For this black and white image made with my Leica Monochrom M11 I experimented with different color filters. The basic setup was photographing with the camera on a tripod straight down on a large, white magnolia blossom from my garden. For the background I used black rocks, arranged on a tray lined with black velvet.

As I noted, the camera was the Leica Monochrom M11, which only creates black and white images. The lens was the Leica Summilux-M 50mm/f1.4 Asph. I tried five possibilities: no filter at all, a circular polarizer, a red filter, a green filter, and an orange filter.

The composition was, of course, the same between the sample exposures. Each image was made at ISO 125 (the Monochrom’s lowest sensitivity setting) and f/16. I used the exposure-compensation setting to make three exposures for each filter: with no adjustment, -1 EV, and +1EV.

Generally, with this composition the +1EV exposures seemed to give the best contrast range. To compare the five +1EV exposures, I processed the Raw(DNG) files through Adobe Camera Raw at the default values. 

Interestingly, the family consensus was the the orange filter was the best, and that the no filter option was the worst (described as “duller”). Of course, this may be subject-matter and lighting specific. But it is worth considering using an orange filter with a monochromatic camera.

If you are interested, the precise filter I used was a 46mm B+W 040 Orange 550 MRC. According to the product description:

When using this filter, green, blue, and violet-colored subjects are reproduced in darker shades of gray than if a filter was not used. Simultaneously, yellow, orange, and red subjects are rendered in lighter shades of gray. Landscape and architectural photos show an increased, almost graphic contrast, while a cloudy sky may already appear dramatic. When shooting landscapes, shades of green foliage can be more differentiated, and this filter can also minimize the haze caused by the bluish cast of daylight. When used for shooting portraits, the appearance of freckles and skin blemishes will be reduced.