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Leica Store wrote a new post 14 years, 2 months ago
While I had the Leica M Monochrom for testing in Germany, I figured I'd do a quick semi-controlled ISO test compared to my M9. I had certain impressions of relative ISO performance during my review of the M Monochrom, but nothing beats a side-by-side test. Before we get into the comparisons, let me first explain my methodology.
Testing methodology
These images were taken in the Wetzlarer Dom while I waited for the rain to subside. I shot them sequentially using the same lens: the Leica APO-Summicron 50mm ASPH using the same aperture (f/5.6) and same focus point. Between camera tests, I swapped the bottom plate while still mounted on the tripod so there would be as little movement as possible. Exposure was carried out using aperture priority. The light didn't change inside the church (overcast and rainy outside) and theoretically both cameras have the exact same meter. My intention was to shoot as quickly as possible and run through the entire ISO range so there would be no change while testing. Ultimately, the exposures did remain consistent.
Post processing approachBoth the M Monochrom and M9 images were processed in LR4 with all images of the same camera receiving identical settings. The M Monochrom images and the M9 were processed slightly differently due to necessity (one is natively B&W, the other is not). Here, my intention was to match the M9 as closely as possible to the M Monochrom result in terms of B&W conversion. Did they match exactly? No. I think the M Monochrom still gave superior B&W images even with tweaking the M9, but I suppose this was to be expected.
I did apply sharpening to the files on both cameras, with the same settings for both. These are the settings I would normally use on either the M9 or the M Monochrom. I feel it is best to compare fully processed images that have been made to look as close to finished files as possible. I know that other testers use “out-of-camera” images with “nothing applied”, but I never quite understood this approach. Post processing is part of the normal workflow and, in my opinion, shouldn't be separated from the camera for testing purposes. It's sort of like track testing two cars with their tires removed (so as to not give any traction advantage). I want to see what my actual results will be when I shoot these cameras in a real-world situation, and in the real world I would never not process the files to my taste.
That said, I turned off all noise reduction on both cameras, with the exception of the ISO 5000 and 10000 tests of the M Monochrom. Here, I provided images with no NR applied and with minimal NR as I might apply based on subject matter.
To compare the images, you can drag the center slider handle left and right, single-click in the area you want to split the image, or just use click the text controls underneath. In all images up to 2500 ISO, the M9 is on the left and the M Monochrom is on the right. For 5000 and 10000, only M Monchrom images are shown, with the noise reduced version on the right. All samples are at 100% size (1 pixel on screen = 1 pixel from camera). Enjoy!
ISO 320
ISO 640
ISO 1250
ISO 2500
Because the M9 tops out at ISO 2500, the last two are M Monochrom only. As I mentioned in my full review, I think that noise reduction is only advisable after ISO 3200. I generally prefer to have more detail rather than totally smooth files.
ISO 5000
Here, I think noise reduction could be useful, but it's not necessary. On the left: no noise reduction. On the right: Luminance NR set to 20. For ISO 5000 and 6400, a little NR goes a long way.
ISO 10000
At ISO 10000, NR is going to to be needed in order to avoid bright speckle noise. Here, I used a Luminance NR amount of 25. You can see how the blacks clean up very nicely just with a bit of NR. The tight, non-blurred noise pattern of the M Monochrom makes this easy.
If you think the Leica M Monochrom or 50mm APO-Summicron could be for you, consider placing a pre-order through Dale Photo & Digital. Dale Photo is one of the largest and most knowledgeable Leica dealers in the USA. No deposit or prepayment is necessary. Call 1-800-327-1776 with any questions, or email me at [EMAIL=david@dalephotoanddigital.com]david@dalephotoanddigital.com[/EMAIL].
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David Farkas replied to the topic Leica M Monochrom in the forum M Monochrom 14 years, 2 months ago
tinchohs;2399 wrote: I have shot mostly color in my M9. But lately, I've been considering working for a while exclusively in B&W. I'm curious if I can make it work for me.
With the arrival of the MM I am very tempted. And yet I wonder if for my scenario it's not better to buy an M6 and shoot film for B&W and wait for an M10 for my deep…
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tinchohs replied to the topic Leica M Monochrom in the forum M Monochrom 14 years, 2 months ago
I have shot mostly color in my M9. But lately, I've been considering working for a while exclusively in B&W. I'm curious if I can make it work for me.
With the arrival of the MM I am very tempted. And yet I wonder if for my scenario it's not better to buy an M6 and shoot film for B&W and wait for an M10 for my deep desire of a camera…[Read more]
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GMB replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
David Farkas;2388 wrote: Georg,
I'm a little late to the party (I'm 6 hours behind here in the US),
And I thought you be monitoring this 24/7???…Just kidding :D:D:D.
My dealer already offered to send the battery to Leica and ask for a replacement. Anyway, the thought that this could have happened during my safari in January…[Read more]
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Jack MacD replied to the topic My Leica M Monochrom review is up! in the forum M Monochrom 14 years, 2 months ago
David,
Extremely well done. When you kept saying you were working hard on some updates of the new products, I kept asking myself, why is it taking so long? Now I understand. You provided detail on the Monochrom that exists in no other place. I have previously digitally converted about 1/4 of my shots into B&W. Initially my reaction was why…[Read more] -
PebblePlace replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Count me in too… the original battery would never move off 100%. I had actually totally depleted the battery and the S2 had similar symptoms. Leica should be exchanging the battery, and I had second battery.
So, I guess a battery can “go bad” at some point all on its own?
I would like to see Leica add an info screen like they have…[Read more]
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Mark Gowin replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Georg,
I too am late to this thread, but when I read your first post it was like Déjà vu. I experienced a similar problem a year or so ago and about freaked out. I don't have a Leica dealer nearby, but a quick call to David and a new battery was on the way pronto. Problem solved. The battery is a weak link in the system. When it works it is o…[Read more]
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David Farkas replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Georg,
I'm a little late to the party (I'm 6 hours behind here in the US), but I would have said it was the battery not holding a charge.
When you see the CF card light turn red for a moment, go off, then nothing else works… 99% of the time it indicates a dead battery. Over the last couple years with the S2, we've seen this a handful…[Read more]
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Pete Walentin replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Puh. Good to hear. It seems like there are some issues with the one or the other battery.
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GMB replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
I did not have a 2nd battery but got one from my dealer. Turned out it was the battery indeed. Quite a relief.
Lesson learned: carry a second battery, even though one does not need one (as I never got even close to use a complete charge until being able to charge again). Good thing is this happened at home. I would have been devastated,…[Read more]
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Pete Walentin replied to the topic S2 dead–any help appreciated in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
No idea, but have you tried to change the lens as well? And do you have a second battery?
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PebblePlace replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Hi Mark –
Glad this one was easily duplicated, and that it's also easy to around the issue. I received the S2 set to parallel mode and had been using a CF card. I decided to pick a fast SDHC card this week, so when the card arrived – popped out the CF card, put in the SDHC and took some test shots. It was just happenstance that I stumbled…[Read more]
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Mark Gowin replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
At least now we know the proble is not your SDHC card or camera. Also, simply setting the camera to sequential let's you use the SDHC card as you wish. All-in-all this is not a huge deal, but one that needs to be fixed to prevent inadvertent loss of images because when on parallel, the camera acts like it is capturing the image (review screen…[Read more]
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Josh Lehrer replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
I tested this here. When the camera is set to shoot Parallel, it will not record DNG images to the SD card. This is true when a CF card is also installed, or when an SD card is in the camera by itself. If you set the camera to JPEG only as an experiment, you can shoot to the SD card by itself even if the camera is in Parallel, but if you try to…[Read more]
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Pete Walentin replied to the topic Think Tank Retrospective 5 Shoulder Bag in the forum Bags and Cases 14 years, 2 months ago
I do not own the 5 but as I'm owning the 10 and using it with a S2 and three lenses if I have to, I'm pretty sure you are good to go with the 5 for the M9. You do not really can make a mistake with Think Tank products. I used a few of them and I always have been very satisfied. Go get the 5! 😉
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PebblePlace replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Hi Mark –
I'm running the latest firmware, so I doubt update will help. You experience indicates this is not new bug in just the latest firmware. I'm surprised nobody bumped into this before; i was just trying out SDHC before a trip because the Macbook has SDHC slot and a SDHC card is more convenient.
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Mark Gowin replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
I just checked my S2 and can easily replicate the issue except I don't even have to change the ISO. If the camera is set to parallel and only a SD card is in the camera, then the images are not reviewable. As soon as I change it to sequential, the images are reviewable.
I didn't put the card in the computer to see if there were photos on the…[Read more]
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Mark Gowin replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
I haven't seen this problem, but then again, I can't say for sure I have ever duplicated your sequence of events. I will try it just for the heck of it.
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PebblePlace replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Reformatted the 32 GB card and had the computer overwrite the card with 0's just to be sure. Put the card in and let the S2 reformat it. Left the S2 on “sequential” and now the card works fine.
So, the problem is:
1) S2 set-up in parallel mode (this is key)
2) Only a SD card inserted
3) S2 records images fine
4) Change…[Read more] -
PebblePlace replied to the topic Firmware Glitch with SDHC Cards? in the forum S2 14 years, 2 months ago
Just tested the S2 with a Sandisk 8 GB Extreme 30 MB/sec and was able to repeat the fault. The only card in the was SDHC card. The S2 was set-up for parallel. The S2 will record the images fun, up until the ISO is changed. After ISO is changed, none of the subsequent images are recorded. If the S2 is turned off & on, the card will record…[Read more]
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