↑Leica Monochrom and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH @ f/1.4, ISO 2000.

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I finally had an opportunity to evaluate a Monochrom.  I can’t say I was surprised with the output, as it delivered what I expected:  the goodness of the CCD sensor found in the M9 (with more “bite”) and the ability to shoot at high ISO.  Of course, all of this goodness comes in only one flavour:  B&W.

The other thing I expected and observed was that the output is not like B&W film.  It really is different — not better or worse, just different.

Having said that, there was one surprise with this particular camera:

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Don’t see it?

Let’s look a little more closely:

(click on the image to view at MAXIMUM size and sharpness)

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That’s a dead pixel on the sensor with an associated column defect.  It won’t show up in web-size images but will show up on large prints.

Ouch.

Did I say there was one surprise?

Actually, there was a second:

(please click on the image to view at MAXIMUM size and sharpness)

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Yes, that’s a second dead pixel.

The camera is currently in transit, back to Leica.

—Peter.