RobM Posted August 20, 2019 Share #1 Posted August 20, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is a long-coveted acquisition, purchased used from Red Dot Cameras. It seems to be in excellent, even mint condition. Very excited, but having never really had a rangefinder before I have a little learning curve. It came with no lens, but I ordered at the same time from the 35mm website the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, which is all I had money left for, but it seems on first use to be a decent lens. I'll do better shots than this, but it really was one of the first ten. I shot DNG and JPEG, this is just the unedited jpg. I do have LR6, DxO and Nik Silver for when I have more time. There's a lot more to come from this camera, but my first impression is that I'm going to love it 🙂 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! 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/300524-monochrom-just-arrived-1st-version/?do=findComment&comment=3802174'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Hi RobM, Take a look here Monochrom just arrived - 1st Version. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Posted August 20, 2019 Share #2 Posted August 20, 2019 "......There's a lot more to come from this camera, but my first impression is that I'm going to love it" you are not alone 😄... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 20, 2019 Share #3 Posted August 20, 2019 Enjoy. As your first RF, you might want to check the FAQ (not specific to one M model) if haven’t already done so... https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/216580-leica-m8-m82-m9-m9p-mm-mtyp240-faqs-questions-with-answers/ Beyond that, there are other thread topics specific to the Monochroms, e.g., color filter use, highlight clipping prevention, etc. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted August 20, 2019 (edited) Cheers, guys. Getting focus with a rangefinder is a new skill to learn, and here I'm slightly out, but the f1.1 of the lens focussed on a white cup just makes the job a little harder... This is an in-camera developed jpg. I'm impressed by the jpg quality, and like the sepia toning, which of course is not preserved with the dng file. I'll continue to make both jpg and dng files. Any advice on rangefinder focussing? Oh, I forgot to mention that the sensor was replace by Leica in 2016. 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! Edited August 20, 2019 by RobM 4 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/300524-monochrom-just-arrived-1st-version/?do=findComment&comment=3802479'>More sharing options...
fotografr Posted August 21, 2019 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2019 Looks to me like you're coming along just fine. Rangefinder focusing will become second nature of you do it enough. You'll probably notice quickly that the MM 1 produces somewhat low contrast images. With a little work on post they can sing. I'd suggest getting familiar with Silver Efex Pro 2 if you aren't already. It's a great software for the Monochrom. For outdoor shooting you might consider a medium red filter to increase contrast--pretty much the same as with b&w film. It's a great camera and I hope you love it as much as most of us do ours. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 21, 2019 Share #6 Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, RobM said: Any advice on rangefinder focussing? I guess you didn’t read the FAQ I provided. Jeff Edited August 21, 2019 by Jeff S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted August 21, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Cheers, Brent. I fully intend to explore the use of filters, and I've used Nik Silver since it first came out. I also have LR6 and DxO. But I don't like spending too much time staring at my iMac screen, so will try to organise a smooth workflow between them all. Sorry, Jeff, but so far I've spent more of my precious free time shooting rather than reading. But I'll go there now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 21, 2019 Share #8 Posted August 21, 2019 7 hours ago, RobM said: Sorry, Jeff, but so far I've spent more of my precious free time shooting rather than reading. But I'll go there now. Practice and experimentation is highly recommended. A good tip or two can boost the learning curve. Importantly, be sure your eyes are corrected for distance and any astigmatism to ensure optimal RF focusing. The focus patch is set to a virtual distance of 2m. Some wear glasses, some use a diopter, and some like me use both. Lucky ones need no aids. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceVentura1986 Posted August 22, 2019 Share #9 Posted August 22, 2019 Avoid clipping highlights so it’s preferable to underexpose if necessary and correct in post processing. The sensor is ISO invariant so pushing up to 4 stops in Lightroom has never been a problem, except ISO 320. For some weird reason, pushing in 320 often results in horizontal lines. To avoid this, I use ISO 400 as my base. Otherwise, enjoy. It’s the best camera I’ve ever owned. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted August 22, 2019 Share #10 Posted August 22, 2019 (edited) You could check your rangefinder handling with FastRawViewer. Afterwards! 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! Edited August 22, 2019 by jankap Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/300524-monochrom-just-arrived-1st-version/?do=findComment&comment=3803612'>More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted August 22, 2019 Cheers, Jan. I probably could have caught that in-camera with the histogram. I'm tired of having too much software. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted August 22, 2019 6 hours ago, AceVentura1986 said: Avoid clipping highlights so it’s preferable to underexpose if necessary and correct in post processing. The sensor is ISO invariant so pushing up to 4 stops in Lightroom has never been a problem, except ISO 320. For some weird reason, pushing in 320 often results in horizontal lines. To avoid this, I use ISO 400 as my base. Otherwise, enjoy. It’s the best camera I’ve ever owned. Very interesting. Thank you! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 22, 2019 Share #13 Posted August 22, 2019 7 minutes ago, RobM said: Very interesting. Thank you! Post #3, last sentence. A search (or quick browse of the Monochrom forum) will bring up many posts on common issues specific to the Monochroms ....highlight clipping and use of color filters are two such topics. One unique benefit of the first Monochrom (not the second) is that a RAW histogram appears soon after the initial preview. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceVentura1986 Posted August 23, 2019 Share #14 Posted August 23, 2019 (edited) Oh, one more thing: filters. As Jeff S mentioned above, experiment with filters if you can. The M9M’s sensor seems to be panchromatic, meaning it is equally sensitive to all wavelengths. This has the effect of rendering human skin tones a bit darker than would be expected, at least to my eye. Early on, Leica recommended a weak yellow filter. I’ve found yellow isn’t very effective but orange is much better. An orange filter will tend to correct this issue and render skin tones in a grey value that seems more pleasing to the eye, at least to me. In my experience, it results in a 1/2 stop reduction in exposure, which I find wholly acceptable as it’s still a faster exposure than my ME. I find myself leaving the orange filter on most of the time, even at night. Outdoors in daylight, you might also experiment with a red filter. This will darken blue skies dramatically but still in a way that seems more natural than the strong contrast demonstrated in many digital photos. Of course, as with all photography YMMV. Edited August 23, 2019 by AceVentura1986 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 23, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted August 23, 2019 Cheers, Ace. I'm well familiar with the effects of filters, and will be using them once I get the right sizes. After buying the Monochrom, the Q, and a IIIg all in one week, I have no money left for ANYTHING...all in good time. 😎 Okay, not quite ALL, but enough. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceVentura1986 Posted August 29, 2019 Share #16 Posted August 29, 2019 (edited) On 8/23/2019 at 12:10 PM, RobM said: Cheers, Ace. I'm well familiar with the effects of filters, and will be using them once I get the right sizes. After buying the Monochrom, the Q, and a IIIg all in one week, I have no money left for ANYTHING...all in good time. 😎 Okay, not quite ALL, but enough. A IIIg? Wow. Those models are real beauties. I’ve always wanted an M3 with a collapsible 50mm, both in chrome of course, but just can’t justify the expense for what will end up being a shelf queen. Still, congrats on the purchase. Edited August 29, 2019 by AceVentura1986 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 29, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted August 29, 2019 Cheers, Ace. It's a beautiful machine, which I've had CLA'd, and currently has its first roll of film in it. Coupled with the Summar 5cm f/2. I hope it works! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dierk Posted September 1, 2019 Share #18 Posted September 1, 2019 Am 23.8.2019 um 18:10 schrieb RobM: Cheers, Ace. I'm well familiar with the effects of filters, and will be using them once I get the right sizes. After buying the Monochrom, the Q, and a IIIg all in one week, I have no money left for ANYTHING...all in good time. 😎 Okay, not quite ALL, but enough. Hi Rob, are you also familiar with infrared? The MM is great for IR! I use a 720nm filter, you may get very cheap ones for testing, but you need a tripod! Just to make you interested here is one with 720nm and a stitched panorama and here are many more 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! 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/300524-monochrom-just-arrived-1st-version/?do=findComment&comment=3810936'>More sharing options...
AceVentura1986 Posted September 1, 2019 Share #19 Posted September 1, 2019 24 minutes ago, dierk said: Hi Rob, are you also familiar with infrared? The MM is great for IR! I use a 720nm filter, you may get very cheap ones for testing, but you need a tripod! Just to make you interested here is one with 720nm and a stitched panorama and here are many more 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! How long are the exposures? Nice work, btw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share #20 Posted September 1, 2019 Hi Dierk. I've felt the temptation in the past to go that route, but still resist. Very interesting, though, and I like your work! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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