The new Multifunctional Protector for the new Q3 43 and the existing Q3 is a sleek sleeve which brings the benefit of an Arcos Swiss base for easy tripod mounting. It is a thin and robust case, finished in smooth leather. The case fits over the strap lugs, unusual in half-case design, and is secured to the camera using a hand-operated tripod-mount screw. It is an elegant addition to both current Q3 cameras. So far, so good…
The case is of high quality and fitted my Q3 43 perfectly. It’s the sort of accessory that one could covet. Regrettably, this new device has two significant drawbacks. First, there is no door for SD-card access.
The case must be removed from the camera every time you wish to change card. I don’t like this, and have always resisted cases which require removal before accessing vital components such as battery and card.
It gets worse
Worse, attaching and removing the case is fiddly to say the least. I would be surprised if it can be done in under 15 minutes. The two lug holes in the side of the case means that the strap has to be removed before attempting to attach or remove the case. Even then, it is something of a struggle to manipulate the case and camera because of the protruding lugs.
Furthermore, attaching and removing the strap rings is not as easy as on other cameras because the case occupies that area of wiggle room next to the body. This is often helpful when trying to thread a split-ring through the lugs. As for Peak Design anchor tabs (which require pulling through the lugs with a length of dental floss), forget it.
Multifunctional malfunction
Removing SD cards is thus incredibly difficult. It is such a tedious task that you will never want to access that SD card slot. So it’s bad news if you run out of storage in the field.
This accessory is a major disappointment and I cannot recommend it to any photographer. I find it incredible that a company of Leica’s reputation could allow this device to get to production without asking a serious photographer for evaluation. And serious photographers are certainly not an endangered species at Leitz Park. Even I realised the case’s shortcomings within two minutes as I struggled to attach it over a new Q3 43 which had not yet received its strap.
In fairness to Leica, all this could have been avoided by one simple change — instead of holes for the lugs, make them slots so that the case can be moved without removing the strap. I am less concerned about the lack of access to the SD-card cover because, these days, it’s possible to go weeks or even months without touching the card. This is provided you are content with cable or wireless transfer of data.
Furthermore, many other cases (and, indeed, Leica’s own excellent wireless charging grip for the Q3 must be removed to access both SD card and battery. However, removing the grip is a minor inconvenience compared with removing this new multifunctional protector.
Design over function
The Leica Multifunctional Protector for the Q3 is a triumph of design over function. Not since the TL plastic protector, which required similar gymnastics, have I seen such a questionable piece of industrial design. It is astounding that no one noticed this before launch.
As a result, I cannot imagine any photographer being happy with it, even at the reasonable (for Leica) price of £220.
If you never wish to remove the case from your camera, and never again have the irrational notion to change an SD card, then the case looks good. It does its job of protecting the camera well, and you will be pleased with it.
Please let us know what you think in the comments section below
More reading on the Q series
Launch of Leica Q3 43
Leica Q3 43 answers a demand
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I placed my order BEFORE I saw this review from you, and instantly regretted it after learning what you had to say. Then this morning I see that Leica has cancelled my order and refunded my purchase without an explanation. I wonder if your concerns have reached the right ears.
That is interesting indeed. As far as I know, Macfilos is the only site to have noticed this design flaw. Let’s see if they make an announcement. Thanks for letting us know.
As for the Multifunctional Protector, even my Leica dealer said some have cut their own hole in the base of the case do that one can remove the SD card without removing the case. I will receive mine this week and see if that is possible. For my Q3 I got the LIM Q3 case with incorporated grip which has bottom cutouts for both battery and SD card and it is about US$100 less than the Leica case with the same smooth leather, but the top is just under the lugs. The only short coming of the case is that it provides a wrench for attaching it into tripod socket, but the small wrench is magnetically held to the bottom of the case. This magnet is very strong and I have had it from day 5 of owning the Q3 which I got on day one and the wrench has been forgotten as it holds very well.
As I pointed out, the lack of an SD door aperture is the lesser of the two problems. For me, the need to remove the strap before removing the case is an absolute dealbreaker. However, just as you might be able to cut a hole for the card door, you can presumably convert the lug holes to slots in the same way. However, the sides of the case are very stiff, and I am fairly sure there is a metal frame on which the leather is mounted. So cutting the slot will be rather difficult and could result in an unsightly mess.
But if cutting a hole for access to the SD card then why having to remove the case at all?
Because, in my experience, you don’t always want to keep a case on the camera. I have both the handgrip (useful for days when the camera is being used constantly) and an Arte di Mano leather case die other times. However, I accept that a few people will be happy to leave the case on the camera permanently.
As for the Multifunctional Protector, even my Leica dealer said some have cut their own hole in the base of the case do that one can remove the SD card without removing the case. I will receive mine this week and see if that is possible. For my Q3 I got the LIM Q3 case with incorporated grip which has bottom cutouts for both battery and SD card and it is about US$100 less than the Leica case with the same smooth leather, but the top is just under the lugs. The only short coming of the case is that it provides a wrench for attaching it into tripod socket, but the small wrench is magnetically held to the bottom of the case. This magnet is very strong and I have had it from day 5 of owning the Q3 which I got on day one and the wrench has been forgotten as it holds very well.
Thank you. You saved me a bit of money!
Unfortunately I ordered one of these on Friday after reading the Leica website blurb which stated clearly that “cut-outs on the bottom keep the battery and SD card easily accessible and ensure that the camera is always ready for use”. Sadly i didn’t study the photograph closely enough nor spot your review in time. It’s probably back to the dealer when it arrives as I don’t want the hassle of taking the strap off each time I want to get at the SD card.
Does nobody at Leica bother to check copy these days?
I think it is more of a disconnect between the accessories department and the camera department. Even small accessories such as this case should be beta tested by real photographers. Any one of us could have noticed this flaw in 30 seconds.
This post sums up why I visit macfilos. You all appreciate Leicas but are very happy to call them out when they screw things up.
That’s why I take what you say seriously, and very much appreciate your integrity.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mark. We do try to be even-handed, and we all have a high regard for Leica, both the company and its products. As you say, though, if they make a mistake, as with this multifunctional projector, or the poor zoom controls of the D-Lux 8, we are happy to call them out. We remain independent, however, and don’t accept advertising. Donations, from time to time, though. We buy all our long-term cameras, and have taken delivery of both the M11-D and Q3 43 in the past month (how inconvenient of Leica to launch TWO cameras in one month). But we get no privileges, discounts or special attention. Thanks for your continued support. Without that, Macfilos would be nothing.
It’s obvious.
This is designed for the Hipsters that want to be seen with a Leica, but not actually use it…
At my advanced age I must say it’s great to be called a hipster! Made my day.
Too bad Gariz (South Korea) does not offer a case for the Q3. I have two Gariz leather half cases for my Nikon Dfs, and they are exquisite. The bottom is aluminum, with a folding screw to attach. The aluminum bottom gives a solid base for tripod attachment. It simply has a cutout to access the battery / SD card door.
There is another brand called TP Original (China) which makes some beautiful leather half cases, and they do include Q3 in their list. I bought two half cases for my Nikon F2s plus one for Df. One is a custom case that they charged an extra $10 for the customization. The TP Original cases have a snap-closing leather flap, that is integral with the case, for easy access to the battery / SD card door. You can find them on eBay.
Martin, all very interesting. I have not seen a Gariz case, nor TP Original. We have given extensive coverage over the years to Arte di Mano, and I am sure you are familiar with their cases. Do I infer that you think Gariz cases are better? I have had a lot of contact with Se-jun Kim, the head of Arte di Mano, and he is invariably helpful and responsible. The cases aren’t cheap, but they are the best I have used.
No, I had not seen the Arte di Mano cases before you mentioned it. But I have seen the cases by Luigi which are Italian (Arte di Mano sounds Italian but apparently is S. Korean). The Luigi cases are quite expensive ($480 for Df). I note that Arte di Mano cases for Q3 can be had for less then $200. Genuine Gariz are about $130 new. I see a lot of what appear to be counterfeit Gariz cases on eBay right now.
I mentioned the TP Original cases, because my experience with them has been excellent. They are quite inexpensive but seem to be very good quality. And available in a lot of different colors.
I am rather sure the TP Original cases are made in mainland China, but I bought mine from a Taiwanese seller. Makes me feel a little better.