p.2 #1 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
Why are your options mostly fixed lenses? I like ‘em too but it’d be nice to know your draw to these.
I’d add the RX1Riii. You like 35. It’s small and a fin shooter. I still have my mkii.
There’s also the A7CR. House EVF but awesome IQ and great kit paired with some SIgma DGDN primes.
People always like to say a Q3 isn’t an M. It isn’t but it is a hoot. The IQ of the Q3-43 is spectacular and the camera is a joy, especially now the AF is good. It has a lovely quiet leaf shutter and IS, which the GFX RF does not.
The GFX RF is a great camera but it’s wide. So you’ll spend a lot of time cropping. If you said you love 28mm I’d be all in but for 35mm and longer, not so much.
Really the only way is to try them in store. Got it Leica, go to a Leica store. You’re buying it experience, not just the camera.
p.2 #3 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
I understand your intent with this post - it can be a hard decision choosing gear when starting over. You can absolutely do portraits with the Q3-43 and come away with some stellar images, you're just limited to being closer to your subjects or cropping. In the studio environment, it becomes more of a hindrance when working with studio lighting, so I would advise against that.. I've owned the Q, Q2 and the Q3-43. I love the Q cameras for reason I'll not list them here because watching people try to discredit my personal experience is just not worth it anymore.
That said, I sold my Q343 to get a second SL2 and a 24-90 lens because I want to do more studio work and needed a backup. If I had the money I would have kept it. Everyone's situation is different, but if you really think a fixed lens camera is what you want, go for it. I'd even suggest just picking up the Q2 until you are sure.
p.2 #4 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
8bithachi wrote:
Thanks OffTrail for your suggestion. I found myself using 35mm the most on Canon and would have hoped to do the same on Sony (ended up spending most of the time on 55mm even if I have other zoom lenses).
My primary concern on M is not sure how quickly I can learn the unique manual focus mode, as my eye sight is going down with age unfortunately.
In that case, I would suggest trying an M so you know for sure whether or not to cross it off the list. Leica has a San Francisco store I believe, so you should be able to get your hands on one. Try a Q at the same time as well, both 28 and 43. With the 28, you can set it to a 35mm crop mode and you get the 28mm FOV with the 35mm frame lines.
I'll also bring up the Nikon Zf. With a chipped lens like the Voigtlanders, it offers a dead simple manual focus experience. It puts the box over the subject for you, and the box turns green when in focus. Voigtlander's Z range is getting pretty well rounded by now, but there are also a couple of decent smaller Nikon lenses for the camera, and it can also host Sony lenses if that's a direction you think you'd ever want to go. The trade-off is that it's a bit bigger than the M or Q.
Basically, now is a good time to be looking for a fun camera! No shortage of options.
p.2 #5 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
I liked the original M 9 Mono so much I sold all my Canon gear over a decade ago. I now own 2 M 10s and and M 10 Mono and the only regert is I didn't go all Leica M years earlier. M focusing is so much easier than one would think. My eyes aren't the best and I have no problem focusing.
I am a full time pro and have been for over 40 years though kind of semi retired now (71 years old this year) and because Leica Ms really fit the way I see and work it is just a pleasure to work with them.
My go to for travel and my usual travel kit is the M 10 Mono and 35 1.4 Summilux FLE v1, a charger and a couple of extra batteries. Thats it. No need for anything else.
p.2 #6 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
Wow, thank you all for your insights and suggestions! It was truly heartwarming to read through your posts after a long day. Since my account is new and I can’t reply to everyone individually, I wanted to say a collective 'thank you' here.
I personally prefer prime lenses for their compact size and the way they force me to focus more on composition. While I have used zoom lenses to shoot events for friends, I find myself reaching for them less often for my own personal stuff. I really appreciate the suggestion to visit a local store - that is a great idea to help me get a feel for the gear before I commit to a new system.
p.2 #7 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
8bithachi wrote:
Wow, thank you all for your insights and suggestions! It was truly heartwarming to read through your posts after a long day. Since my account is new and I can’t reply to everyone individually, I wanted to say a collective 'thank you' here.
I personally prefer prime lenses for their compact size and the way they force me to focus more on composition. While I have used zoom lenses to shoot events for friends, I find myself reaching for them less often for my own personal stuff. I really appreciate the suggestion to visit a local store - that is a great idea to help me get a feel for the gear before I commit to a new system....Show more →
I figured I would post my personal experience as a somewhat new hobbyist having only been taking photos for a year and a half or so but with some of the systems mentioned here.
M11-P - I bought this after falling in love with manual focusing using a Voigtlander 40/1.2 on a Sony A7CR. I have the absolute most fun using this camera. The rangefinder + manual focusing experience makes me appreciate the scene around me and it is far more engaging than the experience I had with the A7CR. The unique lenses available allow me to capture pictures that evoke emotion from me without having to resort to crazy amounts of editing. That being said, I do find myself at a lot of night events and rangefinder focusing in low light is an exercise in frustration at times so I am looking at picking up a Visoflex.
Q3 43 - I bought this before a vacation because I was worried about my ability to manual focus or capture images at night with no stabilization. I ended up using it only 2 days out of the 2-week trip because I was having so much fun using the M11-P. The lens on the Q3 43 is incredible but I do often find myself using diffusion filters like the PolarPro Everyday Filter or Tiffen Glimmerglass to take some of the edge off the files. I thought that I wouldn't find 43mm too limiting but I would be lying if I said there aren't times where I wish I could go a little wider when there's no room to back up or create space. After the latest firmware update the AF is noticeably better but still struggles at times. This may seem like a bunch of negatives but I'm trying to be honest because it is a hefty chunk of change to be locked in at one focal length. I love the camera and the build quality is great, but I often find myself grabbing something else. I have an upcoming visit to Taiwan and will probably bring this as my only camera, partially due to the fact it is supposed to be raining the whole time. If this was my only camera, I no doubt believe I would be able to adapt a bit better and capture lovely images.
GFX 100S II - I know it's not listed here but the GFX 100RF is similar in some ways. The files are great and also super massive so if you want to edit them at all your system should have solid storage and processing power. Some may scoff at the thought but I have fun with the Fuji film sims and the custom recipes that are available. I shoot in RAW + JPG and the JPEGs are great for most shots but I have the RAWs for the ones I really want to make the most of. One thing I wasn't aware of before buying the camera is the Fuji film sims are applied to the RAW when you import to Lightroom but you can then revert to base RAW or change to a different film sim profile with the click of a button, which is very convenient for picking a baseline to edit from. I didn't get to test the GFX 100RF but I did get to hold it in store and the ergonomics put me off. When I started thinking of adding grips and thumb rests and also considering the F4 lens with no IBIS I ultimately decided it was too restrictive for me.
Sorry for the wall of text but I hope some of my personal experiences can help in some way.
p.2 #8 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
endergemini wrote:
I figured I would post my personal experience as a somewhat new hobbyist having only been taking photos for a year and a half or so but with some of the systems mentioned here.
M11-P - I bought this after falling in love with manual focusing using a Voigtlander 40/1.2 on a Sony A7CR. I have the absolute most fun using this camera. The rangefinder + manual focusing experience makes me appreciate the scene around me and it is far more engaging than the experience I had with the A7CR. The unique lenses available allow me to capture pictures that evoke emotion from me without having to resort to crazy amounts of editing. That being said, I do find myself at a lot of night events and rangefinder focusing in low light is an exercise in frustration at times so I am looking at picking up a Visoflex.
Q3 43 - I bought this before a vacation because I was worried about my ability to manual focus or capture images at night with no stabilization. I ended up using it only 2 days out of the 2-week trip because I was having so much fun using the M11-P. The lens on the Q3 43 is incredible but I do often find myself using diffusion filters like the PolarPro Everyday Filter or Tiffen Glimmerglass to take some of the edge off the files. I thought that I wouldn't find 43mm too limiting but I would be lying if I said there aren't times where I wish I could go a little wider when there's no room to back up or create space. After the latest firmware update the AF is noticeably better but still struggles at times. This may seem like a bunch of negatives but I'm trying to be honest because it is a hefty chunk of change to be locked in at one focal length. I love the camera and the build quality is great, but I often find myself grabbing something else. I have an upcoming visit to Taiwan and will probably bring this as my only camera, partially due to the fact it is supposed to be raining the whole time. If this was my only camera, I no doubt believe I would be able to adapt a bit better and capture lovely images.
GFX 100S II - I know it's not listed here but the GFX 100RF is similar in some ways. The files are great and also super massive so if you want to edit them at all your system should have solid storage and processing power. Some may scoff at the thought but I have fun with the Fuji film sims and the custom recipes that are available. I shoot in RAW + JPG and the JPEGs are great for most shots but I have the RAWs for the ones I really want to make the most of. One thing I wasn't aware of before buying the camera is the Fuji film sims are applied to the RAW when you import to Lightroom but you can then revert to base RAW or change to a different film sim profile with the click of a button, which is very convenient for picking a baseline to edit from. I didn't get to test the GFX 100RF but I did get to hold it in store and the ergonomics put me off. When I started thinking of adding grips and thumb rests and also considering the F4 lens with no IBIS I ultimately decided it was too restrictive for me.
Sorry for the wall of text but I hope some of my personal experiences can help in some way....Show more →
Thank you for such a detailed write-up and for sharing your experience and recommendations! Regarding the files from the M11-P and Q3 43, do you find that they require much editing in post?
p.2 #9 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
flash wrote:
Why are your options mostly fixed lenses? I like ‘em too but it’d be nice to know your draw to these.
I’d add the RX1Riii. You like 35. It’s small and a fin shooter. I still have my mkii.
There’s also the A7CR. House EVF but awesome IQ and great kit paired with some SIgma DGDN primes.
People always like to say a Q3 isn’t an M. It isn’t but it is a hoot. The IQ of the Q3-43 is spectacular and the camera is a joy, especially now the AF is good. It has a lovely quiet leaf shutter and IS, which the GFX RF does not.
The GFX RF is a great camera but it’s wide. So you’ll spend a lot of time cropping. If you said you love 28mm I’d be all in but for 35mm and longer, not so much.
Really the only way is to try them in store. Got it Leica, go to a Leica store. You’re buying it experience, not just the camera.
p.2 #10 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
airfrogusmc wrote:
I liked the original M 9 Mono so much I sold all my Canon gear over a decade ago. I now own 2 M 10s and and M 10 Mono and the only regert is I didn't go all Leica M years earlier. M focusing is so much easier than one would think. My eyes aren't the best and I have no problem focusing.
I am a full time pro and have been for over 40 years though kind of semi retired now (71 years old this year) and because Leica Ms really fit the way I see and work it is just a pleasure to work with them.
My go to for travel and my usual travel kit is the M 10 Mono and 35 1.4 Summilux FLE v1, a charger and a couple of extra batteries. Thats it. No need for anything else.
Thank you for sharing! Your journey is so inspiring, and as a hobbyist, I have always held the work of pros like you in high regard. I see quite a few M9s and M10s are for sale in this forum, including mono. Might be a good a way to get into the M system without committing too much immediately.
p.2 #11 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
1bwana1 wrote:
None of us here know enough about you to give you the right answer. Fortunately, you live in San Fransisco. Go to Camera West/Leica Store San Fransisco and get the best information possible. The owner and staff there are extremely knowledgeable, they have a huge inventory of new and used Leica products, and you will be able to actually try all the available choices. There you will get the very best advise and the answer you need.
This is the best advice. No matter what we say, you need to get your hands on the equipment and try for yourself.
Camerawest will let you do that, plus they also have a large selection of used gear from all brands so you may be able to try out a bunch of different systems and makes.
p.2 #12 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
To maximize fun per dollar or fun per ounce, look no further than the Ricoh GR. I have a Gr iii HDF and a GR iiix HDF and the film simulation customizations are endless. I’ve stopped worrying about shooting raw and enjoy the sooc jog challenge. Excellent sharpness and overall image quality, by the way.
p.2 #13 · Returning to the Fold: Advice on a New "Fun" Camera
tomaswvtommy wrote:
To maximize fun per dollar or fun per ounce, look no further than the Ricoh GR. I have a Gr iii HDF and a GR iiix HDF and the film simulation customizations are endless. I’ve stopped worrying about shooting raw and enjoy the sooc jog challenge. Excellent sharpness and overall image quality, by the way.
Thank you for the recommendation. Having great out of body photos are definitely fun to try. I heard Fuji is good at this. Will do more research on Ricoh.
