What are the must-have accessories for a new Leica Q3 owner?

Question

So I finally did it. Dropped the cash on a Q3 and my bank account is crying but I am literally vibrating with excitement right now. Its so pretty but also feels like I'm carrying a piece of glass worth more than my car around. I leave for Tokyo in about three weeks so I need to get this thing kitted out fast. Since I spent so much on the body I'm trying to be smart about the extras but I dont want cheap junk on a Leica you know? I want it to look good but actually work.

I'm really torn on the protection side of things and I've narrowed it down to these three setups:

The official Leica half case + a match technical thumb grip

The Lim's leather half case (love the tripod plate) + a silk rope strap

Just a screen protector and a really high end Oberwerth strap

The Lim's setup is cheaper but the Oberwerth stuff looks incredible but is it really worth the premium? I also cant decide if I should skip the half case entirely and just get a really good thumb grip and a screen protector. I've heard the thumb grip makes a huge difference for one-handed shooting which I'll be doing a lot of on the streets over there since I'll probably have a snack in the other hand lol.

For the strap situation I'm looking at the Peak Design Leash because it's so practical for travel but it feels a bit... techy for this camera. I'm worried about bulk in my carry-on so I need to keep it light and easy to pack. My budget is probably another $300-400 max before my wife kills me and I still need to buy a high speed SD card.

Which combo do you guys think makes the most sense for a high-intensity trip where I'll be walking 20k steps a day? Is the half case overkill if I have a good strap and just stay careful? Or should I go for the protection of the Lim's plus a thumb grip and just call it a day?

Wait, I forgot about the extra battery. Should I prioritize a second battery over the fancy leather accessories...

Janny_A · Accepted Answer

Been thinking about your Tokyo trip all afternoon and I'm so stoked for you! I spent a month in Shibuya last year and let me tell you, the biggest threat to that gorgeous Q3 isn't dropping it, it's the sheer volume of people bumping into you on the Metro. You absolutely must protect that fixed glass first! If you scratch that Summilux lens, Leica will charge you a fortune for the repair. I always run a B+W 49mm Master 010 UV Haze MRC Nano Filter because the Schott glass is amazing and it keeps the moisture and dust out of the lens barrel too. It's way more important than a leather case tbh. Also, please don't skip the Leica Screen Protector for Q3 because it's fantastic for preventing micro-scratches from coat zippers when you're navigating crowds. A spare battery is non-negotiable for 20k steps tho... that high-res EVF eats power like crazy!

zjhpflmnpn · Answer

Stumbled upon this today and man, congrats on the Q3. It is a beast but yeah, that price tag hurts. I have been shooting Leica for over a decade and honestly, you are right to worry about the techy look of Peak Design. It just doesnt feel right on a Q. In my experience, silk straps are the way to go for high-intensity trips like Tokyo. I always use the Artisan & Artist ACAM-301N Silk Cord Strap Black because it is incredibly strong but soft enough to wrap around your wrist when you are weaving through crowds. Plus it doesnt take up any room in a bag. Since you mentioned the SD card, dont skimp there. Those 60MP files are massive and will choke a slow card. I have found the Sony SF-G Tough Series UHS-II 128GB SDXC V90 is the only one that really keeps up with the buffer when you are snapping away. If you get a solid strap and that card, you can probably skip the half case for now and just be careful. Just my two cents tho...

GlacialPhoenix · Answer

In my experience, you definitely need a spare Leica BP-SCL6 Lithium-Ion Battery first. For handling, the Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-SQ3 is far more effective for street photography than any leather case.