Original Leica q or x100v

Get the Leica if you aren't necessarily after the smaller size of X100V.

I had the chance to buy between the two and I bought Fuji, despite being able to afford the Q. I always thought what if I had bought the Q instead.....

Also if you buy from a retailer that offers at least 6 months' warranty on the used Leica, then you might be ok.

Do you want full frame or are you happy with APSC?

Are you happy with 28mm or with 35mm?

it’s worth looking at your shots and seeing from EXIF data what your most used aperture is. That should tell you which might work better for you.

I can't speak to the x100v. However I've owned all three Leica Q's - original, Q2 and Q3. IMO, the best images came from the original Q which has a 24mp sensor. It's so good that in February when I went shopping for my first M, even though my budget would have allowed for any of them including the M11 and M10R, I went with the M10 because it shares the same sensor as the original Q.

To save money I'd just get the regular Q as opposed to titanium model.

Don’t own a Q, but yeah, get it, and don’t even think twice about the Fuuj unless you want to have two cameras or sell one later (which is also fine I guess?).

I got the X-Pro3 while knowing that I will at some point in the future throw money at the M system. It didn’t take long.

I previously owned the Q. I now own the Q2. I also own the X100V. For me I would without any doubt take the X100V. The benefits as a travel camera are:

Smaller form factor

Flash

ND filter

Better DR

Better low-light performance

USC charging

Less concern about theft

I am just coming to the end of a 2 week trip around the States and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. Bear in mind I’ve been a devoted Leica user since the days of film.

Best

Steve

Whew that's a tough one. I've owned both. Both are beautiful and fun cameras that produce great results. Given my experience I'd probably choose the fuji, but I think you owe it to yourself to experience the Q. Twisting the macro dial, activating the manual focus function and hearing the barely audible snick of the shutter is an almost sexual experience. Be sure to get a thumb grip, it really improves the handling of the Q.

athensGA said:

Whew that's a tough one. I've owned both. Both are beautiful and fun cameras that produce great results. Given my experience I'd probably choose the fuji, but I think you owe it to yourself to experience the Q. Twisting the macro dial, activating the manual focus function and hearing the barely audible snick of the shutter is an almost sexual experience. Be sure to get a thumb grip, it really improves the handling of the Q.

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I know right I feel like I am torn like the Fuji seems logical due to newer tech more affordable price I get an ovf etc vs I want a Leica. When I was in England last year I tried out the q2 in store at Harrods and gave me major GAS but I’m just really nervous of buying and thinking damn should have got the Fuji. I’m not worried about interchangeability because of my Nikon system I’m just a little torn. The same worry I have is if I buy a Fuji I’ll regret not getting the Leica I wanted

StuartGeddes said:

athensGA said:

Whew that's a tough one. I've owned both. Both are beautiful and fun cameras that produce great results. Given my experience I'd probably choose the fuji, but I think you owe it to yourself to experience the Q. Twisting the macro dial, activating the manual focus function and hearing the barely audible snick of the shutter is an almost sexual experience. Be sure to get a thumb grip, it really improves the handling of the Q.

Click to expand...

I know right I feel like I am torn like the Fuji seems logical due to newer tech more affordable price I get an ovf etc vs I want a Leica. When I was in England last year I tried out the q2 in store at Harrods and gave me major GAS but I’m just really nervous of buying and thinking damn should have got the Fuji. I’m not worried about interchangeability because of my Nikon system I’m just a little torn. The same worry I have is if I buy a Fuji I’ll regret not getting the Leica I wanted

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I can understand why you’re torn. It’s tough to decide between these two cameras. I have an X100V and a Leica Q2. When I purchased the Q2 I sold my original QP. But I missed that sensor and bought it back again from the person I sold it to. So now I have both.
The Fuji is a more practical, lightweight, take it anywhere type of camera. Its output is superb, but to me it feels like a casual camera. I can’t explain why. Probably the size and weight.
The Leica Q is to me a more serious camera. You can easily feel the difference in the quality of the materials and engineering between the two cameras. It has a fantastic lens that allows you to photograph very close. I really like the look of bokeh from wide angle lenses when the main subject is close. Like others have mentioned, the sensor in the original Q has its own character and colour palette. It’s the same sensor as in the Leica M10 and the original Leica SL (601).
The Leica is a slightly heavier camera which means you may be less likely to take it everywhere with you. I’m also self conscious of Leica branding in some places I go to, where I prefer not to be flashing a Leica around.
You will like the results from both cameras, but there is always going to be a special something about having a Leica in your hand.
If I had to choose only one camera between the Leica Q and the X100, I wouldn’t hesitate; it would be the Leica.
Good luck choosing.

I’m considering the same options - either an x100v or vi or a Q.

Sounds like the x100v stands up well against the Q but I’m surprised the DR and low light performance is better in the V?.

So thank you for the advice everyone I went with my heart and ordered the Q waiting for it to arrive now I think I would have regretted if I hadn’t have

StuartGeddes said:

So thank you for the advice everyone I went with my heart and ordered the Q waiting for it to arrive now I think I would have regretted if I hadn’t have

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I actually ordered the x100VI and it’s being delivered today but I’m probably going to sell it and order the Q3. After playing with one in the Leica store I’ve been seeing it in my dreams ever since. A used m10r and m11 have joined it in my dreams, it’s one hell of a rabbit hole.

--
Allen
___________
The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure. - Tibetan Proverb

ARB1 said:

StuartGeddes said:

So thank you for the advice everyone I went with my heart and ordered the Q waiting for it to arrive now I think I would have regretted if I hadn’t have

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I actually ordered the x100VI and it’s being delivered today but I’m probably going to sell it and order the Q3. After playing with one in the Leica store I’ve been seeing it in my dreams ever since. A used m10r and m11 have joined it in my dreams, it’s one hell of a rabbit hole.

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after you get the Q3, if you find your way into my rabbit hold, you'll sell the the Q3 and get a M10 plus some really fabulous Leica lenses.

And just my advice: stay away from the M11. If you really need and want extra mps, get the M10R. I can afford any camera I want, and ultimately went with the M10 which has the exact same 24mp sensor as my original Q (whose images were imo so much better than those of my Q2 or Q3.

ARB1 said:

I actually ordered the x100VI and it’s being delivered today but I’m probably going to sell it and order the Q3. After playing with one in the Leica store I’ve been seeing it in my dreams ever since. A used m10r and m11 have joined it in my dreams, it’s one hell of a rabbit hole.

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I started with an M10-r and now have a Q3 as well. They make a really good pairing. The Q3 is idea for when you need to move fast and cannot/will not have time to change lenses. The M10 is a much more thoughtful deliberate experience.

Paul-Home said:

ARB1 said:

I actually ordered the x100VI and it’s being delivered today but I’m probably going to sell it and order the Q3. After playing with one in the Leica store I’ve been seeing it in my dreams ever since. A used m10r and m11 have joined it in my dreams, it’s one hell of a rabbit hole.

Click to expand...

I started with an M10-r and now have a Q3 as well. They make a really good pairing. The Q3 is idea for when you need to move fast and cannot/will not have time to change lenses. The M10 is a much more thoughtful deliberate experience.

Click to expand...

Had you been a rangefinder shooter for some time or did you take it up more recently. I’m curious to know how your adjustment was to a MF camera. I’ve been shooting my Sony in MF to get adjusted and most times I really enjoy the process (reminds me of the good old days), but at the same time I’m able to switch to AF when needed, not a luxury I’d have with an m.

I figured a used m10-r would be a nice step into the m line with enough mp’s to keep me happy for a good while.

--
Allen
___________
The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure. - Tibetan Proverb

It's a tough choice. You need to assess your needs and match that to the camera. They are two different cameras. I own Leica and other cameras, and they are all great cameras, but Leica gives me more pleasure than other cameras. Even in my Q3, I have an option to go manual and use it as a manual camera. The focus ring on the X100 series can't compare with the one you get in the Leica Q series. You will eventually migrate or add M cameras to your arsenal. Regarding the weight difference, I used to lug heavy DSLRs and lenses. So, the Leica Q3 is so light and small - It's all relative.

JARuss said:

I’m considering the same options - either an x100v or vi or a Q.

Sounds like the x100v stands up well against the Q but I’m surprised the DR and low light performance is better in the V?.

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I’m absolutely certain of it. I’ve done plenty of real world testing. The lens on the V is much better than previous iterations of the X100. It’s not marginal, it’s completely noticeable with side by side shots. I would only go for the Q if you prefer 28mm

Outofammo said:

JARuss said:

I’m considering the same options - either an x100v or vi or a Q.

Sounds like the x100v stands up well against the Q but I’m surprised the DR and low light performance is better in the V?.

Click to expand...

I’m absolutely certain of it. I’ve done plenty of real world testing. The lens on the V is much better than previous iterations of the X100. It’s not marginal, it’s completely noticeable with side by side shots. I would only go for the Q if you prefer 28mm

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Worth noting is that for my two week trips to the States with my daughter (arguably the trip of a lifetime) I had the choice of:-

M11

SL2S

Q2

Sony RX1R

X100V

I don’t regret taking the Fuji for a moment Perfect travel camera .

ARB1 said:

Had you been a rangefinder shooter for some time or did you take it up more recently. I’m curious to know how your adjustment was to a MF camera. I’ve been shooting my Sony in MF to get adjusted and most times I really enjoy the process (reminds me of the good old days), but at the same time I’m able to switch to AF when needed, not a luxury I’d have with an m.

I figured a used m10-r would be a nice step into the m line with enough mp’s to keep me happy for a good while.

Click to expand...

I have only been using a rangefinder in the last few years but very used to MF cameras as I started on Russian Zenits about 40 years ago. I find there are situations where it is nice to have the EVF attached, especially when I want to play with DOF - the focus peaking is handy for this.

Another big plus is the massive range of available lenses, which gets even greater when you start looking at the adaptors that are available. I could happily spend the next 10 years finding and then experimenting with different lenses in different situations. The M series is not really suitable for fast moving objects or very long focal lengths, but there are lots of other options out there for that.

I find that the M10-r is making me a more creative and thoughtful photographer. It takes time but its an enjoyable activity for me.

Edit: Also worth noting that you can use most of the M mount lenses on your Sony, and with the techart adaptor, you can even use AF!!

Sorry for the late reply!