Digital BW, The Print

I think I'd be inclined to say thanks but no thanks.  Having gotten used 
to my infinitely variable color/density contrast filter in software, 
which is also independent of the lens front thread diameter, I can't 
imagine going back to a 6-pack of fixed density, single size color 
contrast filters.  Even back when I could take along a set of Leica 
lenses that all had the same front thread diameter it was a nuisance to 
swap 'em, so I tended to put on a yellow or orange and leave it there.  
Why would I want to go back to that?

Leave it to Leica, though.  If somebody can think it up, they'll 
probably give it a try.  (Anybody besides me think the Visoflex was a 
pretty neat device?)

Cheers,
Kip

Paul wrote:
>  
>
> I thought a generalized topic like this might be of interest here.
>
> One of the news stories that has been a major topic of discussion in 
> the Leica groups is the soon to be released dedicated B&W Leica -- the 
> Leica "Monochrom" or "Leica MM." See 
> http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/m_monochrom/ for the 
> usual Leica information and hype. It's basically an M9 with the Bayer 
> (and all?) color filters removed from the M9's 18 MP CCD sensor. (Note 
> there was never an AA or diffusion filter over the sensor on the Leica.)
>
> Putting aside the the usual questions of whether Leicas, in general, 
> are worth the money, whether a grayscale digital camera is an 
> improvement for those of us who do mostly B&W seems like an 
> interesting question.
>
> There is certainly going to be some increase in sharpness, but I, 
> personally, don't think I'd give up the advantages of variable color 
> filtration and superior selection by color range that an RGB original 
> image offers.
>
> In addition to the sharpness increase, there would also be a reduction 
> in shadow or low light noise, at least in many circumstances. However, 
> in working up my latest B&W landscapes, I found that the green 
> channel, with contrast enhanced, could be used to achieve a lower 
> noise sky than the red filtered channel by itself. So, would a single 
> red filter over the B&W camera really provide a lower noise sky? 
> Leica, you can send a test camera to me if you'd like! ;-)
>
> For those who are predominantly B&W shooters (aside from occasional 
> color snapshots), which would you take if someone offered you a 
> same-make, etc. B&W or color version of your favorite digital camera?
>
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>
> 


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