Is the M240 actually a more adept B+W camera than the MM

[dcsang]

To be honest, despite the real niceness of the shot, I think you have lost too much detail in the right side of her face.
That is one of the advantages of the Monochrom. In the conversion of the 240 file you do lose dynamic range.
With the Monochrom you would have exposed for this important highlight, giving control over the high key effect, and pulled the detail in the shadows up without adverse effects giving a filmlike impression, as film is noted by the gentle rolloff in the highlights.
That is without going into the midtone differentition of the Monochrom.

Perhaps but I note, while I sit and look at the image on a laptop vs a calibrated monitor, that the falloff seems to be far less so on the calibrated monitor vs the laptop - and that is at the same time, at the same site (Flickr). I would agree that it seems like a lot of detail is lost if all I had was the laptop to view the image but with a proper calibrated monitor it seems "ok" (i.e. falloff not as harsh).

The real proof will be in the print. That said, the beauty of this is, if necessary, it can be converted again since the file is a RAW image and, from what I've noted at least with the latest cameras (including the M(240) ) is the ability to pull back the highlights and retain detail from a RAW file is quite incredible. 🙂

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Samouraï]

To be honest, despite the real niceness of the shot, I think you have lost too much detail in the right side of her face.
That is one of the advantages of the Monochrom. In the conversion of the 240 file you do lose dynamic range.
With the Monochrom you would have exposed for this important highlight, giving control over the high key effect, and pulled the detail in the shadows up without adverse effects giving a filmlike impression, as film is noted by the gentle rolloff in the highlights.
That is without going into the midtone differentition of the Monochrom.

I agree. I'm curious, is the noise pattern added in the processing, or a product of the camera? I've noticed a beautiful noise pattern with the Monochrom and the Sigma Merrill cameras, but never with a CMOS sensor. Seems disingenuous to add grain in post, but that's just my opinion. Highlight rolloff, however, is not that impressive.

That said, lovely shot.

 

[Cyriljay]

Changing the M8 to a 16bit camera makes it as good as the M9 in terms of resolution captured. Food for thought.

All I know is my B&W are better form my M8.2 than the other M9 or MM users. don't know if this is some thing to do with the cameras or the photographers they use . 😀

 

[f16sunshine]

I know soneone will tell me to go google nyself but... I'm asking anyway.
How is the ZM 2.8/25mm biogon on the MM? On The M240?
Anyone able to report ?

Thanks!

 

[Doug]

I know soneone will tell me to go google nyself but... I'm asking anyway.
How is the ZM 2.8/25mm biogon on the MM? On The M240?
Anyone able to report ?

Thanks!

Others may have different results, but on the M240 I found faint red edges, enough to need CornerFix. Once adjusted, the results are very nice indeed, sharp. Clearly, this won't affect black & white output. And it's magnificent on the M8 even in color, a favorite.

Here's a M240 sample at f/5.6, neutral center...

 

[Keith]

Regarding the MM's high ISO ability ... I think the 240 is right there with it when you convert to B/W. I shot an image at 6400 recently and was amazed how clean it was when converted to monochrome ... 10000 ISO is really only half a stop above 6400.

This was just a quick selfie I shot while on holiday but it's had no noise removal after the conversion in ACDSee Pro 7.

 

[helen.HH]

Cheers,
Dave

Oh I adore the Charm & Tenderness of the shot, Lovely !
The Light radiates a warmth and the Darks Glisten
What isn't flawed in Life...sometimes therein lies the Beauty
Boohoo to perfection,Yes its good to Strive but I seek Atmosphere in a Photo
Beautiful Dave !

 

[thompsonks]

Hi again to Cal,

I borrowed a 28-35-50 MATE to use on MM and followed your advice re: Heliopan light yellow filter. Pleased with first result – very nice rendering of greens into BW.


John Hinkel Park, Berkeley by thompsonkirk, on Flickr

(This is several files stitched.)

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I've tried both, and find that I get more malleable files form the M240 when shooting in RAW then using Alien Skin Exposure after. The using the color filters post-shot is a great help in bringing out and dampening details and light.


Konichiwa by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


Cake Shop Story by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


Tokyo by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


Marga by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


Rocio, Morning Light by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

Hi again to Cal,

I borrowed a 28-35-50 MATE to use on MM and followed your advice re: Heliopan light yellow filter. Pleased with first result – very nice rendering of greens into BW.


John Hinkel Park, Berkeley by thompsonkirk, on Flickr

(This is several files stitched.)

Thanks for the post. I've been away shooting in Montreal. It seems a Heliopan 2X hits the "sweet spot" of the MM sensor with many lenses. My thinking is that very bright high contrast lighting overwelms the sensor and exceeds the tonal range that is able to be captured. Effectively the yellow filter compresses the contrast range that the sensor sees.

Interesting to note that Ansel Adams almost always used a yellow filter on his view camera.

Cal