🔴 MrLeica – August 2023
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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 toolbar on the homepage.
What was I up to last month?
Firstly apologies! You may have noticed that I’ve stopped posting photos on Flickr and Instagram (and Facebook). I had so many plates spinning in the air (tasks* for non-British readers!) at one time some of them had to crash to the floor. July was perhaps the craziest month of my photography “career” so far! I’ll start posting again as soon as I can*.
At the start of the month I was traveling with Peter Coulson in Europe. See some videos below. (I’ll do a full blog when I find the time with all the information and some photos). For the end of July I received a last minute invite to fly to Las Vegas (paid) for a week to teach a Leica photographer who I’d taught in London earlier this year. (I’ll explain more below and again I’ll do a full blog post to share some of the related videos and photos from this trip).
Lots of topical current Leica specific videos to come!. The pile of video content I need to share continues to build when I get time to piece it all together. (I shared a long list of “YouTube videos in the pipeline” on Patreon earlier this week if you want to see what’s to come). July was all a bit of a whirlwind and it was hard to believe it was happening at times. Check the photo below for example! I’m just a regular guy, this stuff isn’t normal!
Below you can see me featured on Peter Coulson’s YouTube podcast channel. See how awkward I am at the start but I slowly forget the cameras as we get into the recording. You never really get to see the real me on my YouTube channel as videos need to be short and to the point to keep the algorithm happy. It’s sounds crazy but even stopping to say “Thanks for watching and have a great week. See you in the next video!” negatively impacts watch time in my videos.
Peter had to split off his podcasts to a separate YouTube channel as the long form podcast videos were really impacting the stats for his main channel. I said it would so I’m glad he split them. *You can see me chatting more openly in some of my Patreon videos where there are no bots or time limit restraints.
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Workshops in July
In July I had 3 private 1:1 workshops requests but all were different from the norm. The first was a Corporate booking which is new for me. A London company hired me to train their in house photographer, Arthur with his Leica SL2-S. It turned out to be more me teaching portrait and video lighting like I do with my model photography/ portrait sessions. The second Leica workshop booking was a nice surprise. An American photographer Jon reached out to me to invite me to teach him in Vegas. Jon has been to the UK for a workshop previously so we know each other. As with my previous long haul overseas workshops I explained that I’m happy to fly to the US if all expenses are paid plus a token day rate, (Just so I’m not out of pocket). Photography is my full time job now but equally I love what I do so I always welcome overseas trips for new experiences (and different content for YouTube!)
Jon didn’t need me every day while I was in America so I reached out to some of my US Patreons and said I’d be “in town”. Steven flew out from Houston Texas to meet me for a hybrid workshop day in Vegas. We took a walk with our Leica film cameras in the morning and then arranged two models for the afternoon/ evening. You’ll probably see some photos in future YouTube videos (and I recorded a BTS model video for Patreon).
(NEW) Dates for Group Workshops & Photowalks
I’ve been promising small group events for a while. Finally we can start! Please contact me to secure a place. Events below are provisional we have enough interest. Most students still tend to book me for 1:1 workshops to fit around their busy schedules (If they fly into London that week etc).
*Additional dates to follow once I confirm my overseas travel plans. Prices and group size may increase going forward
SEPTEMBER 2023 – LONDON
- Saturday 30th September – Photowalk and getting the most from your Leica M camera (4 people £150ea)
OCTOBER 2023 – LONDON
- Sunday 1st October – Model photography on location, available light only (4 people £200ea)
NOVEMBER 2023 – TBC
Private 1:1 Tuition
Kick start your photography with a private 1:1 workshops. See workshop prices and testimonials
Leica+Model Workshops
Digital photographers
If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know my preference for digital Leica cameras (over other brands) and simple metal and glass small manual focus lenses.
Cameras – To mix things up a bit I took the Leica M240 on my European trip with Peter. I then took the little Leica CL to Vegas. Both were great fun (videos to come!)
Lenses – My Sonnar lens testing is complete. I just need to make the video. I also tested a few different/ new Voigtlander lenses and a classic 35mm Leica lens. All to follow!
Recommended kit – Leica SL – It’s still the best bang for the buck Leica IMO. See my full KitList for the exact products that I use.
NEW PRESETS – I’m happy to report that you can now download my Leica Q3 presets for Lightroom. I have also updated the M11 pack from 3 to 4 presets and more updates are planned for some of my older packs (Leica CL and Leica M240). Leica Q2 presets may follow but you can use the Leica Q3 pack with that camera also.
Film photographers
Film – I packed colour film for Vegas in anticipation of Neon signs and the like. Cinestill 800T and 50D would perhaps be my preference for night and day but I had neither in the fridge. Instead I packed expired Kodak Vericolor 120, Kodak Ektar 100 (35mm and 120) and Kodak Portra 160 and 400. I need to try to send the exposed rolls to the lab next week as I don’t have enough to make it worthwhile developing the film myself.
Cameras – I’m happy to report I took the Hasselblad 501c to Vegas and loved it. I hope to make a video to share once I get the film back. I also had my trusty 1931 Leica Standard with me (shooting B&W). I love this camera so much! If I get enough good photos I might make either a Vegas book or a long term Leica Standard book (photos shot with this camera around the world). I also had my Leica M4-P with me.
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?
Need Leica Presets?
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!
HOW!? My PRIVATE Shoot with BEC! 😅
WHY LEICA? For Fashion | Peter Coulson Explains!
Peter Coulson INTERVIEW.. Including His Top 3 Leica Lenses! WHY LEICA?
Get CREATIVE! Shoot Ultra-Wide | 21mm Leica Elmarit
Which Lens Would YOU Pick? | Leica Summicron 90mm f2 APO vs Pre-ASPH
New LENSES are Changing the Game!
BYE-BYE LLL Speed Panchro + 3 Alternative Leica Lenses
Remote Learning!
Latest blog posts to read
Failed. Sorry for no new blog post shared last month. I am testing lots of gear behind the scenes so more to follow soon.
- N/A
Written posts to supplement the YouTube review videos including full res images. 400+ existing blog post articles.
Featured photographer of the month – Sony shooter discovers Leica.. and loves it!
This month I feature new Leica photographer AJ Singh @ajsinghphoto (Patreon) who I first met through one of my Zoom consultations. If I remember well, we had a 2 hour Zoom call together and due to the time difference AJ scheduled the call around 1am his time to fit around his busy working days. I loved AJ’s passion for photography (and Leica) and he takes some really great photos despite being pretty new to it all. During the call I said “I’d like to feature you in a future blog newsletter” so he we are! Be sure to check out his Instagram! AJ writes –
“I’ve had a great time using the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO so far and it has quickly become my favorite lens for both portrait and street photography. Compared to the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 Nokton II, this lens is much sharper and has significantly less chromatic aberration, which is one of my main issues with the 35mm f1.2. Coming from a Sony A7R III with a Sigma 35mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4, I find the Leica M10 + 50mm APO combination to be much more enjoyable to shoot on. The manual controls make the experience of taking photos much more deliberate versus using the Sony camera almost as a point-and-shoot with all of the bells and whistles that assist with taking photos. While I initially missed autofocus, I now prefer manual focus as I’ve gotten more used to just knowing how much to turn the focus ring to focus at the approximate distance my subject is at. The photos on the Sony are very sharp and crisp, which is great, but the photos on the Leica just have so much more character to them in my opinion. The way the 50mm APO handles light is on a whole different level compared to the Sony camera. The colors are much easier to work with and editing a vintage look is a lot more straightforward to do with the RAWs from the Leica compared to the RAWs from the Sony, which has greatly sped up my editing time per shoot which had become a significant drawback for me for shooting on the Sony. Overall I consider the M10 and 50mm APO to be the best purchases I’ve made for photography and they have both made me eager to shoot photos as much as I possibly can. This system really helps me take photos as I envision them in my mind and I can see myself sticking with this setup for the foreseeable future.”
Featured supplier/ gear of the month
This month I feature a new lens release that I was very happy to see. TTArtisan is a Chinese company that make affordable “knock-off” lenses often based on quality Leica lenses. Some of their lenses are just, OK, but are couple are really impressive. My 2 favourites are the TTArtisan 50mm f0.95 and 28mm f5.6 M mount lenses. The problem with the 28mm Leica Summaron clone is it was M mount not Leica screw mount. (The original Leica lens was made in both lens mounts).
The TTArtisan 28mm f5.6 lens was first released back in 2021 but for 2023 it is now available in LTM too. Brilliant! This lens is just perfect to mount on small Leica Barnack cameras and I was so happy that the company answered my dreams! This is now my 28mm walkabout lens for my daily carry, the 1931 Leica Standard. (I pair it with the equally tiny Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f2.8 LTM lens). See a video linked below from July showing this LTM lens next to my M mount version. You can also see lots of 28mm sample photos to come in future videos from my recent Vegas trip, film and digital.
Meet my awesome Patreons
Each month I feature one of my loyal (and awesome) Patreon VIP members. Join us to be featured in a future newsletter. Please welcome Jerome Arnould (aka. Grom)
“I started to take some photos long time ago with a Canon A1 and AE-1 P. Then I follow the Canon SLR products for many years analog then digital and last one was a Eos 5 mark IV with too many fast (and heavy) lenses… Getting older I had enough with big and heavy gears so I surfed on the net for an alternative and I discovered the MrLeica.com’s blog and YT channel. Following Matt’s advice I sold all my big toys and enter the wonderful (and expensive) world of Leica. First one was a Q then a CL then a M10. I also bought some analog Leicas (Barnack, M2, M3, M6…) so now I have a nice collection of Leicas and nice lenses. I wanted to go for the M11 but finally I sold the M10 and went for the SL2-S. Why this one ? : Full frame, AF and I can use my M lenses. I kept all my M analog cameras and I also have a Q2 reporter and a M9 P… I’m not a pro photographer, it is just a hobby, my photos: streets, architecture, landscapes and personal day to day life. I also do some medium format photos on 120 film with 6×6 6×9 and 6×12 cameras. And my recent discovery is the Infrared Photos in colour and in black and white on digital and on film. Want to see some of my photos: Instagram account: @Grompicts and Web site: grompicts.com. (Grom as Jérome my name)”.
Viewers comment of the month
Each month I feature the most memorable viewers comment. Many Leica users overlook the now discontinued Leica CL camera. I still use CL for certain trips despite owning the Leica SL, M and Q models. (Psst. Look out for a new CL video coming soon on YouTube!). Steven-Charles “Leica aficionado and long time Leica camera user” writes –
“Matt Osborne came to my attention when I purchased my Leica CL (digital) camera. Actually before I purchased it. I watched his carefully produced videos “Digital Leica CL Review: In 2020 + Sample Images, and Leica CL Digital Camera Review (buying a Leica CL) and then several of his series on Leica’s, the lenses etc. Matt is full of very useful hands on knowledge of Leica Cameras, he is a professional photographer, who is truly the real deal when it comes to evaluating cameras and not just Leica – that’s my own particular interest. He can answer so many questions – in fact more than most of the Leica folks at the various flagship Leica stores. He also advised me on the purchase of a used Leica CL Film camera. So to anyone looking for great help, advice regarding many top brand cameras, lenses etc. You can’t go wrong contacting Mr. Leica – Matt Osborne. he also offers profession zoom consultations.”
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 200+ active monthly members and look for the 10% off discount!
Post: “How I photograph men” – View on Patreon
Coming up next month..
After my trip with Peter Coulson and then my last minute request to teach in the US I have a lot of content recorded. I just need to find time to piece together the videos to share with you soon. In August I have a trip to Wales planned and I’ll be in Italy again for the body painting event (with 2 Patreons this time!). Lots of new Leica related videos coming soon.
YouTube video – spotlight
You may have already seen it but the first video in August will be my Leica Q3 video. It’s the first video of many from my US trip.
