$6000 Monochrome Camera: I Was Wrong About This Camera

[@dalvinderbasi3495]

I have just bought the camera, it arrived yesterday. So far so good, I am very impressed with the files from the sensor, especially the transition black and white, subtle transitions in grey areas. By the way, you mentioned the propaganda Soviet posters, what makes you think we were less propagandized at the time, or for that even now. Anyway, that is a separate issue. I really like what I am seeing of the camera at the moment. It is not for everyone, just for the hardcore monochrome fantastics like me. If you are a street shooter and a monochrome nut, then you have hit the jackpot. Very expensive as Leica cameras are, I bought one in reasonably good order second hand. A real expense for me, I don't really have the money for expensive cameras, but there is no other choice. And before someone says that you can always shoot in colour and edit in black and white, that is not the same. For the purposes of not giving a long explanation, I will not explain that here, but there are many places online you can read about this. I previously tried the only other option, that is from one of the main camera manufacturers, Pentax K3 III Monochrome. It was fine, but its files were never rendered anywhere as nice as the files from this camera. That is a DSLR, with a loud shutter and it is APSC. This obviously is mirrorless, full frame and with a leaf shutter. The shutter is so quiet! Also because of the leaf shutter, you can sync flash up to very high shutter speeds, if that matters to you.

[@loamtroopers]

Great video Robbie. Those photos were amazing. Unfortunately, unless you gotten to experience a Leica Monochrome system yourself, videos will never do the camera experience justice. Having used one myself, it’s worth the price to the right users

[@robbiesumantri]

Thank you so much!! Yeah that is why I encourage people to try a monochrome before forming opinions. I did exactly that and I was wrong. People need to try the cameras if only for experiencing another tool in our craft. Thank you for stopping by

[@koobs4549]

I wasn’t planning on getting a monochrome only camera but after experiencing the superior low light/low noise on someone else’s, thats what sold me immediately. When people ask, “why mono?” I show them my images, ask them what they think my shutter & iso was. When I tell them what it actually was, they never believe me & I have to show them the exif data 😂. Once they see how good it is, they understand it more, sure it doesn’t always convince them to go out & get one, but understandably, low light/low noise isn’t the number one priority for many people. I can understand why that trade off still might not be worth it but for me it absolutely was & I am a year in with no regrets. I am also surprised the prices haven’t significantly dropped since the Q3 came out. I paid right around $4200, a year ago & they’re averaging around $4800 still. Of course, if they announce a Q3 mono, that’s going to change but so far it’s been a good investment

[@robbiesumantri]

Yeah I used to think they were pointless before I used them. I have an m11m video planned.. Stay tuned, thank you for watchinh

[@Monochromatic77]

There is something about the m11 monochrome files that gets me closer to a filmic look that I edit less. It’s not just ISO and sharpness. it’s like an endless roll of XP2 for me. Love it!

[@robbiesumantri]

M11 is still my workhorse camera. I just wish they fixed the god damn magenta cast..

[@margarethan]

Tried taking some shots with a Leica M and was completely mindblown. If I had one, it would probably the camera I mostly shoot with (but I don’t). Honestly think when it comes down to Leicas, price tag should be the last thing to consider, or not at all.

[@robbiesumantri]

You’ve basically given your bak account a death sentence when you decide to go for a Leica..

[@Kalama_Llama_King_Kong]

The picture at 9:24!! Wow! Sold me. Gonna save up for this or the M11 mono.

[@robbiesumantri]

Thank you so much!!! I would go for the m11 mono if you have the lenses.. actually, just go for the m11 mono..

[@Kalama_Llama_King_Kong]

@@robbiesumantri I don't have the lenses. Q2 probably gonna.be it. I just was thinking.i might win the lotto for a sec. Lol

[@robbiesumantri]

@@Kalama_Llama_King_Kong Still an awesome camera mate…

[@cargonaut747]

Excellent video!! You made me want to come back to Java to photograph and be around the kindest people

[@robbiesumantri]

Thank you so much. Yes, they are some of the kindest people. 🙏🙏

[@Malick333]

Might be helpful to others ….. I’ve been shooting JPG black and white with RAW color backup for about a year on all my cameras. This has been a good test to see how much I truly prefer B&W over color …………….. 95% of the time I prefer BW even converting the RAW to BW. That said. To get a Monochrome sensor would still be a big jump for me to even try it. I really do love the soul you can get in BW. To me feels more like memories.

[@robbiesumantri]

I really think that is the way to go. You only buy a monochrome camera if you can make the commitment to shoot purely black a white. And a huge commitment when we’re talking about leicas. Thank you for stopping by sir

[@mwales2112]

Wonderful images.. Thanks for sharing..

[@robbiesumantri]

Many thanks

[@malcomjhy]

Amazing review sir. Any thoughts about the dlux8?

[@robbiesumantri]

Thx so much, there aren’t any here yet and I’m way too small to receive a review unit from leica… I’ll do a video on it as soon as possible

[@Randall1875]

Would you do a video on black and white photography on the GR3? Many have this wonderful camera and could benefit from a detailed video on how to get the best results. Thank you for your great content.

[@robbiesumantri]

I’ll see if I can get my hands on one.. Should be doable. Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate it 🙏🙏

[@koobs4549]

@@robbiesumantriI’d be interested in this video too. I have the Q2M & absolutely love it. I have a Ricoh GR iii on order mainly for color, but I do plan on using it for mono too. I would like to delve more into how the color channels can be used in place of filters when editing. It won’t replace my Q2M but it’s always nice to have other options.

[@robbiesumantri]

Yeah I have a few videos in the pipeline once I recover..

[@homecareful]

Excellent, I was enthraled.

[@robbiesumantri]

Thank you kind sir 🙏🙏

[@JaedoTae]

Leica produces one of the best portraits but what about landscapes? Would Ansel Adams ever use Leica for his shots?

[@robbiesumantri]

I think Ansel Adams will produce Ansel Adams photographs no matter what camera you give him. You can technically use any camera to photograph anything. I don’t think there’s a genre of photography printed on any box for any camera or lens. Thank you for stopping by

[@DavidVYoutube]

I think the trade-off for high ISO is not worth it. With color you have more editing possibilities and an easier workflow. You want to make your sky darker adjust your blues, can't do that with this camera. Getting rid of that in order to shoot at higher ISOs and a slightly sharper image is not worth it IMHO.

[@robbiesumantri]

You make a great point about the trade-offs with high ISO and the flexibility of editing color photos. The Leica Q2 Monochrome is definitely a niche camera, and it's true that it's designed for a specific audience and people who choose this camera know exactly what they want. Personally, I would also only consider it if I already had a camera with a color sensor. Having tried the camera, I think I understand both sides of the argument.

[@bensilverman3837]

I respectfully disagree. The latest versions of Lightroom, Photoshop and other software use AI to select sky and objects. AI selections can be refined by intersecting the object selection with luminosity. Refinements can be made using the brush and other tools.

[@robbiesumantri]

Yes, I’m very aware of the capabilities of editing. I predominantly shoot colour photos myself. I assume that David’s point is the availability to be able to export the photos in either colour or monochrome would be worth more than what a monochrome camera offers. I put forward that the ideal situation would be to have both cameras and I think the conversation of value for money is not really relevant when we’re talking about leicas in general.

[@DavidVYoutube]

@@bensilverman3837 okay lets look at grass, whats easier, adjusting the brightness levels of greens, or selecting the grass with masks? What if I want just the yellow parts of the grass to be brighter to emphasis that it was golden hour? Being able to edit your contrast, and brightness levels based off color data is a way more efficient workflow and also allows you the flexibility of better results. Masks are not a replacement for color brightness adjustments, they are supplemental. then throw on top of that the ability to export in color or black and white and you are just punishing yourself when it comes to workflow and flexibility. That punishment isnt worth the extra sharpness or ISO performance in my book. If you don't edit the exposures or dodge/burn your photos as much then your opinion may vary.

[@robbiesumantri]

@DavidVKZbin Ultimately, I think it boils down to the photographer's workflow and personal preference. If someone values the highest possible image quality and enjoys working within the constraints of a monochrome sensor, that trade-off might be worth it for them. For others, the flexibility and ease of use of a color sensor will make more sense. Both approaches have their merits, and it's great that we have the option to choose based on our individual needs and artistic goals.

[@waynethorn7218]

Thanks for a thorough review. Leica takes stunning photographs of but the price is to me unjustifiably expensive.

[@robbiesumantri]

Yeah leica price range is a bit ridiculous especially when we start talking about lenses and accessories. They do perform well, but we can’t deny they are also luxury products. Thank you so much for stopping by 🙏

[@waynethorn7218]

@@robbiesumantri you’re welcome. Some great photos you took there 👍

[@niftyfiftyfilm]

if anything the m10 mono would prob be the best option in my opinion as you have a fantastic lens range and it will be light and fit in a jacket too

[@robbiesumantri]

Yeah I’m torn between the cameras. But, I would probably end up with an M11m at some point because I can share batteries with the m11. Thank you for stopping by

[@bencompson]

I agree that a dedicated monochrome camera can give better results than _simply_ converting a color RAW file. Especially if all you do is desaturate the RAW file which has _never_ been the best way to do that. But there are two problems. First, is that the improvement in results that you get from a monochrome camera are very slight and that advantage is not worth $6000 in anyone's wildest dreams. It's not even worth the difference between the $6000 Leica and a $2000 name-your-brand mirrorless camera. If you have the money and just want a Leica that shoots monochrome then that is great. Not knocking the camera, after all, it is a Leica. Bet let's not try to justify the results vs the cost. Second, if a camera only captures in monochrome and records no color, which is what I am assuming this camera does, a great deal of capability is lost in terms of post processing. (If the color data is in fact recorded then this point is moot.) But, when you capture a RAW color image and convert to black and white, in most (not all) image editors, the color data is still there and you can manipulate that color using all of the available color sliders etc. This allows for tremendous refinement in fine tuning of the image, especially when it comes to blue skies, etc. With the color slider you can adjust luminance and many other parameters of a single color even defining that color precisely with an eye dropper tool. This capability is completely lost if the data is only gray scale. And that makes $6000 look a bit less impressive and maybe even a little silly. It makes me wonder if people have done their homework.

[@robbiesumantri]

Hi, thanks for your thoughtful and comprehensive comment! I completely understand your points and agree that a dedicated monochrome camera is quite a niche product. The key difference with a monochrome camera is that it lacks a color filter array (CFA). A CFA is what allows a camera to capture color information by filtering light into red, green, and blue wavelengths. Without a CFA, each pixel on the monochrome sensor captures pure luminance data, resulting in higher resolution, sharper details, and better low-light performance. That said, it's true that the improvement in image quality might be subtle and not justify the high cost for everyone. It's a tool designed for a specific type of photography enthusiast who values those nuances in image quality and is willing to invest in it. It will never be the value for money nor the most versatile option. I encourage you to keep an open mind and try a monochrome camera if you ever get the chance. The experience might surprise you, and it's always interesting to explore different tools and techniques in photography. Thank you again for watching

[@dothewubwub]

Would be nice if you listed some of the data next the the pictures like ISO, Shutter speed, Depth of field.

[@robbiesumantri]

Ahh will do that next time… I keep forgetting to do that.. thank you for stopping by 🙏🙏

[@mgman6000]

Think of how many rolls of black and white film you could shoot for $6000.😊

[@robbiesumantri]

Try rating any black and white film at iso 12,500 each has it’s time and place..

[@martingreenberg870]

I’m a hobbyist. I can’t imagine paying $6k for a camera. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@robbiesumantri]

I’m quite sure most of the owners of the camera are hobbyists. It’s a luxury product.

[@wartono.]

Kamera yg unik dan menarik, ...

[@robbiesumantri]

Something that needs to be tried to be understood.

[@wartono.]

@@robbiesumantri boleh ikut nyobain bro., pengin tau feel nya seperti apa...

[@robbiesumantri]

Joel has 1 available but these things go out quickly

[@wartono.]

@@robbiesumantri wow... Sudah dikembalikan kah....? Lokasi dimana mas bro robbie....?

[@robbiesumantri]

Sudah, lokasi di Jakarta.

[@ddzang]

? You still did not adequately explain why a monochrome digital camera? Photos are sharp mostly due to the lens! You can make the same bw print with a color Leica! Why? Why? It still drives me nuts that there are people out there who can afford to buy a monochrome Leica just to play around with it for a few hours and then relegating it to the closet. As if the color one is not enough. (Ok, I admit, I am jealous of people who can afford this camera) but still don’t get it. I hope they have a warehouse full of this camera gathering dust.

[@robbiesumantri]

I think I did. You get an unfiltered sensor. The CFA cuts about one stop of light and takes away a lot of clarity and sharpness. Why a monochrome camera? No reason apart from the fact that they like it. The fact is, it’s a huge commitment to shoot nothing but monochrome and most people will choose a colour sensor for options. Only the niche within the niche will choose to shoot purely monochrome. As for a warehouse full of this camera collecting dust, not really. Monochrome cameras are probably the fastest selling cameras in the second hand market. So the real answer to why a monochrome camera? For most people, it’s simply “I like it at the moment.”

[@gamebuster800]

A digital sensor has some amount of megapixels, but unlike a pixel as considered by your computer (which is "RGB", 3 subpixels per pixel), a camera sensor's pixel is sensitive to one color. A camera sensor has no subpixels. It uses smart algoritms to combine the pixels to create shapes and lines. This demoasic process isn't flawless. Instead, it is actually subject to many subtle flaws. Furthermore, a sensor is natively sensitive to any color, even colors we cannot see (IR & UV). Most cameras are equipped with IR and UV cut filters, only letting visible light through. Additionally, COLOR sensors are equipped with color filters. For every 4 pixels, there's two sensitive to green, one to blue and one to red. All other colors are filtered. So not only is roughly one stop of light just filtered away by the color filters, you also throw away detail to get color. A monochrome sensor has up to 4 times the resolution and gather twice the amount of light. Twice the amount of light means less noise, resulting in a cleaner image. Camera lenses show imperfections because of the way they handle different color waves. Red light is rendered different from blue light. These imperfections are different per color. For a black & white sensor, these imperfections are smoothed out and equalized over all pixels, so you get a cleaner image. So: - Sharper because there's no demoasic process - Sharper because there is no color filter - Sharper because the lens imperfections matter less - Sharper because there's less noise (because more light is gathered) Do you need one stop of light and a bit more detail? I don't know, that's up to you :) But 6K for such a specialist piece of art is totally a fair price.

[@ddzang]

@@gamebuster800 thank you for the explanation….this makes a lot more sense for this camera.

[@koobs4549]

I couldn’t bring myself to pay over MSRP for an X100V & someone suggested the Q2. I had never planned on getting the Q2 Monochrome & also felt like it was a solution in search of a problem. It was not the monochrome capability that ultimately sold me on this camera, it was the low light capabilities & the low noise. I cannot overstate to you how good it is, I have never come across a better low light camera, it’s game changing. I’ve never needed a tripod, I can shoot at night, handheld with no struggle whatsoever. I’m also able to push the ISO much further than comparable cameras but the noise levels are several stops lower. Once I experienced it, I knew this was the camera for me. I am currently on a waitlist for B&H for a Ricoh GR iii & feel it will serve my color needs perfectly. I may try out a used Q3 one day if the supply/prices ever come down. If you don’t need or care about low light/low noise photography, I can understand not seeing a purpose but for me that was everything.

[@TheGazmondo]

Six grand isn’t making itself obvious in this video, sorry !

[@robbiesumantri]

If it’s value for money you’re looking for, I don’t think we’ll ever find it in any leica. I think you can get a lot of very good setups with 6 grand. Or a leica.. Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate it