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B&W Processing: M240 vs MM


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Don't you find that C1 does much better, especially at Tungsten where it avoids the nasty yellow-orange cast LR/ACR produces?
it could be a little better on some points , but I find anti moiré better on LR
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Anybody can make an M240 file look similar to an MM file (or film) with a little post processing...

 

Jaap said he couldn't…post 2…

 

"Just as it happens I have been doing some B&W on the 240 lately. Comparing with MM results I cannot even get close, despite the 240 being no slouch."

 

That was the basis for my post.

 

Jeff

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I never cease to be amazed by my Monochrom files no matter what lens I use. The detail and tonal range and low-light performance is extraordinary. I don't mind the extra work required in Photoshop to get the best out of these files.

 

I think that the other characteristic of Monochrom files that is often overlooked is that the Monochrom's file noise is very filmic, totally unlike that of the M9 and M240. I print to A3+ and A2 on inkjet with my favourites on silver gelatine fibre-based chemical paper via the De Vere system.

 

 

and it looks like Sony may soon join the monochrome party...

Sony Rumored To Announce Full Frame Camera With Black and White Sensor | Daily Camera News

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Thanks to everyone, thus far, for the insightful, detailed and experiential comments on my opening question. My reading of Jaap, Jon, 250, Erick and Horosu, seems to confirm for me the premises of my question, viz., that with RAW manipulation of the colors underlying the B&W M240 DNG file, one can get better dynamic range and zone system control than with MM files. The advantage of MM files seems to be than tonality is inherently better and requires less PP, but often requires the bother of color filtering at the scene. At this point, given my PP creative preferences and smaller printing style, my conclusion is to not buy an MM. Tom

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Thanks to everyone, thus far, for the insightful, detailed and experiential comments on my opening question. My reading of Jaap, Jon, 250, Erick and Horosu, seems to confirm for me the premises of my question, viz., that with RAW manipulation of the colors underlying the B&W M240 DNG file, one can get better dynamic range and zone system control than with MM files. The advantage of MM files seems to be than tonality is inherently better and requires less PP, but often requires the bother of color filtering at the scene. At this point, given my PP creative preferences and smaller printing style, my conclusion is to not buy an MM. Tom

 

And that is a perfectly reasonable decision.

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Thanks to everyone, thus far, for the insightful, detailed and experiential comments on my opening question. My reading of Jaap, Jon, 250, Erick and Horosu, seems to confirm for me the premises of my question, viz., that with RAW manipulation of the colors underlying the B&W M240 DNG file, one can get better dynamic range and zone system control than with MM files. The advantage of MM files seems to be than tonality is inherently better and requires less PP, but often requires the bother of color filtering at the scene. At this point, given my PP creative preferences and smaller printing style, my conclusion is to not buy an MM. Tom

 

My view of the comments is that, quite predictably, assessments vary.

 

The only way for you to know is to try the camera (rent, borrow or purchase) and adapt your own workflow, style and preferences to make prints.

 

Decision based on isolated forum comments? Fools game. Far too many variables at play.

 

Jeff

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My view of the comments is that, quite predictably, assessments vary.

 

The only way for you to know is to try the camera (rent, borrow or purchase) and adapt your own workflow, style and preferences.

 

Decision based on isolated forum comments? Fools game.

 

Jeff

 

And I was also going to say you should try to borrow one to test for yourself. You may yet find the Monochrom to be highly addictive. Jeff beat me to the comment.

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Thanks to everyone, thus far, for the insightful, detailed and experiential comments on my opening question. My reading of Jaap, Jon, 250, Erick and Horosu, seems to confirm for me the premises of my question, viz., that with RAW manipulation of the colors underlying the B&W M240 DNG file, one can get better dynamic range and zone system control than with MM files. The advantage of MM files seems to be than tonality is inherently better and requires less PP, but often requires the bother of color filtering at the scene. At this point, given my PP creative preferences and smaller printing style, my conclusion is to not buy an MM. Tom

Why don't you wait 2 months ? and see if a MM240 comes at Photokina

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That would not change anything for the PP and colour filter parts of the argument.

.

The dynamic range of the MM is 13.1, of the 240 13.3, both quite similar to film.

The myth of poor dynamic range of the MM stems from user error. As there are no colour channels to extrapolate the clipped channel from (the usual form of highlight recovery), a blown highlight is irrevocably lost. So when that happens it is simply exposure error.

If exposed properly the shadow detail that can be pulled from the file is amazing.

So expose like slide film (which has half the dynamic range of these cameras btw) and you are perfectly fine.

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That would not change anything for the PP and colour filter parts of the argument.

.

The dynamic range of the MM is 13.1, of the 240 13.3, both quite similar to film.

The myth of poor dynamic range of the MM stems from user error. As there are no colour channels to extrapolate the clipped channel from (the usual form of highlight recovery), a blown highlight is irrevocably lost. So when that happens it is simply exposure error.

If exposed properly the shadow detail that can be pulled from the file is amazing.

So expose like slide film (which has half the dynamic range of these cameras btw) and you are perfectly fine.

that will change a lot to have a MM240 and the DR will be even better

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the rest between a M9 and a M240 is a lot

I shall maybe buy a MM240 but never even for 1000€ a MM

Ah - but then you do have your problems with using the rangefinder - so I am not surprised.

 

I think it rather unlikely anyway. I would put the product cycle at at least five years, unless the procurement of some parts becomes difficult (which we will never know).

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For someone with post processing skills perhaps. For me, at this point the in-camera jpgs are as good or better than I can do from raws.

 

You'd be surprised. If, for instance, you use LR, you can watch the free videos from Julieanne Kost and/or get a book on the basics from Kelby, and quickly go from 90% to 25%. The rest comes with time and effort, with your eye and judgment being the hardest part, not the mechanics.

 

If you get satisfaction from a fine print, it's well worth the effort.

 

Jeff

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Wonderful ! I am happy for you

 

The camera is a tool , the computer is a tool ... and ?

 

Well sometimes the photographer is a tool ;)

 

If one person can extract something special from a camera and another can't is it a failure of the camera? The interface between what you see and the camera you use to record it can't be bought, like waiting for a few more pixels with an MM240, it is the brain. And a good photographer with a Holga will create something more special than a wanker with a $10,000 Leica day in and day out.

 

Steve

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