Just received my new MM - Have a question

[johannielscom]

Accurate recording of the aperture would require electronics in the lens, or an aperture 'feeler' in the lens that connects to the body. The M system does not have electronics in any lens, nor does it have a 'feeler'.. The only coupling between body and lens is the bayonet mount.

Anyway, is this vital information, to know the f-stop? Lighting changes, backgrounds change, focus distance changes and as a result, that thing in the background called 'bokeh' changes all the time too. Even with a recorded f-stop, the info is pretty arbitrary. Mostly important to people who want to spend hours online comparing characteristics of one model and year lens to another, in which case they most always comfortably rule out sample variations and all the above mentioned variables anyway, so their comparison doesn't mean squat...

Congrats on the Monochrom, green with envy!😀

 

[Tim Gray]

I only ever rented the camera for a weekend, but Lightroom 5 does report some estimated f/stop. I don't know how it's calculated or what EXIF it's pulling from, but it is even displayed for non-coded lenses.

Exiftool also displays an 'Approximate F Number' in the MakerNotes area. FW version of the MM was 1.002.

 

[jaapv]

The camera compares the light received for exposure with the ambient light as recorded by the external lightmeter (the Blue Dot) and calculates an f-stop.

 

[SteveHicks]

johannelscom,

Your comment makes a great deal of sense. I have given up on worrying about it.

The only troubling thing now is explaining to the wife and my non photog friends why in the world would someone purchase such a camera. I have been traveling since obtaining it, so I have yet to produce any prints. That, I am hoping, will help explain, at least a few.

At least for now, I am very pleased with what I am seeing on my laptop.

 

[jaapv]

Your prints won't disappoint you. Print large...🙂

 

[Turtle]

Enjoy it! I've finally got busy with mine and its in a different league to my 5D III when it comes to producing smooth tonality and fine detail. There is nothing like being able to shoot handheld landscapes made possible by the great high ISO and tack sharp lenses. I love the way the files lose so little definition as you increase ISO. A bit of noise creeps in, but they remain oh so sharp.

.... but the only thing annoying about mine is the sensor was dirty upon receipt of the new camera and then I sent it off with lenses for calibration (the camera was miles out and evidently that was the first thing adjusted, because it came back accurate with lenses not sent in i.e. my ZMs). They cleaned the sensor, but its no better and the note said words to the effect of 'this is the best we can clean it' which seems absurd. I count approx 20 little splodges, only visible at f8 and smaller and in every image, between 6-12 or so have to be spotted out. Next time I go overseas and don't take it, they are going to clean the sensor properly or provide me a clean one!

When people say that the D800E out resolves the MM they are forgetting one very important thing: the MM, with a handful of lenses, is a fraction of the size and miles smaller. For 'walkaround' work this is a huge advantage and completely changes the photographic experience.

A2 prints don't begin to challenge this camera. I've done sectional enlargements from A1 and A0 and its extremely impressive. You really can produce poster sized prints with tight, crisp detail and smooth tones, where the 5D III is starting to go a bit mealy (especially in lifted shadows). At ISO 2500 they are miles apart when it comes to perceived real world image quality on print and at 320 the MM is very distinctly better than the 5D III at 100...