M11 Mono YouTubers VS Magnum Photographers

[IkarusJohn]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Like Jaap and MarkP, I bought my Monochrom after playing with Jono’s files.

Jacob Aue Sobol’s images did nothing for me, both in content and processing (if you dig out the thread on here from the time, there was some discussion - I particularly disliked his nudes).  I bought the camera in spite of his images; but I liked the idea of a photographic journey.

Why did I dislike the photos?  The processing was overly contrasty, harsh and brutal.  The nudes annoyed me as they were unkind - if he was on a train journey, how did he establish the trust to take those images?  Or did he pay the models?  To what end?  The image with what appeared to be blood running down a young woman’s leg struck me as particularly distasteful.

But, I appreciate that he is a famous Magnum photographer, and I’m just an amateur who spends more time taking photos than looking at famous photographers work.  What do I know?

As for my M9 Monochrom, the local Leica dealer lent me their black demo camera as my silver chrome camera was taking so long (another story).  While helping to launch paragliding students from a hill in the Southern Alps, I took an image up the Matukituki Valley with the Monochrom, and my 75 Summilux - I printed that image a metre wide and had it above the dining table at home.  I loved it, and many people commented on it.

If it gives you pleasure, why justify your choices?  I know emough about photography to assess a camera or lens and decide whether or not it would work for me.  The M system, for me, is about the lenses - they cost a fortune, but give pleasure beyond being just equipment and they have character unaffected by the next upgrade.  The latest M camera iteratioin is always interesting, but not obligatory - my M9 based Monochrom didn’t stop working with the three subsequent versions; but each was worth looking at, and considering …

I was told many times in other threads by experts here that I would be lucky to get more than 10 years out of a digital M - we’ll see.

Edited April 16, 2023 by IkarusJohn

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[pippy]

On 4/14/2023 at 7:48 PM, colint544 said:

Very kind, Mike - thank you. I should be so lucky.

Yes; you should have been so lucky fortunate in the first instance.

Philip.

[Guest]

On 4/14/2023 at 2:27 AM, Stuart Richardson said:

I think another side of it is that many higher end artists are probably not as interested in being associated with a particular brand. During my MFA we met with several Magnum people at their studios, and at the time Fuji had sent them all GFX's. Some liked them, some didn't, but I don't recall any of them being in a big campaign for Fuji. Certainly in their work out in the world they don't bring up the cameras they are using very often, unless there is the characteristic that they want to convey (like it being large format film or something). But I have never heard a gallerist say "well, so and so uses a Leica monochrom". I am sure it happens, but not as often as some might like to think.

Disclaimer: I am not a gallerist.

Andreas Jorns frequently uses a Leica Monochrom to good effect.

https://www.ajorns.com/

[Likaleica]

On 4/17/2023 at 7:06 PM, mzbe said:

Disclaimer: I am not a gallerist.

Andreas Jorns frequently uses a Leica Monochrom to good effect.

https://www.ajorns.com/

Incredible work!

[Jon Warwick]

On 10/31/2023 at 6:07 AM, Likaleica said:

Incredible work!

I’d not come across Andreas’ work until today (so thanks mzbe for flagging it), but I’m very pleased I’ve discovered this artist - his work looks wonderful.

[JimP]

On 4/14/2023 at 12:55 AM, Simone_DF said:

Because sending a camera to a random dude that will do free advertising for you is cheaper.

Agreed, pros want to be paid for their time. 

[Likaleica]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I can't recall a single YouTuber or Podcaster who is known for their photography.  Maybe they're out there, but I can't think of one who has had a show at a museum or major gallery.  Allan Schaller is the exception, but his are spotty because he's busy being a photographer.  Mostly, it's people who talk about photography and I've noticed that their most popular presentations have to do with gear.  First tier get the cameras/lenses before launch.  The rest do their reviews after launch.  I've never put much faith in their opinions for this reason, but camera companies use them for the, essentially free, reach to an interested audience of likely customers.  It's a brilliant advertising strategy.

Also, several are blatant shills, who proclaim each new camera to be "the one," like a friend of mine who kept finding his one true soul-mate every few years.

For me, the technical specs usually are the least important aspects of camera gear.  It's more about haptics, which is knowable only by using the camera.  Or familiarity, as with the M cameras.  Bill Allard once said, "An M6 is what a camera should feel like."  True for him (although he uses a Q now) and true for me.  (Or a Nikon FE!)

[Likaleica]

On 9/4/2024 at 8:10 PM, Likaleica said:

I can't recall a single YouTuber or Podcaster who is known for their photography.  Maybe they're out there, but I can't think of one who has had a show at a museum or major gallery.  Allan Schaller is the exception, but his are spotty because he's busy being a photographer.  Mostly, it's people who talk about photography and I've noticed that their most popular presentations have to do with gear.  First tier get the cameras/lenses before launch.  The rest do their reviews after launch.  I've never put much faith in their opinions for this reason, but camera companies use them for the, essentially free, reach to an interested audience of likely customers.  It's a brilliant advertising strategy.

Also, several are blatant shills, who proclaim each new camera to be "the one," like a friend of mine who kept finding his one true soul-mate every few years.

For me, the technical specs usually are the least important aspects of camera gear.  It's more about haptics, which is knowable only by using the camera.  Or familiarity, as with the M cameras.  Bill Allard once said, "An M6 is what a camera should feel like."  True for him (although he uses a Q now) and true for me.  (Or a Nikon FE!)

I just discovered a notable exception to my generalization about YouTubers and Podcasters in the above post.  Graeme Williams has an excellent YouTube channel called Graeme Williams - Photographic Conversations.  He's the real deal and his channel is about photography and photographers.  From what I've seen so far, it's excellent.

[MrFriendly]

On 9/4/2024 at 9:10 PM, Likaleica said:

I can't recall a single YouTuber or Podcaster who is known for their photography.  Maybe they're out there, but I can't think of one who has had a show at a museum or major gallery.

John Free:  

 

[Likaleica]

6 hours ago, MrFriendly said:

John Free:  

 

Thanks.  Maybe we should start a thread of the best YouTube channels and podcasts (if it hasn't already been done).

[LeAlain]

On 4/14/2023 at 7:05 AM, otto.f said:

In the Netherlands there’s a photojournalist who won severeal Dutch rewards for his work, mainly in war situations. He stil works with an M4. 

To be complete: he uses several camera’s, the M11M is one of them.  

[Alberti]

On 4/14/2023 at 9:58 AM, colint544 said:

Alan Schaller says he has an upcoming film about the M11 Monochrom - I'm sure that will be good

 

I saw Alan's video (linked from Leica Beaumarchais I remember) - he creates great wide-angle pictures , I even considered a Summicron/28 because of it. Nice style.

But - -  he is a M-novice to me , because he grabs the camera it seems with one finger over the RF 'window'. He should then stay with mirrorless camera's. He acts too popular. . .

[SrMi]

5 hours ago, Alberti said:

I saw Alan's video (linked from Leica Beaumarchais I remember) - he creates great wide-angle pictures , I even considered a Summicron/28 because of it. Nice style.

But - -  he is a M-novice to me , because he grabs the camera it seems with one finger over the RF 'window'. He should then stay with mirrorless camera's. He acts too popular. . .

Alan is certainly not an M novice with plenty of coverage by Leica itself and galleries. He also shoots a lot with 24mm, not with 28mm. His YT videos are very instructional.

 

[jonnyboy]

I think there is also some sort of pressure to sell as many bodies as possible as it became 'normal' now to just drop new gear on new gear on new gear and so with the rapid production they rely on 'influencers' to reach a broader audience. Every time I go out I see Leica every where now where years ago you would barely see any, I guess it works for sales.
 

[Stevejack]

On 2/10/2025 at 12:44 AM, SrMi said:

Alan is certainly not an M novice with plenty of coverage by Leica itself and galleries. He also shoots a lot with 24mm, not with 28mm. His YT videos are very instructional.

 

I'm sure he is responsible for more than a few monochrom sales over the years; I also thought Leica's decision to stop making the 24mm was kinda crazy considering how popular Alan is.