This morning I saw some fog

[raid]

I saw some fog from the window at home, so I decided later in the morning to take out the kids (and the M9) for a ride to the Gulf of Mexico. I have had the M9 set to DNG for the last few weeks, but I have never found the time to use LR to download the DNG files, so I set the camera to JPG fine instead just for this morning.

I had a 50mm/1.4 Takumar mounted on the M9, so I left it there. I set the ISO to 160. Here are some of the results. I set to B&W and sometimes to color (Saturation Standard).


Gulf Breeze, Florida.

 

[mfogiel]

They look a bit too clean to me, apart from the first one, which has some spots. I got used to some grain in this kind of images, and also to some more highlight tone separation. Somehow this simply does not happen with digital.

This is less sharp, yet more moody:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=mich...w=133&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:86

 

[raid]

So are you saying that with film the results would have looked very different, or are you saing that you expect different results with digital?
How did it happen then? Is it the jpg loss when compared to dng files? It is the ISO 160 setting that gave no grain? Is it the fog? I did ot use any file clleaning.

 

[raid]

Here are some more images:

 

[mfogiel]

Maybe, there was not enough fog... But I think the sensor needs cleaning...

 

[raid]

Maybe, there was not enough fog... But I think the sensor needs cleaning...

The fog was nearly gone by the time I arrived. In the first place where I stopped, the fog was totally gone.

As for the sensor needing cleaning, now this is an important thing. How do I do this?
Do I send it in or do I clean it?


I can see some spots in the images. I have never cleaned the sensor so far.

This looks to be complicated:
http://www.flood-lamp.com/blog/2012/06/how-to-clean-the-leica-m9-sensor/

 

[jaapv]

For cleaning a sensor, read here:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica.../130720-leica-m8-m8-2-m9-m9p.html#post1382788

As for the images, they are really not bad at all, but the M9 can do much better at B&W. The problem is
that the in-camera JPG conversion has lost the subtle midtones of the fog. The shadows are a bit blocked up too. If you shoot DNG+JPG you can always redo the postprocessing at a later time when you have become more proficient at it.
And, of course, you are unlucky that we have been flooded with Monochrom results...

 

[raid]

Jaap,
I will first clean the sensor. I usually use the M8 for B&W.
I am trying to learn.

 

[yossarian123]

Raid, sensor cleaning is pretty simple once you get over that first time. It's pretty nerve wracking. After that it's a breeze.

I bought a basic kit from the link below. Nothing special, just some pec-pads that you wrap around a specially designed tool. Use a rocket blower first to dislodge any loose dust, then put a drop of cleaner and swab. Repeat if still dirty.

http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=Copper_Hill_Products

 

[raid]

Thanks for the tip.
Other cleaning sets cost $130. is it really necessary to buy the costl one?

 

[yossarian123]

I guess if you want the bells and whistles but I've never found a need for a sensor light or anything else. It seems like overkill. In fact a rocket blower will get rid of most dust particles. And this is the point where someone else chimes in to tell me how wrong I am...

the copper hill sensor brush looks interesting, I might pick that up for when I don't want to do a wet cleaning.

 

[raid]

I prefer the basics if it works. I prefer not to touch the sensor.

 

[f6andBthere]

Really nice images Raid ... and possibly the dirtiest sensor I have ever seen! 😀

Even wet cleaning is no biggie ... the surface of a sensor is a lot tougher than people would lead you to believe.

 

[raid]

Really nice images Raid ... and possibly the dirtiest sensor I have ever seen! 😀

Even wet cleaning is no biggie ... the surface of a sensor is a lot tougher than people would lead you to believe.

Thanks. I will clean the sensor. I was using the M9 like my M6, not paying much attention to dust.

 

[hteasley]

Thanks. I will clean the sensor. I was using the M9 like my M6, not paying much attention to dust.

I use the #3 swabs from Photographic Solutions with a couple drops of sensor cleaner. Two swipes, using each side of the swab, and done. You have to be careful to not press too hard; it makes me nervous to do it, so I don't clean the sensor that often. That, and some bulb air to blow the loose dust out, and it's good.

If you shoot f/8 or higher, you'll see the dust on your sensor. Shoot wide open, and your sensor can look like a men's room floor and it won't show up in the photos. If you like to shoot pinhole, every teeny tiny speck of dust becomes this gargantuan monstrosity, so the sensor needs to be very clean, and you need to be very comfortable with healing out the rest in Lightroom (because I've never successfully gotten every bit cleaned off; always one or two specks in the corners or on an edge).

 

[jaapv]

Thanks for the tip.
Other cleaning sets cost $130. is it really necessary to buy the costl one?

If it is loose dust (which it probably is) you can just blow it away with a blowing bulb. (DON'T use canned air!!) You don't even touch the sensor then.

 

[raid]

I am planning to start out with blowing the dust partices away. Hen, and if needed, I will use swipe, which I still need to order.

 

[burancap]

I just stop whatever lens is on as far down as it will go and focus on a plain, white wall. You'll be shocked!

Good luck with the cleaning -the first is the worst.

 

[Lachie C]

shoot a evenly illuminated surface positioned close to the camera with the lens at its minimum aperture and focus set on infinity. Bring the image in to photoshop and do an auto-levels. This will show the dust VERY well.

The dust is on the SENSOR; not the lens, so we want a strongly defocussed image to ensure we are looking at dust on the sensor (always darker than subject as it occludes ligth).

 

[raid]

Jeff and Lachie,
Tjanks for your input. I have just placed an order with Amazon for swabs and or liquid cleaner for th M8 and M9,