Monthly Recap 🔴 May26
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
I’ve just got back from teaching in Texas so that was fun but my body still doesn’t know what time zone I’m in. Coming up I’ll share the latest news + YouTube videos from the last 30 days.
Falling behind
I’ve been struggle to keep up with life recently so sorry for the lack of new posts on the likes of Substack, Flickr, Instagram + no new blog posts. (I have 3 articles 95% written, I just need that final push to get them over the line).
Streamlining the blog
When did you last visit Mrleica.com? I’ve tried to simply the navigation for both desktop and mobile users. More improvements are coming so look out for layout changing over the next few months. (I’m also looking to add a new print shop but more on that next month).
Photobooks and prints
As my zines/ photobooks pretty much sold out when released, I’m planning to offer some prints until the next book launch. (*I have 2 travel books left + 1 set of legacy model books).
If you’re interested in the idea of books or prints please add your email and I’ll give you advance notice/ access ahead of a public announcement.
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Business class flights to Texas
As with all my on-demand workshops, photographers reach out and ask for a 1:1 private workshop. Most of these are in the UK and students often fly into London to meet me. Occasionally students fly me to them like my trip to Vegas in 2024.
The Texas workshop was a a similar setup to the Vegas trip. My student wanted me to help her so flew me out to Dallas for the week. She put me up in a local Marriott hotel then each day picked me up and we spent the day together.
Workshop topics were super broad, including –
- Cataloging and storing a huge pile of camera gear (camera audit)
- Refresher course for using a Hasselblad 500cm film camera
- Walkthrough on the different B&W film stocks and differences
- How to use a Sekonic L-308 lightmeter (on location and studio)
- Refresher session for film developing at home (120 and 35mm)
- Visiting the camera store to buy the kit – Shoutout to Don’s cameras!
- How to setup the studio lights and trigger for different cameras
- How to setup/ tear down the different light modifiers
- Tethering a camera to a laptop for tabletop photography/ studio
- Identify her late father’s Leica cameras (multiple – Ms, Rs, DLux)
- Meeting with builders to help plan and spec her new darkroom
- Sourcing all the equipment required for a professional darkroom
- Setting up her old printer (Epson P800) and replacing the ink set
- Visiting a store to compare different papers types + stocking up
- Refresher on how to edit and print images easily from Lightroom
In addition to business class long haul flights (a first for me), I also got to do something else I never thought I would – go up in a light aircraft. My student’s friend is a pilot so he offered to take us out for the day. Amazing experience and I felt very fortunate. See my ride below.
My student kindly lent me her Leica D-Lux 8 compact camera so I could make a YouTube review. See the latest video if you missed it. I also developed new LR presets for the Leica D-Lux cameras (+ Panasonic Lumix LX100 cameras – same sensor). The photo above was shot with the D-Lux 8.
The trip was a success so I might be going back in 2026 – I’m told! (If you want me to visit you get in touch and I can see if it’s possible).
Photoshoots
I travelled less in April as I had a few UK photoshoots booked for testing various LED lighting setups I was reviewing for YouTube. I booked a hotel in London and arranged models for both days. The photo of the month (above) was unexpected.. it’s always the usual stuff that seems to do well. Here is another from the same model –
I arranged two outdoor shoots in London too. You might have seen my photos of Ellie on Instagram. I still need to scan the film images from the Hasselblad.
Model photography eBooks
Always wanted to try model photography? Start today with my eBooks!
London workshop
I met up with one of my new students again in May for a London workshop. For our first few sessions we focused on Leica cameras but this time he wanted to learn how to use his Hasselblad 500cm film camera.
I suggested we hire a model so he had someone to photograph so I asked Bella to meet us. Like most of my workshops, the day was probably 50% teaching lighting and 50% cameras/ everything else. (Once you understand lighting and how to work with a model you can use any camera).
You might recognise the photo below from one of my YouTube videos where I was showing the benefits of using high power LED and the impact of different light modifiers. (I was shooting with my Hassy too. I’ve developed the film but still need to scan it).
Workshops
My Dallas student visits me in the UK in May so I have that in London then for June I have both my usual London workshops and a trip to Prague to teach. (UK student meeting me in Prague to see how I work with the Czech models).
Get in touch if you’d like to spend a day together – check my availability
Help via Zoom
Zoom calls let me assist photographers around the world remotely. Whether it’s new cameras/ lenses, portrait lighting techniques or portfolio reviews I can help. Read the Zoom testimonials and check my availability.
Workshop survey
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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.
MAY 2026
- France – Cycling holiday with friends
- PhotoLondon – Not travel but in the diary to meet Patreon friends
- TBC – Nothing else planned unless I get a last minute urge
JUNE 2026
- Prague – Private workshop (UK student will meet me there)
- Roadtrip – Not booked yet but provision dates with Patreon friends
JULY 2026
- Spain – Joining family for their summer holiday
- TBC – I’ve not had time to plan anything else yet
Coming to London?
Check my availability if you’d like to meet up while you’re in London –
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
Mandler restocks – 800 lenses
You’ve probably heard me mention the brand Mandler. This is a new brand for Leica M mount and their first lens has been a bit of a hit. Every time they produce a batch of their Mandler 35mm f2 lens they sell out within the first 24hrs.
They’ve now ramped up production to try to meet the unexpected global demand and their latest drop was 800 lenses (including 200 LTM lenses).
Why so popular?
This lens is winning people’s hearts for 5 simple reasons –
- Replica of the famous Leica Summicron 35mm f2 v4 “King of Bokeh”
- Only $348 (about £258) – Amazing value for that classic “Leica Look”
- Lightweight aluminium or premium chrome-plated brass (feels like a Leica)
- Free shipping (no import fees), tracking + 12 months warranty
- LTM (L39 screw mount) option – fits affordable vintage LTM cameras
View GearList for recommended products & discount codes
Film photographers
- Film – I bought Kodak XX for 2026 but shooting colour/ old XP2 first
- Cameras – Really enjoying the Leica M4 and Leica MP 0.85 combo
- 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
- Darkroom Printing – When I get time – Mostly 5×7 + some 8×10
- Photobooks – Check availability + Receive updates
- Prints – NEW PRINT SHOP – Coming soon – Receive updates
Colour film project + Back to B&W
If you’re a regular reader you might remember me starting a colour film project a few months back. My colour developing kit is almost expired but I need to shoot a few more rolls to finish in. I’m already sliding back to my usual black and whites but I enjoyed the experiment and I got a few really nice shots.
After putting B&W on hold (mostly), I did a developing session and last week and caught up from the last 4 months or so (plus some from summer 2025). It looks like I have a light leak in one of my Hasselblad 500 backs so I need to get a new seal kit. (You’ll likely see it on Flickr when I get time to scan the 120 film).
Directory: Leica Repairs + Leica YouTubers
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Latest YouTube videos
Catch up on YouTube videos (Last 30 days) –
Leica-Size Solution to Better Photos (Zhiyun X100 RGB LED)
How I Improved My Leica Cameras
New from GODOX – Lighting just got TOO EASY!
My Texas leica
Latest blog posts
400+ written posts (+ full res images) to supplement my YT videos
*3 new articles are backed up ready to post – soon!
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) –
- “Does more gear = Better photos?“- Free to view
- “Ellie BTS Photoshoot (16mins)” – Members
Coming up next month..
Coming up in May we have our annual Patreon meet-up at the PhotoLondon event. Looking forward to seeing friends who fly in for the weekend (or are UK based). Great event if you need some inspiration to get out and shoot. If you’re there and you see us be sure to come and say hi!
I’ve got a cycling holiday with friends in south France at the start of May (some of the guys I did Coast-to-Coast with last year + Lands End to GOY some years ago.. (we also paddled across the English Channel to France 14yrs years ago in inflatable kayaks). I just say yes and turn up. (I’ve packed a few small cameras so I’ll see what I can get.
The rest of the month I’ve booked no travel so I can catch up on life, arrange a few more UK shoot and work on my next big project (YouTube video to follow!).
March-April was a self inflicted deep dive into LED lighting – all I did and thought about for 6+ weeks.. waking up in the night writing down my ideas.
That’s now complete but the next rabbit hole has already opened up so I’ve already spent 30+ hours on it (including 2-4am research sessions when my brain is too active to sleep). Everything I ordered has now arrived so it’s just a matter of trial and error plus practice and then I’ll make a video.
YouTube video – spotlight
The first video for May will likely be the video on a device that I thought was just perfect for Leica street photographers. You’ll see when I post the video. I’m also waiting on some new lenses to review so hopefully they arrive soon and I can get testing.
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Photobooks are mostly sold out but prints are coming – Get first choice