Around Town. Why I love the Leica Q2 but won’t be keeping it.

It’s not easy dealing with hot weather if you’re British and a former ginger. I have to take my opportunities when I can and this morning was one of those times. I wanted to test out my Leica Q2 to see what it’s all about. If you’re a camera buff, you know the Leica brand carries an almost legendary status. Famed for its build quality, its technical innovations, its legacy. The greats of photography often used Leica cameras. These were small rangefinder 35mm film cameras with optically spectacular lenses. Technology moved to digital and Leica slowly, almost reluctantly joined the party. Canon and Nikon stole a march and most professionals moved to digital DSLRs leaving Leica slightly behind. They have spent the last 25 years finding their niche in a saturated market.

I first owned a Leica X1 almost 7 years ago. I was lured by the name and the design. The camera was good for a 12mp APSC camera but its flaws soon were too apparent and I sold it. I briefly tried a Leica SL digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The images were beautiful but it was behind its competitors and I sold it. There was a gap of 3 years before I recently returned to Leica. This time with the Q cameras. Fixed 28mm lens compact full frame cameras. I own a Q2 47mp version. I haven’t really tested it till this morning.

Like the brave soldier I am, I went out in the sun and took a wander round Hebden Bridge. The camera doesn’t give much away other than the iconic red dot on the front. It has limited function buttons, is very unfussy. The rear lcd is clear but the images don’t look much after you’ve taken the shot.

It’s only when you go to edit the raw files you realise how much you have to work with. They really are a joy to edit and the amount you can crop is crazy. It makes you realise that you can have a 28mm f/1.7 lens and still crop to the equivalent of 70mm without any degradation or image quality. The camera itself has a digital zoom feature which offers frame lines for 35,50 and 75mm but the raw will be a 28mm focal length.

Much as this is a superb premium fixed lens camera, I had my doubts. Was it too much, too restrictive. Wouldn’t I be better off investing in another Nikon Z body to go with my ZF. Then I looked at the images and I’m hooked. I have much to learn using it and need to try to get my best out of the camera. It’s pretty forgiving and doesn’t over complicate things. The fixed 28mm Summilux lens is certainly the best lens I’ve ever owned. Much as my old Nikon D700 and the Nikon ZF, it enables you to enjoy taking photos which is a big part of why we photographers do it. I reckon Leica has sussed this digital camera game. They make high quality gear that helps you take better photos. Yes you can produce better or as good as images on every other brand but there is something about a Leica image. Pixie dust, magical sparkles, wizardry? Maybe it’s me justifying the gear but trust me, you need to try a good Leica and tell me it isn’t a bit special!

Yes it’s the best lens I’ve ever used, yes it’s a thing of beauty and yes it performs flawlessly, but…. I don’t feel comfortable walking around with such a premium product. Please tell I’m not alone in this as I don’t want to think I’m just an excessively neurotic photographer who doesn’t feel worthy or safe with high end kit.

I looked at the raw images from a camera I owned 2 years ago (Nikon Z7 ii) and realised they are great. As great as the Leica? Maybe, nearly, pretty close. Therefore, I won’t be keeping the Q2. It’s an indulgence I can’t justify. I’ll almost certainly regret this decision but my Nikon ZF is a stellar travel camera and the images are great from it. I definitely have buyers regret but only for the fact I can’t comfortably carry it around without a little trepidation.