Thanks again for the great information. Just received my copy of the Q3 43 from the SF Leica store today. I purchased the Q2 a few years back and fell in love . The entire line of theLeica Q cameras are in my opinion the best of the best.These cameras have me in love with photography again.
Q3 43 owner here and 100% agree with your sentiment. I used to be a 35mm guy, my favorite "work" setup is our Z9 + Tamron 35-150 along with a couple AD600. But as a street/travel photographer, I found the ~40mm range to be the sweet spot. At F2 it gives me dreamy background separation for portrait work, and if I need to go wider I just pull out my phone (since for landscape the really deep depth of field from tiny cell phone sensors, given sufficient light, can do wonders). In fact, prior to this, my travel setup is either the Zf or Z8 with Nikon's 40mm F2. I've always been interested in the Q series (even from the Q1) but that 28mm focal length just doesn't speak to me. So, as soon as they announced the 43mm... I bought one. That focal length, along with leaf shutter, gives me more tools to bring out my subject - if beautiful background blur alone isn't enough, I can further pop my subject through fill flash. Being able to travel with a tiny Profoto A2 and "paint" my subject while still shooting 1000th+ of a second @F2 under bright daylight without ND, has been a game changer.
I have owned both the 28 and the 43 and the 43 is an entirely different experience and for many people, me included, the ideal focal length. The 28 has its unique charms, to be sure, and it is a spectacular lens. But for me, this one is preferable. And yes, every M shooter, me included, has an extensive collection of blurry photos shot by whomever we may have handed the camera off to.
Nice review. I recently got the Q3 43 but was debating between that and the M11... but for the exact same reason, if I hand the camera to a friend to take a picture (which may include me), I want to ensure they can produce an easy usable result. I, personally, have been using this camera in complete manual mode. I'm very happy with the results.
I’m using my Sony a7CR with the 40mm 2.5 G lens. Seems to be similar to the Q3 43 in size and focal length. My favorite setup so far for just taking out the camera wherever I go and shooting, so I see the appeal with the updated lens. It’s now tight enough to get better background separation for portraits.
@@ABarrera yeah except awful produced by Sony. I sold that combo 8 months back as couldn't get perfect skintone and was losing too much time even in RAW processing ....
Q3 28mm is what I shoot and I crop to get the 35mm, etc. I am using the Panasonic S9 and the Sigma 20mm f/2 for Photos and Video in 6K 30. Both cameras are small and portable. I also own the Sony A7CR and Love the 61mp just like the Q3. As I get older I am using the bigger equipment less and the smaller portable ones more. Cheers!
Great images, Alex! I live in Austin and would love to know where you took the Dia de los Muertos photos in SATX. I lived in the Pearl for three years and experienced a number of celebrations while there, but must have missed this one. Thanks again!
Yes, Leica is inspiring. I still like my original Q but just ordered a Q3 43 today because I need something that is weather resistant for an upcoming trip. I also mostly use 50mm with my M10 but need something that can tolerate a bit of rain.
I started my Leica journey with the original Q3 and, whilst i loved the experience, i wasn't satisfied with being stuck with 28mm. It just didn't work for me. I then bought the SL3, which I'm currently using and love. This Q3 43 is tempting but i just bought the Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 and, in a way, form factor aside, it feels as if I now have the Q3 28 and the Q3 43 bundled up!
You've almost convinced me. Just a couple of questions; firstly, in manual mode how do you determine exposure? Secondly, in video mode does it record audio without the need for an external microphone?
Great videos. I owned an M9 and sadly had to sell it owing to my eyes unable to focus properly and missing too many shots. It was a beautiful camera with jaw dropping images when I got it right. The 50mm was the one that got the best results out of the three lens’s I had, so 43mm is the sweet spot. I’m now slowly saving up for the Q3 43. It may take a while, but feel it will be worth it.
Really breathtaking photos!!! It's very true, that if you are inspired suddenly your photos came out truly special. In my current journey in photography Voigtländer lenses become that inspiring factor.
The files save so much data. Loving the first round of pic I’ve gotten so far on my 43! The pics are amazing even if you crop down in LR it still retains so much resolution. Plus the macro lens is the cherry on top!
Great review. I have both, but agree with you that if I take just one out, it's the 43. I also have used Pano's a lot to get wider with all my cameras. And HDR Pano's! Check out specs on Q3- using M-DNG gives you an extra stop of Dynamic Range. So maybe drop to M-DNG for Pano's or HDR shots and get even more amazing! Have fun, I will.
I’ve shot M for 10+ years and I’m pickup up my Q343 next week and trading in my M10+ some glass.. my reason.. I have a 3 year old and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to nail focus on a hyper child with manual focus. And I also agree with your reason. What’s the grip you have on it? It’s Not the Leica or SmallRig one is it?
I own the SL3 with a few APO Summicron-SL lenses and have had most of the Q cameras. The Q3 43 is becoming my favorite. I was thinking the SL3/21 APO and Q3 43 would be the prefect travel kit, but stitching seems like a good option as well. How are you stitching scenes with water where the surface is changing from image to image? Also, without back button focus and AF lock, are you only manually focusing your stitched images?
Great Review! I own a M10R with the APO 50, Lux 35 and Cron 28 ans use it for portraits, travel etc. and love it. The Q3 43 will come next week and will be my every day carry cam 😀. I like the weather sealing, IBIS, USB C, leaf shutter and the display I am curious, which one I will use more in the future 😀
I'm slightly glad that Leica didn't release this last year, when I was shopping for a new camera. I would have absolutely bought it if it was on the market, even though I probably shouldn't spend the money on it!
What a great camera for many common situations. Really looking forward to utilizing this camera's `hidden superpower` - using the leaf shutter with (subtle) flash for outdoor portraiture. Haven't fully decided, but probably keeping a q2m as having a unique, complementary combination, between the 28 and that sensor.
I own the M11D and could not give up the flexibility of using a variety of focal lengths; I also own the Q3 43 which I love and see the 2 as complementary.
Nice Review, thanks! It was a tough decision for me to make ... am I going for the Q3 or Q3 43? In the end I just ordered the Q3 because I would miss the wide angle and for photographing people, I'm going to use the Crop Mode for framing and would be able to reframe for a more wider oder tighter picture in post-production. 60MP gives me more than enough resolution to work with. But my favorite lens is definitely the APO Summicron! They are freaking awesome 😁
Very thoughtful review and amazing, incredibly gorgeous pictures😊I bought a q3 28mm right before the 43 was introduced and initially regretted my purchase, but found later that the 28mm gives me such a unique look and forces me to really contemplate a scene that i ended up sticking with it. Thinking of adding a Hasselblad x2d with a 55mm to get to that 43mm ff equivalent. Did you notice a difference in image quality between the apo lens on the new 43mm and the lens on the old 28mm??
I've had the Q3 28mm since May this year and have taken it on several trips (Barcelona, Lake Garda and now Thailand starting next week). I love the 28mm, it's more demanding than if I took my Sony and the 50GM. The high MP means you can easily crop. For me, the 43mm version wouldn't be a replacement for the 28mm version, but maybe I'll get a Q4 with the 43mm focal length instead of replacing my Q3. We'll wait and see what happens in the years to come.
@@ABarrera thanks so much for the reply Alex! This was my impression of the reviews as well. I'd love to see a comparison between the hasselblad x2d + 55mm and the leica q3 43 as they come down to the exact same focal length. Leica's colors and pop are so good but does the 14bit stand its ground against hasselblad 16bit? If could get hasselblad to lend you one, that would be a great review😉
@@ABarrera or ask? Maybe they won't gift you one like Roman Fox (so jealous), but I'm sure they'd take you seriously if you presented them w the idea :) just a thought of course. Loving all the content!!
In the past, I like to shot pictures with 50 or 90 mm with creamy bokeh. But for now I like to shoot portrait with story or good background. I prefer 28 and 35 mm more than 50 and 90 for now. I use Leica SL with 35 mm for now.
@@ABarrera Hi Alex... I had decided to get an M11-D+steel rim but I wonder if this Q3 43 and a diffusion filter could achieve me a similar look if I wanted to. Do you have an experience of diffusion filters and what do you think. Thanks.
I have it since release day and I have to say it again and again, it's the Q I always wanted. Q body with a tighter focal length. Shoot it almost every day to document my kids and luckily the software is now stable. You did an awesome job on this video, specially comparing the Q3 28mm with the 43. It's the same with me, if I was travelling (which is currently only once a year due to small kids) the 28mm might be a better allrounder, but in every day life, I personally prefer 40 / 50mm. Regarding the AF in darker situation I have the opposite experience. I have the feeling the AF is worse and hunts more compared to the Q3 28mm I previously owned. Some in my comment section also share the same experience and to me it makes somehow sense, since the Q3 28 gathers a bit more light compared to the 43. Nevertheless I just hope Leica will be able to improve the AF a bit to get it somehow on a level like the Lumix S5 II / S9, since they are cooperating with them. It stills surprise me, that somehow even the SL3 AF can't keep up with the Panasonic cameras. Keep up your great work! Curious about your up coming video regarding stitching the images together! Never thought about it on the 43!
I seems to think it's the opposite. A narrower lens can always do the same thing a wider lens can do (given skill and patience), but not the other way around. You can stitch frames from a 40mm to get an exact look as an 20mm - simply tighten up the aperture or do focus-bracketing. But you can never crop a 20mm to get an exact look of a 40mm, unless the 20mm is F1.4 and the 40mm max out at F2.8. Maybe in a few years time through A.I. trickery you can accurately fudge depth of field and bokeh... but until then, the Q3 43 gives me the joy and immediacy of street/travel photography that the 28mm will never be able to provide.
@@WallaceLauthis was exactly my thought. I am lucky to own both. But if I could only keep one, it would be the 43. Also the bokeh is way nicer at the 43.
@@sashheji5867 I've played with the 28 extensively before and like you said, the bokeh on the 43 is what won me over. In fact had they make the lens a bit bigger and stuff a 43mm F1.4 in there, I'd be in haven... Or even just stick to the same F1.7...
@@MARKLINMAN1 actually I am quite happy that they decided for a 2.0 to keep the form factor. The Apo brings the bokeh very close to my 1.4 lenses. Its really a fantastic lens.
Thanks again for the great information. Just received my copy of the Q3 43 from the SF Leica store today. I purchased the Q2 a few years back and fell in love . The entire line of theLeica Q cameras are in my opinion the best of the best.These cameras have me in love with photography again.
Fwiw, the Brenizer method is specifically a bokeh panorama trying to get a wildly shallow DOF. Otherwise, it’s basically just a regular pano :)
I should have known he didn’t create the Panorama 🤣
Q3 43 owner here and 100% agree with your sentiment. I used to be a 35mm guy, my favorite "work" setup is our Z9 + Tamron 35-150 along with a couple AD600. But as a street/travel photographer, I found the ~40mm range to be the sweet spot. At F2 it gives me dreamy background separation for portrait work, and if I need to go wider I just pull out my phone (since for landscape the really deep depth of field from tiny cell phone sensors, given sufficient light, can do wonders). In fact, prior to this, my travel setup is either the Zf or Z8 with Nikon's 40mm F2. I've always been interested in the Q series (even from the Q1) but that 28mm focal length just doesn't speak to me. So, as soon as they announced the 43mm... I bought one. That focal length, along with leaf shutter, gives me more tools to bring out my subject - if beautiful background blur alone isn't enough, I can further pop my subject through fill flash. Being able to travel with a tiny Profoto A2 and "paint" my subject while still shooting 1000th+ of a second @F2 under bright daylight without ND, has been a game changer.
I have owned both the 28 and the 43 and the 43 is an entirely different experience and for many people, me included, the ideal focal length. The 28 has its unique charms, to be sure, and it is a spectacular lens. But for me, this one is preferable. And yes, every M shooter, me included, has an extensive collection of blurry photos shot by whomever we may have handed the camera off to.
Nice review. I recently got the Q3 43 but was debating between that and the M11... but for the exact same reason, if I hand the camera to a friend to take a picture (which may include me), I want to ensure they can produce an easy usable result. I, personally, have been using this camera in complete manual mode. I'm very happy with the results.
I’m using my Sony a7CR with the 40mm 2.5 G lens. Seems to be similar to the Q3 43 in size and focal length. My favorite setup so far for just taking out the camera wherever I go and shooting, so I see the appeal with the updated lens. It’s now tight enough to get better background separation for portraits.
I’ll be comparing these two in the coming weeks. The Sony a7CR does offer a very similar package
@@ABarrera yeah except awful produced by Sony. I sold that combo 8 months back as couldn't get perfect skintone and was losing too much time even in RAW processing
....
Great review. Haven’t owned a “real” camera in many years. Looking forward to learning the Q3 43.
Q3 28mm is what I shoot and I crop to get the 35mm, etc. I am using the Panasonic S9 and the Sigma 20mm f/2 for Photos and Video in 6K 30. Both cameras are small and portable. I also own the Sony A7CR and Love the 61mp just like the Q3. As I get older I am using the bigger equipment less and the smaller portable ones more. Cheers!
Great images, Alex! I live in Austin and would love to know where you took the Dia de los Muertos photos in SATX. I lived in the Pearl for three years and experienced a number of celebrations while there, but must have missed this one. Thanks again!
Every year they do a day of the day parade in hemisphere park, it gets larger each year. You should check it out next year.
@@ABarrera terrific suggestion, thanks!
Yes, Leica is inspiring. I still like my original Q but just ordered a Q3 43 today because I need something that is weather resistant for an upcoming trip. I also mostly use 50mm with my M10 but need something that can tolerate a bit of rain.
I started my Leica journey with the original Q3 and, whilst i loved the experience, i wasn't satisfied with being stuck with 28mm. It just didn't work for me. I then bought the SL3, which I'm currently using and love. This Q3 43 is tempting but i just bought the Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 and, in a way, form factor aside, it feels as if I now have the Q3 28 and the Q3 43 bundled up!
You've almost convinced me. Just a couple of questions; firstly, in manual mode how do you determine exposure? Secondly, in video mode does it record audio without the need for an external microphone?
Alex, great to see you finding a cam that speaks to you. It’d be my dream camas well. Great images!
Great videos. I owned an M9 and sadly had to sell it owing to my eyes unable to focus properly and missing too many shots. It was a beautiful camera with jaw dropping images when I got it right. The 50mm was the one that got the best results out of the three lens’s I had, so 43mm is the sweet spot. I’m now slowly saving up for the Q3 43. It may take a while, but feel it will be worth it.
Love the idea of the Q3 43, and I would crave owning one, but focusing and low light make me love my Nikon Zf with the 40mm lens even more.
Got mine yesterday and boy oh boy do I love it!! 😻
Totally agree with you! My new Q….love it! And I totally agree with your comments on the M. D
Really breathtaking photos!!! It's very true, that if you are inspired suddenly your photos came out truly special. In my current journey in photography Voigtländer lenses become that inspiring factor.
The files save so much data. Loving the first round of pic I’ve gotten so far on my 43! The pics are amazing even if you crop down in LR it still retains so much resolution. Plus the macro lens is the cherry on top!
Great review. I have both, but agree with you that if I take just one out, it's the 43. I also have used Pano's a lot to get wider with all my cameras. And HDR Pano's! Check out specs on Q3- using M-DNG gives you an extra stop of Dynamic Range. So maybe drop to M-DNG for Pano's or HDR shots and get even more amazing! Have fun, I will.
I’ve shot M for 10+ years and I’m pickup up my Q343 next week and trading in my M10+ some glass.. my reason.. I have a 3 year old and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to nail focus on a hyper child with manual focus. And I also agree with your reason.
What’s the grip you have on it? It’s Not the Leica or SmallRig one is it?
I use the IDS grip and the SmallRig
I own the SL3 with a few APO Summicron-SL lenses and have had most of the Q cameras. The Q3 43 is becoming my favorite. I was thinking the SL3/21 APO and Q3 43 would be the prefect travel kit, but stitching seems like a good option as well. How are you stitching scenes with water where the surface is changing from image to image? Also, without back button focus and AF lock, are you only manually focusing your stitched images?
Great Review!
I own a M10R with the APO 50, Lux 35 and Cron 28 ans use it for portraits, travel etc. and love it.
The Q3 43 will come next week and will be my every day carry cam 😀. I like the weather sealing, IBIS, USB C, leaf shutter and the display
I am curious, which one I will use more in the future 😀
Incredible camera ❤️ I love it. I had the Leica Q3 28 and sold it for the 43 and I'm thrilled 🎉 Nice review, thanks
Same here. Love the 43
I'm slightly glad that Leica didn't release this last year, when I was shopping for a new camera. I would have absolutely bought it if it was on the market, even though I probably shouldn't spend the money on it!
What a great camera for many common situations. Really looking forward to utilizing this camera's `hidden superpower` - using the leaf shutter with (subtle) flash for outdoor portraiture. Haven't fully decided, but probably keeping a q2m as having a unique, complementary combination, between the 28 and that sensor.
Understand why u gave up on the M…after getting the A7R5 my wife able to get my pics in focus compared when using 7R2
Interested to see how you’ve been stitching panos
I own the M11D and could not give up the flexibility of using a variety of focal lengths; I also own the Q3 43 which I love and see the 2 as complementary.
Nice Review, thanks! It was a tough decision for me to make ... am I going for the Q3 or Q3 43? In the end I just ordered the Q3 because I would miss the wide angle and for photographing people, I'm going to use the Crop Mode for framing and would be able to reframe for a more wider oder tighter picture in post-production. 60MP gives me more than enough resolution to work with. But my favorite lens is definitely the APO Summicron! They are freaking awesome 😁
Agree. One and done. It’s a dream camera.
Very thoughtful review and amazing, incredibly gorgeous pictures😊I bought a q3 28mm right before the 43 was introduced and initially regretted my purchase, but found later that the 28mm gives me such a unique look and forces me to really contemplate a scene that i ended up sticking with it. Thinking of adding a Hasselblad x2d with a 55mm to get to that 43mm ff equivalent. Did you notice a difference in image quality between the apo lens on the new 43mm and the lens on the old 28mm??
Both lenses are phenomenal! I will say the 43 APOs sharpness is on another level.
I've had the Q3 28mm since May this year and have taken it on several trips (Barcelona, Lake Garda and now Thailand starting next week). I love the 28mm, it's more demanding than if I took my Sony and the 50GM. The high MP means you can easily crop. For me, the 43mm version wouldn't be a replacement for the 28mm version, but maybe I'll get a Q4 with the 43mm focal length instead of replacing my Q3. We'll wait and see what happens in the years to come.
@@ABarrera thanks so much for the reply Alex! This was my impression of the reviews as well. I'd love to see a comparison between the hasselblad x2d + 55mm and the leica q3 43 as they come down to the exact same focal length. Leica's colors and pop are so good but does the 14bit stand its ground against hasselblad 16bit? If could get hasselblad to lend you one, that would be a great review😉
I am also super curious on this comparison! If only Hasselblad would reach out to me….
@@ABarrera or ask? Maybe they won't gift you one like Roman Fox (so jealous), but I'm sure they'd take you seriously if you presented them w the idea :) just a thought of course. Loving all the content!!
In the past, I like to shot pictures with 50 or 90 mm with creamy bokeh. But for now I like to shoot portrait with story or good background. I prefer 28 and 35 mm more than 50 and 90 for now. I use Leica SL with 35 mm for now.
O just sold my Sony and 50mm for this beast
I have already a Q2 and I love it , so the 43 will be my complementary camera
I absolutely love mine!
3:58 so true!
It took away my desire for a M series
Seriously considering selling my M10, M6 and 50lux and get a q3 + q3 43
Had the 28 but absolutely love the 43!
Its very true that Q is perfect Leica for the owner to have whose own photo taken with Leica.
Just when I decide to buy an M11 with steel rim reissue after seeing your review previously , now you are making me change my mind ,😂
The Steel Rim is still one of my favorite Leica lenses! I also took it to Italy and the results 😍
@@ABarrera Hi Alex... I had decided to get an M11-D+steel rim but I wonder if this Q3 43 and a diffusion filter could achieve me a similar look if I wanted to. Do you have an experience of diffusion filters and what do you think. Thanks.
Nice review. Good to know Leica locked this lens out of the park.
I’d love to see a Q3 43 vs a7CR + 40mm f2.5 video… the poor man’s Q3 😅
Coming next week!
Great review
nikon z6iii review
I have it since release day and I have to say it again and again, it's the Q I always wanted. Q body with a tighter focal length. Shoot it almost every day to document my kids and luckily the software is now stable.
You did an awesome job on this video, specially comparing the Q3 28mm with the 43. It's the same with me, if I was travelling (which is currently only once a year due to small kids) the 28mm might be a better allrounder, but in every day life, I personally prefer 40 / 50mm.
Regarding the AF in darker situation I have the opposite experience. I have the feeling the AF is worse and hunts more compared to the Q3 28mm I previously owned. Some in my comment section also share the same experience and to me it makes somehow sense, since the Q3 28 gathers a bit more light compared to the 43.
Nevertheless I just hope Leica will be able to improve the AF a bit to get it somehow on a level like the Lumix S5 II / S9, since they are cooperating with them. It stills surprise me, that somehow even the SL3 AF can't keep up with the Panasonic cameras.
Keep up your great work! Curious about your up coming video regarding stitching the images together! Never thought about it on the 43!
The thing is that the 28 can do what the 43 can, but NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! You can easily crop in with the 28mm BUT you cant go wider than 43mm.
you can but you have to go back unless there is a wall behind you ;)
I seems to think it's the opposite. A narrower lens can always do the same thing a wider lens can do (given skill and patience), but not the other way around. You can stitch frames from a 40mm to get an exact look as an 20mm - simply tighten up the aperture or do focus-bracketing. But you can never crop a 20mm to get an exact look of a 40mm, unless the 20mm is F1.4 and the 40mm max out at F2.8. Maybe in a few years time through A.I. trickery you can accurately fudge depth of field and bokeh... but until then, the Q3 43 gives me the joy and immediacy of street/travel photography that the 28mm will never be able to provide.
@@WallaceLauthis was exactly my thought. I am lucky to own both. But if I could only keep one, it would be the 43. Also the bokeh is way nicer at the 43.
@@sashheji5867 I've played with the 28 extensively before and like you said, the bokeh on the 43 is what won me over. In fact had they make the lens a bit bigger and stuff a 43mm F1.4 in there, I'd be in haven... Or even just stick to the same F1.7...
@@MARKLINMAN1 actually I am quite happy that they decided for a 2.0 to keep the form factor. The Apo brings the bokeh very close to my 1.4 lenses. Its really a fantastic lens.
But, It’s panasonic lens
it does not matter. I do not care. Even if it would be from Yangnuo. Only results matter. Not the name.
FIRST!