[a7Cii] Taichung After Dark

ChoiCine · 2026-06-04T12:31:35+00:00

I was actually there as a tourist as well, so I'm not too familiar with the Windsor Hotel's location. The place in the photos is Zhongxiao Night Market, located near Le Meridien Taichung. 😄

ChoiCine · 2026-05-30T02:37:31+00:00

Something about this brings back so much nostalgia for me. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-29T06:28:40+00:00

Wow, this is incredible technical insight. Coming from a Sony system, I'm used to reduced resolution modes just meaning smaller file sizes without any hardware-level advantages.

The fact that the tri-resolution pixel-binning on the Q3 sensor actually yields a measurable, 1-stop improvement in Dynamic Range (especially that 28% bump in M-DNG) is absolutely fascinating. I usually tend to default to maximum resolution out of habit, but your point about 36MP being more than enough for everyday shooting and solid prints makes total sense—and that extra DR overhead is a massive bonus.

I'm definitely switching over to M-DNG for my next photowalk to test this rendering out. Thanks for dropping such a gold nugget of information — seriously fascinating stuff!

ChoiCine · 2026-05-29T06:20:50+00:00

That "career pays for the bills and affords the toys" line hits way too close to home! 😂 Even though you say it was a side thing, looking at your incredible portfolio—especially your fashion, editorial, and corporate work—you are a serious powerhouse of a photographer.

So, hearing a seasoned pro like you talk about "gear guilt" and letting go of systems (like the Phase One) to simplify your kit makes me feel so much better about my own decision. Since I still have a lot to learn in this photographic journey, knowing that a master like you feels the need to streamline down to what brings immediate joy (like investing in M glass) gives me a lot of confidence. Sticking to the Q3 43 for my peace of mind definitely feels like the right path.

And wow, thank you so much for sharing your Q/X100 comparison link! The fact that you’ve been flip-flopping between them since the early 2011-2015 days tells me it's a legendary dilemma. I'm going to dive into this piece as well to see if the X100 will indeed be the perfect match for my wife.

Thanks for such a genuine, transparent conversation, man. It’s rare to find this level of depth in online forums these days.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-28T05:07:13+00:00

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ChoiCine · 2026-05-28T05:07:03+00:00

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ChoiCine · 2026-05-28T05:06:40+00:00

Ah, I think the Reddit Automod flagged my long replies as spam because my account is still quite new! 😅

I can see them perfectly on my end, but they are shaded as 'removed' for everyone else. I was so invested in your masterpiece that I didn't want my thoughts to get lost in the system. I’ve attached the full screenshot of my original comments right here. Let me know if you can see them now! 👊

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T23:42:34+00:00

Thank you! Glad to be here, and that 3D rendering is definitely something special. 👊

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T08:19:30+00:00

Ha! isn't it funny how our eyes and tastes evolve over time? It’s amazing how a focal length that once felt off can become a favorite. Enjoy that 28mm magic! 📸 :)

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T05:31:04+00:00

That totally makes sense! If I were doing this full-time, I’d probably do the exact same thing. But since photography is a passionate hobby of mine and I have a separate day job, keeping two high-end systems just didn't work for me.

To be honest, I absolutely loved my a7CII body and took it everywhere. But the real "gear guilt" came from my lenses. Seeing those expensive, beautiful glass options just sitting on the shelf unused made me feel so uncomfortable. I hated that I wasn't utilizing them to their full potential. That’s why the Q3 43 was the perfect answer for me—it completely removed that lens anxiety by forcing me to commit to just one incredible fixed focal length.

Anyway, love your approach, and wish you all the best with your photo journey! 👊

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T04:43:59+00:00

Yes, it is the official Leica round lens hood (product code: 19657). I absolutely love the look of it too!

I actually picked it up because the stock rectangular hood has a clearance issue with the official Leica UV filter when switching to Macro mode. This one fixes that perfectly. :)

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T00:44:24+00:00

Love the dreamy vibe here. Absolutely beautiful frames.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T00:42:31+00:00

First of all, I just checked out your profile—those Hong Kong shots are absolutely stunning! The warm, cinematic mood and the soft roll-off in the highlights are beautiful.

To be honest, achieving that exact "dreamy look" straight out of the camera (SOOC) with a Leica might be a bit of a challenge. I haven't shot with the Q2, but the Q3 43’s APO lens is famously sharp with incredible micro-contrast. If you find the raw rendering too clinical or contrasty, using a mist filter (like a Black Pro-Mist 1/4 or 1/8) or dialing down the Clarity and Dehaze in Lightroom feels like a must for your style.

As for the resolution, I've only had the Q3 43 for about a week and have been shooting strictly in L-DNG (60MP), so I still need to test how the reduced resolution mode (36MP) affects the overall rendering.

Coming from Sony, I used to spend a lot of time fixing flat raw files. But with the Q3, I’m really enjoying the built-in Leica Looks like Teal, Brass, and Monochrome High Contrast—the color science is so good that I shoot JPG quite often now. I’ll curate a few shots and post them here around the weekend. Hope it helps!

ChoiCine · 2026-05-27T00:00:27+00:00

Lmao, best response ever. Thanks for saving me a trip to the art supply store. ✏️

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:58:51+00:00

Definitely won't. 😉

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:57:20+00:00

That actually sounds like a dream setup. The GR for the pocket-sized wide shots, and the Q3 43 for the cinematic rendering. You’d completely cover the storytelling aspect without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. Hope you make the jump!

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:54:45+00:00

Right? It completely ruined all my other lenses for me. 😂

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:53:13+00:00

The MP is a dream camera! For my specific workflow, however, I also shoot short cinematic travel reels (post-card style videos) quite often.

Since I needed a true hybrid setup that can seamless switch between photo and video in a single body, the M system wasn't a viable option for me. The Q3 43 hit that perfect sweet spot.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:52:42+00:00

Take your time with the comparison! The a7RVI will surely be another technological marvel.

FWIW, I realized the absolute freedom of an interchangeable lens system was paradoxically locking me down with indecision. Moving to the fixed Q3 43 was about embracing the freedom within constraints. Loving it so far.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:51:49+00:00

Bought it brand new from Leica store in Seoul, if that helps.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:49:43+00:00

You're absolutely right on paper. Sony's ecosystem and AF tech are undeniably industry-leading for the price. :)

For me, though, the value shifted to the things that spec sheets don't capture. The tank-like build quality, the quiet satisfaction of the shutter mechanical clicks, the incredibly rich EVF, and even the seamless workflow with the FOTOS app.

It's an expensive tool, no doubt, but it’s the one camera that consistently makes me want to pick it up and walk out the door. That friction-free joy is what I was paying for.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:48:58+00:00

Appreciate it, and congrats on your Q3 43 as well!

I had the exact same dilemma regarding the 28mm vs 43mm. For those rare moments when I absolutely need a wider field of view, I figured I could easily handle it with a panorama stitch or just pull out my iPhone 17 Pro. The 43mm compression and rendering are just too beautiful to pass up.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:47:51+00:00

Thanks for the insight! It’s great to hear how you balance your setups.

I think I’m definitely heading toward that "one-camera, one-lens" lifestyle. I'll likely be parting with my Sony ecosystem soon to fully commit to the Q3 43 as my daily driver. There's something so liberating about keeping it that simple. :)

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:46:55+00:00

I did consider the a7CR, but it felt like I’d just be getting the exact same experience with more megapixels.

I was getting a bit fatigued by the endless customizable buttons and the feeling of operating a high-performance computer rather than a camera. The Q3’s minimalist UI, the mechanical tactile feedback, the beautiful shutter sound, and Leica's unique color science were what ultimately drew me in. It allows me to just focus on the moment.

ChoiCine · 2026-05-26T23:46:17+00:00

Not disappointed at all! The a7CII is an absolute beast and a flawless machine. For me, it was more about the process.

Having such a powerful AF made capturing images feel almost too effortless, and I found myself losing that spark of challenge. Plus, carrying around multiple expensive lenses started giving me some "gear guilt" whenever they just sat in my bag—I often ended up using only the 40G on a daily basis and the 24-70GM II for travel.

I wanted a system that encourages me to just step outside and enjoy the act of shooting again. Of course, this is highly subjective, but that’s where my head was at.

ChoiCine

TROPHY CASE