JMQ
Well-known
Klaus, you are probably wise to trade in the corroded MM. My M9 has what my friend Pete Yeh called the sensor "pox". It's been at Leica NJ for 3 ½ months...the latest update was "your camera is at the top of the pile, but we are waiting for the next shipment of sensors from The Fatherland"...sigh.
I have the bottle of wine for you, and I'll see about stopping by Puck Fair on Sunday.
Jean-Marc
I have the bottle of wine for you, and I'll see about stopping by Puck Fair on Sunday.
Jean-Marc
finguanzo
Well-known
Sadly I will not be attending. In San Fran all week. Sadly it's for work, won't have time for any wandering..
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
That is not my shot. It was taken by a team of photographers collectively known as Juco and is a test shot for that Refinery 29 shoot that occured last Saturday. My muse is getting around and is constantly getting solicited to model. What is really amazing is that I once thought that I was widely known, but my gal is acually a celebrity and gets recognized on the street on a daily basis even by foreign tourists.
The shot that they took for the calander that will be sent out to all the creatives all over the world from the Refinery 29 shoot is really great. Out of the 12 shots "Maggie's" is among the three that are tight head and shoulder shots that kinda stand out from the 9 others.
I'm just an Accidental Fashion Photographer. I am humbled by the pro's. My friend Mike somehow was able to capture great expressions while shooting two models at the same time in the shot. I did not see the usual closed eyes or awkward expressions I often capture in my shooting. Meanwhile though my strengths in what I do are very evident, and my work prints (13x19's) express a medium and even large format qualities.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Klaus,
Here is my spin on the MM verses the M-246. For me the CCD sensor with my Digital Heliopan filter gives me the midrange of medium and large format, and I further exploit that with Piezography. I have a feeling that even the Epson 7800 that I just got (24" wide) will be too small a printer for some images/files where pretty much I can do a Salgado, and where IQ and tonality can get seriously displayed. Warts and all in this single regard the old Monochrom is a winner in my application, in the way I use it (almost never above 800 ISO), and with me maximizing IQ at image capture to minimize post processing.
I still want a M-246 for all the improvements. Even without trying and testing it is clear that the high ISO performance of the CMOS sensor kinda kills the old original Monochrom, but because I'm trying to print for exhibition and as large as possible the high ISO performance might not be fully exploited. The M-246 definately has more highlight detail and more shadow detail, even though it has less bits than the old MM. In a way I see the native tonality of the CMOS sensor as being a bit scooped in the midrange when compared to my old MM with more detail at the ends of the histogram.
I'm not so sure the advances and features offered by the M-246 will favor it over the "romance" I have with my Monochrom. With my MM I kinda get the image capture I want that requires the least amount of post processing (remember I'm a clever lazy slacker), and for me the way I minimize post processing creates a print that has an organic quality that reaches out to the viewer.
Also know that I spent over $2.5K on 30x40 wet prints from Digital Silver imaging. The wet prints on fiber displays a smoothness and a softness, but my Piezography prints I think display more dynamic range (shadow and highlight detail) and remarkably display higher resolution that even DSI's great printing service. One day I will need a 48 inch printer. I clearly favor the Piezography look, but understand that I spent $5k in paper and ink alone to print 13x19's on my 3880 that I consider just work prints. Know that a 24x36 is five times the area and you can see that my printing costs get very crazy. If you are not pursuing printing in a fine art manner for exhibition that my exploits are just plain foolish and crazy.
I would expect that the benefits of a grade 5 yellow Heliopan filter will be mixed. On one hand the additional IR and UV filtering of Heliopan filters marked "Digital" will improve the signal to noise level by cutting signals that do not add to IQ and only raise noise thresholds in a bad way. The use of yellow filtering on a M-246 I predict will only add contrast to a file/shot that is already inherently more contrasty than a MM file. Understand that the use of a yellow filter is to compress the signal so that it does not overwelm the sensor and hits the sweet spot so that 10 zone histograms that do not display clipping are created. Through experience and in principal I do not see how the compression and additional contrast will effect the recorded histogram in the same way on a M-246. I would be greatly surprised if they did, and then perhaps I could win a Nobel Prize in physics. LOL.
When I get a M-246 as a "luxury" camera (a camera I don't really need) I'll likely be using a plan "Digital" UV or Skylight Heliopan filter to tame the UV and IR components. I do not believe a yellow filter will discover a sweet spot like on my MM. To me my old MM is more valuable to me because of the way I use it. If you saw some of my work prints it would become evident of how I've maximized the performance of the old MM.
Cal
icebear
Veteran
Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. I was under the impression though that you already had a M246. From what I heard so far the better highlight capture with the M246 could by itself mean better performance. Practically I underexpose with the MM. I dial in -1/3 or -2/3 correction depending on the situation to protect the highlights and that is with a B&W yellow filter.
I have my M9 and MM on the list for replacement, so I need to figure out how much the upgrade of both bodies will be ... and if it is worth it. See you on Sunday.
I have my M9 and MM on the list for replacement, so I need to figure out how much the upgrade of both bodies will be ... and if it is worth it. See you on Sunday.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Klaus,
I'll bring some prints so you can judge for yourself. The old MM is mighty rich. While the M-246 has more detail on the ends of the histogram the old MM nails the mids so that it looks truely like medium and large format.
On old reviews of the Monochrom the reviewers state how the Monochrom innately creates files that are kinda flat that respond well to minor post processing. Contrast has to be added in post. I took a disadvantage and made it an asset.
From what I have seen the M-246 has a more balanced look to the raw files without the deficientcy of the old CCD sensor (flat contrast). Also Michael Reichman speaks of how Leica engineers stated to him that for a panochromatic response that the CCD sensor should be used with a light yellow filter.
With the Heliopan filter and using the Histogram with 1% clipping indicators it is pretty easy to get great exposures that cover 10 zones and display no or limited clipping.
To me both cameras have different assets.
icebear
Veteran
... maybe upgrading is something I'll regret further down the road.
benmacphoto
Well-known
I hope to make it up to this meet up.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Klaus,
Depends on your own style and how you utilize your camera. For me the old Monochrom has it's advantages that I fully exploit, but realize that I also extend extra ordinary expense for image quality, resolution and tonality. Not everyone prints, and especially not everyone is trying to print for exhibition.
The M-246 has its own advantages to exploit...
I think the owning and shooting my Monochrom for 2 3/4 years provides me with something I would clearly miss if I upgraded. There is no doubt in my decision that for me the old Monochrom has become embedded into my style and has become part of me. It is at a point that I seriously have to consider getting a second Monochrom as a backup, even before securing a M-246.
The real question is how attached are you to the Monochrom? Also understand that the CCD verses CMOS is easily resolved: own both and stop wasting time debating. Anyways that's what works for me.
Also know that instead of diverting all my disposable income into a M-246, instead that I diverted the funds into printing. On top of the $5K in paper and ink a 27 inch Eizo set me back $2.3K, and on top of that there are numerous small expenses that became kinda huge for archival print storage. No regrets and some of the best money I ever spent. I definitely became a better photographer. Printing made my photography real.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Ben,
It would be great to see you. Hope you can make it.
The GL690 with my new custom chrome lens is mighty hot. The glass from a 100/3.5 AE with EBC multicoating is installed into a standard 100/3.5 with a retro chrome barrel. Very evil 6x9 rangefinder. I also can change the lens to a single coated version as well as change over to 28mm FOV and 60mm FOV. The 100mm translates to a 43mm FOV.
Cal
icebear
Veteran
Simple : I feel I can't live without the MM
Honestly no other piece of equipment gives me that level of enjoyment and inspiration as the MM. Sure I dearly love my hifi set up but that is a passive enjoyment. Repeatable any time. Capturing unique fleeting moments of life and light in black and white is something different and I love it
I'm not sure that the M246 will evoke the same.
I just know that I will not own both.
Range-rover
Veteran
Simple : I feel I can't live without the MM
Honestly no other piece of equipment gives me that level of enjoyment and inspiration as the MM. Sure I dearly love my hifi set up but that is a passive enjoyment. Repeatable any time. Capturing unique fleeting moments of life and light in black and white is something different and I love it
I'm not sure that the M246 will evoke the same.
I just know that I will not own both.
Your hifi set up do you have tubes?
icebear
Veteran
No ... and I also don't shoot film anymore
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
I still shoot film and I have a pair of single ended triode monoblocks (300B mesh plates) running though a speaker system call "Straight Eights" designed by Doc Bottlehead.
Maggie once asked, "Why do the speakers have to be so big?" LOL.
Anyways I collect Mark Sampson Matchless guitar amps (EL84's) and early vintage Fender amps. I also collect and stockpile NOS tubes and build guitar amps many with aerospace parts from when I worked at Grumman.
Cal
JMQ
Well-known
Cal, Maggie must be a saint to tolerate your space-hogging hobbies -- amps, guitars, printers, big cameras....
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
CORRECTION: The photographer was Piera Gelandi and the camera was "Maggie's" Iphone.
For a cute story and more clarity read Maggie's post for Wednesday. Basically Maggie thinks this young woman is an intern on the set, but the reality is she is one of the 4 founders of Refinery29, a New York based fashion, lifestyle and commerce site that has 36 million visitors a month and is a 50 million dollar a year company.
Remember this was just last Saturday, and Sunday was the editorial shoot with two models.
BTW I figured out that one of the reasons I saw no awkward facial expressions, messed up hair, or closed eyes is that when a camera is teathered and you have a camera assistant all the usual marginal shots get deleted fast. Editing is almost immediate, unlike my slacker mode.
Cal
POSTSCRIPT: The last shot I took for Maggie's blog was on October 9th shot with a Nikon D3X with my Noct-Nikkor. Take note of the Edward Hooper effect of muted color straight out of the camera.
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I have the amps and many of my guitars and basses warehoused in humidity controlled enviornments at two of my friend's houses. When I lived in a loft in Williamsburg I would spread out my gear, but eventually Maggie would come home and ask for me to move a guitar so there would be a space where she could sit down. Other times she would yell at me, "I don't want to live in a guitar shop." LOL.
Even though I'm not a good bass player having a 200 watt tube amp and articulate speakers that can handle the slap of a vintage BOO Stingray bass is nice to have around when I decided to go into terrorist mode against this trust fund kid who lived in the loft right above me who was wearing my teeth down playing this death metal at crazy volumes. I'm sure that the SPL that rattled my windows hurt the ears of his two Pit Bulls. All this is compounded is that I'm not a very good bass player. LOL.
At one time I kinda had an aerospace company in my basement. One of my friends once said that I single handedly down sized Grumman.
Currently our bedroom is like a big closet. Maggie's wardrobe and shoes litter the landscape. What is really crazy is how she gets all these luxury brands for no money. In a way she now is worse than me.
Also know that the $15K worth of clothing were all pre-production samples and generally designers do not lend out these garments because basically they are costly prototypes made for the runway shows. This is especially expensive for young designers and risky because if anything bad happened...
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
Happily I will go to NY in December, after a bit of an impulse trip catching the opportunity of a low fare.
Sadly that's not in October by far, neither I can go and grab my Texas Leica for the trip. The OM-1 will come happily though. Looking forward to discover the city that never sleeps. Should plan a bit, schedule might be tight but might allow a meetup.
Sadly that's not in October by far, neither I can go and grab my Texas Leica for the trip. The OM-1 will come happily though. Looking forward to discover the city that never sleeps. Should plan a bit, schedule might be tight but might allow a meetup.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
P,
We always make it convenient for guests. Please let us know your schedule so we can make it convenient for you. Also know that almost always we schedule the Meet-Ups for a Sunday unless there is a good reason not to.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
No ... and I also don't shoot film anymore
So do I, I have not shot film in months, it's just the digital
thing is so easy and the printing is great.