"Q Experience"

Not so "Royal M" anymore

The "Leica Q Experience."
I never would have thought it. I used to place the "Rangefinder Experience" on the highest pedestal. But, as is often the case in life, personal experience reveals what truly matters to you. And this instance is no exception.

EVF LiveView – Live Exposure
Leica M. Rangefinder. OVF. It all sounds "old school." Everything that makes photography fun. But when viewed from my own perspective—that of an artist—I am compelled to admit that these arguments actually prove rather counterproductive to my specific style of photography. I shoot abstractly. In monochrome. I create images exclusively in an unrealistic, stylized manner—something an OVF simply cannot capture. In my style, the actual image has always taken shape during post-production: draining the color, boosting the contrast, and dialing down the brightness. A LiveView feature is an immense aid in this process. It allows me to see the image exactly as I intend it to be—immediately—rather than having to wait until post-processing. I had completely underestimated the value of LiveView; it is now a primary criterion—and the reason why models like the Q or the M-EV (with their respective EVFs and LiveView capabilities) will continue to pull ahead of the classic M series. (After all, relying solely on the rear LCD screen for LiveView composition is simply not a viable option for my particular shooting style.)

IP52
The weather-sealing—a feature frequently highlighted since the release of the Q2—plays an equally significant role. These are the two main reasons why, here in 2026, I consistently choose the Q2M over any standard M model. It simply comes down to having a "tool" that I can use in any weather condition without the constant fear that something might get damaged. For someone like me—who does the majority of their shooting in inclement weather—this is a massive advantage.

$$$$ M-Lenses?
Another point weighing against the M-System is the M-lenses themselves. Leica is expensive enough as it is; falling into a lens-buying frenzy is a very real possibility here. There are many other things in life that require money, so one should spend or invest that money intelligently.

Summilux 1:1.7 Lens — *All-in-One Lens via Frame Crop — M-Frames
A particularly nice feature involves the excellent Summilux 1:1.7 lens. Just like with an M-series camera, the Q gives you the option to display frame lines corresponding to various focal lengths. This lends it the distinct feel of the M-System’s frame lines for different M-lenses. Personally, I’m already fond of the native 28mm full-frame focal length. However, having the option to switch to 35mm—or to utilize the "zoom" equivalents for 50mm and 75mm—is simply a pleasure. Even if it is achieved via cropping. Given the 47-megapixel resolution, this isn't a major issue—at least up to the 50mm focal length option. It even saves you the trouble of having to swap lenses. This, too, is a feature whose true value only becomes apparent once you actually start using the camera. And yes—that Summilux 1:1.7 Leica prime lens. This lens simply produces incredibly good images. There is a saying: "With the Q, you buy the Leica lens and get the camera body for free." I can wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. I never would have imagined that this lens would be this good.

Focus Peaking and Zoom-In
Of course, to make the most of that quality, you also need to be able to focus your images accurately. But thanks to Focus Peaking—and the option to assign the zoom function to the Fn button located on the top-right control wheel—your shots will turn out razor-sharp, provided you have the time to utilize these tools effectively. After all, the Q is certainly not the right camera for sports photographers—even though it does feature autofocus. However, according to other photographers, that autofocus system appears to be a bit too slow. But I use the Q exclusively in Manual Mode anyway—just as I always have.

Sexy M-Body
Another area where I was very pleasantly surprised was the body of the Q. It truly is an "M-body"—even slightly slimmer than that of the M. The indentation for the right thumb makes the design feel even more perfect. And as for the large lens? You get used to it. Furthermore, the lens hood generally gives the camera a somewhat more understated presence. And as a "black ninja Leica"—complete with monochrome features such as the missing red Leica dot and the subtle gray lettering on the body—it does its part to ensure a discreet appearance.

Less Maintenance
A brief mention is also due regarding the absence of an OVF—an element that requires no maintenance. I need only recall the "Leica M8 disaster" involving the defective rangefinder wheel.

In conclusion, I would say that—for me—the Q is the superior system compared to the M. If I were to buy a new Leica again, it would be the current Q. The deciding factor would, in all likelihood, be the megapixel count.

#post0014