Leica Club Welcome Pack – Digital Leica Q Series Cameras
Hello and welcome to the Leica Club! To help you enjoy your new purchase I’ve listed some information below to get you started and answer some of the common questions I receive.
Pack Includes:
- Leica Q camera accessories – Top 10
- 11 tips for using your camera
- Leica Q series camera YouTube videos
- Join a Leica community
- Photo editing tips
- Remote Leica support
- Leica photowalks
- Master your Leica
Leica Q series camera accessories – Top 11
After buying your Leica camera there are certain accessories you may want to get. Here are my top 11 –
1. Spare Battery
This is a must have, especially for the Leica Q and Q2. The Leica Q3 now comes with the USB-C port so your can carry a small power bank and charge as you go.
- Leica Q (same as Leica CL battery) – https://geni.us/lFGJO
- Leica Q2/Q2M (same as Leica SL battery) – https://geni.us/ul6wAAF
- Leica Q3 battery (Will fit Q2/Q2M and SL cameras) – https://geni.us/AgAMy6
- USB-C power bank for Leica Q3 – https://geni.us/twKW
2. LCD Screen Protector
A simple plastic matte finish screen protector transforms the camera. No more annoying finger prints! For more protection you can get glass screen protectors. Check eBay UK or eBay COM.
3. Soft Release Shutter Button
An affordable way to customise your Leica camera is with a custom shutter release button. I have red buttons on some of my Leica cameras.
- Shutter Release Button – https://geni.us/0VWAevu
4. Strap (Neck Strap and/or Wrist Strap)
Your Leica camera is supplied with a neck strap. A new strap is another easy way to customise your camera. I use wrist straps for street photography and a neck strap for events. Basic Peak Design products are a popular quick release camera strap system that work great if you use multiple cameras. If you prefer something more premium I use these leather cameras straps which offer the option of both Peak Design anchors AND your initials embossed! Very cool.
- Basic Peak Design Wrist Strap – https://geni.us/dxCW4V
- Basic Peak Design Neck Strap – https://geni.us/1cAnt3
- Premium Leather Straps (with optional PD anchors) – https://bit.ly/3Z11RHY
5. Thumbs Up Grip Support
Do you need a thumbs up grip support for your Leica? If you use on camera flash or triggers on the hotshoe then I would avoid the thumbs up grip as it blocks the hotshoe. If you use larger heavier lenses then it definitely adds comfort and helps balance the camera.
- Leica Q – Check eBay UK or eBay COM
- Leica Q2/ Q2M – https://geni.us/vNom
6. Camera Hand Grip
Leica M cameras are not really designed to fit the hand. If you want a more secure grip and/ or use larger heavier lenses a grip adds comfort and helps balance the camera.
- Leica Q – Check eBay UK or eBay COM
- Leica Q2/Q2M – https://geni.us/i1K1jbr
7. Half Case or Camera Bag
As with camera straps, half cases and camera bags are a personal choice. Ona and Billingham are popular brands and in the past I used Billingham bag. After almost having my bag stolen in Lisbon I’ve now upgraded to a more discrete camera bag system. Read my best bag for Leica cameras article or if you’re pushed for time I would recommend the 2L bag for Leica Q3/Q2/Q users (link below).
- Billingham Hadley Digital Camera Bag – https://geni.us/UM7ecIz
- Smaller, more discrete Wotancraft 2L Pilot bag – https://bit.ly/3R71N7v
8. UV Filter
Protect your lens with a high quality UV filter –
- Leica Q3/Q2/Q – 49mm B+W UV Filter – https://geni.us/2rg9huj
9. Mist Filter
If you want as less digital look and more halation/ blooming around points of light (such as for night photography) try mist filters. There are various option – Pro Mist, Black Mist and Glimmer Glass. The Glimmer Glass filter seems to strike the best balance between retaining image quality and adding some artistic glow to the photos.
- Leica Q3/Q2/Q – 49mm Tiffen Glimmer Glass Filter – https://geni.us/Rjrn
10. CPL Filter
Do you love to shoot landscapes (in particular)? Most serious landscape photographers use a circular polariser filter on their lens. A CPL filter really helps make your blue sky photos pop.
- Leica Q3/Q2/Q – 49mm CPL Filter – https://geni.us/1SnAH
11. SD Memory Cards & Storage
My preferred memory card brand is SanDisk. It’s all I buy. To backup my files I use SanDisk portable SSD hard drives. Super small and recommended.
- SanDisk Extreme – https://geni.us/JWjEf
- SanDisk SSD Portrable Storage – https://geni.us/ts8e
Tips for using your Leica Q series camera (x11)
In addition to carrying a spare battery here are some tips you might find useful –
- To see light better I set the camera to B&W JPEG mode giving a B&W preview (even if capturing DNG only colour files)
- Turn power saving mode on, with auto power off, auto LCD off, for longer battery life (+ autofocus light off, auto review 1sec)
- Find extended shutter speeds up to 1/16000 using the thumbwheel and the top dial set to 1/2000
- Avoid using macro mode in dusty conditions to minimise the risk of transporting dust onto the sensor from the lens barrel
- Tape up your camera red dot logo for a more stealthy street photography setup (Some tape up the speaker and mic ports too for dust)
- Use P-A-S mode to see in the dark, use P-A-S-M mode to preview the correct exposure (P-A-S is good when using flash)
- Turn on your grid in photo live view setup to aid composition
- Turn on your level gauge in photo live view to help ensure your horizon is level
- Setup your favourites menu and FN favourite button with the menu features you use the most
- For precise focusing use 1-point not multi-point and AFs not AFc for static subjects (Half press, then full press to focus)
- Set the diopter for your eyesight. If your vision looks slightly soft focus check the viewfinder diopter dial as it can be knocked easily
Flash photography with Leica Q3/Q2/Q
If you missed my YouTube video on flash photography with Leica Q series cameras you might not be aware of your unfair advantage. Leica Q series cameras are THE BEST Leica camera for flash photography. Sync your flash at 1/2000 with all Leica Q cameras and take control of your lighting. If you want a portable flash setup you have a few options. You can use a small Leica flash to mount on your camera or for a more professional look take you lighting off camera.
For off camera flash you’ll need 3 things. 1) Light stand, 2) Flash unit, 3) Flash trigger. For a multi-light setup you just add multiple lights and stands. If you want to shoot wide open at f1.7 you’ll also need a ND filter (Neutral density). My recommended setup would be –
- Compact travel light stand – https://geni.us/vrJ8
- Godox AD100Pro flash – https://geni.us/UQMO
- Godox flash trigger (for Leica) – https://geni.us/rY5GWD
- Leica flash (on camera) – https://geni.us/Rsh4Da
- 49mm ND Filter – https://geni.us/QiBuEN
Leica Q series camera YouTube videos
If you want to see Leica YouTube reviews from other photographers see the Leica YouTubers directory.
Watch my Leica Q cameras YouTube playlist here –
Join a Leica Community
If you are new to Leica you might want to find a friendly Leica community. You can find Leica groups on Facebook and you can also join our Patreon group where we have a private Facebook group and 2 monthly Zoom calls.
Photo Editing Tips
If you don’t enjoy editing I recommend setting your camera to JPEG mode. JPEG can be posted and shred without any editing. To capture more detail set the camera to DNG. To use DNG files you will first need to process the files via software such as Adobe Lightroom. If you use Lightroom, give your DNG files a finished look in as little as 1-click by applying MrLeica LR Presets (colour and B&W).
Remote Leica Support
Struggling with your new Leica camera? Use my Leica support service to quickly resolve the issue. See the Zoom testimonials section.
Leica Photowalks
Join a small group of fellow Leica photographers for a photowalk workshop with MrLeica.Com.
Master your Leica
To get the most from your Leica camera book a 1:1 workshop with a Leica expert. Teaching Leica workshops worldwide since 2014. See the workshop testimonials.
Do you use other Leica cameras?
- Leica M cameras – Welcome pack
- Leica Q cameras – Welcome pack
- Leica SL cameras – Welcome pack
- Leica CL/TL cameras – Welcome pack
- Leica film cameras – Welcome pack