Dameon wrote:
I could really use your opinions here, as I've been trying a different way of processing my B&W images.
The first image is a more traditional conversion with SEP. The second image is processed using HDR Efex Pro, with single-image tone mapping.
To which one are you more drawn?
Jeremy, #1 has more gradual and even tones, while #2 is contrasty (aka Tri-X or pushed processed). Very different and in this case, I think go with your gut feeling? I like both but I think many will prefer #1.
Charles, amazing pics! Can you share you secrets to post processing? Capture One Pro? I am so entrenched into LR3 that i hope i don't have to change PP workflow anytime soon but if the IQ is substantially better using something else, I just might go with the change!
Hi Charles,
Seems my 90 APO is putting my m9 throw it's paces - this lens is amazing but super challenging to get right with f2 especially.
You posted this a while back "Love the 90 Cron It is an amazing lens. Yes, test it fully, and you should be getting about 90 - 95 % keepers with good technique. The M9 and 90 Cron, must be accurately calibrated as there is a lot less leeway for error. If you are not getting the hit rate, send the lens and M9 to a service centre to be sync'ed. Although the M9 maybe fully in spec as per Leica's master calibration, but you may miss focus marginally at MFD, as the lens may just need to be tweaked within the focus zone without affecting the mid to far distances."
I did not notice it with my other lenses was the DOF was not so shallow. With the 90 APO, it was soon quite clear that my shots of subject beyond 7m was backfocussing a little. AFter acquiring a Megaperls magnifiers, i could see that the focusing patch on my m9 at infinty is misalgined so i did the allen key tweak and managed to align it Since then focussing from 7 m onwards, i get really sharp shots. But with MFD and close shots, i get front focussing. I think it's time for a trip to Solns....
Thanks Juano for the confirmation. That was my guess, and a lens on my wish list, though we'll see what the replacement version brings.
Jeremy - I can see where you are going with #2 but don't like how the periphery of the image has been lightened. For me it needs darkening/vignetting to pull the eye back to the subject's face. What is your typical processing routine now? If you like the HDR look, you can pull that off to some degree in Lightroom through use of the fill light and clarity sliders tweaked with the curves tool.
Ryan - Thanks. Very nice set and #2 and 5 stand out for me.
Charles - keep this up and you'll have documented everyone in town- very nice!
Joe - granted, stadium events are a whole other area of concern. Really like the last in the colour set and #3 in the B&W.
Luka - excellent set as usual. Your B&W technique seems to have become more dramatic lately.
KL, that is what I fear will be the case with my M9. At the moment I'm only using it with 35mm and wider and f/2.8 and slower, usually stopped down. When I picked up the CV15 I tried the CV 35 f/1.4 and everything wide open was front focused. I noticed the same thing when I tried the CV50 f/1.1 a couple months ago.. I hope to pick up the ZM50 f/2 this week, so if it's happening with that lens as well, there's a pretty good chance it's the camera.
I shot an event yesterday and used two Canon 1D bodies and the M9. It worked pretty well all together. I still am not at a point where I could confidently give up the DSLRs.. they're just so much more responsive. But there were times when the AF combined with the 16-35 messed up, so this is definitely an area where I feel more confident using the M9. I just wish the RAW buffer was more than 4 frames at high ISO (yes, my usual beef with the camera).
Thanks a lot ... Ryan, Joe, Doug, Phil, KL, Luka and Ron
Ryan, great shots! I am really liking the 35 Cron
Joe excellent shots! Love that 35 Lux
Daemon, definitely no: 1. Excellent portrait.
KL, yes I am a convert to C1 Pro. The PP are very simple, nothing special. All I can suggest is to try it, and see if it agrees with you. The more time I spend with the program, the more I realize just how quick the work flow is.
Sorry about the 90 Cron I would suggest to send the lens back, but of course making sure the M9 is 100% correctly calibrated first. There are many non linear calibration setting for the M9.
Luka, superb B&W shots! I really like the conversions too. Great compositions
Ron, yes some people are yet to be documented Very nice shots.
Doug, nice comparison
Ryan, great shots with the 50 Lux II
Joe, excellent shots. Love the 35 Lux rendering
hey, nice shots Ryan. the brick row houses a fav. The cannon shot too, really sweet.
M9/35 Cron ASPH
Thank goodness tomorrow I get new eyelet hooks from BH so I can put a decent neopreme strap on my M9, this factory one the rubber mounts come loose frequently, and then you have loose metal to likely scratch camera! I have not even looked to survey damage this stupid design has done. It's come loose at least 6-8 times on me, or more, I lost count. I also get a shoulder pad for my Billingham-Hadley. Not their brand, not 40 bucks worth. $10.00 National Geographic ones. I got 2 for 20. It's not that I need the stress relief, but rather it helps positioning of bag. I also ordered a Giottos LCD protector. Weill, I been using a Crumpler shoulder pad temporarily, but it is designed for a wider strap really.
Ryan, #2 is really nice with the reflections and the lighting. It was crowded in pockets, but I like to get in really close for my street shots, the 28Cron keeps calling
Doug, I haven't had problems with the factory straps, actually like them because the plastic is supposed to protect from scratching the camera. I normally sling the camera across and prefer that it doesn't have the rubber grip though.
M9 90 Tele-Elmarit (you guys can calibrate your whites on this shot )
nice set too with ho hum lux. 
I would suggest to send the lens back, but of course making sure the M9 is 100% correctly calibrated first. There are many non linear calibration setting for the M9.
