Monthly Recap đź”´ Oct26
Photography related posts, videos and hopefully a source of inspiration!
Flickr portrait of the month (Most liked)
First time here? Get your Perks!
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
So September past in a blur. How can I have less time now as a full time YouTuber than when I worked stupid hours for my old Corporate Finance overseas Auditor role?
I continue to struggle to find enough time to do stuff. More creative ideas than time to complete them! If one new thing starts something else stops. As such, sorry for the lack of new Blog posts, Flickr uploads, Instagram posts and Substack articles. I try to get back to them soon.
In September I ran my usual Leica workshops in London and flew to Gdansk to meet a few Patreon buddies. The rest of the month was testing new lenses and camera gear and making Youtube videos. Subscribe so not to miss the latest new releases.
UK test shoots
Here are a few sample images from UK test shoots in September. I arrange models when I need to test new gear for YouTube – cameras, lenses, lights etc.
Photos are the usual quick Lightroom edits – RAW files + MrLeica preset. I’ll share more images in the relevant videos.
To learn how I find models for shoots check out my free eBook.
Patreon Meetup – Gdansk, Poland
Over the last 4+ years a group of us have become good friends thanks to me setting up Patreon (and our bi-monthly Zoom calls). For those based in Europe it’s easy to meet so when one of our buddies said he’d be flying in from the US we thought it would be a good excuse to get together.
We booked a big AirBnB in central Gdansk and I arrange a model for one of the days so we could test out various cameras and lenses. See a few photos below.
Thanks to everyone bringing different cameras I was able to make the recent “Leica Guy Tries X Camera” YouTube videos. I’ve setup a new “Leica Guy Tries..” YouTube playlist for past videos where I give my opinions on non-Leica cameras.
I’ve now setup a new “Leica Guy Tries..” YouTube playlist for past videos where I give my opinions on non-Leica cameras.
Model photography eBooks
Always wanted to try model photography? Start today with my eBooks!
What’s your passion project?
As photographers, I think it’s always helpful to have a project to work towards. In addition to my life long quest of always searching for beautiful people to collaborate with, my passion project is documenting the grittier side of Gdansk and the regeneration, especially in the docks area.
Every visit I take new photos for my Gdansk photo book and after 15 years of documenting I’m currently working towards the second edition to hopefully publish before the end of 2026.
Many of the photos on their own likely mean nothing to most people but together in a book they paint a picture of how Gdansk used to look. Here a few new images captured during the latest trip. I still need to develop my film images.
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.
Upcoming European workshops
After teaching a US photographer in London in September my next workshop will be in Gdansk Poland. (I may as well live there I go so much. I love the place). A French photographer will meet me there for a 2-day 1:1 workshop and I’ve arranged two models each day for us.
I’ve then just received a workshop booking for Prague in January so looking forward to that one too.
Are overseas workshops more expensive? Not really. The day rate is the same as listed here for London but I just ask for a contribution towards my expenses on top. Thanks to the high London living costs, if you don’t live in the UK it’s likely cheaper to meet in Gdansk or Budapest compared to booking a hotel stay in London.
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.
OCTOBER 2026
- Gdansk – Two day Leica workshop with models
- Budapest – Testing lenses
NOVEMBER 2026
- Valencia – Testing lenses
- Poland TBC – Perhaps visiting a new city
DECEMBER 2026
- Spain – Usual winter escape in search of sunlight
- TBC – I’ve not had time to plan anything else yet
JANUARY 2027
- Prague – 1:1 workshop with models
- 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 –
Leica Owner? Join the Leica Club
- See full info here and enter your details to receive your Leica starter pack.
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
New digital camera
Despite calling myself a Leica guy I’m still finding myself reaching for the Lumix S1R since buying it to use for film scanning. It’s partly so I have enough new images for a blog post but equally I don’t hate it and it doesn’t feel too different from picking up my Leica SL2-S (or previous Leica SL2).
This absolutely can’t be said of all Lumix cameras (Lumix S5 for example). My Lumix S9 is for video so I don’t treat that like a photo camera. The S1R feels like a proper camera. I like it (even if I will return to my Leica SL2-S soon for daily shooting). Blog to come when I get time with lots of sample photos.
Mandler 50mm f1.4 restocks
I mentioned this in the Leica new blog so I’ll keep it brief. My final production versions of the Mandler E46 have now arrived so I can test them stopped down against a similar Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4 Pre-ASPH v3 and then give my final conclusion about this lens. For the low cost the Mandler lens is already a win but I’m interested to see which will be my favourite if we ignore the cost.
Below you can see the Mandler replica lens next to a Leica Pre-ASPH v2 lens (kindly loaned to me by Analogue Cameras – check them out for used Leica gear).
View GearList for recommended products & discount codes
Film photographers
- Film – I bought Kodak XX for 2026 but shooting some V3 colour too
- 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 – Sold out but receive updates for the next print run
- Prints – You can now order limited prints
Film (on-hold)
I’m still shooting film but haven’t developed any for 4? months due to lack of time. I shot a selfie test roll yesterday to try a new lens across 6 Leica film cameras (for the best calibration pairing) so I can see some developing coming soon. I have to, I need to see the results!
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) –
Light Lens Lab 75mm f2 SPII
the hidden cost of modern cameras
godox alternatives! Neeewer Q4Pro + Z3R
Mandler 50mm f1.4 “E46′ Launch video
autofocus any Leica m lens (canon r3)
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)
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.
Coming up next month..
I’ll be back out in Gdansk soon to teach then I’ve booked Budapest for later in the month. As fast as I test lenses new ones arrive so the pile on my desk never seems to go down, haha. I’ll be putting out two new YouTube videos a week to try to catch up and hopefully I can find time to develop some of my film too.
YouTube video – spotlight
The first two YouTube video for October are already out – Nikon Zf with Leica M lenses) and Is Available Light Holding You Back?
If you enjoyed this post receive this newsletter via email (free) + See previous newsletters if you missed them.
New reader? I’d love it if you can answer these 5 super quick questions
Future Photobooks and Prints – Get first choice
