Leica Monochrom or Leica MP

[A miller]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

This is a very easy question.

 

You should clearly buy an MM.

 

The MP does the same exact thing as an M6, or an M3, or any of the other film Ms. It is just the build that is different.

 

I believe that it is foolish to spend all that premium money on extra build quality and pass up an opportunity to acquire a unique tool that is does not come any other packaging any where in the world.

 

So it is very very incredibly simple: get the MM and spend substantially south of $1000 for a used but solid film M so you can scratch your film itch any time you want.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[BWA]

Jeff, I mostly use LR 4 for the global adjustments and PS 5 for local dodge and burn adjustments. I do use Silver Effex Pro 2 occasionally too, depending on the photo. I try to thick of the finished image on the screen as the "print". Agree totally with you - the end result should be all about the print.

[skinnfell]

There are no digital cameras that give the "feeling of film".

However, the monochrom comes awfully close!

 

A digital camera has many other benefits as well, so if you have an equal choice I would definitely taket the Mono.

[skinnfell]

 

This process must be available elsewhere.

 

 

I was under the impression that this is exactly what Whitewall does?

 

And keep in mind Monochrom owners get special prices from them.

[jeff_m]

High quality work can be done with both film and digital. One thing to consider is that you will make a lot more exposures with digital because of the ease and that instant feedback is very helpful for learning photography and for improving your work. With Silver efex pro B&W digital is very good. And to get quality B&W scans it is best to control the processing yourself and to scan yourself or be prepared to pay for quality work by the skilled processors and scanners. I go for the best look I can achieve, not the best "film" look.

[sblitz]

while I prefer BW film to digital, MM included, for the silver and grain if nothing else, I have to agree that spending up for an MP us to fall for Leica's marketing siren song. Buy an M6 or M4 if you want to go meterless and save yourself a bunch of money you can use towards the MM -- or a lens

[A miller]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I was under the impression that this is exactly what Whitewall does?

 

And keep in mind Monochrom owners get special prices from them.

 

Really?? I thought the special deal with Leica ended and now we are just like everyone else? Am I an idiot in paying regular price for the past few onths???

[Jon Warwick]

I was under the impression that this is exactly what Whitewall does?

 

Metro Imaging in London have also been doing digital B&W (for several years now) using "true" B&W paper in their Lambda machine, both resin and fibre paper available.

[wattsy]

Metro Imaging in London have also been doing digital B&W (for several years now) using "true" B&W paper in their Lambda machine, both resin and fibre paper available.

 

Yes, B&W Lambda and/or Lightjet printing should be available from any pro-lab worthy of the name. Ilford also have their ilfordlab.com for dedicated B&W Lambda printing on their own papers (albeit RC only).

[steinknies]

Really?? I thought the special deal with Leica ended and now we are just like everyone else? Am I an idiot in paying regular price for the past few onths???

 

You are definitely not - the special deal ended a few month ago (also in Germany) and all MM users are just regular customers. I´ve got the confirmation from both sides as I contacted Leica and WW immediately when I suddenly couldn't find the special prices any more.

[asiafish]

Thank you AB007, Jeff S and urban shoot - much appreciated.

 

Jeff, the Landscape images were all made using the Monochrom with the exception of two images , I think, which were made with the M9.

 

The India pics were all taken with my M9 and actually very little post processing was required - that is the beauty of the M9 files - just import them to LR and you are almost ready to go! :-)

 

The MM files take a bit more work to get the best out of the files, as did producing B&W white prints in the darkroom :-) Mostly just contrast adjustment and some local dodging and burning.

 

The website is one of Photoshelter " Beam" templates .

 

Brendan

 

MM doesn't require much PP, just the right PP. Files are flat right from the camera, but a bit of a push to the black point, some minor contrast adjustment and your already ahead of just about any B&W conversion.

 

More important than PP is the use of old-fashioned colored glass filters in front of your lenses, which make all the difference, just as they do with film.

[asiafish]

while I prefer BW film to digital, MM included, for the silver and grain if nothing else, I have to agree that spending up for an MP us to fall for Leica's marketing siren song. Buy an M6 or M4 if you want to go meterless and save yourself a bunch of money you can use towards the MM -- or a lens

 

Or go against the grain and find a nice M5. Now THAT is an extremely nice camera to shoot. I use the MM and M9 alongside the M5 and love each of them for different reasons.