I've owned an X100F, Q and Q2. There are many similarities and they all make fantastic images. I didn't gel with the Q for a long time. When I finally clicked with the camera I now wouldn't be without it. I think if you're going to go down the Q/Q2/Q3 then you are buying an absolute class act with a massive premium. You are buying a lens capable of creating beautiful images. I shoot mine on manual focus 90% of the time. The auto focus has its uses and it's really very good but it's a street machine. Fuji make great cameras but I'm not bothered with back button focusing, buffers or other features. The Q2 gives me everything I need.
The Q2/Q3 camera model features a back button focusing capability. To utilize this functionality, continuously press the function button on the Q2/Q3 camera until the menu option appears on the screen.
I owned X100v; XT5; Z50 and Q2M, a bnw shooter, and if I have to pick just one camera, hands down, Q2M. Image quality is incomparable, and you can forget about all the settings, f/8; 1/500 sec, ISO auto. indoors; outdoors no issue, it's that simple, easy, and great, five grand, it's a bargain.
I have a Q2 and a Q2 Monochrom as well as X-T5, XPRO3 etc and the 18 1.4 (sold my X100V for more than I paid new). The Fuji cameras take wonderful images. The 18mm 1.4 is fantastic. There is no question that based only on image quality the Fuji camera hold there own. The Q2 is about experience. The manual focus is sublime on the Q2. The Q2 build quality is perfect. They are all wonderful. If I had to only have one - the Q2 Monochrom.
I wouldn't buy a Q2/Q2M for full price, but got a great deal on a very lightly used Q2 and Q2M and I don't think that I could go back to the X100V. I am blown away by the quality of the Leica files, and the shooting experience is exquisite. I do agree, though, that it would be nice to have an X100* in full-frame. I also wasn't crazy about the 28mm focal length until shooting with the Leica. I'm sold!
Was always curious about a Q so got myself a used first gen Q early this year. Totally love it, also the colors. Can very much relate to you likes and gripes but on the balance got over it all very quickly. The used Leica did not break my bank but has given me so much joy once you tune in on the fixed 28 mm idea. Still relish my Nikon universe but this camera goes wherever I go.
I went used as well. Q-P and X100V here… somewhat similar but also quite different. The Leica handling, build quality and shooting experience is another level (or ten). The X100v in isolation is fine but when you compare it, there’s almost a toy-like feel to it. But it does plenty of things well and is more accessible (or was) price wise for many. But a used Q is really not that much more if your look around and are patient, especially considered the current X100v used prices which are somewhat laughable. The biggest difference aside from build is the lens… the f2 is ok at best in build and optical quality. It’s far too audible as well which negates the leaf shutter quietness. The Leica 28mm 1.7 is a universe above - manual focus on the x100v is ok to begin with then horrible once you’ve handled a Leica. I understand people slate Leica and struggle to justify the value proposition but you get what you pay for.
@@kinghuthegreat They do seem to step back from innovation and features, in favour of quality. Tilt screens for eg. They have only just incorporated that on the Q3 whereas my Sony a6k had one 10 years ago.
The XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is a SUBLIME and razor sharp lens - by far the best lens optically that Fuji currently makes. Every time I use it on the X-T5 I'm stunned by the images that come out. You will not be disappointed.
I have shot with Fuji and i own a Leica Q1 since yesterday and the shooting experience and feel so so different. Im in pure love with the Leica feel at the moment and i get why it could be a gateway camera
Yeah, great vid. I've had the Q2 for a couple of years and recently caved into the hype and bought an X-T5 with the 33m 1.4. It isn't even close, the noise and smearing even at low isos on the fuji is a let down. It's nice to have the flexibility with the Fuji system but if you think you can replace a Q2 with a Fuji system you'll be disappointed.
Great video! If folk cannot afford Q2 get a Q which has four advantages: image stabilisation is on all the time whereas it doesn’t work on Q2 above approx 125th sec. Batteries are cheaper. File size is smaller. It’s much cheaper.
This was great to watch. Your rationalization is brilliant. This is the first video i’ve seen of yours. I went from full frame 5d series to xt/x100 and started to look at Leica. For family photos, my best shots come from my old x100s because it seems no one even notices it.
My humble opinion, but Fuji is 94% there as compared to Leicas. Yet at a fraction of the cost. It's the classic conundrum. It's why violinists will pay millions for a Stradivarius, whilst a $10,000 violin sounds superb.
@@earvinquero2037 It's a simple point really- If you want the best of anything, you are going to pay through the nose. I don't care what it is, cheese, wine, Wagyu beef. Rolex, Leica, etc...
6% difference between a crop sensor and corresponding glass to a full frame camera (Leica in this case) and corresponding glass is very optimistic. That is not factoring build quality and the intangible shooting experience. For 6% difference, no one would be buying these cameras.
Did some of you guys ever used an analog Leica? I did, and the point is the workflow, as he mentioned the shooting experience. And yes, the quality is incredible. But worth the money? Depends… Someone who can take pictures can do the job with anything ….
The Q2 is easily worth the money! I've had mine for over a year and have no regrets. It's a phenomenal camera that works the way I think and produces astonishing images that look like what I see pretty much straight out of the camera. The combination of the sensor and amazing glass allows me to shoot JPEG with hardly any editing. I have no need to shoot RAW at all. By the way, I've never, ever needed back button focusing! Yes, it is an expensive camera but the sheer lack of hassle to achieve what I need is worth every penny and I'm by no means a wealthy person! Oh, and if you were to purchase the equivalent Leica lens that's on this camera by itself (Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH) it would cost you $7,795 in the US. That's a lot less than the cost of this camera. I guess to each his or her own but the Q2 ticks every box for me.
Agreed. I only shoot JPEGs on my Fuji and my Q2. The ability to edit the JPEGs is amazing. Even on wedding shoots I shoot JPEG (I also shoot RAW but have never had to use them)
100% agree. I have 3 batteries. Expensive? Yes, of course. But worth the peace of mind when I’m out shooting for the day, and never have to worry about running out or, heaven forbid, having to sit in a coffee shop for the two hrs it takes to fully charge a battery.
This camera is made for street photographers who want to zone focus. I have one and only use autofocus in low light when I want to shoot 2.8 or wide open. You get used to manually focusing after awhile.
I’m an R5 shooter and treated myself to a Q2 as a treat for a big birthday. Initially I really didn’t get on with it because it was so inferior to my R5 but…….. as time passed I’ve grown to love it just because it’s more basic and has the easy dials on it. Makes you more of a pure shooter. The image quality is comparable between the R5 and Q2. I also have a X100V and whilst I feel it’s very good for a compact camera I’m often disappointed with the image sharpness. Understandable given the small lens and the crop sensor. It has a lovely feel to it but it just feels inferior to me. The biggest plus of the X100V is being invisible. The Leica and R5 get you noticed but the X100V is very subtle especially on-the-streets. Great video! You’re exactly right about the lack of BBF on the Q2. Ridiculous! I have to use centre spot with half press focus and recompose. I found the full zone auto focus misses my preferred target too much. The Q2 is good for slow considered relaxed photography!
Excellent breakdown. I shoot canon, but added fuji in 2017 if only to use the voigtlander manual lenses on a flagship apsc camera, the xt3. I spent the pandemic getting a feel for fuji’s system. Discovering the dr400 mode was a game changer for me. Gone was the lopsided dynamic range living in the shadows. Fuji found a clever way to expose to a sensor’s strengths, using software judo to allow a natural photography experience instead of underexposed images and promises to fix it in post!
It's always fun when someone wants to show you their holiday snaps taken with The Leica. It's very impressive when they point out the extra detail on the pyramids in the distance behind the camel herders
Like most photographers, I'm sure I'll want to dabble with Leica, just for the experience and to satisfy some GAS. I owned the X100V, which I loved, but after switching to Sony I am blown away by the IQ of my Sony A7R III paired with the GM 35mm 1.4. I wonder how those files would stack up against the Leica.
Back button focus is available on the Q2 - the latest firmware Ver 5.0 makes the back button assignable including bank button focus. The camera you have is either not updated to Ver 5 firmware or you haven’t set the menu correctly.
Got a "like new" Q2 for $3800 USD. At the price, it's somewhat justifiable (for a person without unlimited funds). It's a superb camera. I still use my XT cameras as my system cameras but the Q2 is so great on the streets. We're lucky to live in a time where there are no really bad cameras. I was tempted to get the Fuji x100VI but decided the Q2 was going to replace it on my Wish List.
Finally! A voice of reason when it comes to Fujifilm and Leica! Fujifilm benefits from the comparison for us 99%ers who can barely afford a decent camera to begin with. I did not know that Leicas weren't perfect. My prediction is that the next Fujifilm X-Pro camera will rock the Leica world. Maybe they will make a monochrome version for you.
If I had lots of cash, I probably would buy the Q2. But then there's another issue: 28mm lens. That's not the focal length I use daily (yeah I know about the crop mode). Even the used bodies on market are still expensive. To add some exaggeration: the used price of GFX 50S II (yep medium format) is more affordable. So yeah, Fujifilm for me.
This review is amazing Gareth, Ive been shooting Fuji for about 5 years (Xpro1, Xe2, Xh1,Xt3) and I love the colors, ecosystem and feel, but wish I had a bigger sensor. I don't know where to go from here. The Leica SL is a sweetpot in price and I could use 3r party lenses, but I am looking at GFX too.
ive had the fuji gfx for years and absolutely love it. i do mostly landscapes and some street photography. i found it cumbersome to walk around with gfx as it was too conspicuous and heavy for street photography. so 2 years years ago i bought the q2 and i do love the image quality. one thing that has been a challenge is the highlights. it is so easy to blow the highlights. i've gotten some nice images out of the camera, but would like a longer focal length (50mm) which is what has drawn me to the xt5, do you think the image quality is comparable using primes to the q2?
Well I’m thus not the only one who would like a mix of both! X100V form factor and color science in combination with a lens up to Leica quality standards…
I know a hundred people have posted this already. But that back button is programmable (just hold for 3 seconds)... one of the options is Focus Lock... and after lastest firmware it works beautifully. Give it a go
APS-C to FF: I’ve been with Fuji for years. X-T1, X-pro2, now X-T5. I own all the newer LM fast lenses: 18, 33, 56, 90. I also own the classic primes: 23 and 35 f/2. It’s my kit. I shoot street 99%. I love warmth in my color photos and contrast bnw. The film recipes are a joy in the X-T5, I have the film types added in as profiles. I never used them in my X-pro2 days, it was always just raw then. Now maybe I’m just in a creative rut but I find I miss the simplicity and limitations of the days when I only owned the X-pro2 and my og 35mm f/2 (~50mm equiv.) Anyone else relate to me? I want to sell it all off and go full frame. I could get a digital Leica m so I can use my many M mount lenses (from film) OR get a Q and be forced to just use what I have for digital again. Likely Q2 Monochrom or Q1 for color and save some money to see how I like it. I’ve also never owned a full frame digital camera, only APS-C. I do shoot film still: 135/120.
thanks mate.. i d never leave my fuji's! adore them for work.. the shooting exp with the leica for streets is so different from my work tools.. i love that!! plus itd be way too easy with the Sony afc. i dont fancy the mf only leica.. i adore the Q2 mono tho! def better than the colour..
@GarethDanks great video! I love the images and focal length that i see coming out of the Q series. I agree that is seems wider than my Fuji x70 (18mm). I am debating between the fuji 16mm f1.4 and the 18mm f1.4 right now, to pair with my XT3, to get some semblance of the look grom the Q images. I'd be really interested to hear from you if you think the Fuji 16 or the 18 focal length would be closer to tbe Q. Ive heard many people say it seems wider than a 28mm. Thanks
Two points: 1) FUJiFILM X100[stfv] Series with standard lens cap and no hood/conversion lens will _just_ fit reasonably comfortably in an overcoat pocket (and in summer in cargo pants or in a belt pouch that isn't too bulky to wear daily). Nothing much larger can! I say this after spending an exaggerated amount of time many years ago in an upmarket camera shop in Brussels with an X10, X100, XPro-1 + pancake lens and a few other options on the counter basically ignoring every other aspect apart from this - the salesman was irritated to start with ... but after a while he became really enthusiastic. Ideally, I'd rather have liked the answer to be he XPro-1 + pancake lens ... but in the end it just wasn't, and I suddenly saw _exactly_ why the X100 was such a well-chosen size and shape. That's a vitally important niche, and I think the X100V pretty much nails the "as much fun as you can have in this format" niche. The Q2 looks great, but is just not that camera. 2) Wasabi batteries are even better than the Fuij's own, but can be hard to find in the UK (though I think they're now marketed there under a different name). If you catch a reasonable deal, though, they are still cheap enough to get shipped from Amazon USA.
Really love your take on it. Is it worth the money, of course not. 100% agree and very refreshing input. Most say that you get a free camera, which of course is nonsense. Thank you for being honest.
It's the same with many products where there is brand snobbery. The Japanese tend to price things based on spec rather than brand appeal. The Fuji can do 90% what a Leica can and even has a few features others don't. Same with cars where a Lexus is actually a better car than the German premium brands of Mercedes and BMW. Even with watches a Seiko matches some of the Swiss premium brands.
I'm a poor photographer but I use an old sony a7 original and a fuji xt20 with pentax 28mm and 50mm smc m lenses I still get great photos ,I would love a Leica if i could afford one ,although i wouldn't be able to walk around where I live without being murdered for it
I own Fuji XT1, XT2, XH1, 100s medium format and the 50r. Don’t even get me started on lenses! I just returned from a 32 day road trip with 22,368 images and more than half were with my Leica Q2. I love my Leica and this road trip may have just swayed me to tart selling my Fuji gear.
Sony has a full-frame compact, the RX1R Mark II with a 35mm lens. It came out years ago, and since then Sony did not update this line. Oh, it was also overpriced. But with some updates, it would be an excellent option between the X100V and the Q2. Just checked the price. It is 3999€....
Tengo la Q3 y sinceramente cuando disparas con ella es otra cosa , la calidad de imagen es sublime y es mi 1 Leica pero hasta no tenerla no entiendes lo que se siente es un flechazo cada foto y toda via no e hecho video , de momento estoy disfrutando al maximo y esto de no tener que cargar con lentes enseña mucho a pensar cuando disparas y con respeto a la Fuji que tengo una esto es otro mundo , seamos honestos las fotos buenas salen hasta con un movil , pero el placer no es igual, y disparo en JPEG sin retocar o tunear la foto.
To be perectly frank, I have never thought much of Fuji cameras. Had a couple of them and never gelled with them, but for an average amateur photographer the price difference between the two is staggering. At the end of the day Leica is Leica and Fuji is Fuji. Would I buy a Q2, perhaps not? I have an M240 which does what I want it to do and does it very well.
You can back button focus on the Q2. There is a menu option for customizing the crop back button. It’s an AE/AF work around. I just viewed a video on how to do this.
Hahaha I just bought one used in mint condition for $3.5k and I'm like yeah...worth exactly 3.5 not 6 by any means. I love it for the price I paid but I absolutely agree! All of your comments are spot on, the back button focus thing is driving me crazy! I feel like they could push it in a firmware update but not holding my breath. I also hate the position of the scroll wheel...other than that it's an absolutely amazing camera (for half price lol)
Leica omitted the back button focus because it does NOT matter. Started as a pro photographer 35 years ago....no camera has such feature and NO ONE gave AF. now it seems we NEED it? 🧐
It would be cool for the next x100 to have either a regular one and a bw sensor but this must be well done or cheaper x100 with 2 options, maybe a 28mm eq and another one 50mm eq. Pretty sure if it a bit cheaper fans would buy both focal length. Personally I hate changing lenses that's why I always go out with 2 Fuji's and 3 primes (eq 35, 50, 75). Depending on my plans and places I go to I change lenses before I go out and rarely use the third lens. So 2 100 would make a lot of sense when I travel. 28, 50, no questions asked.
Hi Gareth. Great video and agree about the rattle. It's alarming ! I've a Q and the rattle stops once I turn the camera on, even if the OIS is turned off. Re the back button, I use that for AE lock so it does have a purpose rather than just being a gimmick ..
A lottery win and I'd be adding one to my basket 😉. For now (and I'm not comparing it as that would be silly) but my X-E1 with 1st gen 28mm f/2.8 is a fantastic little combo and such an enjoyable experience. Total cost (used) was just over £300 😁👍 Excellent shots Gareth - great compositions and very inspiring. Thank you!
There is no getting around the price, for me, of the Leica. I am a Fuji user. I appreciate the size and weight of my Fuji gear. The image quality is OK. I would hope the image quality of the Q is better than a Fuji body. As I’m an amateur the Fuji image is adequate. Besides the price, the 28mm focal length is too wide for me. Either I’d have to get closer to the subject than I am comfortable with or have to digitally zoom in. Plus I have to be more aware of the edge of the frame. I much prefer the 35 or 50mm FOV. I understand your thought on Fuji going into the full frame market. In my opinion that would be a mistake. With the loss of consumers purchasing cameras there is a bloodbath in the full frame market. Competing with Sony or Canon would be a major mistake. That said, I would be happy if Fuji manufactured either a full frame and/or a B&W sensor body on a limited run basis. My guess this isn’t going to happen but one can hope. Thank you for this video. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Q batteries are about £140, still not cheap, but seem to do the job. Shooting all day prob uses about 1 1/2 batteries. I have owned a Q2 for about 18 months, and my only gripe is the lens cap can easily fall off, but that said, who has a lens cap on when you are shooting? Yes it is expensive, and still receiving regular therapy sessions to help come to terms with the outlay, but it does keep the curiousity acquisition impulse at bay because there is really nothing else to buy for it.
Great Video I'm now an amateur street/travel photographer, who WANTS a Leica Q, but NEEDS a flexible camera/lens combination to shoot (& sell) photos of dogs/dog shows for my wife & fellow dog breeders. To this end I feel that I must retain my Fuji X-H2 & XF50-140 F/2 (& possibly my XF23 F/1.4 (Mk2) WR prime). However your video may well have pushed me into selling my favourite Fuji "carry round" combination of all time - Fuji X-Pro2, & XF18 F/2 (with XF35 F/1.4, as backup), for a Leica "Q". For me, the 28mm is now, the "Goldilocks" focal length, having gravitated from 35mm, semi wide, in my film days. I guess my main concern is that I would miss my favourite Fuji classic chrome JPEGs - my fascination for B&W photography ended in the dark room (dark ages?), in the late 1960s, when I could afford & process, Ektachrome 35/120 film stock. No doubt a Fuji X-100F/V/VI, might scratch my itch, but I doubt it!
i feel the same.. im desp trying to justify a Q2 purchase! id rather the mono but its only the high iso thats an advantage. the fuji system is great but i was very sad to see the Q2 go. id kill for a full frame x100! fat chance i know! haha. i doubt the sale of your xp2 etc would fund the Q2 but good luck! thanks for the comment :-)
I love the concept of the Q2/Q3 but, at the price, there shouldn't be anything missing. Like you imply, Leica Q and Fuji X100 series, need to meet in the middle. Fuji should make a full-frame, and Leica should borrow some of the functionality from the Fuji. I have the X100V and it does pretty much everything I bought it for. If it did everything then it would be bigger, and wouldn't be what I bought it for any longer. It's as sharp as I need it to be and, to be frank, I tend to add "grain" into my simulations, to take off the digital edge. My favourite images from it tend to be at higher ISO, for that same reason.
I love the fuji colours, I could test a Q2 and I’ m not a fan of the leica colours, they look -for me- quite a little bit sad… maybe in musical terms: minor …. not bad, but a little bit sad - while the fuji colours are on the sunny and brilliant major side. Anyway: it would be great to have an x100 fullframe camera, because of the depth and sharpness in the leica pictures! They are incredible. Please fujifilm: do it!
Hi Just wish Fujifilm would produce an X70 upgrade.Out of interest I searched my Lightroom catalogue and was surprised how many of my favourite pics were taken with it. I have the x100V and would love to see a modern sensor in that x70 form factor body. Grab a secondhand X70 and play with it you will always get back what you have paid for it and I think you would enjoy the experience!!
I have a Leica Q2, Sony A7riv and Ricoh GRiii, I sold a lot of gear to buy a new Q2 last year. It’s lovely camera and I love 28mm focal length, is it worth the money compared to others, no. Its like any product in life like comparing a ford focus to Porsche cayenne, or a Casio to a Rolex, products aimed at different buyers
Absolutely agree mate. And the cult that follows it. I’d love to buy a Ferrari but would hate all the hate with driving it. I will own both one day tho haha
The IS noise goes away when the camera is switched on but to be honest who shakes their camera? I’ve had my Q2 over a year now, use it daily and the IS noise is rarely heard. Most of your other negative points have been covered in the Q3 which is an astonishing camera
I would love to see Nikon release a Zf monochrome full frame body. I have no doubt it would sell well. Would price between the Leica and FujiFilm, with outstanding functionality.
i agree mate.. but theyd need to ditch that screen! sill!! also the lenses feel sooo cheap!! id have bought a ZF by now if it weren't for the screen and lenses
i wish i could have bought one instead of the colour! i dont like the flip screens on the leica Q3.. tho tbh i dont use my screen much, rather the evf or just point and shoot without looking.. the 28mm is so forgiving haha
@@GarethDanks the monochrome is so different in the modern age of cameras no white balance blows my mind but am loving street photography with it especially when you push the iso and get film type grain
I have the xt5 with the 18mm 1.4. It’s a great combination but I still want the q2 for full frame. I may get a Leica m instead so that it takes advantage of the rangefinder experience. The xt5 + 18 is too similar to the q2 to justify both, evf and autofocus, etc.
I’ve been wanting a Leica Q camera for some years now but I just don’t have the money to get one but… now that the Q3 has arrived, I have had a look at how I could find buying one. I’ve worked out, that due to me still being in full time employment and now receiving my state pension (plus some savings) I could just afford to buy one if I sold every bit of camera equipment I own. Yes, that would involve selling my all time favourite camera (the X100V) but I’m willing to do that to get one. I’m going to give it some thought over the summer and make a decision then before I have a late summer holiday though. 🏴 Yes, with a Leica, you need to underexpose images ( expose for the highlights) especially when they are RAW file. And remember those are DNG files… so there’s no need to wait, and wait, and wait for editing software to catch up. Q3… now with contrast and phase detection!
I have owned a Leica Q, Q-P & Q2, not mono, and I really think you should have perhaps looked into the Leica facilities and pricing a bit further. You were talking about the buttons on the camera and how they were fixed, Zoom for instance, but you can go into the settings and customize them for your preferred use with the User Profiles. The batteries are not £300, they are not cheap at £120 -150, but nothing Leica is....unfortunately. You are obviously a die hard Fuji fan and I can understand that, I did own a little Fuji, an X70, it fitted into my jeans pocket perfectly and I loved using it unfortunately it's now dead. I got the Leica Q3 recently and I'm still playing around to get it set just right for me. Being single I saved my pocket money for 2 years to save for it and also traded my Q2 as well to afford it....much like you would if you buy a new car. I watch all your Videos and love 'em, particularly when you meet your mates and go out with them.
I am confused. I thought you weren't going to compare the Leica to the X100V. I have both cameras. Love your reviews. PS: you can re-assign the back button.
I would sell all my Fuji and Canon RF gear in a second if Leica also did a 50mm version of the Q. even a 35mm would be okay. Not all of us want a 28mm field of view. And cropping is not the same thing, sorry.
I also wish that Fuji had produced full frame lenses and cameras, particularly a street photography oriented camera like the Sony RX1 but with Fuji colors and feature set. There is a bigger jump in image quality from APSC to Full frame than Full frame to Medium Format. Yes APSC has some advantages with reach and lens size and is a great system too.
Full frame is way too crowded, Fuji is practically king of the hill in APSC. The X mount is well established, adding a full frame system would mean they’re supporting three different mounts, I don’t think that’s viable for Fuji to maintain.
@@nightowlnzab nah, all camera brands that manufacture FF cameras also have APSC line. Fuji is the king of APSC because of their colors, retro slr manual experience. They will always be a niche player and that is fine with them.
@@jaegerschtulmannaps-c cameras from Canon or Nikon only exist to entice consumers to get full frame. They don't have many good lenses. Fuji has no competition there.
Good video. Just proves that it's so difficult to change brands because one is used to one. Basically you say Leica is better but too expensive. that depends if the work needs the quality as the price difference is large but not insurmountable. BTW I use a Leica Q and a Leica SL-2 and didn't hear any reasons to change.
Very true! I’d love one but it’s hard to justify vs my fuji. Personally I am happy to upgrade from the x100v to the q2 but when I ask myself who would see the improvements, the answer is only me. My clients notice the fuji colours more than the res from when I use the z7 45mg. Hard call
I love when people moan about the cost of Leica. They are not in the same market as the APS-C Fujis, the Sonys, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic etc. They are designed and made in Germany. They are not designed for being mass-produced in China or Thailand. Compare it to a Sony A7R5 ($3.8K) plus a G Master Prime (~$1300)... So that's $5100 - designed for bulk consumption and built in Thailand. So really only $900 difference. Not bad based on the development cost, the expensive manufacturing, the fact that Leica has a bunch of dedicated stores, etc.. Agree the M system is very expensive - but they have a niche... and very little competition in that niche. But you see that with all niche systems.... The GFX system is expensive, as is Hasselblad, Phase 1, etc. Sure part of it is the cost for the name..... but there is a reason it has a name (German Engineering) - their M glass is still holding up as megapixels have increased.
Really interesting to hear about your experience with the Q. Id love a monochrome but out of reach at the moment, not necessarily Leica. With Pentax releasing a monochrome I hope that other manufacturers will follow suit. Agreed the Fuji is good for the money you pay for one but when I could straight swap a used 100V with the raised resale price for a CL with decent glass - that’s crazy!
Leica makes awesome cameras. Are they worth the money? I believe that depends on your disposable income. Ferrari makes awesome automobiles. Are they worth the money? Many with allowable incomes seem to think so which is why you see Ferraris on the street. I am beyond happy with my fujifilm cameras. I respect Leica but don’t see one in my immediate future…unless I drive to the Leica store in my new Ferrari. Don’t see that in my near future as well.
I've gave up on Leica a few years ago due to reliability issues. My M7s viewfinder was misaligned out of the box. 6 months later the shutter broke. My 90 / f2.8 focus mechanism got jammed after 9 months. Unacceptable at that price point.
Hi gareth steve from down under just wandering your street photography where do you sale them can you please let me know and can you do a video on stock photography sales where you sell your photos please if it’s possible thanks mait
Leica are overpriced good-very good tools. In the end it just comes down to whether you can/want to afford one. You can buy a 2€ or 100€ hammer or knife, they will almost do the same job but build quality and the pleasure to use them vary from one person to another.
I own a few cameras and the q2m is by far my most used camera. There is something really special about the tonality and rendering of the q2m that converting a color file doesn’t match. I will say that having an orange filter is a game changer. I did buy and ended up selling an x100v and while I loved how compact it was the detail and sharpness of the q2m just blew it out of the water.
When these videos pop up people love to make up a percentage that fuji is at compared to the Q and q2 and say yeah Leica isnt worth it. Owning the x100 original through the V i can happily say they have lost the damn minds the Q2 is a beast 😂
2:57 - this rationale always bothers me. You aren’t getting a “free camera with the lens”. The camera and lens are permanently fixed together; it’s not like you can sell the camera and keep the lens. If anything, you’re paying 6 grand for a Summilux that will become obsolete in a few years unlike the M-mount equivalent.
![30 ชั่วโมงคนเดียว บนรถไฟชั้น 3 โซเวียต [Around The World Ep. 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MlE9boAVqDA/mqdefault.jpg)
I've owned an X100F, Q and Q2. There are many similarities and they all make fantastic images. I didn't gel with the Q for a long time. When I finally clicked with the camera I now wouldn't be without it. I think if you're going to go down the Q/Q2/Q3 then you are buying an absolute class act with a massive premium. You are buying a lens capable of creating beautiful images. I shoot mine on manual focus 90% of the time. The auto focus has its uses and it's really very good but it's a street machine. Fuji make great cameras but I'm not bothered with back button focusing, buffers or other features. The Q2 gives me everything I need.
The Q2/Q3 camera model features a back button focusing capability. To utilize this functionality, continuously press the function button on the Q2/Q3 camera until the menu option appears on the screen.
Thanks mate. Few have said. Couldn’t find it anywhere tho.
I owned X100v; XT5; Z50 and Q2M, a bnw shooter, and if I have to pick just one camera, hands down, Q2M. Image quality is incomparable, and you can forget about all the settings, f/8; 1/500 sec, ISO auto. indoors; outdoors no issue, it's that simple, easy, and great, five grand, it's a bargain.
I have a Q2 and a Q2 Monochrom as well as X-T5, XPRO3 etc and the 18 1.4 (sold my X100V for more than I paid new). The Fuji cameras take wonderful images. The 18mm 1.4 is fantastic. There is no question that based only on image quality the Fuji camera hold there own. The Q2 is about experience. The manual focus is sublime on the Q2. The Q2 build quality is perfect. They are all wonderful. If I had to only have one - the Q2 Monochrom.
I wouldn't buy a Q2/Q2M for full price, but got a great deal on a very lightly used Q2 and Q2M and I don't think that I could go back to the X100V. I am blown away by the quality of the Leica files, and the shooting experience is exquisite. I do agree, though, that it would be nice to have an X100* in full-frame. I also wasn't crazy about the 28mm focal length until shooting with the Leica. I'm sold!
How much did you pay?
@@callmesenseimaster $3700 USD for the Q2M and $3300 for the Q2.
Was always curious about a Q so got myself a used first gen Q early this year. Totally love it, also the colors. Can very much relate to you likes and gripes but on the balance got over it all very quickly. The used Leica did not break my bank but has given me so much joy once you tune in on the fixed 28 mm idea. Still relish my Nikon universe but this camera goes wherever I go.
I went used as well. Q-P and X100V here… somewhat similar but also quite different. The Leica handling, build quality and shooting experience is another level (or ten). The X100v in isolation is fine but when you compare it, there’s almost a toy-like feel to it. But it does plenty of things well and is more accessible (or was) price wise for many. But a used Q is really not that much more if your look around and are patient, especially considered the current X100v used prices which are somewhat laughable. The biggest difference aside from build is the lens… the f2 is ok at best in build and optical quality. It’s far too audible as well which negates the leaf shutter quietness. The Leica 28mm 1.7 is a universe above - manual focus on the x100v is ok to begin with then horrible once you’ve handled a Leica. I understand people slate Leica and struggle to justify the value proposition but you get what you pay for.
@@kinghuthegreat They do seem to step back from innovation and features, in favour of quality. Tilt screens for eg. They have only just incorporated that on the Q3 whereas my Sony a6k had one 10 years ago.
The XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is a SUBLIME and razor sharp lens - by far the best lens optically that Fuji currently makes. Every time I use it on the X-T5 I'm stunned by the images that come out. You will not be disappointed.
Pretty much the only good 28mm equivalent lens available on the mirrorless market. Everything else is soft or slow.
Yeah, I really would like to be able to use this lens on a Fuji XPro4 with a 40MP sensor. That would basically be the perfect “Leica Q” for me.
I have shot with Fuji and i own a Leica Q1 since yesterday and the shooting experience and feel so so different. Im in pure love with the Leica feel at the moment and i get why it could be a gateway camera
Yeah, great vid. I've had the Q2 for a couple of years and recently caved into the hype and bought an X-T5 with the 33m 1.4. It isn't even close, the noise and smearing even at low isos on the fuji is a let down. It's nice to have the flexibility with the Fuji system but if you think you can replace a Q2 with a Fuji system you'll be disappointed.
Great video! If folk cannot afford Q2 get a Q which has four advantages: image stabilisation is on all the time whereas it doesn’t work on Q2 above approx 125th sec. Batteries are cheaper. File size is smaller. It’s much cheaper.
This was great to watch. Your rationalization is brilliant. This is the first video i’ve seen of yours. I went from full frame 5d series to xt/x100 and started to look at Leica. For family photos, my best shots come from my old x100s because it seems no one even notices it.
Hey thanks David. Hugely appreciate mate. I’m so tempted to park ex my x100 but the idea of not having it terrifies me haha.
My humble opinion, but Fuji is 94% there as compared to Leicas. Yet at a fraction of the cost. It's the classic conundrum. It's why violinists will pay millions for a Stradivarius, whilst a $10,000 violin sounds superb.
nah
I dont understand what you saying?
@@earvinquero2037 It's a simple point really- If you want the best of anything, you are going to pay through the nose. I don't care what it is, cheese, wine, Wagyu beef. Rolex, Leica, etc...
6% difference between a crop sensor and corresponding glass to a full frame camera (Leica in this case) and corresponding glass is very optimistic. That is not factoring build quality and the intangible shooting experience. For 6% difference, no one would be buying these cameras.
Did some of you guys ever used an analog Leica? I did, and the point is the workflow, as he mentioned the shooting experience. And yes, the quality is incredible. But worth the money? Depends… Someone who can take pictures can do the job with anything ….
A well balanced look at both cameras mate. If I had too much money I'd have a Leica! 📷❤
Not that expensive used today. You can get certain Qs for No more than a used Sony A7R IV or Canon R6
The Q2 is easily worth the money! I've had mine for over a year and have no regrets. It's a phenomenal camera that works the way I think and produces astonishing images that look like what I see pretty much straight out of the camera. The combination of the sensor and amazing glass allows me to shoot JPEG with hardly any editing. I have no need to shoot RAW at all. By the way, I've never, ever needed back button focusing! Yes, it is an expensive camera but the sheer lack of hassle to achieve what I need is worth every penny and I'm by no means a wealthy person! Oh, and if you were to purchase the equivalent Leica lens that's on this camera by itself (Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH) it would cost you $7,795 in the US. That's a lot less than the cost of this camera. I guess to each his or her own but the Q2 ticks every box for me.
Agreed. I only shoot JPEGs on my Fuji and my Q2. The ability to edit the JPEGs is amazing. Even on wedding shoots I shoot JPEG (I also shoot RAW but have never had to use them)
100% agree. I have 3 batteries. Expensive? Yes, of course. But worth the peace of mind when I’m out shooting for the day, and never have to worry about running out or, heaven forbid, having to sit in a coffee shop for the two hrs it takes to fully charge a battery.
Another great video. Totally agree that the x-t5 with 18mm & 33mm 1.4 combo is a fabulous package. Cheers
cheers mate. thanks for the comment :-)
This camera is made for street photographers who want to zone focus. I have one and only use autofocus in low light when I want to shoot 2.8 or wide open. You get used to manually focusing after awhile.
Or get a q3 and you have street with focus that works 😂
I’m an R5 shooter and treated myself to a Q2 as a treat for a big birthday. Initially I really didn’t get on with it because it was so inferior to my R5 but…….. as time passed I’ve grown to love it just because it’s more basic and has the easy dials on it. Makes you more of a pure shooter. The image quality is comparable between the R5 and Q2.
I also have a X100V and whilst I feel it’s very good for a compact camera I’m often disappointed with the image sharpness. Understandable given the small lens and the crop sensor. It has a lovely feel to it but it just feels inferior to me.
The biggest plus of the X100V is being invisible. The Leica and R5 get you noticed but the X100V is very subtle especially on-the-streets.
Great video! You’re exactly right about the lack of BBF on the Q2. Ridiculous! I have to use centre spot with half press focus and recompose. I found the full zone auto focus misses my preferred target too much. The Q2 is good for slow considered relaxed photography!
Excellent breakdown.
I shoot canon, but added fuji in 2017 if only to use the voigtlander manual lenses on a flagship apsc camera, the xt3.
I spent the pandemic getting a feel for fuji’s system.
Discovering the dr400 mode was a game changer for me. Gone was the lopsided dynamic range living in the shadows. Fuji found a clever way to expose to a sensor’s strengths, using software judo to allow a natural photography experience instead of underexposed images and promises to fix it in post!
My Q doesn’t rattle. I LOVE that camera and am waiting for delivery of my Leica Q3. Nice review.. thanks for the hard work! 👍
apparently it doesn't when its switched on.. another mate has just purchased a mono and his does until switched on too.. thanks for the comment :-)
I believe it’s possible to change the digital zoom on the Q2 and assign to BBF in the settings under customize controls zoom/lock-button.
Yes you can. Deffo!!
I use this feature always. It does have back button focus when you assign the zoom control to focus
I can concur also. Change the function in the set up 👍🏻
It's always fun when someone wants to show you their holiday snaps taken with The Leica. It's very impressive when they point out the extra detail on the pyramids in the distance behind the camel herders
If that was the case any high resolution camera would offer the same shooting experience tho mate. It’s more than that.
Like most photographers, I'm sure I'll want to dabble with Leica, just for the experience and to satisfy some GAS. I owned the X100V, which I loved, but after switching to Sony I am blown away by the IQ of my Sony A7R III paired with the GM 35mm 1.4. I wonder how those files would stack up against the Leica.
Back button focus is available on the Q2 - the latest firmware Ver 5.0 makes the back button assignable including bank button focus. The camera you have is either not updated to Ver 5 firmware or you haven’t set the menu correctly.
Got a "like new" Q2 for $3800 USD. At the price, it's somewhat justifiable (for a person without unlimited funds). It's a superb camera. I still use my XT cameras as my system cameras but the Q2 is so great on the streets. We're lucky to live in a time where there are no really bad cameras. I was tempted to get the Fuji x100VI but decided the Q2 was going to replace it on my Wish List.
Finally! A voice of reason when it comes to Fujifilm and Leica! Fujifilm benefits from the comparison for us 99%ers who can barely afford a decent camera to begin with. I did not know that Leicas weren't perfect. My prediction is that the next Fujifilm X-Pro camera will rock the Leica world. Maybe they will make a monochrome version for you.
If I had lots of cash, I probably would buy the Q2. But then there's another issue: 28mm lens. That's not the focal length I use daily (yeah I know about the crop mode). Even the used bodies on market are still expensive. To add some exaggeration: the used price of GFX 50S II (yep medium format) is more affordable. So yeah, Fujifilm for me.
This review is amazing Gareth, Ive been shooting Fuji for about 5 years (Xpro1, Xe2, Xh1,Xt3) and I love the colors, ecosystem and feel, but wish I had a bigger sensor. I don't know where to go from here. The Leica SL is a sweetpot in price and I could use 3r party lenses, but I am looking at GFX too.
ive had the fuji gfx for years and absolutely love it. i do mostly landscapes and some street photography. i found it cumbersome to walk around with gfx as it was too conspicuous and heavy for street photography. so 2 years years ago i bought the q2 and i do love the image quality. one thing that has been a challenge is the highlights. it is so easy to blow the highlights. i've gotten some nice images out of the camera, but would like a longer focal length (50mm) which is what has drawn me to the xt5, do you think the image quality is comparable using primes to the q2?
Well I’m thus not the only one who would like a mix of both! X100V form factor and color science in combination with a lens up to Leica quality standards…
I know a hundred people have posted this already. But that back button is programmable (just hold for 3 seconds)... one of the options is Focus Lock... and after lastest firmware it works beautifully. Give it a go
APS-C to FF: I’ve been with Fuji for years. X-T1, X-pro2, now X-T5. I own all the newer LM fast lenses: 18, 33, 56, 90. I also own the classic primes: 23 and 35 f/2. It’s my kit. I shoot street 99%. I love warmth in my color photos and contrast bnw. The film recipes are a joy in the X-T5, I have the film types added in as profiles. I never used them in my X-pro2 days, it was always just raw then. Now maybe I’m just in a creative rut but I find I miss the simplicity and limitations of the days when I only owned the X-pro2 and my og 35mm f/2 (~50mm equiv.) Anyone else relate to me?
I want to sell it all off and go full frame. I could get a digital Leica m so I can use my many M mount lenses (from film) OR get a Q and be forced to just use what I have for digital again. Likely Q2 Monochrom or Q1 for color and save some money to see how I like it. I’ve also never owned a full frame digital camera, only APS-C.
I do shoot film still: 135/120.
thanks mate.. i d never leave my fuji's! adore them for work.. the shooting exp with the leica for streets is so different from my work tools.. i love that!! plus itd be way too easy with the Sony afc. i dont fancy the mf only leica.. i adore the Q2 mono tho! def better than the colour..
@GarethDanks great video! I love the images and focal length that i see coming out of the Q series. I agree that is seems wider than my Fuji x70 (18mm).
I am debating between the fuji 16mm f1.4 and the 18mm f1.4 right now, to pair with my XT3, to get some semblance of the look grom the Q images.
I'd be really interested to hear from you if you think the Fuji 16 or the 18 focal length would be closer to tbe Q. Ive heard many people say it seems wider than a 28mm. Thanks
Two points:
1) FUJiFILM X100[stfv] Series with standard lens cap and no hood/conversion lens will _just_ fit reasonably comfortably in an overcoat pocket (and in summer in cargo pants or in a belt pouch that isn't too bulky to wear daily). Nothing much larger can! I say this after spending an exaggerated amount of time many years ago in an upmarket camera shop in Brussels with an X10, X100, XPro-1 + pancake lens and a few other options on the counter basically ignoring every other aspect apart from this - the salesman was irritated to start with ... but after a while he became really enthusiastic. Ideally, I'd rather have liked the answer to be he XPro-1 + pancake lens ... but in the end it just wasn't, and I suddenly saw _exactly_ why the X100 was such a well-chosen size and shape.
That's a vitally important niche, and I think the X100V pretty much nails the "as much fun as you can have in this format" niche. The Q2 looks great, but is just not that camera.
2) Wasabi batteries are even better than the Fuij's own, but can be hard to find in the UK (though I think they're now marketed there under a different name). If you catch a reasonable deal, though, they are still cheap enough to get shipped from Amazon USA.
Really love your take on it. Is it worth the money, of course not. 100% agree and very refreshing input. Most say that you get a free camera, which of course is nonsense. Thank you for being honest.
It's the same with many products where there is brand snobbery.
The Japanese tend to price things based on spec rather than brand appeal. The Fuji can do 90% what a Leica can and even has a few features others don't.
Same with cars where a Lexus is actually a better car than the German premium brands of Mercedes and BMW. Even with watches a Seiko matches some of the Swiss premium brands.
I'm a poor photographer but I use an old sony a7 original and a fuji xt20 with pentax 28mm and 50mm smc m lenses I still get great photos ,I would love a Leica if i could afford one ,although i wouldn't be able to walk around where I live without being murdered for it
Both are amazing!
I own Fuji XT1, XT2, XH1, 100s medium format and the 50r. Don’t even get me started on lenses! I just returned from a 32 day road trip with 22,368 images and more than half were with my Leica Q2. I love my Leica and this road trip may have just swayed me to tart selling my Fuji gear.
Sony has a full-frame compact, the RX1R Mark II with a 35mm lens. It came out years ago, and since then Sony did not update this line. Oh, it was also overpriced. But with some updates, it would be an excellent option between the X100V and the Q2.
Just checked the price. It is 3999€....
Tengo la Q3 y sinceramente cuando disparas con ella es otra cosa , la calidad de imagen es sublime y es mi 1 Leica pero hasta no tenerla no entiendes lo que se siente es un flechazo cada foto y toda via no e hecho video , de momento estoy disfrutando al maximo y esto de no tener que cargar con lentes enseña mucho a pensar cuando disparas y con respeto a la Fuji que tengo una esto es otro mundo , seamos honestos las fotos buenas salen hasta con un movil , pero el placer no es igual, y disparo en JPEG sin retocar o tunear la foto.
To be perectly frank, I have never thought much of Fuji cameras. Had a couple of them and never gelled with them, but for an average amateur photographer the price difference between the two is staggering. At the end of the day Leica is Leica and Fuji is Fuji. Would I buy a Q2, perhaps not? I have an M240 which does what I want it to do and does it very well.
Did you try out the Fuji 18mm 1.4? Would love to hear how it was compared to the Leica Q2
An additional OEM battery for the Q2 isn’t £300, in fact it isn’t even half that price…it is £140 (Park Cameras & Leica Store Manchester.)
You can back button focus on the Q2. There is a menu option for customizing the crop back button. It’s an AE/AF work around. I just viewed a video on how to do this.
Gareth,the frame button can be set for other modes than frame size, ie AEL lock oe AF lock
Which is the best choice camera did you can recommend.
Hahaha I just bought one used in mint condition for $3.5k and I'm like yeah...worth exactly 3.5 not 6 by any means. I love it for the price I paid but I absolutely agree! All of your comments are spot on, the back button focus thing is driving me crazy! I feel like they could push it in a firmware update but not holding my breath. I also hate the position of the scroll wheel...other than that it's an absolutely amazing camera (for half price lol)
Check the comment 2nd up from your comment. There is a back focus choice in settings. 😊
@@MrDjay46 you're so right, thanks I just tried it!
great video and an honest review well done and very informative
Thank you for your honest opinion.
Leica omitted the back button focus because it does NOT matter.
Started as a pro photographer 35 years ago....no camera has such feature and NO ONE gave AF.
now it seems we NEED it?
🧐
It would be cool for the next x100 to have either a regular one and a bw sensor but this must be well done or cheaper x100 with 2 options, maybe a 28mm eq and another one 50mm eq. Pretty sure if it a bit cheaper fans would buy both focal length. Personally I hate changing lenses that's why I always go out with 2 Fuji's and 3 primes (eq 35, 50, 75). Depending on my plans and places I go to I change lenses before I go out and rarely use the third lens. So 2 100 would make a lot of sense when I travel. 28, 50, no questions asked.
Hi Gareth. Great video and agree about the rattle. It's alarming ! I've a Q and the rattle stops once I turn the camera on, even if the OIS is turned off. Re the back button, I use that for AE lock so it does have a purpose rather than just being a gimmick ..
A lottery win and I'd be adding one to my basket 😉. For now (and I'm not comparing it as that would be silly) but my X-E1 with 1st gen 28mm f/2.8 is a fantastic little combo and such an enjoyable experience. Total cost (used) was just over £300 😁👍
Excellent shots Gareth - great compositions and very inspiring. Thank you!
yeah the x-e1 rocks!
Even the Q1 can be set to BBF, and it’s not hard to find (literally: menu->customize control->Zoom/Lock-button->AF).
There is no getting around the price, for me, of the Leica.
I am a Fuji user. I appreciate the size and weight of my Fuji gear. The image quality is OK. I would hope the image quality of the Q is better than a Fuji body. As I’m an amateur the Fuji image is adequate. Besides the price, the 28mm focal length is too wide for me. Either I’d have to get closer to the subject than I am comfortable with or have to digitally zoom in. Plus I have to be more aware of the edge of the frame. I much prefer the 35 or 50mm FOV.
I understand your thought on Fuji going into the full frame market. In my opinion that would be a mistake. With the loss of consumers purchasing cameras there is a bloodbath in the full frame market. Competing with Sony or Canon would be a major mistake. That said, I would be happy if Fuji manufactured either a full frame and/or a B&W sensor body on a limited run basis. My guess this isn’t going to happen but one can hope.
Thank you for this video.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Q batteries are about £140, still not cheap, but seem to do the job. Shooting all day prob uses about 1 1/2 batteries. I have owned a Q2 for about 18 months, and my only gripe is the lens cap can easily fall off, but that said, who has a lens cap on when you are shooting? Yes it is expensive, and still receiving regular therapy sessions to help come to terms with the outlay, but it does keep the curiousity acquisition impulse at bay because there is really nothing else to buy for it.
BTW, what IS the rattle? My Q2 has it but never noticed it until you mentioned it.
Great Video
I'm now an amateur street/travel photographer, who WANTS a Leica Q, but NEEDS a flexible camera/lens combination to shoot (& sell) photos of dogs/dog shows for my wife & fellow dog breeders.
To this end I feel that I must retain my Fuji X-H2 & XF50-140 F/2 (& possibly my XF23 F/1.4 (Mk2) WR prime).
However your video may well have pushed me into selling my favourite Fuji "carry round" combination of all time - Fuji X-Pro2, & XF18 F/2 (with XF35 F/1.4, as backup), for a Leica "Q". For me, the 28mm is now, the "Goldilocks" focal length, having gravitated from 35mm, semi wide, in my film days.
I guess my main concern is that I would miss my favourite Fuji classic chrome JPEGs - my fascination for B&W photography ended in the dark room (dark ages?), in the late 1960s, when I could afford & process, Ektachrome 35/120 film stock.
No doubt a Fuji X-100F/V/VI, might scratch my itch, but I doubt it!
i feel the same.. im desp trying to justify a Q2 purchase! id rather the mono but its only the high iso thats an advantage. the fuji system is great but i was very sad to see the Q2 go. id kill for a full frame x100! fat chance i know! haha. i doubt the sale of your xp2 etc would fund the Q2 but good luck! thanks for the comment :-)
i mean i know what you mean but... "you get a free camera" when talking about leicas is priceless
If you believe that it’s a 6k lens lol
I love the concept of the Q2/Q3 but, at the price, there shouldn't be anything missing.
Like you imply, Leica Q and Fuji X100 series, need to meet in the middle. Fuji should make a full-frame, and Leica should borrow some of the functionality from the Fuji.
I have the X100V and it does pretty much everything I bought it for. If it did everything then it would be bigger, and wouldn't be what I bought it for any longer.
It's as sharp as I need it to be and, to be frank, I tend to add "grain" into my simulations, to take off the digital edge. My favourite images from it tend to be at higher ISO, for that same reason.
I love the fuji colours, I could test a Q2 and I’ m not a fan of the leica colours, they look -for me- quite a little bit sad… maybe in musical terms: minor …. not bad, but a little bit sad - while the fuji colours are on the sunny and brilliant major side.
Anyway: it would be great to have an x100 fullframe camera, because of the depth and sharpness in the leica pictures! They are incredible.
Please fujifilm: do it!
I bought a Q for 3.5k new, so it's possible. Love the camera, but also own Fuji...
Hi Just wish Fujifilm would produce an X70 upgrade.Out of interest I searched my Lightroom catalogue and was surprised how many of my favourite pics were taken with it. I have the x100V and would love to see a modern sensor in that x70 form factor body. Grab a secondhand X70 and play with it you will always get back what you have paid for it and I think you would enjoy the experience!!
I have a Leica Q2, Sony A7riv and Ricoh GRiii, I sold a lot of gear to buy a new Q2 last year. It’s lovely camera and I love 28mm focal length, is it worth the money compared to others, no. Its like any product in life like comparing a ford focus to Porsche cayenne, or a Casio to a Rolex, products aimed at different buyers
Absolutely agree mate. And the cult that follows it. I’d love to buy a Ferrari but would hate all the hate with driving it. I will own both one day tho haha
5:14 I feel the same way about the FUJI XH 2. It's a camera of few limitations.
Good review, but I will stick to my X100V.
Good choice! Me to I think
You can program that back button for focus and exposure lock.
Very informative. lt looks like Leica Q2, dont have AEL? Thanks
The IS noise goes away when the camera is switched on but to be honest who shakes their camera? I’ve had my Q2 over a year now, use it daily and the IS noise is rarely heard. Most of your other negative points have been covered in the Q3 which is an astonishing camera
You’ve used mine , you loved it , so go get one 😉 interesting points of view Ga . I would never sell my Q2, but I love my X-H2 equally.
I would love to see Nikon release a Zf monochrome full frame body. I have no doubt it would sell well. Would price between the Leica and FujiFilm, with outstanding functionality.
i agree mate.. but theyd need to ditch that screen! sill!! also the lenses feel sooo cheap!! id have bought a ZF by now if it weren't for the screen and lenses
@@GarethDanks what’s the issue with S lenses?
Perhaps try the WCL attachment on the X-100V?
Love the Q2m best camera I have used, just wish it had a movable screen like my 100vi -
i wish i could have bought one instead of the colour! i dont like the flip screens on the leica Q3.. tho tbh i dont use my screen much, rather the evf or just point and shoot without looking.. the 28mm is so forgiving haha
@@GarethDanks the monochrome is so different in the modern age of cameras no white balance blows my mind but am loving street photography with it especially when you push the iso and get film type grain
I have the xt5 with the 18mm 1.4. It’s a great combination but I still want the q2 for full frame. I may get a Leica m instead so that it takes advantage of the rangefinder experience. The xt5 + 18 is too similar to the q2 to justify both, evf and autofocus, etc.
I’m renting the m10 and being a xt4 owner and a Sony owner I am tempted to sell everything to buy this m10 🤣
I am tempted to save for a Hasselblad he he
I’ve been wanting a Leica Q camera for some years now but I just don’t have the money to get one but… now that the Q3 has arrived, I have had a look at how I could find buying one.
I’ve worked out, that due to me still being in full time employment and now receiving my state pension (plus some savings) I could just afford to buy one if I sold every bit of camera equipment I own.
Yes, that would involve selling my all time favourite camera (the X100V) but I’m willing to do that to get one.
I’m going to give it some thought over the summer and make a decision then before I have a late summer holiday though. 🏴
Yes, with a Leica, you need to underexpose images ( expose for the highlights) especially when they are RAW file.
And remember those are DNG files… so there’s no need to wait, and wait, and wait for editing software to catch up.
Q3… now with contrast and phase detection!
I don’t think I see the benefit over the q2 mate. 2 cards is all. Maybe I’ll wait a few more years. Nice to have something to look forward to Ay. 😁
I have owned a Leica Q, Q-P & Q2, not mono, and I really think you should have perhaps looked into the Leica facilities and pricing a bit further. You were talking about the buttons on the camera and how they were fixed, Zoom for instance, but you can go into the settings and customize them for your preferred use with the User Profiles. The batteries are not £300, they are not cheap at £120 -150, but nothing Leica is....unfortunately. You are obviously a die hard Fuji fan and I can understand that, I did own a little Fuji, an X70, it fitted into my jeans pocket perfectly and I loved using it unfortunately it's now dead. I got the Leica Q3 recently and I'm still playing around to get it set just right for me. Being single I saved my pocket money for 2 years to save for it and also traded my Q2 as well to afford it....much like you would if you buy a new car. I watch all your Videos and love 'em, particularly when you meet your mates and go out with them.
Thanks Gareth, great vid.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
I am confused. I thought you weren't going to compare the Leica to the X100V. I have both cameras. Love your reviews. PS: you can re-assign the back button.
I would sell all my Fuji and Canon RF gear in a second if Leica also did a 50mm version of the Q. even a 35mm would be okay. Not all of us want a 28mm field of view. And cropping is not the same thing, sorry.
I also wish that Fuji had produced full frame lenses and cameras, particularly a street photography oriented camera like the Sony RX1 but with Fuji colors and feature set. There is a bigger jump in image quality from APSC to Full frame than Full frame to Medium Format. Yes APSC has some advantages with reach and lens size and is a great system too.
Full frame is way too crowded, Fuji is practically king of the hill in APSC. The X mount is well established, adding a full frame system would mean they’re supporting three different mounts, I don’t think that’s viable for Fuji to maintain.
@@nightowlnzab nah, all camera brands that manufacture FF cameras also have APSC line. Fuji is the king of APSC because of their colors, retro slr manual experience. They will always be a niche player and that is fine with them.
@@jaegerschtulmannaps-c cameras from Canon or Nikon only exist to entice consumers to get full frame. They don't have many good lenses. Fuji has no competition there.
Good video. Just proves that it's so difficult to change brands because one is used to one. Basically you say Leica is better but too expensive. that depends if the work needs the quality as the price difference is large but not insurmountable. BTW I use a Leica Q and a Leica SL-2 and didn't hear any reasons to change.
Very true! I’d love one but it’s hard to justify vs my fuji. Personally I am happy to upgrade from the x100v to the q2 but when I ask myself who would see the improvements, the answer is only me. My clients notice the fuji colours more than the res from when I use the z7 45mg. Hard call
I love when people moan about the cost of Leica. They are not in the same market as the APS-C Fujis, the Sonys, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic etc. They are designed and made in Germany. They are not designed for being mass-produced in China or Thailand. Compare it to a Sony A7R5 ($3.8K) plus a G Master Prime (~$1300)... So that's $5100 - designed for bulk consumption and built in Thailand. So really only $900 difference. Not bad based on the development cost, the expensive manufacturing, the fact that Leica has a bunch of dedicated stores, etc.. Agree the M system is very expensive - but they have a niche... and very little competition in that niche. But you see that with all niche systems.... The GFX system is expensive, as is Hasselblad, Phase 1, etc. Sure part of it is the cost for the name..... but there is a reason it has a name (German Engineering) - their M glass is still holding up as megapixels have increased.
Really interesting to hear about your experience with the Q. Id love a monochrome but out of reach at the moment, not necessarily Leica. With Pentax releasing a monochrome I hope that other manufacturers will follow suit.
Agreed the Fuji is good for the money you pay for one but when I could straight swap a used 100V with the raised resale price for a CL with decent glass - that’s crazy!
This is the Gold Standard for all like me curious weather Leica is worth the upgrade
Leica makes awesome cameras. Are they worth the money? I believe that depends on your disposable income. Ferrari makes awesome automobiles. Are they worth the money? Many with allowable incomes seem to think so which is why you see Ferraris on the street. I am beyond happy with my fujifilm cameras. I respect Leica but don’t see one in my immediate future…unless I drive to the Leica store in my new Ferrari. Don’t see that in my near future as well.
I've gave up on Leica a few years ago due to reliability issues. My M7s viewfinder was misaligned out of the box. 6 months later the shutter broke. My 90 / f2.8 focus mechanism got jammed after 9 months. Unacceptable at that price point.
It’s a great dilemma isn’t it? To buy or not to buy.
Next time I see you I bet we both own one of these 😁
I’ve already started saving up lol
Haha. Yes mate. Funny what we togs worry about 😂
Hi gareth steve from down under just wandering your street photography where do you sale them can you please let me know and can you do a video on stock photography sales where you sell your photos please if it’s possible thanks mait
Leica are overpriced good-very good tools. In the end it just comes down to whether you can/want to afford one.
You can buy a 2€ or 100€ hammer or knife, they will almost do the same job but build quality and the pleasure to use them vary from one person to another.
I own a few cameras and the q2m is by far my most used camera. There is something really special about the tonality and rendering of the q2m that converting a color file doesn’t match. I will say that having an orange filter is a game changer. I did buy and ended up selling an x100v and while I loved how compact it was the detail and sharpness of the q2m just blew it out of the water.
I wanted to get an orange filter. I had a red one but wrong thread. Forgot to try that.
I feel like they charge because they can. I personally don’t get why they are so popular but each to their own. I’ll stick to Fuji.
Hi Garreth you can program the Q2 to back button focus.
Thanks mate. Few have said. Couldn’t find it anywhere tho.
I wouldn’t buy the Q at full price, but I will buy a table full of Fujis and Fuji lenses that come to be the same price. 😅
"I think it's actually 24mm" for a 28mm lens might be the oddest comment I've seen in a TH-cam photography video.
I'm waiting for the xpro4 or the fixed gfx 50r2
im absolutely with you on both there!! c'mon fuji!! no chance of a p4 yet tho im told
When these videos pop up people love to make up a percentage that fuji is at compared to the Q and q2 and say yeah Leica isnt worth it. Owning the x100 original through the V i can happily say they have lost the damn minds the Q2 is a beast 😂
I’ve never heard mine rattle like that… gotta go shake it now
Yep! I guess I baby mine to much to have noticed.
Would a FF Fuji be any different to a Nikon Z (including price)?
well if the Z had manual dials for ISO, shutter and lenses with an aperture ring, then yes.
2:57 - this rationale always bothers me. You aren’t getting a “free camera with the lens”. The camera and lens are permanently fixed together; it’s not like you can sell the camera and keep the lens. If anything, you’re paying 6 grand for a Summilux that will become obsolete in a few years unlike the M-mount equivalent.
Whait for the lumix to launch monochrome it will be exact same camera with diffrent logo
im sadly not a fan of lumix for stills.. video yes but the stills cameras always frustrate me sadly.. thanks for the comment :-)