Which Leica Camera is Best? | Leica Q3 vs M11

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[ab]

I just traded my Q3 in for an M11 + 35 Lux a few weeks ago, so you better say M11 by the time I get to the end of this video! 🤣

[walkingmanvideo]

The only major strength of the Q3 is the focus. If you want a camera that allows you to quickly rack a frame off, the Q3 is the one. The M11 is a wonderful camera but takes more finesse to master. If you like tack sharp images on the move where you don't have time to stop and take a shot, the Q3 is for you.

[PhantomPhxer]

As a former M6 owner, I've always wanted to return to Leica. The Q3 took care of that and it keeps me from wanting more "lenses" !!

[jimconnerly]

I have, over the past year, gone completely to Leica. I started with the Q2, then a M240 and now a D-Lux 8. They all are unique in their own way and like any tool, have their uses but the important thing is that I enjoy the experience of shooting with them. I could take good images with other cameras because there are lots of good one around, even a phone is useful at times, but these cameras make me smile when I use them.

[matejgrim]

As a musician, the analogy you said was perfect!

[luluphoto]

Ive used Leica M's, mainly with 50mm Summilux lens for years, I love them and recently enjoying the Q343 immensely.

[davidbrighten]

I sold my Q2 Reporter and my Q2 Monochrom and bought an M11-P and M11M and loads of Voigtlander lenses. Absolutely no regrets. I find I am as quick focusing with the M11 and feel much more connected and in the moment. I do miss the macro on the Q.

[alanc]

I am fortunate to own the Q, SL, and M systems. While the M system is manually operated, I’ve discovered that when paired with my M28 Summicron and using zone focusing, it can actually be faster than the Q system.

Thank you for your excellent work—I truly enjoy everything you share!

[joshspear]

Love this comparison! I've had the thought that the ultimate Q experience for me is if it had a rangefinder.

[kurocamera]

I have been using the M system for over 10 years now, mostly with small vintage pre-asph lenses; almost made the switch to the Q343 when it came out, but instead decided to go with the M11-D and pair it with my 35mm 7 elements, which is both smaller, lighter and (hopefully) more enjoyable to use than the Q. But the Q343 is indeed a very attractive proposition.

[kerbyzhao]

Love your reviews. You are correct, as far as the Leica experience, NOTHING beats the M system. I have Q's and SL's and whenever I'm done shooting them I think, man, I need to get back to shooting my M. The deliberate nature of shooting an M lends itself to quality, not quantity. Thanks for the great content!

[MilmidStudios]

Likening the rangefinder experience to playing an instrument REALLY resonated with me… brilliant analogy 💯💯💯

[mlwadester]

Great breakdown as usual, Benj. From my limited use of both platforms I’d say that it is a fair analysis.

[JBurtonTenor]

Hey! One of my best friends let me borrow his M11 for a week and I rented the Q3 43 for a week. In short, I agree with every word in this video. Cheers!

[PBimagescom]

The training wheels comment was just over the top for me. 😂 I have both Q3's, and am totally loving the experience of carrying both. Common controls, light weight, small size, easy to setup, no sensor cleaning needed, etc. I came from Nikon (D80/D800/D750Z9/Zf) and the Zf manual focus revolutionized my photography and drove me to the Q3's along with colleagues and workshop attendees and leaders using and raving about them. Along with me normally using the MF. I also went to it for the Leica name and quality and reducing my kit size and weight. I have kept my Zf with some of my Z/S lenses, but my EDC is the two Q3's. I have never wanted a rangefinder camera. Ever. And don't expect to in the future. I had 35mm film back in the day and have embraced the digital world and don't feel the same about see the scenes. As long as I'm "seeing" through the lens, as the M's do not, I am comfortable with that. Thanks for the discussion and I look forward to your Q3 detailed review, even though I don't expect it to be that positive. 😀

[rolandrick]

I had an M11-P and returned it, because the sensor was delivering images all having a pink colour cast, which I wasn’t able to remove. Snow was pink, blues to deep and harsh. Just for the records, I am a super experienced LrC and PS and C1 and Affinity Photo user/nerd, I tried everything, nothing helped. The M10 I once had - unfortunately sold it - didn’t have that flaw. A part of the M experience is to get almost perfect results straight out of camera and not to spend a lot of time on the computer. Of course I recovered the shadow details and corrected the white balance slightly if needed, but with the M10 I never had to mess with the colours. - The interesting part is the Q3 (which I have) and the SL3 (which I could test) have obviously the same sensor, but that pink cast isn’t existing. So, either the M11 and M11-P have a different sensors or there is a severe bug in the demosaicing algorithm or a problem with the Bayer filter. Currently I am happy with my M11 Monochrom. Attention, it’s like photography black and white film, you need at least a yellow, orange and red filter and avoid blown highlights. It’s identical to BW film, super easy to get blown highlights, a colour negative film using the C-41 developer was/is almost impossible to get overexposed highlights, an ISO400 color negative film accidentally shot like an ISO100 film was not lost, easy to correct doing the positive prints and also in digital post processing.

[eastbaystreet]

Great comparison between playing an instrument and using Leicas. I love my Leicas and my guitars because both are sensitive to real-time input and great vehicles for expression.

[DamienOnTheGo]

The Q3 was my introduction to Leica and most definitely a gateway "drug" where I then purchased the M11M 35mm Summicron APO. They both have their place and I love shooting both. Be warned, if you're thinking of a Leica, you will not stop at just one.

[IntrovertAmateur]

Awesome video Benj! Totally agree! I’m a Q3 43 user and have to say the real Leica experience is for me personally the M System. Specially when i shoot on the OG M3 - I just love the build quality of that 50s camera 🙃

[bartpeterleroy]

Really nice video. I am lucky enough to own the Q2 and the SL2 with quite a few lenses. I have never tested the M system but am thrilled that I have weather sealing in my cameras.