Leica M10 Monochrom - A Love Letter to Shades of Grey

Specification

Here is technical info about the camera if anybody cares about that.

A Monochrome Affair

In a world obsessed with the Instagram filter du jour, choosing a camera that only shoots in black and white might seem like showing up to a 4K party with a VHS tape. But here’s the twist: the Leica M10 Monochrom is that VHS tape everyone suddenly wants because it’s got that retro charm and a secret sauce no amount of pixels can replicate. Who needs colors when you’ve got fifty shades of grey promising a deeper soul dive into every frame?

It is interesting. I, myself, never thought that I would be getting this kind of camera like, ever. However, it really is something “everyone wants” once they see it, hold it and try it.

Love at First Sight?

No, at least not for me. This comes from someone who took around 100 images upon unboxing a camera, imported the images into Lightroom, and was surprised by how flat the files looked. It seems I got spoiled by the internet and all the fancy, high-contrast black-and-white photos I saw on Instagram and other places. You don’t get that straight out of the camera.

Instead, what you do get are super flexible files to work with. So, that “flatness” in the RAW photo is actually a good thing. However, if you just want to get great photos straight out of the camera, there is one thing you can do. You can shoot in both JPEG and RAW, set the image to Monochrome in the JPEG settings, apply strong contrast, and there you go. You’re 50% there. Yeah, only 50%, because you still need to do some fancy editing to achieve super contrasty images. It’s up to you, I guess.

It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts

Engaging with the M10 Monochrom feels like a firm handshake with history—except this version of history has clearly been hitting the gym. The build quality? Rock-solid, accompanied by a sense of nostalgia that they just don’t manufacture them like this anymore. However, it’s what’s on the inside that truly dazzles. Capturing life’s spontaneous moments without relying on color feels akin to experiencing acoustic music; it’s as though you’re directly perceiving the essence of the subject.

Oh, and about checking your ISO? Forget about it. It’s just outstandingly good!

ISO 20000

ISO 32000

Seeing the World in Black and White

Diving into the grayscale world with the M10 Monochrom is like putting on those proverbial rose-colored glasses, if the roses were gray. You start seeing light, shadows, and textures you swear weren’t there before. And emotions? Let’s just say, if feelings had a color, this camera would capture their essence perfectly, no RGB required.

You know where monochrom photos works best? Family photography. Yeah, you probably take a bunch of photos of your family members. If not, well you should.

Let me explain.

A Dent in Our Memory

It’s in the simplicity of black and white imagery where our most cherished memories find their deepest expression. These photos don’t just document; they evoke. They remind us of the timelessness of familial love, the enduring strength of connections that weather all storms. Each frame becomes a chapter in our family’s story, a story that, though silent in its presentation, speaks volumes to the heart.

Why Black and White Works for Family Photography

• Emotional Depth: Without the distraction of color, we’re drawn into the emotional core of the image, to the expressions and interactions that define our relationships.

• Timeless Appeal: Black and white photos possess a classic beauty that never fades, ensuring that the moments captured today will resonate just as powerfully with future generations.

• Focus on Texture and Contrast: The play of light and shadow, the texture of a loving embrace, and the contrast between the innocence of youth and the wisdom of age—all are rendered with striking clarity in black and white.

I have recently gone through my family gallery, and I could easily convert all those photos to black and white. All of them, except maybe some from birthday parties.

I don’t want to publish too many family photos online as I enjoy them more in the silence of my home. Sometimes I make a photo book out of those pictures, and I have the Canon Selphy CP1300 printer at my home, and I am printing a lot of photos myself. Let’s face it - all photos look better when printed.

Not All is Great

Here’s where the love story meets a plot twist. The M10 Monochrom, for all its allure, can be a high-maintenance partner. The focus? Think of it as a test of patience in a world addicted to instant gratification. And the price tag? Let me say it:

It’s an investment in seeing the world differently.

It’s like dating someone who’s fabulous but knows it — worth it, but you’re going to work for it. You need to learn to use it properly. You need to know its limitations. Of course, the most important thing is that you need to love shooting in black and white all the time. So, it is not for everyone. It’s not for me either. At least not as the only camera. This is why I have a Leica M10-R as well - basically the same camera, only with colors.

Conclusion

So, is flirting with the M10 Monochrom a journey back in time or a leap into a future where we appreciate the depth over dazzle? I’d argue it’s both. This camera doesn’t just capture images; it captures stories, stripping away the distractions and focusing on the raw, unfiltered essence of the moment. It’s not about nostalgia for black and white photography; it’s about rediscovering the power of simplicity in an overwhelmingly complex world. And in doing so, the M10 Monochrom doesn’t just make a dent in our memories; it carves out a whole gallery.

So, yeah, maybe seeing in black and white isn’t just for the nostalgic or the hipsters. Maybe it’s for those who dare to look deeper, to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to tell the stories that color can’t always articulate. The Leica M10 Monochrom? It’s not just a camera. It’s a challenge to see the world anew, and I’m here for it, one shade of grey at a time.

And believe me when I say it, this camera sees a lot of grays.

Here are more shots taken with the Leica M10 Monochrom.

Almost all of the photos were taken with one of my most favorite lenses of all, the Voigtländer 50mm f1.2 Nokton.

Check camera availability at Amazon.