Monthly Recap 🔴 Nov26
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
It feels like the summer is now definitely over (boo!) Short days, colder temperatures and less sun. At this time of year I look to start escaping the UK in search of more light.
For October I went to Budapest and was teaching a Leica workshop in Gdansk. I got pretty lucky with the weather on both trips so my sun dance must have helped a little.
After posting seven new YouTube videos in October (my most for a long time), I feel I’m starting to catch up a bit. I even managed a new Substack article, a long form Blog post, new Flickr uploads and even a few Instagram posts. Happy to be getting back to it although I still need to find time to try to design and print some new Photobooks before Christmas.
Links below to everything plus the usual full res photos. Subscribe so not to miss future videos and articles!
Budapest Photoshoots
I booked myself short trip to Budapest to mainly test the new Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 APO lens (See video). I also arranged a few models to shoot while I was in town. For portraits I prefer 50mm or longer outside so I took the new Mandler 50mm f1.4 lens (See video) and a couple of other lenses.
Here are some samples. Photos are the usual quick Lightroom edits – RAW files + MrLeica preset. To learn how I find free models check out my free eBook.
Leica Workshop – Gdansk, Poland
I was back in Gdansk Poland to teach a private 2-day Leica workshop for a student who arrived from Paris.
If you’re wondering how my European workshops work, I don’t advertise dates. Photographers just write to me and say “Hey Matt, I’d love to arrange a workshop with you. Can we meet in Poland / Budapest etc”. I check flight and confirm and then arrange the models and help with planning accommodation.
For London workshops it’s basically the same. Photographers write to me and say “Hey Matt, I’m coming to London next month. Are you free on X date? Can we get together for a workshop?”
People often say where do I advertise my workshop dates? I don’t, I teach on demand. If you want a workshop just write and we’ll make it happen.
With that covered, for the Gdansk meet this wasn’t our first workshop together. My student booked a large multi-room apartment to use as our studio space and living quarters. Plenty of big windows for available light plus balcony to give us more options. I scouted it as I know the city. (Like a do for my solo trips. See my Travel eBook for more info).
I arranged the models for us, two girls each day so four in total. Most were local models and one travelled a few hours to join us. My student had his car with him so he brought his Profoto lights and his laptop to tether to his Leica SL3-P. (He also had his Leica M EV1 for a smaller setup).
See a few sample photos below. First are digitals shot with my Leica SL2-S (RAW + MrLeica Preset), then film scans after.
Film photos shot with the new Mandler 50mm f1.4 lens (See video)
Film photos shot with the new Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 APO lens (See video)
Model photography eBooks
Always wanted to try model photography? Start today with my eBooks!
Prints and Photobooks
It’s that time of year again where I need to get organised and design my annual photobooks to be printed. Last year I printed 30 of each design and they all sold so I’ll likely do the same this year.
If you’re interested in my new photobooks and don’t want to miss out you can receive updates here. I’ve got prints too.
London & European Leica workshops
Get in touch if you’re planning to visit Europe and want to arrange a day together. Check my availability and read some of the Workshop Testimonials.
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
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.
NOVEMBER 2026
- Valencia – Testing lenses
- Poland – Exploring and testing lenses
DECEMBER 2026
- Spain – Usual winter escape in search of sunlight
- Budapest – Annual Christmas market trip (meet-up)
JANUARY 2027
- Prague – 1:1 Leica workshop with models
- Tenerife – TBC (Waiting for client confirmation)
FEBRUARY 2027
- Hong Kong – First time! To buy lenses/ explore/ make content (TBC)
- TBC
Coming to London?
Check my availability if you’d like to meet up while you’re in London –
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Digital photographers
If you follow me you know I love Leica cameras and my preference for film.
- Digital cameras – Leica CL, SL 601, SL2S, M262, M10P + Lumix S9, S1R
- 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
View GearList for recommended products & discount codes
Film photographers
- Film – I bought Kodak XX for 2026 but shooting some V3 colour too
- Cameras – Currently enjoying the Leica M4 and Leica MP 0.85 combo
- Film Developing – Now using AGO processor (find here) + Kodak Xtol
- Film Scanning – See video for how I scan film using Valoi Easy35v2
- Darkroom Printing – When I get time – Mostly 5×7 + some 8×10
- Photobooks – Sold out but receive updates for the next print run
- Prints – You can now order limited prints
Film developing with AGO film processor
I’ve finally developed some of my black and white film from over the summer! Earlier in the year Vintage Visuals reached out and asked if I’d like to try their new AGO film processor. This device basically “plugs” into a regular Paterson tank (2-reel tank is included) and monitors the chemistry temperature and time.
You can select the relevant program for your film developer and film stock and it automatically agitates your film for the required time then beeps and stops once complete. So cool. I will make a full video on it when I get time but you can see some clips of it in action in this video.
Being able to run the Paterson tank on its side means less chemistry is required and results are now consistent and comparable thanks to the automation. The biggest pro for me is the time saving as I can edit YouTube video while it whirls away.
The AGO film processor is not the cheapest device but if you shoot 5-6 rolls of film per month it will pay for itself in less than a year (vs lab costs). The device will be especially beneficial to those that shoot colour film as B&W suffers less from temperature changes. I’m looking forward to trying it for some C41 developing when I get time.
Good news! Vintage Visuals kindly agreed to give me a 10% discount code for my readers/ viewers. Just visit Vintage Visuals and use code MrLeicaCom at checkout to save 10%.
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) –
leica guy tries nikon zf (with M lenses)
Don’t Limit Yourself To Available Light | Making Your Own
Leica M Lenses: 5 Cameras, 5 Experiences
Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 90mm f4 VM
Mandler 50mm f1.4 “E46” – FULL REVIEW
VILTROX AIR LENSES FOR L MOUNT – 20/40/50MM
Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 APO
Latest blog posts
400+ written posts to supplement my YT videos. Latest articles –
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). Recent post –
Latest Substack
If you want more content you can also follow me on Substack. I post when I can, both short form and occasional long form articles. Check out the latest article –
Black Friday Deals
If you’re looking to buy new camera gear you can currently benefit from the Black Friday sales. Quite a few brands wrote to me asking me to share their offers but it’s likely easier to just visit the websites of any brand you’re interested in.
For lenses consider Light Lens Lab, Mandler, Viltrox, Thypoch, TTArtisan, 7Artisans, Brightin Star, Artralab, Funleader, MrDing, Sirui.
For other gear including lights, bags and accessories check out Neewer, Zhiyun, SmallRig, Ulanzi, KEKS, Wotancraft.
Coming up next month..
In November I head to Valencia for a few days to test lenses then to Poland later in the month to do more of the same. I’ve also got multiple UK photoshoots booked as I have some new lights I want to test.
YouTube video – spotlight
The first YouTube video of November will likely be an affordable portrait lens, and then as mentioned I should have some new portrait light options to share later in the month. Psst. I also have a new tiny Leica M mount lens that I think I can share soon too.
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Future Photobooks and Prints – Get first choice
