6 Months with the Leica Q2. Pros, Cons, and should you buy it? 

The greatest thing: it is SO convenient to shoot because everything is designed to be used as easy as possible, the camera went from my "everyday camera" to my literally everyday camera and now I shoot almost everything in jobs with it (from documentary up to a whole wedding). It just became my third eye :)

I don't understand why you think it's a "point & shoot" camera? It's not fully automatic (anymore than any other DSLR). You can control the exposure and metering and shoot manually, including focus manually. I think you are conflating minimalistic and "point and shoot."

Just bought a pristine Q2 from Leica of Coral Gables/Miami. I was so excited I flew down to pick it up!!!

That was really honest of you, which in the world of RU-vid photography reviews is a truly rare thing. This is indeed a truly beautiful camera and 28mm is probably my personal favourite single focal length, which for at least a couple of years convinced me that the Q2 was also the camera of my dreams. But a few weekends ago I took a Canon EOS 5D and 28mm f/2.8 lens into London for some architecture pictures and I realised that there is no such thing as a single focal length that is going to be enough on its own. Frankly I would have done far better with a universal zoom and I've been deluding myself in believing otherwise. I still want the Q2, but know full well that if I owned it, however much I loved the output, it simply wouldn't be enough. And to be equally honest, I don't have that much money to burn on it. Thank you for the video - I wish you even more joy with your photography.

I’ve got a Fuji X-Pro3 that has been a joy to shoot with. But I keep eyeing the Q2 Monochrom, as I love black and white. The Q2’s are indeed a special camera.

Great perspective on the Q2. I bought one second hand and loved it. Then kept toying with the idea of selling it but couldnt. Then eventually I did, and made money on it, cos their prices kept increasing, then eventually I got the Reporter edition even knowing the Q3 was coming. Dont forget the cool Macro mode - thats a neat feature thats often overlooked :)

Great decision to keep it 😊 I just sold my 3 month old Q2 and have a Q3 on preorder. Been 3 weeks without a camera and I’m getting severe withdrawal symptoms 😢 but it’ll be worth the wait I’m sure. Your Q2 images are fantastic

Interesting and informative video, with some lovely images; with the decisive and unmistakable Leica ‘Look’. Thks.

With weight comes quality build and long-term reliability. A fixed lens means it's weather sealed and you are basically getting a $5000 lens and a free body. It also means you have to compose to get the shot, and it's a lens you can get to know. It has OIS in the lens and an awesome macro feature. And, it's a Leica. You can keep it for years and probably sell it for close to what you paid for it. And I agree, the images are... there's just something about them that sets them apart. You can spot it a mile away. Get over the money, you get (almost) what you pay for.

great discussion, like you I'm in love with the Reporter Edition, this is so unique. Should you had a black Q2 you might be tempted to change, but a Reporter will keep its value and bring you joy way longer. By the way there is one limitation on the Q2 you did not mention, so it's likely not bothering you it is the relative counter performance in low light compared to Sony and or SL2S as the sensor is not BSI. You have it keep it.

Very interesting video, Amy. I went through the same progression of thoughts. At the end of the day, I decided to sell. I guess my conclusion was that the IQ was not marketably better than my A7R3 which I primarily shoot on. I just took it on a trip to NYC and I must admit, I loved the form factor and absolutely loved carrying only one camera with me but looking at my final images, I could not see that it was any better than what I could get out of a Sony or even my old Fuji images I looked back on. To me, the "Leica Look" is a self fulfilling prophecy contrived by loyal Leica fans to justify the very high price tag. I can tell a difference in the micro contrast when zoomed in 100-200% but that's not real IMO. Nobody is looking at an image in that way except to pixel peep on the monitor. At the end of the day, I decided to sell it and go for the upcoming A7C 2 . My rationale was that what I sold it for, I could get a new compact Sony body, for EDC that would still work with all my other glass I have - huge value add for me (and you if I sway you... lol). I could also pick up some of the new compact 24mm and 40mm G master lenses for street and still have thousands to spare. At the end of the day, I hated the outdated AF on the Q2 and the exposure was very fiddly to get right. The auto WB would also freak out once in a while that would require me to restart the camera and for me, I also really hated the inconvenience of not being able to tilt the screen for low shots (which I like to take for more creative perspectives). Also hard to shoot incognito on the street with the camera to your eye. I often had to "Spray and pray" which I hate doing. Anyway, now I'm sitting on a little nest egg for my next purchase. I might even pick up a Ricoh GRIII with the extra money as well. There's so much more value you can get for your one Leica camera, it was impossible to justify keeping it with all the shortcomings it had for me. But the ONE intangible that keeps me looking at the Q3 is that "Leica" Brand and the beauty of the camera.... I know I just completely contradicted myself... all I'm saying is I get it for those that want to keep it. lol.

Thank you ✨

The “crop” modes only degrade the image if you shoot jpg. If you shoot in raw they work more as a framing guide, but you still have the full image if you opt not to crop.

Can I know where did you get the rubber lens cap from?

I love my Q2.

Great pics and commentary! My local camera store has a like new Q2 for under $4k that is sooooo tempting. But i really don’t need it, despite the deal they are offering.

Q2 was my first Leica as well. But I love b&w, and switched to the Q2Mono. LOVE that one! Was it enough? Apparently not. I've now RE-added the Q2. Also love it. Sheesh, when will it stop?! Trade both for the Q3?? (tilty screen, etc.!) Time will tell. But you're right. Also in the Fuji system, but there is something about the build and image quality of the Q's that is hard to turn away from. But then I'm lucky to be able to do it, at least in the Q system - very fortunate! (M system would be the dream...)

I have a Q3 on pre-order since May 27th. Pretty sure there are a ton of orders ahead of me. Could be weeks or months before I see it. I shoot primarily on a Canon R5. Want this for travel. Tempted to cancel the order and get the Q2 Monochromatic. :) However, I think waiting is ultimately the best option.

Love my A7R5 but can feel too bulky on some days… took the plunge and pre ordered the Q3 after spending minimal time with it… is my first Leica The painful price i have to pay will eventually fade away and left with a great camera to enjoy… at least that’s how I feel about my RX1 … it has been 10yrs and still works great

I don’t know why folks call this a “point and shoot” just because it has a fixed lens, when any camera can shoot on auto or “program” and qualify as a point and shoot?!! This camera has manual mode, or priority modes for aperture, speed, and ISO. Stop calling it a point and shoot as if its an old phone camera!

I got the impression that you think you might’ve made the wrong choice in getting that camera, even though you said you thought it was worth it at the end of the video. Perhaps the high cost is offset by what you make from selling prints.

Should I get it no. Do I want it, hell yes, can I afford it hell no😅

Are you getting the Q3?

I am unsure if the images included in this video are representative of your work or not. However, I will say that if these type of images are what you are routinely capturing, then the Q2 is 10x overkill. I understand that this comment is not politically correct, however what you have shown in this video is NOT going to require the likes of the $6000 Leica Q2 camera. No one needs a $6000 camera to shoot images of chain link fences or dandelions. This is a camera for those shooting discrete photos of celebrities or high-end weddings, and who are filling the frame with interest through composition. I am not really sure why you felt the $6000 Q2 was a good match for your subject matter. But if you like how the Q2 feels in your hand and you enjoy owning a work of art, then I can certainly appreciate that.

Dear Sell ​​this heavy metal and buy something better. The image quality doesn't make a better pictures.

Now you can upgrade to Q3, it has a tilty screen. So I don't think you will keep the Q2. 😩🫣😆