The Leica Q and Street Photography with Eric Kim

[@YaoZoo]

It's nice to see that your channel is gaining traction. I think in terms of gears, views and characteristics. Your videos is my kind of videos. Keep up the good work!

[@bigheadtaco]

Aran Modesto thanks, I appreciate the motivation. I've been in the industry long enough to have a mature view of the business and the art of photography. I'm just an everyday man and I want to appeal to the widest audience. Thanks again!

[@tedteodoro5907]

good point about focusing more on creating art... god, there so many gadgeteers out there... it's how we fill the frame that matters the most and we all share that frame even if your equipment goes back to the film days.

[@bigheadtaco]

Ted Teodoro thanks for watching! Yes photography is about creating, not just capturing.

[@sontagstudio]

I could watch you guys everyday to my morning coffee ;-)

[@bigheadtaco]

Aleksander Urbański ha ha, really? Maybe if Eric decides to move to Vancouver once he's married we can shoot a daily show...

[@ShootStreetTV]

I love street photography! And the gears and themes you are producing are my kind of videos! Very nice work!

[@bigheadtaco]

ShootStreetTV thanks, I can tell by your handle name! That's great and thanks for watching!

[@mengyy1]

Take, thank you for your honest opinion on the sony a7 series. I totally agreed with your input on the sony sensor and their dominant in sensor market. The Leica lens are absolutely indispensable! I think the Leica lens owners are eager to see if the new BSI sensor will be a better match than the previous 36mp sensor on a7r. Where vignetting and distortion is major issue on the wide angle lens. And I believe you would give another exciting video should you get hold of the Sony a7rii in the near future. Many of us really looking forward to it. Again tqvm.

[@bigheadtaco]

raphael yap I've rarely taken 'sides' when it comes to things. Cars, watches, cameras, music. Every brand, style, genre has pros and cons and its up to use to filter through it. The worst is iPhone vs Android. It's silly. We need both to create healthy competition. Without it, there's no progress. Sony is dominant in technology, Canon has the most DSLR lenses, Fujifilm has style, Panasonic-Olympus M43 has options, etc. The best bang for buck is definitely the Sony A7 series. However, I still prefer Fujifilm's eco-system because of the availability of solid prime lenses at reasonable prices... but that's just me. Sony is hard to beat for price-performance... Thanks for your comment!

[@photoncannon]

We actually have a Lecia Boutique in Vancouver - Richmond Lansdowne mall to be specific.

[@kauxkaux]

wow... everybody complaints about the ricoh gr video quality but this seems really good for a "point and shoot". Where you using the onboard sound only?

[@bigheadtaco]

kauxkaux Yup, onboard sound, no boom mic, nothing. The stereo miss face forward unlike many cameras that puts them above, perhaps for people who talk behind the camera. Once it's tripod mounted, I'm also impressed by the camera. I am testing out different cameras (the unboxing was with the Fujifilm X-A2) but so far I'm not satisfied.

[@terrywbreedlove]

Thinking about driving up to Vancouver this summer for a long weekend. Looks like a great place to visit and I really want to see China town there. Victoria is right across the water from me and that is all I know about Canada so I need to spread my wings a bit. :)

[@bigheadtaco]

+terry breedlove come visit us. I find west coast cities are very similar but different. Canada is a very large country, but Vancouver is a good start!

[@terrywbreedlove]

+bigheadtaco I will

[@EdtePas]

Both nice guys. Entertaining. Like to see young guys enjoy their photography.

[@mengyy1]

Take, great review! I could not help but to see your very enthusiastic video on this leica Q. I like the way you address the camera to the audience. That said will you be reviewing the upcoming Sony A7Rii when the camera is actually out in August? Looking forward to your A7Rii review!

[@bigheadtaco]

raphael yap thanks for watching my video series. Currently I am reviewing for Leica, Fujifilm and Ricoh only. It's very difficult to add more brands without spending more time testing and shooting, but I can guarantee you that the Sony A7 series is the best price-performance mirrorless full-frame camera on the market today. Sony makes the majority of the sensors for other brands (my guess is the Leica Q's sensor is built by Sony) so in terms of IQ, the Sony's will be at the top. In terms of the lenses though, I think the Leica's will be better overall. If someone loans e the A7R mrk 2, I'll definitely give it a quick review, but I find that I need a camera for a few weeks to get the best images from it. Thanks again for watching and thanks for the comment!!

[@glennsak]

Take - Great, great video. Thank you. Coincidentally I just recently sold my X100T. I loved the images and the camera, but I've been getting great images (and the convenience) of simply using my iPhone 6 in square crop mode.

[@bigheadtaco]

Shaka exactly, it's not about the camera, it's about the photographer. I love shooting with my iPhone 5S. I'm not sure if you've checked out my instagram account. 99% iPhone shots. Thanks for commenting and happy shooting with your iPhone!

[@glennsak]

Yes! Of course I follow you on Instagram! You're the best, Take. I enjoy your reviews and videos very much.

[@bigheadtaco]

Shaka thanks. I appreciate it. Keep shooting and have fun doing it!

[@edwin_ac]

Nice video. It's just like in a Marvel Universe. One super hero goes to another super hero. I wish you, Take, will have an episode together with Eric Kim, Chris Nichols, and the digitalrev guy :)

[@bigheadtaco]

ha ha, maybe one day. Chris is just a province over from me, so it's not like it's not possible. Eric is moving to Vietnam but there is a chance I'm heading his way sometime next year. As for DRTV, I'm in HK next week but I'll be busy with my own projects. If Lok wants to drop by and say hello, he's more than welcome!

[@edwin_ac]

+bigheadtaco great looking forward :-)

[@edykim]

Battery level watcher lol! Thanks for your sharing!

[@bigheadtaco]

Edward Kim thanks for watching!

[@CamMead]

yup cool to see you both together having a chat!

[@bigheadtaco]

OnCam31 thanks! We're going to try and shoot an episode for my upcoming 'on the streets' series as well, but we'll see if it happens. Check out Eric's interview of me on his channel too! Thanks again and happy shooting!

[@tonkerdog1]

Eric. I have a good offer for my X 113 and T with lens. Would you consider exchanging these plus $1500 for a Q? I love the X and the T for various reasons, but that Q is fantastic. What would you do?????

[@harrxyz]

This GAS video is way toooooooo sweet.

[@thanglv567]

Leica Q sounds like a really good camera, I'm actually carrying my Fuji X10 everywhere i go and just leave the 5D m3 at home and use it for work only. For now its quite a lot of cash still but can't wait to see the price drops in the future.. p.s saying hello from London, UK :D

[@bigheadtaco]

Thang LV hey Londoner, thanks for commenting. The X10 is a great camera with decent IQ, great ergonomics and looks. I'm sure you get great pictures from it. I'm currently reviewing the Pentax Q and I really like it, despite the small sensor. Enjoy what you're shooting with and don't get GAS! Thanks for watching and happy shooting!

[@thanglv567]

bigheadtaco I am not too crazy about specs and new gadgets - The X10 is actually perfect what I need it to do :D.. Is your site down at the moment? I can't seem to get it to work.

[@bigheadtaco]

Thang LV you have to type in 'www' in front of bigheadtaco.com to make it work. I gotta get that fixed. thanks!

[@StevePhillips1890]

A Sony A7ii with the Zeiss Loxia 35mm f2 would be much cheaper and far more versatile as a system than the Leica Q. I really like the look of the Q though :)

[@bigheadtaco]

Steve Phillips thanks for your comment, I appreciate it. Choices are good, and the Sony A7 series is great. My producer uses the A7S when shooting many of my interview videos. Saying that, remember that the Leica is a 28mm lens which makes it a bit unique. Also, the Leica has a much quieter shutter, and the MF feel is superior. Almost everything else about the A7 is better (AF speed, accuracy and features, video capabilities, inputs, etc.). In the end, I really believe that how a camera looks and feels is a big part of a person's buying decision. I personally would not buy a Sony A7 series (yet) but it does not appeal to me aesthetically and the ergonomics aren't as nice as the Fujifilm cameras. In terms of cheaper, yes Leica is a premium brand and when comparing with cameras spec-for-spec, the Leica's are rarely 'worth' the price. Thanks again for commenting. I'll have a short conclusion video posted soon with pictures. Happy shooting (with a Sony, Leica Fujifilm, or a Canon!!)

[@StevePhillips1890]

bigheadtaco I agree and totally understand about brand association but a 28mm lens does not make a camera unique and the Zeiss Loxia lenses have a better MF feel than anything on the market IMO. You could mount the new Zeiss Batis 25mm which has an OLED focus scale readout on any of three Sony bodies (A7ii, A7Rii and A7s) all for different purposes i know but my point is why would somebody invest so much money into the Q when there are systems out there at a similar price point?

[@bigheadtaco]

Steve Phillips sorry I should have been clearer. For a lens that is non-interchangable that has both AF, MF with full distance and DOF scale, focus tab, optically image stabilized, and a unique macro mode that still gives you a focus and DOF scale, this is a very unique lens. Saying that, it's non-interchangeable. Some see this as a weakness, others see it as a strength. That's why it comes down to the person. Some like a non-ILC, while others see the practicalness of an ILC. I believe in both, but it depends on your needs and budget. My personal camera is the Ricoh GR. It's by no means fancy, special, or super unique. I still think we're on the same page, but we're talking about different things. For most people, I do recommend the Sony A7 system as the best price-performance entry into the full-frame market. Especially if you have legacy lenses from the past, you can buy an adaptor and not 'waste' money buying new lenses. I'm actually at a crossroad myself. Either sell all my beloved legacy Minolta gen 1 pro lenses, or buy an adaptor (luckily the only brand that you can still maintain AF with the proper adaptor) and get an A7R II. Tough decision..... Thanks again for commenting and sharing your thoughts.

[@StevePhillips1890]

bigheadtaco Thanks for the reply and it really looks like it is horses for courses when it comes to spending serious income on new gear but i'm going to sell all my DSLR gear and buy the A7ii next week with the Loxia 35mm. The new Batis lenses will give me AF, MF (with OLED distance scale for selected focus distance, which is far more practical than a traditional DOF scale), the camera is 5 axis OS anyway so no worries there and Macro mode is not required as i could just buy a Macro lens in the future if i ever thought i would need close focus. Thanks for your thoughts but i think my mind has been made up :)

[@StevePhillips1890]

Steve Phillips BTW i am a fan of the Ricoh GR too.

[@ItsRud1]

The guy in blue shirt looks and acts like an asian Fred Armisen. From SNL. I like the guy.

[@luissantos84]

rock stars, right there!

[@FoxKoit]

I agree, only one camera, so you can make the picture better, although even I sometimes goes through my mind that I'd like something else. and it is a tedious, the situation. FoxKoit

[@bigheadtaco]

FoxKoit we all get GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) sometimes!! The new Leica Q is giving me GAS right now!!

[@FoxKoit]

You have absolutely right :) Just make sure you do not forget your old camera, which is brought to you a lot of good pictures. :) bigheadtaco

[@bigheadtaco]

FoxKoit the oldest cameras I personally own that I still shoot with on a regular basis is my Ricoh GR-D IV and Ricoh GR Ltd Edition. I love them both because they're so compact and great IQ for the respective categories they are in.

[@FoxKoit]

I quite agree with you, But at the same time I also have to apologize because I do not know anything of these cameras. I started taking pictures at the beginning of summer 2014, and the only camera that I use is Sony NEX-5T I photograph, this small camera, everything that interests me momentarily. When I'm in the wild then I will do wildlife photography, and when the city, then street photography. You can look up how I've done it, FoxKoit And tell your opinion. And I just recently uploaded a small humble video up too :) own street photography. :)

[@bigheadtaco]

FoxKoit good job and your pictures are solid. I see you enjoy vertical and wide angle, which I'm horrible at. Keep up the good work.

[@markusaeschbacher7081]

Hi, is it possible You coming to Switzerland?

[@bigheadtaco]

+Markus Aeschbacher the editor in chief for FujiLove magazine who I am a contributing editor for is from Switzerland and is a Fujifilm X Photographer. I would definitely consider coming to Switzerland and do a few workshops in the near future either in collaboration with FujiLove or on my own once I discern interest. Thanks for asking

[@fishemrock]

I wonder what developer Kim uses for pushing 400 tri-x to 1600

[@LexArias]

Excellent...

[@bigheadtaco]

Lex Arias thanks!

[@martinaparicio8085]

what camera does Eric have? i think he said 35mm supra????

[@bigheadtaco]

+Martin Aparicio Leica MP with his 35mm Summicron

[@martinaparicio8085]

Thanks bht

[@jamesteh2729]

"what length do you like?" haha

[@bigheadtaco]

James Teh "the right length" even better!!

[@EDHBlvd]

Nice credits. 😁

[@bigheadtaco]

Rediscover Film ha ha, thanks. I was just goofing around, but then realized it's important to give credit... even to Peter F! Thanks for watching!

[@aquilifergroup]

Eric Kim before he went off the edge.

[@raksh9]

Take, surely you're not that short, or is Eric standing on a box?

[@chfman4912]

Take you rock mate :-)

[@bigheadtaco]

Tim Thudium ha ha, thanks, I appreciate it!

[@MrPhotographerDude]

This before Eric got all weird about owning nice cameras.

[@drawwithlight]

OMG :(

[@fotowave]

naaah, I don't like Erick... BigHead you're the best

[@bigheadtaco]

fotowave thanks, but Eric is a cool guy too... but thanks!

[@peteanddrake4242]

I wanted to like Leica--for 25 years. Either it is my size (large hands) or mind---overpriced, similar image quality to cheaper cameras--or simply bad ergonomics---all those things turn me off to this expensive, bad choice of a camera

[@cassiusjb]

A lot of brown nosing and little info on the camera :))

[@bigheadtaco]

John Bergman true enough. We weren't even planning to shoot a video and last second I decided to do so. If you check out Eric's interview with me, we both express strong opinions, and I too just released a first impressions video. Overall the camera is really good and the IQ is amazing. I'm going to test the video (which I rarely do) and tomorrow I have to return the Q back to Leica so I gotta get going with shooting. Let me know if you have any specific questions though, but I think between my video, Eric Kim, and Steve Huff, you'll get a good idea. I can't wait to see what the boys in Calgary and Hong Kong think

[@cassiusjb]

bigheadtaco No worries. I was just being a tad sarcastic. I saw another review and it looks great! Anyways, the conversation was pretty interesting :))

[@bigheadtaco]

John Bergman ha ha, I know. Take care. :-))