Overview
The speaker reviews the Leica Q2 camera after three months of use, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, and personal experiences, while answering questions from Instagram followers.
Image Quality and Optics
- Image quality from the Q2 is outstanding, frequently impressing others with sharpness and detail.
- The 28mm Summilux lens delivers exceptional results and is considered a highlight of the camera.
- The 47-megapixel sensor contributes significantly to the overall image quality.
- The "Leica look" is hard to define but involves deep blacks, rich colors, and especially beautiful shallow depth of field at wide apertures.
Lens Focal Length Discussions
- Some users feel the 28mm lens behaves more like a 24mm or 26mm, but the speaker is satisfied with the results regardless of label.
- Distortion and wide-angle characteristics are inherent but do not detract from enjoyment or photo quality.
Digital Zoom and Crop Modes
- Digital crop modes offer simulated frame lines for 35, 50, and 75mm, but the results lack the genuine characteristics of those focal lengths.
- Raw files preserve the full 28mm field of view, making cropping flexible in post-processing.
- The speaker prefers using the camera as a true 28mm rather than relying on crop modes.
Auto White Balance Performance
- Auto white balance is unreliable, often shifting unpredictably between cold and warm tones.
- The issue is mitigated by manually setting white balance, which the speaker recommends.
User Interface and Handling
- The LCD's black bar display partially blocks composition during shooting, which is only avoided by using the electronic viewfinder.
- Battery life is poor, necessitating the purchase of a second battery, which is expensive.
- Build quality and ergonomics are exceptional, with attention to detail and satisfying controls.
Personal Experience and Q&A Highlights
- Initially, the speaker was concerned about damaging the expensive camera, but now treats it as a regular tool.
- The Q2 was deemed worth the investment and is the speaker's favorite camera despite some complaints.
- The Q2 is not considered a "final" camera; the speaker is interested in other Leica models.
- The Q2 complements rather than replaces other cameras like the Fujifilm X100V, which is used for casual situations.
- The lack of an optical viewfinder has not been an issue, but is a factor when considering future camera purchases.
- Large raw file sizes have not filled a 128GB card, even after a full day’s shooting.
- The Q2 is not "worth" three to four times more than an X100V strictly by specs, but appeals for its unique qualities and brand experience.
Decisions
- Purchase second battery: Speaker chose to buy an additional battery to address battery life concerns.
- Continue using manual white balance: Decided to avoid auto white balance due to poor performance.
Action Items
- TBD – Speaker: Consider future Leica camera purchases (e.g., M6, M10, M11).
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Why does the LCD black bar obstruct the frame, and could this be improved via firmware?