Leica Q3 43

My camera is currently at the Leica service center because the rear screen began peeling away from its backing after only a few months of light use. Turnaround is estimated at several weeks, meaning it will miss an upcoming trip entirely. Asked if it could be back by then the response was "it is in the queue". For a camera in this price bracket, a delaminating display is unacceptable. It makes you question what other corners were cut to preserve margins. Other frustrations to consider before buying: ⚬ Ergonomics & Add-ons: Out of the box, it is genuinely uncomfortable to carry and hold. I had to spend roughly $500 on a third-party Helium grip just to make it usable in hand. If you want Leica's official accessories—like a simple thumb rest or shutter release to improve handling—expect to pay hundreds more for each item. ⚬ Lens Cap / Macro Quirk: The included lens cap cannot be placed over the lens while in Macro mode. Let me repeat: this $8000 camera includes a lens cap that cannot be used. Leica will be happy to sell you a working one for a few hundred extra. ⚬ The Leica Tax: Additional essentials, like spare batteries, carry massive brand markups. I cannot recommend this camera to anyone who relies on their gear as a dependable daily tool. If you have infinite disposable income and a backup body while this one sits in a repair queue, you might not mind. I’ll be selling mine for a more reliable system the moment it returns from service.

The Q3 43 is hard to beat. An ideal focal length for 35 or 50 mm shooters with lens performance that's so good, I can easily shoot wide open to maximize OOF isolating blur making the subject "pop" without worry about focus image softness wide open. Compared to the 28/1.7 Summilux, bokeh is a bit less harsh for OOF backgrounds. I also love the projected framelines, keeping with the M concept predicting just the right moment to release the shutter with a subject moving into the frame. However, unlike an M camera, these are digital crops, so it's still possible to open up the entire image to change what's included. This biggest drawback of the entire Q concept is that you only have a wide or semi-wide angle prime lens so there isn't the image compression or focus isolation of longer focal lengths as you digitally crop, i.e even wide open, everything is focused at normal or long shooting distances (unless you can get closer to the subject and avoid cropping). For that you really need a M camera that allows you to select an optical focal length. My only other quible is the unforgiving AWB as some images appear a bit too cool, while other manufacturers allow for maintaining a little warmth. Based on what I've said, I would easily rate it between 4 and 5 stars.

The image quality is superb. The body is solid and well built. It is a joy to shoot photos with this amazing camera.

Amazing image quality from Leica. Love the 43mm lens.

The Leica Q3 43 is a wonderful camera in terms of image quality and weight. However, one aspect that feels limiting is how the cropped focal lengths (especially at 90mm, 120mm, and 150mm) appear so small in the EVF. This makes composing shots at those focal lengths quite difficult (if not impossible), as it’s hard to see the subject clearly. In comparison, my previous experience with the Sony A7R allowed full-screen viewing even when cropping, which made composing much easier. It’s a bit disappointing because the technology clearly exists to offer a magnified view at these focal lengths—something that could greatly enhance usability without needing to carry additional telephoto lenses. It sometimes feels as though the system is designed to encourage users to invest in the M series and its manual lenses instead. Considering the Q3 43 costs around $8,000 after tax and few accessories (case, grip, extra battery and filter), it’s a significant investment. I can’t help but feel that Leica’s management team is knowingly misleading the customers- while the crop mode is available, it becomes nearly unusable at telephoto focal lengths. Additionally, the Q3 43 body doesn’t feel nearly as durable or solid as the M11.

Great camera with amazing lens. Solidly built with excellent workmanship.

Pictures quality is amazing thanks to the 43 mm lens. Built quality is superb. A great everyday camera for portrait and street photography.