Leica Q3 mini review + Texas Capitol
Leica Q3 is Leica’s latest professional grade “point + shoot” camera with a Summilux F1.7 28mm lens. There are some debates about whether it is 26mm and just cropped down to 28 to eliminate the distortions at the edges or not. Regardless, it is an amazing camera for its size. I mean, just look at the incredible tonal depths and dynamic range of our rather large puppy.
Leica Q3 F1.7
It produces incredible monochrome image straight out of the camera. Both of these below @ F8.
What better way to test out a camera at a location that you have photographed thousands of times a decade ago and within a short drive? The Texas Capitol of course!
“The Texas State Capitol in Austin is a monumental example of 19th-century public architecture, combining Italian Renaissance Revival and Classical Revival influences with a distinctly Texan scale and spirit; constructed of sunset red granite and standing taller than the U.S. Capitol, its rusticated base, Corinthian columns, and ornate dome—topped by the sculpted Goddess of Liberty—create a commanding silhouette against the skyline. Designed by architect Elijah E. Myers and completed in 1888, the building’s axial plan, grand staircases, stained glass, and intricately carved woodwork reflect both civic pride and craftsmanship, while surrounding grounds and memorials emphasize its role as a cultural and political centerpiece. The interior’s rotunda, legislative chambers, and historic decorative finishes offer layers of symbolism and local history, making the Capitol not only a working seat of government but also a richly textured public landmark.” - From an AI bot.
Unfortunately I don’t have the entire collection of photos at the Texas capitol readily available, but I do have a bridal session from 2011. The bride worked at the capitol and have unprecedented access for us. Here are some images from that session - all photographed with either a Canon 5D mk2 / 1D mk 4 and a 85mm 1.2, 35mm 1.4 or 16-35mm f2.8 lens.
Naveen working the scene.
To evaluate the Leica Q3 using only black-and-white shooting, I returned to the Capitol—my familiar stomping ground—and invited a friend and colleague from work to join with his Nikon Zf. We arrived during suboptimal lighting (approximately 2:30 p.m.) on a weekend, which made obtaining unobstructed architectural images difficult due to heavy foot traffic.
Summary — Leica Q3 (brief impressions)
Pros
Exceptional image quality and very good dynamic range.
Distinctive “Leica look,” particularly noticeable at wide-open apertures.
Strong manual-focus tools, including effective zone-focusing options well suited for street photography.
You can take it anywhere. For developing photographers, there is no excuse not to create images each day focusing only on a single focal point (28mm). 28mm also forces you to be close to your human subjects.
Cons
High price point (over $7,000), which could alternatively fund a comparable Canon or Nikon body plus multiple lenses versus a single high-quality prime.
No dedicated back-focus/button, which limits custom AF ergonomics.
Autofocus performance is a relative weakness.
For someone like me that has used all sort of camera systems, this is basically an extremely tempting gateway drug into Leica M system.
-T
(images below - All on Q3 with various settings and jpegs straight out of camera)
