Leica Q3 43 - Got one?

[JohnGellings]

Regarding the mid-long lens format, what percentage of lens sales do you think the 85 accounts for?

Who knows... but it is enough for each manufacturer to make multiple versions. Does it matter if they sell more 35mm lenses or not?

I just Googled for best selling focal length for 35mm cameras and while I did not get a graph or anything close, I did get a lot of hits on 35mm, a current fave.

And? People only buy one lens?

And 50 is the long time standard. So while you may be currently using and enjoying an 85 you would seem an outlier.

50mm is my favorite. However, I don't only use one lens and I certainly do not use lenses because they are popular. I'd rather use what other people aren't using.

And while I generally have a low opinion of the folks over there in Marketing I am pretty sure they have surveys of what is selling and what is desired. That is their job, to find the sweet spot. If it were long lenses that were hot you can be sure that they would have produced a fixed lens camera with a long lens.

Sigma has done it. And who said they were hot? That's moving the target a little no? I never said there should be a Q 85. I simply said more people than you think use 85mm lenses.

So I would guess that the folks over there in Marketing have shot at where they think the most money is.

Yes, in a complete line up of lenses. Is it your opinion they should only make and sell 28, 35 and 50mm because those are the most popular?

BTW, how long have you been shooting with the 85?

I'd say about 10 years now. However, recently I have been doing a project in which I have only been using the 85mm. I use what works best for the look I want. Not what is popular.

 

[JohnGellings]

I'm a Q3, (the 28mm) owner and have to disagree about the statements that "you have to buy the camera for use at the un-cropped focal length".

You do not have to do anything... but you are cropping the sensor. Sure, there are still MPs, but you bought a $6000 FF camera for a reason I would think. However, of course it is your camera and you can use it however you like.

 

[ellisson]

You do not have to do anything... but you are cropping the sensor. Sure, there are still MPs, but you bought a $6000 FF camera for a reason I would think. However, of course it is your camera and you can use it however you like.

For sure, me and many others.... Cropping inside the camera or in post processing. Happens all the time.

 

[Godfrey]

I have to amend this. I have seen some reports of the Q3 43 locking up and nothing can get it started again. How can a xmpany like Leica keep screwing up software? The M11 is a problem from what I have read. Maybe they had the same team on the Q3 43? Brian, talk to them.

Do you just want to continually whine about things that *might* happen? Sheesh.

G

 

[Godfrey]

We live in what is a very puritanical culture. Pleasure is bad! And doing something for the pure pleasure of it is very suspect. Love the Lancia, by the way. Hope it brings you lots of pleasure!

The Puritans didnt survive. 😉

The Lancia is an absolute delight! While I've been traveling, it's been getting a new clutch and a tranny reseal. It will almost be a new car soon.. and i like it more than almost any of the new cars on the market. Simple, direct, untainted by convenience and BS. 😎

G

 

[raydm6]

Ok, if anyone buys a Q3 43, promise us you’ll tote 👜 it around in a Bleu de Chauffe bag 😎

Leather backpack, shoulder bag, camera bag - Made in France - Men

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[Sonnar Brian]

Not so. They are sold out so I guess a lot of people are interested in it. Price? Yeah, high. That seems a trend at Leica.

As for the internal crop, yes, at 150mm it is not great. There are other less drastic crops. And how often do folks shoot at 150mm? I have an LTM 135mm gathering dust. Likewise an 85mm. I wonder how many folks shoot long lenses? Just curious.

What 85 do you have collecting dust? And the 135?

The Nikkor 8.5cm F2 is the lens that got the attention of DDD. I have one from the same batch.

But- this one is later, mid-1950s.

Wide-Open on the M monochrom. 1.25x Magnifier.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Ok, if anyone buys a Q3 43, promise us you’ll tote 👜 it around in a Bleu de Chauffe bag 😎

Leather backpack, shoulder bag, camera bag - Made in France - Men

Discover our line of Bleu de Chauffe photo bags and accessories, Made in France. Photographer bag, camera shoulder strap, a practical and functional range in high-quality leather.

www.bleu-de-chauffe.com

The Nikon CS series Pouch Cases for the Nikon F2 are perfect for Leica M cameras with a Leica half-case on the camera. The CS-10 will hold the Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5, also the 8.5cm F2 with hood.
You could probably find one for the Q3 easily enough.

 

[yossi]

I also have an ltm Nikkor-P.C 85mm f2 lens. It is a fine lens but heavy, so I use it only sparingly. Not sure its year of production though.

 

[boojum]

What 85 do you have collecting dust? And the 135?

The Nikkor 8.5cm F2 is the lens that got the attention of DDD. I have one from the same batch.

But- this one is later, mid-1950s.
View attachment 4847735
Wide-Open on the M monochrom. 1.25x Magnifier.

Both Jupiters. The 11 is a '58. the 9 an '88. Both good. I just do not use them hardly at all. Good clean glass.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I also have an ltm Nikkor-P.C 85mm f2 lens. It is a fine lens but heavy, so I use it only sparingly. Not sure its year of production though.
View attachment 4847738

That is an earlier one- goes to F16, no click stops. ~1951. I have one in S-Mount very close to it.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Both Jupiters. The 11 is a '58. the 9 an '88. Both good. I just do not use them hardly at all. Good clean glass.

The '58 J-11 should be really good.
The J-9 from '88, good. Usually has a secondary shim so focal length can be reduced.
The KMZ J-9 from the 1950s- just like a Sonnar. I picked up a 8.5cm f2 Sonnar in LTM recently, need to compare the two.

 

[Michael Markey]

The new Q interests me very much.
My small AF camera at the moment is the CL which I tend to use with the full frame 24 to 70.
That lens on the CL is perfect range of FL for a number of applications (for me) and a lightweight option rather than the heavy SL2s..
The new Q covers that range plus it has an APO lens .
I`d probably use it alongside my 246 as the colour option
The only thing not to like is the price.

 

[boojum]

The '58 J-11 should be really good.
The J-9 from '88, good. Usually has a secondary shim so focal length can be reduced.
The KMZ J-9 from the 1950s- just like a Sonnar. I picked up a 8.5cm f2 Sonnar in LTM recently, need to compare the two.

The new Q interests me very much.
My small AF camera at the moment is the CL which I tend to use with the full frame 24 to 70.
That lens on the CL is perfect range of FL for a number of applications (for me) and a lightweight option rather than the heavy SL2s..
The new Q covers that range plus it has an APO lens .
I`d probably use it alongside my 246 as the colour option
The only thing not to like is the price.

@Sonnar Brian, right again. The J-11 is a good lens. I have been quite lucky. The J-9 is also good. Bought it from a fellow in Turkey who was fun to do business with. He was kind enough to buy and send along two cezves also. His eBay name is the Turkish equivalent of Sisyphus. That got my eye.

@Michael Markey Yes, they do cost too damned much. They have pushed price inelasticity about as far as it can go. But I can also say that the few Leicas I have have been good, old M bodies. The thing with the Q3 43 is that APO lens and the color science with that Sony sensor is quite good. In some sense it is a pocket X2D with the XCD 55V. It is not as good from what I can see but it is very good nevertheless. And while there are a few pooh-poohing it the general camera buying public is not. They are as hard to find as the proverbial hen's tooth.

Recently it has shown to have circuit board problems. I may be silly but I wonder why a company which makes precision instruments does not have better buyers and better QC, Again, they are like the cow that gives good milk and then kicks over the pail.

 

[wlewisiii]

@Sonnar Brian, right again. The J-11 is a good lens. I have been quite lucky. The J-9 is also good. Bought it from a fellow in Turkey who was fun to do business with. He was kind enough to buy and send along two cezves also. His eBay name is the Turkish equivalent of Sisyphus. That got my eye.

@Michael Markey Yes, they do cost too damned much. They have pushed price inelasticity about as far as it can go. But I can also say that the few Leicas I have have been good, old M bodies. The thing with the Q3 43 is that APO lens and the color science with that Sony sensor is quite good. In some sense it is a pocket X2D with the XCD 55V. It is not as good from what I can see but it is very good nevertheless. And while there are a few pooh-poohing it the general camera buying public is not. They are as hard to find as the proverbial hen's tooth.

Recently it has shown to have circuit board problems. I may be silly but I wonder why a company which makes precision instruments does not have better buyers and better QC, Again, they are like the cow that gives good milk and then kicks over the pail.

I posted my "family portrait" as it were, earlier today. The newest camera in it is my M 240 🤣 Yeah, I get nice pictures, though, from all four of them (and the fifth that I mention in the post too 😉)

When I do get a "new" camera, the next one will probably be a used/refurbished Z5. Unless a K-5iis turns my head first 😈

 

[boojum]

I posted my "family portrait" as it were, earlier today. The newest camera in it is my M 240 🤣 Yeah, I get nice pictures, though, from all four of them (and the fifth that I mention in the post too 😉)

When I do get a "new" camera, the next one will probably be a used/refurbished Z5. Unless a K-5iis turns my head first 😈

I have an M240 and like it very much. I like it especially with the CV 40mm f/1.2. The two work well together and yield colors I like a lot and the lens is sharp but not oppressively so. I think I am beginning to prefer M240 color to M9 color. But both have great color.

 

[wlewisiii]

From what I have seen, I think I got silly lucky that it was the one I got, you know what I mean?

 

[boojum]

From what I have seen, I think I got silly lucky that it was the one I got, you know what I mean?

100%. I am not very bright but I am very lucky and have stumbled onto some good things. I have even done well on eBay. I like the M240 for its images and that honking big battery. An M9 can deplete a battery quickly. An M240 takes some time.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Found a shot with my 45mm F2.8 Super-Rokkor, on the M Monochrom. Orange Filter.


Nice focal Length, same as on my Minolta Hi-Matic 9. But different optical formula, a 3-1-1.

 

[boojum]

Found a shot with my 45mm F2.8 Super-Rokkor, on the M Monochrom. Orange Filter.
View attachment 4847811

Nice focal Length, same as on my Minolta Hi-Matic 9. But different optical formula, a 3-1-1.

That's a good capture