- Leica’s black-and-white only version of the Q3 could land this year
- Without a color filter array in the sensor, noise is reduced
- It will likely also have a monochrome design, but otherwise be identical to the Q3
Leica is no stranger to niche and collectible cameras. Just this week it launched the ‘Reporter’ version of the powerful SL3 – and next up, 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 Q3 fixed-lens premium 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 stills.
And despite the introduction of the stunning 102MP Fujifilm GFX100RF since then, I still rate the Q3 as my favorite compact, having compared the two ultimate fixed-lens shooters directly.
However, a monochrome version of the Q3 has me even more excited than I was for the original. I expect it to be prohibitively expensive, but I can still dream…
Monochrome magic
Despite plenty of experience reviewing Leica cameras, I don’t own one. To get my premium fixed-lens compact camera fill, I opted for the more affordable Ricoh GR IIIx a few years ago, and still use that today as my everyday carry.
One thing I’ve noticed regularly while using the Ricoh is that I gravitate to black-and-white photography, especially for street and documentary subjects. There’s something to be said for developing a way of seeing the world through a fixed focal length lens, and moreso with a particular style – in this case, monochrome.
I was particularly excited to learn that Ricoh is developing a GR IV Monochrome, and I can see that model going into my shopping basket when it lands. That’s less likely to be the case with the rumored Leica Q3 Monochrom, given that it’ll have a predictably high price, but I can’t wait to try it out for TechRadar if and when it’s announced.
Why not just select a black-and-white color profile in a regular Q3 / GR IIIx, and keep your options open for color and monochrome in a single camera, I hear you say? That’s a fair question. These profiles do the job – for example, I know that the monochrome ‘Acros’ look is particularly popular with Fujifilm users.
I’ve got my reasons though. For one, there are image quality benefits. Technically speaking, a digital camera’s sensor ‘sees’ in grayscale, but the use of a color filter array delivers color images, although at the cost of various image-quality drawbacks, such as reduced light absorption.
As James Abbott wrote in his TechRadar Q2 Monochrom review; “once you see quality of the images from a camera that has no color array filter and no need for an interpolation algorithm, you’ll quickly realize why the Q2 Monochrom makes sense. Even if it means sacrificing the option of shooting in color.”
If you’re mainly a black-and-white photographer, but using a camera that shoots in color and opting for a black-and-white profile, you’re reversing the color filter array’s effects, 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 significantly less high-ISO noise visible than standard color shooting cameras.
“Noise levels are so low, in fact, that it’s completely safe to use Auto ISO set to a maximum setting of 6400 for everyday shooting and not worry about noise – it’s that good.”
I’ve also personally used monochrome digital Leica cameras in years past, and the richness in those images is next level. Where noise is present at particularly high ISOs, its image have a pleasing, analog-photography like quality.
If I’m going to shoot in black and white most of the time anyway when using a premium compact, why not elevate the quality for the majority of my photos by making it a monochrome-only model?
I’m pretty sure that such a camera will be my next purchase for personal work, even if like for most people the Q3 Monochrom will be beyond my budget. I can dream though…
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