[Leica] The "problem" with the M9

[Frank Filippone]

I suspect, given expert capabilities, that one COULD fool the eye, and the
computer driven measurement systems  between a color image converted to B+W
or a B+W capture.
The other way around is REALLY tough..... And no, I do not possess those
abilities.  But to my eyes, the conversion is pretty believable.  that is
sufficient.....for me.

So it becomes a one way system, just like in film days.... shoot Digi-B+W,
and the game is over.  Shoot Digi-Color, and options abound. 

A to John's comment about shooting really expensive (comparatively) single
FL lenses and cameras to go with.......  My focusing is better than AF in
the cameras I have ( for non moving subjects), they are smaller, ( but not
lighter!), and the optics, regardless of the "film type", put the (N+C+???)
others to shame.  Using the Sony A7 ( or the Fuji XE-1 due to my M9 problems
in Canada this past year) , and therefore EVF, my focus is far superior in %
of focus on target hits compared to ANY RF M.  Any.  By ANYONE.  This is not
bragging, it is just plain fact.  I shoot Leica optics because they out
resolve anything I can find.  And with EVF, I can focus substantially better
also.

PS: The WATE and the Tri-Elmar are like zooms... limited, but they do allow
for great convenience.

Frank Filippone
Red735i at verizon.net


-----Original Message-----
From: LUG [mailto:lug-bounces+red735i=verizon.net at leica-users.org] On Behalf
Of John McMaster
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 3:51 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] The "problem" with the M9

That is your choice, I prefer the rigour and tones of using a Monochrom over
colour conversions. If you deride wanting rigour why are you shooting fixed
focal length, manual focus lenses on a rangefinder rather than auto
focus/ISO/face finding etc cameras like most modern (and cheaper) ones ;-)

john

-----Original Message-----

I see a major fault in this discussion..... It is 2017.  Capture is done
digitally with an M9.  There are options.

In 1963, when I first got a real camera ( Zeiss Contax 2A) I had to decide
in advance what to shoot.... B+W or Color and what emulsion to use.  With a
few exceptions, (Panalure or some cross platform developing or copy negs)
that decision was final.  There was no choice allowed after capture.  Color
was color and B+W was B+W.

It is not 1963. It is 2017.  There is (are?) PS, LR, and a whole lot more
digital photography programs to modify your captured image.  B+W from color?
Yes.
 Emulsion characteristic of grain or colorimetry?  Yes.  Filters like
yellow, red, or whatever?  Yes.  Tungsten Lighting?  Yes.  And, absurdly,
with the proper tools, (artificial) color from B+W image capture. 

So why the NEED to decide in advance?  The choice is yours to decide at
capture or afterwards.

Yes, there are differences between the captured images between the M9 and
the Monochrom....  You can always carry and use one or the other on any day.
Or carry both....

But to be honest, carrying 2 cameras and switching lenses back and forth, is
a job for younger photographers than I. 

I carry a color camera 90% of the time.  The images I get are sometimes
(5-10%) changed in post to B+W.  I see no problem in deciding later....

It IS a different aesthetic.  Not better nor worse.  Different.

As is said... there are no rules.

Frank Filippone
Red735i at verizon.net



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