Fuji vs Leica, who does black and white best? Monochrome blind test

[@alex.mathioudakis]

First things first, a HUGE thanks for doing these tests. It requires a lot of time, patience and planning on your side, but believe me, it is invaluable to us. Your work guys is massively appreciated, please know that. Now, as for the results, I come away with three conclusions. First, I have been right all along, Acros is such a great simulation, and you can tell this in almost every image. Secondly, I really like Leica Monochrom's results, but I know I will never be able to afford one- but it's ok, because there is Acros. Third, film is and remains something so truly special, there's just something about its results that digital has (still) not been able to replicate

[@teranantatero]

To my eyes, D picks up the most details than the rest

[@jbradleyhorn]

I picked B every time.

[@metocvideo]

Dry interesting comparisons, I also chose the Leica Monochrome, BUT..... the M3 with the Delta did not really get a fair shot. The exposures looked under in most cases, especially the interior shots. The digital cameras could vary the iso of the “film” there were using, the M3 was stuck on 100. Delta 100 does not give its best in dim light anyway, and if I was stuck in the situation of having to shoot iso 100 of any brand indoors I would alter the development of the film accordingly. The M3 with Delta 100could have done a lot better, but I am not complaining. A very good test, please do more like this!

[@wilkbor]

I was impressed with how well Fuji did relative to the Leica.

[@JimyLynn]

I chose A and B, consistently. I shoot Canon, but really like the Fuji.

[@w.harrison7277]

I chose C consistently with A and B close behind and I know nothing about photography.

[@os8544-k6z]

I'm really relieved. In the color comparison I mostly choose the Leica pictures. But this time it was Fuji all the way through. I'm very happy about that being a Fuji shooter myself.

[@robifleming]

I’m an X-T3 user and surprised how close they were. The Leicas were sharper but were they really $5000 sharper??

[@Azn_Bran]

My thoughts exactly, they were definite winners but not $5000 winners lol!

[@TheEPROM9]

Thing is when you get to this level of cameras you hit the laws of diminshing returns. That is why I am sticking with my Fuji X-T1. The extra resolution of the X-T2/3 would be nice. But no way in hell I would be able to justify the cost. Apart from the film on E it was really hard to spot any diffrence. Although you can get B/W film that offers more contrast than my X-T1 one wich I love & stick in my Nikon FE2 50mm f1.8. Just take both cameras out & get the best of both, or pop the Nikon lens on the Fuji.

[@Burps___]

Blinded, I chose the Fuji every time. LOL I guess I don't have $5k vision. 👁 👁

[@kurtx]

After you shoot 10k shots, the question becomes: The Leicas were sharper but were they really $.5 sharper??

[@robifleming]

@@kurtx agreed! After recently watching videos on the new Q2 monochrome I really feel like it may be the best camera ever made…. Being able to shoot usable photos at 100,000 iso??? Incredible!

[@AbdonPhirathon]

Holy crap! I thought Leica would do better, but I only picked one Leica shot. Everything else was X-T3 + Acros.

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

very interesting!

[@EDHBlvd]

Abdon Phir'athon weird because the X-T30 wasn’t even used in this comparison.

[@AbdonPhirathon]

Rediscover Film It was a typo, I meant the X-T3. I'll edit it now.

[@jamesquinn6874]

Look at prints. Different story

[@timtsai4698]

thank you so much for putting this together; amazing work. I am happy that I passed and chose C & D as my favorite for half and half, which means Im ready to finally switched over to monochrom leica now haha. thank you again

[@MrRoyGS]

C and D. The detail and sharpness of both is just amazing. However, I love my X-T2, shoot raw, choose Acros + Red filter and essentially get similar tonality as the Leica except the sharpness SOOC. Pretty happy with my Fujifilm setup!

[@JsBlazIN]

Hey I'm new to photography in general and have a x-h1. Wanted to ask you what exactly do you mean by red filter and how do you apply it in order to get that effect you mentioned ? Please if you could help thank you so much

[@chillcopyrightfreemusic]

I loved this comparison, it was so fun! Took it as a challenge and paused to really look. I was nervous about the results but guessed them all correctly. So close the average person wouldn't notice most definitely, aside from the film shots of course. Lovely video just subscribed.

[@yetanotherbassdude]

My biggest takeaway from this was just how little there was in it between the Fujis and the Leicas. Maybe the Leicas edge it out side by side, and if that's worth it to some people then that's OK, but the Acros profile on the Fuji looks incredible to me and I'm more than happy with it on mine (though I might need to look at that 23mm lens...)

[@zguy95135]

D (Monochrome classic) was consistently my favorite, with the newer Monochrom and the Acros profile as second and third. The classic Monochrom has really nice tones and the sky renders differently.

[@as616]

When I saw the images, it was woohoo, I can save some money; I can stop lusting after an M3. But once I saw the results, it was darn, now I want a Type 246. Thanks for the video.

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Haha. Yup

[@FiveHundredYearsAgo]

Don't worry, go for the M3. Nothing beats black and white film.

[@kahnjugaming]

I picked images a and b, and I've been planning to buy that camera. This sealed the deal.

[@thomasjames7644]

I picked C and D. In the first photos you can see the extra tones in the tar and the street. Also the truck photos you can see the extra tones when looking at the rust on the door.

[@bri3fcas3]

For my untrained eye, all of them almost looked the same except the film camera. I like the result of the Type 246 most but I also like the film grain from the delta 100.

[@shearprzeslica87]

Of course you could edit the jpeg profile in the Fuji and add grain to the film simulation but I agree the real film grain always looks more pleasing!

[@ernestlesmana7011]

I picked D every time. That beautiful film like result from CCD sensor is unbeatable in the digital field!

[@hoorayforpentax3801]

I would be interested to know how exposure was determined. Were the digitals set to ISO 100 to match the film? How closely did their meters agree? Was one camera chosen as the reference standard and all others shot at the same shutter speed and aperture (where the lenses were capable of it)? etc.

[@olegpetroff5412]

Preferred D every time. Better contrast and very analog feeling. Thought it's 246.

[@UrbanoModa]

This is a powerful test and insight, nice to see some clear sense and thought process behind this. It's probably worth noting that Acros came with ever FujiFilm X mount camera, even the ones that didn't feature the Acros Film simulation. Like the XT1 and XT20 etc etc. Across was just a defined preset by mixing the right contrast, highlight and tones which anyone can do in the Fuji menus. I typed This only to help those that rant and get upset because they want across in thier fujifilm. Gotta be honest, the results had me fooled, I got the wrong results but this also pleased me because I realised there wasn't much in it besides cleaner iso on the TV screens and darker contrasts in D or E. Too me it's a brilliant comparison idea, and should make everyone realise its always going to be about the user not the gear hype and price tags or trends. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@Dahrenhorst]

A comparism to the monochrome mode of the Olympus Pen F would be interesting ...

[@arsulaksono881]

i like the B and D profile. Now i'm curious if all Fuji has Across profile....?

[@roarkshsha]

The cafe shot and the portrait is where I noticed the Leica advantage. The others were difficult to tell apart. Then again I'm viewing this on my 2013 iPad. It would be nice to see some large prints ( 2 to 3 feet ). Did you edit any of the RAW files from the Fuji? I wonder if the difference would be narrowed? Thanks.

[@r3dwheel]

Beautiful shots. Did you change anyting like highlight tone, shadow tone etc in the fujifilm simulations or it was full natural (everything 0) ? Thank you 🤝🏾📸

[@GONZOFAM7]

I liked B and C the most B edging it out. Were the film shots just underexposed?

[@Marco.fm.73]

Nice comparison. I picked the M3 with each picture except for the cracked car window where they all look very similar. If I paused the video, I'm sure I'll see the differences but I wanted to choose by heart/feel so I let the video run. I haven't seen all your videos, but is there going to be a b&w M8 and b&w Ricoh GRiii comparison with Fuji and Leica Mono?

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

It gets expensive to make these. If I had a good way to get my hands on a GRiii I would. Not sure though

[@Marco.fm.73]

@@AndrewGoodCamera attention Pentax/Ricoh! Give this channel a chance, pretty please with sugar on top. 👍👍

[@stephanschmidt2334]

Could you add a section to your video descriptions with what the video was shot? Thanks!

[@heisenburger7044]

One of my dream cameras is the Leica M8. But is it worth the risk? I keep asking myself that question.

[@jeffdrew625]

I expected Fuji to prevail given their color science etc., but then I reran the clip a few times and my old eyes thought all good! I shoot Delta 100 and still think in analog. *sigh* Thx for the show; thx to KEH; subbed!

[@karlwalters3763]

What was the noise settings in the Fujis? Looks like you had noise suppression on by way of slight waxy skin in the portrait, and soft edges in the details. Turn it all the way down and the details will pop. Interesting upload, thanks!

[@EDHBlvd]

You guys and KEH are killing it with these videos. Thank you!!

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

:) Thanks man

[@sphaera3809]

Both Leica and Fuji results were excellent IMO, the M3, well, it just shows how far we’ve come. But both Fuji and Leica have a signature, I think Fuji feels more natural and Leica hyper detailed. I like them both... I think the best combo would be a Leica M lens on a Fuji body if you can live without autofocus. PS: all my observations were based on what I could perceive on my iPhone 12 screen. Thank you for taking the time to put those together.

[@petersymes8467]

Loved it! I picked the Fuji Across 4 of the groups and Leica Mono 246 for the other 2. Very happy with my XT3 and I can't wait for the new XPro3 photocentric camera to arrive.

[@chumleyk]

CCD vs CMOS. Panchro vs Mono sensor. Fuji vs Leica color science. The differences are only found in specific scenarios. Therefore, in most applications, there is little discernable difference. e.g. extremes of lighting; the monochrome sensor is superior in extremely low light.

[@matthew937]

i have been shooting Monochrome on my fuji xe3 for a while, in this test i prefered the Across over all of the images. Looks like im going to be switching my camera film profile! Thank you for doing this.

[@andrear1267]

hello I have a xt3 and I like to take black and white photos, I have tried various recipes but I can't find the right setting to emulate a good black and white, kindly would you have any suggestions? Thank you Andrew

[@j.d.ripper4632]

During the "film" days did we not use R/Y/G filters to create effects to the Black and White film? Do we not still need those colors? if you remove color and only use an B/W sensor. I would think you lose an amount of creativity. Those things you can manipulate to achieve optional results.

[@MikeKGullion]

What would be better for black and white photography: a full-frame monochrome sensor in which each photosite gathers info on brightness or a 100 mp medium format panchromatic sensor? Or, in other words, what's better for B&W: a Leica Monochrome or a Hasselblad X2D?

[@fredrikwardhoff]

Hahahah.. i was all in to A and B, and what do you know? I’m a X shooter. 🤓 Thanks for sharing. //freddie

[@Fluterra]

What you only get with the Leica M is the special workflow. You won’t understand it unless you have shot with an M. I sold my M6 and went with several models of Fuji and Nikon, but none could replicate the feeling of creating images that only an M can provide. It really is night and day. But a used one if you can’t, or won’t, afford a new M - there’s nothing like it. Fuji doesn’t come close.

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

I've shot with plenty of Leicas and it is a wonderful experience. I certainly can agree. But I'm also super lazy and sometimes really I just want the camera to do the autofocus work :) Otherwise, I'd be totally with you.

[@bardofhighrenown]

My favorite was the Lecia M3 by far and away, but knowing it was the film camera I decided to pick a favorite digital image as well and as a Fuji shooter I was really happy to discover that my second place pick was the Fuji with the Acros which has become a staple of my photography recently

[@carlomac]

The film camera obviously needed to be metered differently (for the shadows) than the digital cameras, was it?

[@SaturnNyne]

I'm stunned by how wrong I was. My guess, in order of general preference, was: B and D: The Monochroms A: Acros C: Fuji Mono. So my jaw dropped when I learned I'd picked the Acros and classic Monochrom as nearly tied for favorite and the newer Monochrom in last. I'm a Fuji shooter but mostly use vintage Leica lenses, and I'm generally not that impressed with my own Fuji BWs and tend to prefer the Leica look, so I didn't see this coming.

[@misterhoeflak]

Wow, Ilford Delta... that was my go-to film when I was a fine arts student a million years ago. Did I just get a whiff of fixative? I could pick out the film shots easily, but the others were a challenge!

[@shifteleven]

For me, what I picked depended on what I was looking for. If I was measuring the amount of detail, I would pick the Leica - it was easy when I put the screen to my face :). But for feeling, I found myself liking the Fuji a lot of the times. I thought I would have been an Across purist, but I liked some of the standard monochrome. Now there is one other option you could do, try everything out with a GFX 50r 😈. So for me, in this test, I think my takeaway is the same as your lesson on Bokeh - clients are not going to notice. Like, maybe they would notice a side-by-side - but not if you just put it in from of them and asked "is this good?".

[@nakleh]

The 246 is definitely the sharpest, especially on the portraits. But unless you are looking at 100%, they are all very compatible (except the film, which I don’t think was scanned properly in the first place)

[@AntPDC]

I wonder what the result would have been had you included a conventional B&W converted image from a DSLR/mirrorless.

[@WandelLander]

I kept picking D, preferring the slightly boosted mids/shadows. Until we got to the portrait. To me, the skin on A and B had a more organic feel than D and C. Very nice little comparison, and interesting to see what other people in the comments prefer as well

[@syanshih1268]

Same! Probably just too much details, and on the other hand Fuji by default applies NR, which probably smoothed out the skin.

[@airi6591]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce this. 👏👏Monochrome is fun and challenging

[@anthonymiller8979]

I have the original "classic" m Monochrom and find it does best about 2/3 stop underexposed to help preserve the highlights and then you can adjust the shadows in post to recover them

[@ibo97x]

are the results on the x100v similar to the xt3? or is it not as good for black and white ? planning to buy one...

[@brandonlook]

FWIW, I pretty consistently chose D, B, C, in that order; but it was always close. I love Fuji and its Acros simulation, but not its normal Monochrome setting. And as another person noted, I don't think you had your best outing with the M3 and Delta 100, so that wasn't much of a comparison. -- Thanks for doing this comparison!

[@Endogamy]

I got the Leica classic and Fuji across distinguishable photos right.

[@paulthomas8986]

For those who say they can not tell a difference look at 9:04 and compare to 9:14. The Leica monochromatic renders a ton more detail and tonality. I would love it if Fuji made a monochromatic camera that was actually affordable. It would be hands down the best price for performance camera on the market. Thanks for taking the time to make this video comparison. Love my Fuji xt2 but it does not even come close to a true monochromatic camera.

[@ConnorRoss]

The diffrence is truly meaningless to the art, only a hardware geek pixle peeper would care. Not saying being a pixl peeper is bad but you can hardly tell side by side, a photo by itself would be impossible to tell. Howeve low light is going to be much better on the Type 246.

[@paulthomas8986]

@@ConnorRoss Actually the new technology in the processor has improved iso performance on the new 40mp M10. It performed better in low light than the previous 24mp model. The information comparing them is out there if you look. Meaningless to the art is your subjective opinion. Fact is a true monochromatic camera gathers more detail and tonality than a color sensor. It also gathers more light and will be cleaner at higher iso vs a color sensor.

[@ConnorRoss]

@@paulthomas8986 I had the ISO improvements in my original comment but re-posted and forgot to add it back in, the low light is indeed incredible. The "tonality" though just seems light a flashy buzz word, I cannot for the life of me see any meaningful diffrence. I cannot see any more detail or range in the photos. If one is to understand what "tonality" is; which is a 100% made up word when it comes to imaging, people need to start using more verbs. Otherwise its just a buzz word aimed to add justification beyond low light performance. When people start using fictitious language with no explanation it only tells me there is nothing there.

[@kulajon]

How about throwing in Pentax k3 3 monochrome just for chucks and giggles?

[@Azn_Bran]

For me D won by a long shot followed by C. I saw A got second place for me in the portrait but it was still beaten by D. Not surprised that Leica dominated this thing.

[@CollectiveMindz]

As a XPro2 user and M240 user I have always been jealous of the quality and lack of ISO noise on a Typ246. Bit I definitely can't justify the cost of another camera body! M240 is a great shooting experience that tickles my fancy. Fuji gets the job done fast, efficiently and with great results. I like shooting both. :)

[@paulszilard1685]

Am I correct that for the Leica Mono kit, you could buy a Fuji GFX kit? Then shoot mon/acros simulation with full digital colour "filter" correction, and also have the luxury of a 104Mpx medium format colur camera. That would be MY choice! Thanks for a great review though! I would love the same comparisons made but with a GFX100s.

[@videoguyla]

I have several Lumix cameras and find the Monochrome modes very pleasing. Sorry you haven't tested the GH5/G9 or GX9 which have several monochrome modes with grain options.

[@c.c4330]

Great video. I picked mostly C & D... First time purchasing from KEH and ordered a 23mm f1.4 for my x-t2. Your promo discount code still works and I was able to save $36!! I’m glad I read the description. I’m just hoping the lens is not damaged or in bad shape and I can continue to buy from them in the future. Thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

I would have thought that I would like the 246 the most but in this blind test I consistently chose A and D most of the time. Cool comparison. Thank you 👍🏻

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Thanks! Been enjoying your videos as well

[@TheMPhotography]

@@AndrewGoodCamera thanks a lot. Glad you like them as well. I truly enjoy your channel.

[@mtollin2002]

It was fairly clear to me C=D > A=B > E. I'm a bit shocked at E film coming in last place. Was exposure ok? Film is usually great and contrasty in B&W. The shots here had NO dynamic range. Weird. Great video though!

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Film was underexposed

[@ngianco1]

I was really hoping I wouldn't pick Leica, but C was my first choice in all but one image (My second choice for almost every image was B). Maybe one day, when I retire.

[@mariuschagoury5663]

Thank you for doing test like these, they are helpful to a lot of people. I could not help but realize the that film shots were underexposed, some even close to 2 stops. Did you rate at 100 ISO? Did you match settings after metering with digital cameras? Maybe your developper does not give true speed (HC110 maybe?) I was really surprised with the film results, they can be much better when exposed right, and contrary to digital, it is better to err on the side of overexposure than underexposure. Great work and thank you for the comparison.

[@kennyvo1152]

Scored all of the different cameras in the test 1. B Fuji XT3 Acros (picked first everytime) 2. D Leica Monochrom Classic 3. A Fuji XT3 Monochrome 4. C Leica Monochrome 246 5. E Leica M3 Thanks for setting up this test! was really fun seeing which I gravitated to the most. Im an X Shooter so it worked out hahaha

[@jaredgotcher]

I actually guessed all of them correctly. I have the advantage of having shot Fujifilm for several years, so my brain is pretty well trained to recognize Fuji files. Man, the detail that those monochrome sensors can resolve is really something. I've been drooling over the Q2 monochrome since it came out. I was hoping this video would put that to rest, but no dice! Haha. Maybe some day I'll make the totally emotional and irrational decision to buy a monochrome Leica.

[@aleksandertorseteriksen6168]

I chose D many times, but I also chose B which I already have. I can live with that. Leicas are nice but way out of my budget. X-T3 did surprisingly good. Which setting did you put on JPEG? Did you zero out all and just use acros on B? Which acros? Main, R, G Y?

[@DigitalGrease]

Great test and presentation! Now a suggestion: For the price of a Leica Type 246, you might want to do a short comparison with a Fuji GFX 50R with the 45mm lens. I would love Fuji to do a 50R Monochrome version. I think they would fly off the shelves for the fine art crowd. Thanks again for the great testing.

[@cl3826]

DigitalGrease with Leica it’s not about price

[@DigitalGrease]

@@cl3826 Agreed if you are into Leica for the entire experience including image quality, then there is nothing to discuss. If, however, you are all about image quality, the GFX 50R is worth a look. The fixed focal length lenses offer renderings that play in the same ball park as the Leica/Otus lenses. My previous camera was a first generation Sony A7 with adapted old Leica glass. My personal new favorite lenses are the GFX 45mm, 110mm and 250 mm.

[@cl3826]

@@DigitalGrease Yeah, but I would expect the GFX to to outperform Leica. You don't buy Leica because it's the best dollar-for-dollar. You buy it because it's one of a kind, and that's the kind you love shooting.

[@DigitalGrease]

@@cl3826 We are talking at cross purposes. I believe the larger sensor in the GFX combined with the Leica/Otus caliber lenses do outperform the full frame cameras. I did say earlier that if what you want is the complete Leica experience, then of course only a Leica will satisfy.

[@cl3826]

@@DigitalGrease Yeah, makes sense

[@noirtueur9999]

Really love how you record this video, did you use Fuji and what film simulation was this? Love the tonality and clarity of the video, really beautifully made. Please tell me I really love it! Too beautiful

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Thank you! I record these videos on the x-t3, 4k 100mb, 30p with Classic Chrome preset. No color correction. Daylight balanced with a falconeyes LED panel in softbox camera right and a smaller tungsten balanced LEF panel behind me, camera left.

[@noirtueur9999]

@@AndrewGoodCamera thank you so much for the clear explanation, it is really neat and beautiful, very pleasing to the eyes. Keep up the great, work man it is awesome!

[@nathantw]

Were the black and white film negatives optically printed onto photo paper? If not and if they were only scanned then it's not a true comparison. Black and white negatives were meant to be printed. They look completely different than a scanned negative that's manipulated on the computer as opposed to an optical enlarger.

[@EDHBlvd]

This video really verifies why I never shoot normal Monochrome on my Fuji’s anymore. I only shoot ACROS. The normal monochrome seems too cold. ACROS has a warmth. The same warmth is very strong with the Leica Typ246 as well.

[@dirtywater5336]

Yeah but with Fuji cameras, you can adjust the color temperature for B&W images and coupled with the increased shadow detail of monochrome, it sort of makes it a better profile than Acros

[@TheIkaika777]

I nailed B Acros every time, I also chose C every time too. I never shot with Fuji’s monochrome setting so I don’t know what it looks like, from what I’ve read it’s just the Provia film sim desaturated. I don’t know. But this was fun, please have more of these tests. Thanks for posting this. 👍🏻

[@barrycohen311]

Acros looks great straight form camera. It adds contrast and some grain. In some cases, I don't want this, so I will use the RAW file instead. I always shoot Fuji with RAW + Fine.

[@fatturnip779]

anybody know what mic setup he's using? Sounds fantastic

[@soundchecked123]

Im gonna stick with my tri-x 400

[@ForTheViolence]

Good man!

[@nanogaminghd4286]

Whats the settings for the Fuji monochrome?

[@furkanozcan77]

thanks for this nice comparison delivered in your own calm way

[@PeteEdmunds]

I picked B, E (loved the film look on the car), then C,C,C,C. The 246 seemed to leap out for detail and toning. I loved the fall off in light on the portrait shot on the 246 - from clean detail on the sweater to the deep shadows in her hair on the right of frame.

[@mikejett2028]

This was a phenomenal test that I'm so grateful for, so thank you. As far as distinguishing the images, I wonder how things differed in post processing? Like, just how much further could I push the monochrom RAW files in Silver Efex Pro? Each pixel on the Leica collects three times as much light as a sensor without the Bayer filter, with unfortunately a side effect of unsalvageable highlights (which the Fuji raw files could salvage). However, there are thousands more grey tones to push in the mids in Lightroom from those Leica RAWs. So I'm wondering what this test would look like in actually manipulating the relatively flat RAW files that initially come out of the Leica?

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

That's a really good question

[@MelvinHughesatp]

When I shot film, in the last few years (1998-2005) it was exclusively Delta 100 with just a little Delta 400 in 35mm. What a startling contrast between the film and the digital shots. For me and what I do now, the Fuji simulations are just perfect! But I always have wondered what my Leica friends were seeing when they were shooting with their Monochroms... What a great comparison!!! Thank you, Andrew!

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

I love Delta 100 when I get it right. But it sure is a lot less flexible than FP4.

[@charlescoreydunn]

I was so sure D and C were Fuji. They looked great, but a tad sharp and not quote as smooth as A, my favorite. PLEASANTLY surprised to find out A is the much cheaper Fuji. I've lusted over the Leica Monochrom for so long. Don't get me wrong, the Type 246 looked stellar but I genuinely liked the Fuji (mono) better.

[@quantumtarsus]

I came into this video wanting to find a reason to return my Q2 Monochrom in favor of a Fuji. Unfortunately, I didn't pick the Fuji for each one. I chose the Leica M3 w/ Delta 100 once, and the rest were split between the M246 and M Monochrom Classic.

[@finnillson4808]

What about Panasonic's L. Monochrome D?

[@michaelforbes4069]

@andrew I have come back to this video so many times. I'm really impressed with the standard Fuji monochrome, especially for the portrait. The way it treated the skin tone &lightened up the blacks, I'm a fan of.

[@Narsuitus]

After watching this video two years ago, I performed a similar comparison test with my Fuji X-Pro1, Fuji X-Pro2, Leica M6, Leica M10, and Fuji 6x7. I decided to shoot black & white with the Leica M6 35mm film rangefinder and the Fuji 6x7cm medium format film rangefinder.

[@lovercontax4979]

Any upcoming review for the voigt 50 1.2?

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Haha. Yes. I need to get serious about this review. //A

[@henrymaddocks984]

I was really surprised that A & B were the Fuji. Especially with the shots of Ron’s garage, A & B seem to have better highlight control. I felt sure they were the Leica. At the screen res I watched the video on I couldn’t tell any difference in detail.

[@dirtywater5336]

This may be because Fuji's light meters underexpose images by 1/3-2/3 of a stop on purpose to protect highlights

[@robdhorton]

I’m no expert but I did pick out the two Leica M’s from the bunch even though I am a Fujifilm owner. I have the same dilemma as you now: whether to shell out the big bucks on the Leica? I am a high res/high dynamic range fanatic .

[@SilencedMi5]

I was totally blown away by D, with B coming close in some shots, especially indoors with the lady as your subject, where to me B stood out. Overall I was absolutely blown away that I legitimately preferred the results of D by a wide margin once you revealed them! Great video concept and execution, I like it. Keep it up!

[@cariboujones3285]

I felt exactly the same 😂

[@famigliao]

Should one shoot directly monochrome or shoot regular and after turn it to bnw with software?

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Doesn't make a difference if you're shooting RAW

[@amonkane]

When I saw the E photos I thought: damn, that Acros film simulation can be noisy sometimes (some of my Acros photos turned out very noisy as well). So yeah, I was genuinely surprised. Thanks for this comparison.

[@sc0ttmagoon]

In most images I didn’t have a clear preference. I maybe had a slight overall preference for the Leica classic images, but I would have assumed I’d prefer Acros going into this. The TV is the only image where I thought I could tell which was Acros.

[@syanshih1268]

Great video and fun experiment! I picked D for all the tests, and D&C ahead of A&B on all of them. Which makes me sad bcuz I hown a fuji lol, but at least now I know i prefer monochrome over acros in most cases :) Do you happen to remember the NR and Sharpness settings on the Fuji?

[@patrickjclarke]

It’s pretty amazing that the tonal range of a Bayer sensor to monochrome, even an APS-C one can hold its own against a pure monochrome sensor, but luminance is luminance, and the size difference in the sensor isn’t really THAT much difference unlike going from FF to 645. Interestingly The monochrom has a slight detail advantage over my M240, but not by much. All that being said, after everything I’ve shot for BW, the Foveon sensor in my Sigma DP2 Merrill is still the best for monochrome, hands down. If you can cope with the quirks of the Sigma, you’ll never go back to a monochrome or bayer sensor for BW

[@Foxtographyco]

I really liked B and E. I still have some fujifilm Acros 5x4 quick load to use up too!

[@moviebufftexas5277]

I consistently chose A and B and then found it was the XT3. No shock - I rented the old Leica Monochrom and compared it to my X-T3 and got the same result. At least now I know it wasn't bias on my part. Just plain old preference. Something about the Xtrans with black & white. Thanks for this!

[@amancalledcraig]

I actually picked the Fuji each time for my fav, haha. Wow, I thought the Lecia would have had it hands down. Great video!

[@danielbunting5791]

Chose A and B, absolutely expecting to be choosing a Leica. D was close for me in a number of photos. Totally surprised I went with fuji

[@w.harrison7277]

Daniel Bunting I can’t believe y’all say that, A and B were a close second but C was consistently the best to my eye. and I’ve never owned a camera in my life and know nothing about photography.

[@danielrussell4122]

Interesting comparison and thank you for making the video. I really do need a better monitor to be ultra critical. Film was obvious. Overall I liked the output from D a lot. From what I've seen and read the Fujifilm 50mm F/2 is there best lens for monochrome. Also I'd be curious how the Fujifilm medium format cameras would perform in comparison to Leica's.