Monochrom 2?

android

android

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Hi,

As a happy M2 owner and lover of film, I find my head being turned by the Monochrom. Main reason is that having travelled extensively over the last three months, I'm ready to call time on the film hand check requests at every airport security gate. I usually manage to convince but it's not always easy, and it's always tedious. In addition, a second M body and the increased ISO flexibility would be very welcome.

The Monochrom has been around for a couple of years now and while I don't see any real reason for an updated Monochrom (though I haven't used one), there is one thing that I would love to see: a Monochrom that does not include a screen. It may sound crazy but IMHO the screen makes the camera look less like a camera and more like an electronic device (ok, I know that's what it really is..). We may lose options to format the card, review a histogram, etc, but personally I'd be okay with that.

My question is, does anyone feel that Leica would ever consider a Monochrom that doesn't include a screen? I guess most would say no, you're mad! :eek: Additionally, has anyone heard anything about an updated Monochrom, should I wait?

Apologies if my questions come across as naive, I've only very recently considered the Monochrom.

Many thanks
andy
 
Mmm, interesting concept. :confused:

I fear without a screen one would be losing a little more than “options to format the card, review a histogram, etc”.

Without a screen, how would one negotiate the menus to customize the camera?

Okay, I guess one could set up the camera by plugging it into a computer. But in the field?
 
Would the dials not suffice? I could be well off the mark.. I don't know what settings the digital M's control through the screen menu system.
 
I’m not a MM user, Android.

However, I do understand where you’re coming from. I don’t particularly like the rear screens on any of the digital cameras I’ve used… but they do serve a useful purpose.

For some time I’ve thought a sturdy clip-on opaque screen cover matching the body covering would be useful.
 
There was a very good and recent thread comparing the M240 and MM black and white output.
It will give you a lot of insight on getting the best out of the MM. And help you understand why you need a screen.
 
I don't worry about having my film hand checked going through airports and haven't observed any degradation of my negatives so far. Granted I don't use any film over iso 400, so your case maybe different.
 
These threads suggesting that a digital camera can be improved by removing the screen mystify me. I realise it's a personal thing but in reality the only manufacturer that has come close to this is Epson with their folding screen .... and that will surely create future problems when the wiring ultimately fractures makes the camera useless.

From what I read the MM is quite critical for exposure to get the best results and being able to check a histogram is a huge advantage when you really need to get it right.

YMMV of course. :)
 
This is a stupid idea and it comes up over and over again :bang:.

The MM is a digital camera.
You need a menu to control all functions and settings.
To optimize your exposure you need to work with the histogram.
Otherwise yeah - get some black tape of a color of your choice ;).
Or maybe there is even some 18% reflective grey tape :D.
 
icebear said:
This is a stupid idea and it comes up over and over again :bang:.

The MM is a digital camera.
You need a menu to control all functions and settings.
To optimize your exposure you need to work with the histogram.
Otherwise yeah - get some black tape of a color of your choice ;).
Or maybe there is even some 18% reflective grey tape :D.
Click to expand...

This :D

Even with a camera as minimal as the Monochrom, you will still need the screen to customize the camera, not to mention controlling shooting parameters other than aperture and shutter speed.

I have heard whispers of a second-generation MM based on the M type 240 body and sensor. If it's based on the M, it will be an even more "digital" camera - I don't think it's what you'd consider an upgrade.
 
Unlike B&W film, the MM does not handle highlights gracefully; it's easy to blow out small areas - once that happens there is no recovery.

In theory it might be possible to remove the rear LCD and have a small top panel or viewfinder projected histogram, but I don't think it will happen.

At the other extreme devices like the iWatch hold the potential to provide an off camera display with NFC/BLE/802.11ad etc. connectivity.
But I don't see Leica being the company to take such a bold move first.

The rear of the Leica T with its flush minimalist touch screen might work well on a Future M camera.

As for the MM and M-E , I also fear Leica might discontinue them and transition the lower cost and Monochrome variants onto the M.240 body style platform. So no thin bodied M for a while.
 
android said:
Hi,

As a happy M2 owner and lover of film, I find my head being turned by the Monochrom. Main reason is that having travelled extensively over the last three months, I'm ready to call time on the film hand check requests at every airport security gate. I usually manage to convince but it's not always easy, and it's always tedious. In addition, a second M body and the increased ISO flexibility would be very welcome.

The Monochrom has been around for a couple of years now and while I don't see any real reason for an updated Monochrom (though I haven't used one), there is one thing that I would love to see: a Monochrom that does not include a screen. It may sound crazy but IMHO the screen makes the camera look less like a camera and more like an electronic device (ok, I know that's what it really is..). We may lose options to format the card, review a histogram, etc, but personally I'd be okay with that.

My question is, does anyone feel that Leica would ever consider a Monochrom that doesn't include a screen? I guess most would say no, you're mad! :eek: Additionally, has anyone heard anything about an updated Monochrom, should I wait?

Apologies if my questions come across as naive, I've only very recently considered the Monochrom.

Many thanks
andy
Click to expand...

The way I approached this was buying a leather case that covers the back. If and hen I need to, it's easy enough to open (it has a button on each end) and most of the time it remains closed and covered by this leather device. It looks like an analogue camera, and it can be used either way. That might be an option for you... m.
 
Actually I had the RD1-s a few years back and appreciated being able to hide the screen. Maybe that's what prompted the initial suggestion above. And I do get that a digital camera has additional settings over a film based camera but look, the monochrom is as stripped down as a digital camera has yet been, taking it to the extreme and removing the screen doesn't seem completely unlikely to me. Again, apologies if I come across as naive but the idea of checking histograms after each shot is something I have no intention of doing, regardless of missed exposure. I guess what I'd love to see is an digital M that handles identically (or near as) to a film M.
 
android said:
Actually I had the RD1-s a few years back and appreciated being able to hide the screen. Maybe that's what prompted the initial suggestion above. And I do get that a digital camera has additional settings over a film based camera but look, the monochrom is as stripped down as a digital camera has yet been, taking it to the extreme and removing the screen doesn't seem completely unlikely to me. Again, apologies if I come across as naive but the idea of checking histograms after each shot is something I have no intention of doing, regardless of missed exposure. I guess what I'd love to see is an digital M that handles identically (or near as) to a film M.
Click to expand...

With regards to Digital M, you are coming across as quite naive.
 
No one is going to check a histogram after every shot but when lighting conditions are difficult and the result maters it's a useful option. I guess the alternatative would be bracketing!
 
With regards to Digital M, you are coming across as quite naive.
Click to expand...

Quite probably - I haven't had a chance to handle one previously. Anyway, It's pretty clear from the responses that no screen-less Monochrom is about to be released :eek:
 
icebear said:
This is a stupid idea and it comes up over and over again :bang:.

The MM is a digital camera.
You need a menu to control all functions and settings.
To optimize your exposure you need to work with the histogram.
Otherwise yeah - get some black tape of a color of your choice ;).
Or maybe there is even some 18% reflective grey tape :D.
Click to expand...

well said.
 
No and no.

No, I don't think Leica will release a Monochrom without a rear lcd. Many others have suggested it though and I myself shot my M8 mostly blind, and I don't use the screen on my MM much either. But the direction that Leica seems to go at the moment is towards more technology and not towards a Monochrom with less tech gadgets like a rearscreen. Too bad, imo.

And no, I don't think you should wait for a next generation of the Monochrom. I doubt they will release one any time soon, and if they do it will have an even bigger screen and other tech gadgets and software features. In many ways the current Monochrom is as far removed from the typical digital camera one can get. Ergonomically newer cameras will only move further away from the focussed ergonomics of a film camera. Buy the current MM and hope it will last the rest of your life. Thats what I'm hoping anyway...
 
android said:
Hi,

As a happy M2 owner and lover of film, I find my head being turned by the Monochrom. Main reason is that having travelled extensively over the last three months, I'm ready to call time on the film hand check requests at every airport security gate
Many thanks
andy
Click to expand...


If you are happy with the M2 and love film then the occasional inconvenience of hand checking is a minor consideration surely?
 
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