Can you talk me out of it? Monochrom

[349A]

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Hey guys,

 

Long time lurker whom has come down with a serious case of GAS. I'm a happy owner of the M9 and a few lenses- 50 Lux, 35 Lux asph VI and a Summicron 50. I'm finding lately I've been enjoying B&W more and more. But I still love color as well. I'd say I'm 50/50. I convert files on my M9 with Silver Efex and also do B&W jpegs OOC.

 

I've been really amazed at some of the images I've seen coming off Monochrom's lately. To my eye, its no contest between the M9 or M240 and a Monochrom. No contest in the sense that the color cameras miss much of that wonderful tonality. They seem somehow more black and white without all the wonderful shades of gray I see in Mono files. Film like- not really. Its got its own mojo.

 

I generally buy one generation old Leica. I just upgraded from a M8 to the M9 now that the prices dropped with the 240's shipping. I bought my M8 when the M9 came out. I also have a M6 thats a bit dusty but hope to send some film through it soon. But the Monochrom... Will there ever be a replacement and can an obsessed Leica guy hold out....

 

Sorry for rambling... I can't get the Monochrome out of my head. I'm obsessing. The reality is I don't think I'd ever travel with two bodies, it would have to be one or the other. I like going light- one body and one lens. Part of me thinks its a total waste and the other part thinks it could be a whole new world. Its a rather expensive purchase for me, so I really hope you guys could help me make a decision based on your thoughts and experiences.

 

There it is, whatever it is I just said- talk me into it or out of it!

 

Jonathan

[sm23221]

Tough decision! I was there not long ago and decided to buy an MM to complement my M9. I have no regrets. My M9 is still sitting in the drawer. Totally turned on to BW... Also, if you over think it, you likely won't buy one.

[benedict297]

I just bought a vario a few weeks ago and an M-E today.

 

Maybe it was a mid life crisis thing, it is my birthday today!

 

I say, if you are going to use it and enjoy it then buy it if you have the means.

Nothing from a photography or technical view point but if it gives you pleasure and satisfaction and if you use it I'm sure the images will pay itself back in time

[Chris101-MM]

Well, I'm probably not gonna make it easier for you.

 

I got rid of a Hasselblad H3DII and a Canon 1D X, after i bought the Monochrom, albeit i shoot a 100% black and white in my head, and converted 80-90% of the images with different softwares.

 

I see a lot of used M9's in Europe where people write something like. Well, I'm only using my MM, so the M9 has to find a new home where someone uses it.

 

For me, the MM feels tailored for me, and the first few raw files make you gasp for air after you jumped up and down shouting yeees until your loved one kicks you out the door to shoot more and get that bastard thing out of your head - Speaking from experience, of cause....

 

BUT fact of the matter is, you _cannot_ shoot colour no matter how much you want. (unless a stationary object fills your frame and you dont mind changing filters three times for every shot)

 

By keeping the M9 you get a fantastic piece of equipment for colour, and a great one for black and white.

By swapping to a MM, you get the the best that money can buy for only half of your shots.

 

 

If I had your preferences, I would keep the M9, or possibly spending the money on an M (if you feel your wallet burning a hole in your pocket) and love every second of it.

 

my 0.2

 

//Chris

[Chris101-MM]

I just bought a vario a few weeks ago and an M-E today.

 

Maybe it was a mid life crisis thing, it is my birthday today!

 

I say, if you are going to use it and enjoy it then buy it if you have the means.

Nothing from a photography or technical view point but if it gives you pleasure and satisfaction and if you use it I'm sure the images will pay itself back in time

 

Congratulations to both of the happenings!

 

PS: Midlife crisis are a good thing, it equals new toys... so I have one every other month, and have been for the past 20 years.

[M9reno]

Like you, I obsessed about the MM for a while, but in the end decided against it. It is a very personal decision, I know, but I reflected in the end that I like the challenge of black and white film photography a lot, and am not ready to retire my Leica film cameras, so versatile, long-lived and truly essential. I also don't like how vulnerable the MM (as any digital sensor) is to blowing highlights - in black and white I like rich blacks and would rather clip in the shadows than the other way around. Last week I saw a sample photograph (of a cathedral interior) displayed next to the MM for sale in the Leica shop at Solms. It had some truly incredible detail.... but totally blown highlights, extremely distracting, and screaming digital. More than anything else, those whites talked me out of the purchase.

 

Perfectly happy with my M9 for colour, though. Very frankly and personally, for me digital is just practical. I look to analogue for the fun and poetry, but your needs may well vary!

 

So, since you asked, this is how I'd talk you out if it. But I can see how one could just as easily be talked INTO it. De gustibus...

[Chris101-MM]

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Like you, I obsessed about the MM for a while, but in the end decided against it. It is a very personal decision, I know, but I reflected in the end that I like the challenge of black and white film photography a lot, and am not ready to retire my Leica film cameras, so versatile, long-lived and truly essential. I also don't like how vulnerable the MM (as any digital sensor) is to blowing highlights - in black and white I like rich blacks and would rather clip in the shadows than the other way around. Last week I saw a sample photograph (of a cathedral interior) displayed next to the MM for sale in the Leica shop at Solms. It had some truly incredible detail.... but totally blown highlights, extremely distracting, and screaming digital. More than anything else, those whites talked me out of the purchase.

 

Perfectly happy with my M9 for colour, though. Very frankly and personally, for me digital is just practical. I look to analogue for the fun and poetry, but your needs may well vary!

 

So, since you asked, this is how I'd talk you out if it. But I can see how one could just as easily be talked INTO it. De gustibus...

 

Link to that shot:

http://us.leica-camera.com/assets/file/download.php?filename=file_6708.jpg

 

Its taken at ISO 2500 and any camera no matter would blow out the windows in that particular situation.

[349A]

Thanks for the comments so far. Still on the fence... A breeze is picking up....

 

Jonathan

[vdb]

If cost is an issue and only 50% is b&w, why bother? The M9 is perfectly capable of brilliant b&w conversions. For me I do 90% b&w. so the mm is a no brainier. Fuji x100s is fine for occasional color.

[rfunnell]

I went through the same thought process recently having cancelled my order for the M240 purchased the MM and kept my M9.

 

It's a perfect combination and looking back the MM is getting the most attention.

 

I also found I was converting a lot of M9 images with Silver FXPro but there is a quantum difference using the MM when you look at the data in the images.

 

I'm off to Europe soon and trying the decide whether to take two bodies or just go monochrom only , it's hard to choose.

At this stage I'm thinking M9 with 28mm Cron and MM with 35 ASPH FLE, two camera's .

 

Just my .2

[Millberg]

I bought the Monochrom a couple of days ago and have to admit that I'm totally hooked. It's a master piece and I enjoy every moment with it.

 

Still... I will complement with a 240 when I've saved some money... It might be a 250:)

[jaapv]

There it is, whatever it is I just said- talk me [......] out of it!

 

Jonathan

I wouldn't dream of doing so.

[349A]

 

I'm off to Europe soon and trying the decide whether to take two bodies or just go monochrom only , it's hard to choose.

At this stage I'm thinking M9 with 28mm Cron and MM with 35 ASPH FLE, two camera's .

 

Just my .2

 

It's a problem I'm struggling with pre potential purchase!

 

Thanks for all the great replies, it's all helpful.

 

Jonathan

[Jeff S]

Commit to shooting only for b/w conversion with your M9 for the next 3 months (no cheating). Then see how you feel.

 

I personally find that changes to PP...software, papers, printer, inks, profiles, workflow improvements, display techniques, etc....have a greater impact on b/w print results than just the camera. My b/w prints, using the M8.2 (which I prefer to the M9 for b/w) are all the proof I need.

 

Put some time and effort into working exclusively in b/w for a while. Even if you end up getting the MM, you'll be ahead of the game.

 

BTW, Stefan Daniel has strongly hinted at an MM based on the new M platform (October 2012 Photokina interview). Apart from the IQ, the benefits could potentially include weather sealing, quiet shutter, better processor and battery, better RF focusing and 2m illuminated frame lines.

 

Jeff

[Photoskeptic]

Well, I shot with one as a rental and really liked it. So I found one and sent the check...and thought...and contemplated...and then a really nice M9-P showed up for considerably less than the Monochrom...and I bought it and cancelled the Mono sale.

Yes, I, too, convert 90% of my images to bw. But, I would miss being able to adjust the tones and toning which you cannot do with the Mono. I still want a Mono, but $8K is too much sugar for a dime. They drop the prices and I'll come along (maybe). Meanwhile my M8.2 does admirable bw conversions.

Now I hear there are other Mono versions being considered by Leica. Heck, I was just getting used to the current model being available. Lots of decisions to be made in the future.

[IkarusJohn]

I have an M9-P, and I thought the rumours of the Monochrom were daft before 10 May 2012, and when it was released, I still thought it daft.

 

Then I played with some of Jono's B&W images from China (yes, I blame him entirely), and I was hooked. The local importer lent me one for my last trip down to the South Island of NZ, and mine arrived shortly after my return. I have hardly used the M9-P since - I have tried to sell it, but no takers; I'm not sorry to be keeping it, but the Monochrom is my preferred tool.

 

That didn't really help to talk you out of it, I guess!

 

Cheers

John

[MarkP]

No, I can't!

 

As with many others, my M9 has been used much less since the arrival of my Monochrom.

Having said that I still use the M9 and await my M240.

[sanyasi]

I've said it before: I usually carry two cameras when I head out. The MM is the first one out of the bag and I install the lens that I am most likely to use on the MM. For me, it is a pure head game. I think differently when I don't have color as an option--I am much more focused on light and shadow.

 

Good luck.

 

Jack Siegel

[sblitz]

You can always use the m6 for color and sell the m9 to finance the mm. Not as crazy at it might seem when you think about it, especially the situations when the high ISo is most necessary is usually a good bw moment. Just a thought

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[blueweed]

Hey guys,

 

Long time lurker whom has come down with a serious case of GAS. I'm a happy owner of the M9 and a few lenses- 50 Lux, 35 Lux asph VI and a Summicron 50. I'm finding lately I've been enjoying B&W more and more. But I still love color as well. I'd say I'm 50/50. I convert files on my M9 with Silver Efex and also do B&W jpegs OOC.

 

I've been really amazed at some of the images I've seen coming off Monochrom's lately. To my eye, its no contest between the M9 or M240 and a Monochrom. No contest in the sense that the color cameras miss much of that wonderful tonality. They seem somehow more black and white without all the wonderful shades of gray I see in Mono files. Film like- not really. Its got its own mojo.

 

I generally buy one generation old Leica. I just upgraded from a M8 to the M9 now that the prices dropped with the 240's shipping. I bought my M8 when the M9 came out. I also have a M6 thats a bit dusty but hope to send some film through it soon. But the Monochrom... Will there ever be a replacement and can an obsessed Leica guy hold out....

 

Sorry for rambling... I can't get the Monochrome out of my head. I'm obsessing. The reality is I don't think I'd ever travel with two bodies, it would have to be one or the other. I like going light- one body and one lens. Part of me thinks its a total waste and the other part thinks it could be a whole new world. Its a rather expensive purchase for me, so I really hope you guys could help me make a decision based on your thoughts and experiences.

 

There it is, whatever it is I just said- talk me into it or out of it!

 

 

Jonathan

 

you might be interested in this recent interview with Leica's Kaufman from leicarumors

 

"For the next three years Leica has a lot of "very interesting products in the pipeline". New products will be announced this fall and next spring. Dr. Kaufman hinted that new Monochrom devices "would make sense". Another quote: "we are working on many different solutions for the full format".