Monthly Recap 🔴 Jan26
Newsletter: Photography related posts, videos and hopefully a source of inspiration!
Flickr portrait of the month (Most liked)
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Founded in 2013, I share my experiences and reviews of Leica, film cameras, lenses + more. View the last 100 blog posts and search 400+ articles. Photos? See Flickr and Instagram.
Last month
Happy New Year! So December started in Gdansk (Poland) and was the month that I joined Substack, signed, number and posted 100+ photobooks and commenced Leica user guest posts on LeicaClub.org (sister site).
In addition to that, I was in Lanzarote with a model friend (to help her with her camera) and headed to Spain for remote working plus to test new gear for YouTube. See the blog post about travelling the world taking photos.
Teaching in Lanzarote
Join me on Substack!
You’ve probably heard of the platform Substack. My Patreon buddy Tobi has been on it for around 12 months so I often hear about it from him. I thought it was time to give it a try so I set up a free profile and I’m loving it. My plan for 2026 is to post trip highlights on Substack like I used to do for the blog back in 2013. Behind the scenes photos, a bit about gear, photos, related YouTube videos etc. (I’ll still share the high level summary here too).
https://open.substack.com/pub/mrleicacom/p/phototrips-2025-310-100-years-of
I’m currently writing “2025 Phototrip (4/10)” for Substack as I need to write up 10 trips for 2025 before starting 2026. (FYI – Substack is fantastic for photographers. It reminds me of Instagram when that first started. People posting real photography without constant ads, filters, and other spam). I might even attempt a 365 project on Substack for 2026 where I post something every day. Check out Substack and join the friendly community!
Photobook zines sellout
After ordering a short run of photobooks zines (5 different books), the majority sold out in December. (There are a handful left if you want one – website now shows remaining stock quantities). Thanks to everyone that showed an interest in my books, I didn’t expect to sell 100+ zines in the first month.
Sold my only copy by mistake
After mis-calculating my photobook quantities I messed up and sold my own 1of15 Gdansk book. Because of this for early 2026 I plan to print a small batch of larger thicker books (perhaps 65-80 pages vs 44 pages (to still fit inside a C4 envelope for shipping).
Pre-orders for 2026
When I ordered the zine photobooks in bulk I was able to reduce my costs and sell each book for £10. With larger thicker books and smaller quantities, these next books are likely to cost around £20-25 each. The plan is to design and print 4 new books to test the format and for those that missed the first book run.
- “120 Girls” – Models shot with medium format film cameras (Best of)
- “Girls with cameras” – First edition soft back version
- “Travel (v2)” – More photos included, different format
- “GdaÅ„sk (v2)” – The regeneration of
I know some of you love books so if you want to secure a copy please add your email to the following questionnaire and I will be in touch before I place the order.  (This is not a “hard sell” – I’m just printing the books for my own enjoyment so can print you a copy if you’d like one).
Checkout difficulties
Sorry for those of you that had difficulties at checkout. The two issues were Â
- Guest checkout option removed (after cyber attacks) – Log-in email now requiredÂ
- Photobook orders to be posted (No address fields visible) – Address fields now added
Feature your images on the blog!
As mentioned previously, my plan is to eventually merge Patreon, Leica Club members and Blog Insiders all into one new do-everything platform. (Free access + tiered access). For this I’ve setup a new sister website – LeicaClub.org (Still evolving).
Are you or your friend a passionate Leica user looking to reach broader audience with your photos? I invite you to write a guest post for the Leica Club. To share your experience with Leica just get in touch and I’ll send you the template to complete.
Leica Club guest posts (New)
Here are the first 5 guest posts (submitted in December) and more are coming!
- Better photos with a rangefinder – Michael Schmidt
- Exploring AI as an Amateur Photographer – Sundeep Kheterpal
- Why I’ll still be photographing with my old Leica M9 in 2026 – Tobi Spranger
- Uncharted Territory – Rex Yau
- Seduced by LEICA – Was it worth it? – Peter Elgar
Leica Owner? Join the Leica Club
- See full info here or enter your details below:
Back in Gdansk
As briefly mentioned last month, from November into December I was back in GdaÅ„sk to meet Patreon friends Tobi and Thomas. Our only plan was to hang out, have fun and take photos. As a continue to document Gdansk, I’m always looking for a new angle of a familiar scenes to create images for future photobooks.
If you saw the latest YouTube video on Leica lenses + 120 film, here are a few samples photos. (I still need to develop my 35mm film).
Flickr photo of the month (Most liked overall)
Lanzarote workshop
A few years back I travelled to Lanzarote with long-time model friend, Rachel. Rachel has since got into photography so for this trip we travelled together and I helped her with her camera. Below are a few photos of Rachel trying out model photography (working with Jess who I know from previous visits).
As described in my Travel Guide eBook, I booked us my usual super cheap flights plus an apartment for us to share. Situated close to the airport and 5mins from the beach, this is the ideal spot for photoshoots and for my morning run/ swim!
Model photography eBooks
If model photography is something you’ve always wanted to try check out my eBooks.
Remote working in Spain (II)
For December I was also back out in Spain for remote working and to escape the UK winter weather. For this trip I stayed near Valencia. I was there to test cameras and lenses and mainly for vitamin D (sunlight). I did arranged a photoshoot with Claudia while I was in town who I know from other trips. (See my write-up “How to travel the world taking photos” for more details.. or my Travel Guide eBook).
Leica workshops
My Leica and model photography workshops are usually in London but I teach in Europe too.
Help via Zoom
Zoom calls let me assist photographers around the world remotely. Whether it’s buying new cameras/ lenses, portrait lighting techniques or need help mastering your new Leica camera, I can help. See Zoom testimonials. Last month I was helping individuals in Kansas, Israel, Bali and other places!
Students ask for mentorship and portfolio reviews so I offer these too. Check my availability and feel free to get in touch!
Workshop survey
Complete the survey to register your interest in a MrLeica workshop near you.
Future travel plans
Here are my provisional travel plans. Maybe I’m coming to a city near you or somewhere you’d like to visit. Feel free to contact me to organise a workshop –
Lanzarote sunset
JANUARY 2026
- Alicante, Spain (near) – Remote working + Photos (Alicante trip – YouTube)
- Prague and Pilsen – Photoshoots (Czech Republic – YouTube)
FEBRUARY 2026
- Lisbon – Testing lenses + photos (Lisbon – YouTube)
- Budapest – TBC (Budapest – YouTube)
MARCH 2026
- Lanzarote – Photoshoots (Lanzarote – YouTube)
- Tenerife – Client work + photoshoots (TBC)
Coming to London?
Now you can check my availability if you’d like to meet up while you’re in London –
Leica+Model Workshops
Digital photographers
If you follow me you know I love Leica cameras and my preference for film vs digital.
- Digital cameras – Leica CL, SL 601, SL2S, M262, M10P + Lumix S9
- Lenses – See all lens reviews. I’m testing a few I can’t mention yet
- Editing with presets – All my images are RAW + LR preset
Download Leica presets
View GearList for recommended products & discount codes
Film photographers
- Film – I just bought fresh B&W film for 2026 – Kodak XX
- Cameras – Really enjoying the Leica M4 (will sell my Leica M2)
- Film Developing – I use 1:3 Kodak Xtol + dash if Rodinal in 3 reel tanks
- Film Scanning – See this video for how I scan film using a Valoi Easy120
- Printing – Darkroom prints in my bathroom – Mostly 5×7 + some 8×10
- Photobooks – Check availability + Receive updates
Scanning 120 film negatives from 2023-2025
Since moving to the Valoi Easy35 and Easy120 film scanners (where I use my digital Leica SL or CL cameras) I’ve pretty much stopped using my flatbed scanner. I’m really happy with the Valoi Easy120 for 35mm film (the bigger light source gives an even illumination across the negative) but 24MP isn’t enough for high res scans of 120 film.
As my Leica SL / SL2-S / CL are all 24MP I’ve not been scanning my 120 film as that meant more time firing up my Epson v800 scanner. That was for over a year so I thought finally it’s time to scan some of my old negs shot with the Hasselblad H3D-39 (+ film back), Hasselblad 501c, Mamiya M645 Super and other cameras. The negative below was shot in 2024 in the Czech Republic with expired Fuji Acros 100 @50. (Amazing film for portraits/ skin tones!)
Directory: Leica Repairs + Leica YouTubers
Have feedback following a Leica service, repair or CLA? See the Leica Repair Directory page. What are your favourite Leica YouTuber channels?
Latest YouTube videos
Catch up on YouTube videos (Last 30 days) –
How good is the Leica Summarex 85mm f1.5 lens?
Leica Q3M Monochrom – Hand’s on Test
My BEST + WORST Purchases of 2025
Get 2.7x MORE Resolution from a Leica lens
Latest blog posts
400+ written posts (+ full res images) to supplement my YT videos –
Patreon post (shared)
Join over 1000 members to see more content. Here are some Patreon articles you may have missed (Join us today!)(Patreon testimonials) –
- “HNY + Patreon just got cheaper for 2026!“- Free to view
- “Lanzarote BTS – Dec’25 (The trip + Great travel hack)” – Members
Coming up next month..
For January I head out to Spain to remote work again. The idea is more sunshine but I think it will be wet for some of it. The plan is to run in the mornings then lock myself away and pump out content the rest of the time (+ meet a few local models if they’re free). Later in the month I fly to the Czech Republic to meet a model friend for portfolio work and then to team up with Tobi again. Looking forward to that!
YouTube video – spotlight
The first YouTube video of the year / month will be out later today – Leica made their own film! Monopan 50 helped me create my highest resolution 35mm darkroom print so far so I’m happy! (I printed on 5×7 and 8×10 papers last night – you’ll see in the video).
New videos are also coming for a new wide angle lens for Leica M mount (well 2 lenses actually) + later in the month the new Light Lens Lab 35mm f1.4 AA lens that I ordered (awaiting delivery). Excited!
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