It's very nice to finally listen to a diliberate and well reasoned personal point of view. It is quite welcome in the endless prattling of numbers, charts and fanboy nonsense. You hit the point precisely in bringing to light that good photography is all about emotion and having a proper tool (Leica or not -to each their own) to capture that emotion to make a statement that moves people. I'm with you in your way of thinking. I have been a photographer since the 60's and have shot lots of different gear. Through most of it all has left me, but I still have my first 2 cameras, a Pentax K1000 and a Rollei TLR passed on to me by my father. 3 months ago I picked up a used Q2 and it just made me feel right while using it and the output was stunning. In a world of endless nested menus and instruction books that are 100+ pages just to understand the tool you own to use it effectively, I found the Leica's less is more approach refreshing. I like that it pays homage to the roots of photography and find it to be an oasis in this overly complicated tech centric world of digital imaging. It is so wonderful that they did all the hard lifting to make operation so simple and intuitive. To me it is just a great traditional camera shot mostly in manual with unlimited digital film in every flavor. In fact I was so overwhelmed by its quality and ergonomics I ordered a NEW Q2 Monochrom which I will get tomorrow. They aren't perfect or for everyone, but for me, i could not want for anything else. As a bonus everything I do with it is now better. Not because IT is the best, but because IT makes me my best... Thank you and keep spreading the word.
Yeah Isn't it! I think it's an amazing camera and we use it quite often and the quality of the black and white images is such a good one compared to a color sensor and converted images
Thank you for this, I am a professional photographer solely working on commercial projects. I have, over time, started questioning my creative process. While it is good that a client knows what to expect from my studio, I find that there is little space to maneuver out of their expectations or 'lets try something different'. Over the past year I have slowly moved away from complicated studio lighting, the challenge of one light or reflected light has paid dividends creatively and financially. A change is needed and it will definitely cost time and probably money. As for the Q2 monochrome... probably.
The creative thoughts the come from the pared back camera, single focal length, the manual control (ISO, shutter, aperture) and ‘seeing’ tones in B&W is how I learned photography many years ago. And recently tried to teach my teenage son to understand the relationship of these things in creativity by putting B&W film in an old all manual Pentax MX with 43mm lens and a light meter to read the light. Ambient and reflective. Then you understand the light and start to look at tone, shadow and highlights. But of course it takes more work and time to process the negatives and put them on a light box to look at with a loupe
Ciao Christoph, inspiring thoughts going on here. I can tell you: the Q2Mono is the most beautiful non M Leica. From an aesthetic standpoint, Leica-Designers surely want the regular lineup to look like the Q2Mono. But they reserve the pinnacle of Leica-Design for the niche-products. In some way I like that approach, in another I just desperately want the looks of the Q2Mono for the regular color-sensored model.
Interesting review - would be good to see some images from the Monochrom in a future video. I was VERY close to purchasing the Leica Q2 Monochrom, but in the end, I went for the standard (colour) along with the Leica Grip and Finger Loop and a third-party Thumb Rest. I also purchased a Canon A3+ printer, so altogether a similar total price, as the Q2 Monochrom is €500/dollars more expensive than the standard version - I’m still not sure if I’ve made the right decision, but either model would be a great purchase, based on my initial view of the quality/engineering/ergonomics of my first ever Leica. I have the viewfinder set to Monochrome, so I “see and think” in Black and White, with the advantage of a RAW file, as well as JPeg, for Post Processing. Thanks for the video and looking forward to seeing more - Peter.
It was refreshing to hear your perspective on black & white photography. Your thoughts have more depth & organized compare to ther reviewrs. I think my limiting yourself to b&w photography you also gain something else in return & really focus on what the tool was meant to be used. I am sure I’ll get Q2 Mono when price level out more.
Thank you. This camera I rented and will buy. I needed the simplicity and large camera file for blk/wht. But, more important, the minute I picked up camera the weight and feel worked for me. The quality of my images looked and felt like the old photos I have so admired. All I could think about was , WOW, I'm the new Carter Bresson. Perfect review. Also, will pick up the Magnum Book.
Thanks for the tip on the Magnum book. Hadn't seen it. Love Contact sheets!!! Always have, always will. Not sure about the Q2 Monochrom... I think it is infused with design brilliance. I'm just not sure digital B&W will ever have the character of my M3, or my Pentax 67ii.
To understand B/W photography, one has to start shooting back in the 60s when film and manual cameras set the pace in photography. Many of us, even developed our own B/W images and through the process enhances the creativity of the blacks (by dodging and burning techniques), today with the digital factor of color enhancements and automation through post digital programs, photography has become like motion pictures using computer green screen techniques. Hardcore photography like the book you displayed with Henri Bresson photos were shot with manual cameras and as such were never perfect, as long as you got the image you were looking for. Through fundamental B/W film processing and printing, you will learn automatically what the world looks like in B/W. Today, its too easy with digital equipment. The Leica Q2 monochrome is a must have if your a photography shooter from the 60s, like me. As a retired person, ill pick up a Q2Monochrome instead of the standard retirement car, the Porsche, and enjoy the world of images in B/W....Like you said, once you picked up the Q2 monochrome, the camera itself had a unique feel (well all Leica's have that certain feel that makes you want to have a Leica, besides the unique Leica images). Good review, lets see some images...
Come on, so this camera is only for 60 year old men or women... The fact is you can learn to shoot B&W today quicker and better than ever, so this camera is for everyone and anyone who loves B&W images. Ive just bought one, you can look at my work if you want and decide for yourself whether I understand B&W photography.
The Q2 is a beautiful camera, but it costs 5000 euros! I think the best way to take bw pics is to use a film camera with a bw roll. It really changed my way to take pics (expecially a 100% analog camera) you have to think because you can't take 2000 pictures, so you have to think about everythinhg. And you can do it with few euros.
Its not the camera is it. Its people dressing up in old clothes. Whenever I take pictures from my town, Bergen in Norway (lots of old backyards and houses of wood from 1700s), I make sure to have no people in the background as they ruin the old look I want in my photos.
Great video. Authentic, talking from the heart. It’s not the camera it’s the tool that helps you get there. The Q2 is the one for you.
Excellent video, lots of common sense, transmits a great feel for what photography is all about. Didn’t see this video before; wish I had. Thank you!
It's very nice to finally listen to a diliberate and well reasoned personal point of view. It is quite welcome in the endless prattling of numbers, charts and fanboy nonsense. You hit the point precisely in bringing to light that good photography is all about emotion and having a proper tool (Leica or not -to each their own) to capture that emotion to make a statement that moves people. I'm with you in your way of thinking. I have been a photographer since the 60's and have shot lots of different gear. Through most of it all has left me, but I still have my first 2 cameras, a Pentax K1000 and a Rollei TLR passed on to me by my father. 3 months ago I picked up a used Q2 and it just made me feel right while using it and the output was stunning. In a world of endless nested menus and instruction books that are 100+ pages just to understand the tool you own to use it effectively, I found the Leica's less is more approach refreshing. I like that it pays homage to the roots of photography and find it to be an oasis in this overly complicated tech centric world of digital imaging. It is so wonderful that they did all the hard lifting to make operation so simple and intuitive. To me it is just a great traditional camera shot mostly in manual with unlimited digital film in every flavor. In fact I was so overwhelmed by its quality and ergonomics I ordered a NEW Q2 Monochrom which I will get tomorrow. They aren't perfect or for everyone, but for me, i could not want for anything else. As a bonus everything I do with it is now better. Not because IT is the best, but because IT makes me my best... Thank you and keep spreading the word.
Finally able to get my hands on a Q2M: this is just a blast ;-)
Yeah Isn't it! I think it's an amazing camera and we use it quite often and the quality of the black and white images is such a good one compared to a color sensor and converted images
Thank you for this, I am a professional photographer solely working on commercial projects. I have, over time, started questioning my creative process. While it is good that a client knows what to expect from my studio, I find that there is little space to maneuver out of their expectations or 'lets try something different'. Over the past year I have slowly moved away from complicated studio lighting, the challenge of one light or reflected light has paid dividends creatively and financially.
A change is needed and it will definitely cost time and probably money. As for the Q2 monochrome... probably.
I loved this review because it was more about how the Q2M inspired creativity and enhanced his physical and emotional connection to the camera.
The creative thoughts the come from the pared back camera, single focal length, the manual control (ISO, shutter, aperture) and ‘seeing’ tones in B&W is how I learned photography many years ago. And recently tried to teach my teenage son to understand the relationship of these things in creativity by putting B&W film in an old all manual Pentax MX with 43mm lens and a light meter to read the light. Ambient and reflective. Then you understand the light and start to look at tone, shadow and highlights. But of course it takes more work and time to process the negatives and put them on a light box to look at with a loupe
Ciao Christoph,
inspiring thoughts going on here. I can tell you: the Q2Mono is the most beautiful non M Leica. From an aesthetic standpoint, Leica-Designers surely want the regular lineup to look like the Q2Mono. But they reserve the pinnacle of Leica-Design for the niche-products. In some way I like that approach, in another I just desperately want the looks of the Q2Mono for the regular color-sensored model.
Interesting review - would be good to see some images from the Monochrom in a future video. I was VERY close to purchasing the Leica Q2 Monochrom, but in the end, I went for the standard (colour) along with the Leica Grip and Finger Loop and a third-party Thumb Rest. I also purchased a Canon A3+ printer, so altogether a similar total price, as the Q2 Monochrom is €500/dollars more expensive than the standard version - I’m still not sure if I’ve made the right decision, but either model would be a great purchase, based on my initial view of the quality/engineering/ergonomics of my first ever Leica. I have the viewfinder set to Monochrome, so I “see and think” in Black and White, with the advantage of a RAW file, as well as JPeg, for Post Processing. Thanks for the video and looking forward to seeing more - Peter.
It was refreshing to hear your perspective on black & white photography. Your thoughts have more depth & organized compare to ther reviewrs. I think my limiting yourself to b&w photography you also gain something else in return & really focus on what the tool was meant to be used. I am sure I’ll get Q2 Mono when price level out more.
Thank you. This camera I rented and will buy. I needed the simplicity and large camera file for blk/wht. But, more important, the minute I picked up camera the weight and feel worked for me. The quality of my images looked and felt like the old photos I have so admired. All I could think about was , WOW, I'm the new Carter Bresson. Perfect review. Also, will pick up the Magnum Book.
So happy for you! Make sure to share your thought here, Steven!
This is a great video about taking photos and not the technical crap. Really liked it. Time to buy a couple of books : )
Thanks for the tip on the Magnum book. Hadn't seen it. Love Contact sheets!!! Always have, always will. Not sure about the Q2 Monochrom... I think it is infused with design brilliance. I'm just not sure digital B&W will ever have the character of my M3, or my Pentax 67ii.
Great video 👍
To understand B/W photography, one has to start shooting back in the 60s when film and manual cameras set the pace in photography. Many of us, even developed our own B/W images and through the process enhances the creativity of the blacks (by dodging and burning techniques), today with the digital factor of color enhancements and automation through post digital programs, photography has become like motion pictures using computer green screen techniques. Hardcore photography like the book you displayed with Henri Bresson photos were shot with manual cameras and as such were never perfect, as long as you got the image you were looking for. Through fundamental B/W film processing and printing, you will learn automatically what the world looks like in B/W. Today, its too easy with digital equipment. The Leica Q2 monochrome is a must have if your a photography shooter from the 60s, like me. As a retired person, ill pick up a Q2Monochrome instead of the standard retirement car, the Porsche, and enjoy the world of images in B/W....Like you said, once you picked up the Q2 monochrome, the camera itself had a unique feel (well all Leica's have that certain feel that makes you want to have a Leica, besides the unique Leica images). Good review, lets see some images...
Come on, so this camera is only for 60 year old men or women... The fact is you can learn to shoot B&W today quicker and better than ever, so this camera is for everyone and anyone who loves B&W images. Ive just bought one, you can look at my work if you want and decide for yourself whether I understand B&W photography.
Cant wait to began my photography career in Atlanta
The Q2 is a beautiful camera, but it costs 5000 euros! I think the best way to take bw pics is to use a film camera with a bw roll. It really changed my way to take pics (expecially a 100% analog camera) you have to think because you can't take 2000 pictures, so you have to think about everythinhg. And you can do it with few euros.
Totally agree! You don't need an expensive camera to take good pictures!
Ich freue mich auf unsere Tour.
Its not the camera is it. Its people dressing up in old clothes. Whenever I take pictures from my town, Bergen in Norway (lots of old backyards and houses of wood from 1700s), I make sure to have no people in the background as they ruin the old look I want in my photos.
5 min in ...and this guy is still asking but why black and white ...come to the point
Slow slow start.