Gear Review : Walking around Melbourne with the Leica Q
Its been a while since I had an attack of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) but when it hits it hits hard. Every car going by turns in to a possible delivery van; notes are left at letter boxes if I pop down the street for some time torn that I may miss the delivery; and product websites become bookmarked and checked daily. All the activity rises and reaches a crescendo once the buy button on any particular online store site is pressed. Tingles and angst run through the body in equal measure. Manuals are downloaded in anticipation. Accessory pages are searched for. Space is cleared in the office and camera bag in preparation.
Then it arrives.
The wallet and the body skip a beat.
In my latest attack, it was a Leica Q 116 that appeared. Ahead of time too which made it an even more intense G.A.S. attack.
But more about my inadequacies later perhaps, lets talk about the Leica Q.
Now I may or may not own other Leica pieces, but I am certainly not a Leica purest, but I do appreciate fine craftsmanship and design expertise. I also love a camera that just works.
The Leica Q is one of the finest cameras I have used out on the street for documenting everyday life. Its by no means a broad based utility camera. Its niche and its got a distinct purpose in the light capturing world. And for me it does it really well.
Walking On Sunshine @LesWIllPhoto 2015. Leica Q, ISO1250, f10, 1/2000, Autofocus
From a practical point, its light and doesn't hurt your neck after a full days walking around. (To make that an even nicer experience I recommend Harry Benz straps - awesomely nice.) With a strap the camera is easy to hold in the hands and the non protruding controls are all accessible and become very familiar very quickly. The lens AF to manual change feels just right, the way the macro DOF markings scroll out when you manually put it in macro mode is just great, and the lens hood is the only lens hood I have had that actually fits perfectly every time and looks the goods (although a metal slotted 49mm hood would be even better).
Its so well balanced and ready to go that it is a delight to hold, slippery front or otherwise. I will be adding a Thumbs Up once available of course and that should be that !
I normally use MF and Zone Focussing with my other camera for street documenting, but the AF mode on the Leica Q is so fast, why wouldn't you use it?. Its just so smooth and instant. I have it set to continuous shooting, 1 point focus, AFs, and centre weighted exposure. I have no LCD review period, standby in 5 minutes, and always leave the power switch ON and set to continuous. Turn off all the sounds, set the LCD/EVF to just EVF mode, and don't take any video (why would you with this photo beast?) and I found the battery lasts at least two long days of shooting and some. And the wake up time is fantastic. A quick tap on the shutter release, brings everything back to life, quick half press for focus then full continue to full press for a frame. Done and dusted. Perfect.
And the 28mm fixed lens? Apart from its technical prowess being right up there as per usual Leica lens standards, well you just have to get closer. Then take a step forward one more time. Then capture the frame.
Layers of Melbourne @LesWIllPhoto 2015. Leica Q, ISO1250, f/10, 1/2000, Autofocus
Now is all this awesomeness making my photos better? No of course not, that's still up to me and my vision and we are all on the journey as they say. And I am on a long one. But with this camera in my hand I know that it will do what I think I want it to do, when I want it to do it, and do it really really well.
Whinges at this stage after less than a month with the Leica Q? I tend to be from the "work with what you got" school (and you get a lot with the Leica Q), but some things are a little weird due to their omission/method of execution.
No RAW/DNG only option.
The LCD to EVF switching (if you keep the LCD active) is great but pretty simple and can't be controlled by easy to access button options.
The diopter adjust dial does need to be taped in place once set. Love applying crappy gaffa tape to a $4500 beast.
The direction pad is a little on the small side and takes some positioning work with the hand when you are looking thru the EVF. Could have been bigger for easier access.
Could have left all the video options out all together as far as I am concerned as they aren't great specifications and seem a little clunky in their adaptation, but I am not to comment too hard as I don't use photography cameras for video. Never !
WiFi functionality and App connectivity extremely clunky to configure, next to useless for the most part, and in my 5 minutes of tinkering had more dropouts than my old modem dial up service from the 90's, so I got over it. I still find the whole WiFI access area a gimmick and next to useless in improving workflow or photo taking. Keen for any views on this side of camera technology.
The price is the price and it is expensive, but in comparison to the Leica M range, its as much a bargain as Leica will produce in my view, and compared to the external mirrorless market such as Sony and co, well I haven't used any of those so best you found out from others or for yourselves. Its expensive. I will be getting mine insured.
Wrap Up.
Its an awesome camera and for the relatively small amount of time I have used it on the street, I think its by far the best device I have used. For street documenting in lots of environments, it does what you ask it to do and really quickly and discretely. High quality RAW/DNG images are produced. It's really really nice and comfortable to walk around with. I love it and its cured my G.A.S. so its back to the Eric Kim Buy Books Not Gear theory for me, and plenty of time out on the streets with this wonderful tool !
Let me know your view and experiences whether it be with the Leica Q or with other similar tools.