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Archive 2023An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
p.1 #1An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
A few years ago, I set myself the goal to reach the summit of Denali. In earlier preparation trips I had noticed that monochrome images work very well for glacier travel, so I committed myself to use a monochrome sensor on this trip. I remember reviewing my options and talking a ton of crap about the Q2M, but in the end I "settled" on it anyway for two main reasons. (1) Converting an A7R3 introduced a major sensor defect, so I had to sell it. (2) The Q2M was weather sealed. I never had an issue with the fixed 28 mm, as I was going to use a 28 mm lens anyway.
Well, I am here to apologize for my crap talking. The Q2M performed splendidly. The only issue, and this is perhaps universal across most electronics, was the battery, which did not work when left out in the cold overnight. The solution is well documented: Keep the battery on my body, thus keeping it warm, and install it in the camera just before shooting. I took an even lazier approach and installed the battery first thing in the morning, which was sufficient to keep the camera operational all day. I took three batteries and a USB charger, which was complete overkill - two batteries without a charger would have been sufficient.
Unfortunately bad weather shut down our summit bid at 16300 ft, so I will have to try again in a few years. The Q2M will likely be the camera of choice for that trip as well, just because it is a known quantity.
Edited on Jun 10, 2023 at 05:59 PM · View previous versions
Jun 10, 2023 at 10:38 AM
p.1 #2An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
These are really nice, thanks for sharing them. Your metering looks perfect – nothing blown out in some really tricky lighting. Q2M is an incredible camera, especially when used so well 
Jun 10, 2023 at 10:46 AM
p.1 #3An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
highdesertmesa wrote:
These are really nice, thanks for sharing them. Your metering looks perfect – nothing blown out in some really tricky lighting. Q2M is an incredible camera, especially when used so well
Thanks! I should have mentioned that I set the meter to highlight weighted and exposure compensation to -1 as I would much rather have deep shadows than blown highlights. In hindsight, this was overly cautious as C1 tells me that most exposures were underexposed by 1 stop.
These are really nice, thanks for sharing them. Your metering looks perfect – nothing blown out in some really tricky lighting. Q2M is an incredible camera, especially when used so well
Thanks! I should have mentioned that I set the meter to highlight weighted and exposure compensation to -1 as I would much rather have deep shadows than blown highlights. In hindsight, this was overly cautious as C1 tells me that most exposures were underexposed by 1 stop.
Jun 10, 2023 at 10:52 AM
p.1 #4An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
Absolutely incredible work ! Glad you bought and brought that camera, it’s worked amazing obviously. Doesn’t make me want to get over the GAS lol.
Amazing shots.
Amazing shots.
Jun 10, 2023 at 11:28 AM
p.1 #5An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
Nice! Looking forward to trying my M10-M up there in July. Albeit without the summit attempt 
Jun 10, 2023 at 12:07 PM
p.1 #6An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
newyork wrote:
Doesn’t make me want to get over the GAS lol.
"F/8 and be there." And if you convert color pictures to b/w in post I bet you $10 that nobody will be able to tell the difference from a native monochrome at the typical forum resolution, though things will be more obvious once you do large prints.
Doesn’t make me want to get over the GAS lol.
"F/8 and be there." And if you convert color pictures to b/w in post I bet you $10 that nobody will be able to tell the difference from a native monochrome at the typical forum resolution, though things will be more obvious once you do large prints.
Jun 10, 2023 at 05:47 PM
p.1 #7An apology to the Q2M: Trip to Denali.
Right. I’d be more inclined to have a color Leica. Convert it when I felt like mono.
theHUN wrote:
"F/8 and be there." And if you convert color pictures to b/w in post I bet you $10 that nobody will be able to tell the difference from a native monochrome at the typical forum resolution, though things will be more obvious once you do large prints.
theHUN wrote:
newyork wrote
Doesn’t make me want to get over the GAS lol.Jun 10, 2023 at 06:03 PM
