[Leica] IMG: M8 BW conversion

[rgacpa at yahoo.com (Bob Adler)]

Hi Geoff,
 
You're correct; I'm not speaking of shooting in JPEG. I shoot RAW only also 
and process in Lightroom and CS3. And as you correctly stated, I'm not 
talking about doing IR photography.  

I am curious as to why you say a UV enhances clouds and sky. I've not heard 
of that before and I'm very curious to know why that is so. I may have to go 
out an buy a whole bunch of those puppies! :-)

Just now I don't see the need for using the IR filter unless I'm shooting 
under incandescent lights and dark clothes. I read somewhere that having 
increased IR sensitivity (i.e., without the IR filter) enhances gradations 
in the blacks. That's all I was curious about; if anyone with more knowledge 
than I might know if this is so.

Probably not discernable. Maybe some day I'll shoot an image with and 
without to see if I notice a difference. But I see no value in using the IR 
filter unless I want color under the above conditions. It doesn't add 
anything to RAW images converted to BW, and may detract from the lens' 
abilities (just my opinion about filters in general; don't want to start a 
filter/no filter thread here please).
 
Best,
Bob
 
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:10:44 +1000
From: "Geoff Hopkinson" <hoppyman@bigpond.net.au>
Subject: RE: [Leica] IMG: M8 BW conversion
To: "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org>
Message-ID: <003301c8a4d6$7954db20$6b01a8c0@dadquad>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="US-ASCII"

Hi Bob, are you referring to shooting in the BW mode, which would be a
colour saturation mode for jpegs? In my opinion that is throwing away an
ernormous amount of information and control. I only shoot in Raw, hence RGB,
not greyscale files. Generally speaking, a UV makes sense for photos of the
sky and clouds anyway. All of my lenses have UV/IR filters fitted full time.
I'm working on coding some of them (only my 50 is 6 bit). Raw and processing
in Adobe Camera Raw/Photoshop CS3 offers huge advantages, including when the
intent is to convert to a greyscale file (or toned BW). That combination
offers by far the largest number of possible tones, which may be placed as
you wish within your dynamic range. What's that for an M8, maybe 6 stops??
Someone with more experience than I might like to chime in there. Those 3
gazillion linear tones get morphed into our non-linear way of seeing stuff.
In the end the files are much more robust and hence editable. If you have a
chance, take a look at what Lightroom or ACR and/or PSCS3 will do for you in
new BW options. I follow your point on not wanting to filter IR and I'd be
very interested to see anyone's work displaying examples there. I confess
that I am not personally enthusiastic about IR photography, but I don't
think that you are referring to that specifically.

Cheers
Geoff
http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/e
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-
Subject: Re: [Leica] IMG: M8 BW conversion

Geoff,
Wondering why you leave the UV/IR filter on. I've only been using it indoors
with people (clothing) photography (when I remember to put it on...)
My understanding is that the M8 provides better gradations of gray because
it doesn't have an IR filter on the sensor. Thus I'm thinking that for BW
not using the filter makes for more information. This just from my readings;
it may be just theory...
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bob

Bob Adler
Palo Alto, CA
http://www.raflexions.com


Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:26:15 +1000
From: "Geoff Hopkinson" <hoppyman@bigpond.net.au>
Subject: [Leica] IMG: M8 BW conversion
To: "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org>
Message-ID: <000101c8a48d$34692870$6b01a8c0@dadquad>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="US-ASCII"

Still playing with BW conversion from M8 DNGs. This is from walking the dog
here recently. We've been having Graham clouds here several times a week for
six months or so. Bless you La Nina.



UV/IR only. PSCS3 conversion simulating deep red and blues tweaked further.
Even put some grain back for nostalgia.

<http://www.pbase.com/image/95983277>





Comments always welcome.

Cheers

Geoff

http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/e

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/


      
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