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Depends on how much stock you place in the difference between a 35mm aesthetic, and that of a more medium format. I would suspect that at the pixel level, the IQ of a dedicated B&W M using the more modern ASPH lenses will be spectacular.I wonder if a b&W M (if it will come) would be expected to beat S2-images converted to b&W in regards of IQ???
I use the same filters used with black and white film when using my dedicated monochrome digital camera. Clean off those Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red filters, set, go.There are ramifications of a dedicated B&W sensor not discussed very much so far. Like controlling the sensitivity to colors. When we convert a color S2 file in a program like Nik Silver Efex, we have enormous control over B&W sensitivity to various colors ... more than we did with B&W film using color filters. How that will all be done with a B&W dedicated camera remains to be seen.
-Marc
Yes, I guess thats one point where a converted color image offers a little more "comfort" and flexibility, doing the filtering afterwards in software vs having to carry filters, and screw them on and off and not being able to change afterwards.I use the same filters used with black and white film when using my dedicated monochrome digital camera. Clean off those Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red filters, set, go.
That is good news Brian. For me, it will further enhance the Rangefinder experience of stripping away distractions regarding content, and getting to "of the moment" emotional essence ... where B&W rules IMO.The same argument exists for shooting color film instead of black and white, and then printing the negatives with black and white paper. You could filter in the darkroom and get the "same results". The analog equivalent of converting color digital images to monochrome. You give up spatial resolution. With most color digital cameras, you need an AA filter. With Leica color digital cameras without AA filters, you run the risk of moire. Converting a color image with moire present to monochrome leaves the artifacts.
By getting rid of the color mosaic filter, a dedicated monochrome camera picks up one stop of sensitivity and eliminates moire. Use it just like black and white film in terms of filters. I see more "black and white-ized" images from Leica shooters than anyone else. Probably more black and white images than color. Myself, I've never been happy with any digital monochrome image from a converted color file after owning and using a dedicated monochrome digital camera.
This sounds most interesting - I miss the true B&W feel as well.By getting rid of the color mosaic filter, a dedicated monochrome camera picks up one stop of sensitivity and eliminates moire. Use it just like black and white film in terms of filters. I see more "black and white-ized" images from Leica shooters than anyone else. Probably more black and white images than color. Myself, I've never been happy with any digital monochrome image from a converted color file after owning and using a dedicated monochrome digital camera.
Marc,When we convert a color S2 file in a program like Nik Silver Efex, we have enormous control over B&W sensitivity to various colors ... more than we did with B&W film using color filters. How that will all be done with a B&W dedicated camera remains to be seen.
-Marc
You mean a monochrome 18MP 35mm sensor vs. a color 37MP S2 sensor? No contest, the S2 will easily beat a 35mm monochrome sensor. The Bayer pattern gives up very little resolving power.I wonder if a b&W M (if it will come) would be expected to beat S2-images converted to b&W in regards of IQ???
I dont know how much resolution such a camera would have, and then peeople say a B&W sensor also has much better DR than a color sensor.You mean a monochrome 18MP 35mm sensor vs. a color 37MP S2 sensor? No contest, the S2 will easily beat a 35mm monochrome sensor. The Bayer pattern gives up very little resolving power.
A monochrome camera does not have any better DR than a color camera--the pixels are the same, putting a filter over them does not change DR. The monochrome will be more sensitive as there are no filters to suck up light. I use monochrome cameras. Personally for general photography, I perfer a color camera simply because I have the color channels available for the mono conversion.I dont know how much resolution such a camera would have, and then peeople say a B&W sensor also has much better DR than a color sensor.
I know then there is also the lens where the light must go through.
Sashin-so for what use do you take the monochrone cameras?A monochrome camera does not have any better DR than a color camera--the pixels are the same, putting a filter over them does not change DR. The monochrome will be more sensitive as there are no filters to suck up light. I use monochrome cameras. Personally for general photography, I perfer a color camera simply because I have the color channels available for the mono conversion.
BTW, attached is the difference between Bayer interpolated color and un-interpolated color--and that is the only difference between the images as they are from the same camera. These are 100% crops. It is really tough to see the difference.
Isnt it crazy how much we pay for a little bit better IQ, handling and simplicity?Rumored to be in the US $9,000 price range (Leica Rumors). Sounds like a bargain!