Leica Q3 43 Review - New Lens New Possibilities

The Leica Q3 43 is a delightful enhancement to the cherished Leica Q3, now featuring a longer and sharper lens. This fixed focal length configuration is perfect for travel, portraiture, street photography, and beyond. The camera boasts a new APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 lens, providing a higher, more natural perspective for your photography.

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[gletschertroll]

I got mine on Thursday (Sept 26th), the day it was presented officially, I actually own one of the first few in my country. I already love it very much, complements the Q2 28 I also have. For sports, wildlife, etc. I use my Nikons (much, much faster AF), but for street the Q3 43 is unbeatable. The lens is breathtakingly good!

[thomaschamberlin]

43 mm has some significance. The first Barnack camera in 1914 had a 42 mm lens. 43 mm is halfway between 35 mm and 50 mm so a compromise between those two camps. And 43 mm is the diagonal measurement of the 36 x 24 mm sensor so what you see with your eye is what is covered by the lens.

[GurmeetSingh-fruo]

Q3 owners before Q343 we need 43mm lense …. Q343 is out and now 28mm is better as it’s wider and I can crop in 😅

[pajerry]

I just came across you guys. You guys are doing some great reviews, thank you very much! And the fact that you're Canadian is even better LOL. Count me as another subscriber.

[erikadasilva]

Answering your questions, I'm still a 28mm. I switched from Canon using 90% of the time the 16-35 mm lens to the Leica Q3 28mm because I was looking for practicality and minimalism. Almost a year later I'm in love. I think the 28mm is perfect for architecture, landscape, and street photography.
I would love to see a Q3 Mono.

[JessDemant]

Good to see that Leica has finally seen the success that Ricoh has with their GR IIIx 👍

[BoxerRT]

28mm Summilux is a Gem therefore I will be keeping my Q 116. I’d probably never sell or trade. When I moved from M240 to the Q 7 years ago, I never thought I would love the Q as much as I did.

[ldmndz]

Very cool!..everything is nice as it should be based on the original Q3…but some missed opportunities for sure for a better “update” especially that bump on the price point…it could have at least implemented a built in memory like their other models…also No CAI ( Content Authenticity Initiative) support which could have been nice to have and also a bump on better AF performance..because we all know that the original Q3 isn't as efficient in the AF..lol just some little things to point out..but at the same time all these points could have made the camera even more of a worthy "upgrade" and that fact that some of these points are available, i.e built in memory, CAI..and Lecia chose not to implement them in this body is kind of dissappointing

[cameraz]

Thank you for using a neck strap. I think it's crazy to use an expensive camera without one.

[roberthamilton]

Having tested it, the focal length of my Leicxa Q3 28mm is actually nearer to 26mm, which is why I, and I presume many others, find it to be a little too wide. Looking forward to getting the 43.

[highlander]

I am one of those that have said that the Q cameras with their 28mm lens, was too wide for my needs; but this is right in my butter zone of what I love; I think I am just going to shut up now and cry quietly as I reach for the credit card to pre-order this camera. This is what I have been asking for, time to just put the money down

[sonholee]

28 and 40 are my favs.
But the Leica price tag is not...

[Kvistum-Media]

Nice, without question. And a clever move to offer a lens with a normal focal length. But I won't sell my M for this.

[xg]

So what value is my 1 year old Q3 if I want the 43? What % of new price is mine worth?

[hapema]

Why not directly with interchangeable lens? I don't understand the hype.

[skipper]

Great review. I have the Q3 28mm. I knew this was coming out as I have a friend who works for Leica. There are more coming. Cheers.

[paulboskerphotography]

Guys should do your homework on why the 43 is a 43. It's a great story. Hugh Brownstone tells it best.

[Photoandcargeek]

Being a 35mm type of person, I would like a Leica M autofocus with interchangeable lenses .... Or I will probably stick to my Canon R5/R10 and M6 TTL when I want the M experience.
Weird choice by Leica, 43mm is neither here nor there. And I don't particularly like that it is their entry model camera and that therefore they build it in aluminium which is not good looking when you rub off or scratch that (easily scratchable) paint.

[solomonessix]

Like their 28mm, it’s probably not a “true” 43mm.

[victorcarmelo]

Nice but I like taking pictures not updating to new versions of my Q2. Thanks for sharing.