B&W Photography Lovers Take Note!!!

[Liz]

Leica just announced a new Monochrom Camera!

My heart skipped a beat when I read the announcement - until I checked the price.....although no surprise here!

For $8,000 I think I can wait for the Pana-Leica version! :thumbsup:

Wow! Maybe there is HOPE! For all of us b&w photography lovers, maybe this will just be the beginning.

New Leica Products Announced in Berlin | La Vida Leica!

Liz

[Greg McCary]

It looks just like my M6. I can shoot a lot of Ilford film for eight grand.

[n8]

I've got to ask...why?

[Greg McCary]

I've got to ask...why?

I tend to agree. It looks as though Leica could have just added a few art filter settings in the firmware of the M9 as it is.
Don't get me wrong I would take an M9 in a second if I could afford one but I always thought the the Leica experience was as much about film as it was the camera.

[Footski]

An $8000 camera that only shoots B&W......Someone is seriously taking the mickey out of the paying public.

[Axle]

wow...I'll stick to my Leica IIIc...it shoots b/w just fine.

[almo]

Isn't that what photoshop is for?

Yep, looks fine to me, plus I have a color version.

[almo]

Oh yeah, and photoshop costs a lot less and does a lot more.

[Photo-John]

It's more than you think - working on an article

[Greg McCary]

It's more than you think - working on an article

So I guess it's totally new sensor?

[Photo-John]

So I guess it's totally new sensor?

That depends on what you mean by, "totally new." But it's not exactly the same as what's in the M9 and you won't be able to replicate an M Monochrom image with an M9.

[Greg McCary]

That depends on what you mean by, "totally new." But it's not exactly the same as what's in the M9 and you won't be able to replicate an M Monochrom image with an M9.

So then it's not in the firmware and a sensor specifically for B&W. I read the the noise was only slightly visible at 5000iso.

[Photo-John]

I published my Leica M Monochrom article, yesterday. It includes product shots and links to some hands-on articles, since I wasn't able to be at the official intro event in Germany. I spent more time on this article than most since it's obvious by the overwhelming number of negative comments that this camera requires a little more careful explanation. I'm not saying everyone should mortgage their house and buy one. But for some people, I do believe the M Monochrom will be a justified purchase. It really is more than just a color camera that converts your image to black-and-white - a lot more.

Leica’s $8000 M Monochrom Black-and-White Camera | Camera News & Reviews

I'm curious what you guys think *after* you read my article. Price aside, what do you guys think after you learn how Leica really made this camera different?

[Greg McCary]

Well John maybe there is more to it then than smoke and mirrors. I have to agree with a niche inside a niche. I also read Internet buzz that the images were outstanding. And yes Leica faithfuls will buy them as fast as they can make them.

[Liz]

Thanks John. I am not the least bit surprised at the price. I am also not surprised that it is a fine camera, worthy of taking notice - and buying if it is in your budget. After all, Leica doesn't make junk - and if they introduce something they are not going to display anything that is not worthy of the name.

The reason I am so happy about the announcement is because I think there is hope that there might be a less expensive version coming down the pike at a later time - say maybe a "Pana-Leica" camera similar to their others - maybe a lot more money than the LX-5 for instance, but not $8,000.

Thanks again. And yes, if it were in my budget I would get it. However, reality says - it is what it is! :thumbsup:

Liz

[Photo-John]

The reason I am so happy about the announcement is because I think there is hope that there might be a less expensive version coming down the pike at a later time - say maybe a "Pana-Leica" camera similar to their others - maybe a lot more money than the LX-5 for instance, but not $8,000.

That's not likely. The Panasonic / Leica partnership really only works in one direction. Leica gets to re-brand the Panasonic cameras with the red dot. But Leica does not share their high-end cameras with Panasonic. Nor would Panasonic be interested. And really, I don't see the point of another dedicated B&W camera. I don't think there's room in the market for a second one. If you don't want or can't pay $8000, then chances are, converting from color is going to be fine for you. And really, you can get seriously excellent B&W conversions from color digital files, if you know what you're doing. Or you have Lightroom