I forgot to mention that most of these photos were shot using a Leica 50mm Summilux f1.4 ASPH lens with a yellow filter and a few others with a Leica 35mm Summicron f/2.0 ASPH.
@@90sPunkRockCovers I’m working on a car right now and will be purchasing a Leica with the winnings. I think this will be the one I buy. Or maybe the m10-m.
Your pictures are certainly amazing. I love to use my M246 because it instantly puts me into another mode of operation. I look at the scene in terms of light and contrast, not in colours.
I have an M246 and an ME-240. I am very happy with this combo because I get the best of both - colour and mono. There are times when colour is essential for the image and there are other occasions when colour is just too much information. I can choose the right camera for the image that I want to create. Having two similar M series Leica cameras also means that I can use the same set of lenses interchangeably on each camera body, which is another huge benefit. But why spend so much money on two cameras when I could just stick with just the ME-240 and convert the colour files to monochrome with editing software? There are a couple of reasons why I consider that it is worthwhile to have both cameras. My first reason for having a monochrome only camera is that the image quality right out of the M246 is better than a converted colour photo. My second reason for keeping the M246 is that when I use an EVF or the liveview screen, I do not have to imagine what the image will look like in monochrome as I would have to do if I was using a camera with a colour sensor - I can see the monochrome image right there before I take the photo, long before I begin editing it with computer software. Being able to see the black and white image that I am creating in the camera before I press the shutter button is a big benefit.
I absolutely agree. The output of the M246 is still astonishing compared to newer cameras. The detail, richness and sharpness of the images was significantly superior to my M240 and even my SL2 which has a bigger sensor. I treated my Monochrom just as you described, my artistic camera when I knew I didn't want to tweak colors or vibrancy, all I wanted was to capture that scene in black and white. Thanks for dropping a comment. Cheers 🍻
Was just out today with my original monochrom. It’s not as technically advanced as the 246, but does the job with a bit of character - that advance sound is endearing, CCD sensor (replaced updated), 18mp is plenty enough for even very large prints, and it’s just fun to use with an ‘endless roll of B&W’ with a very flexible DNG file that is not overwhelming in size.
Excellent photos! No Monochrom camera for me, although I do get tempted sometimes. Don’t think I can give up colour though. I’ll stick to B&W conversions as needed. Currently using a Q2. Considering an M10 once prices drop a bit more (previously had an M240).
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the photos. I’ve since sold the Mono and got the M11-P but I will be 100% honest with you, I miss the Mono. It was such a fine camera. One of the best cameras I’ve ever owned.
I'm committed to the black and white photography since quiet some time and I don't want to switch back to color but I'm using a Sony Alpha 7 IV. I was thinking about switching to Leica M for the rangefinder and of course enjoying the limitation black and white only and without excuses. I think this could get my photography to the next level or drive me crazy - who knows. The only topic I'm scared about is the low light performance, do you have more sample pictures on youtube / instagram (...) that I could look at? And thank you very much for this video. I feel like there are hardly any good reviews / experiences online anymore about this camera.
Glad you enjoyed the review. I’ve made another video of this camera you can check out, I talk a little more about it and show more image samples. I never had any issues with noise using this camera, the grain is very fine and looks a lot like fine grain film. I always felt confident shooting at 6400 for example knowing the noise would look like 800 iso on a color camera. I hope that helps. Cheers 🍻
I have the same m246, it’s a great camera. To me it makes it easier to focus on photographing. Would even be better without the screen to me. I also use a yellow filter with it and have a red one lying around, but that’s a bit to extreme. Do you use any filters?
Hey, Allard. Agreed, a Monochrom camera without a screen like an M10D would be awesome. I did use a filter for some of the shots I included in this video. A yellow filter for my 50 Summilux and an orange filter for the 35 Summicron. Thanks for watching, cheers 🍻
Very cool! It's insane the price of these things have gone up over the last few years! They are like $4,000 now! Would you recommend going with the Leica Q2 Monochrom instead? Those used are similar to this used!!!
Thanks, David. I have not shot the Q2 Mono but I do own an original Q-P. The shooting experiences between the M and the Q are vastly different but as far as the image quality and tonality you’d get with the Q2 Mono, I think it would be very similar to an M Mono. Plus you get additional megapixels and autofocus with the Q if that is what you are after. If I were to do it all over again I would have gone with the Q2 Mono as my dedicated fixed lens B&W only camera and my SL2 for color and adapted M mount lenses. Cheers 🍻
I'd always hoped to try this body... But its trending constantly upwards in price nowadays! I think its officially in the realm of "beloved classic." But.. look at those shots. Its for good reason! I'm super happy with my M240 though, at least. Bit of a gem too.
Thanks, man. I think it's hitting that "classic" status now, you are right. I'm really considering if I should let it go or not, part of me wants to upgrade but I'm still not sure. I loved my M240, the only reason I sold it was to get the 246, it was an amazing camera and definitely a gem. Cheers 🍻
It’s a really great camera. Just be mindful of what you will be giving up (in terms of color) if your choice is to use it as a B camera or more of inspirational, artistic tool then its definitely worth it. Cheers 🥃
@@90sPunkRockCovers would be main camera I guess. I film for a living, so colour enough in other camera’s. But the m240 might also be a good option. They’re just so expensive atm
Yeah, I hear you. A lot of people seem to run into this problem when using this camera (including me). My best solution has been to always to underexpose by about a stop and/or use color filters. The shadow recovery in this camera is amazing coupled with the insane noise performance. Cheers 🍻
Coming from Fujifilm cameras, it's pretty hard for me to justify the investment in Leicas. I really like the build quality and whatnot, but the steep price is not for everybody. Cheers from Brazil!
Thank you for dropping a comment. Yeah, they are definitely pricey and I totally get why people dislike that. You can definitely get the same kind of image quality from a good camera brand and a great lens for half the price of a Leica body. What you won’t get, at least to me is the experience you get from an M system. It’s hard to put it into words, and the craftsmanship of these cameras, again to me are just above anything else I have shot with in the past. Obrigado, cheers! 🍻
Luckily for me this was a second hand camera and didn't pay full price for it. I made the conscious decision to shoot digital black and white for a while which is why I chose to buy this camera.
I forgot to mention that most of these photos were shot using a Leica 50mm Summilux f1.4 ASPH lens with a yellow filter and a few others with a Leica 35mm Summicron f/2.0 ASPH.
I believe this camera is a great alternative to the newer monochromes from Leica. Gorgeous images and the Leica build.
It definitely is, I really love the detail and sharpness of this B&W sensor. Better than a lot of modern cameras in my opinion. Cheers 🥃
@@90sPunkRockCovers I’m working on a car right now and will be purchasing a Leica with the winnings. I think this will be the one I buy. Or maybe the m10-m.
Your pictures are certainly amazing. I love to use my M246 because it instantly puts me into another mode of operation. I look at the scene in terms of light and contrast, not in colours.
Great photos. Love the contrast.
Thank you!
I have an M246 and an ME-240. I am very happy with this combo because I get the best of both - colour and mono. There are times when colour is essential for the image and there are other occasions when colour is just too much information. I can choose the right camera for the image that I want to create. Having two similar M series Leica cameras also means that I can use the same set of lenses interchangeably on each camera body, which is another huge benefit.
But why spend so much money on two cameras when I could just stick with just the ME-240 and convert the colour files to monochrome with editing software? There are a couple of reasons why I consider that it is worthwhile to have both cameras. My first reason for having a monochrome only camera is that the image quality right out of the M246 is better than a converted colour photo. My second reason for keeping the M246 is that when I use an EVF or the liveview screen, I do not have to imagine what the image will look like in monochrome as I would have to do if I was using a camera with a colour sensor - I can see the monochrome image right there before I take the photo, long before I begin editing it with computer software. Being able to see the black and white image that I am creating in the camera before I press the shutter button is a big benefit.
I absolutely agree. The output of the M246 is still astonishing compared to newer cameras. The detail, richness and sharpness of the images was significantly superior to my M240 and even my SL2 which has a bigger sensor. I treated my Monochrom just as you described, my artistic camera when I knew I didn't want to tweak colors or vibrancy, all I wanted was to capture that scene in black and white. Thanks for dropping a comment. Cheers 🍻
You can use the EVF on a m240 and see your image in bw
@@dormir01 yup, I used mine that way when I had one.
Was just out today with my original monochrom. It’s not as technically advanced as the 246, but does the job with a bit of character - that advance sound is endearing, CCD sensor (replaced updated), 18mp is plenty enough for even very large prints, and it’s just fun to use with an ‘endless roll of B&W’ with a very flexible DNG file that is not overwhelming in size.
Nice. I haven't tried an OG Monochrom but everything I've seen and read says its an amazing camera. I would like to try one someday. Cheers 🍻
Excellent photos!
No Monochrom camera for me, although I do get tempted sometimes. Don’t think I can give up colour though. I’ll stick to B&W conversions as needed. Currently using a Q2. Considering an M10 once prices drop a bit more (previously had an M240).
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the photos. I’ve since sold the Mono and got the M11-P but I will be 100% honest with you, I miss the Mono. It was such a fine camera. One of the best cameras I’ve ever owned.
I'm committed to the black and white photography since quiet some time and I don't want to switch back to color but I'm using a Sony Alpha 7 IV.
I was thinking about switching to Leica M for the rangefinder and of course enjoying the limitation black and white only and without excuses. I think this could get my photography to the next level or drive me crazy - who knows. The only topic I'm scared about is the low light performance, do you have more sample pictures on youtube / instagram (...) that I could look at?
And thank you very much for this video. I feel like there are hardly any good reviews / experiences online anymore about this camera.
Glad you enjoyed the review. I’ve made another video of this camera you can check out, I talk a little more about it and show more image samples. I never had any issues with noise using this camera, the grain is very fine and looks a lot like fine grain film. I always felt confident shooting at 6400 for example knowing the noise would look like 800 iso on a color camera. I hope that helps. Cheers 🍻
I have the same m246, it’s a great camera. To me it makes it easier to focus on photographing. Would even be better without the screen to me. I also use a yellow filter with it and have a red one lying around, but that’s a bit to extreme. Do you use any filters?
Hey, Allard. Agreed, a Monochrom camera without a screen like an M10D would be awesome. I did use a filter for some of the shots I included in this video. A yellow filter for my 50 Summilux and an orange filter for the 35 Summicron. Thanks for watching, cheers 🍻
awesome video! I am interested in buying this M monochrom, your video heped a lot! Who is the music by? It is great!
Thanks, man. It’s a fantastic camera. I got the audio from UA-cam music library, I think it’s made my JHS pedals.
Very cool! It's insane the price of these things have gone up over the last few years! They are like $4,000 now! Would you recommend going with the Leica Q2 Monochrom instead? Those used are similar to this used!!!
Thanks, David. I have not shot the Q2 Mono but I do own an original Q-P. The shooting experiences between the M and the Q are vastly different but as far as the image quality and tonality you’d get with the Q2 Mono, I think it would be very similar to an M Mono. Plus you get additional megapixels and autofocus with the Q if that is what you are after. If I were to do it all over again I would have gone with the Q2 Mono as my dedicated fixed lens B&W only camera and my SL2 for color and adapted M mount lenses. Cheers 🍻
I'd always hoped to try this body... But its trending constantly upwards in price nowadays! I think its officially in the realm of "beloved classic." But.. look at those shots. Its for good reason!
I'm super happy with my M240 though, at least. Bit of a gem too.
Thanks, man. I think it's hitting that "classic" status now, you are right. I'm really considering if I should let it go or not, part of me wants to upgrade but I'm still not sure. I loved my M240, the only reason I sold it was to get the 246, it was an amazing camera and definitely a gem. Cheers 🍻
I keep watching videos about the M246 and reading reviews to make my mind ready for trading in the trusty X100s…
It’s a really great camera. Just be mindful of what you will be giving up (in terms of color) if your choice is to use it as a B camera or more of inspirational, artistic tool then its definitely worth it. Cheers 🥃
@@90sPunkRockCovers would be main camera I guess. I film for a living, so colour enough in other camera’s. But the m240 might also be a good option.
They’re just so expensive atm
Owned it and sold it bc the highlights were practically impossible to control. Proper exposure was a nightmare (at least for me).
Yeah, I hear you. A lot of people seem to run into this problem when using this camera (including me). My best solution has been to always to underexpose by about a stop and/or use color filters. The shadow recovery in this camera is amazing coupled with the insane noise performance. Cheers 🍻
Coming from Fujifilm cameras, it's pretty hard for me to justify the investment in Leicas. I really like the build quality and whatnot, but the steep price is not for everybody. Cheers from Brazil!
Thank you for dropping a comment. Yeah, they are definitely pricey and I totally get why people dislike that. You can definitely get the same kind of image quality from a good camera brand and a great lens for half the price of a Leica body. What you won’t get, at least to me is the experience you get from an M system. It’s hard to put it into words, and the craftsmanship of these cameras, again to me are just above anything else I have shot with in the past. Obrigado, cheers! 🍻
Slightly overexposed most of them
Ok.
You don’t spend the money for any monochrome Leica to be “stuck” with monochrome images.
Luckily for me this was a second hand camera and didn't pay full price for it. I made the conscious decision to shoot digital black and white for a while which is why I chose to buy this camera.