo Main Menu Page 6
43:35 Customizing Photo Controls (Favorites & function buttons)
48:30 Interval shooting settings (timelapse)
49:22 Exposure bracketing settings
51:27 Self timer settings
55:41 Video menu settings quick overview
56:12 Video quick settings menu
58:28 Video Favorites Menu is customizable
59:30 Video Main Menu Pages 1-4
01:02:36 Customizing Video Controls (Favorites & function buttons)
01:05:20 Saving, naming, exporting and updating custom profiles
01:16:09 Yes, my Q3 custom profiles are downloadable

[@R0dan]

This is SO helpful!! Thank-you👍

[@michaelnothumjr.1660]

I’m picking up my Q3 next week (have had both the Q and Q2). Your guides are by far the most useful and practical of anything I have ever found. Also appreciate your guides on the Z9. Thanks for sharing your settings.

[@motobruce]

Incredible video as always. It was nice to see everything on one video. This really helps the new user of a Q3 to get the entire training at one time and even download profiles.

[@iTriguy1]

Just got a Q3 today. As always your walkthroughs are incredibly helpful as I can sit with a drink and learn the camera without reading the manual.

[@ponzuprince7534]

This deep dive helped me so much. I watched a German and an Australian Q3 deep dive before this one, while this one is not as technical, I am grateful to how practical this was and by far got the most out of this review. Thanks again!

[@octaviomolina8822]

Hudson, thank you for your guide as I found it both practical and real world. I know making such a video is not the most exciting project for you but you are a natural teacher. Installing your still/video presets is a time saver and a good starting point which I can tweak as I gain experience with my new Q3. Again, thanks!

[@jamielonghurst6373]

I cannot thank you enough for this in-depth video on the menu system and settings for the Q3! I just purchased a Q3, and as a Sony shooter, the menu system and capabilities of this camera are completely foreign to me. Today, I had some quiet time and sat with my camera and watched your tutorial, which I was able to stop, start, and "rewind" as needed. I have bookmarked this video for future reference. Cannot wait to have a day out with my new camera. I have given this video a big thumbs up and subscribed to your channel. Many thanks!

[@baxtergillespie5980]

I was finally able to get a Q3 after months of waiting and have watched your Q3 videos, taken notes, and installed your presets. Thanks so much for the presets! They are awesome and have really helped me short cut the process. I have also purchased a few of your recommended accessories through your links and am looking forward to more time with the Q3. Thanks again for the great videos and your generosity in sharing your knowledge!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks so much for that note! Congrats on the new Q3. It's an amazing machine!

[@x4g1706]

Just got my Q3 and this video was a great help in getting set up. The previous Nikon set up up videos for my Z Eries helped understand the basics. You are awesome if no one has told you!!

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

🙏

[@jeffchastain2977]

Thanks, Hudson. This tutorial has really helped me understand and fall in love with this camera that I made such an investment in. I was a bit overwhelmed with the menu when I took delivery of this incredible tool. I have had 2 small sensor Leicas and they all have the very distinctive Leica look, that nobody seems to understand unless they have owned one. On a side note: I spent every summer with my Grandparents who lived on Nye Beach in Newport, OR. Yaquina=YAKWINA, and Heceta=HECKATUH. Sorry. I was a teacher.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

So glad you're enjoying the camera. It's amazing and I'm glad to help. As a 4th generation Oregonian who loves the coast and kitesurfs and photgraghs all up and down it, I've never once heard your way of pronouncing Heceta. The prior lawyer in me had to look that up... The Oregon Historical Society says "I have no doubt that oldtimers in the vicinity of Yachats and Florence still call the place Heketa, but elsewhere in Oregon the style Heseta is much more generally used. The influence of schools and newspapers has been in this direction and away from Heketa.” I generally pronounce Yaquina (Ya-kwi-nah) pretty close to yours and ubiquitous here. I'll have to recheck my vid. Maybe I slurred it. :) You taught me one thing there. Locals used to pronounce Heceta in a way I've never heard. I'm pretty sure I remember my great grandfather pronouncing Heceta (Ha-seta) . He homesteaded in Grant's Pass and lived a very long life. :)

[@teegee217]

Absolutely brilliant, thankyou Hudson.

[@wellsyboy]

Great stuff Hudson - this was really helpful

[@domipro123]

Thanks for this excellent explanations 🙏🏻👌🏻

[@user-oq1we2sh8r]

Hudson, again a wonderful learning video. Two things I have run across. The User Profiles revert to default every time the camera turns off. Also, I have found that 25,000 ISO is no problem for the sensor or for LrC with Denoise. Have a great day. Alan

[@hamradioop5777]

In order to retain the User Profile for when the camera is next switched-on, go into menu 4 / User Profile and scroll down and click the cursor centre button on the profile you wish to make 'Active'. To my surprise, the customisable buttons are also attached to an individual profile, so by changing profile you might find that the buttons behave differently. Firmware v2.0.1

[@Watch.doc3]

Hi Hudson. Hope all is well. Got the Q3 when it was released (after our Cuba trip) and love it. It’s now my do everything camera when I’m not going to bring my heavy gear, lenses etc. This was an awesome and comprehensive review. Thanks for making the effort. I tweaked some things after this video, and found it all very helpful. Stay well. Steve

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Just leaving Moab. We were talking about you yesterday and how much fun we had with you in Cuba. I'm using the Q3 a ton these days even in wild landscapes.

[@Watch.doc3]

It was an amazing workshop. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks 🙏

[@thayerbigelow6436]

Thanks!

[@randyerwin4547]

Hudson, GREAT video but one bug or user error on my part - Function 2 always seems to default to VIDEO even though I downloaded your settings. Any ideals?

[@emeixon]

Thanks a lot for this comprehensive guide!! So much better that reading the instructions manual 😅 Do you know by any chance if there is a way of maintaining different default settings for photo and video? So for example, that every time I switch to video mode my ss is 1/50 and when I switch to photo it's 1/250? Thanks again!!

[@user-oq1we2sh8r]

Hudson, great tutorial! Do you have any idea if there is a diopter adjustment for the EVF? Thanks

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

There sure is. Right next to it. You push that little button and twirling diopter adjuster pops out. :-)

[@user-oq1we2sh8r]

Right behind the thumb grip. Duh. @@HudsonHenryPhoto

[@georgenguyen525]

Hi Henry, Thank you very much for your detailed video about setting up Q3 with all user profiles. On the LS&PANO, I still don't know how to get the grid on the LCD display as you instructed. I could not find any buttons to turn it on when I went through all the menus. I am missing something very obvious. Please tell me. I definitely watch your Panaramic video tutorial. Thanks. 🙏

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

First name is Hudson, but no big deal. Check the Capture Assistants section of the menu. ;-)

[@milkyISO]

This video came on when I was sleeping....I woke up and thought it was Jason Mamoa setting up his new leica lol

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Huge compliment. Thanks!

[@paulchiu]

Thanks for this effort! Can the jpegs be as good as DNG straight out of Q3? I tried and tried. Just can't get any Jpegs to look even close to the DNGs.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I only ever use Raw files. I do store B&W jpegs, but only add snapshots or guides to process the color Raw version into monochrome.

[@meditationdaily1129]

for street photography would you recommend AF or manual focus + calculating focal length / infinity focus etc ?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

It totally depends on the lens and camera. With auto area and subject detection, I've seen some insane work at wide aperture on the latest bodies from no look shots. With a camera like the Q3, I often use F11 and hyper focal distance manual focus. :)

[@domipro123]

Okay, I tried the Q3... but it's not for me. What I want when I photograph is to compose my picture at capture, not by cropping afterwards. So I need a compact with Zoom AND excellent lens quality (as good as the sum micron 28mm f1,7 ??). What would you recommend?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

There's nothing with that quality that zooms. The more you use primes, the more that'll become readily apparent.

[@betheckstein5116]

Exposure bracketing - assigned to function 2 button. I set it for 5 frames, 1 EV steps, no exposure compensation. If I push the function 2 button to activate bracketing shots, shoot the series, and then turn the bracketing off to go back to regular/single shots, it shoots everything going forward 2 stops underexposed.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

First I'd urge you to consider 3 frames 3 stops apart. These modern sensors have around 14 stops of dynamic range. There's plenty of dynamic overlap for 3 stops in the gap. I haven't bracketed by a single stop in many years. With three frames 3 stops apart you'll get a wider dynamic range capture in less frames that can be blended smoothly with ease. On the underexposure issue, I'm scratching my head. Mine has certainly never done that. Is it somehow turning on exposure compensation despite not activating that setting in bracketing? Super weird. Might hit Leica up about it. Certainly not something I've seen.

[@betheckstein5116]

I'll try your recommendation on the 3 frames, 3 apart. Thanks! My bigger concern is why bracketing exposure, with no compensation set, makes my camera default to -2EV for all shots when going back to normal shooting. It does this no matter whether I choose to bracket originally from an assigned function button, or go to it in the regular menu system. After I take my first single shot, it looks normal on the screen, but when I play the image back it is dark and shows -2EV. I was just wondering if anyone else could replicate the issue. I'll message Leica. I've never had a Leica. I have pretty much always shot Nikon. I was hoping it was a "duh" issue and just something dumb I was doing.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Go into your default profile (that's factory default and unchangeable) then try bracketing and see if it's doing it still. That could eliminate some odd setting we haven't considered. Also email me the result at [e-mail] I often lose responses to KZbin comments once I've replied. :)

[@hamradioop5777]

@@betheckstein5116 I've just tried an experiment and have not experienced the problem you are having. As a note, my exposure compensation in Menu 1 is set to 0 EV and is the same in Exposure Bracketing. Firmware v2.0.1

[@betheckstein5116]

@@hamradioop5777 I've updated firmware. I'll check those setting and retry. Thank you.