Leica Q-P in the Lake District

As I have stated many times in the past, having a camera near to hand has brought me a lot of happiness through the years. Along with watches, cameras have always been my passions and my vices. If there is anyone to blame for this costly habit, it would lay squarely at the feet of my father and grandfather.

Leica Q-P in macro mode

Growing up I was always told that there were certain brands one should aspire towards owning. Aspirational brands that have stood the test of time and have done so for a reason. Simplicity in design is first. If you instinctively know what the object is, what it does, and how you can manipulate it with ease, then you have my definition of perfect.

Leica Q-P in backwater southern British Columbia.

Leica Q-P in The Lake District

Timelessness follows. If that product has stood the test of time and still finds itself lusted after, then the manufacturer has achieved the highest praise. Does that item perform as expected after years and years of use? Is it future proof? Will you be left wanting for more after a short time in your possession?

Leica Q-P in the Okanagan

I am happy to report that I have found that camera. I like uncluttered design and favour simplicity of operation. For me, the qualities I have come to appreciate from my Leica Q-P are directly in line with what makes me happy and content. It took me a long time to get here, but now that I am I can’t foresee much change.

Leica Q-P in Istanbul

When I pick up my sage green Billingham bag (Thanks Deanna) on the way out of the house, I know that the camera inside it inspires my confidence. It stirs my senses and puts me in the mood to capture images that keep me in an altered state of anticipation until I get home to view the .DNG files in Lightroom.

Leica Q-P in Jerusalem

I have never worked with files such as the ones from the Leica Q-P. I think they are unique and special. I have owed many cameras over the years. When I finally put down my film Pentax KM and Nikon FE2, I moved cautiously into the digital age. The following cameras made it into my bag as the years passed. The Nikon D70, D200, D700, D3200, D850, the Olympus OMD EM5, the Fuji XT-2, X-Pro-2, X100T, the Sony A7, A7II, A7rIII, and the Canon 5D MkII. All of these cameras were fantastic in use. I don’t make a point of criticizing any of them because at the time I owned them they enabled me to capture thousands of photos of my family and my travels, both at home and abroad.

Leica Q-P at Vimy Ridge

The Leica Q-P is not the only camera I own. I also have recently acquired a Nikon Z6 and a couple of lenses to capture my sons competing in various sports. To my mind that is also the only downfall of my Q-P. And that is why I love it. With the f1.7 Summilux lens it does most everything else very well. I know that the 28mm focal length may be too wide for many. If you are familiar with your feet, then try putting one in front of the other and that will put you into a position to compose the great majority of what you hope to capture (I promise).

Leica Q-P at the Acropolis

I have never written about any other camera with near the affection I have for the Q-P. It is an extension of my hand. I'm not saying that in any way that I take good photos. I am saying that the detail and colours that come from my Q-P make me happy. Happier than I have ever been with any of the cameras that I listed above.

Leica Q-P at the Grand Bazaar

The Q-P is simple in operation and simple to master. Sure you can put it in automatic and it will produce fine images. But when you control the exposure triangle the images are just next level. I understand how viewed on a platform such as this it is hard to see the differences. Millions of iPhone users snap trillions of 28mm wide shots every hour of every day around the world. Those iPhone users are happy to have one. I am happy to have the Q-P. For me it is special. After my visit to the Leica factory in Wetzlar, I was left wondering not if I would buy one but when.

Leica Q-P at Whitley Bay

It was just a couple of months later when I walked into Broadway Camera in Richmond BC. I am sure that the salesman saw the saliva dripping from the corners of my gob. They had one and I wanted it. So I parted with my money and immediately began this love affair. Maybe one day that Z6 may find a new home and an M10-P or and SL2 may find their way to mine. But that won’t happen this year (I think). Never say never. Things come and go, until they don’t. The Q-P is that exception!