p.4 #1 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Everyone’s excitement over this camera tells me it is time for Leica to re-release the Summicron 40mm. It is really hard to find one that is not trashed.
And updated coatings to tame flare would be nice..
p.4 #2 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Luca101 wrote:
My point is optical challenge can be overcome even take long time and therefore we now have floating elements, asph elements, ED elements etc. Once we easily accept software correction, optical advancements will be slower or stopped.
I don't believe advancement in optics, design, manufacturing, or materials will ever stop. I am glad that processing can also be applied to generate superior images. Photography equipment is a system that starts with the physical tools, and flows through other devices to help a practitioner achieve the best result of his individual vision. Whatever helps get him there is a benefit, no morality, purity, or judgement should limit that vision.
That of course excludes fraud, exploitation, and other such things.
p.4 #3 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
I never understood the weather report in the middle of that song.
It was actually a genius move on the band's part. Major market radio stations were sent versions of the song that had no radio voiceover in that spot, and the station could fill it with their own voiceover specific to their station call letters and whatever they wanted to say. If you were in a smaller market or only watching it on MTV, you likely only ever heard the version with the generic voiceover.
p.4 #4 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
Everyone’s excitement over this camera tells me it is time for Leica to re-release the Summicron 40mm. It is really hard to find one that is not trashed.
And updated coatings to tame flare would be nice..
This ^.
I have a good copy ... but 50 years is long time. I reckon Leica has learned a thing or two since then.
p.4 #5 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Maybe it’s just me, but the new Q43 just reiterates what a deal the D-Lux 8 is for the majority of people.
You need to spend $16k in Q3s to almost match the focal length range of the D-Lux which is 1/10th of the price, has very similar design and haptics and is easier to carry around.
Yeah I know the Q3 is ‘better’ than the D8 if you shoot the D8 at the same focal length as the Q because of the larger sensor etc, but what makes a great photograph is the moment and the composition. Not the gear.
Look at all the great street photographs taken throughout history. If you judged them on the gear that was used compared to what is available now, they would be cr@p…
The D8 is an easier carry - both physically and philosophically - and offers more for much less.
p.4 #6 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
Maybe it’s just me, but the new Q43 just reiterates what a deal the D-Lux 8 is for the majority of people.
You need to spend $16k in Q3s to almost match the focal length range of the D-Lux which is 1/10th of the price, has very similar design and haptics and is easier to carry around.
Yeah I know the Q3 is ‘better’ than the D8 if you shoot the D8 at the same focal length as the Q because of the larger sensor etc, but what makes a great photograph is the moment and the composition. Not the gear. Look at all the great street photographs taken throughout history. If you judged them on the gear that was used compared to what is available now, they would be cr@p…
The D8 is an easier carry - both physically and philosophically - and offers more for much less....Show more →
This comment is a little bonkers. Similar to someone arguing about how much more of a value a Camry is compared to a Porsche, because you get five seats instead of two (well… two human-sized seats anyhow) and it is much better on gas.
Was this a comment intended to troll, or do you genuinely believe what you wrote? I’m terrible at recognizing sarcasm, so have to ask.
p.4 #7 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
Maybe it’s just me, but the new Q43 just reiterates what a deal the D-Lux 8 is for the majority of people.
You need to spend $16k in Q3s to almost match the focal length range of the D-Lux which is 1/10th of the price, has very similar design and haptics and is easier to carry around.
Yeah I know the Q3 is ‘better’ than the D8 if you shoot the D8 at the same focal length as the Q because of the larger sensor etc, but what makes a great photograph is the moment and the composition. Not the gear. Look at all the great street photographs taken throughout history. If you judged them on the gear that was used compared to what is available now, they would be cr@p…
The D8 is an easier carry - both physically and philosophically - and offers more for much less....Show more →
Since Q3-43, just like Q3-28, is not really pocketable, and requires about the same size of bag as pretty much any other camera, I carry gfx100s2+gf50 [instead of all Leicas I can afford] and I am absolutely happy with my solution It is not even the biggest EDC camera in my collection, that damn z8+cv35/2 takes much more space, for example.
p.4 #8 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
Maybe it’s just me, but the new Q43 just reiterates what a deal the D-Lux 8 is for the majority of people.
You need to spend $16k in Q3s to almost match the focal length range of the D-Lux which is 1/10th of the price, has very similar design and haptics and is easier to carry around.
Yeah I know the Q3 is ‘better’ than the D8 if you shoot the D8 at the same focal length as the Q because of the larger sensor etc, but what makes a great photograph is the moment and the composition. Not the gear. Look at all the great street photographs taken throughout history. If you judged them on the gear that was used compared to what is available now, they would be cr@p…
The D8 is an easier carry - both physically and philosophically - and offers more for much less....Show more →
taking your statement to its logical conclusion, why stop at the D-Lux 8? Just go with an iPhone 16 Pro - you get an even wider focal range and more megapixels with a free phone and computer thrown in.
p.4 #9 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
Maybe it’s just me, but the new Q43 just reiterates what a deal the D-Lux 8 is for the majority of people.
You need to spend $16k in Q3s to almost match the focal length range of the D-Lux which is 1/10th of the price, has very similar design and haptics and is easier to carry around.
Yeah I know the Q3 is ‘better’ than the D8 if you shoot the D8 at the same focal length as the Q because of the larger sensor etc, but what makes a great photograph is the moment and the composition. Not the gear. Look at all the great street photographs taken throughout history. If you judged them on the gear that was used compared to what is available now, they would be cr@p…
The D8 is an easier carry - both physically and philosophically - and offers more for much less....Show more →
So true. My D-Lux 8 is sitting on the table while my Wife and I have lunch at our favorite Mediterranean restaurant. She doesn't even mind.
p.4 #10 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Desmolicious wrote:
Maybe it’s just me, but the new Q43 just reiterates what a deal the D-Lux 8 is for the majority of people.
You need to spend $16k in Q3s to almost match the focal length range of the D-Lux which is 1/10th of the price, has very similar design and haptics and is easier to carry around.
Yeah I know the Q3 is ‘better’ than the D8 if you shoot the D8 at the same focal length as the Q because of the larger sensor etc, but what makes a great photograph is the moment and the composition. Not the gear. Look at all the great street photographs taken throughout history. If you judged them on the gear that was used compared to what is available now, they would be cr@p…
The D8 is an easier carry - both physically and philosophically - and offers more for much less....Show more →
That's kinda going full circle for me.
I started with the GX8 and PL 15/1.7. It was so good, that I figured FF version (i.e. Q2) would be even better.
Time marches on, and the D-Lux 8 (back to m43) presents a dandy of a (small) camera, noting the difference between FF vs. m43 when it comes to high ISO, etc. But, I do get your point regarding the moment vs. the gear, as the "best" camera is the one you have with you.
That, and the price vs. performance premium of two Q's ... well, some will find it worth it, others ... not so much.
p.4 #11 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Luca101 wrote:
AI can be totally imaginary from zero base and also partially alter of an existing image, it just depends on from which point AI take place.
My point is optical challenge can be overcome even take long time and therefore we now have floating elements, asph elements, ED elements etc. Once we easily accept software correction, optical advancements will be slower or stopped.
It's called progress. If software/hardware combined is better/easier/cheaper than optics alone then it'll take over. Just like we don't hand milk our own cows and hand churn the butter. It's not like Leica don't go hard on optical when the need to (35 and 50 M apo anyone?)
This same rubbish still goes on and on and on over the Q cameras. Well, it's only the people not using them that can't get over themselves. Those with the camera generally praise the IQ from the original 28 and now the 43.
And finally, this obsession with *perfect* lenses is bizarre. Most of the most revered lenses ever have flaws. Sometimes big ones. That what gives them character. Speilberg, Kubrick and Nolan don't look for perfect lenses. Because most *perfect* lenses are perfectly boring. I have all the Sony lenses you cite and they're bigger and still have software corrections baked in. So does every raw file out of the A7R5. You want pure optics? Buy and M6.
I'll take a 50mm M Summilux over a Sony GM everyday.
Do yourself a favour and spend some time with a Q. Don't worry about the lens. Look at the files. They either speak to you or not because it's only the files that matter.
p.4 #12 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Raptor_Fan76 wrote:
This comment is a little bonkers. Similar to someone arguing about how much more of a value a Camry is compared to a Porsche, because you get five seats instead of two (well… two human-sized seats anyhow) and it is much better on gas.
Was this a comment intended to troll, or do you genuinely believe what you wrote? I’m terrible at recognizing sarcasm, so have to ask.
Think about the most famous photographs taken in history.
How would you compare that gear to the stuff now?
Afghan Girl was taken on a garbage Nikon FM2.
Migrant Mother was taken on a POS Graflex. Which happens to be the most downloaded photo in the Library of Congress.
HCB’s stuff? A freakin LTM Leica.
And it goes on. But sure, marketing people love those who think they need the latest and greatest.
I understand enjoying gear, and the satisfaction one gets from using it. But you may want to brake check yourself if you think buying stuff will improve your vision, compositions and timing.
The D-Lux 8 is awfully compelling now at $1600 seeing $16,000 of Q3s still won’t match its versatility in the real world.
Do you even need a D8? Of course not. But if you were buying new and your thing isn’t pixel peeping but taking in the story crafted by your image, it may make an awful lot of sense for many wanting the red dot.
Plus it even looks the same!
p.4 #13 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
'optical challenge can be overcome even take long time'
Cosina's number one priority in the mirrorless era appears to be 'mount universalism', which requires high order optical correction. So you can assemble your chosen lenses once, and your lens maker's preference for optical excellence over some back end proprietary algorithm enables you to move easily to another camera system, with adapters and even sensor mods. The latest lenses are making it even easier too.
The main page for VM lenses reads: 'VM Mount Lenses Full frame and multiple platforms supported'
We've seen some very large and excellent systems discontinued: Contax Yashica and Leica R. Imagine if they had been computerized and just became part of history, lenses gathering dust and being sold as keepsakes at fairs, a reminder of what once was? It's very important for multi-mount users as well. But for fixed lens cameras, they 'own the playground' and so they go for broke, ensuring luscious images. Very different markets.
p.4 #14 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
tzhang4284 wrote:
taking your statement to its logical conclusion, why stop at the D-Lux 8? Just go with an iPhone 16 Pro - you get an even wider focal range and more megapixels with a free phone and computer thrown in.
Do you get the same enjoyment out of using your phone to take photos? If you do, then I agree with you.
Personally I like composing through a viewfinder and holding a machine that was actually designed from the get go to be held to take pics. The tablet shape never was.
p.4 #15 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
philip_pj wrote:
'optical challenge can be overcome even take long time'
Cosina's number one priority in the mirrorless era appears to be 'mount universalism', which requires high order optical correction. So you can assemble your chosen lenses once, and your lens maker's preference for optical excellence over some back end proprietary algorithm enables you to move easily to another camera system, with adapters and even sensor mods. The latest lenses are making it even easier too.
The main page for VM lenses reads: 'VM Mount Lenses Full frame and multiple platforms supported'
We've seen some very large and excellent systems discontinued: Contax Yashica and Leica R. Imagine if they had been computerized and just became part of history, lenses gathering dust and being sold as keepsakes at fairs, a reminder of what once was? It's very important for multi-mount users as well. But for fixed lens cameras, they 'own the playground' and so they go for broke, ensuring luscious images. Very different markets. ...Show more →
I’ve seen some evidence supporting this. For example, the Leica 18/3.8 and 21/3.4 perform poorly on a thicker sensor stack, whereas the Voigtlander 21/3.5 Color-Skopar maintains similar performance. It seems that Cosina carefully considers the adaptability of their lenses to other systems when developing their optical designs.
p.4 #17 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Raptor_Fan76 wrote:
Was this a comment intended to troll, or do you genuinely believe what you wrote? I’m terrible at recognizing sarcasm, so have to ask.
tzhang4284 wrote:
taking your statement to its logical conclusion, why stop at the D-Lux 8? Just go with an iPhone 16 Pro - you get an even wider focal range and more megapixels with a free phone and computer thrown in.
My guess is that neither one of you has spent time shooting the D-Lux 8. I have, and Huss is correct. The D-Lux 8 is a full fledged Leica camera now. It offers the same owner, and shooting experience that all the current Leica cameras do. Same materials, same buttons, same communication protocols, same integration with FOTOS, same workflow, same menus, same DNG files (now 12 bit) . Everything. Hold one in your hand. Shoot one. You will see that Huss is correct. The D-Lux 8 has been upgraded from the original shared Panasonic version. Yes, this includes the sensor. The images the D-Lux 8 produces are excellent for most use cases. For sure sharing digitally, and even printing to a larger size than most of us do most often. I have posted many D-Lux images here on FM. You would likely find it impossible to recognize any difference from the M11 images I have posted.
You will never get this kind of shooting experience, nor image quality using any current smart phone.
The zoom lens is very good for a zoom. I believe that Leica has done similar computational optimizations with the lens as the have with the Q. They even crop the resolution and FL bit doing this like the Q(x). The lens was designed for use on this one sensor by Leica, with all the advantages that that implies. Yes, it is manufactured by Panasonic. Did you know that Panasonic's Yamagata lens manufacturing facility is possibly the most advanced small aspherical lens manufacturing facilities in the World? They are capable of making ASPH lenses with multiple times less tolerances than other facilities. They make these type of lenses for many of the big "prestige" companies.
Although it has Panasonic roots in its lineage, Panasonic has never made a version like the current D-Lux 8. No other manufacturer has either.
Huss fully understands this, and is 100% correct in his statement. I shoot it regularly alongside my M11, and current collection of latest generation of Leica M lenses. The D-Lux 8 is much closer in experience to the Q family of cameras than it is to the M. I would buy the new Q3 43 if I didn't already own the D-Lux 8. But for my use case, and in most circumstances (there are exceptions) it is as good as a Q(x) . Form Factor is often preferable to the Q(x) or M cameras.
No I am not trolling, and not being sarcastic. Neither is Huss. Try one before judging so harshly.
p.4 #18 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Ok, you’re not wrong at all.
I went to a Dorothea Lange exhibition in Toronto a few years back and, up close, she missed focus on so many of her iconic images… doesn’t diminish their power in the least.
Vision trumps equipment ten times out of ten… and I’d sooner shoot with an Instax/Polaroid than sacrifice the technique and vision I’ve worked so hard to develop over the years.
Heck… half the so-called photographers on Youtube making all these Q3 reviews couldn’t create a decent image to save their lives.
All that said, Max Verstappen isn’t winning the F1 championship in a BMW 3-series (sorry, somehow only coming up with auto analogies today). You always want the best tool for the job, whenever possible.
I own the LX100 ii… passed it down to my daughter. It might be the best point-and-shoot camera ever made.
But when you want to isolate a subject using shallow DoF, or under-expose an image to maintain highlights in a dark room lit by a single window (but still be able to recover the shadows on your subject’s face without sacrificing skin-tones), a m43 sensor and variable aperture lens just isn’t going to get you there… or at least not close to where the modern Qs can now get you.
The law of diminishing returns is of course a real thing… but the reality is, a large sensor, fast lens, and massive dynamic range open up possibilities that we never would have dreamed of when shooting with our D90 back in ‘09.
I have a policy not to comment in forums unless I have something positive to say, so my apologies for the harsh reply… I have no right to try and diminish someone else’s happiness with the camera they own… chalk it up to a crappy week at work ;-)
1bwana1 wrote:
My guess is that neither one of you has spent time shooting the D-Lux 8. I have, and Huss is correct. The D-Lux 8 is a full fledged Leica camera now. It offers the same owner, and shooting experience that all the current Leica cameras do. Same materials, same buttons, same workflow, same menus, same DNG files, now 12 bit . Everything. Hold one in your hand. Shoot one. You will see that Huss is correct. The D-Lux 8 has been upgraded from the original shared Panasonic version. Yes, this included the sensor. The images the D-Lux 8 produces are excellent for most use cases. For sure sharing digitally, and even printing to a larger size than most of us do most often.
You will never get this kind of shooting experience, not image quality using any current smart phone.
Huss fully understands this, and is 100% correct in his statement. I shoot it regularly alongside my M11, and current collection of latest generation of Leica M lenses. The D-Lux 8 is much closer in experience to the Q family of cameras than it is to the M. I would buy the new Q3 43 if I didn't already own the D-Lux 8. But for my use with the camera it is as good or better than the Q(x) because of form factor.
No I am not trolling, and not being sarcastic. Neither is Huss. Try one before judging so harshly.
p.4 #19 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Raptor_Fan76 wrote:
Ok, you’re not wrong at all.
I went to a Dorothea Lange exhibition in Toronto a few years back and, up close, she missed focus on so many of her iconic images… doesn’t diminish their power in the least.
Vision trumps equipment ten times out of ten… and I’d sooner shoot with an Instax/Polaroid than sacrifice the technique and vision I’ve worked so hard to develop over the years.
Heck… half the so-called photographers on Youtube making all these Q3 reviews couldn’t create a decent image to save their lives.
All that said, Max Verstappen isn’t winning the F1 championship in a BMW 3-series (sorry, somehow only coming up with auto analogies today). You always want the best tool for the job, whenever possible.
I own the LX100 ii… passed it down to my daughter. It might be the best point-and-shoot camera ever made.
But when you want to isolate a subject using shallow DoF, or under-expose an image to maintain highlights in a dark room lit by a single window (but still be able to recover the shadows on your subject’s face without sacrificing skin-tones), a m43 sensor and variable aperture lens just isn’t going to get you there… or at least not close to where the modern Qs can now get you.
The law of diminishing returns is of course a real thing… but the reality is, a large sensor, fast lens, and massive dynamic range open up possibilities that we never would have dreamed of when shooting with our D90 back in ‘09.
I have a policy not to comment in forums unless I have something positive to say, so my apologies for the harsh reply… I have no right to try and diminish someone else’s happiness with the camera they own… chalk it up to a crappy week at work ;-)
p.4 #20 · Official Announcement: Leica Q3 43 Digital Camera Released!
Raptor_Fan76 wrote:
But when you want to isolate a subject using shallow DoF, or under-expose an image to maintain highlights in a dark room lit by a single window (but still be able to recover the shadows on your subject’s face without sacrificing skin-tones), a m43 sensor and variable aperture lens just isn’t going to get you there… or at least not close to where the modern Qs can now get you.
Understood that there are technical differences in capability. But, I think that the salient point that Huss was trying to make is that when it comes to having an EDC option to tote around, the D Lux 8 makes a viable alternative ... within certain limitations, in exchange for a lot of $$$. On one hand, there are things that run into the laws of diminishing returns and the cost of that last % gets pricey ... and inversely, there are those things that are a nice "bang for the buck" ... in contrast / comparison. Not to suggest that they are technically equal, but they each have viability as powerful tools for folks.
That said, everyone has to find the place where technical capability and form factor makes sense for them and their use case(s). A multitude of options abound ... and, I'd suggest that there are plenty of folks here that will "rock" whatever gear you put in their hand, be that $14K or $1,400 worth of gear.
Although, in the case of Huss, he might even get down to rockin' some $1.40 gear he found at a garage sale.
It is not even the biggest EDC camera in my collection, that damn z8+cv35/2 takes much more space, for example.
