I don't do much black and white

[Maggedy]

(though I really love it) so my conversion skills are poor, but FWIW here are a couple I took with the 35L. These are muddy, yes?

.

 

[white]

No they're pretty much the opposite of muddy. The contrast is borderline excessive -- you're starting to lose details in some areas, like the chair cushion in #1, and the ears in #2. Burning these areas will help bring the detail and separation back.

 

[Neil S.]

No they're pretty much the opposite of muddy. The contrast is borderline excessive -- you're starting to lose details in some areas, like the chair cushion in #1, and the ears in #2. Burning these areas will help bring the detail and separation back.

I know almost nothing about black & white.

It seems that its more important when working with B&W to not blow out the highlights/shadows? Is this correct?

 

[Maggedy]

No they're pretty much the opposite of muddy. The contrast is borderline excessive -- you're starting to lose details in some areas, like the chair cushion in #1, and the ears in #2. Burning these areas will help bring the detail and separation back.

Thank you, white. I see now. I knew *something* was wrong.

 

[invisible]

No they're pretty much the opposite of muddy. The contrast is borderline excessive -- you're starting to lose details in some areas, like the chair cushion in #1, and the ears in #2. Burning these areas will help bring the detail and separation back.

I agree with this, and -- in case you decide to work more on these images -- I'd like to suggest that you also burn all the white that appears out of focus in the background and lower left of the frame in #1.

That seems to be one sharp lens, by the way.

 

[Maggedy]

No they're pretty much the opposite of muddy. The contrast is borderline excessive -- you're starting to lose details in some areas, like the chair cushion in #1, and the ears in #2. Burning these areas will help bring the detail and separation back.

I agree with this, and -- in case you decide to work more on these images -- I'd like to suggest that you also burn all the white that appears out of focus in the background and lower left of the frame in #1.

That seems to be one sharp lens, by the way.

These are some of my first shots from the 35L. Looks promising!