Forum DSLR Photography Monochrome - Color - Camera - Software
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Andreas F 03.04.2022, 10:08 #1

Monochrome - Color - Camera - Software

Are there differences between the camera's black-and-white mode and converting images to black-and-white using software?
Hello   A question that came to me yesterday from a photo prompted me to pick up my digital camera this morning. Just a quick splash of color on the table and off we go.
The question was: is there a difference between a color photo converted to monochrome using software and a photo taken directly in monochrome mode on the camera?
Here are three shots. If anyone can confidently tell me which ones were converted with software and which were shot in monochrome mode on the camera, feel free to chime in.
Overall, an interesting insight for me as well.

If you use different software or cameras, you’re welcome to join the discussion.😉   Camera: Canon 5DII with 100mm macro lens. Software: Darktable.
   
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Monochrome or Color Andreas Friedrichs
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  Andreas Friedrichs
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Monochrome or Color Andreas Friedrichs
 
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Andreas F 03.04.2022, 11:32 #3
@Heinz Licht So, what's the verdict?
The whole point was to convert only to monochrome, just as it comes out of the camera.
Which one is monochrome and which one is color?
 
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Heinz Licht 03.04.2022, 12:15 #4
Andreas, I’m not interested in that. The color image is converted to black and white in the camera, and you have to accept the result. You can then convert the color image yourself and control the process.
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Andreas F 03.04.2022, 12:38 #5
@Heinz Licht
With a RAW file, the colors are always preserved, so I don’t have to settle for anything less. It’s a different story with JPEG files, of course.
What message were you trying to convey to me or the interested readers with the image you included?
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Heinz Licht 03.04.2022, 12:57 #6
It basically doesn’t matter whether the image is taken in black and white or color. What really counts is the editing—either way.

A RAW file is always in color, and a JPG is an edited version. If you edit the RAW file yourself, you have full control over the final result.

I just attached that to show that a black and white image doesn’t have to look muddy like your two examples. And there’s definitely room to improve it even more.
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Andreas F 03.04.2022, 15:37 #7
Well, look at that—we actually agree. At least, that's what I assume since I'm being repeated.

So, the statement under one of the pictures no longer holds up and has been disproven.

Of course, it doesn't have to be blurry. But as I mentioned before, it should be exactly as it came from the camera. Any further editing might actually compromise the ability to compare.
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Eric Dittmann 28.01.2026, 22:22 #8
Just for my understanding: Why do you want to save an image as a JPG? If you use the camera’s black-and-white mode and shoot in RAW, you still have full flexibility to edit later. So why limit yourself to JPG?

It’s like deliberately loading a cheap film into my extremely expensive analog camera.

Unfortunately, I can’t see the three links (test) …😢 I just get "Page not found."

Or what exactly are you trying to do?

Best, Didi
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Erich Kremer 28.01.2026, 22:33 #9
Technically, you can convert any color JPG to black and white—whether directly to grayscale, by channel separation, or through image editing software. But when you shoot in black and white mode, it’s more of a psychological approach. You engage with your subjects differently and compose in a unique way. I like to use older digital cameras set to the highest ISO, maximum contrast, and shoot through the green channel. What I see on the display then closely resembles a pushed old Kodak TriX film, bringing back that classic "film feeling." As I said, this is more about the mindset than the technical process. Some of the photos I’ve shared don’t even exist in color—they often came straight out of the camera just as shown.
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