- The black and white version of Leica’s Q3 could land this year
- Without a color filter array on the sensor, noise is reduced
- It will probably also have a monochromatic design, but will otherwise be identical to the Q3.
Leica is no stranger to collectible and niche cameras. This week it launched the ‘Reporter’ version of the powerful SL3 and the next one, according to Leica Rumors, could be the Q3 Monochrom.
As its name suggests, the Q3 Monochrom would be a black-and-white-only version of the premium fixed-lens Q3 compact, and a follow-up to the Q2 Monochrom.
I declared the original Q3 my favorite camera of 2023, thanks to its premium design, incredible 28mm f/1.7 lens, and highly detailed 60MP photos.
And despite the introduction of the impressive 102MP Fujifilm GFX100RF since then, I still rate the Q3 as my favorite compact, having directly compared the two best prime lens shooters.
However, a monochromatic version of the Q3 excites me even more than the original. I guess it will be prohibitively expensive, but I can still dream…
monochrome magic
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Despite having a lot of experience reviewing Leica cameras, I don’t own any. To fill out my premium compact camera with fixed lenses, I opted for the more affordable Ricoh GR IIIx a few years ago, and I still use it today as my daily carry.
One thing I’ve noticed regularly while using Ricoh is that I lean towards black and white photography, especially for street and documentary subjects. There is something to be said for developing a way of seeing the world through a fixed focal length lens and, even more so, with a particular style, in this case, monochrome.
I was especially excited to learn that Ricoh is developing a GR IV Monochrome, and I can see that model heading into my shopping cart when it lands. That’s less likely to be the case with the rumored Leica Q3 Monochrom, given that it will carry a predictably high price, but I can’t wait to test it out for TechRadar when it’s announced.
Why not just select a black and white color profile on a regular Q3/GR IIIx and keep the options open for color and monochrome on a single camera, I hear you say? That’s a fair question. These profiles do the job; for example, I know that the ‘Acros’ monochrome look is particularly popular with Fujifilm users.
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Although I have my reasons. On the one hand, there are benefits to image quality. Technically speaking, a digital camera’s sensor “sees” in grayscale, but the use of a color filter array delivers color images, albeit at the cost of several image quality drawbacks, such as reduced light absorption.
As James Abbott wrote in his TechRadar Q2 Monochrom review; “Once you see the image quality of a camera that doesn’t have a color matrix filter and doesn’t need an interpolation algorithm, you’ll quickly realize why the Q2 Monochrom makes sense. Even if it means sacrificing the option to shoot in color.”
If you are primarily a black and white photographer, but use a camera that shoots in color and opt for a black and white profile, you are reversing the effects of the color filter array, which could be an unnecessary step.
James goes on to say: “The Q2 Monochrom’s sensor configuration makes it possible to shoot at extremely high ISO settings with much less visible high ISO noise than standard color shooting cameras.
“In fact, noise levels are so low that it’s completely safe to use Auto ISO with a maximum setting of 6400 for everyday shooting and not worry about noise – it’s that good.”
I’ve also personally used monochrome Leica digital cameras in previous years, and the richness of those images is next level. When noise is present at particularly high ISOs, your image has a pleasing quality similar to that of analogue photography.
If I’m going to shoot in black and white most of the time anyway when using a premium compact, why not raise the quality of most of my photos by converting it to a monochrome-only model?
I’m pretty sure that such a camera will be my next purchase for personal work, although, like for most people, the Q3 Monochrom will be out of my budget. Although I can dream…
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