MMI vs MMII Hypothetical

[LeicaPassion]

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My MM1 is on its way to NJ for what looks like sensor corrosion.  I'm leaning toward keeping the MM1 and waiting 5 months.  That said, many have posted here that  the MM1 is more film-like than the MM2.  Can a program like Silver Efex Pro achieve the same look with the MM2?   Thanks.

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[Luke_Miller]

I believe so.  I can get the look I am after using Silver Efex Pro on files from both.  I got the MM2 while my MM1 was on vacation in New Jersey.  Initially I planed to sell the MM1 on return, but find I love both and won't part with either.  In case you are not aware, Silver Efex Pro (as well as the rest of the Nik collection) is abandonware.  Google will no longer update it.  So at some point there will be an operating system change that will prevent it from functioning.  In the Mac world that future date has already been established.  I am using a trial version of Topaz B&W Effects to see if it does what I need as a replacement.  My initial impression is that it will, but the interface is very different so there is a learning curve.

[LeicaPassion]

Luke, it would be great to hear your impression. I did not know that silver efex pro was on its way out.

 

Thanks!

 

Bill

[Belle123]

Is there anything Silver Efex Pro can do that can't be achieved with the right formula in Lightroom?

[Luke_Miller]

Is there anything Silver Efex Pro can do that can't be achieved with the right formula in Lightroom?

 Silver Efex like Capture One has a Structure Tool which Lightroom lacks.  So I would say yes since I use structure on many shots.  But Silver Efex also has multiple sliders for brightness and contrast that allow precise tonal adjustments that I can't duplicate in either Lightroom or Capture One.  But Topas B&W Effects looks promising.

Edited June 26, 2017 by Luke_Miller

[mwilliamsphotography]

I think we need to investigate Silver Efex Pro further.  I recently read an article that initially was alarmist regarding upcoming new OS changes involving bit depth, but it was retracted when the author realized Silver Efex would meet the bit depth requirement.

 

Is there something other than that which would render Silver Efex inoperable with the upcoming OS?

 

As far as I know, Silver Efex hasn't been updated since Google took it over, and that has had no effect on its performance what-so-ever.  IMO, it is still the best B&W program out there.

 

- Marc 

[Jager]

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There are lots of things that can break an application when its underlying OS is changed.  Silver Efex Pro broke, for instance, when Yosemite (OS X 10.10) was introduced.  Sierra (OS X 10.12) broke Adobe's Dreamweaver CS5, the last standalone version of that web authoring app.  

 

Every app on your computer interacts with the operating system in various ways.  All it takes is a change in an OS library, or framework, or API and, voila, your app is busted.  If the app is still actively supported its vendor will make whatever changes are necessary to reestablish compatibility with the new OS.  If the app has been orphaned, however, like Silver Efex Pro, you're done.  

 

It's very sad, as SEP is and has been an outstanding piece of software.  You knew the cat was on the roof when Google made it a free download.

[Luke_Miller]

Thom Hogan has a detailed description of the problem on his site:

 

http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/software-for-nikon-dslrs/software-news/digital-photography-softwar/upcoming-macos-transition.html

 

Short Version - According to Thom after fall of 2019 High Sierra will no longer support 32 bit applications, so any 32 bit program (like the Nik Collection that is not maintained) will cease to work.

[M10Alpine]

I miss my MM (had the 246 as my first ever range finder camera and sold) so much I'm going to trade in LUX 21mm for a MM1 with replaced sensor and only 5000 exposures. My LUX 21mm is mint but a cosmetic micro scratch on front element. 

 

Advice is this retarded or right?

[Jeff S]

Well, even though I have and like my M10, I got the urge for an all b/w workflow option and opted for an MM rather than an M246. Mint, under 5k actuations, just back from Leica with new sensor and service, and very fairly priced. Will use both.... and keep lenses.

 

Jeff

Edited October 31, 2017 by Jeff S

[Likaleica]

Re above discussion DXO has rescued SEP2 and will carry it forward.

[jpk]

I miss my MM (had the 246 as my first ever range finder camera and sold) so much I'm going to trade in LUX 21mm for a MM1 with replaced sensor and only 5000 exposures. My LUX 21mm is mint but a cosmetic micro scratch on front element. 

 

Advice is this retarded or right?

 

Absolutely right. I miss mine too... (hint: the 3.4/21 ASPH is a great lens)

 

 

Well, even though I have and like my M10, I got the urge for an all b/w workflow option and opted for an MM rather than an M246. Mint, under 5k actuations, just back from Leica with new sensor and service, and very fairly priced. Will use both.... and keep lenses.

 

Jeff

 

Mint + low actuations + new sensor + fairly priced: please let me know where I can look for such an MM1!!!

Edited November 1, 2017 by jpk

[Jeff S]

Mint + low actuations + new sensor + fairly priced: please let me know where I can look for such an MM1!!!

I merely called some trusted Leica dealers and asked if they had any inventory or leads. Leica Miami, for instance, will not sell any used MM unless it has the new sensor. I put my name on a short list on a Friday, and got a call on Monday that one just arrived from Germany. Had I refused and it was then posted online, he said it likely would have attracted 15-20 people. It pays to be proactive, and to stick with good dealers, not just for inventory, but for service, warranty and to build relationships.

 

Jeff

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

I cant believe I just did it.......... but I just read the whole thread and now itching for a new MM1

I have bought most of my Leica gear from Ffordes in Scotland. I will email them and see what they have.

 

Neil

[Rupert Greenwell]

I have just come off the phone to Richard Caplan in London, they had a MM1 with new sensor just back from Germany and I have bought it.  I had the MM1 origionally and changed it for the M 246 but I keep looking at the photos that I took with the MM1and there is something about them.

I still have the M246 and there is a lot about it that I like too but now I will be using both and I am very excited !

[ramosa]

I would stick with the MMI if it had the new sensor. (My MMI is off having the sensor replaced ... ugh.) If the choice was between the MMI and the (likely upcoming) MMIII, it’d be more difficult.

[Mr Fjeld]

I would stick with the MMI if it had the new sensor. (My MMI is off having the sensor replaced ... ugh.) If the choice was between the MMI and the (likely upcoming) MMIII, it’d be more difficult.

 

Why? You obviously prefer the MMI rather than the M246, but what do you expect the M10M to be like?

[Rupert Greenwell]

I am delighted with my new to me MM1, it has the new sensor and has been serviced etc. It is about three years since I changed my original MM1 for the M246. It took no time to set the MM1 up once I had found a 'slow' SD card, I was very pleased to get a very good head shot of my dog in the first attempt at using the camera, so that has cemented my relationship with it.

   I will still be keeping my M246, it has the better weather sealing, better buffer for when I take shots of groups of friends etc. I will also have the MM1 for a more 'slower' approach to what I photograph.

   I will be interested to see what the M10M will be like, I now use a M10 for colour (sometimes converting to B&W when it suits, good too for that) , I find the iso wheel a fiddle especially when my fingers are cold and wet, I also miss the single / continuous switch on the shutter release, continuous is now too fast ! So I will be interested but I have learnt my lesson and will not be parting with either MM1 or M246.

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[a.noctilux]

Rupert,

 

So now you use the two Monochrom MM1 and M246.

 

Just curious, (I know that you have serious reasons to keep both Monochrom), if you can keep only one, which one it would be ?

 

I use Monochrom CCD (MM1) and plan to "replace it" with M246 or "keep MM1" waiting for future M10 Monochrom (in few years I think).

Already have a nice M10.

[PaulJohn]

Does anyone know if the replacement ccd sensors are subject to corrosion?

 

 

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