Monochrome

[WaveDancer]

I have a X100T (and love it) but will wait with an upgrade until the succeeder of the X100F is out. But what I'd buy immediately is a X100M-onochrome. With the superior X-Trans III sensor, this could be a blast! What do you think? 

Edited September 24, 2017 by WaveDancer

[johant]

I think there would be a very small market for that.

[milandro]

it is possible to have your sensor converted to a monochrome.

 

https://www.maxmax.com/maincamerapage/monochrome-cameras/fuji-monochrome

 

https://www.maxmax.com

 

Contact Information

(001) 201-505-1566 Voice
(001) 201-882-0344 Fax
Postal Address: 220 Broad Street, Carlstadt, NJ 07072, USA
Electronic mail: sales@maxmax.com

 

 

The rest of us kan keep doing what we’ve always done.I don’t understand the need of a monochrome camera because I am happy with my B&W processing of color originals. (please look here)

 

http://www.fuji-x-forum.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=5620

Edited September 24, 2017 by milandro

[konzy]

I think it would be a pretty useless camera and a waste of money. What's the point of a monochrome camera, when you can use film simulations in JPEG and RAW files, or any other variant you might think of by tweaking the settings in RAW? 

[milandro]

well, I am not in the market for something like this but there are a few Leica customers whom obviously are. The reasoning is that ( from wikipedia):

"

Leica claim that the camera delivers 100% sharper images than monochrome images derived from a camera with a color sensor (of comparable megapixels).^[4] The camera is able to alter the captured image to apply three toning effects (called sepia, cold, and selenium).^[4]

The achieved sharpness is due to the lack of a color filter array, thus avoiding the process of demosaicing by capturing the true luminance value of each photosensor.^[4] The removal of the color filter array also means that no incoming light is filtered, making the sensor more light sensitive, which explains the high native ISO of 320."

 

 

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/LEICA-M-MONOCHROM

 

They seem to think that this camera is worth the best part €6,000 

[konzy]

Yes, that makes sense for image quality. In astrophotography, best cameras are indeed B&W sensors, probably for the same reasons as Leica stated.

 

I found this comparison of Leica M9 Mono vs Color that shows this effect: http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2012/05/iso-test-leica-m-monochrom-vs-leica-m9/

 

But down to Earth... I'd never buy a camera that can do only B&W, just to have a better image quality. I don't mind imperfection, and I love colour!

[milandro]

I did say that a monochrome camera is not for me, but again, if Leica sells it , and for so much money, there has to be a market out there.

 

Fuji, in my opinion will not make one, but anyone can have his camera made into a monochrome camera, as shown above.

 

If OP wishes to do so, it is his money.

 

I make use of the great  NIK google Suite containing one of the best B&W converters and I am quite happy with it.

 

See the link above.

Edited September 24, 2017 by milandro

[WaveDancer]

Well, I understand a "hacked" color sensor is not the same as a B&W sensor designed from scratch. There are many fotographers out there who shoot a lot in B&W. I'm quite sure Fujifilm is monitoring this special field (and MaxMax) of fotography very carefull. A B&W sensor should outperform any other color-sensor of the same size re. dynamic range, light sensitivity and noise. Sure for the time beeing I use my X100T for B&W and color - what else! (Ah yea - sometimes I take my old Yashica film camera out, to take some B&W's) 

[WaveDancer]

well, I am not in the market for something like this but there are a few Leica customers whom obviously are. The reasoning is that ( from wikipedia):

"

Leica claim that the camera delivers 100% sharper images than monochrome images derived from a camera with a color sensor (of comparable megapixels).^[4] The camera is able to alter the captured image to apply three toning effects (called sepia, cold, and selenium).^[4]

The achieved sharpness is due to the lack of a color filter array, thus avoiding the process of demosaicing by capturing the true luminance value of each photosensor.^[4] The removal of the color filter array also means that no incoming light is filtered, making the sensor more light sensitive, which explains the high native ISO of 320."

 

 

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/LEICA-M-MONOCHROM

 

They seem to think that this camera is worth the best part €6,000 

 

Yes Milandro, I have seen B&W pictures (digital and prints) from the Leica Monochrome, and they are stunning! But a Leica is out of reach for me! But thanks for replying! 

[milandro]

I think there would be a very small market for that.

 

 

I am absolutely with you

[Larry Bolch]

I have a X100T (and love it) but will wait with an upgrade until the succeeder of the X100F is out. But what I'd buy immediately is a X100M-onochrome. With the superior X-Trans III sensor, this could be a blast! What do you think? 

 

However, the X-Trans colour filter array would need to be removed, just leaving the bare Sony sensor below. However, to get maximum sharpness, it would have to be wired to read from each photosite individually. This would eliminate the need for demosaicing.

 

However, given that there are very sophisticated tools for fine-tuning conversion from colour to monochrome, the gain would probably be mostly nullified. There are no good tools for restoring colour either in camera or in processing. In Photoshop, adjustment layers and masks will do the job, but with considerable effort.