5 YEARS 1 CAMERA - A Photographer's Story

[Jeff S]

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Kristian, one additional question.  You mentioned that you like to see your b/w work in the VF as b/w.  Although you could just shoot JPEG/monochrome to achieve this,  I'm guessing that you shoot DNG plus JPEG/monochrome in those situations.  If so, do you also use the JPEG for your processing, or do you generally convert the DNG to b/w for better control and results?  

My output goal is always a print-worthy pic, so I stick to DNG alone.  But maybe your workflow is worth considering despite my lack of need for JPEG and added file storage.  With an M Monochrom, I can train myself to 'see' in b/w, but with the SL2 I mix color and b/w conversions, but with emphasis on the latter.

Jeff

[Kristian Dowling]

18 hours ago, Chuck Albertson said:

Nice video, Kristian. Your original "how-to" video that you posted a few years ago taught me a lot of things about using my SL that aren't exactly highlighted in the manual. Agree with you about the 35SL, it's a phenomenal lens in my preferred focal length.

Hey Chuck, wow that was some time ago, glad it helped. Yeah I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the 35!

[Kristian Dowling]

18 hours ago, Dennis said:

Good point. That's why sometimes, as you're saying, I could imagine that an EVF can make a real difference. I sometimes know that when I'm working with the M system ( which is not "so accurate" as an EVF) I feel freer, without distractions. The camera approach set me free. You have an idea in your mind that your pursuit, a composition that probably will be 90-95% as you thought, and the fact that, as it were a film, you don't know how the picture will look like, until you see it. It's challenging, fascinating, and scary at the same time. But it's a good scaring.

Here it's when I have doubts to switch to an EVF in the near future. Why? I know it could be very helpful; Seeing the exposure preview could be a significant advantage. But it also shows you all that you are doing, w/o let you wait, hope, and struggle for your photo. Do you know what I mean? My last EVF was a version of a Fujifilm x100 (probably S). It was a few years ago, so I can't tell you. My point is, right now, I prefer to guesstimate instead of having it all ready ... But this is me. It can transform me over time into lazier and less visionary. Does it make sense what I'm saying? Maybe if I try out an SL2, I would change my mind soon 😂

Good point, and many years ago I would have agreed with you, but the SL's EVF has changed my workflow and I'm so used to it now, and it really is so beneficial to ensuring a positive result on any job. Having said that I think I will address this in my upcoming video. I personally don't like how easy photography has become because it has literally destroyed the industry as a profession, but thats the way it is so I may as well go with it, and not against it if I want to continue. 

Thats why I love the M. Its not easy to use, but at the same time, most M buyers probably shouldn't buy it in the first place - a majority would be better off with a Q or SL, but there's a mystique and a certain level of respect that comes from being an M owner based on the 'assumption' you know how to operate it successfully 😉

[Dennis]

2 minutes ago, Kristian Dowling said:

I personally don't like how easy photography has become

This is another good point. But let's keep on topic 🙂 Maybe once I will try a modern EVF I'll be so surprised that I would regret not having switched before 😂

 

[Kristian Dowling]

18 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Kristian, one additional question.  You mentioned that you like to see your b/w work in the VF as b/w.  Although you could just shoot JPEG/monochrome to achieve this,  I'm guessing that you shoot DNG plus JPEG/monochrome in those situations.  If so, do you also use the JPEG for your processing, or do you generally convert the DNG to b/w for better control and results?  

My output goal is always a print-worthy pic, so I stick to DNG alone.  But maybe your workflow is worth considering despite my lack of need for JPEG and added file storage.  With an M Monochrom, I can train myself to 'see' in b/w, but with the SL2 I mix color and b/w conversions, but with emphasis on the latter.

Jeff

hey Jeff I only shoot RAW as the camera creates a small jpeg to view on screen as a preview. I would never use a JPEG file unless I absolutely had to. Its like buying a Ferrari and putting a Toyota engine in it 😉

[Jeff S]

9 minutes ago, Kristian Dowling said:

hey Jeff I only shoot RAW as the camera creates a small jpeg to view on screen as a preview. I would never use a JPEG file unless I absolutely had to. Its like buying a Ferrari and putting a Toyota engine in it 😉

So you don’t need to set the camera to DNG plus JPEG capture to achieve the monochrome preview?    I only shoot RAW (DNG), but assumed one needed to add JPEG capture  setting to achieve a b/w preview. JPEG is of no interest for my editing or storage, but hadn’t thought about the possibility of changing the preview to b/w without generating a separate JPEG file for import.  
 

Jeff

[Dennis]

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36 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

So you don’t need to set the camera to DNG plus JPEG capture to achieve the monochrome preview?    I only shoot RAW (DNG), but assumed one needed to add JPEG capture  setting to achieve a b/w preview. JPEG is of no interest for my editing or storage, but hadn’t thought about the possibility of changing the preview to b/w without generating a separate JPEG file for import.  
 

Jeff

When you set the camera on Raw monochrome, the preview of the image is in BW, but it's just a preview. No jpeg is added to the Raw unless you set to shoot Raw + Jpeg. 

[Jeff S]

9 minutes ago, Dennis said:

When you set the camera on Raw monochrome, the preview of the image is in BW, but it's just a preview. No jpeg is added to the Raw unless you set to shoot Raw + Jpeg. 

I didn’t know.  Wonder if my SL2 does the same.. will check.  
 

Jeff

[Dennis]

2 hours ago, Jeff S said:

I didn’t know.  Wonder if my SL2 does the same.. will check.  
 

Jeff

Not sure, but probably yes. I took photos in Raw monochrome for a few years, with different DLSR, a Fujifilm and even Ricoh GR. And the M10 at the beginning. As Kristian was saying it's a good approach to be sure you can focus more in the moment and you're not distracting by colors. Now, I shoot again in color.

[Kristian Dowling]

2 minutes ago, Dennis said:

Not sure, but probably yes. I took photos in Raw monochrome for a few years, with different DLSR, a Fujifilm and even Ricoh GR. And the M10 at the beginning. As Kristian was saying it's a good approach to be sure you can focus more in the moment and you're not distracting by colors. Now, I shoot again in color.

All you need to do is set you colour saturation setting to 'monochrome'

[Jeff S]

8 minutes ago, Kristian Dowling said:

All you need to do is set you colour saturation setting to 'monochrome'

I had thought that all such settings... contrast, saturation, etc... were greyed out when set to DNG only, which is the only way I shoot digital.  I shot b/w film for 35 years, so visualizing in b/w is not difficult for me when using color digital cameras; however the M Monochrom offers a unique experience with an all b/w digital workflow, sans conversions.  
 

Jeff

[Kristian Dowling]

8 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

I had thought that all such settings... contrast, saturation, etc... were greyed out when set to DNG only, which is the only way I shoot digital.  I shot b/w film for 35 years, so visualizing in b/w is not difficult for me when using color digital cameras; however the M Monochrom offers a unique experience with an all b/w digital workflow, sans conversions.  
 

Jeff

Nope, won't be greyed out, easily done mate

[Jeff S]

Learn something new every day.  Will explore after sleep.

Jeff

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

On 10/3/2020 at 12:48 AM, Kristian Dowling said:

Hey guys, I've put together a video story about my last 5 years of using the Leica SL as my workhorse professional camera.

I'm always being asked why I stuck with the same camera for 5 years when there are plenty of available options to upgrade, so I thought I'd answer those questions in this video.

Hope you enjoy it

KD

5 YEARS 1 CAMERA | A Photographer's Story

Fantastic compilation of your thoughts, backed by images. Nice to see you active with photography again buddy 🍻 

[Kristian Dowling]

2 hours ago, TheGodParticle/Hari said:

Fantastic compilation of your thoughts, backed by images. Nice to see you active with photography again buddy 🍻 

Cheers Hari, great to be back sharing again....hope you liked your little spotlight 😉

[ruskkyle]

Excellent video Kristian. I like this concept of reviewing ‘old’ technology in terms of its real world attributes, backed up by superb imagery. Top drawer.

[feelssadman]

Great final words.

[Kristian Dowling]

On 10/19/2020 at 6:36 AM, ruskkyle said:

Excellent video Kristian. I like this concept of reviewing ‘old’ technology in terms of its real world attributes, backed up by superb imagery. Top drawer.

Cheers Rus, appreciate that, thank you

[Kristian Dowling]

13 hours ago, feelssadman said:

Great final words.

Thank you, certainly come from age 😉

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[sillbeers15]

On 10/18/2020 at 7:57 AM, Kristian Dowling said:

Good point, and many years ago I would have agreed with you, but the SL's EVF has changed my workflow and I'm so used to it now, and it really is so beneficial to ensuring a positive result on any job. Having said that I think I will address this in my upcoming video. I personally don't like how easy photography has become because it has literally destroyed the industry as a profession, but thats the way it is so I may as well go with it, and not against it if I want to continue. 

Thats why I love the M. Its not easy to use, but at the same time, most M buyers probably shouldn't buy it in the first place - a majority would be better off with a Q or SL, but there's a mystique and a certain level of respect that comes from being an M owner based on the 'assumption' you know how to operate it successfully 😉

No wonder I find a bunch of SL/SL2 users only using their cameras as M alternative.