chris_livsey Posted April 29, 2008 Share #21 Posted April 29, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have never shot B/W jpegs to use always going RAW etc but to experiment in the light of the thread here are two jpegs from the camera just resized (900 pixels) in CS3 (Bicubic Sharpener) then save for web to 235 file size. In camera ISO 640 -0.33EV B/W (obviously) Contrast high now two deviations from the recipe I used Auto WB (now that it works) and low sharpening as I believe this may reduce artifacts and it was intended for the web. Now I know this is a web jpeg and all bets are off as to quality judgments but this should encourage you to at least give the jpeg a chance (I did shoot Jpeg + RAW and with the moderators indulgence may well post one or both to Landscape from the RAW conversions but I hope they feel it is worth leaving these here to "illustrate" the thread). Now posted the RAW files processed as visualised. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/52499-wall-over-wall-near-ingleton-n.html#post549764 Sorry- jpeg for preview RAW for the output for me YMMV etc etc etc 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/50464-leica-training-in-london/?do=findComment&comment=548207'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 Hi chris_livsey, Take a look here Leica Training in London. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wstotler Posted April 29, 2008 Share #22 Posted April 29, 2008 Thanks for this suggestion, I had a quick look at it but I have to say that $300 (£150) seems a little expensive. Is it really worth that much? Phillip It simply does the most convincing B&W conversion work I've seen. Try the demo for yourself. I'm really happy because I swear it's like loading my M8 with Tri-X Pan. Does it seem a bit pricey compared to some of the alternatives? Yes. But it does a different thing than that other software does--emulating grain perfectly, not just "sort of" or "mostly". Would it have been better if it were cheaper? You bet. But, here are the factors I that convinced me to to with TrueGrain *instead* of 24 rolls of Tri-X Pan to slap into the back of my M6. Seriously. Hard Costs ------ - Average cost of Tri-X Pan 400, roll of 36: $4. - Development cost per roll: $10 (for a cheap lab) + $3 shipping ($13 total). -- For me $17 from film to 4x6 prints in hand per roll of film shot. Maybe it could be a tad cheaper, but not by much if I'm sending film out. Soft Costs ----- - Add hassle to ship film off. - Add hassle if I choose to self-develop (plus equipment overhead). Nevermind that developing B&W in chemicals (and then making prints) from a bit of experience is about as exciting to me as mowing the lawn. And I'd have to buy equipment, set up a darkroom area, learn a whole new craft, etc. - Always a delay for post-processing. On the order of weeks if I'm shipping film off. - Introduce uncertainty. . . . What if the lab's processing just sucks? - Add hassle for scanning the negs or prints. - Add hassle for post-processing of scans. TrueGrain is $300, or, about the same cost as shooting 18 rolls of B&W film (from roll to print) with *none* of the soft costs. Nevermind that I like trying out Tri-X Pan 400 and then switching to Ilford stock *just to see what it does*. So, there you go. Probably more detail than you wanted. Go try the demo! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WPalank Posted April 30, 2008 Share #23 Posted April 30, 2008 ....and low sharpening as I believe this may reduce artifacts.... Chris, Another way to reduce artifacts in sharpening in CS3 is to apply the Unsharp mask and then immediately go to Edit>Fade Unsharp Mask and in the Mode: drop-down menu, change it form Normal to Luminosity. I've created Actions for Low, Medium and High sharpening that all end in the aforementioned step. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted April 30, 2008 Share #24 Posted April 30, 2008 William Thanks for that I will give it a go. I usually use the Jeff Ascough Actions for web sharpening in CS3 that seems to use a 44% setting for Luminosity/Opacity but is optimised for Canon 1Ds11 but tried the save for web settings for these which are a little black box which also appears to strip out the exif data which may or may not be a "good thing". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnsh Posted June 13, 2008 Share #25 Posted June 13, 2008 I went to the session on Wednesday afternoon this week and found it very helpful. It was good to meet other M8 users for the first time. And particularly, it introduced me to a completely new way of using the camera. I too was surprised to be taught to go back to b/w JPG for this as I had become rather focussed on shooting DNG and making slight adjustments, but I understand the reasons: it is very easy to check exposure quickly on screen afterwards, and in street photography the priority is real-life capture that's so quick and easy with M, rather than perfection in the image. One still has the DNG to work on later if wanted. The five of us went out around Picadilly for 45 minutes and then put together a slide-show of each person's best, with the minimum of post-processing. I learnt not be afraid of using high ISO when needed, and many other helpful things. Brett is a great photographer and (as I noticed in other posts) more interested in the techniques to get a good photo at the time than to be highly developed digitally. I now have two different ways to use my M8. We also were taught the law on photography in the UK. Matthew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh68uk Posted June 13, 2008 Share #26 Posted June 13, 2008 Thanks, all, for the info in this thread. I'm booked for the afternoon of the 27th June and am very much looking forward to it. Interesting that there's an emphasis on b&w jpeg at these sessions. As a committed film user I still feel that no digital can truly emulate a b&w emulsion, yet, of all the digitals I use or have used, the M8 b&w (jpeg, ISO 1250/2500) has appealed the most to me. I must admit that if I want to do b&w with intent, then I'll use my M7 or a film SLR - so I'm especially looking forward to exploring the "other side" of my M8. Cheers, Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip_Meyer Posted June 14, 2008 Share #27 Posted June 14, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Do post some pictures of your day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnsh Posted June 15, 2008 Share #28 Posted June 15, 2008 I whittled them down to 12 favourites and these are all B&W jpg straight from camera. C&C appreciated Matthew street shooting in Piccadilly, Leica Akademie June 2008 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_murray Posted June 27, 2008 Share #29 Posted June 27, 2008 I went to yesterdays (26th June) session - and met 4 splendid chaps who produced some stunning shots from their walkabout session. Even Jack who felt his M8 was on the verge of a breakdown produced first class photo's. Much appreciation to Brett - who was in no manner prescriptive but gave freely of his experience and advice - pretty well all of which I found useful & helpful. I had not thought to try simultaneous B&W jpegs with DNG colour files still available for use. A really worthwhile 4 hours in congenial company. Thank you Brett & Leica UK. Oh - and lunch beforehand at the Wolseley! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip_Meyer Posted July 3, 2008 Share #30 Posted July 3, 2008 I went to yesterdays (26th June) session - and met 4 splendid chaps who produced some stunning shots from their walkabout session. Even Jack who felt his M8 was on the verge of a breakdown produced first class photo's. Much appreciation to Brett - who was in no manner prescriptive but gave freely of his experience and advice - pretty well all of which I found useful & helpful. I had not thought to try simultaneous B&W jpegs with DNG colour files still available for use. A really worthwhile 4 hours in congenial company. Thank you Brett & Leica UK. Oh - and lunch beforehand at the Wolseley! Now I'm rather disappointed to have missed out on lunch, especially as The Wolseley is one of my favourite venues for lunch or afternoon tea! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snilleblixt Posted July 8, 2008 Share #31 Posted July 8, 2008 This sounds fantastic! Why on earth isn't Leica doing this worldwide? (I'm not talking about the lunch)...I'm sure there must be thousands of existing and potentail Leica M8 folks out there that would love the opportunity to learn from the masters and be able to bring out the best of their hard earned M8... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip_Meyer Posted July 9, 2008 Share #32 Posted July 9, 2008 I don't think they are even marketing it well here, I wasn't invited, I invited myself after I read the thread on here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted July 9, 2008 Share #33 Posted July 9, 2008 They are not marketing it at all, it's a trial. They're looking at the feedback and trying to understand what customers want and what they can offer. It's currently free, by invitation only, not permanent, not open ended and not an entitlement. If the response is positive for Leica, because it fills a customer need, there may be a lot more. However, rather than tell them they're not doing a good job with this, why not tell them they're doing a great job with it ? Make a nice change. Rolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip_Meyer Posted July 10, 2008 Share #34 Posted July 10, 2008 However, rather than tell them they're not doing a good job with this, why not tell them they're doing a great job with it ? Make a nice change. Rolo See my comments above... I went to this course yesterday in London and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has recently moved to the M8. It was a really fun and informative afternoon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted July 10, 2008 Share #35 Posted July 10, 2008 See my comments above... Thanks Lily. I saw your orig post and thought it was positive. You were on the very first pilot course and although direct invitations are continuing there's no certainty it will grow. Basically, the company don't want new owners sat wondering how to get an image out of it. It seems to be working well. Rolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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