Leica M Monochrom - Steve Huff's review

[wosim]

Steve Huff today published Part 1 of his review:

Steve Huff, The Leica Monochrom Review Part 1. Understanding the Camera and vs FILM -


More M Monochrom reviews you can find here:
https://sites.google.com/site/wosims...richte-reviews

Regards
WOSIMs Photography
Collection of Links to Leica M & Leica Lens Reviews
https://sites.google.com/site/wosimsphotography/

[icebear]

Hello Wolfgang,

thanks a lot for posting
#1 the Huff review of the Monochrom and
#2 a link to your website which definately is an amazing collection of useful links.

E.g. I have to admit, I'd never heard of Adam Marelli before
http://www.adammarelliphoto.com/2012...a-m-monochrom/
I think his comments and reviews are very valueable, as they do not focus much on the technical aspects but mainly what use to a photographer a certain lens or camera is and he shows incredible examples.

[wosim]

Thanks Icebear,
I started my Link-Collection, when I got "pregnant" with the idea to go digital - definitely more than 9 months with respect of the large investment.

I am always building an opinon of my own, looking at the product, touching and trying it - but the opinion of reviewers and others is useful, because you get an broad overview of possible pros and cons and you will know better where to look at, when getting your hands on the product.

On the other hand finding relevant information in the net is very time consuming, so I thought a collection of links might be helpful for others in my former situation.

For now I'am happy with the M9 and some fine lenses.

Best regards

[MikeL]

I was able to get past the use of 'real world', twice, but I couldn't go on after this: "I feel is that this is a definitive B&W camera for those who are passionate about the “art” of photography, the “emotion” of photography and the “beauty” of black & white photography."

Good stuff!

[steveyork]

Originally Posted by MikeL

I was able to get past the use of 'real world', twice, but I couldn't go on after this: "I feel is that this is a definitive B&W camera for those who are passionate about the “art” of photography, the “emotion” of photography and the “beauty” of black & white photography."

I read this and just tuned out. Relatively unimpressed with Mr. Ruff.

[mfogiel]

I do not want to sound like a retrograde old idiot, but I continue seeing the same thing all over: very high resolution and relatively high contrast images, that have a medium format feel, but suddenly break down into white hole oblivion as soon as you look at any stronger highlight. To me, this output is not anywhere near replacing film rendition. The images from S2 converted to B&W look a whole world better. They look a bit like old school high contrast and high key B&W fashion photos, which you had to print that way, to avoid showing the blemishes on the faces of the models in the era when PS did not yet exist. I think, the problem as always lies in the insufficient bit depth.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

I do not want to sound like a retrograde old idiot, but I continue seeing the same thing all over: very high resolution and relatively high contrast images, that have a medium format feel, but suddenly break down into white hole oblivion as soon as you look at any stronger highlight. To me, this output is not anywhere near replacing film rendition. The images from S2 converted to B&W look a whole world better. I think, the problem as always lies in the insufficient bit depth.

and people complain that the Monochrom price is crazy. How much is the S2 again?

[craygc]

Originally Posted by leicashot

and people complain that the Monochrom price is crazy. How much is the S2 again?

I also have issues on what Im seeing to date from the MM but also not sure how much and for how long I would want to carry that S2 machine around... Its huge

[MartinP]

Originally Posted by craygc

not sure how much and for how long I would want to carry that S2 machine around... Its huge

No it's not huge. I've used one - it's about the same size as a D700 and smaller than the professional Nikons, but built even better than they are. The lenses are, of course, larger than Nikon primes though.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by pftact

Keep carrying it around because bringing attention to the plight of $1 a day people with a $30,000 camera system is the only way to be an artist photographer.

Mods should remove this troller now

[bbrovold]

I wish he would take better pictures to showcase the camera vs. pics of himself in a mirror with a shirt hanging in the background. Heck, I could do that.

[wosim]

Here is another brand-new Leica M-Monochrom review by Borge Indergaard:
Leica M Monochrom review – a real life review – part one

And please: no reviewer bashing!

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by bbrovold

I wish he would take better pictures to showcase the camera vs. pics of himself in a mirror with a shirt hanging in the background. Heck, I could do that.

I don't know why you'd expect to see something you can't do in a camera review.

[icebear]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

I do not want to sound like a retrograde old idiot, but I continue seeing the same thing all over: very high resolution and relatively high contrast images, that have a medium format feel, but suddenly break down into white hole oblivion as soon as you look at any stronger highlight. ....

Hello Marek,
all comments on the MM mention relatively flat images straight out of the camera. So whatever gets showcased on the web are processed small sized jpgs (here max 200kb) vs original file size of about 30MB. Most of these got a good helping of the "contrast slider". This seems to be a general preference but is not the fault of the camera - just my guess.
I assume most of the blown highlights can be attributed to that. Everyone had a different preference for developing their film and printing at a certain contrast.
The MM files supposedly give you the same freedom as long as you have exposed for the highlights and not blown these initially. The recovery of highlights is less than from a color sensor with three channels to work with.

[wosim]

Here is Part 2 of Steve Huff's Leica M Monochrom review:

The Leica Monochrom Review Part 2: Low light, High ISO and Filters

[wosim]

Steve Huff, Leica Monochrom Ongoing Review part 2.5. More thoughts on the camera, on Leica in general and many more sample shots from this unique camera - thoughts on the Mono vs. M9, Infrared and master shots