Leica M Monochrom: best pics

I just had prints made yesterday at my friend Jeff Salava's place ( http://www.archivalarts.com ), and boy do they look nice. I had Jeff print them full-frame at 8"x12" and really, I can't see how anyone would want any better quality than what the Monochrom currently produces. For me (at 8"x12" size, anyways) they are completely indistinguishable from film, and the Ilford Gold Silk Fibre paper is really nice. I may possibly try the Hahnemuhle paper just for comparison, but so far the Ilford paper suits me just fine.

Jeff did download the profile for the paper from the Ilford site, and we initially found that the prints were coming out lighter than what was on his screen, and even after setting his printer to the darkest setting, they were just beginning to look close to the screen version. So he is going to manually tweak the profile and see if he can improve the final print. I can't remember the model of the Epson printer that he has, but it is one of those big Epson monsters. Jeff has a very keen eye, so I have total faith in his ability to nail it down.

So when you guys are printing on your Epson 3880's (or whatever printer you have), are you having to download and possibly tweak the profiles to match the printer to the paper? Any issues at all with the final print vs the screen version?
 
Vince Lupo said:
I just had prints made yesterday at my friend Jeff Salava's place ( http://www.archivalarts.com ), and boy do they look nice. I had Jeff print them full-frame at 8"x12" and really, I can't see how anyone would want any better quality than what the Monochrom currently produces. For me (at 8"x12" size, anyways) they are completely indistinguishable from film, and the Ilford Gold Silk Fibre paper is really nice. I may possibly try the Hahnemuhle paper just for comparison, but so far the Ilford paper suits me just fine.

Jeff did download the profile for the paper from the Ilford site, and we initially found that the prints were coming out lighter than what was on his screen, and even after setting his printer to the darkest setting, they were just beginning to look close to the screen version. So he is going to manually tweak the profile and see if he can improve the final print. I can't remember the model of the Epson printer that he has, but it is one of those big Epson monsters. Jeff has a very keen eye, so I have total faith in his ability to nail it down.

So when you guys are printing on your Epson 3880's (or whatever printer you have), are you having to download and possibly tweak the profiles to match the printer to the paper? Any issues at all with the final print vs the screen version?
Click to expand...

Vince I have a 2880 and I get great results on Epson Exhibition Paper and I just use the premium glossy setting.
 
helenhill said:
This photo was taken by Shen Yang... His M monochrome
an Acquaintance I made by chance strolling the Street with my M4...we hit it off Superbly
and I can't wait to see him again this Fall when he will Perform at The Met ...
Click to expand...

Hello Helen,
you should keep an empty SD card in your pocket.
Next time you meet a new aquantance with a Monochrom, you can take some shots yourself.
Do you have a copy of the full size file or just a jpg?
How do you like the file and the possibilities, apart from that is not film?
 
oh Hello Klaus,

Yes i Suppose I should be a More Modern Gal....equiped w/ an sd card
Instead of a few rolls of Film :eek:

I did play with Shen's monochrome...must see if he has a Portrait I did of him...catching him off guard having a Gleeful Laugh
As to acquiring the Files Shen was kind enough to take my Email and do Good on his Word :D

I look forward to seeing him in the Fall and the Opportunity to shoot him behind the Scenes at the Met ;)

I am Amazed at The Detail in my Coat...Wow !
I also like the 3d pop it Creates...reminds me a Tad of Zeiss Glass
though Shen used Leica Glass ...i believe it was probably the 50 lux Asph unless it was the 35 lux floating

My only Disappointment with the monochrom is...and please don't put me over the Coals for this
It Can't draw and transmit Light as ethereally the way Film can :p...:angel:

However its an AMAZING Tool for Detail, sharpness, low light iso capabilities, & creating a 'LOOK' all its own


icebear said:
Hello Helen,
you should keep an empty SD card in your pocket.
Next time you meet a new aquantance with a Monochrom, you can take some shots yourself.
Do you have a copy of the full size file or just a jpg?
How do you like the file and the possibilities, apart from that is not film?
Click to expand...
 
helenhill said:
oh Hello Klaus,

Yes i Suppose I should be a More Modern Gal....equiped w/ an sd card
Instead of a few rolls of Film :eek:

I did play with Shen's monochrome...must see if he has a Portrait I did of him...catching him off guard having a Gleeful Laugh
As to acquiring the Files Shen was kind enough to take my Email and do Good on his Word :D

I look forward to seeing him in the Fall and the Opportunity to shoot him behind the Scenes at the Met ;)

I am Amazed at The Detail in my Coat...Wow !
Click to expand...

Helen, an opera singer? There is a very good chess player, female, with the same name. It was a great shot of you.
 
Richard G said:
Helen, an opera singer? There is a very good chess player, female, with the same name. It was a great shot of you.
Click to expand...



How Cool is that Richard, perhaps we Should Introduce them ...:)

Shen was actually born in Shenyang
If you google him you will hear of some of the Greats he has worked with
He is presently being hailed as One of the Best Young Talents in the Opera World
A Bass Baritone

Such a Lovely Man with a Great sense of Humor
I will email him today and send him a link to this Thread & RFf in general

Hopefully he woll post here ;)
 
helenhill said:
How Cool is that Richard, perhaps we Should Introduce them ...:)

Shen was actually born in Shenyang
If you google him you will hear of some of the Greats he has worked with
He is presently being hailed as One of the Best Young Talents in the Opera World
A Bass Baritone

Such a Lovely Man with a Great sense of Humor
I will email him today and send him a link to this Thread & RFf in general

Hopefully he woll post here ;)
Click to expand...

A Monochrom user. All class. Here is a link with a picture of the young lady chess player, interviewed by Susan Polgar on her site:

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com.au/2010/06/interview-with-shen-yang.html
 
Helen I agree about the qualities of film but I had to downsize some years back (divorce) now remarried but still downsized and lost the darkroom and my clients also moved me to digital and I love my MM but still ove film and many days miss the darkroom and the look of film and silver gelatin.

I meant to comment on the work individually since visiting last but so much good work has been posted so (I know a cop out but its true) good stuff everyone and good to see some work from new faces to....

One thing that I absolutely love about the MM is the ability to shoot at high ISO and to also change ISO at anytime. That is a big advantage over film for me. So its been a trade off.
 
Hi airfrogusmc,

agreed ...

I truly believe that the BEST tool is the one that keeps You Motivated, Creatively Inspired,
and Delivers Desired Results
sounds like the M monochrome is Working its Magic for You...Lovely !
 
helenhill said:
Hi airfrogusmc,

agreed ...

I truly believe that the BEST tool is the one that keeps You Motivated, Creatively Inspired,
and Delivers Desired Results
sounds like the M monochrome is Working its Magic for You...Lovely !
Click to expand...

Well said and I still love film and do miss it. BTW in galleries silver gelatin still rules at commanding higher prices and I still prefer the esthetic.
 
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