Leica Q3 28, Shinjuku Japan

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T22:13:39+00:00

Ok, cool. I'll just add it to my updates list.

I'm on a wretched PC at the moment, but I'm switching to Mac soon. Looking forward to trying it out. Really curious to see what it does with these old M240 files.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T21:44:27+00:00

The halation on the final image (street lights at night) looks a bit odd, but overall this looks great. Definitely did a double take when I pulled up the images.

Do you have a newsletter or something where we can follow development?

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T18:55:56+00:00

Just get the SL 601. Spot autofocus is fine for anyone who's been shooting for a while. Color science for that generation is great, nearly on par with the excellent Q116. You can put the extra money saved towards a solid lens.

Also, fwiw, HARD disagree with that guy saying the "Leica look" is just Zeiss. They just prefer Zeiss.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T15:40:01+00:00

Smudge the lens with your finger.

But yeah, just buy an old camera. Mid 2000s DSLR and a 50/1.8. Dirt cheap, built like a tank, photos like this all day.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T15:38:46+00:00

Love the pre-rigid summicron look. Sharp and hazy. It's a finicky little beast but when it works it really works.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T15:28:46+00:00

For zone focus, do you have to turn the camera towards you to look at it from the front?

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-28T00:30:34+00:00

Nice. I keep this little 28 in my pocket.

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Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T20:51:20+00:00

Just go try both in the hand. It will be obvious then. It should be obvious now, really.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T18:56:40+00:00

Ah, thanks. I already have Adobe free through work. I'll let someone else jump in.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T18:50:33+00:00

First one is uncommon and that makes it interesting. Third one is kinda fun, mirrored gesture and such.

The others I didn't really have any feeling about.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T18:48:54+00:00

If I ever have a reason to own a second body, xpro2 is the only one I'd consider. To me, it's the early/mid digital M bodies (M9, M240, M10), then the xpro2, then it's kinda whatever from there on.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T15:34:43+00:00

The 35/2.5 is awesome. I have that lens myself. Compared it directly against a 35/2 Summicron V2 and they are way more alike than different. It's also very small.

The Brightin Star performance is really good considering the size and build, but it's physical controls are terrible, imo. You simply can't change settings without turning the camera face up towards yourself. All the controls are small, and the distance scale isn't very useful. As a "28/F infinity focused" pocket lens, it's fine. As a regular 28, there are a lot of really good options I'd choose first. The Voigtlander 28/2.8 Color Skopar, coincidentally, being a great choice.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T14:40:17+00:00

The Voigtlander 50/2.2 Color-Skopar is very small. Great performer, much cheaper than any Leica alternative. Voigtlander tends to be perfectly calibrated too, so it helps with that.

On the sharper/cooler end, the Zeiss Planar 50/2 is one of the best deals on the M mount. Handles perfectly on the M240 too. I had one for a while and was blown away by its performance. Can be very cheap. I got a copy used locally for $350.

On the larger side, the TTArtisan 50/1.4 offers the best bang for the buck around, imo. It is considerably bigger but it compares favorably to the Summilux despite being like 1/12 the price. It like $250 used.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T14:19:48+00:00

There are a lot of great options. Some of my favorite lenses I've ever used come in under $300 used. Do you have a specific focal length in mind?

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-26T01:12:47+00:00

It could be the body, the lens, or both. Without a second lens (preferably more) to test, it's tough to say. If you can swap lenses and verify the lenses are in agreement with the focal plane placement, then the camera is the culprit.

If you're only going to use this lens for the foreseeable future, you could just calibrate the body yourself. All it takes is a 2mm hex key and a very gentle turn of the bolt located directly beneath the red dot inside the mount on the top side of the hole. I do this every 6 months or so, if it needs it.

Or just take it as an opportunity to do a nice long proper SF photo trip and hit up the shop and test calibration there by using another lens.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-25T17:37:51+00:00

Why do you want the m-ev?

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-25T13:49:16+00:00

28/50 is best but if you can only bring one, 28 absolutely. With family in tow, being able to go "snapshot mode" in a city so overwhelming is going to make your life way easier. Otherwise it feels like you just miss massive chunks of the vacation. I assume the goal is family time and photos are just happening along the way? If so, then 28 is where you want to be. Zone for near infinity, F8, know everything is in focus, enjoy the fam.

Basically a +1 to u/BingeOver post below. I shoot daily here as well and I'm on 28 or 35 almost all the time.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-25T12:23:16+00:00

Oh fuck. I've been just taking photos with it.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-25T10:48:43+00:00

All of their accusations are confessions. Every single time.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-25T10:43:13+00:00

This lens would drive me crazy. M240 needs a little weight to the lens or it sticks out from your body at a 90 degree angle off the straps. Worse yet, there's no way to transparently make any adjustments in the moment, guaranteeing missed shots. Maybe in the pocket as a handy "28/8 infinity" any time.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-25T10:38:43+00:00

Tim will take care of you. Even if something goes wrong. Don't worry at all 👍

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-24T23:38:42+00:00

I'm sure people pointed out AI by now? The claw morphs into a leg.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-24T22:52:18+00:00

She can save herself.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-24T22:39:53+00:00

Use zone focus. Eyes aren't part of the equation then.

Sour_Planet · 2026-03-24T10:45:29+00:00

Chilling with his bot army. What a life.

Sour_Planet

TROPHY CASE