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Still looking for a Leica Q backup, narrowed it down a bit

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Och Elo

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It IS insured, but there are still situations I don't want to take my Leica Q but still want a better camera than my phone. Like the Leica Q, I prefer a 1 lens type setup cause I hate changing lens or taking extra ones. I think around $1000 USD (prefer new equipment) is my sweet spot for such a camera, here are the ones I am thinking of:

(1) Fuji X100F - Kind of considered a cheaper Q alternative anyways, and the dial based setup would be familiar. I've owned it before, the IQ and ergonomics weren't as great as the Q obviously, but I think as a backup camera it might be fine.

(2) Fuji X-T20 w/ 18-55 - Similar qualities to X100F but with a pretty solid zoom lens attached instead

(3) Canon G1Xiii - Tiny APS-C compact. Never used this but I do generally like Canon IQ and ergos.

(4) Sony A7II with 28mm f/2 - I've used this setup in the past before as well, it's decent but not Q level. But IQ wise I might get closest with this setup because I'd be using same focal length so I'd be used to composition, and it's a FF sensor.

I've done research and eliminated everything else, so it's down to these 4 options. What would you go for?
 
To be a true backup........another Q.
 
My vote would go to the T20 (as I own that), and wait, I have the X100 too (like the Bayer sensor), and I know you've eliminated all others, but I really like the GR as well :)

One of the biggest things I like about the X-T20 is its tilting screen. For street shooting at 6'4" standing eye level is too high.

The T20 is such a bargain now too
 
Ricoh GR3.
 
I would strongly second the Ricoh GR3 - I was impressed by the IQ and sharpness of the GRII when I had one, and the GR3 is very pocketable and discreet in use.
 
I wouldn't recommend any of these.

I do get that people with the Q have a desire for other focal lengths and for that reason buy an alternate camera.

It doesn't look like you're concerned about size of the camera or missing zoom or lack of weather sealing or something else. Your just worried about the Q.

1000$ to spend on a back up that you probably end up using rarely to me is a waste giving that most-likely nothing will happen to your Q. It's an expensive insurance, giving that the Q should go down in value once the new model comes in a year or however long it will take.

For those looking at an alternate body, I would recommend strongly to consider the different shooting experience Leica provides and if they are willing to learn using another system. I bought the Sony RX100 VI and this is where I feel I goofed, even though smaller size and zoom is what I needed I struggle with the complicated menu and options.
 
Och Elo said:
It IS insured, but there are still situations I don't want to take my Leica Q but still want a better camera than my phone. Like the Leica Q, I prefer a 1 lens type setup cause I hate changing lens or taking extra ones. I think around $1000 USD (prefer new equipment) is my sweet spot for such a camera, here are the ones I am thinking of:

(1) Fuji X100F - Kind of considered a cheaper Q alternative anyways, and the dial based setup would be familiar. I've owned it before, the IQ and ergonomics weren't as great as the Q obviously, but I think as a backup camera it might be fine.

(2) Fuji X-T20 w/ 18-55 - Similar qualities to X100F but with a pretty solid zoom lens attached instead

(3) Canon G1Xiii - Tiny APS-C compact. Never used this but I do generally like Canon IQ and ergos.

(4) Sony A7II with 28mm f/2 - I've used this setup in the past before as well, it's decent but not Q level. But IQ wise I might get closest with this setup because I'd be using same focal length so I'd be used to composition, and it's a FF sensor.

I've done research and eliminated everything else, so it's down to these 4 options. What would you go for?
Click to expand...
how about a used Q?
 
If you own a Q I wonder how much satisfaction you're going to get using an APS-C as a second body. The A7II or III seems to me to be a better choice but I have a suggestion -

Why not consider an RX1rII? It's another small camera, it's full frame and it offers a choice between the 28 when using the Q and a 35 when using it. It may not be as elegant a camera as the Q but its image quality is as good, perhaps even better.
 
I don't think that you would be happy with a non-Q camera, even if it was a full frame camera. That said, if you still want another camera, I don't agree with your options. My suggestion would be selecting one of these cameras-

1. Leica D-Lux 7

2. Canon M50 + 32mm lens (or another combination, like M100 + 22mm lens)
 
Last edited:
Jay A said:
If you own a Q I wonder how much satisfaction you're going to get using an APS-C as a second body. The A7II or III seems to me to be a better choice but I have a suggestion -

Why not consider an RX1rII? It's another small camera, it's full frame and it offers a choice between the 28 when using the Q and a 35 when using it. It may not be as elegant a camera as the Q but its image quality is as good, perhaps even better.
Click to expand...
I went with the extremely poor man's version of what you suggest. A7II + Samyang 35mm f/2.8. I think it will serve nicely as a backup to my Q, and the IQ is fairly decent.
 
Och Elo said:
Jay A said:
If you own a Q I wonder how much satisfaction you're going to get using an APS-C as a second body. The A7II or III seems to me to be a better choice but I have a suggestion -

Why not consider an RX1rII? It's another small camera, it's full frame and it offers a choice between the 28 when using the Q and a 35 when using it. It may not be as elegant a camera as the Q but its image quality is as good, perhaps even better.
Click to expand...
I went with the extremely poor man's version of what you suggest. A7II + Samyang 35mm f/2.8. I think it will serve nicely as a backup to my Q, and the IQ is fairly decent.
Click to expand...
Good deal. This would have been my second choice.
 
get a second hand Q and distress it a little and apply then remove electric tape so you have chunks left here and there the a judicious slight dent should do the trick, The idea is to make lt look really grotty while still functioning perfectly. No self respecting thief would take it
 
If it's insured, I don't know why you worry. The only place I don't take my Q is out in heavy rain or blowing sand. Maybe a camera to withstand the elements is worth considering.
 
A used TL or TL2 with a 18 or 23mm lens.
 
totally agree with you. a leica does fail easily. he may look for second body :-D
 
I'm curious about what situations you want to avoid using your Q. . . Are they environmental i.e. inclement weather or are you concerned about theft, etc.?
 
Agree. Good point. Q, at least in black is super stealthy it's barely noticeable and if you use extended evf etc nobody sees the screen lit when it's on. But if you have a white or red one etc well maybe it would be spotted. Don't waste the money on a cheaper 28 you won't like so much. If you want another how about D lux 7 then you have 28 covered plus wider and longer and it's smaller etc.
Jk1002 said:
I wouldn't recommend any of these.

I do get that people with the Q have a desire for other focal lengths and for that reason buy an alternate camera.

It doesn't look like you're concerned about size of the camera or missing zoom or lack of weather sealing or something else. Your just worried about the Q.

1000$ to spend on a back up that you probably end up using rarely to me is a waste giving that most-likely nothing will happen to your Q. It's an expensive insurance, giving that the Q should go down in value once the new model comes in a year or however long it will take.

For those looking at an alternate body, I would recommend strongly to consider the different shooting experience Leica provides and if they are willing to learn using another system. I bought the Sony RX100 VI and this is where I feel I goofed, even though smaller size and zoom is what I needed I struggle with the complicated menu and options.
Click to expand...
 
Try the Sony a6500 with the Zeiss 24/1.8. Sharp lens and very capable little camera, with eye-AF and all the Sony bells and whistles of AF and (mirrorless quality) burst shooting.
 
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