Out of Camera B&W with That Leica Look

[LikameLeica]

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Coming from the Leica Q and then Leica SL, SL-S and now Leica M11, one of the things I had been struggling with is getting the Leica look straight out of camera on the M11.  I thought I would recommend a JPG setting that I am truly enjoying for quick workflow with no editing required for quick photo sharing using the wireless feature straight out of camera.  

Under "JPG Settings"

• L-JPG
• Film Style BWHC - Monochrome high contrast
  • Contrast +1
  • Sharpness +1

Under "File Format"

• DNG + JPG

I created a profile with these settings, which allows me to quickly establish the settings when I want to shoot with JPG for B&W.  The "DNG + JPG" allowing me to also have flexibility with DNG for more fine tuning and larger file for more fine tuning and printing if desired.

Below example is straight out of camera JPG with no editing whatsoever.  Basic picture, but hopefully illustrates the value of this tip.

 

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Edited December 11, 2022 by LikameLeica

[LikameLeica]

2 minutes ago, LikameLeica said:

Coming from the Leica Q and then Leica SL, SL-S and now Leica M11, one of the things I had been struggling with is getting the Leica look straight out of camera on the M11.  I thought I would recommend a JPG setting that I am truly enjoying for quick workflow with no editing required for quick photo sharing using the wireless feature straight out of camera.  

Under "JPG Settings"

• L-JPG
• Film Style BWHC - Monochrome high contrast
  • Contrast +1
  • Sharpness +1

Under "File Format"

• DNG + JPG

I created a profile with these settings, which allows me to quickly establish the settings when I want to shoot with JPG for B&W.  The "DNG + JPG" allowing me to also have flexibility with DNG for more fine tuning and larger file for more fine tuning and printing if desired.

Below example is straight out of camera JPG with no editing whatsoever.  Basic picture, but hopefully illustrates the value of this tip.

 

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!

Another Sample.

[LikameLeica]

5 minutes ago, LikameLeica said:

Another Sample.

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Last one. Make sure to magnify for better image quality (even though very low res JPG)

[frame-it]

the supermarket pic is nice, any lens f2.8 and below will give the 3d pop effect at a certain sweet spot distance from the subject.

is the slight 3d pop [separation tween subject and background] what you mean by "leica look" or is it something else..?

 

 

Edited December 11, 2022 by frame-it

[sometimesmaybe]

6 hours ago, LikameLeica said:

Last one. Make sure to magnify for better image quality (even though very low res JPG)

other than the hummer, this looks suspiciously like newtown 🤓

[LikameLeica]

1 hour ago, sometimesmaybe said:

other than the hummer, this looks suspiciously like newtown 🤓

Nailed it.

[geotrupede]

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Good images!

Getting exposure right in jpg without any aftertouch is really hard.

First especially has great tones. 

G.

 

[david strachan]

Nice image in the Supermarket

 

But perhaps just good in-camera processing, needed on any image really just as old days with darkrooms. Many lenses would give this same image.

I suspect the "Leica Look" was marketing saying which seems to have entrenched in Leica Lore.

...

[LikameLeica]

On 12/13/2022 at 5:10 PM, david strachan said:

Nice image in the Supermarket

 

But perhaps just good in-camera processing, needed on any image really just as old days with darkrooms. Many lenses would give this same image.

I suspect the "Leica Look" was marketing saying which seems to have entrenched in Leica Lore.

...

Admittedly I am am bought into and truly enjoy the entire Leica experience, but i do believe that there is a difference with Leica glass.  No debate required, as this may be my distorted view through all the Leica marketing, but all that matters is that I see it, feel it, and believe it.  It motivates me to get out and shoot.  Either way I am happy with the JPG's coming out of camera :>)

[DenverSteve]

The "Leica look" is different with every lens / camera combination. Certainly the "Leica look" is different between the M4 and M10r. My M11 has a different "look" depending on which lens I use.  I do certainly encourage everyone with a camera to take the time to explore each and every setting on every camera they have to get the look they prefer. 

Edited December 17, 2022 by DenverSteve

[Overgaard]

Leica have chosen a hard contrast to begin with, sharpened quite a bit, and mainly the red and oranges are darker, which gives relatively dark skin tones. The BW straight out of camera is quite different in M11 compared to previous models. 

[j453]

Am 17.12.2022 um 15:29 schrieb Overgaard:

Leica have chosen a hard contrast to begin with, sharpened quite a bit, and mainly the red and oranges are darker, which gives relatively dark skin tones. The BW straight out of camera is quite different in M11 compared to previous models. 

Have not used the BW modes on my M11 so far, planning to do using 2.8cm Summaron f5.6 M39.

Did they improve the modes in your opinion?

When would you recommend using it and when not?

[earleygallery]

Is the Leica Look a photo from a llla and Summar 5cm on grainy B&W film or is it a digital file from an M11 shot with an APO Summicron?

Therein lies the problem. There is no 'Leica Look' as such.

IMHO what people referred to was the more casual style of handheld photography that the original Leicas made possible when most were using MF/LF cameras that demand a more considered approach.

[Camaro5]

Saw this and just had to try it out on my SL2-S & 35 APO SL.  The image came out pretty darn good.  I was just in my office taking a shot in low light and it didn't quite have the same 3D pop as the store photo but with just a couple of LR tweaks it was nice.  Not harsh at all and for an OOC JPG it's more than acceptable.

I was at f/2 and 1250 ISO which probably had something to do with it but I want to try this in better lighting and see what happens.  I don't shoot a lot of B&W but this might be a good go-to setting when needed.  

[Pibsen]

On 12/11/2022 at 3:55 AM, LikameLeica said:

Coming from the Leica Q and then Leica SL, SL-S and now Leica M11, one of the things I had been struggling with is getting the Leica look straight out of camera on the M11.  I thought I would recommend a JPG setting that I am truly enjoying for quick workflow with no editing required for quick photo sharing using the wireless feature straight out of camera.  

Under "JPG Settings"

• L-JPG
• Film Style BWHC - Monochrome high contrast
  • Contrast +1
  • Sharpness +1

Under "File Format"

• DNG + JPG

I created a profile with these settings, which allows me to quickly establish the settings when I want to shoot with JPG for B&W.  The "DNG + JPG" allowing me to also have flexibility with DNG for more fine tuning and larger file for more fine tuning and printing if desired.

Below example is straight out of camera JPG with no editing whatsoever.  Basic picture, but hopefully illustrates the value of this tip.

 

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!

great shots.. I wanted to ask you..   how to get a color vintage look with my M11.. ??.. any filmstyle settings you could recommend.. please.. ??.. happy holidays from Copenhagen..