p.11 #1 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
dalegaspi wrote:
Adorama has a return policy eligibility stated here. to me that's not open to interpretation. you cannot "try" out a camera for an extended period and expect it to be like new condition.
whether there's sincere intent on buying or not, IMO this is not what it's for; that is why it's not called "trial period"
if i'm unsure about a product even after exhaustive research...especially if there's a chance it will not work for me, i rent it or i go to a physical store to try it out (_this_ is how i tried my first Leica ages ago).
there's a discussionhere (among others, for sure) on whether Adorama sells returned products as new...i certainly don't want to receive a product that's been returned when i paid for a new item.
i'm sure there's nuances and case-by-case scenarios...but i don't want to get into that because i don't want to derail the topic....Show more →
Nonsense, and almost anyone in the retail mail order business will disagree with you on that. This is simply a customer confidence program that almost all mail order products contend with and have return policies for.
As an example, you would not order clothing on line without a return policy that allows you to try on the clothes and return if it doesn't fit. That is true even if you wear it for a few times and you discover that it rubs uncomfortably. They have calculated and tracked the cost of this policy. It is a required customer acquisition and service policy.
So yes, it is designed to encourage you to buy before you try without risk as long as you fulfill the reasonable care conditions of the offer. It is a cornerstone of mail order businesses of almost all categories of products.
What companies do with returned products is a completely separate discussion. They should be disclosed by law as not new. This is a primary source of "open box" and "refurbished" product offerings with discounts. I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking advantage of such offerings if one is serious about the purchase.
p.11 #2 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron,
If you are still really interested in a Q3 43 I would say try and get your hands on one. I have 2 friends that have Qs. One has the original Q and another just picked up a Q3 43 recently. I am a rangefinder guy (M 10s) but I will give you my limited impressions on the Q.
I found the Q series to be very well built. It really felt good in my hands. Solid. If I weren't so attached to a rangefinder the Q series would be something I might seriously consider.
Both my friends really like the camera. The friend that own the original Q also has an M 262. He shoots with both about equally. So that to me says a lot about the Q and it's performance.
Again get one in your hands to see if it's right for you. If you go to a store that has both try an M too.
Good luck,
Allen
Wanted to add there is a lot of good info in this thread by folks like Steve, Fred and others that have REAL experience with the Q series. I would certainly take that into account when making a decision.
p.11 #3 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
airfrogusmc wrote:
chiron,
If you are still really interested in a Q3 43 I would say try and get your hands on one. I have 2 friends that have Qs. One has the original Q and another just picked up a Q3 43 recently. I am a rangefinder guy (M 10s) but I will give you my limited impressions on the Q.
I found the Q series to be very well built. It really felt good in my hands. Solid. If I weren't so attached to a rangefinder the Q series would be something I might seriously consider.
Both my friends really like the camera. The friend that own the original Q also has an M 262. He shoots with both about equally. So that to me says a lot about the Q and it's performance.
Again get one in your hands to see if it's right for you. If you go to a store that has both try an M too.
Good luck,
Allen
Wanted to add there is a lot of good info in this thread by folks like Steve, Fred and others that have REAL experience with the Q series. I would certainly take that into account when making a decision. ...Show more →
Hi Allen.
Thank you for this. You and a number of others have been very informative and helpful, and I have read carefully, usually several times, what people have written. I am very seriously considering the 43, and I am going to find a way to handle one. I live outside of NYC, so I can go in to the Soho store to try one. I do think I would enjoy having one.
@Fred Miranda@ gave me some pause when he wrote that I might not find the 43 to be that different from my A7C R because both are still mirrorless cameras. @flash@ pretty strongly disagreed that they are similar in their shooting experience. So I am weighing that also. I am also aware of your point that the M is the real Leica shooting experience, but as I previously said I know that the M is not for me. Trying out a Q3 43 is the good next solution. Although I am thinking about all this now, I am also likely to delay an actual buying decision until I see what May's announcement of the A7RVI brings.
I do very much appreciate the well-informed advice that I have been getting. There is a lot of good discussion in this thread.
p.11 #4 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron wrote:
Hi Allen.
Thank you for this. You and a number of others have been very informative and helpful, and I have read carefully, usually several times, what people have written. I am very seriously considering the 43, and I am going to find a way to handle one. I live outside of NYC, so I can go in to the Soho store to try one. I do think I would enjoy having one.
@Fred Miranda@@@ gave me some pause when he wrote that I might not find the 43 to be that different from my A7C R because both are still mirrorless cameras. @flash@@@ pretty strongly disagreed that they are similar in their shooting experience. So I am weighing that also. I am also aware of your point that the M is the real Leica shooting experience, but as I previously said I know that the M is not for me. Trying out a Q3 43 is the good next solution. Although I am thinking about all this now, I am also likely to delay an actual buying decision until I see what May's announcement of the A7RVI brings.
I do very much appreciate the well-informed advice that I have been getting. There is a lot of good discussion in this thread.
Make sure you call the Leica Store and book a reservation to fully test the Q cameras. That way they will have fully prepared for your visit. They will give you a quick but though training on the camera, and then let you take it out for a couple of hours for real World experience. Don't forget to bring your own memory card so you can check your files when you get home.
p.11 #5 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron wrote:
Hi Allen.
Thank you for this. You and a number of others have been very informative and helpful, and I have read carefully, usually several times, what people have written. I am very seriously considering the 43, and I am going to find a way to handle one. I live outside of NYC, so I can go in to the Soho store to try one. I do think I would enjoy having one.
@Fred Miranda@@ gave me some pause when he wrote that I might not find the 43 to be that different from my A7C R because both are still mirrorless cameras. @flash@@ pretty strongly disagreed that they are similar in their shooting experience. So I am weighing that also. I am also aware of your point that the M is the real Leica shooting experience, but as I previously said I know that the M is not for me. Trying out a Q3 43 is the good next solution. Although I am thinking about all this now, I am also likely to delay an actual buying decision until I see what May's announcement of the A7RVI brings.
I do very much appreciate the well-informed advice that I have been getting. There is a lot of good discussion in this thread.
p.11 #6 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
CaliTexican wrote:
you have to act like a real photographer and use your feet to get the correct scene/framing/image structure, instead of simply zooming or changing lenses and getting a different perspective.
There are two misconceptions here.
1. "Real photographers" don't necessarily use prime lenses.
2. Zooming or changing lenses doesn't change the perspective. It's exactly the opposite. The perspective changes when you move closer to or further away from the subject with a prime lens to change the framing.That's precisely why feet cannot replace a change in focal length by changing lenses or zooming.
And to avoid any misunderstandings:
1. I'm not attacking anyone personally, I'm just clarifying something.
2. I personally hate zoom lenses and almost exclusively use only a 50mm lens...
and my feet. 😇
p.11 #7 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
One other question for Q3 43 users or any who might know the answer:
What accessories would I need to get to make the 43 fully funtional? I assume the following:
1. an extra battery (one should be enough--I don't do video)
2. a battery charger, not necessarly Leica's
3. a filter to cover the lens--is there any trick to this, like needing a different lens hood or an adapter?
4. an LCD cover
5. Some form of grip or perhaps some kind of half-case
6. a hand-strap, if it can be fitted to the Q3 body
7. a neck strap that won't damage the body with scratches. It would be nice to be able to use the peak design connectors--anyone have success using those without scratches?
8. the Leica app
p.11 #8 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
I have the Q3 and use the SmallRig grip. I used one of the small round leather body protectors from the Q3 strap on the left side of the camera with a Peak connector. The right side I attached the Peak connector to the grip and use a rope strap. I like it! I always used the CPS padded straps but the camera doesn't weigh enough to bother.
There are two companies with slightly different ideas for a filter and hood attachment. On the Q3 Leica has a very thin filter but I think I read it doesn't work with the 43.
I am old school and always wanted a second battery with me regardless, even with the battery costing $240. For a charger I just ordered the Nitecore charger for $60. Doesn't say for SLC6 yet, but people are using it with no issues on their SL batteries also(same battery)
The Leica FOTOS app works very well. No comparison to the Nikon software.
Good walking shoes, you will probably find yourself walking more and enjoying the camera.
p.11 #10 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
Nifty Fifty wrote:
There are two misconceptions here.
1. "Real photographers" don't necessarily use prime lenses.
2. Zooming or changing lenses doesn't change the perspective. It's exactly the opposite. The perspective changes when you move closer to or further away from the subject with a prime lens to change the framing.That's precisely why feet cannot replace a change in focal length by changing lenses or zooming.
And to avoid any misunderstandings:
1. I'm not attacking anyone personally, I'm just clarifying something.
2. I personally hate zoom lenses and almost exclusively use only a 50mm lens...
and my feet. 😇
I never said real photographers use prime lenses or don't use zooms. I am a real photographer and have used zooms since the mid-1970s; in fact, I have one mounted to my SL2s right now. I was drawing a distinction between using a fixed-lens camera like the Q system -- where one must use one's feet because the lens is fixed -- versus an interchangeable-lens camera where one can use a zoom or alternative prime lenses.
Similarly, I fully understand the difference between shooting from a closer or further location versus staying in the same spot and zooming or changing lenses. When I said zooming or changing lenses would give you a "different perspective," I meant a different perspective 'than if you use your feet and move.' Evidently I should increase the time I take preparing a post, and the number of words I use to prepare it, so I can draft with more precision!
My point about real photographers has nothing to do with zooms or primes. Although I intended it as a flip, throw-away comment, I do believe real photographers move about more for different perspectives, whether they use zooms or a selection of fixed focal length lenses. IMHO, amateurs tend to employ less mobility and try to use lenses to "change perspective" which, as you correctly point out, does not really change perspective in the same way as moving.
In any event, no insult intended to users of zooms or fixed focal length lenses. I wasn't even intending to talk about zooms or interchangeable lenses; rather, I was trying to illustrate the benefits of the fixed-lens Q system to someone thinking of buying in.
p.11 #11 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron wrote:
One other question for Q3 43 users or any who might know the answer:
What accessories would I need to get to make the 43 fully funtional? I assume the following:
1. an extra battery (one should be enough--I don't do video)
2. a battery charger, not necessarly Leica's
3. a filter to cover the lens--is there any trick to this, like needing a different lens hood or an adapter?
4. an LCD cover
5. Some form of grip or perhaps some kind of half-case
6. a hand-strap, if it can be fitted to the Q3 body
7. a neck strap that won't damage the body with scratches. It would be nice to be able to use the peak design connectors--anyone have success using those without scratches?
8. the Leica app
1. Useful but not needed. A cheap power bank can be used to top up the internal battery. Thank the EU for USBC charging on all devices.
2. I have the Leica dual one but mostly just charge in camera. The charger is useful for big shooting days though. As is that spare battery.
3. Leica sell a thin filter for the Q3-43 or there’s an aftermarket hood (looks identical) that allows *normal* single filters to be used.
4. I don’t use on and haven’t had an issue. But I should.
5. User preference. I don’t like them generally. The Leica OEM grip will allow wireless charging if that’s useful to you. I have just a third party clone of the Leica thumb grip. And that’s it. Same as my M’s. I don’t like most of the grips and cases and how they change the camera. Others prefer full grips or cases. The Leica store will have lots of accessories for you to try but you can source third party ones cheaper.
6&7. My preference is to use a PD baseplate and mount to strap from that. I like the way cameras hang at my side with this set up. Then you can use a leash or slide at your preference.
8. The Leica app is fab. You’ll love it. So absolutely.
p.11 #13 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron wrote:
One other question for Q3 43 users or any who might know the answer:
What accessories would I need to get to make the 43 fully funtional? I assume the following:
1. an extra battery (one should be enough--I don't do video)
2. a battery charger, not necessarly Leica's
3. a filter to cover the lens--is there any trick to this, like needing a different lens hood or an adapter?
4. an LCD cover
5. Some form of grip or perhaps some kind of half-case
6. a hand-strap, if it can be fitted to the Q3 body
7. a neck strap that won't damage the body with scratches. It would be nice to be able to use the peak design connectors--anyone have success using those without scratches?
8. the Leica app
With Leica M an Q cameras you will find a huge selection of accessory products from a large number of manufactures. This will result in a lot of differing opinions about which ones, made by who are best. I think this is great because it allows you to tune the ergonomics to fit you as an individual best. The basic Leica M/Q bodies are very simple and neutral in form factor. This is part of what makes them unique and attractive in appearance and use. Rather than trying to guess which of these works best for you in advance, I suggest you start shooting with the camera completely stock. Then slowly add accessories as you discover exactly what your personal style and preferences for the camera are.
p.11 #14 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
CaliTexican wrote:
In any event, no insult intended to users of zooms or fixed focal length lenses. I wasn't even intending to talk about zooms or interchangeable lenses; rather, I was trying to illustrate the benefits of the fixed-lens Q system to someone thinking of buying in.
🍻
p.11 #15 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
dalegaspi wrote:
i would suggest getting the soft-release. i personally use the smaller version.
Thank you for the suggestion. Is this actually a soft-release? At the link, it appears to be a screw-in larger button with no soft-release mechanism to dampen a harsh finger movement.
Also, it's $80?! I'd love to see the profit margin expressed as a percentage on that one!
p.11 #16 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
It changes the release position and it feels *softer* to leverage. It’s not damped. You can get from 6 dollars to 600. In pretty colours or sterling silver. Concave or convex. Soft releases are their own rabbit hole.
p.11 #17 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron wrote:
Thank you for the suggestion. Is this actually a soft-release? At the link, it appears to be a screw-in larger button with no soft-release mechanism to dampen a harsh finger movement.
Also, it's $80?! I'd love to see the profit margin expressed as a percentage on that one!
yes, welcome to the world of Leica Highway Robbery™ and yes i bought the Leica branded one...two of them, since i also have one for my M11.
as Gordon said, it's not an actual soft-release mechanism, it just pretty much re-positions the shutter button height...this just works (at least for me) because the shutter travel is long and kinda weird...i specifically opted for the smaller one because the shutter release rests between the "first joint" of the finger ..ugh i hope i'm explaining that right.
Edit: here's a pic of how my finger rest on the shutter with the mini soft release:
p.11 #18 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
I lost a few of the soft release buttons because they back out of the threads. I buy the cheap ones in 3 packs for about $12 total. So, I started putting a tiny drop of blue Loctite on the thread and never have a problem since.
p.11 #19 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
chiron wrote:
One other question for Q3 43 users or any who might know the answer:
What accessories would I need to get to make the 43 fully funtional? I assume the following:
1. an extra battery (one should be enough--I don't do video)
2. a battery charger, not necessarly Leica's
3. a filter to cover the lens--is there any trick to this, like needing a different lens hood or an adapter?
4. an LCD cover
5. Some form of grip or perhaps some kind of half-case
6. a hand-strap, if it can be fitted to the Q3 body
7. a neck strap that won't damage the body with scratches. It would be nice to be able to use the peak design connectors--anyone have success using those without scratches?
8. the Leica app
Anything else or any of the above wrong?...Show more →
IMHO:
1- One extra battery would be good. But I will say, at least on the Q2M, on must really shoot frequently all day to go thru a full battery;
2- The Leica charger will be fine (if included with the camera), or another brand (if not);
3- If you plan to use the hood regularly, you might not need a filter -- lately I've been trying to minimize lens surfaces so I've been omitting filters;
4- I never use those and never experienced a problem scratching the LCD on any of my cameras;
5- The Thumbs-up Thumb grip is perfect on the Q system while preserving the small dimensions of the camera; one can add a half-case, but it will increase the overall size and weight and, for Leicas, I find the half-cases ridiculously expensive;
6 & 7- hand and neck strap are necessary -- there are plenty of non-scratching options for both;
8- Should come with the camera.
p.11 #20 · Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony
1 & 2: You don't need an extra battery or extra charger. You can charge via USB-C plus the battery life does last shooting all day (for me).
3: No issues with using a regular filter, so just normal preference.
4. Definitely get a screen protector, it doesn't have a sapphire crystal screen like the M11-P
5 & 6. I don't think you need anything special there. I use a small PeakDesign gear cube when throwing it into my pack with other stuff.
7. Peak design straps etc. But keep in mind that with Leica, most view signs of wear as something to be proud of, as in you shoot it a lot Which is why we gush over black paint Leicas that will show brassing over time from use.
8. Works really well for transferring to your phone.
and yes i bought the Leica branded one...two of them, since i also have one for my M11. 