Leica M Monochrom now available in grayscale (sort of)

Part - 2

The company went bankrupt not too long ago, but even after coming back to life they haven't learned the hard lesson.

If it wasn't for the powerful Panasonic keeping Leica alive, by using its Leica lenses on many of its cameras (including one of mine), I doubt very much that Leica would survive, or would have survived!

I hope that Leica would get back to its roots, and start making affordable products that are for photographers and enthusiasts / hobbyists.
Take some lesson by looking at what Sony, Fuji, and Panasonic are doing.

I cant think of another B&W camera out there without a Bayer filter - no demosaicing needed. Every photosite is used for a tonal value.

Paired with Leica glass it's absolutely superb!

Wish I could justify/afford getting a Monochrom.

IF they made a classic M body with a sensor that could be changed out as sensor tech advances they would have a camera worthy of the cost as it could indeed last a "lifetime" and keep pace with advances in image quality.

Currently, Leica bodies quickly become outdated expensive relics that are not worth your hard earned dollars.

Leica needs to think long and hard, is this camera really worth $7-8k. Can we make it cheaper. If Leica got rid of the expensive RF system, replaced it with AF. The cameras would still be made in Germay. Lens ground in Germany and assemble in Japan. The costs would be a lot lower. The camera $3-4k. Lens would be less then $3k. The new APS-C Leica is a start. Leica needs to jump in with both feet.
In the days of film, buying a camera that last you a "life time" maybe an investment. But with digital and changing technology. What is todays marvel is tomorrows doorstop.

"Have you been lusting after a Leica Monochrom but anxiously hoping for its release in a new body finish? Well your long, nightmarish wait is over. "

Thanks for a chuckle. :)

An expensive Fuji x100s copy ?........

Nice finish, although black is perhaps more discreet?

"Well your long, nightmarish wait is over"

Just because amazon dont sell it so you cant provide a click through doesn't mean you have to make facetious comments. DPR used to be a quite respected site.

"By dpreview staff"
And you dont even have the balls to stand by your comments.

Be nice if DPreview tested one of these, I'd like to see how a monochrome sensor presents noise.

LOL this company is so lame now.

Incredible design, this is a huge step forward for Leica and the mankind ;)

Fooey, I'm 99 cents shy of the price.

«Responding to popular demand»?!?
For once I would like these PR have to give prove of their amazing statements!!!

$7700 for just BW camera? You are too bad panda.... Just go for D4s that win in every aspects.

I just calculated that if I'd shot a roll of Tri-X every day, and had it developed and scanned, even the mono Leica M would pay for itself in just 18 months (probably sooner if you factor in the cost of a decent film M body).

Buying bulk and developing and scanning yourself - and the M pays for itself much sooner in saved time.

I don't know why are so many people so confused. Film is bloody expensive.

I know why they spelled Monochrome Monochrom.
It's not about the language. It's because it's not 100% monochrome. The camera got a bright red dot on it for 90% of monochrome.

Say what you wish, but I wanted a silver chrome MM since I saw one on another forum. My reasons:

1) The MM sensor, sans bayer filter, gives the highest resolution of any similarly-sized body. Every pixel contributes to the image, there is no averaging to derive a color, and every pixel is sensitive to the complete visible spectrum.
2) Silver chrome Leicas elicit curious responses even from those unfamiliar with the brand. People love the "vintage" cameras, and having a rapport with unfamiliar subjects is valuable.
3) Silver chrome looks better to me.

I purchased the black MM last year. It's a great tool, but lacking the silver chrome cache (see #2 above). I saw that Leica had produced a few silver cameras as special orders, so I inquired if I could send mine in to service and pay for the conversion. At that time, it was "not possible" according to Solms, so I let it rest. Now I have a dilemma, to buy a silver monochrome or not. It is a lot of money.

I bought two months ago a REAL B&W film camera. The EOS 1V from Canon. For a fraction of the Leica price, you got a real film grain and authentic result in a professional body.

It's good to accessorize yourself.

Well, you can chosse to vote for "I own it", I want it" and " I had it", there are missing choiches as " I don´t want it" and "I hate it" :D

The desire for the scales of grey produced by these cameras are directly proportional to the colour of your money, ego and lack of technique with less esoteric devices.

Apparently this model is intended for collectors. Serious photographers don't buy cameras that totally lock-out tonal control based on the colors in the scene. For instance, if two different colors have the same luminance and are adjacent to each other in the scene, there would be no way to separate these tones in print without using a filter on the camera when you took the shot. And you are unlikely to think of this since you are looking at the scene in color. I don't know about you, but I think it makes much more sense to have a color image to start with. Then you can adjust an individual color's luminance while looking at the image in black and white on screen. This lose of post processing control is unthinkable for anyone wishing to produce a fine black & white print.

Its better to shoot RGB and manipulate the colour components to render teh final BW image.. similar to how you had to use colour filters in the past. The RGB array is also better for dynamic range.. particularly preserving highlights.

Hhhmmmmm, decisions decisions - I'll take one of each.

A limited edition of something already quite exclusive. Amazing.

I'm sure I'd love to use such a camera - but one look at their prices kills any lust.

"Well your long, nightmarish wait is over."

Whoever wrote that line has a great sense of humor, and an even greater sense of sarcasm.

Good job!

B&W is traditional and so are chrome cameras. It should have been made this way at the onset.

I'll never understand why anyone would buy that...

All they need to do now is move to the 21st century and design a version with AF; then I will buy it.

Leica ... who cares! Really who cares about anything Leica does these days. A company without direction surviving off the fat of nostalgia, unable to offer anything new of even slightly interesting. Leica is just plain old boring. Over-priced, over-hyped cameras for folks with too much money and too much pride. R.I.P Leica (as if you'll be able to die a graceful death).

Much nicer in my opinion. Now, what's left is to reduce the price to reflect its real value.

"Popular" wasn't quite the kind of word I'd have expected to appear on a Leica-related news... C'mon, just because six people asked for it, that doesn't make it "popular demand"!

Oh now, I dread my tuesday afternoon dentist's appointment...
he will talk on an on about this new leica whilst I have my mouth clamped wide open and the drilling goes on. damn.