Life with The Leica Q3 43
Leica Q3 43: My Two-Month Review
The Leica Q3 43 is a camera I never expected to see become a reality. When rumors surfaced earlier this year about Leica introducing a Q3 with a 43mm focal length, I was skeptical. Yet, two months after adding it to my photography kit, it has exceeded my expectations in every way. As someone who often alternates between 35mm and 50mm focal lengths, I’ve found the 43mm to be the perfect middle ground—ideal for those moments of indecision. I was especially intrigued by its connection to Leica’s history, with a focal length reminiscent of their first lens, the Leitz Milar 42mm ƒ/4.5. After two months of shooting, this camera has proven to be an invaluable addition to my gear. I’m excited to share my experiences and the images I’ve created with it.
The Appeal of 43mm: A New Perspective
Although I typically gravitate toward the 35mm lens for most of my shooting, the Leica Q3’s fixed 43mm APO Summicron lens has pushed me to approach composition with greater intentionality, almost as if I were using a 50mm lens. While the 35mm remains a go-to for street and documentary photography, the 43mm offers an ideal middle ground between wide and telephoto perspectives. It’s versatile enough for everything from portraits to environmental shots, delivering an intimate feel without sacrificing context—a quality I’ve grown to truly value. That’s why I believe the 43mm lens is a fantastic addition to the Leica Q series. With the 28mm lens, you can capture the entirety of a scene to provide context. Now, with the 43mm, you have the ability to focus on specific details within that scene with exceptional sharpness and clarity.
The Perfect Everyday Camera
The Leica Q3 43 has effortlessly become my everyday camera, especially for capturing family moments. Its compact size makes it easy to carry everywhere, and the ability to use autofocus and shoot one-handed has been a game-changer for catching fleeting moments with my kids—something that was far more challenging with the zone-focusing approach of my Leica M11 Monochrom. I never realized how valuable one-handed shooting could be until I had kids. Whether it’s candid shots of friends at my school's homecoming (NCAT) or quick snaps during family outings, the Q3’s 43mm lens has proven to be both dependable and unobtrusive. Plus, since I primarily shoot in black and white, my wife is thrilled that I’m back to capturing color photos again, and I’ve already used the Q3 43 for a few of our family holiday card shoots.
Beyond family photography, its lightweight design and ergonomic build make it a pleasure to carry on long days. I’ve taken trips with just the Q3 43 and felt no anxiety about leaving behind my M11 Monochrom and lenses. The balance of convenience and capability ensures I always have it with me, which is often the key to capturing those spontaneous, magical moments. Also, being able to adjust the aspect ratio is a feature I didn’t realize I missed after shooting with a digital M for so long, but it’s been refreshing to have that flexibility again.
A Perfect Pairing: The Q3 43 and M11 Monochrom
I primarily shoot with the M11 Monochrom, but the Q3 43 has proven to be the perfect complement to my black-and-white-only setup. While the M11 Monochrom allows me to focus on the purity of tone and texture, the Q3 43 excels at capturing vibrant, true-to-life colors. Having both cameras gives me the freedom to effortlessly switch between creative visions. When heading out, I can take my 35mm Summilux Steel Rim Reissue or Thypoch 28mm Simera lens and leave my Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar at home, knowing the Q3 43 can cover that focal range beautifully. The macro feature has also been a game-changer, allowing me to capture close-up portraits and intricate details—something my M11 Monochrom struggles with due to the minimum focusing distances of my lenses.
The built-in crop feature was an unexpected delight. Paired with the 60MP sensor and APO lens, it delivers remarkable results. I’ve used it to shoot from the crowd during my daughter’s gymnastics practices and dance recitals, cropping in for detailed shots with ease. On a recent trip to the zoo, I experimented with the crop modes and was genuinely impressed—it felt like using a point-and-shoot camera with a zoom lens. Lightroom’s Denoise feature has been invaluable for refining cropped low-light images, restoring impressive image quality as long as you’re cautious not to overdo it (as I learned with the second-to-last shot in the set below).
This versatility has made the Q3 43 not just a counterpart, but an indispensable part of my photography kit.
The color depth of the Q3 43’s files is exceptional, and I’ve been thoroughly impressed by how well the camera performs in challenging lighting conditions. The raw files are stunning straight out of the camera and require minimal editing. In fact, all the color photos on this page are unedited raw files. When shooting in color, Leica Chrome is my go-to for achieving that signature Leica aesthetic.
The low-light, high-ISO performance is nearly on par with the M11, making it incredibly versatile. Whether I’m capturing golden hour’s warm glow or navigating the harsh contrasts of midday sun, the Q3 43’s dynamic range and image quality consistently deliver results that uphold Leica’s storied reputation.
Autofocus: A Nice-to-Have
After years of mastering manual focus with my M-system cameras, I’ve come to appreciate that there are times when autofocus is indispensable. While the Q3 43’s autofocus isn’t as fast or precise as what you’d find in Sony or Nikon systems, it’s a noticeable improvement over earlier Q and SL models and gets the job done when needed. Leica cameras are about the shooting experience, not cutting-edge tech, so the autofocus performance isn’t something I nitpick. It works well in moments when I can’t use both hands to focus manually, making it a welcome addition—especially now that I have a toddler and an infant at home.
Final Thoughts: Optimizing My Camera Bag
I don’t form sentimental attachments to gear, nor do I collect cameras or lenses. My approach is purely practical: I buy equipment based on my needs, and I avoid keeping anything that doesn’t get regular use. My goal is to maintain a streamlined, efficient kit that remains compact without compromising image quality.
Currently, my kit includes the M11 Monochrom, 35mm Summilux Steel Rim, Thypoch 28mm, and Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar. Over the years, I’ve owned a variety of M lenses and bodies—stories for another post—but my M11 Monochrom is my go-to for achieving the best black-and-white images possible without shooting film. However, I also needed a compact, full-frame color camera with autofocus for those moments when color is essential or for professional work.
I briefly considered returning to the Fujifilm X100 series, but it’s not full-frame and nearly impossible to find. The Q3 initially seemed too wide for my taste as an everyday fixed-lens camera, but the 43mm focal length changed everything. After two months of use, it’s clear the Leica Q3 43 was the perfect choice. Paired with my M11 Monochrom, it creates a well-rounded kit that balances my creative aspirations with practical requirements.
If you’re considering the Leica Q3 43, I can confidently recommend it.
