B&W from M8

[scho]

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Dynamic range isn't as high as with B&W film, but with a lower contrast lens DR performance is excellent with the M8 and the smooth tonal transitions are outstanding. Here is a landscape shot taken with the CV 28mm f/1.9 Ultron that has very smooth tones:

http://www.pbase.com/scho/image/76930765

[jaapv]

Dynamic range isn't as high as with B&W film, but with a lower contrast lens DR performance is excellent with the M8 and the smooth tonal transitions are outstanding. Here is a landscape shot taken with the CV 28mm f/1.9 Ultron that has very smooth tones:

1000589b.jpg photo - Carl Schofield photos at pbase.com

 

An interesting subject, and worth a discussion.

High-end digital camera's have dynamic ranges in the order of ten stops, which -maybe not surprisingly- correspond to the ten zones of the zone system. Only eight zones can be used in printing. Higher range contrasts need darkroom manipulation to bring them out. Pre-exposure, burning, dodging, you name it. That way it may be possible to print up to zone 12. But those tricks can also be done in the digital darkroom to expand the tonal range of the original capture. In other words, film may have a higher dynamic range than a digital camera,- although it depends on the film and digital is close- but it is not possible to use that advantage in print. And as you say - the contrast curve of the lens is essential as well.

 

This was taken with a low contrast lens, a 1954 Summarit 1.5 wide open and may illustrate that point, although the DR of a monitor screen is of course zilch.

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[losta]

I really like the B&W tonality I'm getting with the M8.

Here is a recent B&W duotone from my M8 with new version of 28 elmarit

and one with the noctilux