LEICA THIS IS ALL BULLSHIT

Product reviewed

Leica Q3 43 (fixed-lens Leica camera)

The speaker discusses it as his main camera, bought in January 2025.

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Key details & main features mentioned

• Fixed 43mm lens (the first “43” variant), described as an approximate ~2/43 equivalent focal length (with a hood partially covering the view).
• Leica color science praised for:
  • Color
  • Dynamic range
  • Overall image quality
• Large sensor / crop flexibility: he claims you can emulate telephoto lenses by cropping (using a back-button control).
• Made in Germany / handmade in Germany: emphasis on German/EU technical know-how and assembly.
• Firmware update: claims a major stability/features improvement, making the camera “more than brilliant.”
• Everyday-camera alternative: Leica Dulux 8
  • Described as a small, reliable everyday option with a zoom that supports wider-to-close shooting in a single compact body.
• Startup / power-off behavior:
  • A perceived “slow off” can be caused by the Photos app / background pairing with a phone/tablet.
  • Suggests checking that setting rather than assuming a hardware fault.

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Price/value arguments (and comparisons)

• Total purchase cost: ~€8,000 including accessories (speaker cites January 2025).
• He argues it’s comparable in value to other high-end camera systems:
  • Example comparisons: Sony A7R (new) and Canon top cameras plus at least one good lens—he claims you’d reach similar money.
• Leica M system cost comparison:
  • A comparable Leica M lens could cost ~€8,000–€9,000.
  • Adding an M body of ~€8,000–€9,000.
  • He concludes that totals around €18,000, often €10,000+ depending on lens choice.
  • Frames the Q3 43 as “basically free” in comparison due to the fixed-lens quality and overall system value.

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Pros (unique points explicitly praised)

• Outstanding image quality
  • Praised for colors, dynamic range, and stunning results, including when cropping for longer reach.
• Legendary Leica color science
  • He says he never uses flash and relies on available light.
• No physical wear since purchase
  • “Not a single scratch, not a single dent” (implying careful handling and satisfaction).
• Fixed focal length fits his “niche”
  • He mostly uses ~28–35mm (sometimes up to 50) and says he doesn’t need other focal lengths.
• Autofocus is very good
  • He doesn’t need faster AF than what Leica provides.
• Made in Germany emphasis is a major value point for him.
• Firmware improvements boosted stability/features.
• Avoids “all-in-one” gear mentality
  • He argues photography doesn’t benefit from chasing specs you’ll only use 10–15% of.
• Compactness reduces carrying burden
  • He explicitly says he no longer wants to “shlepp” heavy gear.

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Cons / criticisms mentioned

• Fixed lens limitation
  • He would have wanted a wider angle in Prague during synagogue visits, but didn’t have it—because his “niche” drives what he owns.
• Perceived startup/off delay
  • Attributed to phone app pairing/background photo syncing, not a hardware flaw (user-setting related).
• Spec-sheet/reviewer culture dismissal
  • He suggests the biggest “con” comes from reviewers/users misunderstanding real needs.

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User experience / handling & workflow

• He positions the Q3 43 as a camera he doesn’t have to second-guess, because it matches his shooting style.
• He recommends learning camera settings (e.g., inactive/sleep timing and app pairing) rather than blaming the device.
• He contrasts the experience versus a smartphone:
  • He uses a grip to reduce dropping risk.
  • He doesn’t directly compare phone cameras to dedicated systems.

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Overall verdict / recommendation (based on the video)

He strongly recommends the Leica Q3 43 for photographers whose niche fits a 43mm fixed-lens workflow, who value Leica color science, and who care about German-made assembly and system consistency.

His main trade-off is lack of lens flexibility, which he claims is irrelevant to his use case.

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Unique points mentioned (consolidated)

1. Purchased January 2025; total cost around €8,000 including accessories.
2. Justifies price by comparing to Sony/Canon high-end bodies + good lenses.
3. Leica M system alternative would cost ~€18,000+ (lens + M body).
4. Q3 43 is a fixed 43mm (first 43) lens camera chosen to match his needs.
5. Claims no scratches/dents since purchase (durability + care).
6. Uses a narrow shooting “niche”: mainly 28–35mm, sometimes 50; therefore he doesn’t need other focal lengths.
7. Doesn’t buy into the “one camera does everything” gear-review philosophy.
8. Praises Leica autofocus as “very very good” and adequate for his needs.
9. Firmware update added stability and features.
10. Mentions Prague as an example where he would have liked a wider angle.
11. Praises Leica color science, dynamic range, and available-light performance; no flash.
12. Cropping with the large sensor can emulate telephoto reach.
13. Emphasizes made in Germany value (hands/assembly/pay/research in Germany).
14. Addresses “China bashing,” arguing China is now expert manufacturing.
15. Mentions Leica’s history as an added virtue (not the reason he buys).
16. Notes power-off delay traced to the Photos app / smartphone pairing setting.
17. Mentions using Leica Dulux 8 as his compact zoom everyday option.
18. Criticizes some gear reviewers as spec-sheet-focused and not niche-aware.

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Speaker-specific views (end)

• Single main speaker: David Cohen
  • Provides personal value/price justification, niche-based lens argument, image-quality praise, German-made emphasis, firmware and app-settings workflow advice, and strong rejection of certain “gear reviewer” viewpoints.