LeicaQ (TYP 116)

I bought this as a treat to myself - my birthday present. When I was a teenager and shooting with negative film and kodachrome slides, I longed to have a Leica but could not afford one. Then much much later, when I could afford one, the digital age arrived and Leicas were really no longer great cameras. But Leica is back! This is an awesome camera. I have owned a number of Nikons and Panasonic cameras - dSLRs and mirrorless. I currently have a Nikon df (full format) with a number of lenses. A friend said to me that once I tried this Leica Q, I might as well wrap up my df and sell it on eBay. That's what he did with his previous favorite camera.5 Reasons why I love this Q:1. The photos are stunning - forget the specs and everything. The photos I am getting with this are just beautiful.2. Speed - most people rate speed as in how fast the camera focuses and shoots when you press the shutter. I think of speed a little differently. I think of speed as measured from the time you decide you want to take the shot, then you have to frame, choose how you want to do it, and then press the shutter to focus and shoot. This is the fastest camera I have owned. This is because all the settings are placed just perfectly - aperture on the lens, manual focus lock on the lens and focus ring, etc. Whether I want to shoot auto or semi auto or manual, I have found this to be the fastest camera I have ever owned.3. Somehow they got it right - placement of the various controls - I really enjoy handling the camera. This is subjective of course, and I love it.4. The lens is amazing. Usually if you open up a lens 100% (in this case to f1.7) there is some degradation at the edges of the photo, so on other systems, I try not to open it all the way up to maximum aperture. On this Leica Q, you can truly use it at f1.7 and there is no degradation on the edges of the photo.5. It is solid - built like a tank. While you do want to take care of this camera because it is expensive, this camera will take abuse and live. I will be taking it on all my trips - hiking etc. After all, the best camera is the one that you have with you.So... now I need to wrap up my df and lenses and sign on to eBay.

While Q2 has better specs, Q is more practical. I bought it as an alternative to Canon R system in order to avoid big and heavy lenses for my travel. I ended up buying Leica M2 to understand the original Leica M philosophy, especially regarding frame lines and its digital version known as digital zoom. My favorite way of taking pictures is DNG and JPG in monochrome mode and 35 mm, using manual mode only - including manual focus, the same way I use Leica M2. I use an iPhone light meter app, and count 36 frames as one roll - regardless whether it is M2 or Q. Of course, when needed I switch to Q built-in light meter and auto focus, which are excellent. DNG file gives me color and 28 mm frame when I need it, but in most cases monochrome 35 mm JPG is good enough straight out of the camera. I carry one extra battery. So far this is the camera I use the most, leaving Canon 5D Mark III for studio work, or when telephoto lenses work better. I got rid of 1” and ASP-C cameras, and keep only 35 mm sensors. Works best for me with Capture One. I make a backup of the memory card on my phone via an adapter. Added some accessories for better grip. In general, my move from Canon to Leica system greatly expanded my understanding of photography, its origin, and added more meaning to what I am doing.

This is the ultimate camera.The 28mm f1.7 summilux lense is absolutely stunning. Compact but not too small to be to tactile and useable (unlike the Fuji X100T lense which is nice but too small even for my small hands). The focus ring/tab is buttery smooth and has the right amount of resistance to allow for accurate focusing. When combined with the focus peaking setting (zoomed in and coloured highlights) the manual focus is such a dream to use that I find it just as useable as the auto focus.The camera has a simple menu that is easy to navigate when out shooting and doesn't bog the user down in endless lists of useless features. It's a menu for photographers...it is very easy to use.The size/build is a delight. Very robust and dense aluminium/magnesium construction that has the perfect balance when held. I would strongly recommend adding the Leica Q grip to your purchase as this makes a very marked difference to grip/ergonomics in my opinion.The picture quality is stunning. Very Leica. Very crisp but with a pleasing bokeh (even at 28mm as is restricted by this lense). I was always a die hard fan of the 35mm focal length but I was instantly converted.Above all, the Leica Q is like a Fuji X100T on steroids...some very serious steroids. Yes it's pricey but actually quite a good deal when you consider what you're actually getting for this price and when you consider the price of the new Leica M10 body alone is around £5,600.

I've been shooting Nikon DSLRs for years, most recently the D810, but I recently decided to sell my truckload of professional Nikon gear and switch to the Leica Q. I made this decision for 3 reasons: 1) I found that I was taking very few pictures because I didn't like hauling heavy gear around; 2) I always liked the results I got from the Nikons, but I never LOVED them; and 3) I'm retiring and downsizing.I've had my Q for a couple weeks now, and after uploading my first batch of photos into Lightroom on my Mac I can tell you that for the first time in my entire photography career, I am ECSTATIC about the results I'm getting from a camera.Colors are vivid and bright. Focus is laser sharp. Beautiful film grain effects can be had at intermediate ISOs and higher. Everything about the images just POPS.I don't mind the fixed lens at all. It's quality is superb and it's forcing me to think much differently (in a GOOD way) about how to make images. Plus it will keep me from purchasing more lenses.This camera is also drop dead gorgeous to look at and a true joy to handle. The whisper quiet and completely vibration-free leaf shutter is amazing.I've never been happier with a camera in 40 years of shooting. It's worth every penny, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Didn't start to seriously use this camera until my first trip a few weeks ago. Wait till you transfer the photos you take with this to your smart phone or computer. Wow! You'll immediately notice the quality. My other camera is a Canon 5D Mark III, and I don't think I'll ever want to haul that thing on a plane half way across the world again. I also do see a slight bit of a noticeable difference in picture sharpness and color in favor of the Leica. This camera definitely takes the prize. Perfect size, full-frame, and easy to use with superior, top notch picture quality. Didn't have an issue at all with the fixed lens and inability to zoom. Cropping is now my friend. I'm in love!