Have you bought and sold an MM?

[airfrogusmc]

Bought, will never sell...!

+++ 1 this camera has exceeded all of my expectations. The way I look at it top of the line one size fits all cameras from the big 2 go for about the same price and they don't have the amazing Leica glass. I get depresses when I can't get out and shoot with it.

 

[Godfrey]

I have been contemplating a Leica M Monochrom and was wondering if any of our illustrious members have purchased an MM and gone on to realise it wasn't for them, and if so, WHY????

I have so far read of one person who bought two and sold one of them, on another forum.

G

 

[xdayv]

probably one of the most contemplative purchases I made in recent history hahaha. exceeded my expectations, i thought the D800E was the most exciting part to happen on my bag, the MM is taking over I guess.

 

[borge]

I bought one and its a keeper.

 

[Vince Lupo]

I have one coming in hopefully a week or so, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it exceeds the results that I'd been able to get with my M9. I think if anything that's my one concern -- that I'll look at the shots coming from this camera, and conclude that they're no better than what I got with my M9, but hopefully that won't happen!

 

[xdayv]

Vince, I'm optimistic you'll turn to like the MM and it will hopefully exceed your expectations vis-a-vis the M9. Can't wait to see your shots soon.

 

[Vince Lupo]

I hope so -- for example, this is a shot I did with my M9 a couple of months ago. Granted, I did a bit of PP work to get this final look, but I'll be interested to see if the MM can somehow move me beyond this in a variety of situations.

 

[xdayv]

I hope so -- for example, this is a shot I did with my M9 a couple of months ago. Granted, I did a bit of PP work to get this final look, but I'll be interested to see if the MM can somehow move me beyond this in a variety of situations.

Vince, first of all that is well done shot to begin with. It's probably gonna take the MM a whole lot of proving to a very able photographer like you using an M9 for years.

What probably I can think where the MM will have an edge: The whole idea of being limited to a camera that can only produce purely B&W images only. I think it might have its way (for the better) on how we perceive things photographically when that limitation is set. When color is an option, it's another whole creative idea that is set on one's mind. With the limitation set, I think more creativity to produce B&W images will emerge. (I hope I make sense.)

 

[Calzone]

No one can say they'll "never" sell it. What happens when the MMM/MM.2 comes out? Or when parts can't be sourced in 8 years?

That said I have seen 3 used for sale thus far (not including those wishing to trade a black for a silver or vis versa)

I have a Nikon F3P that I bought used that I have owned for almost 24 years. I tend to buy to keep because through frequent use I tend to bond with a camera in the same manner that a musician bonds with his instrument. Over time I found that some possessions just become an extention of my body like wearing a watch or having a ponytail.

If a new version comes along it would not be an update , but an addition. Also I'm hopeful that the MM will be more durable than you suggest.

Cal

 

[srtiwari]

Um... Yes. Tell me the difference.

Cheers,

R.

The difference is rather obvious...to me. One can buy something after considerable researching and pondering, and yet find it unsuitable in actual use. Buying "on a whim" suggests responding to GAS.

 

[Godfrey]

The difference is rather obvious...to me. One can buy something after considerable researching and pondering, and yet find it unsuitable in actual use. Buying "on a whim" suggests responding to GAS.

I agree. I've bought several cameras after a great deal of study and subsequent anticipation of their merits only to find that, in use, they didn't pan out as I had expected. It's always a big let down.

I've also bought on a whim and found myself so thoroughly delighted with a camera to the point that I sold others that it replaced.

G

 

[fotomeow]

I have only seen one used MM for sale, which tells me the owners tend to keep 'em, a niche market for sure, but a loyal niche market.

However, this will all change in 1-2 years, as a consequence of continued marketing, more than a consequence of improved tech.

 

[icebear]

....I get depresses when I can't get out and shoot with it.

+1 , LOL, exact same here !!! 😀.

I think I made a careful decision on this. I went to a Leica Monochrom workshop in NYC and tried it for about two hrs shooting time. Easy decision afterwards, once I saw the shots on my monitor screen at home.

 

[icebear]

I hope so -- for example, this is a shot I did with my M9 a couple of months ago. Granted, I did a bit of PP work to get this final look, but I'll be interested to see if the MM can somehow move me beyond this in a variety of situations.

Hello Vince,

I yesterday was playing around with a still life as I found some odd shaped peppers shopping for dinner.
Here's a Monochrom shot :

I also took a few shots with the M9, as the peppers where red, calling almost to capture this also in color. After looking at the MM files and the M9 files I deleted all of the M9 shots... it's just no comparison, I can't really explain it other than the stupid argument "trust me" 😉.

If you have a chance to try a MM with your own SD card (format in camera !) do it and see for yourself.
Everything you can see on the web doesn't cut it, really it doesn't.

 

[algrove]

My situation is different from most since my wife got an MM from her dealer and then soon after Photokina I received my MM. We decided to have 2 in the same house was crazy so I sold one with about 2500 actuations.

The one I currently have is a keeper. The MM has done wonders for my digital skill level.

 

[peter_n]

See my gallery or the "Monochrom best pictures" thread.

Just had a look at the Monochrom pictures thread and those pics are not like B&W film at all. The camera isn't a replacement for a film M as the look is just so different.

 

[icebear]

Just had a look at the Monochrom pictures thread and those pics are not like B&W film at all. The camera isn't a replacement for a film M as the look is just so different.

Hello Peter,

you are right, the MM files do look different. They are much cleaner and you have the impression you look at the scene itself and not at a picture of it (not on the downsized jpg's of course).

It is so much more realistic - but yes, it is clearly different than film.
If you want what you are used to, there's Nik SFx. I don't have the desire to mimic any film type/style and I was playing around with SFx but for me this is clearly degrading the IQ from the MM. So I don't use it. But that's a personal preference and starting from the MM files you can achieve whatever you want.

Starting from a clean file and add grain effects is easy, trying the other way around, i.e. to remove noise and grain will bring a loss in detail.

 

[Calzone]

Just had a look at the Monochrom pictures thread and those pics are not like B&W film at all. The camera isn't a replacement for a film M as the look is just so different.

Peter,

To me the higher resolution is a step towards medium format and the look can be like Fuji Arcos which some people say looks too digital. I welcome the look because I like Arcos and also because I shoot a lot of MF.

Sometimes I wonder how many people on this forum would object to large format just because it has a clean look, is highly detailed and because of its lack of grain.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I have only seen one used MM for sale, which tells me the owners tend to keep 'em, a niche market for sure, but a loyal niche market.

There weren't that many of them made, they haven't even shipped them all, and they are shipped all around the world. It would make sense to not see so many for sale, but it's not because their owners tend to keep them. It's way too early to tell.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Has anyone here ever had any MM files printed using the Leica baryta print service that is offered to MM owners? If so, how do they compare to 'traditional' prints?