Author: Matt Osborne (MrLeica.Com)

Leica specialist and model photographer - YouTuber, blogger and teaches Leica workshops (Film and digital).

Leica News 🔴 Jul25

New in LeicaLand 🔴 Jul25

Leica news for Blog Insiders

Leica related news

Updates from LeicaLand!

  • Leica Monopan 50 film – Leica join others by releasing their own branded B&W 35mm film. Most experts I’ve chatted to agree than Leica Monopan is just rebadged Adox HR-50 film stock but if it helps fund more new cameras and lenses then great!  *Leica Wetzlar told me that Monopan 50 should be available from August. 
  • Voigtlander 28mm f2 APO-Lanthar VM – If you’re a 28mm lens fan Voigtlander has added a 28mm their APO lens line-up for Leica M mount. YouTube review to follow once tested and you can find them + more info at Robert White.
  • TTArtisan 75mm f2 AF – If you follow me on Instagram @MrLeicaCom, all the images I’ve been posting from the Czech Republic were shot with this very affordable compact autofocus lens. Now available in Leica L mount,see last night’s YouTube video.
TTArtisan 75mm f2 Portrait

Anamorphic lenses for Leica

If you love using vintage lenses on your Leica camera for those added imperfections and character, have you considered anamorphic lenses? Unlike modern spherical lenses which often render very digital looking images, anamorphic lenses are optically imperfect so ideal if you want to create something a bit different. 

Yes anamorphic lenses are perhaps better suited to video but you can use them for photos too.  Sirui make some of the smallest and most affordable anamorphic lenses for Leica L mount with their Sirui Saturn lenses (see this video).  I’ve since gone on to get a few more anamorphic lenses and I’m really enjoying the wider format.

From Instagram

In a time where it’s quite difficult to take photos that stand out, the images I’ve been sharing using anamorphic lenses have been my best performers. (I have another YouTube video to follow covering the image shared below so Subscribe on YouTube to see that).

Leica SL2-S Colours

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Leica News 🔴 Aug25

New in LeicaLand 🔴 Aug25

Leica news for Blog Insiders

Leica related news

Updates from LeicaLand! (Quiet month..)

  • Voigtlander 28mm f2 APO-Lanthar VM – Last month I mentioned the announcement of the new 28mm APO lens from Voigtlander. You can now watch the full review on YouTube and see how it performs against similar 28mm lenses for Leica M mount.  Spoiler! Excellent performer and available at Robert White in the UK.
  • Funleader Artizlab 35mm f1.4 silver edition – You may remember my YouTube review of this lens which was originally only available in gloss black. The Artizlab 35mm f1.4 offers a small, lightweight, affordable alternative to the classic Leica 35mm f1.4 pre-ASPH lens (inspired by). Now available in silver to match your silver Leica cameras!
Leica M10-P by Leica M-A

Lighting isn’t sexy but it works!

When it comes to gear, us Leica fans love to get the latest camera or lens. What seems far less popular is learning how to light. Light makes or breaks our photo regardless of what kit we use and this was clearly evident in my latest YouTube video (3 fantastic portrait lenses for Leica yet the winner was actually the light source). 

Leica Summilux 75mm f1.4 Portrait

After teaching portrait lighting workshops to Leica fans for over a decade I often get asked what is my favourite light? Below are some of my favourite lights that I use with my Leica cameras (and videos showing how I use them). See this written article for full res sample images using different light setups.

Feeling inspired to improve your portrait skills?  Get in touch if you’d like to organise a day together and follow me on Instagram to see how I light my Leica portraits. 

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Leica News 🔴 Sep25

New in LeicaLand 🔴 Sep25

Leica news for Blog Insiders

Leica related news

Updates from LeicaLand!

  • New Sigma L-Mount Lenses – Sigma announced 3 news L-mount lenses to add to their existing line-up – 135mm f1.4, 35mm f1.2 and 20-200mm f3.5-6.3. See the Sigma lenses for Leica blog post for reviews of some of the Sigma lenses I’ve tested so far.
  • Chinotech L.D. Meter (Laser Rangefinder) – For photographers that enjoy using film cameras without a rangefinder such as my Leica MDa, MD-2 or 1931 Leica I c, this new device lets you focus accurately even wide open. Zone focusing is great but if you like to shoot at f2 then the CHI L.D. Meter is for you. This device is also great to focus under 0.7m with digital rangefinder cameras that lack LiveView (Leica M8, Leica M9, Leica M262as examples)(See the video).
  • Wotancraft Mini Rider v2 Sling Bags – Wotancraft released a new line of Mini Rider camera bags including the 4.5L which I’ve found is the perfect size for carrying multiple Leica cameras. The 4.5L bag fits in the top compartment of my 18L Wotancraft backpack (the bag I use when I travel for 3-4 days) and comes with an extra strap for cyclists. Attach the second strap and wear the bag while riding. It stays in place, love!
Leica MD-a (YouTube)

Getting your Leica serviced in the UK?

Talking of the Leica MDa above, I just got my MDa camera back from service. It feels like new! I often receive questions asking where I get my Leica film cameras repaired. In the past I’ve used various people and not all of them still offer services so I went to CameraWorks UK. Alan did a thorough job (the service notes are the most detailed I’ve ever seen – love!) and you get emailed progress updates. 

Like anything good, Alan is in demand so it might take 6-9-12 months for your camera service but that might be an excuse to pick up another film camera to try while it’s away. (When I sent off my Leica MDa I picked up a Leica MD-2 to try in the meantime). For those of you in The Netherlands, I also recommend ACR – Amsterdam Camera Repair.

Gdansk Christmas Postcard

Join me in Gdansk!

The Polish city of Gdansk is a special place for me and I’ve been travelling there for photography for almost 15 years. (I was there again last week teaching – See YT video). Gdansk offers beautiful models, scenic cityscapes and timeless scenes from decades earlier. Sadly the city is developing quickly so if you’d like to catch a perfect blend of the old and the new side by side consider visiting in the next 12 months.

Need a tour guide? Meet me in Gdansk for a workshop and I’d be happy to show you my favourite spots (and organise a model if interested). One space available for early October.

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Leica News 🔴 Oct25

New in LeicaLand 🔴 Oct25

Leica news for Blog Insiders

Leica related news

Updates from LeicaLand!

  •  TTArtisan silver 75mm f2 AF lens – If you own a silver Leica SL2 you might be excited to hear that TTArtisan now released their 75mm autofocus lens in silver. Great lens for portraits and a nice size too. See the black lens in action on YouTube.
  • Funleader Artizlab 35mm f1.4 II – As mentioned last month, Funleader updated their Artizlab 35mm lens. Optically identical to the first version I reviewed but with a few minor improvements for rangefinder camera users.  Check out the YouTube video to see how this vintage Leica Summilux inspired lens compares to other modern classics.
  • MrDing Pactcron 35mm f1.8 – Another Chinese brand that is making classic Leica inspired lenses is MrDing. If you have a black paint Leica MP or similar you’ll likely love the black paint finish and brass build. For black chrome cameras like my Leica M10-P I found that fitting a SquareHood hood made it pair nicely. Watch on YouTube.
  • Leica M EV1 Rumours – Many of you ask me about the much rumoured Leica M EV1. Sadly I don’t know any more than what you read online so we’ll just have to wait and see.  (I will say that I appreciate small form factor cameras and continue to enjoy the discontinued mirrorless APS-C Leica CL for travel). Lumix almost got it right with the full frame Lumix S9 but we need an EVF. It’ll be interesting to see what we get from Leica!

Red leather camera straps

A common question I receive is “Matt, where did you get your red camera strap from?” I actually use two. One is a wrist strap, one is a neck strap, both designed with quick release Peak Design anchors. 

Leica MDa YouTube Review

All the camera straps you see me using are made by Wotancraft. This is the same brand as the camera bags you see in my videos. My travel bag is their 18L Pilot backpack and I use a 3.5L Pilot sling bag as a top compartment (that I pull out and wear when arriving on location).

Best bag for Leica - Wotancraft
2023 US workshops – Wotancraft bags 

Wotancraft watch straps + camera straps combos

Wotancraft even make watch straps!

Unsure what Leica film camera to get?

In addition to writing the Leica M film camera buyer’s guide some years ago I finally put together a visual to show the small differences between different cameras.

Leica Manchester Store – Leica M4

Talking of film cameras, you may have spotted this beautiful black Leica M4 in my latest YouTube video. If you are looking for Leica equipment check out the Leica Manchester Store. Excellent customer service and some great deals on new and used items!

I bought a black Leica M4! (YouTube)

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