leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Share #1  Posted August 31, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Had a few hours with my Monochrom in some odd (normal) Melbourne weather today. All processed in Silver Efex Pro 2, selecting the Tri-X film processing option. Please no negative comments here. I am not asking for critique and certainly not wanting this to turn into a Monochrom bashing exercise.  I know some people may be skeptical of this camera and want to believe it's no better than a color camera, and that's fine, so all I'll say is that the files are fantastic and allow a LOT of room for processing. There is so much flexibility with mid and shadow tones should the photographer wish to really tailor the picture to their desire.  All shot with the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH FLE  Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!          Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!          ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/186871-monochrom-first-pics-from-melbourne/?do=findComment&comment=2100798'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 Hi leicashot, Take a look here Monochrom: First pics from Melbourne. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #2  Posted August 31, 2012 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/186871-monochrom-first-pics-from-melbourne/?do=findComment&comment=2100801'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 31, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted August 31, 2012 I like them, but on my laptop the shadows look a bit blocked up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #4 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Don't know why this was moved from 'Leica M Monochrom' forum to here. This is about the camera, not the street photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 31, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Joint decision, I fear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #6 Â Posted August 31, 2012 I like them, but on my laptop the shadows look a bit blocked up. Â Thats how I shoot, in high contrast, leaving little shadow detail. Amazingly, the one thing this camera does well, is retain, or recover large amounts of shadow detail, so I added a little contrast to match the way I shoot by using the Tri-X filter which gave me back the feel i was aiming for while shooting. Â For shadow detail lovers this camera delivers, but you won't see it in my photography, sorry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #7  Posted August 31, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Joint decision, I fear  No worries, I respect that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 31, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Kristian, to my eyes and on my calibrated screen, your images appear overly heavy. ie. exaggerated dark areas. I realize this may be your preference, as I know it is of at least one other photographer on this forum, but I sense you have lost a significant amount of what I believe the MM has to offer with this technique. Â I am suspecting your use of SFX pro 2 may be the culprit here. A gentle adjustment of levels in PS to the MM files may be preferable, but you are the final arbiter. Â P.S. I just read your comment about shadows which you posted while I was typing. You can probably therefore ignore my earlier opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M'Ate Posted August 31, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted August 31, 2012 This is about the camera, not the street photography. Â So, what are you illustrating about the camera here ? Â I've seen many great shots from you in the past, so not questioning you producing what you like, but struggling to find anything informative about the Mm here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #10  Posted August 31, 2012 So' date=' what are you illustrating about the camera here ? I've seen many great shots from you in the past, so not questioning you producing what you like, but struggling to find anything informative about the Mm here. [/quote']  To be honest it's not meant to be informative. I'm just contributing and what people get from it, they get.  People will believe anything they want regardless of what I say, especially Leica shooters, so I think it's best to post a few pics, leave a comment about my overall impression and leave the rest to others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #11  Posted August 31, 2012 Kristian, to my eyes and on my calibrated screen, your images appear overly heavy. ie. exaggerated dark areas. I realize this may be your preference, as I know it is of at least one other photographer on this forum, but I sense you have lost a significant amount of what I believe the MM has to offer with this technique. I am suspecting your use of SFX pro 2 may be the culprit here. A gentle adjustment of levels in PS to the MM files may be preferable, but you are the final arbiter.  P.S. I just read your comment about shadows which you posted while I was typing. You can probably therefore ignore my earlier opinion.  I always push my street pics to the extremes of underexposure and its the way I see things. if you think this is extreme, have you seen the FLI edition with the Monochrom samples? They were literally BLACK and WHITE....LOL  Let me put it this way. The Monochrom is IMHO, TOO GOOD at retaining shadow information and mid-tones. As much as I was trying to get contrasty pictures, the files had heaps of shadow information and i had to use the Silver Efex Pro 2 filters and processing to get the pictures looking how I'd like them, how they'd normally look without adding contrast on say the M9.  The Monochrom is NOT an M9 with the color filter removed. The amount of tones and information is very high and while people (including myself on announcement) thought that it was crazy paying more for less, I am nicely rewarded with more than what the M9 offers, only with a Monochrom only output. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sellitto Posted August 31, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Kristian, Â Love the look and your subjective treatment of the images. I can't wait for mine to arrive so I too can get started with it. Well done. Â Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted August 31, 2012 i love the pix,nice postproduction and great capture;) Â lambda.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted August 31, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted August 31, 2012 For me the contrast is a little bit overdone. Â Maybe with the 'power' of the MM, this is the future ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digbyhp Posted August 31, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Kristian, I'm a lover of high contrast B&W, but I want to constructively echo some of the criticisms. It is fine to block shadow detail, but if what you have blocked looks like it could add to the image, it is frustrating, and in a couple of these I found myself wishing the dark secondary subjects were a bit lighter in order to add balance and harmony. But mostly, I think you have a great eye for using the light just at the crucial moment. Your work reminds me of another B&W street photographer who is a member, Neil Ambrose, who practices a similar, but not so extreme, aesthetic on film (36photos.org if you're interested). The clarity of the images certainly showcases the MM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share #16 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Kristian, I'm a lover of high contrast B&W, but I want to constructively echo some of the criticisms. It is fine to block shadow detail, but if what you have blocked looks like it could add to the image, it is frustrating, and in a couple of these I found myself wishing the dark secondary subjects were a bit lighter in order to add balance and harmony. But mostly, I think you have a great eye for using the light just at the crucial moment. Your work reminds me of another B&W street photographer who is a member, Neil Ambrose, who practices a similar, but not so extreme, aesthetic on film (36photos.org if you're interested). The clarity of the images certainly showcases the MM. Â Understood, and some good points, so here are the re-edited versions. Still contrasty, but I l didn't block as much of the shadows.Maybe admin could allow me to edit the original post to show these new pics or at least delete the old pic links? Â Flickr: Kristian Dowling's Photostream Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted August 31, 2012 Share #17  Posted August 31, 2012 Understood, and some good points, so here is the re-edited versions. Still contrasty, but I l didn't block as much of the shadows. Flickr: Kristian Dowling's Photostream  Ahh, Chalk & Cheese. Much nicer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted August 31, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted August 31, 2012 I just found your thread, and as is too frequently the case with photos loaded via Flickr are not available. I strongly urge you to load photos directly on the Forum in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 31, 2012 Share #19  Posted August 31, 2012 Thats how I shoot, in high contrast, leaving little shadow detail. Amazingly, the one thing this camera does well, is retain, or recover large amounts of shadow detail, so I added a little contrast to match the way I shoot by using the Tri-X filter which gave me back the feel i was aiming for while shooting. For shadow detail lovers this camera delivers, but you won't see it in my photography, sorry.  I like your images (I lived in Melbourne for a year and always like to see the city).  Do/did you use an M8 or 9? If so, given your style of PP, what does the MM offer that makes it a better camera for you? Have you done any direct comparisons, same scene, same PP technique ? I'd be very interested to see them.  Genuine question. I'm sure the MM offers advantages but I've only seen sample images from it which say nothing about what it does differently, even if they're good photos in themselves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxofrome Posted August 31, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted August 31, 2012 Before I read all previous answer I have to say that your images are fantastic and up to today the best spot for the Monochrome, even better of some posted by Leica itself on their blog. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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