Live Discussion Q&A on Leica Monochromes

[Foxtwo]

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The boys at Leicastore Miami are presenting the Monochrome on Saturday night at Midnight UTC (9th 2000 EST May 10th). They will cover the M10 and also the earlier Monochromes. The discussions have been wide ranging and the videos have been archived and available after the show is over.

You can join the chat and ask questions. The last few on other Leica platforms have been a fun way to pass a wild Saturday night while in quarantine. 

 

Edited May 8, 2020 by Foxtwo

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[Jeff S]

Maybe you can ask about the missing 'e'.  

Yes, these have provided weekend isolation entertainment.  For those who haven't seen the others, the platforms (and various iterations) include the M10, SL, Cl//TL and Q series; replays available on Red Dot Forum.

[Other photo related entertainment via video (but non-Leica) include Art Wolfe's Thursday's Tequila Time, and a number of interviews on Kevin Raber's Photo PXL site.]

Jeff

[ru2far2c]

They do provide some interesting tidbits. Found the SL and CL segments interesting.

[setuporg]

The comments are a club of friends, I spotted our own @albertknappmd there!:)

[XRayGuy]

I have really enjoyed this series.  I would love for it to become a regular ongoing weekly show.  I have watched every one so far and found interesting tidbits in each one, and enjoy the banter.

[Foxtwo]

5 hours ago, XRayGuy said:

I have really enjoyed this series.  I would love for it to become a regular ongoing weekly show.  I have watched every one so far and found interesting tidbits in each one, and enjoy the banter.

Concur, and it's worthwhile to see Enzo in all of his glory too. 

[setuporg]

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I watched everything except for CL, which (CL) I find completely useless.

[albertknappmd]

They are a class act...

Albert

[setuporg]

They don't even have an S3 yet (as of the Monochrom episode) so the S hour will have to wait I reckon...  A very interesting question is comparing the S3 to the M10M.

[Foxtwo]

Found it quite informative. It's still available at the link by the way, and you can still leave questions in the comments. Thorsten Overgaard even asked a live question during the presentation. Thought they would pick up on that, but didn't seem to put two and two together.

Really nice job, especially in this situation. As  new new Monochrom owner I was actually sitting there taking notes.

And no Jeff, there were no revelations as to where the "e" went!

[setuporg]

It was funny how they weren't really happy comparing M246 to M10M...  M246 is a venerable camera and it has its own character, so dissing it on just the ISO seems not a good way to do the comparison, so those who used both are not actually enthusiastic about comparing!  And the good things they said about the M246 are encouraging.  I notice softer tones in M246 and striking ones in M10M.  They both start to find their niches for me...

[Jeff S]

Hardly any discussion regarding the continued merits of the original Monochrom, which still can produce marvelous results, especially if one doesn’t care about shooting 10,000 ISO, making wall size prints (and standing up close to view), or the older M9 platform issues. I’m sure David’s upcoming comparison article will show how the MM1 trails significantly on the high ISO dimension, but that won’t matter to me. 

Of course these broadcasts are in part great marketing tools for their business and for Leica, so without cynicism, I do understand the focus on the current models still for sale as new.  I did, however, buy a used MM1 from Josh; great customer support, as usual.  I enjoy the sessions and hope they crank up business as well as prove useful and entertaining for the viewers.  I look forward to the S system discussion at some point.

Jeff

[davidmknoble]

@Jeff S makes a great point as it relates to the monochrom.  He says he still enjoys using the MM1 (which as a CCD sensor does a fantastic BnW job).  If we remove the high ISO argument and the movie capability of the 246, we have three BnW cameras to choose from for digital (pure, not color conversion). How does one go about making the choice?  

Budget is clearly one issue. Other issues are whether GPS is important (needs the large handgrip for the 246 and the EVF for the M10M).  Probably not necessary, but I have gotten used to GPS from the SL and S.

Also interesting to compare to the film cameras. Until recently, we had an M-A, all mechanical, an M7 with battery for exposure and shutter speeds and an MP with just a light meter.  Seems somewhat similar.

I have enjoyed the M10-D and the M10M and prefer the fact that they share batteries and chargers and EVFs.  I also happen to like the size because it is essentially the same as my MP.  Also, with some of the detailed work I do, moire was much more an issue with the MM1, and not been an issue yet with the M10M. However, if you like the MM1, maybe it would pair nicely with an M9 (same charger and batter), same for the M246 and M240.  

Just a thought, all other things aside.  A little planning will help if you want to shoot both color and BnW with the M.

[Jeff S]

I haven’t tried the M10 Monochrom, but I do have an M10 in addition to the M Monochrom v.1.  There’s no doubt that I would prefer the M10M’s platform, but not enough to spend the additional money.  The benefits, for me, would include the improved VF (larger opening, better eye relief and higher magnification), 2m frame line optimization (vs 1m in the MM1), weather sealing and more robust build, quieter operation, and more.  

IQ-wise, I no longer see tremendous differences using various ‘high end’ gear these days (Leica and other), with my shooting style, editing practices and print sizes.  I’m more driven by lens selection, ergonomics and controls, etc.  For me, the primary benefit of a Monochrom is, as the Miami guys discussed, the black and white frame of mind and way of seeing that it promotes. On the other hand, contrary to the broadcast, I still prefer the ability to use color channels when converting files from color based digital cameras; the key being judicious and careful use.  If I wanted higher megapixels, I might be more inclined to switch out my M10 for a (rumored) M10R, while keeping the original Monochrom.  But that would probably be a bit of GAS, given how capable the M10 already is. 

Having choices is good.  My main point was that the Miami guys kind of dismissed the original Monochrom as a desirable choice, again for reasons I can understand.

Jeff

[ru2far2c]

16 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Hardly any discussion regarding the continued merits of the original Monochrom

They want to sell new gear. And you posted later on the MM1 did have it issues. 

20 hours ago, Foxtwo said:

Thorsten Overgaard even asked a live question during the presentation.

They did answer his question just didn't dwell on it as did on other questions.

Found it informative as I have the talks as well. Found their Red Dot forum has plenty of information on it as well.

[Jeff S]

10 minutes ago, ru2far2c said:

They want to sell new gear. 

Just as I wrote.

Jeff

[Foxtwo]

Nothing wrong with that, and sitting around discussing "vintage" gear isn't exactly inspiring or interesting for the vast majority of customers, photographers, enthusiasts. 

[Jeff S]

31 minutes ago, Foxtwo said:

...sitting around discussing "vintage" gear isn't exactly inspiring or interesting for the vast majority of customers, photographers, enthusiasts. 

A significant part of this forum’s discussion is just that, and many of the commenters on the broadcasts are the same audience. But, as I wrote, understandable given the business model.

Jeff

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