Fed up, need objective advice

[brick33308]

My story: I own a A7RV with some really good glass. Love it all, use it only for performance and portrait photography. And I recently took it on an amazing trip to NZ where it performed flawlessly. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1835504/0#16411219

But my passion has always been street photography for which IMHO the Leica Q series is superb.

However I'm frustrated as hell with Leica - after 6 months my $6K Leica Q3 crapped out, apparently a bad board whatever that means. It's been with Leica repair for 6 weeks, and the attitude of the repair department not giving me any idea where I am in the repair que is beyond frustrating.

I'm seriously thinking about selling my Q3 when I get it back as I can still get just about the full price I paid for it in July because I don't have confidence that it won't break again in the future at a time that it has depreciated in terms of resale price. And to replace it I'd get the A7Cii if I can figure out a small prime in the 26 - 35 range that has above average optics and can become my street shooter.

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Thoughts? Am I being hasty and over reacting simply because I'm so angry with Leica?

 

[Willy81]

My story: I own a A7RV with some really good glass. Love it all, use it only for performance and portrait photography. And I recently took it on an amazing trip to NZ where it performed flawlessly. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1835504/0#16411219

But my passion has always been street photography for which IMHO the Leica Q series is superb.

However I'm frustrated as hell with Leica - after 6 months my $6K Leica Q3 crapped out, apparently a bad board whatever that means. It's been with Leica repair for 6 weeks, and the attitude of the repair department not giving me any idea where I am in the repair que is beyond frustrating.

I'm seriously thinking about selling my Q3 when I get it back as I can still get just about the full price I paid for it in July because I don't have confidence that it won't break again in the future at a time that it has depreciated in terms of resale price. And to replace it I'd get the A7Cii if I can figure out a small prime in the 26 - 35 range that has above average optics and can become my street shooter.

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Thoughts? Am I being hasty and over reacting simply because I'm so angry with Leica?

Not a prime but you may find it interesting to look at the FE 16-35mm f/4.0 PZ G.



















--
I enjoy content, simplicity and light weight: A6500, A7C and A7RV w/Sony + G + GM Glass

 

[skyrunr]

Wow, nice images! Maybe don't change what you're doing, and hopefully Leica gets their act together. I buy third party warranties on anything over $2,000 so I don't have to deal with support drama.

I'm moving away from primes other than a few Samyangs, and eventually one G or GM. Modern zooms are really impressive for general (better than average) use IMO. I'm enjoying my A7CII, and mostly use the Tamron 20-40f2.8. I just got the 20-70F4G as well.

I'd rather have f2.8 and better software (and skills) these days. That is versus the weight and cost of flagship gear.

--
SkyRunR
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
TIPS: Be kind, RT#M, use gear not signature, limit/shorten replies with quotes!
'The first casualty, when war comes, is truth' - Hiram Johnson (1866-1945)

 

[Mike Evangelist]

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Get the a7CR and the Sigma 35mm ƒ2. I think it would be ideal for your situation.

 

[Impulses]

A bad board can happen, whether you're being hasty or not depends on the end result IMO. If ultimately they fix it in a timely manner then I wouldn't be too worried about it malfunctioning again, the lack of communication can be annoying but not a reason to dump gear you like... I'm not sure any of the small 24/35mm primes will really give you quite the same results tbh, and there's very few 26/28mm options so you'll really be looking at 35mm mostly.

Something like the Sigma 35/2 has quite decent rendering but that's larger on camera than the Q's lens, smaller lenses like the ZA 35/2.8 and the 24/2.8 G & 40/2.5 G will make more optical compromises... It'd be up to you whether you're willing to accept that and give up cropping leeway in the process with an A7C II rather than an R body. Awesome images btw, I would've been tempted to carry more gear on a trip like that but I read your comment about how physically grueling it was...

 

[brick33308]

A bad board can happen, whether you're being hasty or not depends on the end result IMO. If ultimately they fix it in a timely manner then I wouldn't be too worried about it malfunctioning again, the lack of communication can be annoying but not a reason to dump gear you like... I'm not sure any of the small 24/35mm primes will really give you quite the same results tbh, and there's very few 26/28mm options so you'll really be looking at 35mm mostly.

Something like the Sigma 35/2 has quite decent rendering but that's larger on camera than the Q's lens, smaller lenses like the ZA 35/2.8 and the 24/2.8 G & 40/2.5 G will make more optical compromises... It'd be up to you whether you're willing to accept that and give up cropping leeway in the process with an A7C II rather than an R body. Awesome images btw, I would've been tempted to carry more gear on a trip like that but I read your comment about how physically grueling it was...

thanks for words of wisdom, my anger at Leica repair is starting to moderate, so I'll wait to get my Q3 back from repair. Plus I've been looking around at various lens options with my A7RV resulting in a combo that's much bigger/heaver/not nearly as fast or good a lens as the Leica, so I'll probably sit tight with what I've got. FYI, for me the A7CR while nice in terms of form/size/weight is nonetheless for me a non-starter with the LCD that only articulates out to the side which I despise. Why they couldn't put the A7RV LCD on it is a mystery.

Thanks for comment on my pics. I had 3 lenses but mostly used the 14-24 which I bought used from KEH and absolutely love.

 

[Impulses]

A bad board can happen, whether you're being hasty or not depends on the end result IMO. If ultimately they fix it in a timely manner then I wouldn't be too worried about it malfunctioning again, the lack of communication can be annoying but not a reason to dump gear you like... I'm not sure any of the small 24/35mm primes will really give you quite the same results tbh, and there's very few 26/28mm options so you'll really be looking at 35mm mostly.

Something like the Sigma 35/2 has quite decent rendering but that's larger on camera than the Q's lens, smaller lenses like the ZA 35/2.8 and the 24/2.8 G & 40/2.5 G will make more optical compromises... It'd be up to you whether you're willing to accept that and give up cropping leeway in the process with an A7C II rather than an R body. Awesome images btw, I would've been tempted to carry more gear on a trip like that but I read your comment about how physically grueling it was...

thanks for words of wisdom, my anger at Leica repair is starting to moderate, so I'll wait to get my Q3 back from repair. Plus I've been looking around at various lens options with my A7RV resulting in a combo that's much bigger/heaver/not nearly as fast or good a lens as the Leica, so I'll probably sit tight with what I've got. FYI, for me the A7CR while nice in terms of form/size/weight is nonetheless for me a non-starter with the LCD that only articulates out to the side which I despise. Why they couldn't put the A7RV LCD on it is a mystery.

AFAIK the A7C and A7C II have the very same fully articulated side-hinged (only) LCD, and it would bug me too.

Thanks for comment on my pics. I had 3 lenses but mostly used the 14-24 which I bought used from KEH and absolutely love.

 

[liggy]

I'd probably sell my Q2 Reporter if not for the 25-30% depreciation. It's super cool to behold but on a recent trip I took the A7RV , 20-70 F4 and 35 GM (normally left the GM at home and brought the Q2) and didn't really miss it.

For that matter I bet the soon to be announced X100VI is going to be an excellent camera so maybe wait for that one?

The problem for me and small primes with Sony is that I haven't loved any of them except for the Voigtlanders and they are all MF.

 

[Mike Fewster]

A bad board can happen, whether you're being hasty or not depends on the end result IMO. If ultimately they fix it in a timely manner then I wouldn't be too worried about it malfunctioning again, the lack of communication can be annoying but not a reason to dump gear you like... I'm not sure any of the small 24/35mm primes will really give you quite the same results tbh, and there's very few 26/28mm options so you'll really be looking at 35mm mostly.

Something like the Sigma 35/2 has quite decent rendering but that's larger on camera than the Q's lens, smaller lenses like the ZA 35/2.8 and the 24/2.8 G & 40/2.5 G will make more optical compromises... It'd be up to you whether you're willing to accept that and give up cropping leeway in the process with an A7C II rather than an R body. Awesome images btw, I would've been tempted to carry more gear on a trip like that but I read your comment about how physically grueling it was...

thanks for words of wisdom, my anger at Leica repair is starting to moderate, so I'll wait to get my Q3 back from repair. Plus I've been looking around at various lens options with my A7RV resulting in a combo that's much bigger/heaver/not nearly as fast or good a lens as the Leica, so I'll probably sit tight with what I've got. FYI, for me the A7CR while nice in terms of form/size/weight is nonetheless for me a non-starter with the LCD that only articulates out to the side which I despise. Why they couldn't put the A7RV LCD on it is a mystery.

Thanks for comment on my pics. I had 3 lenses but mostly used the 14-24 which I bought used from KEH and absolutely love.

I still think the A7CR is a natural fit for you. How much do you use that screen? I have the CR and I only use the screen when I'm shooting discreetly from the hip., usually with touch focus or something like F8 with a wa when I'm not worried about focus too much anyway. Have you handled an A7CR? It ihas almost identical features and set up as your loved A7Rv so moving to it would be no problem. The af runs rings around the Leica as well. It is smaller than the Q All the glass you own for the 7Rv will work just fine on the CR. The shape of the CR is much better for street work than the smooth sided retro design of the Q cameras. Have a look at the 28-60 reviews for a tiny walk around combination. Check the 20-70 reviews for a small versatile, high iQ travel combination, I'm lusting after adding the 70-200 macro to my A7CR.


Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia

 

[Mike Fewster]

My story: I own a A7RV with some really good glass. Love it all, use it only for performance and portrait photography. And I recently took it on an amazing trip to NZ where it performed flawlessly. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1835504/0#16411219

But my passion has always been street photography for which IMHO the Leica Q series is superb.

However I'm frustrated as hell with Leica - after 6 months my $6K Leica Q3 crapped out, apparently a bad board whatever that means. It's been with Leica repair for 6 weeks, and the attitude of the repair department not giving me any idea where I am in the repair que is beyond frustrating.

I'm seriously thinking about selling my Q3 when I get it back as I can still get just about the full price I paid for it in July because I don't have confidence that it won't break again in the future at a time that it has depreciated in terms of resale price. And to replace it I'd get the A7Cii if I can figure out a small prime in the 26 - 35 range that has above average optics and can become my street shooter.

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Thoughts? Am I being hasty and over reacting simply because I'm so angry with Leica?

Not a prime but you may find it interesting to look at the FE 16-35mm f/4.0 PZ G.

They are all well composed but to my taste, they are all oversaturated. Or is it my monitor?

--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia

 

[Alteus]

... I'm seriously thinking about selling my Q3 when I get it back as I can still get just about the full price I paid for it in July because I don't have confidence that it won't break again in the future at a time that it has depreciated in terms of resale price. And to replace it I'd get the A7CiI.........

I have a Q3 and an A7CII and I think you will be sorry if you sell the Q3. They might seem like similar cameras but they're not and I doubt that you'd find a Sony prime that will give you the same image quality as the Q3 in the same size package.

I'm really impressed with the A7CII performance, but there is something special about the Q3 images.

Perhaps rent or borrow the Sony before making a decision you might regret.

 

[Breakfastographer]

My story: I own a A7RV with some really good glass. Love it all, use it only for performance and portrait photography. And I recently took it on an amazing trip to NZ where it performed flawlessly. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1835504/0#16411219

But my passion has always been street photography for which IMHO the Leica Q series is superb.

However I'm frustrated as hell with Leica - after 6 months my $6K Leica Q3 crapped out, apparently a bad board whatever that means. It's been with Leica repair for 6 weeks, and the attitude of the repair department not giving me any idea where I am in the repair que is beyond frustrating.

I'm seriously thinking about selling my Q3 when I get it back as I can still get just about the full price I paid for it in July because I don't have confidence that it won't break again in the future at a time that it has depreciated in terms of resale price.

In some countries, not disclosing the above would be considered fraudulent, and I doubt you'd get the as-new price if you do disclose it.

And to replace it I'd get the A7Cii if I can figure out a small prime in the 26 - 35 range that has above average optics and can become my street shooter.

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Thoughts? Am I being hasty and over reacting simply because I'm so angry with Leica?

 

[brick33308]

In some countries, not disclosing the above would be considered fraudulent, and I doubt you'd get the as-new price if you do disclose it.

you mean disclose that it was repaired by Leica by installing a new board?

Yes of course I'd disclose that. And why not?? I also think it would actually be a good selling point. They are supposedly going to put new outside skin on it, I think because they have to damage the old skin to replace the innards, so the camera should be coming back looking pristine

 

[brick33308]

... I'm seriously thinking about selling my Q3 when I get it back as I can still get just about the full price I paid for it in July because I don't have confidence that it won't break again in the future at a time that it has depreciated in terms of resale price. And to replace it I'd get the A7CiI.........

I have a Q3 and an A7CII and I think you will be sorry if you sell the Q3. They might seem like similar cameras but they're not and I doubt that you'd find a Sony prime that will give you the same image quality as the Q3 in the same size package.

I'm really impressed with the A7CII performance, but there is something special about the Q3 images.

I'm starting to think the same thing. That said, I may buy a used Sony FE 40mm f/2.5, stick it on my A7RV and see what it feels/shoots like. It's cheap enough that I could sell it on Fred Miranda if I don't like it.

But at the end of the day, I don't see any lenses out there like the Leica 28/1.7 paired with a fairly compact body that has a flip down screen (not the articulating out to the side) that I like for discrete street shooting

 

[Rod McD]

Hi,

Great NZ images!

Commiserations on your Q3's problem but remember that there are many Q3 owners who have not had the same fault and Leica service may yet provide a permanent repair. One would hope so. It may never happen again - changing system in a moment of frustration might be the wrong move if the camera actually suits you well. (I've no axe to grind here - I don't own one - I'm just suggesting caution.....)

If you do decide to change to Sony, the A7CR sounds like the nearest fit, despite your dislike of the flip screen (a dislike I share, but not a deal breaker for me). There are few 28mm prime options. You'd have more luck with a small prime in a 24mm, 35mm or possibly a 40mm lens. All are a little more prominent on camera than the Leica Q lens. In 24mm, I use both the Samyang 24/1.8 and the Sigma i24/3.5, and like both. In 35mm I'll cast another vote for the Sigma i35/2. And the Sony 40/2.8G is a good, sharp small wide-standard.

I'm 67 and still doing multi-night walks with the full kit. It's getting a bit tougher..... My absolute bare-minimalist hiking kit is the body, the Sigma 24/3.5, the Sony 40G, and a tripod. The maximum aperture of the Sigma 24/3.5 doesn't bother me in a hiking context - I tend to shoot stopped down landscapes - and then its an excellent little lens.

Enjoy whatever you decide.

Regards, Rod

 

[Breakfastographer]

In some countries, not disclosing the above would be considered fraudulent, and I doubt you'd get the as-new price if you do disclose it.

you mean disclose that it was repaired by Leica by installing a new board?

Yes of course I'd disclose that. And why not?? I also think it would actually be a good selling point. They are supposedly going to put new outside skin on it, I think because they have to damage the old skin to replace the innards, so the camera should be coming back looking pristine

I saw in the other thread that you're having doubts, but good luck if you do go ahead with the sale.

 

[deednets]

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Get the a7CR and the Sigma 35mm ƒ2. I think it would be ideal for your situation.

What is that sunshade?? ;-)

Thanks!!

Deed

 

[Impulses]

If I go that route, I'd also sell my A7RV and just use the A7Cii for all my shooting. FYI, the A7Cii not having a joystick doesn't bother me since I'd rather shoot AF-C, center focus, tracking which I like better than moving focus point around with joystick.

Get the a7CR and the Sigma 35mm ƒ2. I think it would be ideal for your situation.

What is that sunshade?? ;-)

Thanks!!

Deed

Looks like a Haoge hood, they sell them for a bunch of popular lenses (mostly Fuji & Sony I think, and Sigma evidently) on Amazon.

I got a similar looking one for my 35GM and I greatly prefer it to the OEM hood (which is still very nice, rubber lipped w/an unlock button etc., just bulkier). The Haoge hoods come with very neat slip-on metal caps (I've always been a sucker for those, I dunno why) and they bayonet on just as easily as the OEM hood. No need to reverse them for use obviously, it's always ready and adds minimal bulk.

They're not unlike the snoot hoods for the Sony 40/50G... They make some for wider lenses but those aren't folded inwards like that of lenses around 35/40/50 so you end up with a square cap and a hood that projects out of the lens' diameter rather than a round cap like the one included w/the pictured hood (and something that looks like it's part of the lens). That's why I didn't get one for my 20G or 24G even tho I do like the slip on caps.

It's a silly little thing really, and kinda pricey for what it is (I used to scoff at Oly pricing first party metal hoods like that! although the thumbscrew on those was annoying), but it makes the lens' handling more pleasing IMO.

 

[Nielk Mike]

Since you don't like LCDs that go sideways, I guess the a7c line is not an option for you.

The a7cR is a great camera. Combined with the Voigtländer APO35 it comes close to the Q2/3 experience - but there still is a signifiant difference if only for the EVF.

The a7cR and the 20-70 are a great combo. But for street, I prefer the small Sigma 24f3.5. It is a 24mm, a35 and 50mm on the a7cR.

 

[Puppy2007]

possibly a 40mm lens. All are a little more prominent on camera than the Leica Q lens. In 24mm, I use both the Samyang 24/1.8 and the Sigma i24/3.5, and like both. In 35mm I'll cast another vote for the Sigma i35/2. And the Sony 40/2.8G is a good, sharp small wide-standard.

Q3 is supposed to have the exactly same lens as Q2. According to the review , the MFT chart indicates the lens is nothing special, especially the corners. So the A7CR even with the tiny Samyang lens will be an upgrade.

And the Sony AF is miles better than the first Panasonic's PDAF iteration in Q3 (Q2 used ancient DFD contrast-detect). They're still 10 years behind.

Don't mention the much realistic price and lens options of Sony FE system.