Leica M Monochrom Digital Rangefinder Camera - Page 26

Leica Digital Camera Reviews by Thorsten Overgaard
Leica M11 /M11-P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Leica M10 / M10-R	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Leica M 240	P	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44
M 246 Monochrom	26	27	28	29	30	31
Leica M-D 262	1	2
Leica M9	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20		M9-P
M Monochrom	20	21	22	23	24	25
Leica SL / SL2	1		3		5	6	7
Leica SL3	1
Leica Q	1
Leica Q2 / Q2M	1
Leica Q3	1	2
Leica Q3 43 APO	1
Leica TL2	1	2
Leica CL	1	2
Leica D-Lux 8	1

The new Leica M Monochrom Type M 246 "Elliott"

By: Thorsten Overgaard, April 30, 2015. Latest edited on November 7, 2016.

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As of April 30, 2015 the new CMOS-based Leica M Monochrom Typ246 is out and will be available for shipping from mid May 2015. “In small drips”, it has been stated diplomatically.

I will take my sweet time before I get into the sensor of the Leica M Monochrom M 246 "Elliott", which is the new thing for those used to the Leica M 240 and the Leica M Monochrom "Henri".

Most of what is written from Page 30 of this article (about the Leica M 240) is applicable to the Leica M Monochrom Type 246.

Selfie with the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 with Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 at f/0.95, 6400 ISO. © 2015-2016 Thorsten Overgaard.

Check my updated articles on the Leica M 246 Monochrom as well:
Old School is the New School / Menu Settings		The Leica M 246 Monochrom goes to Paris

What is it?

The Leica M Monochrom Type 246 is far from a revolution. It is a predictable next step, launched at the predicted time. This is a camera thought out by accountants.

Don't hate me yet for pointing this out. I promise I will make you love this camera despite what I am about to say.

What I mean is that the Leica M product cycle is three years. Every three years, the model is updated to the next one.

Leica M Monochrom launched in Berlin in May 2012, and the Leica M Monochrom Type 246 launched in May 2015. Halfway in the three year product cycle, Leica Camera AG will introduce a slightly changed version such as the M9M version with silver body.

The Leica M 240 introduced in September 2012 (delivered from March 2013) as a replacement for the Leica M9 that was introduced in September 2009. Both models had a -P model introduced halfway in the product cycle (Professional model without logo on front).

On behalf of the financial department, I'm thrilled

The glory of the new Leica M Monochrom Type 246 - from an accountants viewpoint - is that it is basically a Leica M-P 240 with a different paint and leather, plus a different sensor and firmware. It's the ideal camera in terms of research & development costs, production planning and actual production.

From a user viewpoint the Leica M Monochrom Type 246 is a next step up in ISO and thus allows us to take photos in even darker places with even less noise. Not that many of us do, but it install confidence in our own judgment that we buy cameras that reviewers say are better than the previous model.

Leica Camera AG specifically asked reviewers to compare the Leica M Monochrom, the Leica M 240 and the Leica M 246, which is why we get to see 100% enlargements of rather unimportant parts of images.

Robin Isabella Overgaard in Berlin. Leica M 240 with Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0. Edited in Lightroom using "2010 Process" and the original JPG Fine file from the Leica M 240. © 2015-2016 Thorsten Overgaard.

Your next three cameras will have improved ISO

As predictable as the product cycles are, just as predictable is the progression of ISO.

The Leica M models goes 1.5 to 2.0 stops up model to model with a three-year cycle between them. The Leica M9 had a usable ISO of 800, the M240 had a usable ISO of (2500-) 3200 and the next model replacing the Leica M 240 will likely have a ISO of 6400 - 10,000 that is usable.

The Leica M Monochrom has a usable ISO of 6400 and the Leica M Monochrom 246 has a usable ISO of 12.500. That is one stop improvement.

ISO in the past and future

ISO is rather predictable, as can be seen in this 18-year stretch of Leica cameras. Bright green is the ISO range including PUSH, dark green is the actual usable ISO range (acceptable noise).

Year:		2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
ISO	f/
200,000	0.95																		M248
100,000	1.4															M247
50,000	2.0
25,000	2.8												M246				M242
12,500	4.0									MM				M241
6400	5.6						M9				M240
3200	8			M8		M8.2
1600	11
800	16
400	22	D2	DMR
200	32
100	64
Model:		D2	DMR	M8		M 8.2	M9			MM	M 240		MM 246	M 241		MM 247	M 242		MM 248

All digital cameras (from any brand) are marketed with a higher ISO than they can actually handle. A camera marketed to have 6400 ISO can usually handle 3200 ISO. A camera that is marketed to have 250.000 ISO can usually handle 125.000 ISO.

Leica in recent models have introduced the term (PUSH) which refers to the film days when we would PUSH for example a 100 ISO film two stops to 400 ISO in the development, usually by simply leaving the film in the developer tank longer.

The result in films was as it is in digital: When you PUSH, you get less accurate colors and more noise/grain. In the above, the bright green areas are the PUSH areas where the quality becomes questionable.

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First revolution, then evolution

The Leica M Monochrom (M9M) was a revolution when introduced in May 2012.

It was also very Leica.

It introduced a new daring thinking that was going against the traditional digital camera industry standard of more color, more megapixels, more features and generally more of everything.

With the Leica M Monochrom you got less, and for that you paid more.

Genius!

Those of us who had hoped or feared an entirely new concept, such as a Leica M Monochrom without screen on the back, or perhaps a thinner body ... we didn't get any of that.

Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 with Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 at f/0.95, 12500 ISO.
© 2015-2016 Thorsten Overgaard.

What the Leica M 246 is really about: Personal Evolution

I have talked enough about the camera.

Now let's talk about you.

What matters is if you feel the urge to grab this camera and go out and photograph. That is the real test on how well a camera will work; and of course if you will keep enjoying it so much that you will photograph every day.

Leica M Monochrom changed the way many photographers and Leica users saw them self and the world. The core user of the Leica M Monochrom is the person who uses this camera exclusively ... often they have sold off the color Leica M cameras.

Some use the Leica M Monochrom to relax and take that camera out when they feel like being in that special room of vintage simplicity.

The Leica M Monochrom represents a purity and simplicity that in many ways can be compared to film cameras. The Monochrom is a digital camera with the many advantages a digital workflow has in a world where computers are everywhere and labs that can develop film has become rare.

The Leica M Monochrom Type 246 is an improvement, no matter what we will have to endure of discussions about how great the CCD sensor in the old Monochrom was. For me who have used the Leica M 240 since it came out in March 2013, stepping into the Leica M Monochrom Type 246 is like continuing what I am doing, with more low light capabilities and a need to pay attention to blown out highlight.

For those who step from the Leica M Monochrom (M9M) to the Leica M Monochrom Type 246, it's a new feeling that take a little getting used to. For those who do so, or consider doing so, I recommend starting from the Page 40 of this article. Those pages describe all the horrors and delights getting a camera with Live View, video and much more.

Enjoy!

Leica Monochrom Masterclass

I will be writing more about the Leica M Monochrom Type 246, particularly about editing the images towards a special film look and monochrome look using Lightroom 6 (Lightroom CC). I will also be addressing how to get a monochrome look from the Leica M 240.

For more info on Paris Masterclass, have a look here:

Comparison of the Leica M camera models

Here is a comparison chart of the Leica M diigital camera models

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Links to Leica M 246 reviews

Here are some of the relevant links for those who would like to know more about the new Leica M Monochrom Type 246:

Erwin Puts: Leica Monochrom-II, Monohcrom Analysis (as of May 4, 2015)
Erwin Puts: Leica Monochrom-II, part 1 (as of May 10, 2015)
Erwin Puts: Leica Monochrom-II, part 2 (as of May 19, 2015)
Erwin Puts: Leica Monochrom-II, part 3 MM-2 vs. MM (as of May 24, 2015)
Jono Slack: "Testing the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 Elliott" (as of April 30,2015)
Ultrasomething "Sensor and Sensibility" (as of April 30, 2015)
Sean Reid Review of the Leica M Monochrom Type 246 (as of April 30, 2015)
David Farkas: Leica Store Miami review of the new Leica M Monochrom Type 246 (as of April 30, 2015)
Reddotforum: B&W ISO Showdown: Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs. M Monochrom (M9) vs. M (TYP 240) (as of June 8, 2015)
Steve Huff "The New Monochrom" (as of April 30, 2015)
Photography Blog: "Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Sample Images" (as of April 30, 2015)
DearSusan: "Leica M 246 Monochrom. The most desirable camera?" (as of May 4, 2015)
John Buckley: Upgrading to the Leica M Monochrom Type 246 (as of May 16, 2015)
Ajit Menon: "New Horizons Part III: The Leica Monochrom " (as of March 30, 2016)




David Farkas' review at Red Dot Forum of Leica Store Miami.
Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 with Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 at f/4.8. 2500 ISO.
© 2015 David Farkas.

Definitions

ISO is a number value that measures a photographic film or sensors sensitivity to light. In the past the values were given in ISO (International Standards Organization), ASA (American Standards Association) and DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung).
The simplicity of the growing numbers are that the sensitivity doubles for each step: A 200 ISO sensor is twice as sensitive to light as a 100 ISO sensor. A 6400 ISO sensor is twice as sensitive to light as a 3200 ISO sensor.

Comments

As always, feel free to send me an e-mail with comments, suggestions, ideas, corrections.

Leica Digital Camera Reviews by Thorsten Overgaard
Leica M11 /M11-P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Leica M10 / M10-R	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Leica M 240	P	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44
M 246 Monochrom	26	27	28	29	30	31
Leica M-D 262	1	2
Leica M9	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20		M9-P
M Monochrom	20	21	22	23	24	25
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Leica SL3	1
Leica Q	1
Leica Q2 / Q2M	1
Leica Q3	1	2
Leica Q3 43 APO	1
Leica TL2	1	2
Leica CL	1	2
Leica D-Lux 8	1

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Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Reviews and Article Index
Leica M digital camera reviews:		Leica L digital cameras:
Leica M11
Leica M11-D		Leica SL
Leica M11-P		Leica SL2
Leica M11 Monochrom		Leica SL2-S
Leica M10		Panasonic Lumix S5 II X
Leica M10-P		Panasonic Lumix S1R
Leica M10-R		Leica SL3
Leica M10-D		Leica TL2
Leica M10 Monochrom		Leica CL
Leica M9 and Leica M-E		Leica L-Mount lenses
Leica M9-P
Leica M9 Monochrom		Leica R digital cameras:
Leica M240		Leica R8/R9/DMR
Leica M246 Monochrom
Leica MD-262 and Leica M60		Small Leica mirrorless digital cameras:
		Leica Q3 43 APO
		Leica Q3
Leica M film cameras:		Leica Q2 / Leica Q2 Monochrom
Leica M6		Leica Q (model 116)
Leica M4		Leica V-Lux
Leica CL /Minota CLE (1973)		Leica C-Lux
		Leica D-Lux 8
		Leica D-Lux
Leica M lenses:		Leica Digilux 3
Leica 21mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4		Leica Digilux 2
Leica 21mm Leica Super-Elmar-M ASPH f/3.4		Leica Digilux 1
Leica 21mm Super-Angulon-M f/3.4		Leica Digilux
Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4		Leica R film cameras:
Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH FLE f/1.4 and f/1.4 AA		Leica R8 / R9
Leica 35mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0		Leica R4
Leica 35mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0		Leica R3 electronic
Leica 50mm ELCAN f/2.0		Leicaflex SL / SLmot
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 FLE		Leica compact film cameras:
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.0		Leica Minilux 35mm film camera
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.2		Leica CM 35mm film camera
7artisans 50mm f/1.1		Leica R lenses:
Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f//1.4		Leica 19mm Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 "rigid" Series II		Leica 35mm Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0		Leica 50mm Summicron-R f/2.0
Leica 50mm Elmar-M f/2.8 collapsible		Leica 60mm Macro-Elmarit f/2.8
Leica 75mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/1.25		Leica 80mm Summilux-R f/1.4
7artisans 75mm f/1.25		Leica 90mm Summicron-R f/2.0
Leica 75mm Summilux-M f/1.4		Leica 180mm R lenses
Leica 90mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.5		Leica 250mm Telyt-R f/4.0
Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0		Leica 400mm Telyt-R f/6.8
Leica 90mm Summarit-M f/2.5		Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leica 90mm Elmarit f/2.8		Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R f/4.0
Leitz 90mm Thambar f/2.2
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– Thorsten Overgaard, April 30, 2015
Last edit on June 18, 2015