Free Monthly Newsletter!
Hi friends! Here is the new monthly MrLeica.com newsletter – A summary of posts you may have missed, upcoming events, useful information and anything else I can think of!
Features
- Recap from January
- YouTube Videos from January
- New Blog Posts
- UK Workshops
- Overseas Workshops
- Patreon – Zoom Calls & More
- February 2022 – Coming up!
Recap from December
In December I had started to try to make “perfect videos” for YouTube. (Don’t laugh I know my videos are very no frills!). The problem was, the information was the same but the editing time increased from 1 day to 2 days (minimum) for each 8-10 minute video. Staying inside for a full 2 days didn’t seem like the best use of my time and the quantity of videos I posted reduced due to time constraints. Rather than try to post all “big topic” videos (like a review of a new popular lens for Leica) I will now also share information videos on smaller niche topics too. I don’t expect lots of views on these but I try to answer some of the questions I receive.
Also with me starting to travel again this is great both for my photography and YouTube but also for making behind the scenes videos (“BTS”) for Patreon.
Zoom consultations continue to be popular
My 1:1 Zoom calls continue to be popular and i’m getting to meet so many interesting individuals around the world. If you have the words “Leica” and “Problem” in the same sentence I can probably help! That said, the topic we cover are broad, vintage cameras and lenses, modern Voigtlander lenses, camera A vs B, portrait lighting, film developing, photo reviews.. You can read some of the feedback / testimonials at https://mrleica.com/zoom/
What camera equipment does Matt use?
I continue to add to my equipment list at https://mrleica.com/kitlist/. If you see me using something in one of my videos there is a high chance you can now find it here. The list lets you search prices of all current production items I use and recommend and links to eBay for used prices too.
January 2022 YouTube Videos Catch-up:
Below is a catch up of all the YouTube videos I published last month:
Nikon Lens for Leica! Nikkor H.C 50mm f2 LTM
Did you know Nikon made lenses that fit Leica cameras!?
My top 3 lenses tested in 2021
Following my best lenses of 2020 video here is my best of 2021!
Sigma lenses for Leica L mount – 24mm f2 DG DN
Trying one of the new compact L mount lenses from Sigma
How you calibrate your Leica M camera at home
So happy to now be self sufficient! Calibrating my Leica M3, how to
My oldest Leica camera! A 1931 Leica I (Model C)
What’s better than a Barnack camera? ..yes a black paint Leica iii camera!
Flash photography with you Leica M3 – How to!
Following my previous Leica flash photography video here I cover the M3 (+M2)
My camera setting for portrait photography – Leica SL
Following my Leica CL settings video people were asking for my SL settings
Exciting first look at the new Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0!
I was lucky to receive one of the first batch of Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lenses
New Blog Posts in Janauary
The MrLeica.com blog was really neglected since I started YouTube towards the end of 2019 but i’m trying to find time to post there again. I managed to write two new posts in January. These written posts often sumpliment my YouTube videos where I share more photos (and some at full resolution) for the equipment I am testing. (To receive these reviews straight to you inbox you can sign up to the free newsletter).
- MrLeica Leica SL Presets (Finally!)
- Romania Photo Trip 2020 (Late posting)
Workshop Dates + Travel Updates
> UK workshop dates – If you a looking to kick start your photography for 2022 you are welcome to join me for one of my 1:1 workshops. I offer them on a first come basis:
- February 2022 – London 1:1 workshop – 1 Space remaining + Poland Workshop
- March 2022 – London 1:1 workshop – 1 Space remaining
- April 2022 – London 1:1 workshop – 1 Space remaining + Germany Workshop*
See workshop prices and testimonials on the blog
> Overseas workshop dates – I know I mention this every month but things are slowly starting to take shape. I now have at least 3+ photographers in the New York area of the US that are interested in workshops so I will look at trying to plan a visit perhaps late summer/ September time. I also have multiple people interested in me running workshops in Germany so I am currently thinking April but it will depend on the local Covid restrictions etc. I need to look at where photographers are based but I think Berlin or Hamburg first perhaps and Frankfurt as another option.
> January Travel – Covid restrictions have eased in the UK but I was caught out when I visited Poland in January as their rules were different. I had to do a Covid test at the airport when I arrived but then I was “free to go”. I visited a lesser known city called Bydgoszcz which I used to travel for work prior to my photography. Flights are cheap and easy from my nearest airport and it’s a nice place to visit.
> Poland – It was a short 3 day trip so I found a small and affordable central apartment to use and my base and my studio for the trip. If you get creative it’s amazing what you can do with a small space! See my apartment tour and various BTS videos on Patreon where I explain how I setup the room to use as a studio. After 9 models cancelled in December in Gdansk I was happy to have zero cancels and 8 shoots in January. You will see both YouTube videos and new blog posts to follow with sample photos.
> February & March Travel – I will go back to Poland to see model friends and to run a 1:1 workshop that was requested in Gdansk. I booked a short trip to Budapest in March to see models i’ve not seen since pre-Covid. All that to come!
Patreon + Two 1 hour group Zoom calls/ month
For 2022 you can now enjoy 2 extended group calls a month.
£3+ Tier members – Dial in for a live Q&A with me (or whatever else we decide to do). Often a slightly larger group.
£5+ Tier members – Dial in for our interactive group chat on all things photography. Learn from each other and even request to take the stage and present to the group. Usually a smaller group so you get more opportunities to speak. Join our private Facebook group and get involved!
February 2022 – Coming Up
Like buses, I received a lot of nice lenses all at once for testing. As shared in some of my recent videos, I have the new Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 for Leica, the TTArtisan 50mm f0.95 and two 35mm lenses AND a bonus lens that I am very excited to share when it arrives! Plus various other items. To test all these lovely lenses I need lovely models hence I will go back to Poland in February. Flight prices can be found really cheap right now so I can travel to Poland for the same cost as trains to London! (Fact). (Sadly train prices are up 4x for me vs the offers I used to enjoy).
YouTube video – spotlight (1 of the videos coming soon!)
Last month I told you that the 7Artisans 35mm f1.4 Leica M mount lens is coming and comparing it to the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.4. This is delayed slightly but that will still come. As that is old new I can tell you that ..hmm should I tell you or keep it as a surprise.. okayy!.. Voigtlander are kindly sending me their Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.2 lens (again) so I can do side by side testing vs. the new 50mm f1.0. This is a fantastic opportunity as I can show those with the f1.2 lens how the f1.0 compares and whether or not you might want to upgrade in the future. Subscribe to the YouTube channel (if not already done so) so not to miss that.
Previous Newsletters (and all the video links!)
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First Time Reader? Additional Info Below
> UK Workshops
Now lockdowns have eased in the UK it has been full steam ahead for teaching 1-to-1 photography workshops again. I teach basic to advanced level photography to anyone with a camera. For full details see the workshop prices and testimonials.
> Overseas Workshops
I’m very aware many of you are overseas and quite a few in both Germany and the US that I speak to. If I can get enough people from one country looking for 1:1 workshops I can look to fly to your country and do a mini road trip to see as many of you as I can. Hopefully travel restriction will reduce by say April and then we can start looking at planning some events. Please contact me if you are interested.
Some advantages of meeting you in your city include (1) you don’t need to travel (2) I will give you model contacts in your city that you can keep in touch with after I leave. This has worked well for photographers in the past. The flipside of that is, if you rather come to the UK for a London workshop you have the excuse for a holiday!
> More Content? Join Patreon!
Instant access to 200+ exclusive posts including 100+ videos. Two 1-hour group Zoom calls a month, a friendly private Facebook group and lots of tips and tricks.
*Sign up to Patreon for 12 months and get 10% off!
> Zoom Consultations
Not sure what camera or lens to buy or need help? Book a 1:1 Zoom call and I can answer your questions and give pros and cons of similar products.
> YouTube Monthly Giveaways
Subscribe to the YouTube channel for a chance to win! Monthly giveaways – £30/$40+ of Patreon & Zoom call access and higher value items such as lenses.
> Free YouTube Search Tool
Sign up to the blog newsletter to get a free copy of my YouTube video search tool. No more struggling to find a videos. Search through my 200+ videos by lens manufacturer, lens mount, focal length, film format and other filters.