Author: Peter | Prosophos

Q&A: Matteo asks about the Leica M (type 240).

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Matteo writes:

“Dear Peter,

I hope all is well with you!

Finally this 2013 is going to an end… I’ve spent this year mostly in London, with little time for photography.

Far from home and committed to work, I’ve been having a hard time developing my ‘artistic’ side.

However, in a strong effort to keep my eyes trained, I’ve dedicated a bit of time to explore film and rangefinder photography.

Now I’m thinking to jump into digital again (time and flexibility are the main reasons), but I have to save a bit before getting a new camera.  I’m very interested in hearing a little more from you about your experience with the new M240.  It seems you don’t consider it on par (sensor wise) with the new [Sony] Alpha7R and Nikon Df, and I’m curious about that.  I’m still a bit puzzled about the available options, as I never had the chance to test extensively an M9 or any of these new models. I think I will stick to film for a little more 🙂 .

—Matteo”

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Thank you very much Matteo for writing.

Well, it turns out I may have an opinion about the Leica M240… 🙂

As many of the readers of Prosophos.com know, I’ve written much about it:

…And I have even written an open letter to Leica asking for an updated CCD sensor on a future Leica M model.  So far, over 130 individuals have signed it.

However, to answer your question in a concise manner, I’ll note three things I don’t appreciate about the Leica M240 sensor:

  1. Colour signature.  The native Leica M240 colour signature is suboptimal for skin tones, and one has to constantly fight against the default settings to achieve acceptable results.
  2. Colour Tonality.  Colour transitions are rendered more coarsely by the M240 vs. the M9.  The M9 renders tones in a more subtle and delicate fashion.
  3. Microcontrast.  Although the M240 sensor (24 MP) will objectively out-resolve the Leica M9 sensor (18 MP) at 100% magnification, the M240 files as a whole are more “muddy” and “flat” as compared to the more “crisp” and “3D”-like images generated by the M9.  See here for two examples (see various photo-sharing sites, photography fora, and generally the entire internet for more 🙂 …).

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As for the Nikon Df and Sony A7/A7R, they are not rangefinder cameras, and so obviously cannot provide the rangefinder experience, which is important to me.   Also, being CMOS sensor cameras, they cannot equal the M9 in Points #2 and #3 above.

That’s basically it.  I hope that answers your question Matteo.

Sincerely,

—Peter.

[Incidentally, Matteo has submitted several images to me that will be featured in a not-too-distant Guest Post.]

Alone.

Barbados, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Print, Street

Together.

Alone

↑Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH @ f/1.4.

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If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

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Related posts:

Leica M9 still reigns supreme.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Leica M9 still reigns supreme

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It’s nearing the end of 2013, and the Leica M9/M-E/Monochrom with the venerable CCD sensor continues to provide the best image quality at base ISO in the 35mm (36 x 24) sensor class.

As predicted here.

The Leica M (Type 240) cannot touch it, the Nikon Df comes close, and so does the Sony A7/A7R… but none of these CMOS sensor cameras can equal it.

Don’t believe me?  Please research it for yourself.

And let’s not even mention the whole rangefinder experience, which these other cameras (with the exception of the Leica M240) lack.

So…

If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

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Related posts:

31 of my favourites from 2013.

Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Portrait, Print, Street

As has become an annual ritual (and learning process) for me, I recently reviewed my images from this past year.

What follows are my favourites — my “31 of ’13“.  They are presented in no particular order, but each one stood out for me.

I also want to take this moment to thank you for your overwhelming support of my endeavours on this site.  Each day, I look forward to reading and responding to your comments, and I look ahead to 2014 with much optimism, and inspiration.

Thank you,

—Peter.

P.S.  The images below are dedicated to my grandmother, Thecle, who looked after me with infinite love when I was a child, and who passed away this year.  Love you forever, my Yiayia.

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My favourite “31 of ’13“

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“Baseball, Revisited”

(Leica M3, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE, Kodak Tri-X 400)

baseball-revisited

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“Bathsheba”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

bathsheba

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“Breakfast”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

breakfast

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“Face Painting”

(Leica M9 and Leica Noctilux 0.95)

face-painting

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“Free As A Bird”

(Leica M9 and Leica Noctilux 0.95)

free-as-a-bird

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“Ghost Train, Revisited”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

ghost-train-revisited

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“Pure Honey”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

Pure Honey

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“The Long Road Ahead”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

The long road ahead

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“Laundry Time”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

laundry-time

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“LOVE”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

Love

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“The Caiman”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

the-caiman

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“Angelic”

(Leica M9 and Leica Noctilux 0.95)

Angelic

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“Ezra”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

Ezra

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“Rock Pool Lounging”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

rock-pool-lounging

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“Chestnut”

(Leica M9 and Leica 75mm Summarit)

Autumn Chestnut

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“Sun Bathers”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

sun-bathers

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“The Purple Hat Portrait”

(Leica M9 and Leica Noctilux 0.95)

The Purple Hat Portrait

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“Jump in the Bask of the Golden Sun”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

jump-in-the-bask-of-the-golden-sun

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“Laugh”

(Leica M9 and Leica 75mm Summarit)

Laugh

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“Charlie”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

Charlie

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“Soccer Girl”

(Leica M9 and Leica Noctilux 0.95)

Soccer girl

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“43”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

43 years

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“The Interaction”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

the-interaction

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“Thrilled, Revisited”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

Thrilled, revisited

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“Thrilled”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

Thrilled

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“The Toss”

(↑Leica M3, Leica 50mm Summicron Rigid @ f/2, Kodak Tri-X 400)

The Toss

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“The Photographer and the Dying Light”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

the-photographer-and-the-dying-light

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“The Photographer and the Dying Light, Revisited”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

The Photographer and the Dying Light, revisited

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“Boy”

(Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH)

Boy

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“End of Summer”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

End of Summer

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“Thecle’s Gift”

(Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH)

thecles-gift

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Related posts:

21 favourites from 2012.

11 favourites from 2011.

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Please donate to this site.

Please show your appreciation!

If you’ve been inspired by these images, or any of my articles, please consider making a contribution to help me run this site.  Whether it’s $5, $10, or $15… it all helps.

Donate to this site (button)

This site is a labour of love, but any help I receive will help me devote more time to running it.

Thanks,

—Peter.

Guest Post: Hugues Faye (Part 3 of 3).

Guest Post, Inspiration

Editor’s Note:

You may recognize well known Leica aficionado and previously Featured Photographer Ashwin Rao in this set.   Ashwin was generous enough to allow his image to be posted as part of this series.  (Thank you A.R.!)

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PETER13

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PETER14

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PETER15

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PETER16

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PETER17

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PETER18

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PETER19

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PETER20

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Once again, I am deeply indebted to Mr. Hugues Faye for sharing his images on Prosophos.com.

(Dear Hugues, your photography is almost surpassed by your humility.  You are an inspiration.)

With great respect,

—Peter.

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Please also see these previous posts featuring Hugues‘ work:

Featured Photographer:  Hughf

Guest Post: Hugues Faye (Part 1).

Guest Post: Hugues Faye (Part 2).

Guest Post: Hugues Faye (Part 1 of 3).

Guest Post, Inspiration

Editor’s Note:

Hugues Faye is both a dear friend and an inspirational photographer whom I greatly admire.  In fact, Hugues was the first featured photographer on Prosophos.com, and I am fortunate — once again — to be hosting his work.

—Peter.

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Hugues Faye writes:

“Dear Peter ,

I take the initiative to write to you!  I had in the past, a great pleasure and a great honor to be represented on your website… the same site that was always for me a real source of inspiration and air a large bowl fresh in my day!

So today, a great desire fills my whole being, to share you (and for those who will be brought also look) of these images, which represent many of my little walks on Sunday Paris!

I have short, but one last thing!  I am pleased to have crossed your path… because many things have changed in my life since…

Thank you very much Peter, for everything “bad” that you give yourself, as a presenter of quality and generosity every day on your beautiful site!

The images you’ll find are made using a Leica Monochrom and 50mm Noct 0.95, 50mm Summicron and 35mm Summilux fle…

PS:  I had a great pleasure and an honor to meet a great man and a great photographer and his fiancee… I called our dear Ashwin and “J”!
Little nod to them as well –

Best regards.

Hugues”

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PETER1

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Braiding in the fading light.

2013, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Life's Little Moments, Portrait

Little murmurings, and stories.  Fragments.  The voices ebb and flow in the coziness of a darkened living room.

From outside, faint light enters and simultaneously recedes.

Inside, souls commingle.

Interweave.

—Peter.

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Braiding in the Fading Light

↑Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux @ f/1.4.

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If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

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Related posts:

Guest Post: Luiz Paulo (Part 2).

Guest Post, Inspiration

Editor’s Note: 

This set of images, called “Projections“, represents the second part of Luiz Paulo‘s Guest Post  (Part 1 may be found here).   Regarding the image “Two Little Jaguars“, the back-story is quite touching and was provided by Luiz in a personal communication:

“The funny is that “two little jaguars” (in Portuguese “duas oncinhas”) was my daughter’s idea — she realized the shadows of drops on her face and asked to me to photograph her so she would seem like her puppet, all that while waiting for my garage door to open, in a short time! Amazing how the children are…”

—Luiz Paulo

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“Camouflage”:

camouflage

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Duas Oncinhas:

duas-oncinhas

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“Freedom”:

freedom

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“Offset”:

offset

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Once again, thank you Luiz for your wonderful images.

—Peter.

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More of Luiz’s work may be viewed here.

Please also re-visit Luiz’s previous work on this site.

The M9 and CCD sensor, revisited.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

m9-sensor-revisited prosophos

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As I scanned some of the other photography sites late this evening, and read several initial user reports on Sony‘s new A7 and A7R 35mm interchangeable cameras, I noticed more and more people are conceding that my prediction on September 15, 2012, on the eve of the release of the Leica M240 was true: the M9 and its CCD sensor would prove to be superior at base ISO than any CMOS offering.

Unfortunately, holding this opinion and stating it publicly — repeatedly — has probably strained my relationship with Leica.  Hopefully they’ll eventually come around to seeing my efforts as constructive.  I am, after all, an enthusiast who only photographs with Leica rangefinders and lenses.

Back to the point:  is it any wonder that in June of this year I declared my camera of the year for 2013 to be the Leica M9?  As crazy as it was for me to do, I’m sticking by it.

It’s still not too late to sign My Open Letter to Leica😉 .

—Peter.