Jump to content

mngg mngg (eating words about filters and colour)

jonoslack

By jonoslack
in Leica M8 / Leica M8.2

Recommended Posts

jonoslack

jonoslack

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi there

I don't like admitting I was wrong, but I think I'm going to do it now (be kind Arthur).

 

I have posted in the past about colour in nature and IR filters - and that there are many circumstances where unfiltered colour is better than filtered lenses. Well, it may be possible to get good colour in nature most of the time without filters (it is), but it's much easier to use filters and not have to bother!

 

Having done some recent PR work (and a wedding) where I had to use filters, the conclusion I have come to is that as a general rule it's much much better to use filters all the time with coded lenses and lens detection turned to on / with IR.

 

There are circumstances where it works well without filters, but fiddling about going backwards and forwards leads to mistakes, and using filters always seems to produce good results (with a slight increase in flare on rare occasions).

 

I think the colours in this one just about sum it up (take with tri-elmar at 28mm 1/60th f4 leica IR/cut filter) (the wording was originally No Fires).

 

filterson.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest guy_mancuso

Guest guy_mancuso

Posted
Posted

From my Iphone. Can I say, I told you so and you still love me.LOL

 

Working off a nice hangover,my show is over and heading home tomorrow from NY. Been a long trip. Shot the Canon 1dsmkIII against the m8, the M8 and even the owner said the M8 buries it. Truth is the images really do show the magic of the M lenses but the canon is very good but the images just don't sing as well. Right now i have my m8 so well tuned from leica NJ that both bodies and lenses are justly deadly on target. As isaid before pick a 75 or 90 and get that right and adjust to that. My 50 and 135 were shimed and are perfect now. After shooting runway all week, I can still say leica rocks my world, just love the look of my images, bottom line folks. Its all about the image, the issues that exist are meaningless when the image counts. To me the filters work and leica did a nice fine tuning the color

Link to post
Share on other sites
holgerf

holgerf

Posted
Posted
Having done some recent PR work (and a wedding) where I had to use filters, the conclusion I have come to is that as a general rule it's much much better to use filters all the time with coded lenses and lens detection turned to on / with IR.

 

I only can agree to both of you. It is so RELAXING just to have a stable workflow - Leica filters now on all of my lenses, all coded, no steps to think about when changing lenses, same color with all lenses/filter combination (except Nocti which is a small bit yollowish).

 

I was very disappointed with the first color results I got when I bought the M8 in November last year. Especially the greens in nature were embarrassing me a lot.

 

With the latest Firmware, filters on all lenses and avoiding AWB there are really seldom shots with a coulor cast to adjust.

 

Using my gear with fun

 

Holger

 

 

Here some samples with very authentic nature colors, no color adjustments, all with Leica filters:

 

Summicron 50mm, ISO 160, 1/1000 sec, CROP with just 1330x886 pixel

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Summicron 50 mm, ISO 160, 1/180 sec

 

Noctilux 50 mm, ISO 320, 1/90 sec

 

Summicron 50 mm, ISO 160, 1/250 sec

Link to post
Share on other sites
jonoslack

jonoslack

Posted
  • Author
Posted
From my Iphone. Can I say, I told you so and you still love me.LOL

 

How do you know? :)

 

Truth to tell, there isn't much point in this thread if it isn't to give others the opportunity to say 'I told you so'! I can take it!

 

Actually, I did manage to get good green for landscape, and that was what kept me going - using Eoin's hack and Aperture, which kept everything very muted, allowing one to develop simple presets to boost the yellow and green hue, which did make things okay (for nature).

 

Ironically, it was the real support for the M8 in Aperture which kicked me over the fence - the greens were horrid - Eoin has done some sterling work, but it makes it very complicated to support both pre-filter and post-filter files, and for post-filter, Lightroom does a much better job (IMHO of course).

 

This wasn't a snap decision - I've been testing and thinking for the last couple of months, and working exclusively with filters since the middle of June - I don't want to have to eat my words twice!

 

I only can agree to both of you. It is so RELAXING just to have a stable workflow - Leica filters now on all of my lenses, all coded, no steps to think about when changing lenses, same color with all lenses/filter combination (except Nocti which is a small bit yollowish).

I'm just waiting for that Milich adaptor (I've even got the glass out of my Leica 49mm filter - ready and waiting!).

 

I was very disappointed with the first color results I got when I bought the M8 in November last year. Especially the greens in nature were embarrassing me a lot.

 

This is where Aperture did me a dis-service. I DID manage to get good greens - much better than I'd ever managed with my Nikon cameras - added to which, using filters in Aperture tends to give a bluish tinge under some circumstances.

 

With the latest Firmware, filters on all lenses and avoiding AWB there are really seldom shots with a coulor cast to adjust.

 

Absolutely!

Link to post
Share on other sites
cwf

cwf

Posted
Posted

Imho, this is a good, informative, and (dare I say it) tasty thread. I hope there is more to it going forward.

 

I find this forum most helpful when the postings are more than just (however sound) conclusory statements. Explanations, with supporting detail and even (like this one) with pictures for back up, are the good stuff that I can understand, digest (more food metaphor I fear), and apply for myself.

Link to post
Share on other sites
holgerf

holgerf

Posted
Posted

This is where Aperture did me a dis-service. I DID manage to get good greens - much better than I'd ever managed with my Nikon cameras - added to which, using filters in Aperture tends to give a bluish tinge under some circumstances.

 

Jonathan,

 

Curiously I made the opposite experience with Aperture, it saved my life ;) . I put some examples in this thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/30239-aperture-und-c1-some-comparisons.html#post316609

 

Best

Holger

Link to post
Share on other sites
jonoslack

jonoslack

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Jonathan,

 

Curiously I made the opposite experience with Aperture, it saved my life ;) . I put some examples in this thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/30239-aperture-und-c1-some-comparisons.html#post316609

 

Best

Holger

 

HI Holger

It was Lightroom that I moved to, rather than C1 - better detail, better micro-contrast, better colour (although you need to be careful about the saturation). I find the Aperture greens to be too yellow (of course, you can shift the white balance a little).

 

All a matter of taste I guess.

Link to post
Share on other sites
jonoslack

jonoslack

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Imho, this is a good, informative, and (dare I say it) tasty thread. I hope there is more to it going forward.

 

I find this forum most helpful when the postings are more than just (however sound) conclusory statements. Explanations, with supporting detail and even (like this one) with pictures for back up, are the good stuff that I can understand, digest (more food metaphor I fear), and apply for myself.

 

Hi Craig

I'm not finding it quite so tasty (I prefer other varieties of pie to humble). Still, I'm glad you're finding it useful.

 

Here is another riot of green (from today).

 

Tri-elmar

L5071223.jpg

 

This one with a 21mm pre-asph

L3071006.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites
eudemian

eudemian

Posted
Posted

I cannot give you a told you so but a thought you so.

At the time of your original postings I was dubious but because I was such a newcomer to the field I held my counsel especially as I liked a lot of your landscapes.

Takes a brave man to change his mind in a public forum, you have my respect.

 

Tom

Link to post
Share on other sites
jonoslack

jonoslack

Posted
  • Author
Posted
The greens also look a little yellow here, especially the second one.

Hi Carsten

A little heavy handed with the saturation (at least on the second one).

 

Does this look better:

L5071223f.jpg

Actually I think this one is marginal

 

and this:

 

L3071006f.jpg

which was definitely over-cooked.

 

I've left the originals as they are and updated new versions (otherwise the thread doesn't make sense).

Link to post
Share on other sites
jonoslack

jonoslack

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Johnathan there is still is a yellow cast on the images, same over several calibrated monitors and PC/macs

Hi Im

You're quite right (at least about the last one).

if you look at my reply to Carsten I've reposted with a lighter touch. The first shot (on the original post) I'll stick with - you could argue that it's too warm, but on an overcast day in woodland I think I have the right to warm it up a little!

Link to post
Share on other sites
elopezso

elopezso

Posted
Posted

Hi Jono,

 

Great shots as always! I agree that the first set had a yellow cast. That made me wonder whether you had shot these raw only or raw & jpeg as this is the type of color that I find the Leica jpeg conversion, when properly white balanced, nails every time!

 

Your thoughts?

 

Ed

Link to post
Share on other sites
Artichoke

Artichoke

Posted
Posted
Hi there

I don't like admitting I was wrong, but I think I'm going to do it now (be kind Arthur).

I never harbored anything but kind (and admiring) thoughts towards you, Jono

I am glad to see that you have come to this conclusion as I believed you would

I think any digital RAW processing allows for a great deal of lattitude as one uses differing converters & color is the most difficult matter to get "right" as there are so many variables such as monitors/printers and the fickleness of light

if this is any comfort to you, we still disagree about C1, which is the program Leica recommends for converting files, but I think this is more a matter of taste, habit and maybe expediancy than anything substantial

I am impressed with your making this post here & in DPR (where we had a minor tiff back in March regarding this subject) ...I appreciate your candor and count you as one of my most valued photo forum friends

what makes these forums so useful (and addictive) is the feedback one gets from folks with similar interests and the give & take of open discourse ...after a short time you learn who has a valued opinion & who blows air ...your many excellent contributions here (and my knowledge of your excellent contributions over at DPR) made me feel at home here when I began looking seriously at the M8 late last year ...I value your opinion very highly (and even more so for stepping up like you did here)

you are the sort of contributors that make these forums worthwhile for me and I am certain for many others

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...