Amazing video! I’ll be opting for the Q2 but wasn’t curious about the Q2M. You’ve done a great job of conveying the best parts of this camera. All good points and great to watch!

Fully agree. I bought my Q2M reporter 3 months ago and even my regular Q2 gets seldom used these days. The monochrom with yellow, orange and red filters delivers such stunning images, it blows my mind. My M10 R gets still used, though the Q2M gets always picked up first. I just might get the M10 monochrom in the future or wait for the M11 monochrom. Greetings from Germany

I've had my eye on the Q2M for some time and you really put me over the fence! Great insight. Thanks!

I agree with you in everything you mention in this video. I sold my Q after using both that and the Q2M. A year later, I have no doubts, the Leica Q2 Monochrom is the best camera I've ever used! The files are amazing.

I bought the Q2M a few months ago. I thought I would never let go of my M Monochrom (M9) but I finally did. The files from the Q2M have a very organic feel, something I loved with my M Monochrom, and never thought would be possible with a CMOS sensor, but Leica has exceeded my expectations. I suspect I won’t be going back to being a Leica M photographer. This camera is the new M for me.

Came across this on the Q2M Facebook group. Always good to find fellow S=Q2M enthusiasts, especially ones from Canada 🙂

Excellent points across the board. When I understood how much more of the sensor was working towards capturing unique data, and not being split into multitasking that process, like with a colour sensor, I finally got it, as to why the monochrome variants exist and are so revered. The day I buy a Leica it will likely be a Q3 or a used Q2, once the Q3 drops; however, the Q2M would likely then jump to the top of my list.

Bought my Q2M a year ago and never looked back. I agree with everything you said. Definitely changed how I see the world. I have, however started to get a bit of fomo about lack of color. But then I take another great shot and all those thoughts fade away. Thanks for the video.

You make great honest videos, thanks :)

thx for your video, saving up for a leica Q. but torn between the Q2 and the Q monochrom, so your video has been extremely helpful. zen billings canada

I used to shoot BW most of the time as well until I got Leica Monochrom after a year I realised that I cannot live without color and my most recent work is focused on the color itsels. My point is changing your mind is Ok. Great video! Thanks for sharing you thoughts.

I love my Q2M. Although not perfect it is one of my all time favourites for the same reasons you love yours. I saw you post the for sale and I would have jumped on the deal you had. I noticed you are living in Moose Jaw. I loved living in Moose Jaw. Had I known you needed a charger. I would have lent you mine. Wonderful video and keep creating images. Chers!

After watching your video about Leica q2. I am very much happy now because I went with Leica q2 instead of Leica q2 monochrome. Thanks

I have goosebumbs looking at this images

I just love My Q2M and yes I really had to think if I should take the Q2 or the Q2M because of the lack of colour. I am so happy that I took the chance. Battery life is fine by me, if I am longer out I take a second battery with me. For the rest I fully agree. Thing is, once you shoot with it and you see the IQ, every argument about getting a Fuji X100 or so instantly disappears :D

Hello, went to the Leica store in Paris last month and let me borrow the Q2M for a few days to make up my decision. I ended up purchasing the Q2 Reporter. I love monochrome but still need color. The guy at the Leica store basically told me that if you shoot more than 80% in monochrome than it's a no brainer, otherwise you might miss color. I think his advices made sense. But I agree the monochrome is insanely sharp, details are incredible... Get well

Nice, im a colour shooter myself with digital, but more BW with film, until now i still haven’t thought of losing colour but love to see your video, GWS frank!

I just got my standard Q2 and i absolutely love it. I wish the images were cleaner at 6400 ISO, but anything below that is absolutely stunning!

Normal q2 user here, Frank summed it up really well in this video. Probably one of the most accurate user reviews on KZfaq I've seen. I personally havn't had much issues with the battery performance, but not having usb-c charging can be a frustration for sure. I will say I do envy the low light performance of the q2m. The q2's image quality falls off at and after iso 1600. Other than that, I'm loving this camera.

Frank, thank you for your photography (and YT channel of course) I shoot with the Q2M, and for all, and more, the reasons you highlight, I agree the Monochrom-only makes it a superbly excellent camera...but...for a fundamental reason not mentioned is the mindset, the “how you see” point-of -view, of the photographer. I found with the Q2 Monochrom I “saw” my world in shapes of light, patterns and textures. You don’t see this way with a “regular” camera. Now that I’m a Monochrom kind a guy-I’ll (most likely) never go back. Monochom eliminates the prejudice of color.

Thanks for your open and honest thoughts about the Q2M. I got the Q2 and I'm not offended, and if anyone does get upset at you expressing your opinion about cameras has bigger problems than it is worth discussing. I needed the versatility of a carry around camera for all things and that's why I chose the Q2. The BW is passable and I'm considering a used Q2M down the road when the Q3 comes out and the prices might drop. Just too much for a third camera as I have an M as well. Great job and sorry you had to fight off covid there for awhile.

Nice review Frank! I’m a Q2 shooter but would love to get monochrome camera. Been drooling over the M10M.

Thanks for this video, the photos look great! Yeah, the joy of this camera is really that it gives you night vision! I’ve had pretty good luck with the battery life, I carry my Q2M every day, and only charge it about once a week or so, but I really only shoot perhaps 200-300 shots a week. Do you use color filters? I didn’t think I’d use them much, but I tried a 25A red filter, and now it’s on my lens 95% of the time, just really pops the contrast for street and portraits. The one thing I never see people mention is what a fantastic value the Q2M is if one is in the market for a pure monochrome digital camera.

I actually got the Q2M as a Christmas present in Dec 2020. Absolutely loved shooting it especially in low light. Unfortunately it was stolen 3 months later and decided to go with the Q2 instead thinking it would give me the colour versatility (which it did) and converting to b&w post production. Sadly didn’t quite turn out like that (especially in very low light). Nevertheless I will wait for the next generation Q mono… my best camera ever was the one I owned over 30 years ago - M6 with the noctilux 50m f1,shooting with b&w film!

Great review with fine samples of work mate. Liked and subbed. Three weeks ago I bought the Q2 I really fancied the Q2M as I shoot a lot of people and almost always convert to mono, however I do shoot landscapes too so figured for the price I have the back up of colour when needed. Two weeks ago I fried my Q2 at a laser show it's now on route to German for a new sensor. One day ago I bought a used and damaged Q, the rear LCD doesn't work, a bit like my brain cell at the moment. I'll use the Q maybe even fix the LCD ad value then sell on once the ill fated Q2 returns in 4 months or so. Been an emotional October so far...

sold. Thank you for this video!!

I chose the q2 because I am a color shooter , also my clients expect color. I would love to try the mono as well though , the results I saw were amazing

I’m rocking a Fuji Xpro 3 and loving it, but the Q2M is on my list. A friend has one and raves.

The Q2M has been a game changer for me. Best digital camera I’ve ever owned. I like it almost as much as my MP.

Wow !! Wot a delicious wonderful camera, n the shots u hv taken with it are just beautiful, Congrats !! (One amusing aside, I used to shoot b&w film, which just meant u put a roll of HP5 or Tri-X into the camera instead of a colour roll, u didn’t need to go to the flooring extent of hvg to buy a Q2 and a Q2M …. Progress, huh ?! ).

You can maybe convince yourself that the images you get from something like a Fuji X100 are close enough that the Q2M isn't worth the *much* higher price, but not when you need to capture motion at night. The Q2M is almost magical in this regard, and worth every single penny.

I very nearly picked up the monochrom, but got my hands on a q2 reporter and needed it for a particular occasion. I really enjoy shooting street in B&W as colors can be distracting in a setting you have no control of. I found I could really focus on composition and enjoy the end result. The capability of the q2M sensor is a big draw for me. Maybe when the q3 comes around I can revisit such a purchase. That said the standard q2 was unexpectedly endgame for me. I used to spend so much time dreaming on B&H almost every day until I started using it. Really enjoyed the images you shared here. Enjoy yours in good health. I wish you a speedy recovery.

This is the third video of yours I’ve watched and you and I are seemingly of the same mind! I was actually considering the Q2M as well! I’m currently looking for a fun everyday carry camera to document my kids and life with. I think I’m just scared to go all b&w for the “document life” aspect of my photography. I’m currently rocking the OM Systems OM-1 with 17mm f1.2 and I do love the photos it takes but it’s big and heavy and kind of gets in the way of life. Either an M (was also looking at the M-A) or the Q2M would be perfect as a small simple fun camera to take everywhere. My main question to you is: do you find only having B&W for capturing life limiting? Or do you think B&W may add to the “nostalgic feel” of home photos. Also, if I could only have one camera… I do selfishly think an M-A would be my actual choice…

I wanted to get back into photographing after a dry period. I wanted to get high quality everyday carry and Qs are the only one in town (yea yea Fuji 100 but... miss full frame from old old days). So got in Q3 line and since I was doomed to be there a long time I got to think.. so canceled and got a Q2M. Been four days of magic even if my shots are not (yet) :D Agree with all in this video, only reason I will save for the Q3M (yea that will happen) is NOT the higher resolution and dynamic range (that is amazing enough allready thank you) but USB C charging and flippable lcd (yea I take a hit on the leica look, getting old). So glad I did not get the Q3. The love is back even battery life sucks big time!

Thanks Frank. Just liked and subscribed. I’m looking at a used, but like new Q2M! I’m a B&W enthusiast and I often select a B&W jpeg simulation to visualize my shots. I’m interested in a single lens monochrome to take my B&W photography to another level. Now that you’ve seen the specs for the Q3 any thoughts on using that camera for both color and B&W? Thanks Frank. I look forward to more videos! Geoff

Great video! Recent Q2M owner here. Just curious: I’m assuming you used no filter inside and an orange filter for the outdoor moments?

If you do long exposures with the Q2M, does it force dark frames and baked in noise reduction (at the cost of detail) like they do on the normal Q2?

Get well soon!

Hi Frank, your video convinced me to buy a Q2M.. In fact the camera is in the mail. In the introduction to this video I see you attaching a filter to the camera. Please tell me what kind of filter is it? Thank you very much and have a nice Christmas,

For $300 per battery, why would Leica want you to be able to get by with one battery?

I don't have a Leica yet. You made a very convincing video for the camera. I like it that you don't talk too fast for these old ears. I didn't need captions on screen. I believe Leica has a winner here. Get well soon. Wear a mask and wash your hands. This Covid thing is not ever going to let us free. God bless.

Nice video bro about leica Q2 monochrom, and I think the battery of the camera is a little bit longer or better than the leica Q2, and Leica M11, Leica SL2, SL2-S, Leica Q2 have the highlight weighted features to protect the highlight.

I've been contemplating on getting a monochrom camera for a very long time now and the Leica Q2 Monochrom is really speaking to my imagination. While I love my Fujifilm X100V, which i shoot in black in white for like 99% of the time, it always makes me feel like there's something missing. I want to be taken back to the good old days of film when I was shooting T-Max 400, manipulating the black and white negative in the dark room and I would love to get that feeling in a digital way but a color to black and white conversion has never truly giving the satisfaction. IMHO, I think the Q2 Monochrom can bridge that gap between analog black and white photography and digital black and white photography. Pure and simple for the fact you're not manipulation color values to get grayscale tones to your taste but you're working with luminosity values. From all the sample images and videos I've seen, a color to black and white conversion just doesn't compare, with any camera. Although my GFX does a really good job in that regard, it's not a camera what you could call your "daily". Perhaps i should just take the plunge. Most likely I will not regret spending the money as I would probably love every moment of using that camera.

I purchased a M10M and 28mm Summilux. I also have a M10R so it’s the best of all.

for users of the q2m - what toning option do you mainly shoot with

Great video

I have one... I also come from a A7R world... How do you deal with cropping and losing the depth of field?... I like to print 44" x 60" on my own printer -- so after cropping some distance images and asking for close up detail -- I cant compare with the Sony kit. I will agree that images shot in BW are another level... I also want incredible auto focus and like you said, face detect like on the Sony -- But I will wait for the Q3.

I own the Q2M and it has amazing iq. I also own the M11. The Q2M rides with the M11 as my everyday kit. I also own the Sony A7r4 and I agree with your comments on IQ. If I need a full array of lenses or fast accurate auto focus, I’ll shoot the Sony. But I rather shoot the Leica. 😎

Nice vid! I bought the Q2M just over a month ago. This past week my Q2R arrived as its replacment (maybe). Honestly, I love the Q2M. I love B&W. I fully believed that I could go all-in on only having a monochrom sensor for an everyday carry camera, but I think I was wrong. The jury is still out. Love the artistic constraint of the Q2M, but also really loving the practicality of the Q2R for every situation including B&W. I guess I romantized the idea of the Q2M in my head and the romance wore a tad thin around Day 45. How long have you been using the Q2M, Frank? Still in that romance period?

I’m going to buy q2 or q2m in next few month. I’m considering these cameras for at least half a year and I still cannot decide which one to pick up! I’ve even downloaded a few raw files from both q2 and q2m to try them in lightroom. the files from q2 at iso below 1600 are stunning, as well as the files from q2m at iso below 6400. it blows my mind how good those files from q2m at such high iso numbers. however colors from q2m under 1600 are amazing. During each day I’m debating with myself which one of them is better for me, but I think at the moment I’m just paralyzed with choice between those two 😅

Is there a B&W printer that pairs with the Q2M?

I own both the q2 and q2m and honestly they aren’t the same. I think for most people the q2 is the right choice but once you see the files from the monochrome, well they just have a quality to them that black and white conversion doesn’t match. In my view it’s less about iq and much more the tonality that makes the monochrome files so special. They have a painterly look that is lovely. For me I often think of selling my q2 as it doesn’t see the use it deserves. The Q2M is just a special camera

I have the Q2M i found that other then the high lights clipping (which is totally normal for a monochrom camera), the dynamic range isnt as good as a sony a7rIII(which is another camera I own). So i bought the M10Monochrom and it totaly kicks the butt of the Q2M in dynamic range and post editability. I would say its what the Q2M should have been. but I still keep the Q2M because its fun and simple

I got both q2m and q2 , they’re that good.

Hi frank Davalos my I know for the Q2M or Q2 can recording video for how many minutes or hour. If example can record 1 hour can record continuously or have to stop 30 minutes then after that continue again a few hour later Tks you hope can reply me I am interested to purchase. Tks you

if I had the money , yes. but the price is little wild . the quality is amazing from what I’ve heard , but the Q might be a better fit for me at the moment .

'i have covid', with your face next to mine, first reaction was to jump away from the screen 😛 i do black and white on the colour q more and more

What filter did you put in this video?

I owned a Q2M for a while. I just didn't bond with it for a few reasons. The most frustrating thing was the AF. For a camera that costs as much as it does, it's just bad. Not just compared to flagship cameras, but bad compared to just about any digital camera. For as much as Leica charges for their cameras, they should have A1 quality AF. What you get is A7 quality AF. The biggest deal breaker for me, though, was that the image quality was overhyped. Yes, images are a little cleaner at high ISO. However, I didn't find the lens to be crazy sharp. The sigma 28mm 1.4 is sharper wide open than the Q2m was wide open. I realize that's a much bigger lens, but you can also pick one up these days for $300-400. You also mentioned the lack of USB charging.

Hi I'm not sure if an old video like this would even get anymore reply.. But here it go.. So I've tried all camera brands, lost tons of money in the process naturally. Last Leica I've tried was SL but with manual focus lens, other Leica was m240. Currently I'm using Canon r8 and some L series zoom lenses, as well as an old Fujifilm xt1 that I'd never sell. To be quite honest, I'm colorblind. I don't think it's that severe, but during one of those "number behind some dots" tests, I've failed a couple. I've just discover this like 5 years back and I'm like 35+ years old 😂😂 how come I can come to realize this? It was due to my wife (she's a doctor) always complains about photos that I've edited. She always claims that the colors were off, or that this or that doesn't look good, and even saying that the original from the camera looks better (this hurts the most 😅). Then she's jokingly said that I might be color blind, and we did a test that night. I was kinda shocked but to cut the story short.. I now just sticking to the tried and true method of editing a photos from my Canon and Fujifilm based solely on her approval of color temperature/white balance. So far so good until I'm left with wanting more. I feel that I gel better with b&w since I'm not afraid that I'll get judged over my choice of color. However with the pressure of family events, quick result turnaround demanded of me to be posted to social media by my family members, my desire is gone, or more like killed. They won't need a artistic b&w photos, they only need a good looking color photos to be shared for everyone to see. I feel like my inner photography need is starving and neglected. It was the same when I shoot with leica m240. The focusing was quite hard, and there was no wifi to directly send the images. So important moments got lost due to misfocusing and all that. Sorry for the oversharing, I just want to share my inner feeling to someone else that also cares about camera/photography (no one in my family is). However, this thought came across me to sell all of my Canon gears and buy Leica q2 mono. Shoot color with slowass AF, 10 years old fuji xt1, and the rest is my selfish needs. Do I dare to make the trade though? Sigh.. Probably not.. Anyway great video and insight! You're living my dream, photography wise.. Please share if you have time, on what's your family reaction toward you shooting only b&w. Thanks again and cheers

this or an M rangefinder in monochrom?

For some strange reason I sold my Q2M. I need to buy one again because the photos are so good. I have the Q2 and the B&W is just not as good. Brilliant in low light and cropping.

Is funny that I am watching all this videos because of the same reason. I want to take pictures of my daughters when is late and there is no much light. Usually falling sleep or watching tv. I think: I wish there is a way to remover this magic moments.

Get a nitecore usb charger. The only charger I take on trips

Its unfortunate that there are many lab to print piezo Monochrome pri t or platinum print.Only seei g it in monitor is wasting the range a monichrome sensor could render

👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻

I’m so jealous

I appreciate everything you said about the camera. but if you go back and listen to your presentation you will be able to count quite a few really serious issues with the Q2 M that sounds like reasons NOT to buy the camera? The battery issue is one that is a pain but still not too much to worry about. But the quirky untrusted focus is a really BIG TIME fault in that camera. Also I would check with others who use the camera to see if it is really true about the camera not being good with highlight or bringing back highlights. Perhaps you should try to bracket your exposures so that you get a full 7 to 10 zones from dark to middle grey to detailed highlights. Some of your night shots looked great but tons of the other shots looked under exposed. or at least too dark to me to be able to enjoy the overall scenes. Not trying to criticize you but I personally did not see details enough to enjoy the richness of the shadows. Also you did not mention the weight of the camera which is quite brick like and slippery. It is also not so easy to push the button that gives you frame lines. That button is flat out subpar. It's also not that easy to manually focus which slows one down. I applaud the beautiful photos of your children and your family. They are gorgeous. I would love to see you try out bracketing your exposures to see if you can get the full capability out of that sensor. Whenever you talked about those highlight shadow differences you did play photos but you did not explain why you showed so many very darkish photos. I would love to have heard about why you liked each photo and what you think made that photo successful etc. etc. Thanks for listening. You definitely have a great eye and you did say you wanted to hear from others. So I wanted to send you some feedback! Thanks for taking the time to give us your honest opinions which I really enjoyed hearing. je

M246..?

Batteries are much cheaper in EU and Asia

Your instagram is broken

aaaarrrrrrrrgggggggg another one

You should avoid close ups of your face. You know the rules.

What's your name on Instagram? Link doesn't work ...