Leica Q3 Monochrom -digital camera

Leica Q3 Monochrom digital camera

The long-awaited Leica Q3 Monochrom black and white version is here! And like Leica, it's not a matter of body color, but rather only black and white images with this camera.

The Leica Q3 features a true black and white sensor - you won't get color images with this. Everything related to color wavelength filtering has been removed from the sensor and the microlenses have been redesigned. The result is a more efficient and sharper sensor.

The lowest sensitivity is ISO 200 and the highest is ISO 200000, and the performance in low light is about one f-stop better than the color version. Otherwise, the performance is the same as the 60-megapixel sensor in the M11 and Q3 base model, meaning it's modern technology and has a very wide dynamic range, as befits black and white photography, meaning you can capture the deepest shadows and the lightest highlights.

We also recommend that you try a red filter instead of a regular protective filter! When shooting on black and white film, a red filter gives a dramatic dark sky, i.e. a striking contrast between the sky and the clouds, and brightens skin tones. And because the Monochrom is a true black and white camera, the effect is exactly the same as with film materials.

With a green filter, you can make nature and leafy greens shine again. With a general-purpose yellow filter, you can make the sky stand out a little more and skin tones a little brighter. Aiming for gritty portraits? Choose a blue filter and your images will capture the full spectrum of life.

Like the regular Q3 camera, you can choose from three different resolutions to suit your needs.

• 60 megapixels: dynamic range 14 stops, best resolution
• 36 megapixels: dynamic range 15 stops, best combination of resolution and noise
• 18 megapixels: dynamic range 15 stops, lowest noise

This setting can be made separately for DNG raw images and JPG images.

Kameraliike.fi has not yet tried the camera, the autofocus is slightly different due to the sensor, it is contrast-based without phase-detection focus points, so the operation is slightly different from the basic versions. But the focus is also assisted by eye-detection and tracking technology.

In addition to autofocus, the camera has a nicely implemented manual focus , the closest and infinity focus are always in the same places, meaning the focus ring always works the same. The focus ring has a focus tab, meaning you can immediately know where the focus is by feeling it with your finger. For example, a photographer who has become familiar with the camera knows that the focus is at a certain point at two meters and with an aperture of f5.6, quick snapshots can be taken immediately. Focus adjustment can be done with one finger.

The lens is the same acclaimed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH as in all previous models (except the Leica Q3 43). So the image is beautiful and also makes the sensor shine.

The full-frame sensor combined with this optics and brightness gives the image character. The image quality is of course top-notch at full aperture, and thanks to the large sensor, depth of field is manageable even at such a wide focal length.

The processor and resolution are also used for the interesting Perspective Control function. The camera recognizes the horizontal lines of buildings. The JPG image is saved with straightened lines and the DNG raw image is saved to an image editing program for straightening afterwards. This is a nice and unique feature for those interested in photographing architecture.

Refined usability

The touchscreen is a tilting model, meaning that images from a top and bottom perspective can be taken effortlessly. The electronic viewfinder has a resolution of 5.76 million pixels. The refresh rate is 120Hz, meaning that there is no lag in the image and you can react quickly to events, meaning that the decisive moment will not be missed.

The Q3 now also includes a USB-C port. This allows you to charge the battery directly in the camera and transfer images directly to an iPhone or iPad, for example. This allows you to quickly transfer even large raw images for sharing.

Leica has made a very successful Leica FOTOS software for phones, which allows you to update and control the camera. This can also be done wirelessly via Wifi.

The appearance of this Q3 Monochrome has changed slightly, the red Leica logo is gone, meaning this is a very minimalist and dark camera.

Like the Leica M11-P, the camera has Leica Content Credentials technology built in. This is perhaps a much-needed feature in today's world of AI-based images! Basically, the camera encrypts information into the image file at the time of recording, and the image viewer and, for example, Adobe Photoshop can verify that the image has not been altered. At the same time, images can also be signed and authenticated.

Made in Germany

This paragraph could also be put first, because the decision to purchase a Q-series camera is often made on these grounds, i.e. the moment you pick up the camera. The Leica Q3 is memorable from the first touch.

The magnesium body feels sculpted from a single piece, sturdy and unyielding. The design is very minimalist. You may not even notice the groove for your thumb, but when you hold the camera in your hand, this small detail makes the grip feel solid.

The camera has only the necessary buttons. The aperture and exposure controls are located on the top of the camera and on the lens, clearly marked but easy to adjust without looking. You can focus all your attention on the subject through the clear OLED electronic viewfinder.

When you press the shutter button, you hear the soft sound of the shutter. At this moment, the ultra-modern sensor and Summilux lens have captured one moment. You already feel like taking another picture.

Above all, the Leica Q3 and especially the Monochrom are tools for those passionate about photography. This can be a professional's second camera when they want the most straightforward shooting experience possible, and on the other hand, it can also be the only camera when they want the images to be something unique and there is no need for color photos or they can be taken with a phone, for example. The operation is straightforward and smooth, and the image quality is incredibly fine. Just holding a Leica Q-series camera in your hand makes you think about a new shooting trip.

And yes, this also takes video.

Made in Germany

Specifications:

• Sensor: full-frame CMOS, 60.3 megapixels
• Completely black and white sensor without low-pass filter (no color images)
• Resolution 9520x6336 pixels, DNG raw image size approximately 70 megabytes
• Lens: 28mm f/1.7 Summilux ASPH
• Construction: 11 elements in 9 groups, 3 aspherical lenses
• Image stabilization in the lens
• Closest focusing distance 30cm (17cm in macro mode)
• IP52 Weatherproof
• Sensitivity: ISO 200-200000
• Leica Content Credential image authentication
• Contrast-based AF (Contrast DFD)
• Continuous shooting: 15 fps with mechanical shutter, 15fps with electronic shutter, for 63 raw images
• Video recording: 8K 30P with H.265 compression, 4k 60P, FullHD ProRes 422HQ
• Viewfinder: OLED, 5.67M dots (0.79x magnification)
• Flash: hot shoe
• Flash sync: 1/2000
• Filter thread: 49mm or E49
• Display: 3" foldable touchscreen
• SDXC UHS-II compatible memory card slot
• Microphone jack and headphone jack: No
• USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 + Micro HDMI
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE
  
• Size: 130 x 80 x 92.6mm
• Weight: 746g (with battery)

The sales package includes:

• Leica Q3 Monochrom Digital Camera
• Leica BP-SCL6 Battery (2200mAh) battery
• USB-C cable
• Lens Cap
• Lens Hood
• Hot Shoe Cover
• Carrying Strap