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Hello, I’m close to buying a new Leica. Trying hard to make the right decision. All options remain on the table, but I’m leaning towards a SL2-S or SL3. I made the decision to go Leica about a year ago. At the time, I was excited. I thought it’d be easy. Little did I know. The good thing is: it’s been a year. I’ve used that time wisely, I hope, to consider a lot (reading posts, watching videos, and trying out different cameras). I’m almost there. But before I pull the trigger again (more about that in a moment), I’d love to get some input, so if you have any thoughts to share … I’m all ears! A little about me: I’ve got a good amount of life experience and been a photographer for many years. Over the past decades I’ve shot Nikon film cameras & different mirrorless cameras including Fuji, Sony and Ricoh. I enjoy shooting landscapes, city buildings and some street in the endless pursuit of creating photographic art. I have a passion for B&W. So much so that after nearly a year, I made the decision to purchase a “like new” Q2 Monochrom. Unfortunately, it had debris in the viewfinder that I found distracting so I returned it. The experience was a good one because it caused me think even deeper about my commitment level and what I really want. They say the Leica Q’s are the “gateway drug” in the Leica world and I now see why. Yeah, even after a very short time with one. I’m someone that would be very happy with a Monochrom only camera. I shoot 90% B&W (at least), and the ability shoot at night with very high ISO’s with a camera that doesn’t have a bayer filter, and noise that looks more filmic is a very attractive proposition. If I missed color, I could always carry my trust Ricoh GRIII I Ruled Out a Leica Q I’ve ruled out another Q camera for several reasons, with the biggest being that I’ve got some wonderful vintage lenses and want to use them on a Leica (rather than continue using them on my Sony I think). Maybe a M11 or M10 Monochrom? I thought an M11 monochrome … or maybe an M10? … was the answer but I’m not sure a rangefinder’s for me. I mean I LOVE the look. Truly. It’s … beautiful. But I love shooting fast lenses. The rangefinder focusing … nice … but when it comes to focusing some lenses like a f/0.95 or even f/1.2 on a rangefinder … I want an EVF for critical focus. Sure, there’s a great external EVF for the M11 … and I’d be fine with buying that if I needed to, but in my opinion, it kinda messes with the whole rangefinder aesthetic to have to put that on the hot shoe. Also, I’ve heard more than one person talk about their rangefinder’s going out of alignment - and needing to be sent back in for recalibration. I’ve also read about freezing issues some have said they’d experienced with their Leica M11’s on this forum. On top of that, I like to focus CLOSE sometimes (not macro but down to 3/4 or 1/2 a meter) with my vintage lenses … I’ve can do that with an adapter on my Sony A7RIVa with vintage m mount lenses that normally wouldn’t be able to focus that close but would not be able to do that when using them on a Leica M. That frankly is a big deal (for me). Leica SL-2S or SL3? So that’s led me to consider a Leica SL-2s or maybe a SL3? Pros: Ability to convert M lenses and focus close using M to CL adapters. Check Built-in beautiful EVF. Check. More affordable than a Leica M11 Monochrom - check No calibration needed. Cons: No monochrome sensor in sight. Sigh. It’s so … BIG!! The M11 looks so much more inviting. Big Red Dot & Big Leica in big white letters … sheesh! I so prefer the look of the monochrom cameras. Discreet. So tape it up and cover up the dot I guess is the solution there. Perhaps not the best for street? More suited for studio than street? In conclusion: At the end of the day - is a Leica SL2s and/or SL3 worth spending thousands of dollars more - or should I just stick with my 60 megapixel Sony A7R-IVa and call it a day? Has anyone upgraded from the SL2-s to the SL3 .. .and if so, was it worth it? And why? Has anyone owned both a Leica M10/M11 along with a Leica SL series camera and if so, which do you prefer and why? Anyone move from a Leica Monochrome camera to the SL line ? Any regrets? Thoughts and/or Recommendation would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hello everybody, I just came across the website of ARRI (for those of you who don't know: it's a big cinema camera, lens and light manufacturer from Germany). They build the Arri Alexa camera as a monochrom version, which I guess is similar in sensor design as Leica does for photography (increased resolution, higher dynamic range, more light sensitive...). One thing I can't find anywhere is: do the Leica monochrom cameras also have no IR filter and that's the reason why they render highlights and shadows in a different way? In all the reviews out there, no one is talking about that point specifically. Here's the link to the ARRI website: https://www.arrirental.com/en/cameras/exclusive-cameras/alexa-monochrome-cameras

I’ve been playing with the Leica M 11 Monochrom for about a week now. At higher ISOs, I have noticed the presence and some images of a tartan-like grid pattern. At first I thought it was lights that was causing this pattern. Then I started to wonder if my sensor was defective. After reading a review, I noticed that the reviewer also mentioned that at ISO’s as low as 6400 a tartan-like grid pattern could appear in the shadow areas of the image. So my question are as follows: • Is this a defective sensor? • Is it something that can be fixed with firmware? • Are Leica aware of this issue. • Are there plans to address it this matter? High ISO performance is all well and good, but if the image is ruined by pattern noise, then it no longer becomes usable at those ISO’s. More concerning is the revelation that this pattern noise may be present as early as 6400 ISO. This discovery has taken the shine of this camera for me. I do hope for some good news from Leica soon.

I happened to discover this online essay today - the author offers some interesting insights into the M246 Monochrom and why it is still a viable choice: Why I bought a Leica M246 Monochrom https://mwwphotography.co.uk/blog/leicam246monochrom

probably coming soon....

Hi friends, I’m not usually very active on the forum but I remember years ago being very curious about how a modern digital M camera would behave under real working scenarios, even more an M Monochrom considering how much limited is the choice of these tools. I felt that this recent example of a collaboration I had with a music band could be potentially useful for anyone interested in seeing real life results, especially under these challenging conditions. Hope you like it or that it’s somehow useful, best regards to all, Sergio. All photographs made with M10M, Nokton 35mm f1.4 v2 and 50mm Summilux Asph. Belter Souls Band - Leica M10M

Erfahrung und Meinung gefragt zu meiner Ausrüstung Hallo, mein Name ist Chris, habe mich an anderer Stelle bereits vorgestellt. Zu Leica gekommen bin ich über die Leica Q, vorher hatte ich eine Fuji und davor eine Canon-Ausrüstung. Mittlerweile hat sich hier folgende Ausrüstung angesammelt, die ich nun gerne auf das Nötigste zusammen streichen möchte. Da ich mich überhaupt nicht entscheiden kann, suche ich neue Impulse. Was fotografiere ich? - Natur, auch mal Makro (mit Q2 oder M-Zwischenring), Menschen, auch mal Street, Reise, Hunde, Autos, auch mal Portrait-Serien, Familien-Portraits. Selten Stativ aber gerne low light, nie Blitz Kameras in der Reihenfolge der häufigsten Verwendung: - SL mit M auf L-Adapter - M9 Monochrom (behalte ich auf jeden Fall, M10 brauche ich nicht, hatte ich bis vor Kurzem) - Q2 Objektive in der Reihenfolge der häufigsten Verwendung: - 50 mm Summilux Version I, 1966 - 35 mm Summilux Version I, 1967 (Verwendung an der SL eingeschränkt... verstärkte Vignettierung) - 21 mm Voigtländer F1,4 - 50 mm Summicron, 2000 - 35 mm asph. Summicron 2002 - 90 mm Elmarit F2,8 (gerne gezielt bei Portrait) Welche Begehrlichkeiten gibt es? - SL2-S aber brauchen tue ich die nicht zwingend. Glaube nicht, das ich damit bessere Bilder mache. Es reizt gegenüber der SL der IBIS und das noch bessere Rauschverhalten sowie das viiiiel bessere Fokus-Peaking.... Da ich die Sl für 1500,- Euro gekauft habe, würde ich seeehr viel für diese Reize zahlen. Hat jemand spontan einen Impuls, Ideen, die mit weniger Objektiven. Eine Überlegung war schon mal auf neuere Summiluxe umzustellen und dafür aller 35er und 50 er zu veräußern. Sind die neueren Summiluxe bei F2 oder F2,8 so scharf wie die Summicrone? Die älteren sind das erst bei F4 und dass ist mir dann schon zu wenig Licht und/oder Freistellung. Danke für Eure Impulse ich bin gespannt. Viele Grüße Chris

When the sun comes out, so do the parasols. A small project I have set myself this month. M10M + 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH

1/8

It has been ages since I have posted on this forum, or caught up with some of my good friends on a Leica day out. I hope to again soon - and although I haven't been posed I do lurk and read, especially recently. This March I decided to turn over a new leaf with my photography, to return to using my digital Leicas and to be a little more disciplined about it. A number of things made me think about, and ultimately finally buy, a Leica M Monochrom (typ 246). I thought about the M10, or the M10 Monochrom, but apart from the big price difference (I found a very good used M246 at a great price from Ivor at Red Dot) I wasn't sure I wanted the additional resolution of the M10 M, or that the M10 was going to be a significant improvement on my M (typ 240) which I have been neglecting using. I decided the 246 was the one for me, and I am delighted I did. I have really enjoyed using it so far. I wrote a short photo essay about my new leaf, and included the first photos I have taken with the 246 during March: https://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.com/2021/04/march-2021-new-leaf.html I hope to use it a lot more, over the next months and years. So far I am a very happy user. Nick

man with angel hair : ) leica 246 monchrom | summilux asph. 50mm

Has anyone else had any problems connecting the GPS to the M10 Monochrom? Most of the time, I see in the rear screen that the GPS icon has an "x" through it...obviously not connected. I have the Visoflex connected to the camera and the GPS turned on in the menu. I realize there are areas that pose a problem for GPS connections, but I have tried various types of environments. Am I missing something? I've only had it connect sporadically over the past few weeks. Thanks.

I was excited to get a pre-owned M9 Monochrom in excellent condition with very few shots and a new sensor. Good looking camera, I have to admit. Coming from a Q2, honestly, the control/settings layout is a bit dated. But the pics show promise (I have to go out and shoot more). And the mechanical shutter sound and the file write delay...whoah. The settings offer two modes: soft and discreet. Both are so loud, forget about using this camera for wildlife shooting - it would scare away a bear. And the slow file write is...interesting. But if the pics live up to expectations, I can accept the annoying and tinny shutter sound. Cheers! CJ

Did you need the yellow filter for the clouds? Could similar or same be achieved post? Having specified a Q2M I wonder whether I should be looking out to fit yellow or orange glass in front of all that nice Q2M design?

M8 Monochrom, Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 @ 1/125 at f5.7 ISO 400 at the Dunkin on the corner of 97th and Madison in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

But with winter coming up, it might be of interest to owners of newer Monochroms.. https://the.me/die-leica-in-der-hand-the-monochrom-goes-into-the-snow/

I just now happened to stumble upon this essay on the M10 Monochrom which is accompanied by a nice set of sample images. In thinking about the concept of a black and white only digital camera in general and about the M10 Monochrom in particular, I was smitten with a thought that I cannot shake free of: The M 10 Monochrom may well be the pinnacle of the digital M camera. It is going to be an awfully hard act to follow. If anyone can best the M10 Monochrom, it would have to be the gents and ladies of Werzlar. https://www.popphoto.com/story/gear/hands-on-leica-m10-monochrome/

Dear all, I am wondering how to optimize my workflow since I got the M10M. Right now, I have a - not so satisfactory - workflow with my SL / CL : I download some pictures (JPG) via Leica Fotos to my iPad Pro to share the best shots quickly after quick tweaking, and then (sometimes a very looong time later) download the whole SD card content (DNG) to my iMac and process them through LR 6 (and Tonality CK for B&W). I like the results, but it is long and somewhat tiresome, all the more so LR is a bit slow on my Mac. And work is done almost twice for the best pictures. I find my processing is easier with the M10M, than my former M(240), as (my opinion after a short time using it) I get BW results I like quite quickly on LR, and even with Photos on the iPad. So I am thinking about rationalising and getting complementary workflows with my Mac and my iPad, ie not doing things twice : downloading DNG pictures on the iPad and downloading the rest later through the computer, and join everything in the same catalogue. I could use a HDD/SSD with the iPad to copy the pictures : I don't really need/want to stock pictures on the cloud. It seems the paying iPad Fotos app is designed for such things, and I am thinking about it as results with the M10M seem to be easier to get (though I find abnormal Leica dare to ask for a paying app...) Has anybody tried the solution, and tell if he is satisfied with the results ? Or do you have another / better workflow ? thanks for your inputs on your optimal workflow on your M10M ! Didier

Hey guys. Actually I still don't know which is better. Mono246 or m10m. I know 40mp is better, more detail, smaller, but i have mono246 + sl2. I have more details with SL2, and i can shoot with mono246. Actually i have both, details and really b&w. Do you consider having a m10m a necessity? If money doesn't matter what choice you make! Why? Thanks 🙏