Leica Q2 Monochrome
Compared to Leica's long history, I was very late in discovering these cameras. Even compared to many digital Leica photographers, I was slow to the table. And if you only use the brain and strictly look at IQ, it can be difficult to justify a purchase of a Lecia camera today. And this applies to both older analog rangefinders and new digital systems or pocket cameras. It's on the EQ side that Leica's cameras capture you and then never let go. At least that was the case for me.
In 2015, I bought my first Leica, an M3. A film camera from the '50s. It was in excellent condition and had just been on total review and service. Along with a classic Summicron 50mm lens, not many rolls of film were needed before I was stuck. I will probably never be able to fully explain why. The pictures are not necessarily better. It's more about the feeling of taking them. The feeling is that you just want to take more and more photos. You do not want to do anything else. But of course, there is something in the pictures, a Leica feeling that may mainly come from the lenses both designed and built to be photographed with wide open.
Today I primarily shoot with my Lecia M6 TTL, but I have had several digital cameras from Leica over the years. In 2015, I bought my first digital Leica camera that could only take black and white pictures. A Leica M Type 246. I had read a lot about its predecessor, the Leica Monochrome, Leica's first digital black/white camera. It became an instant love affair already at the first picture and this became a camera that accompanied me everywhere. Although I have had other digital cameras from Leica that take fantastic pictures, cameras that have had autofocus, taken color pictures and been real workhorses, it is still this Type 246 that has created the most joy.
I remember one day in the fall of 2015 at a café next to the camera shop in the city where I live. Some photographers gathered for a coffee but I do not really remember why or if there was any other purpose than a friendly chat about cameras and pictures. However, I remember clearly that one of the guys just bought a new camera that he let us know about. A Leica pocket camera with a full-frame sensor and fixed lens of 28mm. Leica Q. This Leica Q Type 116 had a full-frame sensor of 24MP and a fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens. The pictures were stunning but it did not feel like a real Leica. The feeling was not quite the same as with my M camera. My friend was back then one of the lucky ones who got hold of a Leica Q early. This camera, a bit of an experiment from Wetzlar in Germany, was a formidable success. Leica sold more than 10 times as many cameras as they had hoped for. This led to long queues and waiting times. Everyone wanted a Q.
But I never jumped on the hype as I experienced it back then. I continued to shoot with my M-cameras, both analog and digital. When it came to my professional work, I used a Leica SL TYPE 601, a fantastic camera with autofocus, a fantastic sensor and a beautiful 24-90mm lens even if it lacked a bit of character for my personal taste. But for work a perfect tool.
But late the sinner should wake! Since then, I have sold my Leica M Type 246 Monochrome and I have not had a digital Leica for some years. There have been other cameras that have helped me create many amazing images. But now I have one in my hand again. This time it's a Q, a Leica Q2 Monochrome. And just like with my Leica M3, after a few images I was in love again. This time it's both about the feeling of taking the photographs and IQ. The result and simplicity are hard to beat. The performance of this camera with its 47MP sensor, insanely good at high ISO speeds, a fantastic lens that is second to none. Just set the camera to Auto-ISO, auto aperture and shutter speed. Let the autofocus work and take fabulous images. Or do as I do and control the camera manually to capture the scene exactly the way you want. Whatever you do, the result is magic in my opinion.
