Q2 or Q2M

[tashley]

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I have an M11 but having also originally had a Q and remembering how much I enjoyed it, I thought I would get a Q2. I am very tempted by the Q2 Mono since I am currently doing quite a bit of monochrome work and the file quality looks amazing BUT  it strikes me that the noise advantage is largely going to be wiped out by the need to use filters.

The argument for the Monochrom rather than the standard model is that the lack of colour filters in the bayer array makes for better noise performance because the sensor is more sensitive as a result of not having the colour filters on it. But I always, always use the colour mixer in LR when doing B&W conversions of colour files and so I can only assume that I will nearly always want to use colour filters on the lens of a Monochrome, meaning that I will mostly be shooting at a stop or two higher ISO than I would do without a colour filter on the lens.

So my question is, assuming that I want to tweak the colour response of the B&W file by using a filter ON the lens on a Monochrome or BEHIND the lens on a regular Q2, is there ever any advantage to getting the monochrom? Because it strikes me that if the need to alter the colour response with filters is constant across both cameras, all I am giving up is the possibility of shooting in colour when I want to...

Edited February 22, 2022 by tashley

[Aperture 2]

I use the color filters like red or orange in full sun, when in darker situations no filter so no impact on noise advantage when needed

 

[Aperture 2]

The colours filters in post processing generate artefacts at objects edges, there are specific discussions about that

[Aperture 2]

To work with a mono allows you to concentrate in b§w view, have more detailed image, less noise, higher dynamic range, no need for post processing or almost, no colour filters artefacts, coherent look in your b§w pictures…and have something different from your other cameras ☺️

[Alan Friedman]

Very well summed up.

[hdmesa]

9 hours ago, tashley said:

I have an M11 but having also originally had a Q and remembering how much I enjoyed it, I thought I would get a Q2. I am very tempted by the Q2 Mono since I am currently doing quite a bit of monochrome work and the file quality looks amazing BUT  it strikes me that the noise advantage is largely going to be wiped out by the need to use filters.

The argument for the Monochrom rather than the standard model is that the lack of colour filters in the bayer array makes for better noise performance because the sensor is more sensitive as a result of not having the colour filters on it. But I always, always use the colour mixer in LR when doing B&W conversions of colour files and so I can only assume that I will nearly always want to use colour filters on the lens of a Monochrome, meaning that I will mostly be shooting at a stop or two higher ISO than I would do without a colour filter on the lens.

So my question is, assuming that I want to tweak the colour response of the B&W file by using a filter ON the lens on a Monochrome or BEHIND the lens on a regular Q2, is there ever any advantage to getting the monochrom? Because it strikes me that if the need to alter the colour response with filters is constant across both cameras, all I am giving up is the possibility of shooting in colour when I want to...

Color filters are of little concern regarding noise. Even a red filter has very little effect on high-ISO noise of the Q2M when compared with the Q2 at the same ISO. The Q2M is very low noise up to ISO 25K.

However, red filters can noticeably reduce dynamic range in the shadows since a lot of green and blue light is being blocked from from the sensor by the filter. But a high contrast look is often what you want when using a red filter anyway.

Edited February 23, 2022 by hdmesa

[profus]

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15 hours ago, Aperture 2 said:

...no need for post processing or almost...

Each to their own... I never liked out-of-camera files of any Mono camera. Tweaked they could sing, but as they are, they were mostly very flat and frankly...a bit boring.