- Leica’s only black-and-white version of the Q3 could land this year
- Without a color filter array in the sensor, the noise is reduced
- It will also likely 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 the name suggests, the Q3 Monochrom would be a black-and-white only version of the fixed-lens Q3 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 head-to-head.
However, a monochrome version of the Q3 has me even more excited than I was with the original. I expect it to be prohibitively expensive, but I can still dream…
Monochrome magic
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Despite lots of experience reviewing Leica cameras, I don’t own one. To fill my premium fixed-lens compact camera, I opted for the more affordable Ricoh GR IIIx a few years ago, and I still use it today as my daily transport.
One thing I’ve noticed regularly while using the Ricoh is that I gravitate towards black and white photography, especially street and documentary subjects. There is something to be said for developing a way of seeing the world through a fixed focal length lens, and more so with a particular style – in this case, monochrome.
I was especially excited to hear that Ricoh is developing a GR IV Monochrome, and I can see that model coming into my cart when it lands. That’s less likely to be the case with the rumored Leica Q3 Monochrom, given that it will 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 choose 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? It’s a fair question. These profiles do the job – for example I know the monochrome ‘Acros’ look is particularly popular with Fujifilm users.
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I have my reasons though. First, there are image quality benefits. Technically, a digital camera’s sensor ‘sees’ in grayscale, but the use of a color filter array delivers color images, albeit at the expense of various image quality disadvantages, such as reduced light absorption.
As James Abbott wrote in his TechRadar Q2 Monochrom review; “when you see the quality of the images from a camera that has no color array filter and no need for an interpolation algorithm, you will quickly realize why the Q2 Monochrom makes sense. Even if it means you sacrifice the ability to shoot in color.”
If you’re primarily a black-and-white photographer, but use a camera that shoots in color and select a black-and-white profile, you’ll reverse the color filter array’s effects, which can be an unnecessary step.
James goes on to say, “The Q2 Monochrom’s sensor configuration allows shooting at extremely high ISO settings with significantly less visible high-ISO noise than standard color shooting cameras.
“The noise level is actually so low 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 have also personally used Leica monochrome digital cameras over the years and the richness of these images is next level. Where noise is present at particularly high ISOs, the image has a pleasant, analogue photographic quality.
If I’m going to shoot in black and white most of the time anyway when using a premium compact, why not up the quality for the majority of my shots by making it a monochrome model?
I’m pretty sure such a camera will be my next purchase for personal work, although like most the Q3 Monochrom will be beyond my budget. I can dream though…
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