Each pixel on the CCD corresponds to each pixel in the output. I expected rich tonality and delicate lines and the prototype Leica M Monochrom got me what I had expected. I was particularly amazed by the rich and beautiful tonality. I previewed my first shot on the LCD and immediately wanted to use softer lenses because the tonal beauty. So, I put the APO-SUMMICRON-M 2/50 ASPH. (that I had borrowed with the camera) back to my bag, and instead I mounted an old lens. I was curious to see how my favorite lens for film photography performs on this camera.

( Photo & Text : K )

This is the Noctilux F1.0 (the first version). There is a dramatic light falloff. The lowpass-less M9-P is extremely sharp and bokeh is film-like, but this M Monochrom is even more film-like. Needless to say, the Noctilux has an extremely thin depth of focus wide open, but subjects out of focus still have outlines because of massive bokeh. This would be hard to realize with the M9-P because the bokeh gets rounded (or enlarged, I would say). Meanwhile, if someone shows a picture taken with the M Monochrom saying (lying) "I took this with a film," I would almost nod without a doubt. I never mean to praise films, but I would just nod and be convinced because I have just used them for a long time.

I underexposed by quite a bit to check how the shadow is realized. I shot JPGs only because it was a prototype, but I found a tonality in the seemingly all black area once I raised the tone curve on my PC screen. So, I wanted to check the DNG data ASAP. Anyway, I feel that their JPG data has been mellowed these days. Do you remember you only wanted to shoot DNGs with the idyllically peaceful M8?

With this rich tonality, you can overexpose silver subjects to a considerable degree, or of course, you can underexpose significantly. I get good results from many digital cameras when I shoot either over or under, but look at the results in this moderate exposure in the flat lighting.

Actually, I took a similar shot with the APO-SUMMICRON-M 2/50 ASPH. I think for portraits it would be better to use a lens like this because of the camera's spectacular resolution. Or, I could photograph men using the razor sharp lens stopping down and a flash just from one side. Together with the rich tonality, I think it will produce a stunning picture. This is something I want to do it in the future.

Next I mounted the SUPER WIDE HELIAR 15mm, the sharpest among the series of Voigtlander lenses. The output is beyond description - I don't think a 35mm film can achieve it. This lens draws a hard picture, but with this camera it brings a nice tonality from highlight to deep shadow. So, I guess this lens matches the camera. But anyway, it's so sharp that I feel pain in my eyes.

This camera has an ideal sensor. Instead, it's a monochrome. If you still want it, I don't need to go any further. In my case, the M Monochrom made me rethink how a sensor should be.

It's fun to shoot in Ginza before streetlamps are lit. But I found that this camera's rangefinder doesn't match the lens (a common thing for RF cameras) - it focused to the point that I didn't intend to. Still, I love how the glasses are drawn.

This is just a trivial shot, but I couldn't stop smiling when I saw the texture of the stainless and stone materials.

Because of the rich tonality, details won't be lost even shot with an extreme exposure. For example, if you shoot over by two stops with other cameras, the contrast and details would be lost. But, on this camera, you don't have to worry about it. I think this camera offers me the way of shooting that I was familiar in the film photography. For example, I could flash to the white wallpaper to get pure white background. Well, this is another thing I want to try next time.

No matter what anyone says, those who like this camera will want it. We can get black and white photography by converting color output to grayscale and we can still get great results with modern digital cameras. So, you want this camera if you need something even better. And, it's always nice to have more choices and of course you can get it if you pay the equivalent value. I used it only for two hours, now as I look at the images on the screen, I really want to take more time shooting with this camera. It's fun to play with many Leica M lenses, but I wonder if they install this sensor in SLR cameras. Anyway, this is a camera that made me want to shoot forever. More reports will be coming up later!