Monochrom Type I Sensor Improved?

[wilfredo]

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I got my Monochrom type I back from Leica with a new sensor, and I'm convinced it's an improved sensor (besides addressing the corrosion issue) highlights are not as blown out and unmanageable as before.     

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[Etruscello]

I agree, tonal is more dynamic on the new Mono I sensor, but I do not think it was ever unmanageable on the old senor. I often liked the beautiful effect I had gotten with the old sensor with exposure set to -1 and The Photoshop Raw shadow detail slider set to maximum — very useful for landscapes with many specular highlight areas and dark shrubbery. If you want more consistently good dynamic, consider trading your I for a II, but you may miss the over brilliant effect the Mono I gives — especially with the new sensor.

Good luck in Assisi. Tom

[Likaleica]

I got my Monochrom type I back from Leica with a new sensor, and I'm convinced it's an improved sensor (besides addressing the corrosion issue) highlights are not as blown out and unmanageable as before.     

 

Oh, good.  Looking forward to seeing your work, Wilfredo.

[Etruscello]

Here is an example (Zion National Park), of my settings specified in my note above:

 

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[Etruscello]

Here is one more example (Brice National Park):

 

 

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[Jeff S]

Here is an example (Zion National Park), of my settings specified in my note above:

 

L10023664x6Mef.jpg

Matter of taste, but the washed out sky pales (literally) in comparison to Wilfredo’s example, which shows lovely tonality and richness. Shrubbery also takes on an almost IR effect, which some love, but not my cup of tea. Vive la difference. The nice thing about the Monochroms is that the files are highly robust and flexible.

 

I don’t know if you use color lens filters, but if not, I think you’ll realize even more control and flexibility with landscapes beyond mere boosting of shadows. (although ironically not as much as would be available through the use of color channels in PP on a color based digital M).

 

Jeff

[Jeff S]

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Here’s a landscape example, albeit using the S006 (CCD sensor), that shows the rich tonality that I prefer...

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/248220-leica-s-image-thread/page-92?do=findComment&comment=3573610

 

Jeff

[Etruscello]

Thank you for the advice, Jeff.  Your Rivendell image illustrates it well and is beautiful. Tom

[Jeff S]

Thank you for the advice, Jeff. Your Rivendell image illustrates it well and is beautiful. Tom

Jesse’s pic.... he deserves the credit.

 

I also appreciate many other renderings, including high key, low contrast, dark and moody, etc. Just depends on the subject matter, lighting and the photographer’s intent. Not one size fits all, by any means.

 

To get back to Wilfedo’s topic, I have no idea if the new MM sensors are improved, since I bought my used MM with the new sensor already installed. The results can be superb.... or not... depending mostly on me. Same with my M10, which has its own pluses.

 

Jeff