Please help me make a choice for monochrome

[P1505]

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Hi, I’m looking for insight and help with a decision. I’m asking about Fuji or Leica here because I trust the members here.

I am looking to either move to a Q2m or the GFX 100RF. I want a daily carry fixed lens to spend a year or two focussing only on monochrome photography and a single lens.

The reason for these two cameras coming to mind is that I like to print my picks, and I shoot large depth of field and detail matters. My photography is all about me and how I process the world but, ultimately, it’s about exploring the image and all the details within it. When I moved to the GFX system I saw the immediate and very noticeable difference in the prints coming from the GFX100s than from my M10, hence looking to stay within the system.

But! I have ADHD and choice paralysis is very real for me. I despise the editing process and although have taken steps to minimise it, it still impacts me. All the colours and options to explore… I have 35k images I’ve never looked at.

And then recently I noticed that when looking at photographs from others, with monochrome images I focussed on the subject instantly, but with colour my eyes would go to the colour and then find the subject. This made me think - should I try to be a purist, shoot monochrome only, to help me focus on the composition and lighting and subject whilst removing all the options?

Owning a Q2 I have been exploring using it with JPEGS only but yeah, I print large, and I see the missing detail (people explore my photographs from very close) but I hear the monochrome sensor acts more like 60mp than 40 something.

Then I thought, the GFX 100RF as it’s smaller than the full system, and while I still have the colour issue to deal with I’d have the smaller single camera with all that resolution.

So here we are, I think given I need the resolution but want to focus on monochrome and I really want choices removed - maybe I just need to find a well loved Q3m?

Help!

 

Edit: I forgot to say, I do prefer the 4:3 ratio and I rarely if ever crop. I use my feet to do that.

And I like how the Q2 feels, I don’t need a big grip after many years with a range of M bodies.

Out of camera from Fuji isn’t an option, because I don’t think they’re very good.

 

Edit 2: I use my cameras in all weathers. Right now I’m in a rain storm by the sea photographing rain.

Edited 10 hours ago by P1505

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[jaapv]

Monochrom? Get a Monochrom Leica. Any is desirable, but the M9 most in my book. I am working on the paperwork to get mine through Customs at St. Peter's Heavenly Gate.  Leica M cameras, although formally not weatherproof can stand quite a bit of environmental pressure, just keep them under cover a bit when not shooting. Nobody forces you to change lenses.
"Weatherproof" is normally not much more than IP54 (if tested at all) anyway.
Alternatively the Q2M is a good choice as well, albeit with a more modern/digital look to the images.

[Eoin]

I shoot Q2M & M11M with Summilux 24 interchangeably. Apart from the limitations of the Q’s fixed focal length I don’t think you’ll find the Q2M wanting in any department. For the price difference to a “mint” Q3M, I’d stick with the Q2M and scratch the monochrome itch.

[Luke_Miller]

I find the GFX100RF interesting. Sean Reid on his subscription site has reviewed it for B&W work. He is experimenting with a program (Iridient Transformer) which processes the raw sensor data in a way that produces a monochrom DNG that is superior to a color conversion of the standard Bayer demosiac.

[bobtodrick]

Monochrome.  I have a client who has worked with both, he kept the Monochrom primarily because it required far less post processing to get a good B&W image…the Fuji a colour camera that can put out good B&W images…with work in post afterwords.  He is a respected pro in our area so I trust him.

Considering you say you dislike the editing process it’s a no-brainer IMO.

[Brian J]

I recently bought a Q2M for similar reasons.   I have been taking photos for some 55 years, starting with an Ilford 35 mm then progressing through such things as a Contax rangefinder and Yashica 6x6 to the world of digital.   I became a little jaded over time and, in recent years, took mainly family snapshots.  Looking through some long-forgotten, old boxes of “stuff”recently I found some 40 year-old black and white prints of mine that reignited my enthusiasm for photography.

I didn’t want to return to the distraction (and physical burden) of multiple lenses and am happy to zoom with my legs.  I prefer wider angle views and, looking back on past pictures, seem to opt for 28mm lenses much of the time.  I also seem to see the world in terms of shapes, patterns and tonal variation, and colour is another distraction for me.  I don’t enjoy editing and SOC image quality is critical.  I also wanted a go-anyway, weather-proof camera that I can take on long hikes and on my motorbike.  After much research I was set on a 28mm Leica QM.   I was won over by the quality of the lens, tonal range, build quality, sensible menu system and classic design.  

I had planned to wait for the Q3M but stumbled across an immaculate Q2M at a substantial saving, much of which later turned out to be needed for accessories like a protective case, filters, thumb grip and spare battery - nothing Leica is cheap!  I am delighted with my choice.  The Q3M’s advantages - flip screen, increased megapixels etc - attractive though the may be, are not worth the extra cost for what I need and want.  The little editing I do is in Apple photos, which has no trouble with the raw files.

In the 2-3 weeks I have had the Q2M I have taken more photographs than in the previous year, despite the appalling wet weather here.   It inspires me, helps me focus in my feeble way on the art of photography rather than taking snapshots and I begrudge having to leave home without it when domestic duties take precedence.   I hope @P1505 is as lucky with their quest as I have been with mine.

[LeicaR10]

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P1505,   I see you received a number of posts to your OP thread and these offer sage advice.  My wife also has ADHD and I found she is fond of monochromatic photographs for the same reasons as you wrote.  Hence, I shoot a lot of my photographs now in B&W using the M11-M and Q3-M.  In my 50+ years with Leica, I found the monochrom cameras to be the most rewarding for capturing both the subject and spirit of that moment in time.  I also shoot color, but I find B&W a medium where the image takes one to the subject and content of the photograph rather than being distracted by color.   It all depends on your photographic genres, i.e. people, landscapes, reportage, etc.  I have owned and used extensively all the M Monochroms and Q Monochrom cameras. IMO, the Q3-M is stellar for detail, tonal rendering and ability to photograph fleeting subjects.  I also like the ability of course to adjust the focal lengths internal vs changing lenses like the M cameras.  The good news, you have excellent choices that only you alone can make.  But, I suggest you look at the Red Dot Forum video that discusses the Q Monochrom cameras to include the new Q3-M.  The video helped my decision to upgrade from the very good Q2-M to most excellent Q3-M.  I hope this helps.   r/ Mark

Try:  

 

Edited 22 minutes ago by LeicaR10