Traveling with the Leica Q3: A New Adventure in Photography

In a previous post, I shared my journey of searching for the perfect travel camera. You can check out the full details of my research and decision-making process here. But for now, let me dive into why I ultimately chose the Leica Q3 as my travel companion.

As a landscape and travel photographer, my camera gear plays a crucial role in capturing the essence of my adventures. While Leica is often associated with street photography, my reasons for choosing the Q3 are a bit different. I’ve spent years using Canon cameras, including the Canon R5, which have served me well during my travels. The image quality and versatility of Canon cameras have always impressed me, and I’ve had countless successful shoots with them. However, with a recent trip to Hawaii on the horizon, I found myself seeking a lighter, more compact setup that wouldn't weigh me down.

The size and weight of my previous gear, especially my camera bag, had become a bit of a burden. It was often heavy enough to count as a carry-on item on flights, and lugging it around during my travels started to take a toll. I knew I needed something that offered excellent image quality while being significantly more portable and easier to carry.

Enter the Leica Q3. Its lightweight design and compact body immediately appealed to me. More importantly, the Q3’s ability to deliver stunning results in both landscape and travel photography was exactly what I needed for this particular trip. It’s the perfect balance of quality and convenience, allowing me to capture incredible photos without the hassle of carrying a bulky kit. Whether I was shooting the rugged Hawaiian coastline or the vibrant landscape scenes, the Q3 delivered exceptional images while easily fitting into my day-to-day travels.

If you’re like me and value both portability and high-performance photography, the Leica Q3 may be a game-changer for your next adventure. With the world of travel photography constantly evolving, it’s exciting to find new tools that help us explore the world in a different way—one shot at a time.

Accessories That Enhanced My Leica Q3 Experience

For my trip, I decided to add a few accessories to my Leica Q3 that truly improved the overall camera experience. Here’s a look at what I chose and how each piece contributed to my photography journey.

Leica Soft Release Button

Leica enthusiasts rave about the soft release button, and I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical. I didn’t think I needed it—until I tried it. It was a game-changer! The button provides a softer shutter release, making taking photos much smoother and more comfortable. I opted for the Leica brand to ensure a perfect fit and seamless integration with the camera, and I wasn’t disappointed. While I’ve seen plenty of positive reviews for third-party buttons, I found that the official Leica version really stood out. I purchased mine from B&H Photo—here’s the link if you're interested.

Match Technical Lens Cap for Leica Q Cameras

I was a bit paranoid about scratching the lens on my Leica Q3, so I picked up the Match Technical Lens Cap. It’s a great accessory that does an excellent job of protecting the lens while keeping things compact and practical. I loved that it attaches directly to the camera, making it easy to keep track of when I’m on the go. I also grabbed this one from B&H Photo. Here’s the link to check it out.

Polarizer Filter

Since I was shooting a lot of water scenes and waterfalls, I knew a polarizer filter would be essential for cutting down reflections and enhancing colors. While I’ve used them extensively on my Canon lenses, I didn’t have a 49mm filter, so I chose the B+W High-Transmission MRC-Nano Master Circular Polarizer Filter. B+W filters have always been reliable, and this one didn’t disappoint. It worked perfectly for my needs, and I purchased it from B&H. You can find it here.

Helium HE 3 Grip

The Leica Q3 is slightly on the smaller side for my hands, which became uncomfortable after taking a lot of pictures. I researched various grips and decided to go with the Helium HE 3 Grip, and it turned out to be my favorite accessory by far. It made holding the camera feel much more natural and comfortable for extended shoots. While it’s not the least expensive option, the design and functionality make it well worth the investment. Check it out at the Helium Design Lab.

Key features include:

Apple AirTag Integration: The grip has a built-in compartment for an Apple AirTag, making it easy to track your camera if it gets lost. The anti-tamper design ensures the AirTag stays secure.

Modular Thumb Grip: This was an optional feature, and I wasn’t planning to use it—but once I attached it, I found it incredibly comfortable and useful.

Full Access to Battery and SD Slot: One of the key selling points for me was that you can access the battery and SD card slot without removing the grip, which makes shooting much more convenient.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Helium HE 3 Grip. It has transformed my camera experience. You can check it out at Helium Design Lab.

Peak Design Hand Cuff

I’ve been using the Peak Design Cuff Hand Grip for years, and it was the perfect addition to my Leica Q3 setup. Since the Q3 is on the smaller side, this lightweight, compact cuff made it easy to carry around the camera comfortably and securely. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their camera-carrying experience.

Camera Bag

For my camera bag, I wanted something small, sleek, and protective. I opted for the Oberwerth Q Bag, designed specifically for Leica Q1, Q2, and Q3 cameras. Though it’s on the pricier side, the quality of the leather is exceptional, and I felt confident that my Leica was well-protected. It’s both stylish and practical, with a comfortable fit and excellent craftsmanship. Given the value of the camera, it was an important investment for me. You can check out the bag here.

These accessories truly elevated my experience with the Leica Q3, making it not just a camera, but a complete, streamlined tool for capturing beautiful moments on the go. If you’re considering any of these items for your own setup, I highly recommend them!

How Did the Camera Perform?

Picture Quality That Shines

One of the standout features of the Leica Q3 is its picture quality. The camera's 60-megapixel full-frame sensor delivered outstanding results. The detail in each shot was astonishing. I could zoom in to view even the smallest textures—whether it was the intricate details of a palm leaf or the smooth ripples on the surface of the ocean—I could still see the sharpness and clarity that make Leica cameras famous.

The dynamic range of the Q3 also deserves mention. I never had to worry about blown-out highlights or losing shadow details. The camera handled both the brightest skies and the deepest shadows with impressive accuracy, keeping everything beautifully balanced in every shot. In low light, the Q3 performed exceptionally well. Even as the sun dipped below the horizon, I was able to capture crisp images with minimal noise, thanks to its strong high ISO performance.

The Leica Q3 Crop Function: A Versatile Tool for Travel Photography

One of the most innovative features of the Leica Q3 that truly enhances its flexibility for travel photography is the crop function. While the Q3’s 28mm lens is an absolute joy for wide-angle shots, sometimes you need a bit more reach—especially when you're traveling and unable to get closer to your subject. The crop function on the Leica Q3 allows you to effectively "zoom in" digitally without the need for a zoom lens, giving you focal lengths of 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm.

The Power of Multiple Focal Lengths in One Camera

With the crop function, the Q3 doesn’t just lock you into the fixed 28mm focal length. Instead, it unlocks the flexibility of multiple prime lenses in one sleek, compact body.

28mm: The standard focal length, great for wide shots, landscapes, and environmental portraits. It captures everything in a wide, expansive view—perfect for those sweeping travel shots. I used this most of the time for landscapes.

35mm: A classic focal length for street photography and tighter landscapes. It gives you a bit more reach, allowing you to isolate subjects and reduce the wide-angle distortion that might occur at 28mm.

50mm: This is a great focal length for portraiture and general photography. It provides a more natural perspective and lets you capture sharp images of people or objects with more background separation.

75mm: Ideal for tighter compositions, such as detail shots, candid portraits, or when you want to isolate specific elements in a scene from a distance.

90mm: For those moments when you need to really zoom in and capture distant subjects with great detail. It’s fantastic for wildlife, architectural details, or street scenes where you can’t get too close.

This versatility is a game-changer for travelers who don’t want to carry multiple lenses but still need the flexibility to frame their shots creatively. Instead of switching lenses on the fly, you can simply change the crop setting and adjust the composition right on the camera.

The Trade-Off: Megapixel Reduction

While the crop function offers incredible flexibility, it’s important to understand that there is a reduction in megapixels as you crop into the image. The Q3’s full-frame sensor provides a stunning 60 megapixels of resolution at 28mm, but as you use the crop function to access the 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm focal lengths, the number of megapixels decreases. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:

• 28mm (Full-Frame): 60 megapixels
• 35mm Crop: Around 39 megapixels
• 50mm Crop: Around 19 megapixels
• 75mm Crop: Around 8 megapixels
• 90mm Crop: Around 6 megapixels

While these numbers may seem like a significant drop, they still leave you with high-resolution files that are sufficient for many professional or personal uses, including large prints and detailed cropping in post-processing. For me, the trade-off is well worth the flexibility the crop function provides.

Practical Benefits for Travel

In real-world travel scenarios, the crop function is a lifesaver. You’re often in places where you can’t get up close to a subject—whether it’s because of crowds, natural barriers, or simply the need to stay a safe distance away. The ability to effectively "zoom" with the crop function without carrying additional lenses makes the Q3 a versatile and compact tool that keeps your kit light and your shooting options limitless.

For example, while photographing a distant waterfall on a hike, I could quickly switch to the 50mm or even the 75mm crop, zooming in without the need for a bulky telephoto lens. Or, if I was photographing some black lava rocks and wanted to focus on a specific detail, I could toggle between the 50mm and 90mm crops to find the perfect composition. The crop function gave me the flexibility of multiple lenses, all while preserving the camera's portability and ease of use.

Ease of Use on the Go

One of the primary reasons I chose the Leica Q3 for my travels was its compact, lightweight design. Unlike some of my larger camera setups in the past, the Q3 never weighed me down. I could carry it comfortably all day, whether I was hiking through nature reserves or exploring the streets of a foreign city. The handling was intuitive, and I never felt like I was fumbling with settings or missing out on a shot because of complicated controls.

I also loved how responsive the camera was in real-time. It captured fast-moving subjects, like waves crashing against the shore, with ease. The autofocus was fast and accurate, and I was able to focus on framing the perfect shot rather than worrying about technical issues.

The Leica Look

What truly sets the Leica Q3 apart from other cameras, though, is the "Leica look"—the distinctive, almost cinematic quality to the images it produces. The color rendering is exceptional. Colors are vibrant yet natural, and there’s a depth to the images that draws you in. Whether it’s the rich greens of a tropical forest or the warm hues of a sunset, the Q3 faithfully captured the mood of the scene, making each image feel more like a work of art than just a photograph.

Conclusion

The Leica Q3 is a camera that brings back the essence of intentional photography, making every shot feel deliberate and purposeful. With its simple, yet incredibly effective design, the Q3 encourages you to slow down and truly consider your composition before pressing the shutter. It’s not just about capturing images—it’s about making each photo count. The tactile controls, the satisfying feel of the shutter, and the thoughtful approach the camera requires help reignite the passion for photography as an art form, not just a means of documentation. It’s a joy to use, and the process of shooting becomes as much about the experience as it is about the result.

The Leica Q3 truly transforms photography into a mindful, rewarding pursuit, and every moment spent with it feels like an opportunity to create something meaningful.

Debbi Marquette Photography is located in Upstate New York at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Debbi is an award winning and published travel, landscape and bald eagle photographer specializing in artistic, authentic, and memorable landscape and wildlife photography. She travels frequently, lives near the mountains and constantly has a camera in her hand to capture photographs so others can see the beauty of our world.

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