A Digital Monochrome Dilemma

[wlewisiii]

Every decent sensor has a terrific monochrome mode, it's called DXO Nik Silver Efex.

PS plugin. I don't use PS.

 

[shawn]

PS plugin. I don't use PS.

It is a stand alone app that can be used as a plug in for PS( and a bunch of other editing programs too) or all by itself.

 

[agentlossing]

PS plugin. I don't use PS.

Nor do I.

 

[Freakscene]

It is a stand alone app that can be used as a plug in for PS( and a bunch of other editing programs too) or all by itself.

This is correct. You don’t need Photoshop or Lightroom to run Silver Efex. It works just the same as a standalone program. It is not, however, available for Android, iOS or iPad OS.

 

[Richard G]

And with Lightroom.

 

[pixie79]

l mostly shoot my small digital cameras, all CCD sensors. All in BW, seldom alter to BW. I've used ASPC and full frame Monochrom Leica cameras. I was simply not impressed! My Opinion! Reading about M11, real pro experiences, not ever going near Leica Digital. Most tests on YouTube are shills, snake oil sales folks who are sponsored ,on those sites! NB I still used BW film, developed in kitchen.. If you are happy, great! I don't care!

 

[Dogman]

Silver Efex works well with JPEGs as it does with Raw files, producing a very large TIFF for adjustments. If you want a Mono camera experience without the Mono price tag, try shooting B&W JPEG and process with Silver Efex. You start with B&W images and there's no option for color. Those limitations might be beneficial to your photography. I found it improved mine by making me consider a world in grey tones. It's a lot like using B&W film again. But in using JPEG monochrome, your are also losing the ability to use the color channels in LR/PS to emphasize and de-emphasize tones. You can, of course, use the camera's B&W filter effects but those vary from one camera to another. It's all a compromise. Since I'm a B&W image lover, I accept the compromises and limitations willingly. Some won't.