@peter-dooling
active 2 years, 8 months ago-
David Farkas wrote a new post, Update on Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) DNG Files and Mac OS X Yosemite Photos App 10 years, 1 month ago
Here's a little better news for Mac OS X Yosemite users who want to process their Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) DNG files in either Apple's new Photos app or in their existing Aperture library. Apparently, even […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Announces Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens 10 years, 1 month ago
Today, Leica Camera has announced the highly-anticipated Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH lens. First seen as part of the limited-edition Leica M Set Edition “Leica 100” announced one year ago at the opening of […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica USA Extends Limited Time Savings Program 10 years, 1 month ago
Today, Leica Camera USA has announced that the Exchange Rate Savings Program, which has lowered the prices of nearly all Leica photographic products* has been extended until June 30, 2015. The full details of the […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Monochrom (Typ 246) DNG Files Currently Incompatible with Apple ‘Photos’ App 10 years, 1 month ago
Today, Leica Camera has issued a notice regarding a compatibility issue with DNG files from new Monochrom (Typ 246) and Apple's Photos App. From Leica:
Leica Camera would like to inform you that the Leica […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Announces Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) 10 years, 2 months ago
Today, Leica Camera has announced the new Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), successor to the hugely popular Leica M Monochrom. The camera contains an essentially identical feature set to the recently released Leica M-P (Typ 240) but with the color filter array removed from the CMOS sensor for true, high-quality black & white imaging. Priced at $7,450, the M Monochrom (Typ 246) is expected to be available mid-May 2015. At the same time, Leica has also released a line of colored lens filters in both E39 and E46 sizes (available in July). The filters come in orange, yellow, and green and can be seen online here: New Leica M Color Filters.
A full review of the new camera is now live on Red Dot Forum with numerous sample images and analysis by David Farkas. The review can be seen here: M Monochrom (Typ 246) Review.
The official press release, from Leica:
The new Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) is the first and only digital camera that captures a real black and white image, still or moving. Reduced to the essentials for true, authentic and direct black and white photography, the Leica M Monochrom offers unparalleled image performance, outstanding low light capabilities and rich details.
Black and white photography is the essence of photography. Leica produced the first first digital monochrome camera in the 35 mm format and the new Leica M Monochrom is a step into the next generation.
Sensor
The Leica M Monochrom has a 24-megapixel resolution on a monochrom CMOS sensor similar to the Leica M. As the M Monochrom has no need for color filters, it needs no interpolation for the calculation of luminance values. This results in brilliant images which have 100% more details and contrast than what is possible in color photography.
Up to ISO 25,000
The new Leica M Monochrom opens up new dimensions for available-light photography with its combination of low noise up to ISO 25,000, a bright viewfinder, a low-vibration shutter release and fast lenses.
Full Visual Control with Live View
The high-resolution 3” monitor with 921,600 pixels ensures that photographers have complete control of composition, exposure, focusing and depth of field. The Live View also offers two additional focusing methods. The up to 10x magnification in Live View Zoom mode enables full control of the sharpness of details in the image on the monitor or the closest focusing distance. In Live View Focus Peaking mode, sharply focused edges in the image are highlighted by colored lines.
Full HD Video in Black and White
The new Leica M Monochrom captures high-quality, full-HD video in black and white. With the optional Leica microphone adapter set, one can be assured of perfect sound.
2 GB Buffer Memory
With it’s high-capacity 2GB buffer memory and Leica Maestro processor, the camera captures sequences 3 times faster than its predecessor. In addition, the new processor enables extremely fast display of the captured images in review mode.
Sapphire Crystal Glass
The LC display is made of scratch-resistant and almost unbreakable sapphire crystal which has been treated with an anti-reflective protective coating that ensures that photographers can check their images in any lighting situation.
Accessories
All current M accessories for the Leica M (Typ 240) can be used with the Leica M Monochrom. These accessories include finger loops, electronic view finder, ever-ready cases, flash and straps. In addition, R-lenses can be used on the Leica M Monochrom with the Leica M-Adapter-R.
The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) can be ordered online here: Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) or you can call Leica Store Miami at 305-921-4433. Don't hesitate to email us with any questions.
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Review 10 years, 2 months ago
Many in the photographic community have speculated that it was only a matter of time until Leica made a monochrome version of the M (Typ 240), more commonly known as the M240. The original M Monochrom, perhaps now […]
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Excellent review David! I am looking forward putting my hands on El Jefe in the very near future!
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Wow, what a complete and wonderfully timely review.
Looking forward to your S (007) review should you ever get one ahead of time.
Get some sleep now.
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Great review David.
As a two-year owner of the original M Monochrom I've been eager to see how the new CMOS version would compare, and your review shows us that exactly.
Impressive as it is, I will sit out this generation of M cameras and go forward for the next three years (or maybe six?) with the original M Monochrom and M-E, which both still do just about everything I want them too with the singular exception of clean high ISO in color, which isn't worth the cost of a dual upgrade or of dealing with two hardware systems and their respective batteries and chargers.
For me the world is the same as it was last week, M-E (M9) for beautiful color on good to moderate light, and M Monochrom for incredible black and white no matter the conditions. ISO 10,000 is high enough for anything I want to do except deep depth of field in low light, which just isn't a priority.
Great images by the way.
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All of the images were processed in Adobe Lightroom CC (v6).
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Sure. Here is a screen grab from my basic settings in LR for an M246 file:
My biggest change is to pull down the blacks and bring up the exposure to compensate a little. I like rich shadow contrast. Really, though, these changes are fairly minor. Sometimes, I'll bring up the shadows or tone down the highlights more. It really depends on the image and my intended interpretation.
On the sharpening and noise reduction settings I use:
And that's about it. I don't change the sharpening settings, except at very high ISO, I will bump up Masking a little. And with NR, I will bring the amount up to 20-30 for shots above ISO 8000.
Hope this helps.
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Did you try to turn off lens profile corrections in LR?
We first discovered a strange behavior in LR when processing M9M files a couple years ago when using lens profile corrections. Seems that there is sometimes some pattern noise introduced in B&W images with pulled up shadows. What was even stranger was that the artifacts were only visible once exported. In LR, at any magnification, the files were clean.
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Some shots were manually set, but most were shot with Auto ISO, using Aperture priority.
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Color filters work the same way on B&W digital as they do on film. The effect is much easier to accomplish in camera than in post processing.
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Hi.
I am considering to Purchase a M 246 after reading your review.
I am a DSLR usar and I am kind of worried about the rangefinder and focus.
Do you have any recomendations about this transition?
Thank you!
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My suggestion is to just jump in with both feet! The transition to rangefinder is fairly quick and painless. After a couple of days of real use, it will feel natural. After a week, it will become second nature.
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You can't go wrong with the 50 APO. I switched from the 50 Lux to the 50 APO and never once regretted it. The bokeh of the 50 APO is still very nice and pleasing. The Lux will be a little softer, but will not be as sharp as the APO wide open. And on the Monochrom M246, the added sharpness really shows. Hope this helps.
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I would welcome insight from others on processing software other than Adobe CC, PS, or LR with the MM246. Capture One appears to be not compatible and when I called their tech people they said they had no plans to do so, even though the M9 Monochrom is supported. Has anyone tried Luminar?
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Joel,
Leica has a partnership with Adobe (since 2009), so the best results will usually be had using Adobe software for DNG image processing. Is there a reason you are looking for alternatives to Lightroom?
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Komaru Titanium Soft Releases Now Available at Leica Store Miami 10 years, 3 months ago
Leica Store Miami is now carrying Komaru Titanium Soft Releases, in both the raw and matte finishes, which are designed to fit all Leica M film and digital cameras including the M and M-P (Typ 240).
Komaru (‘little circle' in Japanese) is a 15mm titanium soft release button with an innovative dual contour design that incorporates both a concave and convex component. Each Komaru is individually machined, partly by hand, in an aeronautical-grade engineering workshop in Toulouse (France) from pure titanium.
Komaru offers better thread locking, due to the unique hardness of titanium TA6V. The thread cannot be misthreaded and can be screwed in tightly. This reduces the risk of unscrewing through vibration (leading to loss of the soft release). What's more, Komaru's short conical thread is compatible with all bodies, old or new, such as the latest Leica M models.
These soft releases are an excellent way to add a bit of flair to your M camera in addition to enhancing the ergonomics of the shutter release button. Not to mention they are almost weightless thanks to their titanium construction!
Komaru soft releases are available online at Leica Store Miami in two different finishes: raw or matte.
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The raw version is the shinier silver one. The price is $59.
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica M (Typ 240) and M Lens Promotions Extended 10 years, 3 months ago
Today, Leica has announced that it is extending current promotions on the M (Typ 240) bodies and most M lenses until April 30, 2015. The promotions were originally set to expire on January 31, 2015. On M bodies, a […]
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda added a Photo 10 years, 3 months ago
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Luis Castañeda and
Peter Dooling are now friends 10 years, 3 months ago -
Luis Castañeda added 2 Photos 10 years, 3 months ago
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OS X Yosemite definitely has the issue. Older version probably have it as well, but this hasn't been confirmed to my knowledge.
While there are certainly other programs that can open Leica DNG files, I've found the best results from Adobe Lightroom. Leica has been working closely with Adobe since 2008 and all Leica cameras come bundled with Lightroom.
Thanks, Mike.
Yes, this was fixed a while back.