The New Leica Q3 43 Unboxing and Initial Impressions. Can this replace my Q3?

Unboxing, and initial impressions of the new Leica Q3 43.
Sample photos and comparison to the Q2

[@camerafusion]

Great job SC! I’ve heard the grey leatherette looks better in person? If they make a reporter edition for this beauty, I’m all in!

[@sc1]

Yes, this grey color looks very nice in person, better than I expected.

[@kevinhan721]

Personally i dont like grey body, prefer black body. I wish it had internal storage same as current M11 (64gb) or M11P (256gb). Not having internal storge is a cheap and bad move by Leica. Will wait for Q4 43mm

[@watchmedicine7747]

Personally I would switch from my Q2 to a Q3 in a heartbeat but my Q2 is a reporter so hopefully they bring the Q3 reporter or safari version …

[@abeblanco]

Mans had to flex on us with the patek

[@berndvandecruys]

that's quite the APO collection you are building there 🙂

[@sc1]

Yes, 35-50-75, and now this surprise release. Now I just need to decide which Q3 to keep, or both.

[@berndvandecruys]

@@sc1 I will have my first hands on experience with the Q3 43 this weekend. The APO 43mm seems like the perfect lens imo. On paper, I would keep that one over the 28mm.

[@sc1]

@@berndvandecruysI’m looking forward to your opinion. I love the style of your videos.

[@jurrevandermeer4857]

Wait not even a simple protective filter??? That would be insane😮

[@thanyawong]

Nice review. May I ask about the hood? If you put the hood of Leica Q3 to the lens of the new Q3 43, will you have a problem to put the filter in macro mode? If there is no problem, I will order the third party hood of Leica Q3 to use with my Q3 43. Thank you.

[@julesc5571]

I’ve seen a video that suggests the og Q3 hood doesn’t sit square, and if you try to line it up it’s too loose.

[@stephenelliott7071]

A work around solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6mXp6eEfamoedE

[@sc1]

I just tried my Q3 hood on my Q3 43. It fits, but the threads do not line up, so it is not oriented correctly when screwed on.

[@julesc5571]

All very well having a work round, but I kinda feel I don’t want to be faffing around with hacks straight out the box when I’ve just spent £5900!

[@t87h21]

No. I have owned the Leica Q3 since May this year and the 60 MP sensor is enough to crop to a higher focal length. I wouldn't sell my Leica Q3 for that, but anyone considering buying one can weigh it up. It's a question of whether you prefer 28/35/50 or 43/60/75. Maybe in a few years I'll complement my Q3 with an upcoming Q4 43. I also like the black design better than the gray one.

[@lelandfitz1762]

It feels like the concept of the Q always was to deliver options from widest possible, thus 28mm. Yet, as a lot of people wanted to have higher focal length Leica decided for this version instead of another Q Monochrom. I guess time will tell if the 43 will just be another niche special edition like Monochrom or if in future Q models we will see 28 and 43 come out the same time for choice.

[@stephenelliott7071]

Yes you can, but you won't get the character of a longer focal length - such as DOF.

[@lelandfitz1762]

First I hear about the issue with filters and macro. But as you mention it, it's about how Leica sells their APO lenses with the sepcial hood. Altough it seems at first glance to be a decision to make them both the same length.

[@sc1]

Yes, the executive decision was made for a shorter lens.

[@iraklisun1701]

😀 43 mm is good

[@sc1]

I hope so.

[@Sojourner88]

Shipping it with a completely flat battery is really poor form. Batteries should not be stored fully flat or fully charged.

[@sc1]

There are air cargo restrictions about how many charged batteries that can be on a plane. It can present a hazard. Leica normally transports batteries by cargo ship, But I suspect they flew the Q3 43’s by plane.

[@Sojourner88]

@@sc1 Yes, but if there is a limit it is usually at 50% capacity, sometimes 30% never zero. Zero is very bad for batteries.

[@carlosvreugdenhil2072]

THERE IS A FILTER FOR IT AND YOU CAN USE THE LENS HOOD.

[@sc1]

The filter will not fit within the hood while in macro mode. Leica states this in the manual.

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Sony A7RV is much better than Q3 43

[@nelsonclub7722]

Different - not better

[@t87h21]

This statement is not entirely correct. Sony, in combination with the GM lenses, is an absolute weapon when it comes to work. The Q3 impresses with its significantly better workmanship/design. For many people, it is not just a camera, this camera gives emotions. The RAW files also have something very special, much more three-dimensional. It is the cherry on the cake that ultimately makes this small but noticeable difference. As a Sony and Leica owner, this statement is too general.

[@thinkpadx60]

@@t87h21 if a leica then only M series, love the Ms

[@ThePinoyAggie]

no more nice Leica pouches. :(

[@koobs4549]

Bokeh is the Japanese word for blurry, it is pronounced bo-kay