🔴 MrLeica Monthly Recap – April 2024

Monthly Newsletter

Hi there! Here is the latest edition of the monthly MrLeica newsletter – Photography related posts, videos, upcoming events and hopefully a source of inspiration!

Features

• 30 Day Recap + Updates
• Latest YouTube Videos 
• Newest Blog Posts
• Featured Products, Articles and Photographers

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Coming up..

Hi! I started the blog back in 2013 sharing my stories, experiences and reviews of various Leica, film cameras, lenses and more. Check out the last 100 blog posts and search all 400+ articles using the search toolbar on the homepage.

What was I up to last month?

Lots of cool things to cover this month; the Leica SL3 launch, new Leica presets, learning a lot thanks to 4×5 photography plus all the usual topics covered too.

Leica SL3 UK launch invite

If you missed my Leica SL3 video, I was kindly invited by the Leica UK team to the Leica SL3 launch. I couldn’t speak about it this time last month but it happened at the end of February ahead of the official launch date. 10 of us, mostly well established photo journalists and me. I seem to be the only die hard Leica nut (with Leica SL in hand) and the others were more broad based photo journalists (less Leica specific).

The UK launch event took place in Scotland so we were all flown up to Edinburgh airport and then a taxi ride to our nice hotel. Without duplicating the SL3 video content too much, we were each handed a Leica SL3 and we got to play with them for 2 days to see what they can do. Very nice camera. See the video and full blog post still to come with more sample photos.

New Leica Presets (M10 + SL3)

When I bought my Leica M10 I knew I would likely want to make a more complete MrLeica Leica M10 preset pack for Lightroom. It took me quite a few months to narrow down to my 5 most used M10 presets but finally they are now able to download.

This “New” Leica M10 pack replaces the existing Leica M10 pack. All presets are unique and developed from scratch so if you already have the old pack there is no risk of overlap/ duplication. One of the new colour presets for the M10 is a more stylised look. Here is a sample photo –

Leica SL3 presets

As I was lucky enough to try the new Leica SL3 camera I also developed a SL3 preset pack. I still need to finish and publish the related blog post but those presets are also now available. (You can use these presets for the Leica SL2 also. I currently don’t offer a dedicated pack for the Leica SL2 but I will try to in the future if I get a chance to spend time with that camera).

Leica SL3 RAW + MrLeica Leica SL3 preset pack

Leica Owner? Join the Leica Club

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Group workshop in March

After teaching only 1:1 workshops since 2014 I decided to offer another small group workshop. It was great meeting Clive and David (from the UK) and Greg (from Australia) for a half day in London. We all had our Leica cameras with us and I tried to help with any questions the guys had. This event was a photowalk. For the next group event I will look to run a model photography session.

Travel in March

In March I was in both Gdansk, Poland and Budapest, Hungary, catching up with old model friends and making content.

Gdansk

Poland was fun but it lacked the snow I enjoyed photographing so much on the previous visit. Here is a sample photo (film) –

Budapest

The Hungary trip was a milestone as it’s the first time I’ve flown with a 4×5 camera (and only 1 small backpack) for some years. I had a 6×6 folding camera with me too and here is a sample image (film) –

Dates for Travel, Group Workshops & Photowalks

Please contact me regarding workshops and photowalks. Here are my travel details so far –

APRIL 2024

• Prague

MAY 2024

• Italy (Bodypainting event)
• Croatia

Private 1:1 Tuition

Planning to visit London? Get in touch and I can arrange a private 1:1 workshop to fit around your schedule. See workshop prices and testimonials

I’m receiving quite a few 1:1 workshop requests for photographers flying into London over the coming months. (I’m sure you’ll see some highlights in future YouTube videos!)

Digital photographers

If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know my preference for digital Leica cameras (over other brands) but equally my preference for film vs digital.

Cameras – I’m still enjoying the digital Leica M10 but the Leica SL is still king for my model photography, especially for studio work.

Lenses – If you’re a new here the majority of my 400+ YouTube videos are lens reviews (or camera reviews). Many of those are 35mm format so I can use these on digital. My recent lenses have been much bigger. See the film section below!

Recommended kit – I still think that the Leica SL is the best bang for the buck Leica. I’ll likely sell my Leica M240 now that I have the Leica M10 (but the M10 needs to be sent to Germany for repair first. It clips the shutter at 1/4000).

New presets – As mentioned above, I’ve added the Leica SL3 presets and new Leica M10 presets to the catalogue.

Visit my full KitList for the exact products that I use.

Film photographers

Film – If you read last months newsletter I said I was back into film “big time”. I talked about buying fresh 35mm film and simplifying everything. You know what that means. Yep, I suddenly jump from the 35mm format straight to 4×5 (luckily using 120 film backs too*).

I feel I’ve learnt more about photography in the last 30 days that the last 3-5 years. 4×5 is such a great learning tool (and amazing fun too!). I’m loving the journey so far AND I even use a Leica lens on my 4×5 cameras (Leitz to be exact). See the latest video.

Cameras – I hinted last month that I’d just bought a new to me 4×5 camera, the MPP MK VII. You can now read the blog post for the full info on that and how it compares to other 4×5 camera options.

There is so much to learn when it comes to the 4×5 format. I’m loving it but equally I wish I’d know a lot of it beforehand as my ideals are constantly evolving as I absorb more and more info. (The good news is I’ll likely share a summary of the best info in a future video and/or blog post). Follow the blog so not to miss those!

British 4×5 camera – MPP Mk VII

Lenses (4×5) – If you’re a regular read you’ll know I’m both a lens guy and a portrait guy so finding the best optics for my model photography is proving both a little frustrating and very rewarding. I continue my various lens tests and have made videos for both Patreon (free access, linked below) and YouTube. Lots still to learn but loving the journey! (In my latest video you’ll see the ease of using “modern” 4×5 lenses vs. lenses without shutters and the results they can both give).

Film Developing – If you follow my work you’ll probably know that my favourite film developer is Kodak Xtol. Once that became hard to find I switched to Adox XT-3 and recently I’m back to using my old favourite Rodinal. Word on the street is Xtol will soon be back so stay tuned for that! (I did a blog post explaining the film developers, see below).

Kodak Xtol vs Adox XT-3 (Film Developers)

Directory: Leica Repairs + Leica YouTubers

If you have feedback after a Leica service, repair or CLA I’d love to add it to the Leica Repair Directory page to help others. Equally, if you love watching YouTube, let us know your favourite Leica YouTuber channel?

My recommended photography gear list – https://mrleica.com/kitlist/

Latest YouTube videos 

Below is a catch up of all the YouTube videos I published last month. If you’re new here see previous month newsletters for more!

New Camera! British made MPP Mark VII (4×5)

New Leica SL3: The launch + How does it compare to my Leica SL

Leica Noctilux 50mm f1 vs Faster alternative! (Kodak Aero Ektar)

Finally photos feel like art. Converting my bathroom!

Super rare Zeiss Biotar 40m f1.4 cine lens (converted to M mount)

4 Must-have photo apps + Shoot 4×5 camera in Budapest

Why I still shoot digital in 2024

Latest blog posts to read

New articles shared in March –

• Kodak Xtol vs Adox XT-3 (Film Developers)
• British 4×5 camera – MPP Mk VII

Written posts to supplement the YouTube review videos including full res images. 400+ existing blog post articles.

Patreon post of the month (shared)

To give you a taster of what we get up to on Patreon I here is a post you missed!  Join our 250+ active monthly members and use the 10% off discount!

Post: “What camera inspires you to get out and shoot?” – View on Patreon (You will need to sign in but I made this video free access for you)

Patreon spotlight

I’m very lucky that my Patreon platform has attracted some really smart people from around the world. A group of us regularly get together on our bi-monthly zoom calls. Arno who I’ve now had the pleasure of meeting a few times has now setup his own photography blog. Like me he shares his findings but unlike me he’s super smart so this article is more like a scientific paper. If you have the time, check out his post on Zone System Calibration. Very interesting stuff!

Coming up next month..

For April I had planned a short/ cheap trip to Croatia but I feel I have too much to do so I’m going to wait and go to Prague instead later in the month. The weather is slowly starting to improve so I’m excited about trying to do some more outdoor shoots once the weather is suitable. I still need to find a local model/ muse that I can call upon last minute if we suddenly get a sunny afternoon. I do miss that after moving closer to London. There are multiple 1:1 workshops coming up and I’m waiting on a few products to review too. Stay tuned!

YouTube video – spotlight 

My newsletters are always slightly late coming out so you’ve probably already seen the first video in April. The format is different from my usual. Hopefully the same volume of information shared in a more watchable style. I was finding my own video very info heavy and very very niche to a specific lens (etc) so my goal for 2024 is to try to work on making some more broader appeal videos. (Sadly I know that most of my following only probably want to see niche Leica product videos but I’ll try to mix it up so something for everyone). Regardless of the topic I hope you like this format – new video.

Previous Newsletters (+ Video Links!)

• MrLeica Newsletter Archive

*First and second place for most likes photos of the month (of anything) were both of this camera haha. See, 4×5 is cool! Nearly double the likes of my most liked model photo!