Photography has a way of revealing the extraordinary within the ordinary. It sharpens our senses, urging us to see beyond the surface. Recently, I experienced this firsthand when I acquired my new camera—the Leica Q2 Reporter.
As I redecorated my office, I made a bold decision: to part with my trusted FujiFilm X-T4 and my beloved Olympus Pen F. The hunt for a replacement led me down a rabbit hole of research, mailing lists, and camera trials. Amidst the noise of social media and tech trends, one camera stood out: the Leica Q2.
Let me be clear—I won’t justify the purchase. Nor will I delve into price comparisons or the intricacies of Leica’s legacy. What matters is this: I am immensely proud to own the Q2. Its 28mm Summilux lens is a marvel, equally adept at capturing sweeping landscapes and intimate street scenes. But here’s the secret sauce—it’s also fantastic for cropping.
Take this photo, for instance. The original frame was good, but it was in post-processing that the Q2 truly flexed its muscles. In Lightroom, I zoomed in, cropped, and discovered a world of detail. The result? A crisp, vibrant image that defied its humble beginnings.
(The Seed-Heads photo I posted recently is also a test photo taken with the Leica Q2 and cropped)
The Leica Q2 strikes a balance—a blend of user-friendly simplicity and uncompromising image quality. I can crop, reframe, and still end up with a jaw-dropping photograph. Yes, I might have rationalized my purchase a tad, but that’s alright. The Q2 continues to surprise me, even after just a few days of ownership.
And that lamp photo? A spontaneous test shot. Yet, it yielded beauty—an unexpected gem. So here’s to seeing the world anew through exceptional glass, and embracing the ordinary and unearthing the extraordinary.
Keith Tomlinson Photography 