Month: December 2012

The New Leica M (240) – Sample Images.

Inspiration, Teaching point

Seeking Light

My good friend Raaj has just posted some sample images on his site from the new Leica M (240).

As regular readers of my site know, I’ve posted extensively about CCD vs. CMOS sensor rendering at base ISO.  Notably, I’ve expressed concern that the move to a CMOS sensor in the new M(240) would equate with a loss in image quality at base ISO, while there would be gains made in high ISO photography, and in movie-making.

Are my concerns well-founded?  I don’t believe that question can be answered for certain based on web-sized images, but I’ll let you be the judge.  Incidentally, Raaj tells me he will try to post some scenes that were shot with both the M9 and M(240), using the same lens.  That will be most interesting to see.

—Peter.

The grocer.

Film, Inspiration, Portrait, Street, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton

For anyone in doubt about film having a different look from digital, look carefully at this image.

Noteworthy observations: the colours, the tonality.  There are other differences that I’ve never been able to put my finger on — call it the “je ne sais quoi” factor.

As an aside, I’ve always found that the Voigtländer Nokton 40mm, the lens used to capture this image, performs exceptionally well on film.

—Peter | Prosophos.

The grocer

↑Leica MP, Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4, and Fuji Superia X-tra 200.

Leica Noctilux F/0.95.

Inspiration, Leica 50mm Noctilux f/0.95, Teaching point

Ever since I acquired this lens, I’ve been carrying it around trying to look for reasons to get rid of it.

Why?

Well, the negatives are well known:  cost, size, weight, and the 1 m minimum focus distance.

So, what am I going to do?

…I’m keeping it.

I’ve bonded with it and I’ve been pleased with the images I’ve created with it.

Maybe I’ll come to my senses some day.  Hopefully soon.

—Peter | Prosophos.

Prosophos - Leica Noctilux F0.95