GEAR TALK - Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 and Color Filters

Using color filters to effect the toning and contrast in the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 DNG's was one of the things that intrigued me the most about the camera. Similar black & white results can be accomplished in a raw editor or Photoshop with a color DNG file from the Leica M-P (Typ 240), but I have always wondered how consistent those color-to-black-&-white conversions are compared to actual black & white film. Prior to the Leica Monochrom, I never used black & white film with color filters. In fact, my last "film" picture was ~1995, so this is all new territory (for me). Whether a black and white result is accomplished via SilverFX or monochrome camera is probably trivial, but I do like the 'manual-ness' of the Leica M, and the using color filters reinforces the manual user experience.

During the past couple weeks the color filters have trickled in from B&H. Between rainy days there have been some random backyard test shots to gauge how much one color filter effected contrast vs another color vs no filter. Amongst green, yellow, orange and red, the B+W MRC #25 red filters seemed the most interesting, so this past weekend when the rain finally retreated with some grand clouds following in pursuit, I headed towards downtown with a set of red filters. Driving towards downtown proved to be a tactical error. As I was heading south, the clouds were going northeast - so with a 180º change of direction the chase began. I really wanted some test shots with cloudy skies because the red filters were supposed to make the clouds so "dramatic". The following are some comments / observations while snapping shots over the course of the afternoon -

• Dialing in Exposure:  After each click I reviewed the histogram to make sure the exposure had the histogram pushed as far right as possible without any significant highlight clipping. Exposure settings varied considerably from shot to shot because of the moving clouds and changing light - adjusting exposure compensation (using A mode) was needed for almost every image.
• Focus Shift:  A red filter shifts when red vs blue light hits the sensor, thus causing focus shift. Whether F2 or F16, focus is shifted - this is not an aperture centric focus shift. For those who have shot using IR filters, compensating for focus shift is nothing new. Since focus is shifted forwards (significantly), focusing via RF is almost pointless. Using live view and/or the EVF is the best alternative. It is no wonder that film shooters were using F16 - massive DOF was their best defense.

• Dramatic Results:  A red filter might be a bit heavy handed as a general purpose filter. In bright sunlight the red filter works well. In partial or diffused sunlight, the red filter usually results in a very dark image. Yellow has little impact and seems to offer little value. Thus, a Yellow-Orange filter might be a happy Goldilocks zone for a general purpose filter. Note - focus shift will be an issue with any color filter; though, probably to a lesser degree with yellow or orange vs a red filter.
• Good Light:  Whether color or black & white, good light is good light. When the light goes flat, the "wow" of the filters goes flat too. In cloudy conditions where there is no direct sunlight, I doubt there is much benefit (of using filters).

Between checking focus, the histogram and tweaking exposure compensation - it was a highly iterative day. Since the pictures were essentially static landscapes, the try-try-and-try-again mode of operation was not as bothersome as it may sound. Back home I loaded the DNGs on a retina MacBook Pro. On the M-246's rear display the images looked okay, but I was having doubts while taking the pictures. On the MacBook display - WOW! For the first time in 10+ years I did all the adjustments in C1 - no Photoshop. To my eye the pictures have a great black & white look. Could I replicate the results with a Leica M10-P or Sony A7rIII? Maybe, but it would take alot of editing. I doubt I could match the look exactly, but maybe the general aesthetic.

That said, using the red filter produced some outcomes which run completely contrary to my editing tendencies. When converting color DNGs to black & white, I blindly stumble around in SilverFX, Exposure, C1 and Photoshop. While a result is yielded, whether the result authentic / faithful to a real film-based shot with a red filter is an entirely different matter. With a native monochrome camera the "black & white" part is done - there is nothing to ponder. And just like film, I am using filters at the time of capture to alter contrast. I feel the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 images are more authentic (to black & white film) in terms of their look.

At the risk over-hyping a piece of gear, the Leica Monochrom M Typ 246 is the first piece of camera gear that has exceeded my expectations in a long time.