Raw files to demo? M11 Monochrome

[spersky]

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Dear Leica Photographers,

I would like to buy a Leica M11 Monochrome,  but I have heard that the raw files are flat and require a lot of post processing? Is this much more than a preset?  I just shot 2 rolls of Tri-X on my MP and I wonder how much harder is the Leica M11 Monochrome to get good results?  Can anyone share these flat no contrast Leica M11 Raw files I have read about to see if I can get results that are reasonable with a workflow that does not require hours of post processing with lightroom or hours of selective brushes and gradients.  Can you even batch process images with the Leica M11 Monochrome.

Thanks

 

 

Edited September 28 by spersky

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[espelt]

Hello First of all: I don't have an M11. Just a monochrome predecessor. And it's actually quite similar. It's perhaps best explained this way: You have the MP. And if you load a Tri-X and develop it in Rodinal because you like that exact look, you might initially be disappointed with a super-fine grain film. Because, just like the raw data from the mono, everything initially appears relatively flat. Why? Because the mono, just like super-fine grain film, is capable of reproducing the finest tonal values. So fine that there's hardly any contrast. Instead, everything flows together subtly. From a compositional perspective, it doesn't have to be beautiful. Or desired. But in the sense of raw data as source material that you can shape in your personally desired direction, it's optimal. You have all the possibilities. I've never bothered with Lightroom. I've been working with Photoshop since version 1. And LR was always too Mickey Mouse-like for me. But in PS, you can give the photos the desired look in no time. Level correction, a bit of a gradation curve—that's usually all you need. Sure, you can do a little more. Vignette, grain, toning... It's basically like back in the darkroom. Images from a series can be easily edited using batch processing. For some, it's worth intervening separately. The same probably applies to the M11 as to its predecessors: expose for the highlights. Just let the shadows come out as they will. Adjust the exposure slightly. Ignore what appears on the monitor. It often looks unusable, the shadows completely drowned out. But in editing, the potential comes to light; it's no problem bringing out details. For me, at least, a monochrome camera, no matter which one, only makes sense this way. JPEGs are like throwing pearls before swine. A phone is actually sufficient for that.

Screenshot of the DNG directly from the camera. The depths seem completely submerged, somehow destined for the trash at first glance.

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Edited September 29 by espelt

[espelt]

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With a little editing, it looks different. And it will probably make it onto the album....

 

 

[spersky]

Thank you great explanation and great example.