Editorial Selection — Visual Life
A First-Hand Experience with the Leica Q3: Street Photography Redefined
A continuation of the legacy series by Arnold Szmerling.
I recently had the opportunity to try out the Leica Q3. It was only my second time using a Leica—the first being with the M9, which features an optical rangefinder. The Q3, however, has an electronic viewfinder, a feature I’d previously encountered with the Fujifilm X-T5. Personally, I’ve never transitioned to mirrorless cameras, largely because I find electronic viewfinders uncomfortable on my eyes. Until now, I haven’t seen a compelling reason to switch from my usual gear.
So, what drew me to try the Leica Q3? Its compact size and lightweight build immediately appealed to me. It seemed ideal for both street photography and location portraits, two areas where flexibility and ease of use are paramount. Additionally, I was curious to see if the Q3’s electronic viewfinder might offer a superior experience to others I’ve tried, though I approached the trial with an open mind and no fixed expectations.
The Mission
I had the camera in my hands for two hours and split the time into two projects—one hour for street photography and the other for lifestyle portraits. Jonathan from Leica Melbourne kindly walked me through the setup, handling all the key settings and autofocus adjustments before I left the Leica HQ.
Holding a camera valued at AUD 12,000 was a privilege, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship and innovation that Leica is renowned for. As someone accustomed to handling premium equipment—having been the youngest photographer to purchase a full new Hasselblad outfit—I immediately recognized the quality and precision of this tool. Rather than feeling apprehensive, I appreciated the opportunity to work with such a sophisticated piece of gear, allowing the experience to flow naturally and seamlessly.
The Practical Experience
The electronic viewfinder was still not my preferred method of framing. Instead, I found myself gravitating toward the rear screen, which proved to be bright, sharp, and easy to use. The articulating screen offered a significant advantage—it allowed me to shoot from waist level, providing unique angles and perspectives that wouldn’t have been as natural at eye level. This also made me less conspicuous on the street, enabling a more candid style of photography. There’s something liberating about blending into the crowd, moving in “stealth mode” without drawing attention to yourself.
For exposure control, I mostly used manual aperture and shutter speed, occasionally switching between auto ISO and manual ISO. I found the camera’s metering to be exceptionally accurate, and checking exposure on the rear screen was quick and reliable. I never hesitated to use higher settings with the ISO capability comfortably reaching 6400 and beyond. Rather than detracting from the image, the grain at those levels added a beautiful film-like quality that aligns perfectly with the aesthetic I aim to achieve.
A Discreet Luxury
One of my initial concerns was whether carrying such a high-end camera would attract unwanted attention. Surprisingly, no one seemed to notice. The Q3’s understated design and compact form made it blend effortlessly into my surroundings—something I greatly appreciated. It allowed me to focus entirely on capturing the moment without distraction.
The camera itself felt robust yet light in hand—a tool that exudes quality without being cumbersome. In autofocus mode, the touch screen allowed me to quickly select focus points, and the camera reliably locked onto faces with ease. There was no need for constant focus adjustments, as I often have to do with optical viewfinders. The Q3’s autofocus system seamlessly did the work, leaving me free to concentrate on composition and interaction with my subjects.
The Leica Look
Of course, using the Q3 is only part of the story—what matters most are the results. When I imported the images into Lightroom, the quality was immediately evident. The level of detail captured was staggering. Little to no post-processing was needed; just some minor cropping and tweaks. Both the black-and-white and color profiles produced stunning results with smooth tonal transitions. Interestingly, the images leaned toward lower contrast, which I found appealing—it provided a softness that complements the timeless, film-inspired aesthetic I aim for in my work.
In Summary
In summary, the Leica Q3 offered a seamless and enjoyable shooting experience. It allowed me to focus entirely on the subject without interference, giving me the tools to create effortlessly. The images speak for themselves—refined, subtle, and rich in detail. Leica has achieved something remarkable with the Q3: a camera that feels invisible yet delivers exceptional results.
+ Thank you to the following people for facilitating this project.
Mark Strachan – Leica Ambassador and Instructor
Sunil Kaul – Managing Director at Leica Camera Asia Pacific
Ryan Williams – Managing Director, Leica Camera Australia Pty Ltd
Jonathan Zabarauskas – Sales Operations Manager, Leica Camera Australia Pty Ltd
