Leica releases its own 35mm film after a century, introducing the Monopan 50
Leica Monopan 50: A Black-and-White Dream for Purists 🚀
Let's get down to it, film enthusiasts! Leica's dropped an treat for black-and-white lovers: the Monopan 50, a brand-new 35mm film. This bad boy's not just a nod to history, it's Leica's first true 35mm emulsion. Yes, you heard it right, it's finally "Leica film," not just film in a Leica camera.
Pure Magic, Pure Analog 😎
35mm was a revolution back in the day - small format, big impact. And who else helped shape that standard than Leica? Monopan 50 celebrates that legacy, delivering a fine-grain structure, wide spectral response, and a subtle tonality that pays homage to photography's roots while offering modern fidelity.
The name says it all: Monopan 50. "Mono"'s a shoutout to Leica's Monochrom digital cameras, known for uncompromising B&W photography. "Pan"'s a nod to the film's panchromatic sensitivity, and the "50" seals the deal with its slow ISO 50 rating, harkening back to early 20th-century emulsions.
It's an ultra-fine grain film, capable of resolving up to 280 line pairs per millimeter. Its spectral sensitivity reaches up to 780nm, making it super-panchromatic, and even opening the door for infrared experimentation. Paired with Leica's legendary glass like Summicron, Summilux, or Noctilux, it sings. Wide apertures in broad daylight? No sweat. With creamy bokeh and complementary tonality, Monopan 50 breathes fresh life into architecture, landscapes, and travel scenes.
Slow, Steady, and Intentional 🏃♂️
Shot through a Leica, Monopan 50 brings out the subtleties of film, inviting you to slow down, shoot with intention, and rediscover the richness of analog photography. It'll be available starting August 21st, priced at $10/£10 per roll.
That's all, folks! Don't forget to grab your copy and keep the film revolution alive.
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Seeking the Silver Screen 🎞️
Sebastian Oakley, an accomplished photographer with 20+ years in the industry, brings you in-depth insights. He's a master of 35mm, medium, and large-format photography, using gear by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Don't miss his black-and-white street photography, often shot with his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2.
[1] Leica Monopan 50 Datasheet: https://www.leica-camera.com/
[2] Ultra-High Sensitivity Silver Halide Film Subscription
[3] Leica Monopan 50 Technical Documentation
[4] Leica Monopan 50 Analysis and Comparison
- The new Leica Monopan 50 film, a 35mm offering for black-and-white lovers, pays homage to the roots of photography while providing modern fidelity.
- With a slow ISO 50 rating, the Monopan 50 film is a super-panchromatic emulation, capable of resolving up to 280 line pairs per millimeter and reaching up to 780nm in spectral sensitivity, allowing for potential infrared experimentation.
- This film, when paired with Leica's legendary glass like Summicron, Summilux, or Noctilux, produces creamy bokeh and complementary tonality, perfect for architecture, landscapes, and travel scenes.
- The Monopan 50, hailed as Leica's first true 35mm emulsion, brings out the subtleties of film, encouraging shooters to slow down, shoot with intention, and rediscover the richness of analog photography.
- Stay updated on the best camera deals, reviews, and unmissable photography news by signing up for the Digital Camera World Newsletter.
- Seeking the Silver Screen, renowned photographer Sebastian Oakley offers in-depth insights into the world of black-and-white photography, often using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 for street photography.
