I sold my Leica Q2 for the SONYA7r4 and a bundle of lenses. I was happy. It didn't have the design of the Leica but I dismissed this as having bought into the Leica hype. However, I recently went through my albums and the difference in colour etc between my old Leica photos and the Sony were noticeable. So I have re-purchased it and am so pleased.

@shawn.hickman

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Did you get rid of your Sony gear to go back to Leica?

@markytyz6753

3 ай бұрын

Hi, I sold my 100-400 lens initially. I haven't quite taken the plunge yet with the camera, but I will. I also bought the Sony rx100 v11 and I have had the rx10 for a while. I have been so impressed with the quality of the images from all three, even shooting a concert in low light. I am hoping I won't need a larger camera any more.

Thumb grip and hand grip would completely transform the ergonomics for you. The Q2 is my most used camera and I own several. It speaks to me. But if it’s not your jam, that’s cool.

@shawn.hickman

3 ай бұрын

I was wondering about the thumb grip, but didn't have one to try. And yes, totally agree that it's totally cool to not connect with certain products. It doesn't mean it's bad, it's just not for me. Enjoy your Q2!

Thank for making such a thoughtful video. What I took away from your presentation is less about the Leica and more about how to think about what kind of camera one chooses and how personal a decision that is. Like you, I'm not a professional. I'm just an enthusiast who has also owned Sony. I now shoot with a Q2. Watching your video, I was thinking about my own experience with a Sony a7rII (I think that's what it was) and how that journey led me ultimately to Leica. Ironically, my considerations were the same as yours. I just drew different conclusions. I thought the image quality of my Sony was sublime. I produced many of my best digital images with it until recently. But, the full frame a7 and its lenses were big and heavy. And, the user interface was the most user unfriendly I ever encountered. I understand many of these issues, including size, weight, and UI are now much improved. And, Sony is a professional standard for good reasons. But, being an enthusiast for over 50 years, starting with film and wet chemistry darkrooms, I long for a camera that seemingly places less technology between me and my subject. But, I was looking for a camera that has image quality on par with my old Sony. That's what led me to the Q2. The stuff you didn't favor about the Q2's ergonomics are the same things I appreciate. I attribute this to my origins in film photography using old SLRs from the '70s that were shaped and built like bricks. That said, the limiting simplicity of those old film cameras was liberating. Leica understands the importance of that legacy. As I reach the point in my life where, to my dismay, I'm starting to qualify for senior discounts, I want a camera that forces me into the fewest compromises to meet my needs as a photographer. As you said, this is a very personal thing.

@shawn.hickman

11 күн бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing your story and perspective. I share your value of simplicity and the camera "getting out of the way". This is probably why I love the Ricoh GRs so much. I find they let me simply be present and capture moments. After reading comments like yours I wonder if I simply didn't have enough time with the Q2. Maybe if I used it for a longer period of time I would connect with it more.

thanks, my thoughts exactly!

Appreciate your honest considered thoughts on the Q2. I shoot many brands and formats for work and pleasure I love most if not all of them, and having used a Q2 for almost 2 years now I can honestly say it is the camera I would choose if only one camera and lens were available to me. I love the ergonomics, I use no thumbs up or grip, not even a half case, although one would be nice, I find it fits my hands like a glove, I'm sure the more you use it like anything else the more you would get used to it. Initially I wasn't keen on the high iso files, I thought they were very noisy but they clean up so well in LR noise reduction. I have loads of vids on my channel featuring the Q2 and the Q, I would recommend either camera they are imho fabulous cameras with a lens to die for. 28mm I love it, the AF is fast enough for me I find switching to manual focus easy and the macro lens is a massive bonus. The images, to be honest I'm no pixel peeper at all, but there's something I can't explain it there is just something some extra quality I get out of the Q2. I'm no Leica fan boy it's my first Leica so I'm no brand snob, I just really can't speak highly enough about the Q2. Liked and subbed cheers

@shawn.hickman

2 ай бұрын

It's interesting how ergonomics and comfort are so personal. What's comfortable to one, is uncomfortable to another. Nothing wrong with that! I do wonder if my opinions would change if I was able to use the Q2 for longer than a week. Possibly, because I know a lot of people, like yourself, love it. Thanks for sharing your perspective. I'll def check out your Q videos 👍

@paultaylorphotography9499

2 ай бұрын

@@shawn.hickman true mate I have a few cameras the one I have issues with is the RB67 lovely results but man if it had wheels I could drive it. Yeah the Q series is amazing like I say my first shot with it I was gutted such an expense and waiting decades to justify the price then to see an image soooo noisey it was a let down but I soon learned how to get the best out of it actually still learning but loving it every day

The thumb grip really helps for the ergonomics!

@shawn.hickman

3 ай бұрын

Does it help with one-handed use or do you still use two hands all the time?

@Rtist1929

3 ай бұрын

Yes, it helps with one handed use but I tend to use both hands any way. I have the Sony a7iii and I use both hands too. But using a thumb grip for the q2 helps to carry the camera with one hand. It took some time to get used to the shape of the camera because it did feel like it was going to slip out of my hand without the thumb grip.

@shawn.hickman

3 ай бұрын

Very helpful to hear that. Thanks for sharing!

That was super and so interesting, enjoyed your sober appraisal. The gap between how we think we should react and how we actually do react in reality, is often pretty wide. Great that you dodged a bullet and got to experience the camera at least. I can surely relate to much of what you said! 🙏👍

@shawn.hickman

Ай бұрын

Yea renting turned out to be a great option for me. Thanks for watching!

GR is really cool, curious what the next one will be? :-) With Leica price, I like to think that you pay also for their employees being decently paid in Europe for their work, and we people, we are expensive, so here is the price ;-) Leica stores are also on another level, they do spend money on photography promotion a lot. What do you think about that ? 🙂

@shawn.hickman

Ай бұрын

I have no issues with the price of the Leica at all. The reason I rented is to see if it would be worth it for me before making the large purchase.

Solid take. Nice. How do you normally use auto-focus? Single-point? Continuous?

@shawn.hickman

2 ай бұрын

It depends on the camera. On my Sony I use continuous, but on my Ricoh GR III I use single.

@vtcampbell

2 ай бұрын

@@shawn.hickman and on the Leica?

@shawn.hickman

2 ай бұрын

@@vtcampbell Single point

I wish they made a Q series wtih 35mm or 40mm F1.7...I tend to 'see the world' in that focal range. (and no, the artifical zoom in is not the same). Which is probably way I still gravitate to the x100 series or GRIII. Thanks for the honest review - was glad to see others shared some of the thoughts I've had about the Q. Sometimes we get blinded by a product, that while is no doubt fantastic, might not be the best option for our personal usecase.

@shawn.hickman

11 күн бұрын

35mm would be awesome

I think in regards to ergonomics, the Leica Q and M cameras aren’t made for one-hand usage. In fact, your left hand is the one that will balance the weight and make it comfortable, much like vintage SLR/Rangefinder cameras. And it kind of makes sense if you think that the aperture ring is in the lens and a lot of people use Leica cameras with manual focus. It’s a matter of getting used to it I’d say.

@shawn.hickman

3 ай бұрын

That's a very interesting point and one I hadn't thought about. The way I use my Sony A7IV and Ricoh GR III has influenced my perspective on this quite a bit. I use the Ricoh one-hand quite a bit. I actually use the Sony with two hands, but often *carry* it with one hand. While holding the Leica Q2, I kept thinking how uncomfortable it would be to *carry* it in my hand for long stretches. Your comment has made me wonder that isn't the way it was designed. The day I took the Q2 on a walk, I had it around my neck and only picked it up (with two hands) to take photos. Thinking back, this was actually a nice experience. Maybe that is the ideal way to carry this thing around.

For a point and shoot camera I find the camera a great buy. I wear glasses but you can change diopter for your eyes. This is not a one handed camera and needs the left hand to balance. I don’t know how long you had a camera but it takes more than a week to get to terms with any camera in my opinion

@shawn.hickman

14 күн бұрын

Totally fair point that a week isn't long enough. Would love to have more time with it.

You need the optional hand grip and thumb rest for comfortable long hand holds. I have one and for me the lens is just too wide at just over 24mm focal length. Yes, they claim 28 but I have tested it against several other cameras and lenses, both 24 and 28mm. I also have a Sony A7III and that is a far more versatile camera but not as satisfying to use. I really do prefer the menu system of the Q2 to any other although it could do with just one or two extra fn buttons. Like you I find the manual focus button awkward but maybe I don’t use the camera often enough. It is, for me, not my every day camera but almost a speciality/collectors camera. My workaday cameras are micro four thirds and even the Sony is underused.

@shawn.hickman

2 ай бұрын

Yea I bet the hand grip and thumb rest would really help. I agree that the menu system of the Q2 is better...than the Sony's, but I find most camera menu systems to be sub-par.

You have delicate hands. You literally questioned that right as I was thinking it. No shame in that but I've handled the q2 a thousand times never thought any part was sharp. That aside on the image quality front I can only say pics around the house and walks in the park don't really show much difference . A point and shoot from 2010 would do that just as well and if anyone says they can tell which brand shot a flower in a field, they're lying . Traveling , photoshoots , super varied lighting is where the difference comes up.

@shawn.hickman

3 ай бұрын

Totally fair and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I probably should have aligned my rental with some travel to push my experience more. I totally see why people love this camera, even if it's not for me.

Interesting, thoughtful video. I have several higher-end cameras: Fujifilm GFX 50r (medium format), OM Systems OM-1, and a Nikon Z7. I have many nice native lenses for each system and also a lot of vintage manual focus lenses that I use with adapters on all these cameras from back in the day when I shot film. Lately, however, I've had an OCD-like compulsion to purchase the Leica Q2.... all the hype has really gotten to me LOL-- but, I keep holding back because I'm not really sure if I would see any different image quality than the cameras and lenses I have now. Also, not so sure about the 28mm-- especially since it's more like a 26mm. I mainly shoot landscapes and historic towns in the area that I live, and the focal length doesn't suit landscape photography all that well except in specific compositions-- and I have several nice wide angles already that I use with my other cameras. I mean is the Leica Q2 lens all that magical? Maybe it is, but I've seen a bunch of images online and they just seem like normal photos-- not bad, but not outstanding. I've also seen some phenomenal images coming from the Q2... so this keeps me intrigued. Another issue is the only way I'd be able to afford the Q2 is to buy second hand, and then what if something goes wrong with it and it's out of warranty? From what I've read, repairs are costly. I'm on the fence and it's driving me nuts lol. I have also been looking at the Sony RX1R mark 2. I had the Sony RX1R a number of years ago and the images were stunning, but the handling was awful. I sold that camera to get into the Fujifilm medium format. Now that the Sony RX1R mark 2 has an EVF and twice the MP's I am seriously considering it as well. To be clear, I don't NEED another camera, but it's hard not to resist the hype.

@adrianobanak2824

Ай бұрын

Colors and micro contrast on Q2 are on another level compared to any Sony camera.

@sierragold

Ай бұрын

@@adrianobanak2824 Sony RX1R has a 35mm f2 Zeiss Sonnar T lens. Lots of micro contrast.

@adrianobanak2824

Ай бұрын

@@sierragold i had Sony a7iii with Zeiss Loxia 35mm f2 and Voigtlander APO Lanthar 65mm f2 and pictures were always bleak, washed out and flat. There's no help for Sony images...they are amongst the worst out there, no matter what lens you put on it.

@shawn.hickman

11 күн бұрын

One thing that I don't think I communicate well in my video is how much fun it was to *take* photos with the Q2. The shooting experience was very nice.

For me nothing beats the colors of Leica m9

@shawn.hickman

11 күн бұрын

I never used an M9 but I'll take your word for it!

That's interesting - I tried the Q3 in the store and felt exactly the same about holding it... Just not comfortable.

@shawn.hickman

2 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it's not just me!

давай leica q3 обзор

@shawn.hickman

11 күн бұрын

lol it wasn't available to rent at the time I got this

Why didn’t you use a thumb grip or camera grip if it didn’t feel comfortable? Sounds like you’re in a minority.

@shawn.hickman

18 күн бұрын

Those didn’t come with the rental I had, but I’m sure they would have helped.