By Josh Lehrer, LeicaStore Miami
Last month, Leica launched
their latest variant of the Q: the Leica Q-P, which is the first time that
their legendary “P” designation has been applied to a fixed-lens camera.
Expectations are high whenever a new “P” model is launched, and given the Q’s immense
popularity since it was announced in June of 2015, this particular release was
no exception.
While simple enough to
read through the launch material and check out the official product photos
(which we posted about here: Leica Q-P in Stealth Matte Black Released), I
wanted to dive a bit deeper into the Q-P to really see what makes this camera
special. If you’re not familiar with the Q (which the Q-P shares all other
functions and features with) you can check out our in-depth review here: LeicaQ (Typ 116) Review: A Full-Frame Mini M.
It’s hard to show just how
different the finish is on the Q-P from other Leica cameras.
In this close-up you can just make out the slight texture in the paint.
In this close-up you can just make out the slight texture in the paint.
Fortunately, I was able to
get my hands on a Leica Q-P, no small feat given their relative rarity, and now
I can see what it’s all about. Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. The
Q-P is more expensive than the Q. $500 more to be precise ($4,995 versus $4,495
as of this writing). What exactly are you getting for your $500? Leica throws
in a spare battery with the Q-P, which retails alone for $95. You also get a
lovely brown leather Leica neck strap, which is actually unique to the Q-P but
similar straps have sold for about $125 from Leica in the past. Now the price
gap between the Leica Q-P and the Q has narrowed to $280.
The brown leather strap
included with the camera is quite nice, and is exclusive to the Leica Q-P (you
can’t buy it on its own).
It’s adjustable from 41-44 inches.
It’s adjustable from 41-44 inches.
The Paint
The major new “feature”
for the Q-P is the matte black finish. It’s actually quite challenging to show
the finish properly in photographs. Especially because it has a very subtle,
but noticeable, texture to it that really needs to be experienced firsthand.
When the Q-P was launched, we immediately drew a comparison to another special
edition Leica, the M Monochrom “Stealth Edition” which also sported this matte
black paint. But now that I have both cameras side by side (thanks to a very
generous Leica enthusiast willing to share), it’s actually interesting to see
that the finish on the Q-P is even more matte than the Stealth Edition. I’m not
sure if this is because the finish itself is different, or because the Q-P’s
body is made from different material, but the finish on the Q-P is the most
matte finish I’ve ever seen on any Leica model. It barely reflects any light,
especially compared to other finishes.
This photo may be ugly,
but using a direct, on-camera flash you can clearly see just how matte the
finish on the Q-P (bottom-right) is.
On top is the Monochrom Stealth Edition, and bottom-left is the regular Q.
On top is the Monochrom Stealth Edition, and bottom-left is the regular Q.
And for a real Leica geek
like myself, an exciting part of this new finish is that, of course, the Q-P’s
lens hood and lens cap are in the same matte paint as the camera body. These
parts are available to purchase separately if you want to add a bit of matte
finish to your regular Q. Sadly, the hot shoe cover has not been changed from
the Q.
Other Key Improvements
New finish aside, the
major functional change for the Q-P is a redesigned power switch and shutter
button assembly. It’s no secret that on the regular Q and its variations, the
low-profile nature of the power switch made it a bit tricky to change between
OFF, S and C (especially when you’re not looking at the camera). The Leica
Q-P’s switch is 50% taller (3mm on the Q versus 4.5mm on the Q-P) and 10% wider
(17.3mm versus 15.7mm). I knew there was a reason I kept a micrometer in my
desk drawer!
The power switch on the
Q-P has been dramatically improved with a 50% height increase.
The redesigned Q-P shutter
button will be familiar to M10 and CL shooters.
In this photo the 10% width increase of the switch is also clearly visible.
In this photo the 10% width increase of the switch is also clearly visible.
What you can’t easily tell
from the official photos is that the end of the power switch on the Q-P
actually sticks out just a bit over the edge of the camera body, whereas the
switch on the Q sits flush. This small adjustment, combined with the taller and
wider switch, makes it far easier to move the switch precisely between its
three positions. It feels more like the power switch on the M10 or CL. There is
not much I would change from the Q given the chance, but the power switch would
be at the top of that short list. Thankfully, Leica brought this enhancement to
the Q-P.
On the left you can see
how the power switch of the Q-P sticks out just a bit further than the Q’s
switch,
which makes it far easier to engage the desired position between OFF, S & C.
which makes it far easier to engage the desired position between OFF, S & C.
Classic “P” Styling Cues
Cosmetic changes beyond
the matte paint are in line with what we would expect from a P model. Namely,
the red Leica dot logo has been removed from the front of the camera, The LEICA
Q designation on the top plate has been replaced with the classic Leica script
logo, along with LEICA CAMERA WETZLAR GERMANY (which has been relocated here
from the back of the regular Q), and the previously blank hot shoe carries the
LEICA Q-P logo. The crisp white lettering on the top plate contrasts beautifully
with the flat matte paint on the camera. A final classy touch is the yellow
numbering on the lens has been changed to red.
The Q-P has the classic
Leica script logo on the top plate, along with branding on the hot shoe.
Previously located above
the rear LCD, the LEICA CAMERA WETZLAR GERMANY text has been moved to the top
of the Q-P,
giving the back of the camera more discreet appearance.
The feet distance scale
and focal length indicator on the Q-P’s lens is now in red font, versus yellow
on the Q.
The Value Question
The real question of
course…is the Q-P worth the extra $500 over the regular Q? I think the obvious
answer is yes, as long as you are a fan of the matte black finish. I realize
that the classic “black paint” look has a lot of fans, but personally I like
the discreet, slick look of the Q-P. This follows Leica’s trend of “black
chrome” cameras (like the M10 and both versions of the Monochrom) which are
also a matte black finish, but takes it a few steps further. The $500 premium over
the standard Q is easy to justify, considering you are getting over $200 in
additional accessories, plus the Q-P will certainly retain its value better
than the Q, as it will inevitably be produced in considerably smaller numbers.
The best news? The Leica
Q-P is now available at Leica Store Miami. You can order by clicking the link
below, emailing info@leicastoremiami.com, or calling 305-921-4433.
For other articles on this blog please click on Blog Archive in the column to the right
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