Monochrom Video?

[setuporg]

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Since M246 seems like the last video-capable M, I wonder who shot any B+W video with it?  Here's what I found so far:

https://www.provideocoalition.com/leica-monochrom-capture-videos-in-black-white/

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[AceVentura1986]

FWIW, I shoot an ME and M9M, neither of which have video, but I also shoot a Canon 6D, which does have video. In the many years I’ve had the 6D, I’ve never used the video function. I have no idea how to work the video controls, how to process the video, or how to edit the video. It’s literally of no interest to me. I may someday upgrade to the M10 platform, but if I do I suspect that the lack of video functionality will play no role in my decision. 

[setuporg]

Of course, "I don't care about video" or "never did video with an M" is an expected and prevalent reply.  I did the same as my first Leica is an M10 and then M60 that cannot do video either and then M-P which is film.  I stumbled upon the video feature in M246 by accident, pushing the same button as on the M60 to check battery status/shots remaining.

However, I found that B+W video is an amazing capability that makes one think of shooting vintage-style short segments.  And it works well for kids.  Overall, a great thing to have and if you have it, to try.  There's nothing to it really.  You push the dedicated recessed button to record and push t again to stop.  If you want to see what's being shot, push LV button.  The dots in the OVF dance, top-bottom-top, when the recording is in progress.

[chasdfg]

Thought someone would have posted this reply by now

anyway, youtube:

 

 

 

[AceVentura1986]

The vídeo of Amber shows exactly why I don’t shoot video. The multiple takes, the panning, the quick closeups, all demonstrate a photographer who can also claim the title of cinematographer. Video, if properly done, has an aesthetic all its own and requires a different skill set. 

Edited April 7, 2020 by AceVentura1986

[Jager]

Aye, the cognoscenti tend to be dismissive of the video capabilities of the M246.  And serious videographers didn't (don't) think much of its capabilities in that regard.

But of all the features that might impel me to hold on to my own much-used and much-loved M246 (I also own the M10-Monochrom and the M9-M... so there's something of an embarrassment of riches), that quirky little 'Movie' feature is at the top of the list.

One can color grade in Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier, of course.  But much like there's something ineffably rewarding in producing "pure" black and white stills... there's something equally tantalizing about direct out-of-camera video clips made out of shades of gray.

Color me a fan.

 

 

[setuporg]

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5 hours ago, Jager said:

Aye, the cognoscenti tend to be dismissive of the video capabilities of the M246.  And serious videographers didn't (don't) think much of its capabilities in that regard.

But of all the features that might impel me to hold on to my own much-used and much-loved M246 (I also own the M10-Monochrom and the M9-M... so there's something of an embarrassment of riches), that quirky little 'Movie' feature is at the top of the list.

One can color grade in Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier, of course.  But much like there's something ineffably rewarding in producing "pure" black and white stills... there's something equally tantalizing about direct out-of-camera video clips made out of shades of gray.

Color me a fan.

@jaeger: do you see any need to retain the M246 after you got the M10M besides the video?

[Jager]

1 hour ago, setuporg said:

@jaeger: do you see any need to retain the M246 after you got the M10M besides the video?

That would be an emphatic 'no.'  

I think a case can be made for keeping an M9M alongside an M10-Monochrom.  The files are sufficiently different.  But the M10-Monochrom provides a similar ergonomic experience to the M246.  And while the M10-Monocrhom files are notably and indisputably better than those from the M246, they share the same look and feel.  I view the M10-Monochrom as a markedly improved M246.  So, no, if you dismiss the Movie function of the M246, seems to me it becomes a tougher thing to rationalize keeping them both.

 

[AceVentura1986]

On 4/7/2020 at 3:09 PM, Jager said:

That would be an emphatic 'no.'  

I think a case can be made for keeping an M9M alongside an M10-Monochrom.  The files are sufficiently different.  But the M10-Monochrom provides a similar ergonomic experience to the M246.  And while the M10-Monocrhom files are notably and indisputably better than those from the M246, they share the same look and feel.  I view the M10-Monochrom as a markedly improved M246.  So, no, if you dismiss the Movie function of the M246, seems to me it becomes a tougher thing to rationalize keeping them both.

 

Interesting. So, M9M to M10M, which image do you prefer? Obviously, setting image size apart as one is 19 and the other is 42 mpx. 

[Jager]

2 hours ago, AceVentura1986 said:

Interesting. So, M9M to M10M, which image do you prefer? Obviously, setting image size apart as one is 19 and the other is 42 mpx. 

M10M, without question.

The three Monochrom models have been interesting in their hardware evolution... tracking the same ergonomic/feature improvements as their mainline, color counterparts.  But equally as intriguing have been the changes in their file characteristics.

Files from all three generations are quite astonishing.  And, notably, files from the M9M still hold up remarkably well, all these years down the road.  But, no, they don't compare with the incredibly rich, robust files you get from the M10M.  Those are more akin to what you - previously - had to go to digital medium format to achieve.  Part of that _is_ the increase in resolution. You can't go from 18 to 24 to 40 mp and not have that part of what you're seeing.

 

[setuporg]

So I found that there's a Leica microphone adapter for the M246, that enables stereo.  And B+W video vignettes, as @jaeger aptly called them, are more and more useful for my walks with kids.  When the kids are small you want to record video whenever something cool is happening.  This allows me to carry both say an M10 and the M246 and still be able to do video without the iPhone (I prefer to carry the Punkt phone not to be distracted in these news-reloading days).  It would be very hard to give up an option to make such videos.  The separate button is brilliant since it does not interfere with photography at all, you can even press shutter button during a recording to switch back to photos.

The most astonishing feature of a range finder video is the ease with which you can track the people in focus.  On the SL2, you if you record video in manual focus, you will still get to a point where it's fuzzy before you go back into focus.  With the rangefinder, you easily track, even predictively, where the people are going, just like you do for photos, anticipating movement.  Since you know the focus throw of the lens from experience, it's much easier than DSLR-style focus or mirrorless-style focus, where you actually check sharpness instead of simple alignment.

So in addition to the unique B+W look, the M246 video also allows for a rather unique, I'd say very easy focus tracking of a moving target.

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