A look at some of my favorite landscapes captured with the Leica Q2 over the last 11 months. Dozens of photographs from Alaska to Africa and many places in between. My Website: benstaley.com/ IG: / staley
Just amazing photos! Great work! Maybe I'm a little late to the party but too see what you do with the Q2 is inspiering. Just sold all my gear and bought the Q2 as my only camera too! Cheers from southern Sweden.
Great photos , I have a Q2 and are blown away constantly with what it reproduces.. shot several short documentaries with it and combined it with my RED footage it looks great
As a new subscriber to your channel Ben, i am playing catchup. This one is another one that tells me i am really going to have a ball with my new q2. Your images are inspiring mate, the one at 9.40 is just great........wish it was mine! Stay safe fellah
I grew up in the antelope valley. Around Lancaster, Palmdale area. Now in northern Cali. I experienced snow there maybe once. It was insane seeing family post pictures all over social media of the snow. Great shots!!
Very cool! Just filmed another video out there 2 mornings ago. Should go live in a couple weeks. Love roaming around out there. Thanks for stopping by!
Another great video with cracking pictures. You've inspired me to get some landscape shots. Keep them coming and thanks for your hard work, this is definitely my favourite channel on CZcams.
Great photos as ever - nice and eclectic. You say in it that you are working on fixing 'aspect ratios and cropping because they are all over the place' - don't do that, I've never believed that we should conform to either 'the rules' or the in-camera formats except where it makes the image better.........keep doing what you are doing because it is good
your enthusiastic voice and the eerie music is confusing my brain lol. Love this content and youre the only one that has answered my question about he Q2s abilities outside of the urban (artsy) asthetic. Thankyou so much!
hello Ben, thanks again for the really great video about Q2. Your pictures really knocked my shoes off last night. I haven't seen anything like it in a long time. Hopefully there will be more such great impressions. By the way, thanks for always showing the settings. That makes it even more understandable. I send you a nice greeting from Berlin (Germany). i hope that is the better english :-)
I’ve had the Leica Q2 for a couple of weeks now and your videos have been extremely helpful. Hope to take shots like these in the future but for now I just can’t seem to nail focus. Thank you for the awesome content!
Great video fantastic shots!! I have a M10 for my color pictures and a Q2 monochrome as well! Fantastic cameras for sure. I do love monochromatic images!!
Absolute stunning shot Ben! Superb pw on colors and light also, the ambient drone track underlines the special mood in your images. I also love my q2, it is nice to see how open minded you just shoot everything and experiment a lot, very inspiring. Damn your images really rock, keep em coming! :)
Two comments: truly a great video on its own - but since in incorporates the LEICA Q 2, even better. I recently listed all of mu Nikon full-frame D810 and a ton of lens for sale to downsize & upgrade to a Q2. This video reinforces my decision to get a Q 2. Not the end-all but great none the less. Thanks & I am a new subscriber...
Awesome! I love to hear this! Really appreciate the words of support. Check out my Q2 portrait video, I outline my own story, similar to your own. Cheers!
Hi Ben, I really liked your q2 landscape presentation. Your images inspire us all to get out there and look at the landscape with renewed humility,awe and confidence. Thank you for sharing your talent,artistic vision and technique with us. Keep photographing ,you are among the greats of our era. geo chiang rai Th
Great video thank you. Being an ex pro tog I now just shoot for pleasure (best decision I ever made) It’s helped me decide to do something that is quite daunting! Sell ALL of current camera gear which consists in a ton of Zeiss and Sony G glass as well as my Sony 99 and Ricoh GR and take the plunge into the world of Leica Q2. Being a biker, a hiker and street photographer I need something that is light, no extra gear and quick. No frills, no gadgetry just a bog standard camera that has the capability to take damn good photographs, but pushes me to rethink things through and push my imagination and creativity. I think this will fit the bill!
Fabulous work. Loved the images and the way you put this video together. I’m about to sell all my equipment to get the Q2, and I think this video finalised it. Having said that you’re clearly very talented and could probably get a something out of next to nothing. I’m not sure why you mentioned issues with cropping etc, as you’re framing is excellent. Inspirational.
Amazing images and videos, thanks so much for sharing Ben! Please keep each still image a few more seconds on the screen if possible, they go by too quickly to appreciate them, I needed to pause the video constantly. I understand that you need to keep the overall duration manageable, and the flow, well, flowing, but who wouldn't like to spend even double the time looking at these beautiful images? (without pausing the video, that is). I don't think anybody would mind if the total time was 40 mins instead of 20 mins... :-) Thanks again!
It does help ! Now I am only a few days ahead of be a lucky Q2 owner and I just can't wait ... (on that side your videos are not helping lol ! They are just making the - very - long wait to be able to get myself a Q2 even more difficult !) ... Take care and make more of those Q2 videos please !
Hi, first of all: nice pictures 😉 did you have banding (only on the display) when you took the underexposed shots? Espacially when you shooting the sky and the sun goes down? ✌️
Sadly i can‘t upload a picture, so i can‘t show you what i mean. It seems like the display is not able to show a high dynamic range...i have ugly banding in around the sun and the blue sky. On the computer everything is fine, but on the camera display it‘s looking very shitty 😕 Maybe my display has an issue or is broken 🤷🏼♂️
@@adventureStaley Was a toss up for my 'Grail' camera between the Leica Q2 the Fuji GFX 50r of the Canon R5. After weighing up all the pro and cons of each i went with the GFX. Wanted a camera I could change lenses on and that 50 mp large format sensor is sublime. Keep up the great work! 📸👌
Beautiful, yet diverse pictures while keeping it in the landscape theme. Keep'em coming!👌 Is there by the way any chance of catching you on the Dissect/Nonprophet Podcast again?
very cool video and photos. do you use autofocus or manual focus (or both depending on the situation?) and for exposure metering settings ? spot, center weight or multi field? thanks
Thanks so much! I use both depending o the situation. Probably mostly manual. The Q2 has great peaking and it punches in when you adjust focus. Love it. I always shoot manual for exposure but camera is set for center weighted. I use the histogram onscreen to make sure I am exposing properly. Am mostly a video shooter professionally so its very natural for me to use the Histo. Thank for the support!
From what I've been seeing from you and researching all over, the output is incredible. I'm just still trying to justify the price. The form factor alone is killer for a shooter, but I also would like a 'decent' video option if I were to only take this on a long trip. I've been a Canon shooter for 2 decades (occasional Sony, but kicked that short lived habit recently) and I ALWAYS catch myself taking a way too much range of lenses. I'm an overkill packer.
I get it. Big video Monday that’s a 1 year review. It’s my fave digital camera ever but you better be ok with 28mm. It’s got pretty good video now after that last firmware update. But again 28mm. I’m around if you have any specific questions man. Thanks for checking out my little channel.
Yes. And I love long lens landscapes. But I’m learning. To see differently. My eye has changed. I think when I get another camera with a long lens I will feel unleashed with my portraits and landscapes. But I love this little thing. More all the time. Thanks man!
This was a terrific video in every way, about photography in general! You've got yourself a new subscriber :) Regarding the Q2, it looks very nice and perhaps it would be a nice choice for someone with high end m43 looking at FF in the near future, looks like an amazing lens with a good camera stuck to it :) /Rasmus
Man these photos are amazing. Loved the one with the tv and the lightning in b&w and then this dope transition! I like a lot your dark and moody black and white style. For me its very hard to find out how I like my b&w photos to look and how to edit them. How heavy are you editing usually a photo in b&w Ben? Do you try to make as much as possible in camera before you take the shot?
I'm not big on sitting in front of my computer. Now that I'm making all these youtube videos I def spend a lot of time in the chair. Overall I do very minimal editing to most shots. Maybe I'll do an edit vid soon.
Great stuff mate love it. I've been trying to use my Q2 more lately shooting urban scenes in London. Just the act of walking around more gives you a whole new perspective on the city. You have more time to look UP and pick out all sorts of fascinating details on the buildings. Keep it up Peter (Uk)
great video, I have been thinking a lot about the Q2 since it came out. I'm a micro 4/3 shooter. when i look at my 2 cameras and my 6 lens kit I see that what i spent on that gear pretty much matches the cost of a Q2 here in Canada. so that makes the Q2 good value for the money. The only short comming is i lose the telephoto aspect when shooting wildlife when using the Q2. but then again I'm 76 years old (but still physically active)....decisions, decisions. but your video has moved me one more step closer. Thanks so much, zen billings
Adventure & Art , thanks. I’m a bit on the fence, whether it’s silly to use UV filter - as I currently do - and that front lens elements are very resilient today. Filters might then just result in ghosting and flare...
Adventure & Art , quick follow up. UV filter off my Q-P 😊 Time to enjoy the “pure” Leica glass - now time to create. 😃 When you shot the images in the sand storm quoted in one of you CZcams vids (I think M6 + 50mm), you still had front element naked or use filter in those more extreme conditions? 😌 Best and thanks once again, Mads
Thanks for the lovely video! Why the comment around 8:00 about various aspect ratios being an issue? Is it because you want a more unified portfolio? Or you like the discipline of it? Harder to print? What is the advantage of fewer crops/aspect ratios?
I generally keep the 3:2 aspect ratio when I crop, but I’m not dogmatic about it. I think that if you have different aspect ratios and you printed in a book, that would encourage leaving white space and giving the photos room to breathe. So maybe you could embrace it in that way.
Hi! Do you use AF or manual focusing in the landscape photos? And wtf is going on with that 30s hand hold? Really? BTW, great photographs - thanks for such inspiring work!
Thanks David! I use a mix of both depending on the situation. Didn't make those lightning shots handheld man! Rested the camera on a big video tripod! Thanks for stopping by!
Just amazing photos! Great work! Maybe I'm a little late to the party but too see what you do with the Q2 is inspiering. Just sold all my gear and bought the Q2 as my only camera too! Cheers from southern Sweden.
Thank ya so much Robert. Enjoy that little guy!
Just bought the Q2, fantastic video Ben. Thanks for the inspiration.
Spot On Robert ... Great review!
Thanks!
Great photos , I have a Q2 and are blown away constantly with what it reproduces.. shot several short documentaries with it and combined it with my RED footage it looks great
Awesome! Thank you Daniel.
Incredible moving images and your videos inspire once again. Can’t wait to explore again
Man, thank you so much!
As a new subscriber to your channel Ben, i am playing catchup. This one is another one that tells me i am really going to have a ball with my new q2. Your images are inspiring mate, the one at 9.40 is just great........wish it was mine! Stay safe fellah
Gary I'm so glad you are here! Thank you man, there are a handful of videos here that I'm very proud of. Cheers.
The camera is great but you make these great shots. You have incredible talent and an eye. Respect!
Thank you very much!
I grew up in the antelope valley. Around Lancaster, Palmdale area. Now in northern Cali. I experienced snow there maybe once. It was insane seeing family post pictures all over social media of the snow. Great shots!!
Very cool! Just filmed another video out there 2 mornings ago. Should go live in a couple weeks. Love roaming around out there. Thanks for stopping by!
Damnit I love when you make these creepy eerie vibes videos lol ...awesome!!! And cheers! enjoying a cold beer as I watch
Glad you enjoy it! AHAHAHAH! Thanks Gus!
Excellent work here!!
Gracias!!
Another great video with cracking pictures. You've inspired me to get some landscape shots. Keep them coming and thanks for your hard work, this is definitely my favourite channel on CZcams.
Awesome Wally, thank you so much for that!
I really love your work and this channel. As if I needed more impetus to get a Q2….
Thank you Don
Love it! Creatively motivated! Amazing clicks!
Thanks so much!
Really appreciate the work you put into making these videos. Excellent and constructive in every way.
Peter thank you very much for saying that and thank you for showing up. Cheers!
Great photos as ever - nice and eclectic. You say in it that you are working on fixing 'aspect ratios and cropping because they are all over the place' - don't do that, I've never believed that we should conform to either 'the rules' or the in-camera formats except where it makes the image better.........keep doing what you are doing because it is good
Appreciate that Mark
Beautiful desert photos. I like your presenting and presence - in tune with your name here. Thank you!
Hey thanks, that’s awesome to hear. Cheers!
Hi, Ben.
Great video. I didn't feel like doing anything artsy today. But I this inspired to take a walk around my neighborhood and take photos.
That’s huge!!! Thanks man!!
Wonderful shots. You've motivated me to pick up my Q2 and head out!!
You should! Get out there! Thank you!
All photos are good, most are excellent and some pure art man! Thank you! I love my Q2 just like you👍
Dang. Thanks man!!
Really like your images - great eye and imagination Ben.
Appreciate that Graham!!
your enthusiastic voice and the eerie music is confusing my brain lol. Love this content and youre the only one that has answered my question about he Q2s abilities outside of the urban (artsy) asthetic. Thankyou so much!
Thanks for that David, I appreciate the support!
Great video!
Thanks!
Another great video. Love the haunting music!
Glad you enjoyed it David! Thanks you!
@@adventureStaley What's that music? It's very moody. Thanks in advance!
@@wojteks.3264 Thanks! Just some stuff I whipped up in Garage band.
Stunning photos!
Many thanks!
hello Ben, thanks again for the really great video about Q2. Your pictures really knocked my shoes off last night. I haven't seen anything like it in a long time. Hopefully there will be more such great impressions. By the way, thanks for always showing the settings. That makes it even more understandable. I send you a nice greeting from Berlin (Germany). i hope that is the better english :-)
Great to hear! Thank you so much Frank!
I came for the Q2 review, i stay for you... i just like your style
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Love it! Great vid!
Thanks!
I’ve had the Leica Q2 for a couple of weeks now and your videos have been extremely helpful. Hope to take shots like these in the future but for now I just can’t seem to nail focus. Thank you for the awesome content!
Thanks Tony!
Great video fantastic shots!! I have a M10 for my color pictures and a Q2 monochrome as well! Fantastic cameras for sure. I do love monochromatic images!!
🙏🏻🙏🏻 appreciate you stopping by Erik!
Absolute stunning shot Ben! Superb pw on colors and light also, the ambient drone track underlines the special mood in your images. I also love my q2, it is nice to see how open minded you just shoot everything and experiment a lot, very inspiring. Damn your images really rock, keep em coming! :)
Hey thanks very much! Appreciate the kind words!
Bonjour Merci pour ces jolies photos et cette vidéo je pense que mon prochain appareil sera le Q2 vous m'avez convaincu Superbe paysage
Thanks for showing up Guy! Sadly I don’t speak French!
I bought a used Q two weeks ago. Your images are so inspiring.
Great little cameras! Really appreciate your kind words.
Great pictures Ben enjoyed this.
Many thanks!
Two comments: truly a great video on its own - but since in incorporates the LEICA Q 2, even better. I recently listed all of mu Nikon full-frame D810 and a ton of lens for sale to downsize & upgrade to a Q2. This video reinforces my decision to get a Q 2. Not the end-all but great none the less. Thanks & I am a new subscriber...
Awesome! I love to hear this! Really appreciate the words of support. Check out my Q2 portrait video, I outline my own story, similar to your own. Cheers!
I total agree.
Hi Ben, I really liked your q2 landscape presentation. Your images inspire us all to get out there and look at the landscape with renewed humility,awe and confidence.
Thank you for sharing your talent,artistic vision and technique with us.
Keep photographing ,you are among the greats of our era.
geo
chiang rai
Th
Thank you George
Great video thank you. Being an ex pro tog I now just shoot for pleasure (best decision I ever made) It’s helped me decide to do something that is quite daunting! Sell ALL of current camera gear which consists in a ton of Zeiss and Sony G glass as well as my Sony 99 and Ricoh GR and take the plunge into the world of Leica Q2. Being a biker, a hiker and street photographer I need something that is light, no extra gear and quick. No frills, no gadgetry just a bog standard camera that has the capability to take damn good photographs, but pushes me to rethink things through and push my imagination and creativity. I think this will fit the bill!
Bravo
Great stuff. Soundtrack is awesome too!
Appreciate it!
Inspiring
👏
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Really inspiring. Thank-you.
Thanks very much David
Only commenting in the hope it helps oh and to say keep up the good work man
Appreciate it
Fabulous work. Loved the images and the way you put this video together. I’m about to sell all my equipment to get the Q2, and I think this video finalised it. Having said that you’re clearly very talented and could probably get a something out of next to nothing. I’m not sure why you mentioned issues with cropping etc, as you’re framing is excellent. Inspirational.
Thank ya Mark
Thanks for the informative video!
Thanks for stopping by!
Great photos.
Whats your favorite apenture?
Thanks. Depends on the situation. I’m sure guilty of shooting wide open too much.
Please keep the same eerie music going through all your next up and coming videos!!
Nearly guaranteed! Thanks for watching!
@@adventureStaley no worries loving your work!!
Amazing images and videos, thanks so much for sharing Ben! Please keep each still image a few more seconds on the screen if possible, they go by too quickly to appreciate them, I needed to pause the video constantly. I understand that you need to keep the overall duration manageable, and the flow, well, flowing, but who wouldn't like to spend even double the time looking at these beautiful images? (without pausing the video, that is). I don't think anybody would mind if the total time was 40 mins instead of 20 mins... :-) Thanks again!
Noted Manos!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’d like to see a video on how you do time-lapse video. That sounds interesting.
Noted! Might just do that soon. Thanks for stopping by Scott.
It does help ! Now I am only a few days ahead of be a lucky Q2 owner and I just can't wait ... (on that side your videos are not helping lol ! They are just making the - very - long wait to be able to get myself a Q2 even more difficult !) ... Take care and make more of those Q2 videos please !
Thanks pal. Have you seen them all already?
@@adventureStaley yes ! Now looking at non QZ ones ! Great channel !
Hi, first of all: nice pictures 😉 did you have banding (only on the display) when you took the underexposed shots? Espacially when you shooting the sky and the sun goes down? ✌️
Thanks. I don’t understand.
Sadly i can‘t upload a picture, so i can‘t show you what i mean. It seems like the display is not able to show a high dynamic range...i have ugly banding in around the sun and the blue sky. On the computer everything is fine, but on the camera display it‘s looking very shitty 😕
Maybe my display has an issue or is broken 🤷🏼♂️
👍 Some nice captures.
Thanks very much!
@@adventureStaley
Was a toss up for my 'Grail' camera between the Leica Q2 the Fuji GFX 50r of the Canon R5.
After weighing up all the pro and cons of each i went with the GFX. Wanted a camera I could change lenses on and that 50 mp large format sensor is sublime.
Keep up the great work!
📸👌
Beautiful, yet diverse pictures while keeping it in the landscape theme. Keep'em coming!👌 Is there by the way any chance of catching you on the Dissect/Nonprophet Podcast again?
Thank you Anders! You just never know... I was recently on this podcast - www.theakshow.com/post/boy-from-the-bush-wins-an-emmy-with-ben-staley-tas-21
Do you ever stitch together more than one image in these great views?
Never have. Thanks!
very cool video and photos. do you use autofocus or manual focus (or both depending on the situation?) and for exposure metering settings ? spot, center weight or multi field? thanks
Thanks so much! I use both depending o the situation. Probably mostly manual. The Q2 has great peaking and it punches in when you adjust focus. Love it. I always shoot manual for exposure but camera is set for center weighted. I use the histogram onscreen to make sure I am exposing properly. Am mostly a video shooter professionally so its very natural for me to use the Histo. Thank for the support!
@@adventureStaley great, thanks for the reply!
Will you put the UV on when you shoot pictures?
When you are shooting outside in inclement weather and the Q2, do you use any kind of camera weather sleeve to give it some extra protection?
Never have. And I've had the thing in some WEATHER
Can the Q2 be used for professional work?,
I've done many jobs with it.
Are most of the pictures straight out of the camera or did you do a lot of post (ie: the low light and B&W photos)?
Very minimal post. There is a video coming in a few weeks where I show how I edit Q2 files.
From what I've been seeing from you and researching all over, the output is incredible. I'm just still trying to justify the price. The form factor alone is killer for a shooter, but I also would like a 'decent' video option if I were to only take this on a long trip. I've been a Canon shooter for 2 decades (occasional Sony, but kicked that short lived habit recently) and I ALWAYS catch myself taking a way too much range of lenses. I'm an overkill packer.
I get it. Big video Monday that’s a 1 year review. It’s my fave digital camera ever but you better be ok with 28mm. It’s got pretty good video now after that last firmware update. But again 28mm. I’m around if you have any specific questions man. Thanks for checking out my little channel.
random aperture ;-)
Great video. Do you find not having a longer lens option a bit limiting for landscapes sometimes?
Yes. And I love long lens landscapes. But I’m learning. To see differently. My eye has changed. I think when I get another camera with a long lens I will feel unleashed with my portraits and landscapes. But I love this little thing. More all the time. Thanks man!
This was a terrific video in every way, about photography in general! You've got yourself a new subscriber :)
Regarding the Q2, it looks very nice and perhaps it would be a nice choice for someone with high end m43 looking at FF in the near future, looks like an amazing lens with a good camera stuck to it :)
/Rasmus
Thank you sir!
Man these photos are amazing. Loved the one with the tv and the lightning in b&w and then this dope transition! I like a lot your dark and moody black and white style. For me its very hard to find out how I like my b&w photos to look and how to edit them. How heavy are you editing usually a photo in b&w Ben? Do you try to make as much as possible in camera before you take the shot?
I'm not big on sitting in front of my computer. Now that I'm making all these youtube videos I def spend a lot of time in the chair. Overall I do very minimal editing to most shots. Maybe I'll do an edit vid soon.
@@adventureStaley I def would be very interested in a vid about editing!:)
Great stuff mate love it. I've been trying to use my Q2 more lately shooting urban scenes in London. Just the act of walking around more gives you a whole new perspective on the city. You have more time to look UP and pick out all sorts of fascinating details on the buildings. Keep it up
Peter (Uk)
Awesome awesome! All the best Peter!
great video, I have been thinking a lot about the Q2 since it came out. I'm a micro 4/3 shooter. when i look at my 2 cameras and my 6 lens kit I see that what i spent on that gear pretty much matches the cost of a Q2 here in Canada. so that makes the Q2 good value for the money. The only short comming is i lose the telephoto aspect when shooting wildlife when using the Q2. but then again I'm 76 years old (but still physically active)....decisions, decisions. but your video has moved me one more step closer. Thanks so much, zen billings
Right on Zen. It’s a great little machine that can do a lot.
Hi Ben, do you use UV/protective filter on your Leica Q and M lens? Worth it or not necessary? Thanks, Mads
I don’t. Maybe that’s risky but if I damage a lens I’ll just pay for it I guess. Heh.
Adventure & Art , thanks. I’m a bit on the fence, whether it’s silly to use UV filter - as I currently do - and that front lens elements are very resilient today. Filters might then just result in ghosting and flare...
@@madspallesen156 My thoughts exactly!
Adventure & Art , quick follow up. UV filter off my Q-P 😊 Time to enjoy the “pure” Leica glass - now time to create. 😃 When you shot the images in the sand storm quoted in one of you CZcams vids (I think M6 + 50mm), you still had front element naked or use filter in those more extreme conditions? 😌 Best and thanks once again, Mads
How well does the Q2 autofocus work in low light? Such as dim lit street scenes or night sky landscapes.
Autofocus is great in all conditions for me. Rarely misses.
Thanks for the lovely video! Why the comment around 8:00 about various aspect ratios being an issue? Is it because you want a more unified portfolio? Or you like the discipline of it? Harder to print? What is the advantage of fewer crops/aspect ratios?
Haha. Thanks John. Some folks get picky about such things. Inconsistency and all. I’m horrible at it. Thanks for the support!
I generally keep the 3:2 aspect ratio when I crop, but I’m not dogmatic about it. I think that if you have different aspect ratios and you printed in a book, that would encourage leaving white space and giving the photos room to breathe. So maybe you could embrace it in that way.
@@sc0ttmagoon Thanks for the feedback man.
Awesome Ben! Q: B&W is HC or normal B&W settings? Thanks. Cheers
Thanks Ko! Raw!!
@@adventureStaley Ok Ben. Post processing and no presets. Thanks!
Great video. Love this slow story telling. Not much of that in todays world.
Thanks for stopping by Einar
only issue i have with this video, is the very irritating flickery transitions , apart from that it was a pleasure to watch.
Thanks for stopping by my little channel!
Hi! Do you use AF or manual focusing in the landscape photos? And wtf is going on with that 30s hand hold? Really? BTW, great photographs - thanks for such inspiring work!
Thanks David! I use a mix of both depending on the situation. Didn't make those lightning shots handheld man! Rested the camera on a big video tripod! Thanks for stopping by!
It’s wanderfull ,but I have no ward , because I can speak English a little, sorry.
Thank you!
Talking too much!