Chapter 10: Never trust a histogram.

The Leica Q2 Monochrom journal.

We commonly rely on histograms for exposing our DNG files, but they’re often incorrect. The histogram in the Leica Q2 Monochrom (and most cameras for that matter) is taken off the JPG preview image. You’d think it’s a conservative indicator of the eight-stop light range of a JPG, but it’s often wrong. Some DNG files can look dark because they don’t make full use of the light range of the sensor. Other images may have highlights burned into pure white when the histogram indicates you’re well within confines. This entry will help you get more accurate exposures by forgetting the histogram.

Chapter 9: In the bag—a right-sized case for the Leica Q, Q2, Q2M, Q3.

The Leica Q2 Monochrom journal.

The Leica Q2 Monochrom doesn’t really require extras. With a full battery and empty card you can get in a day’s worth of casual shooting with just your camera. So a protective camera bag just needs to be able to carry the camera and little else.

But the problem with finding camera bags is it’s not easy to tell which one your Leica Q series will fit in. Many cases seem to have the right measurement specs but are actually a little too small to fit a Q series or require you to force the camera through an awkward opening. But if you get a bigger camera bag that will surely accommodate your Q, you may have to dig around for your camera and lug an awkward bag that gets in the way of your shooting. This entry gives you some tried-and-true bags that just hold the camera and are comfortably right there next to you, ready for shooting without getting in the way.

I’ve tried many camera bags, waists packs, packs, etc. with my Q2M. Some have no padding. Some are awkward to open and close with one hand. In some, the camera flops around inside. I’ve weeded through a lot and these are my recommendations with photos to show you a size comparison with the camera. Since all the Q models are basically the same size, these bags work with any of them.

Chapter 25: Fun

The Rabbit R1 chronicles.

I think the big aspect of Rabbit R1 that people have missed is the fun factor. The device was literally designed by combining a walkie talkie and a Tamagotchi. It’s regularly been described as an AI Gameboy. And features that come along have been serious, but with some fun thrown in.

Chapter 8: How can my images have GPS when my camera doesn’t have GPS?

The Leica Q2 Monochrom journal.

It’s true: The Leica Q2 Monochrom has no internal GPS. But Leica has a clever way to geotag both JPG and DNG files. Your phone (that’s with you all the time) does have GPS. And the Leica FOTOS app on your phone wirelessly relays that GPS information to the camera that imbeds it in the image file. So as long as your geolocation services on your phone are on and the FOTOS app has access, all your files will be geotagged. This was one of the appealing things about the Q2M to me and what had kept me shooting everything on iPhone instead of a full-frame sensor. And so far, it’s worked flawlessly.

Chapter 7: Is a UV filter needed?

The Leica Q2 Monochrom journal.

There’s much discussion over whether the Leica Q2M should have a UV filter permanently on front the lens or not. This article will help you with your decision.