Leica Monochrome vs Black and White Film

[otto.f]

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10 hours ago, Erato said:

Guess who's who down there?

Very well done! I must say though that you used a film that not many films can do in the sense that you hardly tell the difference with digital B&W 

[otto.f]

10 hours ago, Erato said:

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by otto.f

[Erato]

On 12/8/2023 at 4:30 AM, f8low said:

Good one. But tough because the pictures are small. I'll say Nr 2 is digital. 

You have a good eyes to distinguish the subtle difference from the analog and digital photography.

[Erato]

17 hours ago, otto.f said:

Very well done! I must say though that you used a film that not many films can do in the sense that you hardly tell the difference with digital B&W 

I totally agreed with you. I'm so glad that you spent your precious time to reviewing my photos and a kind over-rated comment was given to me. Thank you so much.

Finding an optimized combination of digital and analog photography based on the Leica jungle is a long journey for me. Most violinlist are eager to have the Stradivari and it's about the same here on this forum. People are often facinated by the fabulous results created by the tier-1 setup(GAS) but irritated at spending enough time on it. I'm lucky enough to have spent almost 4 years on this bitter-sweet experience with so many surprises. 

To be honest, I love them both.

One thing that brought me a pleasant experience was the Barnack setup. Aigle and powerful. If anyone throws a question further like "how do you feel about Barnack, M-Series across film and digital?",  I'd say I like them all.

[Jeff S]

16 hours ago, Erato said:

You have a good eyes to distinguish the subtle difference from the analog and digital photography.

Or he read the Flickr caption. 🤪

Jeff

[Erato]

47 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Or he read the Flickr caption. 🤪

Jeff

OMG, another Flickr leaks...I hope not.🤣

[f8low]

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On 12/9/2023 at 5:30 PM, Jeff S said:

Or he read the Flickr caption. 🤪

Jeff

Not that but I spotted a bit of dust on shot one, which helped a lot 😉 For shot three, I could not tell. But - despite differences in perspective - I was pretty sure that shots one and two have different tonality. More punch in shot one, mid tones more compressed, looks somehow qualitatively different. So I guessed two is the monochrome. 

That being said, I went into the challenge with much more confidence than I ended up having in the end 😄 So good one...

Edited December 11, 2023 by f8low

[albert]

Probably just too proud of my Q2 MONOCHROM but I have an observation to share: Many of the Q3 Black and White conversions just don't ring my bell. Many of the whites had burn outs that spoiled an otherwise decent attempt to replicate The Q2 MONOCHROM. 

[tom0511]

older thread but I find it interesting.

IMO M Mono Images do look more like PANF medium format film.

If you wanted the 35mm grainy look of some other b+w films you can maybe emulate it or add digital grain, but I think it might be waisted money. If one likes this look why not use a film M and film.

 

 

[albert]

On 10/3/2023 at 7:35 PM, Anthony MD said:

I’ll be shooting B&W film with my Nikon F2 and color with the M-D…!

I'm of the Q2 MONOCHROM school of delights.😇

[BWColor]

I’m curious.. for those that shoot and prefer film to digital, are you using an enlarger/contact prints, or do you actually use a scanned hybrid workflow?  I just purchased a M11M and have no interest in duplicating film.  After all, the capabilities of digital are quite different from film.  For me, part of the joy when shooting film was the limited/simple nature of the media and process.  I haven’t shot/developed film for many years and film/darkroom for many decades, but whatever you shoot, I hope that you still produce prints as an end product.  I’m at a crossroads, I’ve got many film and digital cameras and have lenses that I forgot that I owned.  Just found a Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 ZM in my safe.. a pleasant surprise.  I’m now selling off most of my cameras, so I’m asking myself if I should keep some of my film cameras.  My Leica and Ikon cameras go up in value, so they stay, but the camera that I can see myself using once again is the Mamiya 7ii.  Lastly, museum quality wet prints from film can be something quite special, but how many of us have the talent to really use any of these medium to tell a story, or convey a feeling?  Digital, or film is not the divide, but talent vs the rest of us..myself included in the latter grouping..any media can be impactful.

[Anthony MD]

For film, optical prints and premium scans.

Digital from SD card straight to computer in RAW only …!

Edited May 23, 2024 by Anthony MD

[albert]

The 

[albert]

Q2 MONOCHROM never lets me down. I see so many BW conversions with blown out whites.People say they like those images, I think they look horrible.

[pippy]

On 5/24/2024 at 1:20 PM, albert said:

...I see so many BW conversions with blown out whites.People say they like those images, I think they look horrible.

That is almost always solely down to poor exposure comprehension and post-prod technique / knowledge.

Occasionally having pure whites in a print can be very effective - look at some of the figure work by Bill Brandt for example(s) - but the circumstances have to warrant their use.

Philip.

[albert]

9 hours ago, pippy said:

That is almost always solely down to poor exposure comprehension and post-prod technique / knowledge.

Occasionally having pure whites in a print can be very effective - look at some of the figure work by Bill Brandt for example(s) - but the circumstances have to warrant their use.

Philip.

i double checked some of the worst on my i phone.........they looked just fine, i must be having an issue with my imac. sorry for the criticisms.   pls. accept my ignorance. 

[Ko.Fe.]

On 10/2/2023 at 11:05 PM, Anthony MD said:

Do Leica monochrome digital cameras compare favorably with black and white film...!

Not even close. Impossible technically. 

And where are only very few who are capable to expose and post process monochrome files.

Personally, I'm aware of only two.

Not a two dozens,  but only two individuals. 

 

[pippy]

On 6/1/2024 at 2:46 AM, albert said:

i double checked some of the worst on my i phone.........they looked just fine, i must be having an issue with my imac. sorry for the criticisms.   pls. accept my ignorance. 

No need for any apology, Albert, I assure you.

IMX there is a 'problem' inherent with pretty much every new 'Smart'phone where the default setting for screen-images increases levels of Colour-Saturation and Subject Contrast seems to be set to cartoon-esque levels of garishness. If I look at my own images on my 'phone they are quite laughable in both of these regards.

My PC, by neccessity for work, has a properly-calibrated screen which, of course, is fine for me but when others might look at my images on non-calibrated screens I distance myself subsequently from the IQ which they might witness!

😸

Philip.

Edited June 3, 2024 by pippy

[pippy]

On 6/1/2024 at 8:37 AM, Ko.Fe. said:

Not even close. Impossible technically...

In what way, exactly, is it "Impossible technically" for a print produced from a Monochrom DNG file to be compared favourably with a print produced from a monochrome negative?

Please explain and do feel free to offer-up as much detail as possible as to why this is the case.

Philip.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[DreiPunkte]

Thanks for your answer.

I wrote " I was" and Iam sorry for my ignorance, although I have been taking digital photographs since the mid-late 90s.
I told only my oppinion and what I have seen in recent years.
Not more and not less!

Everyone should have their own thoughts on the topic. The experiences of others are actually always helpful.
But if you have already answered everything, you don't need to worry about it anyway.

Edited June 4, 2024 by DreiPunkte