ALAN HUMPHRIES - MY LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEICA ‘Q”
21st February 2025
In: News, Members' Articles
MY LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE LEICA ‘Q”
Alan DW Humphries.
Having disposed of all my Leica film equipment which included the R and the M systems, I was Leica-less for some years. Instead I invested in the Panasonic Lumix system, which as the readers know has lens collaborations with Leica.
Move forward to 2015 when Leica broke the mold and launched the original “Q”, much to their surprise it became a runaway success and it is now in its third re-iteration.
My first impression when handling one at the NEC Photographic show was that it felt like the proverbial brick and, despite the hype in the photographic press, it was not for me. My preference was the Fuji X100 which gave me 35mm, my favourite focal length. The handling of that camera suits me very well, unfortunately there are no additional digital frames. In spite of my reservations about the “Q”, there was a little tick in the back of my head that said maybe, just maybe. It wasn’t until a few months after the launch of the Q2 and having received an inheritance that I took the plunge and in-vested in a used “Q”.
My initial experience was one of ‘this camera might grow on me’, However, this was marred by a focusing issue, which was not helped by delays in repairing due to the Covid lockdown, it was with Leica for some weeks. Unfortunately the problem reocurred twice more before the it was finally corrected. By now my confidence in the camera had received a severe blow, with the result that, apart from outings at Fellowship weekends, it languished on a shelf gathering dust.
Recently I embarked on a trip to Harlingen in the Netherlands, the inevitable question was “Which camera shall I take?” After a lot of heart searching I decided to go for broke; choosing the Leica Q and the little Lumix TZ8 for back up and additional focal lengths if required. The rationale was to immerse myself in the “Q” hopefully building a happier relationship.
The result, after a few initial hiccups (I needed to re-familiarise myself with the workings of the camera) things started to move ahead. For ninety percent of the time I used the auto setting, allowing me to concentrate on the composition, often employing the the 35mm and 50mm frames. After almost two weeks continuous use, the “Q” and I became friends, in fact it was used to capture, well over ninety five percent of the images taken.
The future? Since coming home I have fitted the Q with a wrist strap which certainly helps the handling. A Q2/3? The additional frame options might be useful, we will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, the most important task is for the Q and I to continue to build our relationship.
© Alan D. W. Humphries. 2025
Zuiderhaven, Harlingen
Willemshaven, Harlingen
Old Timer
Eleven Cities - Cycle Tour
Canal Junction, Harlingen
Charter Ships
WITH THE LEICA ‘Q”
Alan DW Humphries.
Having disposed of all my Leica film equipment which included the R and the M systems, I was Leica-less for some years. Instead I invested in the Panasonic Lumix system, which as the readers know has lens collaborations with Leica.
Move forward to 2015 when Leica broke the mold and launched the original “Q”, much to their surprise it became a runaway success and it is now in its third re-iteration.
My first impression when handling one at the NEC Photographic show was that it felt like the proverbial brick and, despite the hype in the photographic press, it was not for me. My preference was the Fuji X100 which gave me 35mm, my favourite focal length. The handling of that camera suits me very well, unfortunately there are no additional digital frames. In spite of my reservations about the “Q”, there was a little tick in the back of my head that said maybe, just maybe. It wasn’t until a few months after the launch of the Q2 and having received an inheritance that I took the plunge and in-vested in a used “Q”.
My initial experience was one of ‘this camera might grow on me’, However, this was marred by a focusing issue, which was not helped by delays in repairing due to the Covid lockdown, it was with Leica for some weeks. Unfortunately the problem reocurred twice more before the it was finally corrected. By now my confidence in the camera had received a severe blow, with the result that, apart from outings at Fellowship weekends, it languished on a shelf gathering dust.
Recently I embarked on a trip to Harlingen in the Netherlands, the inevitable question was “Which camera shall I take?” After a lot of heart searching I decided to go for broke; choosing the Leica Q and the little Lumix TZ8 for back up and additional focal lengths if required. The rationale was to immerse myself in the “Q” hopefully building a happier relationship.
The result, after a few initial hiccups (I needed to re-familiarise myself with the workings of the camera) things started to move ahead. For ninety percent of the time I used the auto setting, allowing me to concentrate on the composition, often employing the the 35mm and 50mm frames. After almost two weeks continuous use, the “Q” and I became friends, in fact it was used to capture, well over ninety five percent of the images taken.
The future? Since coming home I have fitted the Q with a wrist strap which certainly helps the handling. A Q2/3? The additional frame options might be useful, we will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, the most important task is for the Q and I to continue to build our relationship.
© Alan D. W. Humphries. 2025
Zuiderhaven, Harlingen
Willemshaven, Harlingen
Old Timer
Eleven Cities - Cycle Tour
Canal Junction, Harlingen
Charter Ships
Comments
By Cled Lewis: Another great article Alan, together with lovely photos to support the story.
My favourite shot is “Old Timer” but Harlingen has a lot to offer.
We have not been to the Netherlands but that is our loss.
Cled By Ken Davis: You made good use of the Q Alan, despite uncertainties as to its reliability. Harlingen looks fascinating. By David Askham: Alan, I am pleased that you have persevered with your problematical Leica Q. It is an excellent camera with great potential. Making pictures with a 28 mm lens can be challenging. If you have a smartphone, its basic camera is approximately 28 mm and is very useful for experimental work when travelling without a camera. I have only recently started to use it in this way. Try it locally, then repeat the exercise later with your Q. Many landscape photographers use a mobile device for trial or reference shots for later, when weather or seasonal changes are more suitable. Well done! By Ken Davis: Following David's comment, I am finding that 28mm is becoming my 'standard lens' and this is before cameras in phones used it as the base. I don't get on with 35mm, we are all different! By Keith Walker: Good to read you are bonding, as I know it's been a rocky road. You need good camera technique with a 28mm on 'full-frame',IMHO, which you clearly have, with no converging vertical in sight! By Alan Humphries: Thank you everyone for your very kind comments which are much appreciated.
Best wishes