Pros
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Brilliant dynamic range; Large range of superb lenses; Basic and traditional controls similar to a film camera; High ISO performance<br />
Cons
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Viewfinder frame lines are only an approximation; Limited to monochrome; Prone to Highlight clipping
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Review – Verdict
Thanks to Leica’s new 24-million-pixel CMOS sensor, the new Leica M Monochrom has significantly improved image quality over it’s predecessor. Removing the anti-aliasing and colour filters mean the image quality is even better in its absence.
Dynamic range is fantastic which is an important factor for black & white photography. Equally, the detail the camera is able to resolve is very impressive. This is thanks not just to the sensor, but also to the class-leading m-mount lenses.
With no colour noise, cranking the ISO up gives speckled luminance noise which adds a filmic character to the images. The metering may be a bit off but that’s one of the only criticisms.
However, buying a Leica isn’t simple process of weighing up the traditional pros and cons. It’s incredibly expensive for what it is, but you don’t buy a Leica on specification alone – you buy a Leica because you like that photographic ethos and you want a Leica. It’s that simple.
