Not only do we have a mess in the studio, but now I’ve also managed to get infected with the idea of replacing my entire photo setup. The source of my excitement became the Leica Q3, which I had in my hands for a couple of days.
The hype around the brand is understandable, and I can say it’s not unfounded) It’s a kind of thing like AP or Porsche, but from the world of photography. There’s also the medium-format Hasselblad, but that’s already over-the-top in terms of sophistication, although the camera itself is unique.
I’m a Canon enthusiast and have shot with cameras from the 5D MkIII to the R5 for 8 years, getting used to their warm, saturated, marketing colors, ergonomics, and durability. Starting with the first R6, autofocus allowed me to shoot even children. These and many other parameters are implemented in the Q3 differently: sometimes worse, but mostly better. The main thing here is the ratio of size and weight to all other parameters.
Weight is something that needs to be approached wisely in terms of optimization. I’m not a small person and won’t notice an extra 3−5 kg on my back. But sometimes a heavy backpack is simply inappropriate—especially if you have a light business trip or a meeting with a client who has an office gallery. I pulled this compact out of my bag, snapped what I needed, and went on my way satisfied.
There’s a saying that the best camera is the one that’s always with you. The Q3 fits this philosophy very well. More precisely, it’s the Q3 43, but more on that in the next part.