The Art of Speed
At Leica and in Formula 1®, teams of engineers work with the utmost precision for months to achieve that decisive fraction of a second. This shared passion for precision and technology has given rise to the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition – a tribute to the art of speed.
This special edition features handcrafted carbon fiber parts, non-slip Microvelour and official F1® branding. With a focal length of 43 mm, it captures even the most adrenaline-fueled moments as faithfully as the human eye perceives them.
Born from German Engineering, driven by the Spirit of Racing.
Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition
The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is a special edition arising from the partnership between Leica Camera and Formula 1®. Motorsports material lends this camera its unmistakable character: carbon-fiber elements handmade in Germany adorn the hand grip, thumb rest and soft-release button; Microvelour covering provides grip, just like on a racing steering wheel. Red accents lead the hand, the F1® logo graces the top plate and lens cap, and camera and accessories form a matching set. The exclusive ‘Formula 1’ Leica Look brings the ambiance of the race circuit directly into the picture. On the technical side, the Leica Q3 43 remains unchanged: the fast APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH., whose 43mm come as close to human vision as any focal length, the full-frame sensor with Triple Resolution Technology and an ISO range up to 100,000, which gives you room to maneuver even in the shadows of the pit lane.
Unmistakable Down to the Last Detail
From the engraved top plate and matching lens cap to the rope strap bearing both brands’ logos: the F1® and Leica details incorporated into the material give this exclusive special edition a distinctive character all of its own.
F1® Form Factor
The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition features motorsport-inspired materials in areas that are particularly important for touch: the body is covered in black Microvelour for a grip on the housing similar to that found on racing steering wheels. Additionally, carbon-fiber parts, which are specially manufactured in Germany, have been fitted to the hand grip, thumb rest and soft-release button. Not only were the carbon fiber elements precisely shaped for this purpose, the intricate surface finish also creates an elegant link to the world of motor racing.
Focus Comes in Color
The high visibility colors on the racing steering wheel play a vital role in helping you track hand movements, even when you’re only seeing them out of the corner of your eye. This allows you to keep your focus on the race. This special edition incorporates the same principle for the soft-release button and the right-hand function button in the thumb rest, both of which are finished in Formula 1® red to ensure every grip is spot on. This lets you keep your focus on the subject.
The ‘Formula 1’ Leica Look
As part of this special edition, a matching rendering has also been developed to create a holistic racing experience. The exclusive ‘Formula 1’ Leica Look captures the atmosphere of the racetrack and brings it directly into the finished image, with greater contrast and saturation. This look can be transferred to the camera via the Leica FOTOS App and applied immediately. This effect can be applied to JPEGs, which can then be transferred to a smartphone via the app in a matter of seconds and shared straight away.
No Compromises on Technology
The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is based on the Leica Q3 43 model. It retains the original model’s outstanding image quality and intuitive operation, combining them with an exclusive design inspired by the world of motorsport.
Top Performance at a Glance
Developed specifically for the Leica Q3 43, the fast APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. is part of the legendary family of Leica APO lenses, which are renowned for producing exceptionally sharp, high-contrast images.
At the maximum aperture of f/2, subjects are isolated from the background with a harmonious bokeh effect, even in low light. The built-in macro mode captures close-up subjects with impressive detail. Despite its sophisticated design featuring seven aspherical surfaces, the lens retains the compact form factor for which the Leica Q series is renowned.
Sensor with Triple Resolution Technology
The Leica Q3 43’s full-frame sensor enables you to select 60, 36 or 18 megapixels at any time in either JPEG or DNG format. Regardless of the selected resolution, the camera always utilises the entire sensor area. The ISO range of 50 to 100,000 provides flexibility in challenging lighting conditions.
Processing is handled by the Maestro IV chip with L² technology. This ensures the camera runs quickly and reliably, even at the highest resolution for both stills and video.
Always Ready in a Flash
Developed specifically for the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition, the wireless charging hand grip is a striking design feature inspired by motorsport. Instead of the classic leatherette covering, the hand grip is made of carbon fiber for greater camera control. This is particularly useful when shooting with one hand; a wrist strap can also be attached for added security.
The Arca-Swiss mount enables quick mounting of the camera on a tripod, while the grip can be removed at any time. Thanks to the integrated charging function, the camera starts charging as soon as it sits on the Drop XL Wireless Charger charging pad.
About Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is an international, premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses and sports optics. As part of its growth strategy, the company has expanded its portfolio to include mobile imaging (smartphones) and the manufacture of high-quality spectacle lenses and watches, and is also represented in the home cinema segment with its own projectors.
Leica Camera AG, having its headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal, operates a global network of its own distribution companies with around 120 Leica Stores worldwide.
The Leica brand stands for excellence in quality, German craftsmanship and industrial design, combined with innovative technologies. An integral aspect of the brand culture is the promotion of the culture of photography, with around 30 Leica Galleries worldwide, the Leica Akademie and international awards such as the Leica Hall of Fame Award and the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).
About Formula 1®
Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1® and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship . Formula 1® is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: FWONA, FWONK, LLYVA, LLVYK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock. The F1 logo, F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.
Highlights:
- Official Formula 1® Special Edition
- Handcrafted carbon-fiber elements
- Camera and accessories set
Features:
- 62.39 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with 60.3 MP effective resolution
- Leica Maestro IV processor
- Leica APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH. lens
- Optical image stabilization for photos and video
- C8K, 8K, C4K, 4K, and Full HD video recording
- Hybrid autofocus with 315 metering fields and eye, face, body, and animal detection
- 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder with 120 fps refresh rate
- 3" 1.84-million-dot touchscreen LCD
- Mechanical central shutter or electronic shutter, with speeds up to 1/16,000 s
- ISO 50–100,000 for photos and video
- DNG and JPEG photo formats; MP4 and MOV video formats
- USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, HDMI Type D, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, and SD card support
- Leica BP-SCL6 rechargeable battery with approximately 350-shot CIPA rating
Lens Features:
- APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH. Lens
- Optical design with 11 lenses in 8 segments, including 7 aspherical lens areas
- E49 filter thread
- Adjustable aperture from f/2 to f/16 in 1/3 EV increments
- Optional digital zoom settings provide framing equivalents from 60 mm to 150 mm
- Visual compensation system supports image stabilization for photos and video recordings
Compatible With:
Filters:
Dimensions:
5.1 x 3.2 x 3.8"
Weight:
With Battery: 1.70 lbs
Without Battery: 1.51 lbs
Materials:
Full Metal Housing: Magnesium Die-Cast, Leather Covering, Protection Type IP52
FAQ:
Why 43mm?
With a 43mm size, this lens accurately captures the proportions and distances of both wide angle and telephoto focal lengths without any distortions. It corresponds to the full-frame sensor dimensions of 24 x 36mm, providing a perspective similar to that of the human eye. This makes it ideal for various photography and filming needs such as portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
What is an APO lens?
“APO” stands for ‘apochromatically corrected’.
With APO lenses, the construction of the lens elements and the use of low-dispersion glass enables all colors to converge at the same point of focus – resulting in a sharper image without color fringing.
At Leica, the brand will only use the “APO” naming convention for its highest performance lenses, in which the apochromatic benefits can be witnessed when shooting with the lens wide open, no matter the focusing distance.
Manufacturer SKU:
19207
In The Box:
Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition Digital Camera
Leica Lithium-Ion Battery (BP-SCL 6)
Leica USB-C to USB-C Cable
Leica Hot Shoe Cover
Leica Lens Front Cap
Leica Lens Thread Covering Ring
Leica Lens Hood
Leica Carrying Strap
Leica Soft Release Button
Leica Thumb Support
Leica Wireless Charging Handgrip
Product Booklet
Presentation Box
Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
