Leica Q3 Review

By: Thorsten Overgaard. May 25, 2023. Last edit September 19, 2024.
This article continues on Page 2 where I go over the perfect menu setup for the Leica Q3 and Page 3 where I go over Firmware and User Manuals. The Leica Q3 43 review is on the "Leica Q3 43 APO" page.

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Leica Q3: The 60MP mirrorless camera

One of the most popular digital cameras of this decade now comes in a third-generation update. Known for its excellent design, simple operation, and high-quality image quality, it is the camera out there that best enables you to connect with the soul of digital photography.

Video Review

The Leica Q3 Review and heritage, by Thorsten Overgaard.

Happiness in Photography

To say that the Leica Q is like using an iPhone, but just the image quality is so much better – is true. But more to the point, having and using a Leica Q turns you from someone who captures things of interest into someone who makes photographs.

Frankly, a smartphone is not a bad choice if you just want to take photographs. So often when I have to explain photography in a simple way, I realize that some people would be better off with a smartphone. Because smartphone cameras are made to take photos without troubling you with settings. The problem is to elevate you from not being concerned about settings to knowing enough to handle a real camera that, in return, delivers top-notch quality images.

The Leica Q3.

To be competent, you have to know how to do something in order to do it successfully. So, how can you teach someone to be competent?

The camera producers are not of any damn help in helping you understand how simple photography really is. They stuff cameras with buttons, wheels, words, and symbols you don't understand (I don't either, and I've been photographing for 40 years now).

Scratch all that. With the Leica Q3, photography became simple: top-notch image quality, a few of the necessary controls to control exposure (that a smartphone doesn't have), and all fitted with the best lenses in the world, wrapped in a now classic design.

In the streets with the Leica Q. © Thorsten Overgaard.

As a testimony to image quality and all, the Leica Q series is also the camera that 'serious photographers' buy because it's so damn irresistible: lightweight, compact, well-designed, and yet delivers image quality that is on par with almost any other camera out there. And when I say 'almost any other camera', I am talking about Hasselblad X1D, Sony A7, Leica SL, Leica M, and the rest of them.

In the recent year, I often pondered the question, "Which camera and lens make me happy?" because I have a closet full of cameras to choose from, and as time goes by, I have come to realize that they can all take sufficient high-quality images. So, it is not about the camera anymore. It is about me. And by being happy, I mean being put in a mood where I would always wear a camera, enthusiastically look for pictures, and be able to make my visions come true the instant I get the idea to take a picture of something.

Often the Leica Q is the answer because it is an easy companion, and it does what I tell it to do, and it does it quite well. On other days the Leica M with a 50mm lens is the answer. My philosophy is that any picture I take has to be a real picture. Taking a smartphone photo is a waste of opportunity because the quality can't withstand time. I make photos for the future.

The Leica Q3 or the Leica M. © Thorsten Overgaard.

The Leica M makes me feel like a walking painter, where anything I touch or do becomes a real photograph with a glimpse of light as short as 1/125th of a second. But the Leica Q enables me to achieve the same results with an unobtrusive camera on the days I feel like going without a camera. I can be a dilettante, and yet when I see something, I can make a real photograph.

The right camera is the one you are happy to own, have with you, and which delivers the pictures you envisioned without obstructing your ideas or requiring you to memorize a 400-page manual.

Mr. Nicola Semprevivo in my Milano workshop with his Leica M. Leica M9 with Leica 50mm Notilux-M f/0.95. © Thorsten Overgaard. lHappiness

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Straight out of the camera the Leica Q3 files are often "finished" and ready". © Thorsten Overgaard.

I will take my sweet time to evaluate the Leica Q3 image quality. As always, I work with a camera for a while, and I wait for the proper camera profiles to be available in Lightroom and Capture One Pro. I don't offer opinions before I have them.

The tweaks on how to make the Leica Q3 image files sing is in my Leica Q3 Know-All eBook, which also comes with Leica Q3 presets and styles for Lightroom and Capture One for both color and black and white. I have done the Leica Q Know-All eBook previously (2015) and the Leica Q2 Know-All eBook (2019), along with the video classes on all the Leica Q cameras, Leica M cameas and more.

Taking a walk in Paris. © Thorsten Overgaard.

I made a small package with test photos from the Leica Q3. Send an email to me get alerte when ready.

Leica Q3 sample photo test files for free download: 

Photographer Thorsten Overgaard tell the story of the ventilated shade and why he designed his own for Leica and other brands to bring back classic style of the Leica Q3, Leica Summicron and more.

	Leica Q3 with Flip Up Screen

The main new feature of the Leica Q3 is that the camera now has a flip-up screen. Due to this addition, the camera's weight has increased by 20g, and the touch screen has slightly lower resolution compared to the Leica Q2 screen that is integrated into the camera.

Considering that many Leica Q users rely on the excellent Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) for composing and capturing photos, and use the screen for menu settings and photo review, I personally find it an odd choice to include a flip-up screen.

The flip screen is an invention that is nearly 30 years old. I recall having one of the first Nikon compact cameras with a flip screen that could rotate in all directions. It certainly offers new possibilities.

If one truly wanted to use a Leica Q at a low level or view the screen from the front of the camera, connecting a smartphone to a Leica Q2 via the Leica Photos App would serve the purpose. Besides using the phone as a remote control for capturing photos and previewing them, you can also control settings like ISO, shutter speed, aperture, etc. through the smartphone.

The Leia Q3, unlike previous models, now features a Flip Up Screen. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Photos like this taken from a low level can be achieved with a flip screen. It's not a bad idea, but in my opinion, not really necessary for the Leica Q3. But here we are, there it is! © Thorsten Overgaard.

Truth be told, the flip screen might be the one thing on the Leica Q3 that could entice fans to opt for a Leica Q2 with its 47MP resolution, enjoying the simplicity of design without concerning themselves much about the extra megapixels and improved ISO above 6400 ISO offered by the Leica Q3.

Leica Q3: Disappointed

The Flip-Up Screen makes the design less decisive, and the introduction of a plastic frame on an otherwise all-metal camera body... I think things took a wrong turn here. You feel it, the luxurious feeling is gone, and the difficult opening of the screen doesn't make it easier to fall in love with it.

Next, some people will ask, "It would be better if it could swivel all the way to the side and around," and there we go. A great design molested.

This, I think, is the first impression of the Leica Q3, which in almost all other aspects, is a Leica Q2 with slightly improved numbers: 13MP larger files, 1-stop improved ISO, wireless charging possibilities, a series of accessories now available.

For the sake of photography, you have to make a choice. To get the newer Leica Q3 or to get a new or second-hand Leica Q2. I guess that in real life, after a few hours, any of them will work. Either suffer the pain of using a Leica Q2, knowing that there is a 'better and updated' model out there, or use the newest and most glorious model, knowing that there exists a better-designed model out there.

Then, of course, there is the image quality, which I shall return to. We mustn't forget that we get a camera to make images.

The addition of a Flip Up Screen on the Leica Q3 might be just what you always though that camera always needed - or it might be the reason you search for a Leica Q2 while new stock is still available.

Can the Leica Q3 lens handle all the resolution?

In short, yes. The 28mm f/1.7 lens was designed in 2015 for the first Leica Q model. It was designed, like all newer Leica lenses, for the Leica M system and Leica SL system, with double the resolution of previously known lenses. While Leica lenses are known for their level of detail, they were originally made for film. When digital sensors were introduced to the Leica M system in 2006, new lenses were designed to handle the increased detail of digital sensors.

Out and about with the Leica Q3 in San Francisco. © Thorsten Overgaard.

The 28mm lens on the Leica Q3 might very well be capable of performing well even on sensors with resolutions of 500MP and higher. As proof of its performance, consider the Leica Q2 Monochrom with its 47MP sensor, which allows for cropping an image to 10% while still maintaining impressive detail and sharpness. In fact, looking at a small crop you cant tell it is a crop.

One reason for this performance is the lens, while another is the fact that a monochrome sensor without a Bayer filter essentially has four times the resolution power. When a Bayer filter is applied to a sensor to enable color perception, it combines every four sensors into one (red, green, blue, and white). Consequently, the Leica Q2 Monochrom serves as evidence of how the lens would perform on a 200MP sensor. It is quite apparent that the lens can handle that level of resolution and more.

Take a look at this Leica Q2 photo I captured when it was first released, as well as the crop of it. Not only is the text incredibly crisp, but also observe the three-dimensional feel and level of detail, demonstrating that it is genuine resolution and not artificially enhanced edges that account for the fine details. This lens truly captures every detail.

100% photo.

A crop of the same photo.

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The Leica Q3 sensor (released May 2023) is a new 60MP full-frame sensor, which means it covers 24 x 36mm. It is not the same sensor as the Leica M11 (released February 2022), even this is also a 60MP sensor.

The Leica Q3 sensor is made for the Leica Q3, meaning it has 4K and 8K video capabilities, the two sensors have different ISO ranges, etc..

While Leica Camera does not release specifications on their sensors, or who makes them, the look of the Leica Q3 sensor is obviously different than the images you get from the Leica M11. In my opinion, the Leica Q3 image is quite beautiful, and close to the final photograph, not needing much or any adjustment in Lightroom or Capture One. The Leica M11 - don't get me started - is a quite different story with too much magenta, too much purple ting. Simply another fine-tuning of the sensor date. Then entire work of translating the raw sensor data to the DNG that you import from the SD-card is quite a huge deal.

An analogy is the 10MP Leica M8 sensor (2006) that is the same as the Leica DMR digital back sensor (2008), but also different outputs.

Leica Q3: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm in one and the same lens

One of the features in the Leica Q3 is the digital crop to 90mm. It means that you press the function button on the back of the camera, and then you see a 35mm crop. Press again, and you now see a 50mm crop of the frame. Press again, and you see a 75mm crop. Press again, and you see a 90mm crop. Press once more, and it cycles back to the full 28mm frame.

"Digital crop" in the Leica Q3 means that you simply crop the 60MP file. This is something you can do on the computer as well, but since the first Leica Q (2015), Leica has introduced the idea that you don't need several lenses. One excellent 28mm lens is enough because, with a high-resolution sensor, you can crop the image quite tightly and small, and it still looks like a full-resolution photograph.

Not an easy sell to people nowadays who seem to insist that when they buy a 60MP camera, they want a 60MP file. Personally, I am convinced you don't need 60MP. I have made great photos with 5MP cameras that look like medium format photos.

Digital crop is a good idea if you can get used to it and think with it. In the Leica Q3, a 28mm high-quality image can be cropped in-camera to 35mm, 50mm, 75mm or 90mm. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Never mind. It is there, and the way it works is that you see a frame line inside the viewfinder that indicates the frame of, for example, 90mm. Then you can compose the photo as a 90mm photo. Not easy to do, but with some use, you might be able to.

Once you import the image to Lightroom or Capture One, you will see only the 90mm image. But when you hit the Crop tool, you will see that all 60MP is there as a 28mm frame. It just has the 90mm crop implemented.

If you start working with this tool, you will see that it is a brilliant idea. And it is even more brilliant in that you can move or change the 90mm crop. You have a large 28mm frame to work within.

I am glad that Leica insists on implementing this in the Leica Q3 because, in the Leica Q3, it makes sense. The lens is so excellent that from the very beginning, it was designed to over-perform and thus make a 90mm crop possible once the sensor resolution was available. Which it is in the Leica Q3.

Mr. and Mrs. Delany joined the Overgaard Leica Q Workshop. They both use Leica Q2, the husband a color version and the wife a Leica Q2 Monochrom version. But most importantly, they do photography together. © Thorsten Overgaard.

As it was the case with the Leica Q (2015) and Leica Q2 (2019), also the Leica Q3 show a larger frame when developed in Capture One Pro. When you press the crop tool in Capture One Pro, you see more outside the 28mm frame. You get somewhat 24mm frame (68 megapixels), whereas in Lightroom you do not see any more frame than the 28mm as the widest.

You see a 28mm crop (9520 x 6336 pixels) in Capture One Pro, but you also see more outside that 28mm frame. There is more space outside the frame, which you can include (10346 x 6551 pixels).

The 28mm frame (top) and how it looks when you import the photo to Capture One Pro. As you can see, you have a 24mm frame with the 28mm frame framelines marked. 

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A classic design is born

The Leica Q (2015) was designed by Vincent Laine who had made his own ideas of future Leica designs back home in Sweden. This led to him becoming first an intern with Leica in Wetzlar, Germany, and then an employee. One of his projects was to design the Leica Q.

Leica Q designer Vincent Laine with the first Leica Q. © Thorsten Overgaard.

It is safe to say that modern simplicity met with the classic simplicity of the Leica that was founded back in 1925 when Oskar Barnack wanted a small portable camera of high quality optics and mechanical engineering.

The first Leica Q was so perfect, also thanks to the product manager and the lens designers, that the only thing to improve in the next generation, the Leica Q2, was the optical viewfinder and the diopter. The rest was unchanged.

A lot of the Leica Q design is round, and if you visit the Leica factory in Wetzlar, you will see a round globe in front of it, and eventually you will see the round optical elements being mounted into Leica lenses.

But then, you can get a lot of things done with a straight line, and both the Leica headquarter and the Leica cameras have a lot of straight lines. The Leica SL series has a lot of straightness to it.

The Leica headquarter in Wetzlar, Germany. © Thorsten Overgaard.

The first Leica Q even had round buttons on the back, in the Leica Q2 it was simplified to three square buttons and a round joystick. In the Leica Q3 it has been reduced further to two square buttons and a round joystick.

The Leica Q (2015) next to a Sony RX1.

Classic design from 1958, when Braun's designer Dieter Rams changed the way product design was done.

You may think of the Leica optical designs and the brand value what you want. But let's just indulge in this moment where someone made a real product with a long-lasting design that makes the product useful and understandable, aesthetic, simple, and with every detail though to be as simple as possible.

That's all.

The Leica Q3 Ventilated Shade designed Thorsten Overgaard for "Always Wear A Camera". Available in black paint, matte black paint, RED, Safari Green and Silver. This shade also fits Leica Q and Leica Q2 models.

Though, the Leica Q (model 116) of June 2015 was born with 4K video, Leica Camera AG decided not to put it into use due to battery and heat considerations. In the Leica Q2 we got full 4K video, and now in the Leica Q3 we now have 8K video. As well as ports for external screen and microphones (USB-C and Mini HDMI).

Architect Irwin Miller of Los Angeles makes video short stories like the above with the Leica Q that he quickly edits in Final Cut Pro the same evening and then share with friends and family via text messages.

How to make sense of doing video with the Leica Q3

Doing video on a camera with auto-focus is never easy, and then there is the sound that comes from the two built-in stereo microphones on top of the camera. All in all this easily results in video recordings where the auto-focus changes when it's not supposed to, and sound is either very 'thin' or the users brething and handling of the camera is very prominent in the recording.

The problem with video is that you soon want a large external screen to work with focus and all on, and external microphones to ensure proper sound. Now available on the Leica Q3 (an not Leica Q2 or Leica Q). And while "auto-focus" sounds comforting, the fact is that professional video and cinema movies are done with manual focus. Professional film set usually have one person monitoring the sound and another monitoring the focus while the camera operator manages the camera. Smaller set-ups such as television news, the camera man does it all while wearing headphones to make sure the sound is working during the entire interview of filming.

The settings to make Video work on the Leica Q3 (and Leica Q2 and Leica Q):

To do video on the Leica Q3, the AF has to be turned on, and the 1-Point AF set to AFs (single point).

If you set the AF to Continuous (AFc), the Leica Q3 will keep wobbling in focus trying to find new focus all the time.

You may also use Manual Focus and adjust focus as you move on; whenever you turn the focus ring, you see focus peaking in the viewfinder so you can focus accurately (the video continues to record full-frame).

You can also set the camera on a tripod or table and manual focus, to do an interview for example. Or use the Leica Fotos App as described further down.

The Optical Image Stabilization of the Leica Q3 should only be used for video, not for stills.

While video is a great thing, these possibilities and limitations give and idea how it could be used. Recording bits and pieces and add a soundtrack later is a good idea because you can fundamentally make a professional video then (wihout sound issues and AF changing to the wrong place, as int he video above).

Putting the Leica Q3 on a tripod and using the Leica Fotos App to film a subject that is not moving is also well working. I could do all my Magic of Light Photography Television videos that way, except I use a Leica SL with a Leica 35mm Summilux-TL f/1.4, and with wireless microphones connected to the camera's mini-HDMI plug.

The most ideal Leica for video is without doubt the Leica SL2-S which has a great 24MP sensor that just works excellent with Leica SL and Leica S lenses (and Leitz Cine lenses).

Thorsten Overgaard in Milano writing this article. Leica M11. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Thorsten Overgaard: "Everything has to go somewhere"

The DNG raw files from the Leica Q3, when imported into Lightroom or Capture One, are remarkably close to the final images, more so than other cameras and previous Leica models.

For years, it has been a valid perspective that to achieve optimal image quality, one should capture in raw or DNG format and then edit the files in post-processing software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One.

However, in recent years, I feel there has been a need to simplify these editing workflows. It can be tedious work, and with each new software edition, options and complications seem to multiply. In short, as file sizes increase and editing tools "evolve," the process of editing images becomes more and more frustrating.

From a photography standpoint, our goals are simple: 1) to see a picture, 2) to capture the picture as envisioned, 3) to be able to print, share, or sell that picture ... and I might add, 4) to manage and store the picture so it's readily available for use, and secured for the future.

In the current photography workflow, there is a significant step 2.5) involving importing, selecting, and editing the pictures. And, if I may add a touch of humor and sarcasm, a step 2.6) has been introduced by Adobe and others who build a new business model by holding files hostage in their cloud and software, leaving users with limited choices but to stay with that software and pay a monthly subscription to access their own photos.

Pep Amores with the Leica Q3 in Havana. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Since 2009, I have been authoring, updating, refining, and simplifying my unique workflow in the Lightroom Survival Kit and the Capture One Survival Kit. These guides aim to help photographers survive the editing process: how to organize their ever-growing archive of photographs for easy retrieval, how to preserve them, and how to streamline the editing process to achieve optimum quality with minimal effort and frustration.

Personally, my dream and current efforts is to simplify workflow even more. Look at my Overgaard Styles and Presets page for tools to edit Leica Q3 files in Capture One and Adobe Lightroom with close to 'one-click' editing.

There is however another route, now outlayed in the Leica Q3, which is to simply photograph in JPG format and be done. The recent years introduction of Leica Photos App and the possibility of wirelessly transfering photos to a phone or iPad for instant gratification and sharing (now 10x faster transfer rates introduced with the Leica Q3). Leica are adding new looks available from the Leica Fotos App to download to the Leica Q3, which gives more possible looks.

This opens up for the possibility to 1) see the photo, 2) capture it as envisioned, 2.5) share it instantly, and then you have to 3) to manage and store the picture so it's readily available for use, and secured for the future so as to 4) be able to use it in the future for sharing, print, picture sales, etc.

With the possibility to instantly transfer and share a photo, you will experience the odd feeling of living in a parallel reality when you import your photos to the computer and editing software; which is that you already finished and posted a photo on Instagram, but here it is again, and now you have to edit it! If not managed properly, it can be a mess of unfinished work, becasue you got the instant gratification, but you didn't "make a final photo" that is in an archive.

There are ways to do this, and I will once again refer to my Lightroom Survival Kit and the Capture One Survival Kit which deals with oranizing and finishing things and remove compliations and onfusions.

The most recent 4.0 update of the Leica Photos App (with the release of the Leica Q3 in May 2023) offer the possibility to connect the app with "Adobe Lightroom Photo & Video Editor App" or "Darkroom App" on the smartphone for further editing of a image file tranfered from the Leica Q3 (or any other Leica camera). A quick way to edit a photo into a final photo; but also a route into a mess of having your files kidnapped by cloud software. Nothing wrong with it, really, except if you are so naive that you believe the cloud software is made to preserve your photos (it is not; it is made to keep you subscribing to a closed circuit. Darkroom is another editing software based on cloud synchronizing, and as such it rely heavily on Apple iCloud and thus your photos easily get caught in Apple's rather sticky cloud (actually, not only is it sticky to get photos out of it, it is is also confusing where the photos actually ara). Once again; read and use my Survival Kit and have a workflow where you control and own your images, and they are preserved safely for the future –  even if you edit them on an iPhone, or not at all).

Leica Q3: What to do with image style settings?

The safe route would simply be to set the Leica Q3 to capturing DNG + JPG in the highest resolution, and then use the possibility to set the JPG format to monochrome or any other final look you fancy (including the new "Leica Looks" you can download to the Leica Q3 from the Leica Fotos App). When importing the photo to Lightroom or Capture One on the computer, you have both the "final" JPG file, as well as the raw DNG file that contain more editing possibilities.

You may find that in many cases, the JPG has the look you wanted, and so you are done. In other instances, you want to improve and touch up an image, and sometimes this can even be done to satisfaction on the JPG file. If you want to dig deeper and optimize more, the DNG file is right there and available for this. DNG allow for extensive adjustments in exposure, shadow details, color balance and more.

An enthusiast capturing a photo in New York. © Thorsten Overgaard.

A note on "real photographers"

There are no real photographers, only real pictures. Should you ever stumble upon anyone who questions if you are a "real photographer," I believe you can ignore it. Nobody ever asks to see your papers to determine if you've had five years of schooling to become a photographer. All people do is look at a photograph, and based on how much they like or admire it, they judge the photographer's skills. This may be disheartening for those who spent five years in school to learn photography, thinking it would grant them an exclusive right to take photographs. The reality of the world is that the majority of the population has a camera, so anyone has the potential to take a real photograph, with or without a certificate from attending a single class that supposedly teaches them how to.

In terms of cameras and file types, it's the same. I have a mantra that I often say: "If it looks good, it is." I often refer to this when editing a photo because sometimes people can't decide on one of their photos and ask me about the rule. My answer is that the rule is if it looks good, it is good enough. Nobody walks into a gallery and asks if a photo on the wall was captured as DNG or JPG, or if the photographer has documentation proving they underwent a proper five-year education to take it. In fact, we don't even judge photos based on their sharpness.

Most photos are liked simply because we like them. The technical aspects such as the lens, camera brand, file type, sensor size, or film type used are rarely taken into consideration. The same applies to the images we see in magazines or photo books.

It's all about the photo, which, in this context, means doing what you like to do. Shoot JPG and be done, or shoot raw DNG and edit it to excellence. Whichever route leads you to final photographs that you are happy with is the right route.

"This is the way," as they say in Mandalorian.

Inside a New York diner. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Leica Q3 camera freeze or "bricking"

This error was before the Leica Q3 Firmware 1.2 that was released on August 2023 and Firmware 1.3 that was released on September 29, 2023. There was reported a few cases of Leica Q3 cameras that stopped working completely. It could have been a "coding issues" or "hardware issues" (as in one case where the sensor caused the trouble and Leica replaced the entire camera). Freezing is not a common error for the Leica Q3 (whereas the Leica M11 have presented a lot of feezing/'bricking' issues that caused Leica Camera to replace those cameras. The Leica SL2 have also have a very few freexing issued that required replacement of the camera).

Here are some things to try if the Leica Q3 freezes or stops working properly:

Try again: Turn the camera off and on.

Reboot: Take out the battery and insert it again. Fixes "glitches".

Reboot: Hold Play, Menu and Rec simultaneously when switching the Leica Q3 on. Fixes "glitches".

Update the firmware: Update to the latest and greatest firmware at the Leica website under www.leica-camera.com > Service > Support.

Fix the SD-card: The SD card can disturb a camera, so you might want to use another one. Despite the seemingly simple technology of SD-cards, they are quite advanced in how they can be (not) compatible with different cameras. For my (many) camera models I usually have ONE card that I use for that camera, as well as a back-up in the bag. I keep using one card for that camera model and only replace it with the backup if it acts up. I don't switch between different SD card brands for a camera. I find ONE card that always work well with the camera model, and then I stick with that.

Format the SD-card: For any camera model or any SD-card issue, you can use the free SD Card Formatter software from Tuxera. This is the best software I have used in the last 6-7 years to clean an SD-card back to zero. If this does not solve the issue with the SD-card, throw out the card and replace it with a new similar card (provided that the card worked for a long period for you; else fidn another brand that you can trust).

Fix it:Send it to Leica Camera for repair/replacement. This will usually result in getting a camera back that works flawlessly. Either repaired or replaced.

Return it: Send it back to the dealer if you can. Some dealers are friendly and wil replace it and deal with the return aftermath.

Leica Q3 doesn't shut down when turned off

Some reported that their Leica Q3 did not shutting down when powered off. When this happens, the only way to shut it down is to remove the battery and put it back in after 30 seconds or so. This was supposedly fixed with Leica Q3 Firmware update 1.2 in August 2023.

Leica Q3 "wheel of death"

The Leica Q3 can "spin," which shows as the red lamp on the back of the camera blinking slowly (or constant on) and the camera is unresponsive. If you take out the battery shortly and restart, you will see the "wheel of death" spinning around on the display screen. It is as if the Leica Q3 is trying to save data, but can't, and the most recent images taken in this state are likely not to be found on the memory card.

- Take out the battery for 30 seconds or more, then restart and it might have handled the problem.

- Change SD card as the one you have might be corrupt (end of life for that SD card).

Change of focusing zoom doesn't change on the Leica Q3 when you use the thumbs wheel

When in manual focusing mode on the Leica Q3, when you turn the focusing ring, the camera zooms into the image (3x) so you can focus on a detail. From other camera models you know that you can turn the thumbs wheel to get a different zoom like 6x. However, this doesn not work on the Leica Q3. The answer to this riddle simply is that to change the zoom rate, you have to press the SET button (the round button between the arrows on the back. Each time you press it, the zoom rate changes (and stays there).

Much too bright exposure of the Leica Q3

Some have reported that the image looks perfect when half-pressing the shutter release (which will show a preview of how the image will be exposed), but then the Leica Q3 takes the photo, it is overexposed (about 1 stop brighter than the preview). This is mainly in dark scenes. This was an issue of Firmware 1.0 and Firmware 1.1, but should have been resolved in Firmware 1.2 in August 2023.

Focusing point moves "by itself"

The focusing point move when you walk with the camera and accidentially or unknowlingly touch the arrow buttons. Or if you have the touch screen turned on, or AF touch, touching the screen by accident or with your nose of fingers, moves the focusing point. This is not an error, just an annoyance. The handling is simply to double-tap the screen while you look through the EVF, upon which the focusing point returns to the center of the screen. This works on Leica Q3, not Leica Q2 or Leica Q.

Ther will likely soon be a menu option to have the touch screen only be active for menu and preview only (touch AF diasbled) as this has been implemented on other Leica models with touch screen.

Leica Q3 discharges battery when battery grip is mounted

How silly it may sound, the battery grip's contacts seemingly make the camera think it is being charged, and then discharge the batteries. The idea with the battery handgrip is that one can use the wireless charger. This is an error I that was fixed in Firmware 1.3 that was released on September 29, 2023.

Leica Q3 discharges battery in few hours "for no reason"

The Leica Q3 may discharge a battery while in power off mode not being used, or used just randomly. After a few hours, the battery is unexplaniably empty. Happens with both Leica SLC 4 and Leica SLC 6 batteries. No sign on the camera that it is doing anything other than in battery power save mode (2 minutes power down or 5 minutes power down).
How to fix: Make sure the Leica Fotos connectivity is set to off and not Eco or Performance. When not off, the camera connects to, or is ready to connect to, Apple Fotos App on your phone, and that is what draing the battery.

Leica Q3: No 8K video with the "old" SCL4 battery

The Leica Q3 battery is the Leica BP-SCL6 (which is a longer-lasting battery type than the Leica BP-SCL4 that fits the Leica Q2, Leica Q and Leica SL and Leica SL2). Ther Leica BP-SCL4 abso fits Leica Q3 and everything works fine. Except 8K video that is disabled when usign thsi less powerful battery. So, to do 8K video, use the Leica BP-SCL6 that comes with the Leica Q3 (or you bought as spare battery for Q3). The Leica BP-SCL6 battery can be used also i Leica SL2, Leica SL2-S, Leica Q2 and Leica Q2 Monochrom when these cameras have had a firmware update.

Leica Q3 can't got to 1/16000 electronic shutter

The Leica Q3 does not go to 1/16000th of a second in Aperture mode (as it should and as Leica Q2 and Leica Q does). In daily use the Leica Q3 show as the maximum shutter speed 1/8000. The reason is unknown. But you can reach 1/16000 via this workaround: Set the shutter speed dial to 1/2000 and then click MENU and touch the 1/2000 on the screen, and then use the thumbs wheel (turn right) to change the shutter speed to 1/16000.

Long blackout time after photos and between photos

This is not really and error, but it is different than the Leica Q2 and Leica Q2 Monochrom where you feel like there is just a blink after a photo is taken. In the Leica Q3 is it more than a blink. But if you go to Continious 2 fps (frames per second), it becomes bearable and almost just a blink. With the Leica Q3 Firmware 2.1 january 2024, the blackout between pictures is reduced to nothing when the camera is at Continious 2 fps or 4fps. There is just simply no blink!

Contacting Leica Camera for Leica Q3 support

If your Leica Q3 needs support, there is always the Leica Custiomer Service in Wetzlar, Germany to resort to. You can email them at cs@leica-camera.com and they will usually get back within two days.

Remember: Treat others like you would like to be treated

Despite any upset, remember that the surprisingly nice people at Customer Service are not the ones who caused the problem. Rather, they are the ones who will help you fixe it to their best abilities. Through the years that I have dealt with the Leica Camera company, the customer service people in Wetzlar consistently have been the nicest and most competent to deal with.

A memory from ten years ago when Lothat Luehring took me and my daughter Robin Isabella to his secret room in the back of Leica Customer Service where he kept many interesting special Leica projects and odd Leica models.

Leica Q3 comes with a quick setup-manual book in the box. You can download a complete user manual for Leica Q3 online from the download area of Leica-Camera.com > Service > Support > Downloads

You can also request a printed manual for Leica Q3 from Leica Camera here.

Visit this practical and illustrated guide for how to set up the Leica Q3:

The Leica Q3 can be wirelessly charged if you use the Leica Q3 Wireless Charging Handgrip ($195.00).

A less expensive charging station is the $80.00 NATIVE UNION Drop XL, which I think is in fact the original $175.00 Leica XL Wireless Charger version that Leica used with their brand.

The Leica Q3 with handgrib and on the wireless charger.

Video with a Leica Q3 or Leica SL2-S: Here I'm setting the focus point to my face and can then press record and put the iPhone down as a monitor so I can see what the camera records while I am talking. I can also adjust ISO, shutter speed and aperture on the iPhone screen.

The Leica Photos App is another way to make video with Leica Q3 as the app offers that you can remote control the video of the Leica Q3. This is great for using an iPad or smartphone as monitor. You set the focus point on the smartphone, then press record and can see what the camera records as it does so.

The problem with video for vlogging (blogging with short videos) and other similar where you film yourself, is to see what is happening, make sure the focus stays on the face, and to control the camera. With the Leica Q3 and the Leica Photos App is is very simple: You got a monitor and remote control in one.

Ventilated shade from Always Wear A Camera and strap from Rock'n Roll Straps. Photo by Arnt Eriksen.

Leica Q3 43 release date?

The new Leica Q3 43 is equipped with a unique APO lens, and it is 43mm. It is somewhat the correct answer to the question, "When is a Leica Q with 50mm coming?" and "When is a 35mm version coming?" The answer landed on 43mm, which is comfortably in the middle and should make most people happy.

It is also the focal length that some will argue is "the right standard lens" because a "full-frame" 24x36mm sensor has a 43.27mm diagonal and other arguments. The 50mm is generally the focal length compared to the 'size ratio' of the eye, and 43mm should be more accurately just that. By 'size ratio', it means that the relation of sizes is close to the human eye. A 28mm pushes the background further and makes the space look larger, while a 90mm focal length brings the background nearer. A 43mm keeps the size relations familiar to the eye (though the eye see much wider than a 43mm lens).

The real news, however, is that it is an APO lens. The APO design of a lens was, until a few years ago, reserved for long telephoto lenses but has now become the new norm in Leica 90mm, 75mm, 50mm, and even 35mm lenses for the Leica M system and the Leica SL system. What APO does is collect the color rays of light more precisely, creating sharper, more detailed, and - most importantly - more alive images.

All considered, the next question is, "When is the Leica 43mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 coming?"

More on that in the review when the camera has been released.

The new Leica Q3 43 is equipped with an unique APO lens, and it is 43mm. Somewhat the correct answer to the request for many years for a 35mm or 50mm version. Read the review after the release.

Leica Q4 release date?

How did I know you would be asking that? Judging from the Leica Q (June 10, 2015) to Leica Q2 (March 7, 2019) and the Leica Q3 (May 25, 2023), the Leica Q4 could be out around spring of 2027.

Before then there will be a Leica Q3 Monochrom, and likely a "downgraded" entry version of the Leica Q3 under the name Leica Q3-P or Leica Q3-S.

The perfect camerea, so maybe it continues as Leica Q3-S..?

Rumor has it that Leica will make a Leica Q3-S model some time after the Leica Q3 release, which fundamentally will be a Leica Q3 with the main features of the successful Leica Q2. This means a Leica Q3 with 47MP sensor, no flip screen, and only minor changes from the Leica Q2 (if any). First they will let the market indulge in the new Leica Q3, and then the Leica Q3-S will be introduced as a less expensive alternative 10-12 months later (but also an alternative for those who dislike the flip screen).

In the Leica SL range, the Leica SL2-S (2020) is a Leica SL2 (2019) model with the simpler menu of the SL2 (2019) and the more rounded body of the Leica SL2, but with the 24 MP sensor of the Leica SL which is very good for video (instead of the 47MP sensor of the Leica SL2).

In the Leica M range, the Leica M262 (2015) was a "downscale" of the Leica M240 (2014) in that it looked like the previous Leica, but used the same new sensor and back screen as the Leica M240.

One step forward, as you can see, but then one step back to offer an alternative that was and is good enough.

Also, the Leica Q2 Monochrom (2019) will continue for a while after the release of the Leica Q3 until a Leica Q3 Monochrom will be introduced (likely in 2024-2025).

Layla in Miami with the Leica Q2 Monochrom.

Auto Focus is the idea is that the camera does the focusing itself (the word 'auto' comes from Greek 'self'). Ironically and factually, it does not work that easily, which is why many types of Auto Focus have been added to this feature. Ironically, it was supposed to make it easy for the user to get sharp photos but has become a filter of focusing complexities in front of the user with a variety of made-up fancy names across different camera brands: Face detection, iAF (Intelligent Auto Focus), AFc (continuous), Tracking AF, Multi-Field AF, Eye Detection AF, Zone AF, and more...

Thankfully, the Leica Q3 features the possibility to focus manually.

Manual focus in the Leica Q3

This is a big thing for the leica Q3 as it actually works really well, and about 30% of Leica Q users use manual focusing rather than Auto Focusing.

When you go to manual focusing, the EVF will automatically zoom in once you turn the focusing ring on the lens, and this way you can make your focusing very precise. You can change he degree of zoom detail by pressing the SET button (the round button between the arrows on the back) and it will shift from 6x to 3x.

This, along with the built-in MACRO feature of the 28mm Summilux lens is what makes the Leica Q3 loveable. In my workshops, about 50% of the Leica Q users use manual focus. Leica Camera say it is 30% of the Leica Q users that use manual focus (based on the statistics from the Leica Photos App). It's a high number compared with any other modern camera, and it indicates how great the Leica Q3 is also for manual focusing.

Garcia in Havana, Cuba with the Leica. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Leica Q3 is true 24 x 36mm photography
(also known as 'full-frame')

All the Leica Q models are full-frame, so no news in that. But important in a day and age where many compact cameras only have smaller sensors (a format which Leica ditched in 2022 putting the Leica CL (2017) on the shelf).

What does "full-frame" mean? Well, it means that the format of the sensor is 24x36mm, which is the traditional film format since Leica made the first Leica in 1925, and which since has been the standard for all "35mm film cameras" (a film roll is 35mm high and contains 36 picture frames of each 24x36mm).

This is important, because the larger the sensor, the more you get the artistic look of "depth of field", meaning that you focus on a person in the foreground and the background is blurred. This cannot be done with small sensors, so that is what you are missing out on with a smartphone or a digital camera with an APS-C sensor (16.7 x 25.1 mm).

In that sense the Leica Q3 is a "real camera", and this is why I can use it for anything and still produce professional photographs.

Brad in New York with the Leica. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Most prefer a 35mm or a 50mm lens as their standard lens. Very few have 28mm, 75mm or 90mm as their standard lens. With standard lens, I mean the one that you use 95% of the time, which is what most people do. You see people collect lenses, but most of us use one lens 95% of the time.

For me, my standard lens is 50mm. I can do anything I want to do with a 50mm lens. It's only because I easily fall in love with nice optics that I occasionally get other lenses. I still use 50mm most the time no matter what other lenses I got.

Leica M10 with Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. © Thorsten Overgaard.

But the Leica Q3 is born with a 28mm lens. If you use your iPhone for photography, you are actually using a 29mm lens. So you already know how to!

Composition is storytelling. What must be in the frame, and what should be omitted is the whole art on how to tell the story you want to tell. Obviously, the wider a focal length, the more there is to control. Buildings, trees, cars, posters, signs, people and all must be put into the frame and placed so they support the story and doesn't distract from the message. Composition means to put things together.

It's much easier to focus the message and story in with a 50mm or 90mm lens and blur out the background. Unless you have a wider story to tell. I've used 21mm quite a bit over the years.

It's demanding but fun to work with wide angle.

The Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt visiting a school class. Isolating the subect without loosing the background and context. Leica M 240 with Leica 21mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. © Thorsten Overgaard.

The 28mm is a focal length I have been curious about and wanted to work with for a while. I got the Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. With the Leica Q3 you get 'the same lens' for a fraction of the price, because the Leica Q3 with the 28mm Summilux cost less than the Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 alone.

When you go wide angle, you have to get closer to tell a story. If you "stay at 50mm range", most people in the photo will be supporting characters with no main subject. When you go closer to a main subject, you tell a story and have the wide background to support to your story and tell more or add an atmosphere.

One of the inspirations I have to use the 28mm is The World Press winner 2008 by Anthony Suau who used a Leica M6 TTL and 28mm a lot. He is one of the few people I know of that have had 28mm as his standard lens.

The World Press Photo Award winner 2008 that was taken with by Anthony Suau with a Leica M6 TTL and 28mm. It is a really strong image when you know the context. As an image itself it raises more questions than it answers. But in the World Press Photo context, and as a news photo, hands down one of the best photos I have seen, considering the year 2008 and the story behind:
"The picture shows an armed officer of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department moving through a home in Cleveland, Ohio, following eviction as a result of mortgage foreclosure. Officers have to ensure that the house is clear of weapons and that the residents have moved out."

	Anthony Suau with his 28mm Summicron-M f/2.0. © Thorsten Overgaard.

If you look up his other photos, you will see a lot of 28mm composition and storytelling that I admire and would like to do. It's not easy I think, but that's why it would be fun to work with.

If Leica Camera AG would have followed tradition, they would have added a 35mm f/2.0 lens which which is the most sold and used focal length on Leica cameras throughout all time. I think the 28mm is a result of size of the lens (a 35/1.7 would have been larger) as well as the fact that Leica have very good design traditions for 28mm lenses (see later).

Leica Q3: The ideal
street photography camera?

I think many will see the Leica Q3 as a great street photography camera. It's discrete, doesn't say a sound, it has amazing fast auto focus and it's a complete package.

Street photography is a term I seldom use because the idea of what street photography is, is very different from person to person. Some think it has to be provocative and in your face and/or document the human condition (as in rich and poor, homeless, etc).

Provokative is not my style because I want people to not notice me (and provokative is to call for a reaction).

I remember I was once talking to a person on the phone about "taking a walk around the block" which is an advice for getting ready for a good nights sleep. So you take a walk around the block which first clears your mind and makes your fresh, then make you calm down so you can sleep. This persons problem was that he didn't have any "block" in the small town he lived in!

I am reminded of that when we talk street photography, because what is a street? Does it have to be a New York street, or could a roadside out in New Zealand with sheeps saying hello and an occasional car passing by do?

My view on street photography is that it is carrying a camera with you when you are outside. And inside as well for that matter. I get lots of great photos when I am not photographing but hanging out with a cup of coffee in a cafe.

If you live in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, most people are inside in malls and walk in air-conditioned walking streets or tunnels. So is a mall within the definition of a "street"?

A countryside street in Bangladesh. Leica M 240 with Leica 21mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. © Thorsten Overgaard.

That's why I generally don't use the term street photography. Because some people think there is rules to obey.

To me, street photography is everything that happens in front of the camera that wasn't planned or set up. It became a photograph because you happened to be there and was ready with your camera.

Elliottt Erwitt and Henri Cartier-Bresson are good examples of photographers who carried their camera with them and caught life in each their way. Elliott has a lot of dogs and humor in his photos. Henri has a lot of rhythm, timing and aestethic in his. They were both great photographers in the street. Richard Avedon worked more in the studio, and when he worked in the street, he set it up as a studio.

It's the photos that matters, and when you get the photo, nobody should care if you did it one way or the other, or followed the "rules".

In that sense, the Leica Q3 is a great street photography camera. Because you can carry it with you at all times, and nobody will notice it. It's a camera made for having with you when you are out and about shopping with the famiy, on holiday or at work.

At the same time you have the convenience of having a wide angle lens at hand when you need it.

My photograph from inside the "Your Rainbow Panorama" sculpture by Olafur Eliasson on top of the ARoS International Art Museum in Aarhus, Denmark (it's actually a big ring added on top of the building that one can walk inside; and the glass walls change in the colors of the rainbow as you walk through).  Leica 21mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles. Leica M 240 with Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. © Thorsten Overgaard.

A Leica Q3 with 50mm or 35mm lens?

Not likely to happen anytime soon. As you see fro the above and from the popularity of the Leica Q series, the 28mm Summilux lens is a winner.

The Leica Q series is also a winnder in that it makes you want a Leica M or Leica SL. So Leica should be careful not to mess with this format.

Then again. I do think the long "rumored" 50mm Leica Q and 35mm Leica Q will come ... one day, but it will be as additional models. The origianl 28mm lens on the Leica Q is the one that made it a success and will not change on the main model.

At the juice bar with the Leica Q2 Monochrom. Leica M11 with Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95. © Thorsetn Overgaard.

Leica Q3 Ventilated Shade by Thorsten Overgaard

Since the Leica Q (2015) was released, I have made my own designed Leica Q3 ventilated shade with a "flower" shape. The shade protects the camera and lens from bumping into things, and more importantly, it shade for, and eliminates stray light from entering the lens from the side and causing a slight halation on the image. The larger aperture of the lens, the more important it is to use a lens shade.

That the shade is "ventilated" means there is vents so the shade doesn't obstruct the view from the viewfinder. As the Leica Q3 has electronic viewfinder, this has not meaning. It is purely an aesthetics look that give reference back to classic Leica lenses and their always wentilated shades.

Ventilated shades are also sometimes called "lens hoods", or in older days, "sunshade" (from German "Sonnenschirm").

Ventilated Shade for the Leica Q3, designed by Thorsten Overgaard. Ventilated shades exist for most Leica lenses and can be acquired from Always Wear A Camera.

I start out with the aperture set to f/1.7 on the Leica Q3 because I generally shoot all my lenses wide open, hoping to achieve a somewhat artistic look with the depth of field (DOF).

I love a narrow depth of field, even though there isn't as much of it with a wide lens compared to my usual lens, a 50mm. If you share the same preference, you may want to reconsider whether shooting wide open is actually a great strategy, especially on a camera with a 28mm lens where most things could be in focus at f/5.6.

However, if you want everything in focus, then you should set the lens to, for example, f/2.8 or f/5.6.

	The aperture on the Leica Q3 can be set to A, which is Automatic Aperture.

You can also go Automatic Apterture (setting the aperture ring to A on the camera), and then the camera will decide what aperture should be used, not based on the look, but to control the exposure of light.

It's up to you, but I would recommend setting the lens to an aperture you find pleasing. You may then set the camera to Auto ISO as the exposure backup control, because Auto ISO will not really change the artistic look, only enable the camera to take pictures in darker places (where a locked ISO would result in motion-blurred pictures because a low ISO forces the exposure time to be slow in order to get the right exposure).

Understanding the Depth of Field scale on the Leica Q3 lens

	The markings on the 28mm lens indicate the depth of field (DOF). In this case, the focus is set to infinity, and if the lens is stopped down to f/16, objects from 1.8 meters to infinity will be acceptably sharp.

All older lenses have a depth of field (DOF) scale, and most Leica lenses, including those on compact Leica cameras, have one as well. The Leica Q3 is no exception and features a well-designed DOF scale. However, many modern lenses, even expensive ones, no longer display a DOF scale.

When people see your pictures, they will often recognize the depth of field and ask how you managed to achieve the out-of-focus background and foreground objects. They may even inquire, 'How can I achieve that?'

To achieve such an effect, you need a lens that can be opened up wide, such as staying wide open at f/1.7 in the case of the Leica Q3.

Since a wide-open lens has a very narrow depth of focus, it also requires careful and accurate focusing. However, when done correctly, the results are remarkable.

On the other hand, if you wish to have more things in focus, you look at the DOF scale on top of the lens to determine the range of focus you need, and thus the f-stop necessary to have all that you want in focus.

What is Depth of Field? In this photo, the focus is on the flowers and the photograph on the desk, while the foreground and background are blurred due to the narrow depth of field. If you stop down the aperture of the lens from f/1.7 to f/5.6, more elements will come into focus. If you further stop down the lens to f/11, even more will be in focus. Another rule to remember is that the closer you get to a subject (reducing the focusing range), the narrower the depth of field becomes. © Thorsten Overgaard.

What Depth of Field can do for your images

DOF = Depth of Field (or Depth of Focus, and sometimes Dept of Sharpness), an expression for how deep the focus is, or (more often use to express) how narrow the area of focus is. This is how much of the image, measured in depth or distance, will be in focus or "acceptable sharp". 

The appearance of the Depth of Focus is determined by: 

1) Aperture (the smaller the aperture opening, the greater the depth of field, and conversely, the wider the lens is open, the narrower the depth of field will be) and

2) The distance to the subject affects the depth of field. The further away the subject is, the larger the area that will be in focus. Conversely, the closer the subject is, the narrower the depth of field becomes. I frequently utilize this technique when photographing subjects, such as capturing a person at a distance of 1.5 meters with a distant background. This creates an illusion of a much narrower depth of field than what actually exists: the relatively close focusing distance reduces the amount of the scene in focus, while the distant background appears more blurred than if it were closer. Hence, I often use a 50mm lense, and even when using a 50mm f/2.0 lens, people sometimes mistake it for an f/0.95 lens due to the pronounced depth of field effect simply created by having the background far away.

Portrait with "extreme depth of field" by pushing background back and foreground people closer to the camera. As they say on the mirrors on cars, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear". © Thorsten Overgaard.

"Go close, and push the background far away"

As the Leica Q3 is equipped with a wide-angle 28mm lens, achieving the desired selective focus and blurred foreground and background can be challenging at times. Wide-angle lenses tend to have the characteristic of rendering everything in focus, which can be appealing in certain situations. However, when aiming for a dreamy, artistic look with a very narrow depth of field, some effort is required. The most effective approach is to move in close to the subject while selecting backgrounds that offer a wide open space or a long street behind the subject.

In its simplicity, it can be illustrated by this example of a glass of water captured at a close distance of 70cm, with a city square in the background providing a significant distance to the building on the other side of the city square:

"A glass of water in Paris". © Thorsten Overgaard.

The DOF scale measurement on top of Leica lenses shows lines for each f-stop that indicate the range of distances within which the image will be sharp. The term 'shallow DOF' is commonly used in photography and refers to lenses with a very narrow focus tolerance, such as f/1.7, f/1.4, and f/0.95 lenses. These lenses can be used for selective focus, blurring irrelevant subjects in the foreground and background, so that only the essential subjects are in focus and catch the viewer's eye.

Depth of field illustrated by Fujifilm. Same lens, at different f-stops.

	Full Leica Q3 Pack Special 12 video classes with work book + 484 page eBook, + Styles for Capture One for Leica Q3/Q2/Q + Lightroom Presets. for Leica Q3/Q2/Q Normal price $869.00 Normal price $869.00 Save 45% Only $478.00 USE CODE: "ILOVEQ3" Buy now. Book delivered instantly. Video class link follows within 48 hours. 100% satisfaction or money back. Released May 2024 Item #2192-0623		Leica Q3 Know-All-eBook 484 pages illustrated for Computer, Kindle, iPad or smartphone. Only $348.00 Buy now. Instant delivery. Start reding today. 100% satisfaction or money back. Released May 2024 Item #2190-0623

The Leica Q3 Macro scale for Depth of Field

The neat thing is that when you change the Leica Q3 to Macro mode (by turning the ring on the lens), the scale changes, and a new depth of field (DOF) scale is now in effect for the Macro lens scale.

Macro photography is a highly specialized discipline, and I have found that what may appear really nice in the preview often turns out to have too narrow of a focus in the final result. Therefore, in Macro photography, it is crucial to consider what you want to be in focus. For example, if you are photographing a flower, you may want the entire flower (while excluding the background) to be in focus, rather than just a detail in the center of the flower.

DOF scale for Macro: It's elegant how the Macro scale on the Leica Q3 changes when you turn on the Macro mode. You will also notice that the depth of field (DOF) scale affects a very small area of focus. At f/16, 'everything' from 0.22 meters to 0.29 meters will be in focus.

My hairdressers Japanese scissor in Macro mode. © Thorsten Overgaard.

As of May 25, 2023 the Leica Q3 is available. The first batch to Leica Stores was largely preordered already before the release, and many stores also had previews the days before where they took orders. The official release parties on May 25 featured demo models, and then it is a matter of how fast Leica can produce enough cameras. Usually Leica cameras are on waiting list for the first many months before they are readily available in stores. So you actually got quite some time before you have to answer the question to yourself, "should I upgrade to the Leica Q3?"

Jewelry workshop in New York. © Thorsten Overgaard.

The Thorsten Overgaard user-guides on Leica Q3, Leica Q2 and Leica Q

I've written the most extensive user guides that exist for the Leica Q and Leica Q2, and of course the Leica Q3 will go through intensive use in the same manner, and the result will be free articles, sample photos and an eBook. Sign up for my newsletter to stay in the know on the Leica Q3 (and get a free eBook instantly when you sign up).

Leica Q article and user report:		Leica Q2 article and user report:		Leica Q3 article and user report:
"To be, or not to be, that is the Q"		"A real camera, not a smartphone camera"		"Leica Q3 review"
Leica Q video review: "Thorsten Overgaard: What is the Leica Q? Review and tips"		Leica Q2 video review: "Leica Q2 FullFrame Mirrorless Camera Review by Thorsten von Overgaard: "Not a smartphone camera”		Lecia Q3 video review:
Leica Q eBook by Thorsten Overgaard		Leica Q2 eBook by Thorsten Overgaard		Leica Q3 eBook by Thorsten Overgaard
Leica Q video masterclass with Thorsten Overgaard		Leica Q2 video masterclass with Thorsten Overgaard		Leica Q3 video masterclass with Thorsten Overgaard

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The Q-STRAP by Thorsten Overgaard. See more here.

Layla Bego in OldHavane with the Leica Q3. © Thorsten Overgaard.

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When you use the Leica Photos App, you get automatic alerts when there are firmware upadtes. But you can also check the leica-camera.com website under Service > Support > Downloads. I also maintain a list of updates, and download links on my Leica Camera Compendium list (an overview of all Leica cameras ever made).

Leica Q3 Firmware Update 2.0.5 was released August 8, 2024. This update in undisclosed bug fixes, as well as preventing that the Leica Q3 may eventually overwrite photos taken (an error that appeared on the Leica SL3 but haven't been an issue on the Leica Q3 asofar as I have heard).

Leica Q3 Firmware Update 2.0.1 was released January 2024. This update speeds things up for startup and also remove the blackout between photos completely when you se the Leica Q3 to 2fps or 4fps.

Leica Q3 Firmware Update 1.3.0 was released October 16, 2023. This update fixes occasional freeze of some cameras, improve face detection for auto focus, and improves the connection with the Leica Photos app.

Leica Q3 being admired in Amsterdam. © Thorsten Overgaard.

To be continued ...

The Leica Q3 review and user report continues as I use the camera aroudn the world in different conditions. Next page is the Page 2 where I go over the ideal menu setting of the Leica Q3.

	1:2/50 the description says. But what does it mean?

1: - Basically means 1 divided with. But why is it on the front of the lens? If you look close, a lens will often say 1:2/50mm on the front, meaning it is a 50mm lens with an f/2.0 apterture. The 1: itself is a ratio, that indicates that the aperture diameter (25mm) is the ratio of 50mm divided with 2.
It's a strange way of writing product information on modern products, but here's how it's right:
a) A lens is called a 50mm lens because there is 50mm from the sensor to the center of focus inside the lens.
b) A lens is f/2.0 when the widest opening is 50mm divided with 2 = The lens opening is 25mm in diameter at it's widest. Had it been an f/2.8 lens (1:2.8/50), the widest aperture opening would be 50mm divided with 2.8 = 17.8mm.

AEL = Auto Exposure Lock. This is a function that can be used when you want to reframe the scene, but keep the current exposure from changing. By default the Leica Q locks both Exposure and Focus when you press the release button half down.

AFL = Auto Focus Lock. This is a function that can be used when you want to reframe the scene, but keep the current focusing from changing. By default the Leica Q locks both Exposure and Focus when you press the release button half down.

AF = Auto Focus. The idea is that the camera does the focusing itself (the word auto comes from Greek "self").

AF Assist Lamp = The little red lamp on the front of the Leica Q that will light up in dark places so as to help the Auto Focus to see in the dark. If you put a hand in front of the lens and press the shutter release button you can see it in action.

Aperture = The f/ stop on the camera that regulates how much light passes through the lens. On a f/1.7 lens the lens is fully open" at f/1.7. At f/2.0 the aperture inside the lens make the hole through the lens smaller so only half the amount of light at f/1.7 passes through. For each f/-stop (4.0 - 5.6 - 8.0 - 11 - 16) you halve the light. The aperture of the lens is basically the focal length divided with the f/-stop = size of the hole (28mm divided with f/1.7 = the hole is 45 mm).
ORIGIN: Late Middle English : from Latin apertura, from apert- ‘opened,’ from aperire ‘to open’.

	The camera in Aperture Priority Mode

Aperture Priority Mode. When the shutter speed dial on top of a Leica camera is set to A, it is short for “Aperture Priority” and allows the user to set a specific aperture value (f-number) while the camera selects a shutter speed to match it that will result in proper exposure based on the lighting conditions as measured by the camera's light meter. In other words, you set the aperture as priority (f/1.4 for example), and the camera calculates a shutter speed (1/250 of a second) that matches that. If you change the aperture to f/2.0 by changing the aperture ring on the lens, the camera will re-calculate the speed to 1/125 so as to get the same amount of light to hit the sensor (f/2.0 is half the light through the lens as f/1.4 and 1/125 if twice the amount of light on the sensor as 1/250).

	spherical (ball)
	a-spherical (non-ball)

ASPH = (Aspherical lens) stands for "aspheric design". Most lenses have a spherical design - that is, the radius of curvature is constant. These are easy to manufacture by grinding while "spinning" the glass. This design however restricts the number of optical corrections that can be made to the design to render the most realistic image possible. ASPH lenses (a-spherical, meaning non-spherical), however, involve usually 1 element that does *not* have a constant radius of curvature. These elements can be made by 1) expensive manual grinding, 2) molded plastic, or 3) Leica's patented "press" process, where the element is pressed into an aspherical ("non-spherical") shape. This design allows Leica to introduce corrections into compact lens designs that weren't possible before. Practically, the lens performs "better" (up to interpretation) due to increased correction of the image, in a package not significantly bigger than the spherical version.

There is another Aspherical lens manufacture technique: an uneven coating layer is applied to a spherical lens. The coating is thicker on the edges (or on the center, depending). Canon "Lens Work II" calls these "simulated" aspherical lenses. Simulated and Glass-Molded (GMo) asphericals show up in non-L Canon lenses, while the L lenses have actual ground aspheric elements.

A- means non, or without. From Latin, ex.

Sphere: ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French espere, from late Latin sphera, earlier sphaera, from Greek sphaira "ball".

Normal spheric lens (grinded)		ASPH (note the shape of the glass as result of pressing rather than grinding)

Auto- means “self”. The idea is that when a camera has auto-(something), it does that (something) by itself.

Auto Focus = The idea is that the camera does the focusing itself (the word "auto" comes from Greek "self"). Ironically and factually, it does not work that easily, which is why many types of Auto Focus have been added to this feature. Ironically, it was supposed to make it easy for the user to get sharp photos but has become a filter of focusing complexities in front of the user with a variety of made-up fancy names: Face detection, iAF (Intelligent Auto Focus), AFc (continuous), Tracking AF, Multi-Field AF, Eye Detection AF, Zone AF, and more.

Banding = Noise in digital images. Horizontal lines in a horizontal picture (if the camera is in portrait mode/vertical, the lines will obviously be vertical). It's simply noise; the result of uncontrolled algorithms working overtime with an image the sensor really can't see because it's very dark. (If your image has vertical lines in it, it is more likely that the sensor needs remapping).

This image at 6400 ISO, underexposed and then brought up to correct exposure in Lightroom, displays banding: Horizontal lines in the image. Leica M-D 262 with Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0.

Base ISO = The ISO the digital sensor was born with. Even a digital sensor goes from say 50 ISO to 25,000 ISO, it only has one base ISO. Any other setting is an algorithm that figures out how the image whould look if there was 64 times more light, or half the light, etc.
When you go down from Base ISO (for example 200 to 100 ISO), you can expect a decrease in quality. When you go up, the decrease is much less. For some sensors, you loose 2-3 stops by going down 1 step in ISO, but can go 8 steps up and only loose 1 stop in dynamic range. Basically, your ISO range should be from Base ISO and as far up as you can, before you see visible decrease in quality (mostly 3200 ISO - 6400 ISO).
Base ISO for Leica M9 is 160 ISO, for Leica M240 it is 200 ISO. For Leica M10 it is around 160 ISO. For Leica M Monochrom it is 320 ISO. For Leica Q and Leica Q2 it is around 100 ISO. For Panasonic Lumix S it is 200 ISO. For most Canon cameras the base ISO is around 100, for most Nikon cameras it is around 200 ISO.

	Bokeh of a Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95. British composer and producer Barrie Gledden. © 2013 Thorsten Overgaard.

Bokeh = The visual quality of the out-of-focus areas of a photographic image, especially as rendered by a particular lens: It's a matter of taste and usually photographers discuss a 'nice' or 'pleasant' bokeh (the out-of-focus area is always unsharp, which is why the quality discussed is if one likes the way it renders or not by a particular lens). The closer you get to something, the 'more' bokeh' you get (in that the focus becomes less for the background and foreground at close distances than at long distances). ORIGIN from Japanese 'bo-ke' which mean 'fuzzines' or 'blur.'.

Bokeh: The visual quality of the out-of-focus areas of a photographic image. Photo at Bar del Fico in Rome. Leica TL2 with Leica 35mm Summilux-TL ASPH f/1.4. © 2017 Thorsten Overgaard.

Camera - is today’s short name for Camera Obscura (meaning “a dark room”). Camera means Chambre and was used only as a Latin or alien word, actually only for Spanish soldiers’ rooms, until popularized in connection with photography in 1727: “Camera Obscura”. In 1793 the slang term “camera” was used by Sterne Tr. Shandy: “Will make drawings of you in the camera” and by Foster (1878), “The eye is a camera”. Camera Obscura was described by Iraqi scientist Ibn-al-Haytham in his book, “Book of Optics” (1021) and by Leonardo da Vinci in 1500; popularized and made widely known in 1589 by Baptista Porta when he mentioned the principle in his book “Natural Magic”. Johannes Kepler mentions Camera Obscura in 1604.
Camera = chambre (room), Obscura = dark (or cover).

C = Continuous shooting. In the menu of the Leica Q2 under the menu point Continuous Shooting you can define if the Continuous should be Low (3 fps), Medium (5 fps) or High (19 fps).

Central Shutter = Some lenses, for example the Leica S lenses and the Leica Q where a shutter is located in the lens itself. In most cameras there is a shutter curtain just in front of the sensor, and in SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras there is also a mirror in front of the shutter curtain.
In the Leica T/TL/TL2 the shutter is in front of the sensor, but only acts to "refresh" the sensor. In the Leica TL2, there is a mechanical shutter curtain from 30 sec. to 1/4000 shutter times, and digital shutter from 1/4100 to 1/40,000 shutter times. A digital shutter is simply "turning on/off the recording of the sensor.

CMOS sensor (as used in Leica CL, Leica T/TL/TL2, Leica M 240, Leica M Monochrom Typ 246, Leica S Typ 007, Leica SL, Leica Q, Leica Q2, Leica M10, Leica X, Leica D-Lux, etc.) = (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chips use transistors at each pixel to move the charge through traditional wires. This offers flexibility because each pixel is treated individually. Traditional manufacturing processes are used to make CMOS. It's the same as creating microchips. Because they're easier to produce, CMOS sensors are cheaper than CCD sensors. CMOS allow Live View and use less energy than CCD.

Contrast - The degree of difference between tones in a picture. Latin contra- ‘against’ + stare ‘stand.’

CS = Central Shutter = As in the Leica S lenses for the Leica S where a shutter is located in the lens itself. In most cameras there is a shutter curtain just in front of the sensor, and in SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras there is also a mirror in front of the shutter curtain.
In the Leica Q and Leica Digilux 2 the shutter is in the lens which makes the camera mirrorless as well as very quiet because there is not a metal shutter curtain going up and down in front of the sensor.

Depth - Distance between front and back. Distance from viewer and object.

Digital Zoom = Refers to zooming in on a scene digitally. All that happens is that the camera zooms into the area of the sensor and records only that. The quality will be less as it's a smaller part of the same recording. Zoom is originally used for an optical zoom lens where optics move inside the lens so as to enlarge the subject optically. This does not reduce the image quality/resolution the same way as digital zoom does. Generally, digital zoom can be performed on any picture later in the computer as it's in essence simply a crop.
In the Leica Q Digital Zoom refers to the possibility to change the crop from 28mm to 35mm or 50mm (and for the Leica Q2, 75mm as well). Choosing a different "digital zoom" simply shows frame lines for the chosen focal length in the EVF and in the final image (that is in fact the full 28mm frame), there is a pre-selected crop for the chosen frame when you open the image in Lightroom or Capture One Pro.

Digital zoom is in essence a crop of the image to make the scene appear closer. © 2017 Thorsten Overgaard.

Digital Shutter = A digital shutter is simply "turning on/off the recording of the sensor. In the "old days" this had to be done with an actual mechanical shutter curtain; a metal curtain in front of the sensor (or film) that goes up for 1/125th of a second, for example. In the Leica TL2, there is a mechanical shutter curtain from 30 sec. to 1/4000 shutter times, and digital shutter from 1/4100 to 1/40,000 shutter times.

Diopter adjustment = Adjustment in a camera viewfinder to fit to the eye's ability to focus. Often a camera has a little dial too adjust for eyesight less than perfect. For example the Leica Q3 has a -4 to +2 possible adjustment so that the electronic viewfinder will look sharp by moving the focus distance to the screen so it fits the eye.

The Leica Q3 has a -4 to +2 possible adjustment so that the electronic viewfinder will look sharp by moving the focus distance to the screen so it fits the eye.

DIS = Digital Image Stabilization. This is a feature often offered in video recorders and some times for tele lens still photography (so as to avoid motion blur when the lens is moving during slow shutter speeds).

	Lens distortion looks like this. The lines are not straight. Our eye uses distortion correction. Lens designers can design lenses so they have very little distortion, or they can make less complicated lens designs and "fix" the distortion in software.

Distortion = In photo optics/lenses: When straight lines in a scene don't remain straight because of optical aberration.

Lens designers can correct for distortion to a degree so the whole image field is perfect corrected and all lines remain straight. In modern lens design many designs rely on Software Distortion Correction (SDC).

The eye adjusts for distortion so we always see vertical and horizontal lines straight when we look at things. Even when you get new prescription glasses (if you use such), you will often experience distortion in your new glasses. After a few days they eyes have adjusted for the glasses and the distortion you saw to begin with is now gone. Software Distortion Correction (SDC) is far behind what the human eye can perform of adjustments. (Also see my definition on Perspective for more on the eye and optics)

DNG = Digital Negative, an open standard developed by Adobe. It is a single file that contains the raw image data from the sensor of the camera as well as date, time, GPS, focal length, settings, etc.
The alternative is a RAW file + XLM file where the RAW file contains the image information and the XML contains the rest of information about where, how and when the picture was taken.
A Camera Raw profile (that is specific for that camera) in the computer helps the software program, for example Adobe Lightroom, to translate the RAW data into the image.

A raw file (or DNG) is simply the full recording of digital data (1's and 0's) from the sensor. In the computer, the sensor data is translated into the exact colors, via a camera profile.

DOF = Depth of Field. This is how much of the image will be in focus or "acceptable sharp". The DOF is determined by the subject distance (the farther away, the larger area is sharp; the closer the focus is, the less of the lage is sharp), the lens aperture (the depth of field is narrow at f/1.4 and larger at f/5.6) and the focal length of the lens (tele lenses has very narrow depth of field whereas wide angle lenses has a wide depth of field) and film or sensor size (small-sensor cameras has a wide depth of field wheras medium format or large format cameras has a very narrow depth of field). As an example, a Leica 21mm Super-Angulon-M f/3.4 lens is sharp all over the focus field from 2 meter to infinity when set at a distance of 3 meters at f/3.4. The DOF scale measurement on top of the Leica lenses shows lines for each f-stop that indicates from which distance to which distance the image will be sharp. Shallow DOF is a generally used term in photography that refer to lenses with very narrow focus tolerance (which can be used to do selective focus; making irrelevant subjects in the foreground and background blurry so only the subjects of essence are in focus and catches the viewers eye).

Depth Of Field scale from Fujifilm.

Dynamic range. The grade of ‘contrast range’ (or number of tones) a film or sensor, or simply a photograph, possess between bright and dark tones. The human eye is said to have a dynamic range of 10-14 ‘stops’ (but because we scan area by area and compile a concept of the overall scene, they eye is often thought to have a much higher dynamic range), Film used to have 7-13 ‘stops’ and some modern sensors have up to 15-17 ‘stops’.

EVF = Electronic ViewFinder. A viewfinder where you look at a small screen through optics/prisms. The advantage is that you see what the sensor sees.

The EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) on the Leica SL 601.

Exposure Bracketing = The possibility to set the camera to automatically record a series of images where the exposure is above and below what the camera measures. The idea is that at least one of the images will be correctly exposed.

f/ (f-stop, also known as aperture).

f- (focal length). Often given in mm, for example 90mm. In the past they were often given in cm or inch, for example 9.5 cm or 3.2 inch.

f-stop = the ratio of the focal length (for example 50mm) of a camera lens to the diameter of the aperture being used for a particular shot. (E.g., f/8, indicating that the focal length is eight times the diameter of the aperture hole: 50mm/8 = 6,25 mm); or the other way around, the hole is the focal length divided with 8).
ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from f (denoting the focal length) and number.
One f-stop is a doubling or halving of the light going through the lens to the film, by adjusting the aperture riing. Adjusting the f-setting from f 1.4 to f.2.0 is halving the light that goes through the lens. Most Leica lenses has half f-stops to enable the photographer to adjust the light more precicely.

The aperture blades inside the lens is clearly visible in this photo by Eolake Stobblehouse.

Flare = Burst of light. Internal reflections between (and within) lens elements inside a lens. Mostly, flare has a characteristic "space travel" look to it, making it cool. Particularly in older lenses with less or no coating of the glass surfaces to suppress this, it can be a really cool effect. In newer lens designs, the coatings and overall design try to suppress flare and any reflections to a degree, so that there is seldom any flare to be picked up (moving the lens to pick up a strong sunbeam), but instead a "milking out" (or "ghosting") of a circular area of the frame; meaning simply overexposed without any flare-looking flares.

Sunlight creating (fairly supressed) flare in the bottom right quadrant of the image of a modern lens.		The camera moved slightly to avoid the flare.
Older lenses with less coating, or without coating, are known to create flare that can look like this (Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 II Rigid model from the 1960's). © Thorsten Overgaard.

Fn = Short for Function. It's a button you can program. In the Leica Q it is by default set to be White Balance, so when you press it, you can choose which White Balance setting you want. You can press again and another function comes up. To complicate matters more, you can program the FN button to your own likes.

	A 28 mm lens has a 74° viewing angle

Focal length = On the Leica Q it is 28mm and originally referred to the distance from the sensor (or film in older days) to the center of focus inside the lens. Nobody uses that measurement, except those who construct lenses! For users of lenses, focal length refers to how wide the lens sees. The viewing angle, which is often given in for example 90° viewing angle for a 21mm lens, 74° viewing angle for a 28mm lens, 6° viewing angle for a 400mm lens, etc.
Each human eye individually has anywhere from a 120° to 200° angle of view, but focus only in the center.

Focus, in - Sharp and clear in appearance. Focus - “The burning point (of a lens or mirror)”. In Latin the word focus meant fireplace or hearth. The word was probably first employed outside of its Latin literal use as “the burning point of a lens or mirror” in optics, and then came to mean any central point. The German astronomer Johannes Kepler first recorded the word in this sense in 1604.

Full Frame (FF) = The size of the sensor is 24 x 36mm which is the format Oskar Barnack and Leica Camera AG invented with the first Leica that was introduced in 1925. Many other formats invented since, such as APS, APS-C and all usually refer to Full Frame ratio, by which it means what size they have compared to Full Frame.

	Full Frame is "king of photography"

The 24 x 36mm Full Frame format is so "king of photography" that it has continued to be the ideal for all cameras. Besides this, there exists Large Format cameras such as 4x5" (100 x 125 mm) and Medium Format 6x6 (60 x 60mm amongst other sizes in that area).

Hue = A color or shade depending on the dominant wavelength of red, green or blue. The word Hue comes from Swedish hy which is "skin complexion". It is independent of intensity, so often (in computer editing programs for example), Hue is an adjustment along Saturation which is (intensity of color as compared to white).

iAF is "Intelligent Auto Focus," and when on, the camera supposedly uses AFs (Auto Focus Single) until it detects that the subject moves, at which point it switches to AFc (Auto Focus Continuous). Generally, with any camera, I would either manually focus or use AFs, where the autofocus locks onto what I've decided it should focus on (remains stable and does not change). This way, I have a clear understanding of what the camera is doing. With iAF, I don't know when or why the camera changes its focus. After all, I am the one taking the photos, not the camera.

AFc (Continuous) means that the autofocus constantly checks if the focus has moved, triggering a continuous movement of the autofocus mechanism in the camera. This movement is accompanied by vibration, which can be felt and sometimes heard. At the same time, the preview in the viewfinder or on the screen constantly 'vibrates' or 'breathes.'

AFs (Single) is where 1) you point the focusing spot onto a subject or detail or the subject, and 2) when you touch the shutter release, the camera quickly focus on that spot, and 3) as long as you hold the shutter release half down, the focus is locked on that distance no matter where you move the camera (to recompose for example, or to wait for the right moment), and then 4) when you press the shutter release down, the camera takes that photo without delay (as the focus ia already set). When you move your finger away from the the shutter release, the AF is ready to a new cycle of 1, 2, 3, 4.

ISO = Light sensitivity of the camera sensor is given in ISO (International Organization for Standardization). It's a standard that was used in film and is now used in all digital cameras also. The base ISO for the Leica Q sensor is 100 ISO which means that this is what the sensor "sees". All other levels are computer algorithms calculating the effect as if the sensor could "see" more (hence noise at higher ISO levels).
ISO goes in steps of doubling: When the ISO is raised from 100 ISO to 200 ISO, the camera only need half the amount of light to make a picture. For each step in ISO to 400, 800, 1600, 3200, etc the light sensitivity is doubled for the sensor (and the camera sensor only need half the light of the previous ISO to record the same image).

JPEG = A standard for picture format made in the 1990's by Joint Photographic Experts Group). Mostly referred to as JPG as in L1003455.JPG which would be the name for a JPG file from the camera.

Summilux = Refers to the maximum lens aperture - normally f1.4 , "-lux" added for "light" (ie. the enhanced light gathering abilities). In the Leica Q the lens is a Summilux even it is a f/1.7 and not f/1.4.

	LCoS display

LCOS (viewfinder screen in the Leica Q and Leica Q2) = Liquid crystal on silicon is a high-quality method for near-eye displays, better than LCD (Liquid-crystal display). There are two broad categories of LCoS displays: Three-panel and single-panel. In three-panel designs, there is one display chip per color, and the images are combined optically. In single-panel designs, one display chip shows the red, green, and blue components in succession with the observer's eyes relied upon to combine the color stream.

Leica = A compound word derived from " (Lei)tz" and "(ca)mera". Apparently they were originally going to use "LECA", but another camera company already used a similar name in France, so they inserted the 'i' to prevent any confusion.

Lens hood = (also called a Lens shade). A tube or ring attached to the front of a camera lens to prevent unwanted light from reaching the lens and sensor. In the past where lenses were not coated to prevent internal reflections inside the lens, the lens hood was often essential. These days where lenses are coated, the shade serves just as much as decoration and protection (bumper) as well.
ORIGIN Old English hod; related to Dutch hoed, German Hut 'hat,' also to hat.

Lens hood or Lens shade attached to the front of the lens to prevent light rays from the side to hit the optics, which could introduce unwanted light and hence reduce contrast of the image. These days where lenses are coated, the shade serves as decoration and protection as well.

Level Gauge = This is a tool in the viewfinder to see if you hold the camera 100% horizontal and/or vertical. You can turn it on in the Menu > Photo Live View Setup > Level Gauge > On.

Light = Tiny particles called photons that behaves like both waves and particles. Light makes objects visible by reflecting off of them, and in photography that reflecting off of subjects is what creates textures, shapes, colors and luminance. Light in its natural form (emanating from the sun) also gives life to plants and living things, and makes (most) people happier. So far, nobody has been able to determine exactly what light is. The word photography means “writing with light” (photo = light, -graphy = writing). Read more about light in my book Finding the Magic of Light.

Live View = This is the ability to see the image the sensor see, live, via the screen of a digital camera, or via an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

MACRO = Macro lens. The Leica Q2 lens can be turned to Macro which enables you to go close so as to enlarge smaller subjects. The word macro comes from Greek makros ‘long, large.’

The word macro comes from Greek makros ‘long, large.’ Leica Q in Macro mode, 1ii ISO, f/2.8, 1/500 second. © 2015 Thorsten Overgaard.

Maestro II - A processor developed first as Maestro for the Leica S2 and upgraded to Maestro II for the Leica S (Typ 007). The Leica Q has a Mestro II (Leica Q edition) processor developed by SocioNext Inc. based on Fujitsu's Mibeault architecture.

Megapixel (or MP) - Millions of pixels. See pixel further down. How many units of RGB is recorded by a given sensor by taking height x widt. A Leica M10 delivers a 5952 x 3968 pixel file = 23,617,536 piexls. On a screen the resolution you choose determines the size of the image. Say you have a 5000 pixel wide file and your screen is set for 8000 pixels wide. Then the image will fill only the 5000 pixels fo the 8000 and the rest will be empty, If you then change the screen resolution to 5000 wide, the image would be able to fill out the whole screen.

Meßsucher (rangefinder or distance finder) = Mess = range, sucher = finder. It is always correctly written with the "ß". There are technically not three "s", rather the "ß" and one "s" because it is a word constructed by the combining of two precise words.

mm = millimeter(s), as in a 50mm lens. (Earlier in lens history lenses focal length was given in cm = centimeters; as in a 5 cm lens). For anyone used to centimeters and millimeters, it’s no wonder. But if you grew up with inches, feet and yards, you may have had a hard time grasping what a 50mm lens was. But as lenses were designed first in Europe, the metric system with centimeters and millimeters was used to describe lenses.
The reason a 50mm lens is a 50mm lens is that there is 50mm from the focus plane (the film or sensor) to the center of focus inside the lens. When photography was a young subject, it was engineers who made it all, and the users were expected to understand. The engineers were so into the making of the lenses, that it apparently never dawned upon them that today’s users would think of a 21mm lens as a wide angle lens rather than a lens where there is 21mm from the sensor to the center of focus inside the optics.

ND = Neutral Density filters are grey filters that functions as 'sunglasses' for lenses. They simply block the light so that a lens can work at for example f/1.7 in sunshine.

ND (Neutral Density) filters to put in front of lenses to reduce the amount of light that comes in. They don't have any other effect than that and doesn't change contrast, color or anything.

NFC = Near field communication is a technology that enables smartphones and cameras (or other devices) to establish radio communication with each other by touching the devices together or bringing them into proximity to a distance of typically 10 cm (3.9 in) or less.

	PASM in the menu of the Leica Q is most likely is made up from the letters of a mode dial on a traditional camera. Nobody knows for sure.

PASM (screen mode) = Basically means that you are in control of the camera and haven't selected any of the Screen Modes available in the Leica Q menu. PASM is most likely short for P = Program Mode / A = Aperture Priority / S = Shutter Priority / M = Manual Control (... what Moron comes up with those silly abbreviation; and then don't explain them in the manual?).

Pixel - Made up word from Pix (picture) and el (element). A pixel is the smallest full-color (RGB) element in a digital imaging device. The physical size of a pixel depends on how you've set the resolution for the display screen. The color and tonal intensity of a pixel are variable, meaning that each pixel contains RGB. This is different from a camera sensor's small eyes (photosite) that are an intensity of either red, green or blue. You could say that the digital sensor's photosite (where each unit collects just one color; red, green or blue) is the input technology, whereas the pixels on a screen (where each pixel contains red, green and blue) is the output device. So while sensors are measured in megapixels (mega = million), it's their output unit of pixels, and not the input unit of photosites that is measured and stated. See illustration below.

Here's an illustration of how light goes through a color filter that enables the underlying photosites to each record if it';s an R, G or B color - combined - makes up one pixel containing RGB. © Thorsten Overgaard.

S = Single image. When the ring by the shutter release on top of the camera (or in the menu of a digital camera in case it does not have this ring on the ourside) is moved from OFF to S, the camera takes only one photo at the time (Single). The other possibility is Continuous where the camera takes pictures continiously as long as the shutter release button is helt down. (see above).

Saturation: How colorful, intense or pure the color is. Less saturation would be less colorful, more saturation would be more colorful. In today’s photography, de-saturating a photo on the computer will gradually make it less and less colorful; and full de-saturation would make it into a black and white photo.

A photo from Verona, Italy de-saturated, normal saturated and over-saturated. © Thorsten Overgaard.

Sensor = A device that detects a physical property (like light) and records it. A camera sensor is a plane plate with thousands of small “eyes” with (photosites) a lens in front of each (CFA, Color Filter Array), which each individually records the amount of red, green and blue light rays that comes through the lens. Together, Red, Green and Blue form all colors of the spectrum, which becomes a pixel. Sensor comes from Latin sens- ‘perceived’.

Screen Mode = A menu point in the Leica Q that allow you to choose different pre-programmed ways of recording stills with the camera. For example Sunset, Snow/Beach, Fireworks, etc.
Nobody knows what the modes does but they sound helpful. Panorama (move the camera and it takes a series of images; just like iPhone) and Time Lapse (interval of images to record change) are also in the Screen Mode menu and may be useful. All screen modes are equally undefined in the manual, so all you can do is try and see if you can figure out what happened. PASM is the setting you use to avoid any pre-programmed modes (see above.

SDC = Software Distortion Correction. A correction of lens distortion (not straight lines) applied in the camera and which is part of the DNG or RAW file. In Lightroom or Capture One Pro the SDC of the camera file is applied automatically (and cannot be removed), in software like AccuRaw one can open the DNG file without the SDC correction. Sean Reid Reviews have written a good article on what SDC is and does in "Software Distortion Correction".

SDC (Software Distortion Correction): In Lightroom the correction profile for the Fujinon 23mm is applied automatically and cannot be turned off. If you go into Develop mode in Lightroom and look under Lens Correction > Profile, you will see a message in the bottom with an exclamation mark. When you click on that, you get the message above.

Shutter speed dial - The dial on top of the Leica M where you can set the shutter speed manually. It can also be set to A which stands for Aperture Priority (where the camera suggests a shutter speed; or when you move the dial away from A, the camera will show arrows in the viewfinder, suggesting which direction to change the Aperture to, to get the correct exposure).

Shutter speed dial set to 1/1000 of a second.

SLR = Abbreviation for Single-Lens Reflex; the lens that forms the image on the film/sensor also provides the image in the viewfinder via a mirror. The Leica Q has no traditional viewfinder and no mirror. the image seen in the EVF is what the sensor sees.

Summilux = Refers to the maximum lens aperture - here f1.4 , "-lux" added for "light" (ie. the enhanced light gathering abilities). In Leica terminology a Summilux is always a f/1.4 lens and a Summicron is a f/2.0 lens. In the Leica Q2 the lens is f/1.7 but is called a Summilux because it is closer to f/1.4 than f/2.0.

Three-dimensional = Having the three dimensions of height, width and depth. In photography and lens design, three-dimensional effect is also the perception of even small micro-details; the texture of skin can appear flat and dead or three-dimensional and alive. Also, selective focus (foreground and background out of focus) can change the perception of depth. Also see Perspective.

Three-dimensional = Having the three dimensions of height, width and depth. Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Leica TL2 with Leica 35mm Summilux-TL ASPH f/1.4. © 2017 Thorsten Overgaard.

Ventilated Shade - A shade is a hood in front of a lens that provides shade from light going straight onto the lens from outside what you are photographing, which could cause internal reflections like flare, which would make the picture less contrasty.
The ventilated shade has holes so it doesn't obstructs the view from the viewfinder. In many of today’s mirrorless cameras where there is no viewfinder looking ver the lens, so there is no actual need for a ventilated shade; but they are considered classic or vintage looking and are still in high demand. It makes no difference for the purpose of the shade (to create shadow) if it is ventilated or not.

Ventilated Shade for the Leica Q3. I make ventilated shades for most lenses and sell them from here.

Viewfinder = a device on a camera showing the field of view of the lens.
1) A built-in viewfinder in a camera that simply show the frame you get when you look through the viewfinder.
2) A rangefinder viewfinder which is also used to focus the lens. In Leica M cameras two pictures has to meet and lay 'on top of each other' for the picture to be in focus.
3) An external viewfinder, usually on top of the camera in the flash shoe, so as to show the field of view of lenses wider than what the built-in viewfinder can show (15mm, 21mm, 24mm, 28mm etc viewfinders exist)
4) Very simple "aiming-devices" on top of a camera that is simply a metal frame without any optics. Just a frame, as for example very old cameras (the original Leica), or when using cameras in diving where you can't look through the camera.
5) A Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) that shows what the sensor sees "live".

	The Full Street Photography Bundle (The three items illustrated below) "Street Photography Masterclass" $698.00 "This is Street Photography" $298.00 18 video classes with PDF work book and illustrated eBook, Normal price $1,296.00 More info Normal price $1,296.00 Save 65%         Only $448.00           Buy Now. Instant delivery. 100% satisfaction or money back. Item #2148-0522		"This is Street Photography" Illustrated eBook + Video Masterclass (The two items illustrated above) For Computer, Kindle, iPad or smartphone. Code applied: "ILOVESTREET" Was 498.00 Today only $298.00 Buy now. Instant delivery. 100% satisfaction or money back. Item #2148-0422

- Thorsten Overgaard
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		I like simple things I make things for myself the way I think they should be, and I use them for my travel to more than twentyfive countries a year. Once I am happy with the way stuff works, I make it available for you to buy. SHOP THE COLLECTION:
Ventilated Shades for most Leica lenses Classic look to the lenses, sturdy protection against bumps and scratches ... and yes, they shade for the light as well.		Camera Straps for Leica M and Leica Q "Simply a leather strap" – My handmade soft calfskin camera strap is the ultimate sophisication in simpliciy and luxury.
Camera Pouches for Leica M and Leica Q The soft calfskin pouch you don't need ... but you just can't resist! For camera with lens, or to keep track of loose parts.		"The Von" Camera Bag Carry-On Travel Made to travel in style. Handmade by the best artisans in Milano, Venice and Verona to bring the owner a liftetime of happiness.
24h Travel Bag with lots of Carry-On space I decided to make a bag with all the space I could ever need to bring onto an airplane.		The Von Mini Messenger The Ideal Walkabout Photographers Bag . Tested for three years all over the world by me.
Camera Backpack I've made a series of backpacks becuase they are practical for many things.		Document Carry-On for iPad or Computer Put a mess of everything in this and you look stylish and organized.
Desk Blotters and Larger-Than-Life Mousepad Nothing beats the feelling of soft calfskin leather on your desk ... but this one takes away reflections, damps the keyboards and makes you happy!		Computer shade for MacBook Pro 15" Better tonality, accurate colors and concentration for the eyes with my travel shade that snaps onto the MacBook with magnets and folds for travel.
Workshops & Masterclasses With Thorsten von Overgaard for Leica enthusiasts and digital photographers in more than 25 countries a year. Pick your favorite city and meet Thorsten Overgaard.		Photography Extension Courses Start an extension course with Thorsten Overgaard, work at your own pace and take the time you want. At your own pace, and home
One-on-one Training anywhere in the world Train with Thorsten Overgaard personally, tailored for you and private, any place in the world, or online.		Video Classes: Learn from Thorsten Overgaard Watch to learn about your camera, how to use light, how to do street photography, or simply to stay inspired.
eBooks on Photography The foremost Leica expert and multi award-winning photographer Thorsten Overgard write books that teach and inspire.		Signed Prints by Thosten von Overgaard Select photgoraphs from the archive of Thorsten von Overgaard, signed, sealed and delivered for your collection.
Adobe Lightroom Presets for Leica As a Leica and Lightroom user you will love the simplicity and original look of the Presets Thorsten made for his Leica files.		Used Leica Cameras Ken Hansen New York Inc updated stock list of second-hand Leica lenses.

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A Life With Leica from Northpass Media.