B&W with the M8

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hlockwood

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What is the typical workflow for B&W images with the M8? Is there a B&W mode, or does one shoot RAW (color) then convert in post?

And what is the effect of not using the IR cut filter on B&W images? Less sharpness due to chromatic aberration? Less noise due to more photons?

Harry
 
Set Color Saturation to "Black and White"

Set Color Saturation to "Black and White"

If I know I want B&W, I shoot in RAW with the Color Saturation setting on "Black and White." This give me the RAW file to work on and manipulate in Lightroom (or Photoshop), but the display shows the image in black and white, so I have a rough idea ahead of time of how the image will work out. And I agree about Lightroom. It's all you need for good B&W conversion.
 
Here's another vote for shooting raw and converting/tweaking with lightroom.

If you are shooting strictly black and white I doubt you'll notice a difference with an IR filter on or off in real world photography.
I like to have one on because there's always the possibility I'l use the image in color.
 
Here is some jpegs in B&W mode, was shot as DNG/JPEG, the full color file exists for any other manipulations. I like the color of the B&W the M8 gives very much- reminiscent of old Seagull G in strong selenium.
tombstoneedge.jpg


softmaple.jpg
 
Mattikk said:
Adobe Lightroom is all you need.
Click to expand...

It's the best easiest route, I agree. Although I really really recommend ImagingFactory's B&W Converter Pro, a plug-in for Photoshop, which can be downloaded here.

Unfortunately, he's not supporting it anymore (I *just* found this out).

The license is still worth it ($99), I very much recommend it; you can still buy it...but apparently that may change soon.
 
Here are a few I've processed with the B&W Convert Pro plug-in:


Leica M8 + 35mm f/2 Biogon ZM


Leica M8 + 50mm f/1.4 Summilux pre-asph E46


Leica M8 + 35mm f/2 Biogon ZM


It's not a mere desaturation plug-in; it mimics B&W film's response to color, and you can even mimic the use of colored filters, "paper contrast", etc. It has a handful of film profiles pre-set (including Tri-X); I now use my custom profiles. It works a lot better if you understand the "real darkroom" B&W film-to-paper process. And the filter is rather simple, really.
 
RAW is definitely the way to go. Then there are hundreds of ways to convert. Desaturation leaves a lot to be desired. Capture One, Lightroom, Aperture and Adobe Camera Raw all give more control. Photoshop, as always, gives the most control. See the magazine Digital Phot Pro, May/June 2008, page 94. Lot's of poorly described steps in the article, but the results are spectacular.
 
What I found to be helpful, was to desaturate in LR and then adjust the white balance until the image looks how I like it. Desat can be made a development shortcut, of course.

Regards
Ivo
 
victoriapio said:
M8 in Color RAW > PhotoshopCS3 > Nik Silver Efex Pro > very power combination in my opinion - especially the Nik Silver Efex Pro, my favorite B&W conversion filter for CS3.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty good plug-in; just tried it a few minutes ago. The interface is nice, but it's a little bloated, code-efficiency-wise. Perhaps it's the trial version.
 
His logic did not escape me.....

His logic did not escape me.....

A good friend, art history professor retired and SW photographer in large format (4X5) reluctantly took up Digital to supplement his work a couple of years ago.

We got into a discussion about Black and White capture. For years he has shot black and white on film and developed his art by hand tinting with pastels.

I asked him (since he has used b&w film for so many years), whether he shoots his Canon digital SLR in black and white. His answer.... "why would I drive to a site, set up, shoot, pack up and drive home with less information than was visible in the viewfinder of the camera?"

He has never considered black and white capture with his digital, after all those years of shooting Black and White film.

And another part of the story... he was delighted with the digital process for a while, but has shelved the Canon and is now back shooting medium and large format film.
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
Here are a few I've processed with the B&W Convert Pro plug-in:


Leica M8 + 35mm f/2 Biogon ZM


Leica M8 + 50mm f/1.4 Summilux pre-asph E46


Leica M8 + 35mm f/2 Biogon ZM


It's not a mere desaturation plug-in; it mimics B&W film's response to color, and you can even mimic the use of colored filters, "paper contrast", etc. It has a handful of film profiles pre-set (including Tri-X); I now use my custom profiles. It works a lot better if you understand the "real darkroom" B&W film-to-paper process. And the filter is rather simple, really.
Click to expand...


These are fantastic 🙂
The tones are amazing, where did you get that download? its for PS right? I´ve got the CS3.
 
From a recent wedding - shot with the 75 LUX @ about f2 ( I think ) - Converted in Lightroom and then run through some of my own options in PS to get the grain etc. that I wanted.
L9990558.jpg


So ya.. like everyone else.. shoot in RAW - pick your fave RAW converter software - tweak further (if necessary) in PS.

Oh, and ETA: as an FYI: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61374 - that gives you an idea (out of the box) what Nik Silver Efex Pro, Alien Skin's Exposure2, Imagenomic's Real Grain and just a home made PS action can do..

Cheers,
Dave
 
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