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.
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.
Best,
Peter/chiron
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 car so you can check your files when you get home.
Apr 20, 2026 at 09:58 AM
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