M Typ 240 vs M Monochrom

[srtiwari]

Perhaps this is an easy question for many to answer, but I am still not toooo clear. Maybe there is no answer, but I'd like to get some help in making a decision, anyway.
Here is my situation-

1. I love B+W pictures and would love to make prints, though probably no larger than 13"x17".

2. I also like taking color photographs, and want better IQ than my OM-D provides. I can live with prints smaller than 13X17"

3. I own a Leica M9, and all the lenses I need.

4. I do not want any DSLRs, and like mirrorless systems.

5. I am (so far) unconvinced that a M Monochrom provides enough better IQ/tonality/resolution/High Iso usability to make up for "no color" and and extra $1,000.

The question is only somewhat serious, since some of the options are not very practical. All that could change if I were to win the Powerball this coming weekend !

If you vote, please explain your rationale, since it might help me 'work it out'.

 

[David_Manning]

Option 6: Sell M9, buy X-Pro 1 and all available lenses, and travel around the world making photographs with the change 😀

 

[jaapv]

Why is my option not there? Keep M9 (and M8 for that matter) , keep the Monochrome and buy the M typ 240....🙄
Btw, your point 5 proves that you have not been using the Monochrome. Consensus on Luf is that it clearly outperforms the M for B&W, whilst the M is good enough at converted B&W to function as an universal camera for those that prefer to carry one or only take the occasional monochrome shot.

 

[srtiwari]

Why is my option not there? Keep M9 (and M8 for that matter) , keep the Monochrome and buy the M typ 240....🙄 Oh- and travel around the world regardless....

Because not many people are as rich as you are 😀

 

[Pioneer]

I agree, this is a very tough question. I have the M9 and absolutely love it. I shoot color and black and white with it.

I also have an M6 which is used primarily for black and white film.

The Monochrom is expensive so I would have to sell the M9 to help finance it. What I have not yet decided is whether I am willing to go without the gorgeous color shots from the M9 for the wonderful black and white that the Monochrom can provide. Especially when black and white film is still so useful.

Hmmm. I have rented a Monochrom for the weekend to see if using it for a few days will help resolve the question for me.

For now I voted to keep my M9.

 

[Jubb Jubb]

I'd prefer to keep my M6 and shoot BW film. I think film is still nicer than any file out of the Monochrome.

 

[Godfrey]

If you can't decide for yourself, with all that expensive gear, sell that stuff, buy yourself a Holga, and start over again. ;-)

But seriously, no one else can tell you what you want to do. And at the point where you own all of that stuff and STILL don't know what to do, well, the problem you're trying to solve isn't the equipment.

G

 

[splitimageview]

The poll seems to be running away with the M9

 

[hepcat]

If you really want a dedicated b&w camera, pick up a used M film body and shoot away. $6k will buy you a LOT of b&w film.

 

[Keith]

I seem to remember Subhash gave the whole film thing away some time ago and moved to the M9 ... so going back to film seems unlikely.

There seems to be a strong trend in the poll for keeping the M9. 🙂

 

[icebear]

As much as I do love the Monochrom, there are some situations/scenes that just call for a color shot, that just won't work in B&W. Therefore I will never sell the M9. For B&W prints of only up to 13x17 a conversion from the M8 will most likely be sufficient. I still have to select a few shot from the MM for printing large, so I can't make any judgment on how big can be printed from the MM.

 

[mfogiel]

For best quality at the above mentioned sizes, you should consider getting a film Leica. The advantage of digital, if at all , is in the resolution, but given that you do not need much of it for that print size, I recommend film.

 

[BNLee]

Anybody voting for the 2nd choice, getting the Fuji products too? No?

Looks like Fuji still has a long way to go before it can really find a place in our heart close to the Leica...😉

 

[V-12]

There are only two camera's on the list that will go down in history as 'classics', perfectly fitting the requirements of form and function, and each complimenting the other. The others are for buying and selling and waiting/wishing for something better to come along. So there you have it, decided, you need to keep your M9 and buy an MM.

 

[thegman]

I don't use digital, but the Monochrom is an interesting camera to me. If I was inclined towards Leica digital gear, then the Monochrom would be top of my list, and I'd get something else for colour. I'd likely end up with a weather sealed DSLR, but the XPro-1 is a very nice looking camera.

 

[clayne]

Monochrom is like an overly glazed piece of imitation plastic Tri-X. Resolution may be good (and it is) but it just has zero soul/feel. Reminds me of Teflon.

 

[J. Borger]

Why is my option not there? Keep M9 (and M8 for that matter) , keep the Monochrome and buy the M typ 240....🙄

😀😀😀

I remember you clearly stated you would keep the M9 and add the Monochrom because you did not care for the type 240. So rationalising the money spent on the Monochrome.

But i admire flexibility. Buy it all. Life is short and the economy needs a boost anyway 😉

Good luck with it Jaap!

 

[raid]

I would say to keep what you have for another year to ty to use your cameras better than before.

 

[jsrockit]

Keep the M9 because you...

"2. I also like taking color photographs, and want better IQ than my OM-D provides. I can live with prints smaller than 13X17"

3. I own a Leica M9, and all the lenses I need."

 

[jsrockit]

Monochrom is like an overly glazed piece of imitation plastic Tri-X. Resolution may be good (and it is) but it just has zero soul/feel. Reminds me of Teflon.

I would think content / framing has more to do with soul than anything film grain can offer no?