Black & White RAW processing

[ajz]

This may be the wrong forum since the question centers around the Leica Q2 M(monochrome). A friend is purchasing the Q2M to shoot B&W. I typically shoot color and convert using NIK, etc. I believe that when he imports his RAW files to LR, obviously HSL will not be available and perhaps other sliders since there is no color information captured on his RAW file.
In order to obtain a change in contrast, etc. he is going to have to use colored filters on his lens when shooting. Is he limiting himself in being able to process the files in LR?

So, what might be the major limitations/concerns when bringing a mono file (leica's specifically) into LR for purposes of editing the image - other than the use of the colored filters when shooting?

in the past I have shot B&W film and used the image scans in LR, but this was some time ago and do not rcall any particular images from those files.

thanks for clarity on this subject.

P.S. Sorry if this is a similar question to that earlier posted about the Leica M-10

ajz

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

You can still use brightness and contrast sliders in LR. I am still using lowly LR6 (owned, not rented), and I have scanned many of my best B&W darkroom prints and made substantial improvements in them in LR in ways that just seemed to difficult in the darkroom.

I have no personal experience with any of the Leica Monochromes, but a friend of mine who did gorgeous view camera/darkroom prints for many years got one when he finally switched to digital, and his prints continue to be the most elegant B&W prints I have seen.

[PeterAit]

I bought a monochrom a few years ago. It ended up going back to B&H. The lens was stellar as was the camera, but the final images? I was hard pressed to see any difference between them and well-processed B&W conversions from a high-end color camera. And, obviously, you have a lot more control over the final B&W image when you start with color. And 12K for a camera with one lens? I'd need some real benefits to spend that.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Pater,
That's exactly why I'm not interested in a monochrome camera myself. When I convert a color image to B&W, there are so many fine tweaks I can make that even an infinite supply of colored filters for the lens couldn't equal.

[petermfiore]

Pater,
That's exactly why I'm not interested in a monochrome camera myself. When I convert a color image to B&W, I can make many fine tweaks that even an infinite supply of colored filters for the lens couldn't equal.

I agree...

Peter