Leica just can't compete with Nikon or Canon

[Murph]

Ken Rockwell has done testing of the M8/M-9 Cameras and has discovered that all the digital Leica's have a nasty yellow skin color that has to be corrected in post. Unlike Nikon or Canon which do it right, for far less cost. See below:

Ken Rockwell's Updates

M9, part2

[Tom]

Poor girl looks just like him.

It looks like he just doesn't know how to set his white balance.

This would concern me more if an actual photographer was having these problems.

[johnastovall]

Leica does compete with Nikon and Canon any more than Aston-Martin competes with Ford or Chevrolet.

How about an S2?

[tml]

I have not had any such experience with my M8.2 even without the IR filter. So far, the files are very clean and almost never need sharpening unlike what I often had to do with my Canon. Bear in mind, I am not an expert at anything, except, dentistry. This is all from my personal experience. Tri.

[jeffkohn]

Keep in mind, Ken shoots digital cameras in JPG mode last time I checked. It could be that Leica's JPG engine sucks (that wouldn't surprise me at all, they don't exactly have a pedigree in digital processing).

Shoot raw, use the correct white balance, and maybe create a custom DNG profile and I'm sure the color will be fine. After all the Kodak CCD's are known for having good color.

[Brains]

Keep in mind, anything Ken posts has photography a distant second from the primary focus of the site. If you've ever BEEN to his site, you can obviously tell what goal #1 is.

[tml]

This was taken earlier without IR filter. Of course, it was taken in RAW. No other PP except for cropping. Not too bad considering all the fluorescent lights. Tri.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Keep in mind, Ken shoots digital cameras in JPG mode last time I checked. It could be that Leica's JPG engine sucks (that wouldn't surprise me at all, they don't exactly have a pedigree in digital processing).

Shoot raw, use the correct white balance, and maybe create a custom DNG profile and I'm sure the color will be fine. After all the Kodak CCD's are known for having good color.

And with an M8 use IR cut filters.

[Murph]

Ken did not write the second link.

[ngoduyviet]

Read these facts, especially #3, about Ken before any of you dare dispute his superiority and knowledge about anything photography related.

1. Ken Rockwell is the Chuck Norris of photography
2. Ken Rockwell's camera has similar settings to ours, except his are: P[erfect] Av[Awesome Priority Tv[Totally Awesome Priority] M[ajestic]
3. Ken Rockwell doesn't color correct. He adjusts your world to match his.
4. Sure, Ken Rockwell deletes a bad photo or two. Other people call these Pulitzers.
5. Ken Rockwell doesn't adjust his DOF, he changes space-time.
6. Circle of confusion? You might be confused. Ken Rockwell never is.
7. Ken Rockwell doesn't wait for the light when he shoots a landscape - the light waits for him.
8. Ken Rockwell never flips his camera in portrait position, he flips the earth
9. Ken Rockwell ordered an L-lens from Nikon, and got one.
....

Here's the link to the full thing.
The Original Ken Rockwell Facts | Time to Think

[toverman]

Silly rabbit, Leicas are for black and white photography!

[venchka]

The absence of a blur filter makes the images quite different from the mass market cameras.
There must be something wrong with Mr. Rockhead. Something like this would be discussed and cussed daily where real Leica photographers like Ted Grant, Tina Manley, Chris Williams, etc. hang out.

[d2creative]

My M9's auto white balance is not as good as my Nikon D700, but the only issues i have with it are indoor.
But I shoot raw so it doesn't really matter.
But what's the point of this thread? You do not buy my M9 for it's white balance.
It's a completely different tool than a nikon or canon. There may be things it doesn't do as well as other cameras, but there are definitely things it does much better.

[Murph]

No, obviously you buy one to show how much money you have, how cool you are, and to show that you are uber cool and have the latest fashion accessory at Cannes.

Originally Posted by d2creative

My M9's auto white balance is not as good as my
But what's the point of this thread? You do not buy my M9 for it's white balance.

[tml]

I hate to disagree with you, Murph. I bought a Leica for the following reasons:
-small size
-Low-key, non-pro appearance
-Heritage and reputation
If I added up all the money I have spent over the years going from Nikon D1x, Canon 1DsMkII, 5D mkII, and all the accessories and lenses, I have spent a whole lot more money than what I paid for a used M8.2 and a used Leica 35/f1.4 lens!!! Like Dennis had said, it is just a different tool. Tri.