Meet the New Leica Q2 - Small but Substantial

UPDATE: I bought it... • This is the Leica came...
Find the Leica Q2 here! amzn.to/2PNLxb4
I was fortunate to use the Q2 and I took it to the museum and the Grand Canyon! See my results!
See my review of the original Q! • Leica Q - Be in the Mo...
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Hi! I’m SnapChick. My channel is about photography as an art form and as a lifestyle, with a healthy dose of technology thrown in! I post new videos every week so subscribe here on KZbin, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+, and join in on the conversation!
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[@rickhartsock3129]

I bought a Q2 primarily as a result of watching your review. Then I used the Q2 for a couple of weeks. Then I looked at your review again and you were dead on accurate! For me, an amateur photographer for 50 years, it is a revelation. After all this time of switching cameras, switching lenses, and all the practice that goes along with this process, I was tired of all the clutter that I was producing. So I purged my camera closet and dove into the Q2. I have not looked back. I do not need all the interchangeable lenses. I have the time and the mobility to move closer as needed; to take the time to do it right. I love this camera and I have a feeling that it will be with me for many many years. Thanks again for your excellent reviews!

[@johnfairweather9188]

As a man in his sixties, I will be getting rid of my work cameras (Canon) when I stop shooting weddings, events, and sports. I will then buy a Q2 (or an upcoming Q3) for personal photography. Thank you for the great review.

[@milorocky6960]

A tip : watch series on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching loads of movies recently.

[@quintongrey2397]

@Milo Rocky definitely, I have been using Flixzone} for since november myself :D

[@LilioCamere]

Great to see such a good review right out of the gate! Also a fan of the 4K, the pictures look so much clearer!

[@Gynra]

Pre-ordered today. Always regretted not getting the Q until now. It was worth the 4 year wait.

[@kamminsan]

Wow. It’s on pre-order here in Singapore. Delivery expected in May 2019. Thanks for the review. Your pictures are stunning. Reminded me of the times when I had a Minolta TC-1. Images from the tiny mighty was just stellar.

[@epv221]

You had me at Grand Canyon. The photos answered perfectly how it would be for landscape. I am truly grateful.

[@arnaudp.9704]

Thanks for this very interesting review (one more!). I’ve had the privilege to own a Q for a couple of years, and can’t say enough good things about it. Whether I took it on a road trip, or for some street photography, or for some indoor photos, it’s never felt limited. I love the way it feels, and as you mentioned, the simplicity of the UI and the lens controls are an absolute joy to use. Whether I would upgrade to the Q2? So far the answer would be negative, simply because of the associated cost and the fact that I just love the Q! Still, your review shows that whether you go for a Q or its younger brother, you’ll definitely get a very special camera. Thanks again for your numerous great reviews.

[@DavidHDennis]

I own a Q and am in the preorder list for the Q2 at Leica Store Miami. One thing I'm really glad you touched on is video quality. For me, gorgeous video is a stand out feature of the original Q. It quickly became my favorite video camera due to the smoothness of the manual focus and the ease of focus peaking. That produces some lovely professional looking results that are far more difficult with lesser cameras. I am really excited to see the Q2's 4K video so I can match the resolution of my other cameras. It's true that the Q2 is a very expensive camera, but this form of precision lens full frame compact camera is extremely expensive no matter how it's done. It is also all-inclusive - all you need is a memory card and maybe an extra battery and you're in business. If you consider the cost of the lenses normally purchased with full-frame Nikon cameras, you could spend just as much and get a much clumsier and harder to handle system. Of course if you want to shoot birds or animals at long range, this camera is not for you, but if you specialize in people or landscapes and like shorter range photography, it is ideal and will serve you superbly for years. I had to downsize from a Nikon D5 and 24-70 f/2.8 lens because it was getting increasingly hard to hold it for long periods of time. With the Q, I get almost the same image quality and don't need to lift the huge weight everywhere. I expect the Q2 to be even better and am excited to take delivery of one soon.

[@mills179]

Great clear and consise review followed by some stunning images.

[@Dangerousdaze]

Lovely review (like the strong horizontal clamshell lighting!) Thanks! I ordered a Q2 here in the UK last night. The camera shop told me I’m 59th in line and so far they’ve received 4 units. Could be a loooooong wait.

[@LuposVoice]

Wonderful camera, amazing pictures! I love it! Thanx!

[@Exercises10]

I just ordered a Q2 thanks to your review, Leigh! I have watched you for quite some time. You are thorough and very knowledgeable in your reviews. Thanks for your honesty.

[@clausg.4556]

I have resently bought, the Q2, it brings back my old days up in me, in 1978 with my Nikon F2 (manual focus and so on), I knew al the tricks back then, I will be back doing manual work on the Q2, "But you still have to know what wat you are doing", :-), Very nice lively Review. :;)

[@danielfeldstein7983]

Nice review for those who already know what it is to shoot manually, and to those who understand the trilogy of aperture, shutter speed, ISO. I own a Q and absolutely love it. I use it in all the ways it can be used depending on my mood and the subject. Thanks for the review. I have not ventured into the Q2 yet.

[@redhakl]

Very nice review Madame. I probably buy myself this camera on of these days for my first expérience with the Leica cameras. The following step would be surely the Leica M11 when it will be released. Thank you.

[@raywilliams9771]

I am on the Q2 waiting list and look forward to buying one. I'm also one of the people who want high quality phots but don't know much, anything, about the details. I like you comment about simplicity, flexibility and setting for ISO use. Thank you for an enthusiastic and very helpful review..

[@GAUROCH2]

...fantastic... she knows about photography, cameras, does not have visible tatoos, neither wears a baseball cap inside home (like 99% of idiots around....), takes nice photos, is at ease with the technicalities...and does not put heavy metal noise (some call it music) in the video.... although I do not have the Q2 (I have the Monochrom and the MP) Well...liked and subscribed!!!

[@kenerickson1921]

Hi Snap chic, You did a great job on the Leica Q2 review. Thanks for taking the time and keep up the good work.

[@trevors.5449]

The Leica seems like such a cool camera!And to a longtime aspiring to be photographer like myself; I definitely see it as an art form.These videos are very positive and bring a lot of motivation!

[@wanderingphotog]

I've pre-ordered this camera and it's a tough wait! Excellent review.

[@calvinchann1996]

Bought a used Q. The previous owner upgraded to a Q2. I had always been sceptical about being happy with a fixed 28mm, but after a good experience with the GR III, I took the plunge. I must say that the experience of shooting with the Q is very good. Considering a Q2 ;)

[@midas1929]

I love my Q. By the way, most people that ask me how I can you shoot only with a 28mm all the time, are the same people that use their iPhone with a 28mm all day.

[@ryans_life]

Thanks for the great video. Man what a beauty of a camera. Absolutely amazing IQ and feature set from the little guy. Time to start saving 🤪

[@dirkw6125]

Great review, thank you! What I find interesting is that Leica also goes for the high megapixel sensor. I just bought the Sony A7R2 with 42 mp and I feel that the high pixel count just gives you this little extra overall sharpness and IQ, even if seen on a 4K screen that only resolves 8 megapixels. It could be that the edge details remain even when the image is downsampled.

[@WhitecatProject]

Wow in 2 seconds I was impressed by this glamorous smile and clicked like because I reacted with a big smile as well. Thank you for the nice energy. Nice content of course in your video!

[@LeighAndRaymond]

Thanks for the support! :)

[@robertgrossman1834]

Today everyone is jumping out with reviews ... your is the best. Got my order in for the q2

[@romzaish]

Simon Ocean Thank you also for the link. Excellent work by Slack.

[@scooternutmick]

I like your style. Clever and thoughtful review and your canyon photos are beautiful. 😊

[@EEM131E]

Great review. I think many photographers would benefit from this camera which encourages people to ‘look’ for the ideal image rather than get lost in technicalities. Shame that it is cost prohibitive, but the quality is there.

[@frand6822]

Thanks for a really good review... I've owned the first Q since it came out. It's my go-to camera for the street and more. But, I recently bought a CL which, by the way, uses the same batteries as the first Q. Good thing because I'll use that as my reason for not spending five grand on the new Q2. I'd love to have it, but I'll look forward to the Q3. Or, maybe I'll sell all of my Olympus gear for the Q2. Nah... I'll wait for the 3. Thanks again.

[@carlharrison9503]

I'm great at buying but selling is difficult. My Q is fantastic and easy on the eye. I may look into this Q2 and get one. May decide on my Q type 116 sell point. Love it though. One photographer out there sold me on the Q in 2016 and she uses hers a great deal. It took a while on a waiting list but it did end in my hands. So very happy that day. Thank you P.

[@keibro13]

I would love to get one. It's the type of camera I would be happy to have as my only camera. In fact that would be worth considering. Selling all the gear I don't use so much, and buying one of these. Great review BTW.

[@HexHernandez]

Thanks for your in-depth review!

[@270shoot]

I see used Q's coming on the market... Maybe my chance to grab one!

[@bsmukler]

I have the original version and really like your review of the new one. It certainly looks like a worthwhile upgrade!

[@mimatimas]

Great pics and excellent review. Well done!

[@alma175w]

Sounds like a brilliant camera. Great review and results.

[@nineteenseventy4588]

Nice one. What is the min. usable flash sync speed with a manual flash and that central shutter within the lens?

[@DonaldHawk]

I preordered yesterday so excited.

[@Poverello2001]

If I ever hit the lottery, this is the first thing I will buy!

[@arttyree4504]

Elegant and well crafted camera--matched by your presentation.

[@cactustweeter2890]

I am nostalgic about Leica because my dad had one from the 50s and I got to use it while I was growing up.

[@GroomsJk]

Excellent review. I am thinking about purchasing this camera for my upcoming King’s Trail hike in Sweden. I already use the Leica Noctivid binocular and the optics are the best in the BINO space. I am a novice photographer (at best), but is sounds like this model is easy on rookies. Thanks for your comprehensive review. Very well done. JK

[@noamdoron7499]

Can you share a link with the original Raw files?Thank you.

[@cluckcluck2001]

I can confirm this is an amazeballs camera. My other camera is a Sony a7 IV, but I pick this one up ALL THE TIME - it makes me excited to go shoot

[@ALWH1314]

I switched from Nikon 850 to Sony a7r3 for the lighter weight and advanced focus features. I bought multiple lenses but fought I really only use one the 25-105 F4 for its reach and semi macro close up, but the combo is still heavy and bulky for travel and street shooting. Q2 does not cost much more than a7r3+lens, but it seems to offer everything I like to do without the complexity. 28mm is wide enough for most landscape shots for me and the cropping mode is fine for portrait; I love the macro feature which I use very often. Will Q2 replace my Sony is not sure, but I definitely like to try it out.

[@edwardferry8247]

Best Q2 review so far online, thank you.. 👍

[@A-RA-N]

I made a test on Q2 Leica Bangkok Friday, I found that the ISO on Q2 was less efficient than the Q-P, The rest very good camera

[@halilhulaguarikan7683]

What is the name of background sound in the slide show ?

[@Eric_Rossi]

Great review! No one seems to know this info but does it have bulb mode? I can’t find it in the specs list either.

[@victorcarmelo8606]

Great review, thanks. How did it handle without stabilisation and having such a high MP sensor, any camera shake? Regards.

[@stephenculshaw211]

one of the best reviews out there this convinced me to buy the the Q2

[@antonioramirez694]

Very nice review! Hoping to see the Q2’s sensor in an M11 soon.

[@fandangofandango2022]

Watching this has Upset Me / Wished I had one of These.

[@krishartsphotography5643]

Gr8 photographs , Nice video :)

[@tonydicasa9254]

Looks like a stellar product. Unfortunately, I didn’t go to dental school :) Thanks for another stellar review!!

[@arndtbc]

How do you think camera compares to a Nikon Z6 with the 35mm 1.8S?

[@Noealz]

Woke up to every Youtubber talking about this camera! Of course I liked your overview the most though :)

[@Ducstar510]

Great review! Now I know to wait for the 47MP Leica SL2!

[@fellowcitizen]

I'm really hoping that the "...aspherical micro lenses..." of the Panasonic S1R mean that it will be optimised for M lenses :)

[@Rodge948]

i got it yeasterday. amazing camera. almost worth the money. only a 28/1.4 lens costs 6000 dollar?

[@georgedemetriou1496]

HI, I have a Fuji X100V but am sorely tempted by the Q2, even though it's so much more expensive and would appear to be less customizable than the X100V. Would I be able to set a button for back button focus on the Q2 and is there an indicator in the viewfinder to show the in focus range for any given aperture/focus position or do you have to look at the lens barrel for that? Thanks

[@ChangLiuPhotography]

my only hope for the Q2 to improve from the Q which I love to shoot with is it will get the body edge brassing after used a while. but it won't. :(

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

Bank robbery becomes an option :-)

[@CrueLoaf]

Great review!!

[@TheArtofBlues]

What is the difference in video between this and the CL? Fast focusing? Quality the same?

[@dgoullet1]

Happy Christmas. Thanks for the video. I have the Q and my next move is Leica CL or Q2, I have no Leica glasses so far so with the CL I will have to buy glass. What would you go for? Best

[@chriscoombes5038]

Hi, Thank you for your great reviews. Would buying a Q be silly? I know you purchased a Q2, so should I continue and save for the Q2? Cheers Chris

[@capturedbyannamarie]

My kinda camera. I’ll have to wait till next year but selling off some gear to for sure buy this!

[@MrGranovski]

What's the best film for it?

[@sky44david]

Pre- ordered today @ B&H!

[@MrNegroni]

really great review and presentation!

[@bokehstreet1769]

Thanks for the review - In crop mode, does the chosen 'focal length' fill up the viewfinder?

[@LeighAndRaymond]

No, there is a rectangle that shows you where the borders of the image are.

[@JJ-mf8ru]

Do you think the image quality of a Q2 35mm crop FILE can somehow rival the file from an M10 with a 35 summicron lens? I've been planning to switch but the Q's 35mm crop file wasn't good at all.

[@LeighAndRaymond]

I haven't used the M10 so I can't say for sure but I can tell you that the larger sensor of the Q2 means that the 35mm crop retains about a 30 megapixel image. I found the quality to be incredible.

[@drumvannelle69]

Great video and thanks for the update. Question: Is the SD card CFexpress compatible?

[@fellowcitizen]

No, CFexpress firmware updates are coming to the Nikon Z6/Z7 and Panasonic S1/S1R because they have XQD card slots. The XQD/CFexpress form-factor is very different from the SD form-factor - larger, more robust.

[@sarahevans6067]

Hello Brittany I'm wondering if you would recommend the Q2 of the Fuji X100F for a person who is new to photography and likes to take spontaneous photos of people in the street and on the beach Thx Sarah

[@midas1929]

I have both cameras. If you start out in photography, I suggest you go with the Fuji first. It is also a great camera and helps you to find out what is important to you and what you will shoot most, before making the real big investment. From the user interface and philosophy, those are the two cameras closest to each other.

[@tomhughes5123]

yes you mentioned memory cards ..wooow what a turkey iv been , nikon d850 .images take a bit to view .. but with all the tech in the camera ..i always thought thats the pay off for huge files .. my card got filled and i found a kingston card in my bag ( tester off my pal) wooow this thing has sped my d850 up like iv never seen it ..cards make a huuuge difference

[@LeighAndRaymond]

So true!

[@Tobia1506]

Very nice review of a great camera! By the way... DR is 14 not 13 stops. :))

[@renaissanceengineering-lee4210]

No way! I just found your channel again after losing access to my last KZbin account! Glad to see you're still killing it!

[@RRedKissaki]

Leica Q2 + her are perfect dream for me , for now..... :)

[@Herman-zc7te]

Great review

[@michaelfedorsha8147]

Perfect review. Perfect.

[@faisalee]

Beautifully done 👍🏽

[@spousessellinghouse1]

Question for you...I love everything about the Q2 except the color. It seems to produce much bluer, colder images than I prefer. Is this accurate? I do post edit in Lightroom. I love the vivid Nikon images that my camera produces. I'd appreciate your input. Beth

[@macbookdieter]

I mostly shoot film, and I use M3’s and a few other rangefinder cameras. Like Contax. But have been thinking about a M9 when I came across this video. So, what to do? Maybe the first Q? And nice video by the way.

[@1dbjack]

I wonder if this camera would be better with a 24mms lens... but 28mm isn't a bad choice. Also, is it a silent shutter?

[@hawg427]

When editing photos in LR have you ever used the AUTO feature in LR, it quickly makes your photo look better very quickly instead of taking 10 minutes tweaking all the controls.

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@zeljkoplavsic784]

Everything is beautiful and spot on except price tag

[@paulsehstedt6275]

I never discuss the price, cause it'll be forgotten soon, but the quality will remain. I see the Q2 as a logical supplement for a press photographer, a point and shoot camera for aprox half the price of a M10P and a 28/1.4. It's weather and dust sealed, you can have it as a part of you. I'm looking forward to buy a Q2.

[@1946gsp]

How do the Q2’s B&W images compare with the Q2 Monochrome’s? I can’t rationalize paying more for a camera that is limited.

[@martinandreasson5504]

Its a great "family" ;) I had the Titanium Q and sold it for a Fuji system and regretted it in some ways, fast forward a few years and i was on the fence of buying the Q2. Saw the Q-P and fell in love with the look of it. read a lot of reviews on the Q2 and decided i would be "happier" with the Q-P considering the extra cost as well as nothing really motivating that extra cost for me. Id love a Q-P with weather sealing though...;)

[@webdesign6776]

I have the Q2, it is worth every penny!

[@rickcastillo7437]

Love that camera.

[@NetvoTV]

I only use my iPhone for everything, should I get Q2(if money wasn’t a problem) as first and only camera? But sometime I wish to shoot wider landscape or architecture shoot, the zoom should be ok with that res but wider sometime I wish I can do, Q2 has same focal length as phone camera, so is this a great buy?

[@marcosduran3091]

This may not be wide enough in some circumstances. Some reviewers have suggested merging several images in post-process. I do not know if this has a built in panorama mode like the iPhone.

[@1dbjack]

Going to rent one for a trip to Paris, I have a feeling I will have a tough time sending it back.

[@JonJonFL]

I ordered one this morning. enough said.

[@msbrownbeast]

Nice camera, but for that price, it should offer lens interchangeability.

[@cw7422]

Outstanding. I love my CL.

[@toxotis70]

video is nice but why there is wobbling-distortion on the corners ?

[@LeighAndRaymond]

You are either noticing me moving the camera because the shots were handheld or it's the stabilization from FCPX.

[@andrealapira1505]

hi, i just enjoyed your latest video about the Q2. im a step away from buying one, just one thing... the long exposure (over 30") with high iso like 3200 or 6400. i see everywhere that there are some restrictions about it. i love tacking picture of the Milky way but before to invest on the Q2 i would like the opinion of an expert on my concern. thank you!

[@leonardleonunu]

Nice review, and even nicer pictures! I think on paper its an absolutely great camera. What I don't get - and I quote this from another review site (I have not tried this myself), is why their JPEG output is so bad, I mean, RAW is cool, for the stellar pics, but I don't really want to have to edit every single picture I take, if it is a 'daily, go-everywhere camera'. Correct me if I am wrong, I did notice all pics were edited from RAW, and some review elsewhere did say it is some of the industry's worst JPEG output, which, for someone as lazy as I am, finds it tricky to swallow. Help me out here to understand please. Thanks a lot!

[@LeighAndRaymond]

I haven't heard that. I shared some photos that were unedited JPEGs - they were all monochrome because I LOVE Leica's monochrome output.

[@marcosduran3091]

I have also read from several reviewers going back to original Q that the JPEG engine is quite bland with the colors but that generally the problem surfaces at higher ISO. You are correct with all the work they put into the handling and operation why mess up something so simple?

[@F15IDriver]

great video