In an era of computational photography, the Leica MP (2003-present) stands as a mechanical haiku—unapologetically analog, stubbornly silent. Designed not for the crowd but for the coven of purists, it whispers: “Film is not dead; it’s just selective.”
Design: Minimalism as Dogma
1. The Black Paint Enigma
MP’s matte-black finish—thinner than M3’s wartime lacquer—ages like a samurai’s armor. Brassing emerges not as decay, but as a map of journeys. Chrome versions? Eternal youth in a stainless steel sarcophagus.
2. Shutter Dial Tai Chi
The compact speed dial (1s-1/1000s) arranges numbers in yin-yang symmetry. Rotate clockwise to slow time, counterclockwise to hasten it—a tactile waltz even M3 purists envy.
3. Skin Deep
Leatherette: Fine-grained calfskin, echoing MP’s unadorned top plate. No garish logos, just “Ernst Leitz Wetzlar” in ghostly script.
Battery-Free Zen: Mechanical shutter thrives sans electricity; the meter (borrowed from M6) hums on two SR44s.
If Leica’s lens lineup were the Oscars, the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH would be Meryl Streep—beloved, flawless, and eternally relevant. Priced between 4,500–4,500–7,000 (2025 USD), this 340g aluminum-and-glass virtuoso is the Rolex Daytona of optics: precise, luxurious, and engineered to outlive trends. Mount it on an M10-P, and you’re not just shooting—you’re directing a cinematic masterpiece.
Stopped Down: At f/5.6, microcontrast rivals Hubble telescope shots—every brick, leaf, and wrinkle pops.
The “Two Truths”
Versatility King: Shoot a dimly lit jazz club at f/1.4, then a sunlit landscape at f/8—no quality drop, just magic.
Flare Resistance: Backlit? It laughs at the sun—no veiling glare, just golden halos worthy of a Renaissance painting.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Portrait Poets: Who believe eyes > autofocus motors ✓ Film Noir Addicts: Chasing shadows in dim alleys ✓ Contrarians: Who’d choose a Leica over a Tesla
Avoid If: You pixel-peep for flaws or think “vintage” means “cheap.”
The “Double ASPH” Paradox
Leica’s 1990s Double ASPH version (11873) is the Holy Grail—hand-polished elements, mythical rarity, and a price tag rivaling a small yacht. But beware: its quirks (focus shift, collector premiums) make it the James Dean of lenses—iconic, flawed, and gone too soon.
Final Verdict: The Unkillable Classic
The Summilux 35mm ASPH isn’t just a lens—it’s a lifelong companion. For the price of a week in Bora Bora, you gain:
Proof that “perfection” can coexist with character
“A lens that whispers: ‘Perfection isn’t a destination—it’s the journey.’”
Pro Tips:
Film Pairing: Kodak Portra 400—its creamy tones harmonize with the lens’ oil-painting bokeh.
Digital Hack: Add +10 “grain” in Lightroom—flaws become art.
Zen Mantra: “Sharpness is overrated—emotion isn’t.”
Epilogue: The Lens of No Regrets Leica’s Summilux 35mm f/1.4 ASPH scoffs at shortcuts, whispering: “Greatness isn’t found in specs—it’s felt in the heart.” Like a Tang dynasty poem, its beauty lies in balance, not brute force. Now go frame your story—one click at a time. 📸
In a world obsessed with Leitz’s legacy, the 1950s Rodenstock-Heligon 35mm f/2.8 glides like a Bavarian black swan—rare, refined, and effortlessly regal. Priced today between 1,200–1,200–2,500 (2025 USD), this 220g chrome-and-brass relic bridges large-format grandeur and 35mm intimacy. Forget modern aspherical monsters—this lens is a Viennese waltz in a mosh pit of autofocus chaos.
Design: Precision as Poetry
Bauhaus Ballet
Body: Solid brass cloaked in chrome—sleeker than a Porsche 356, denser than a Tolstoy novel. Collapses into Barnack bodies like a pocket watch.
Aperture Ring: Ten-blade iris clicks with the precision of a Glock trigger—each stop a haptic sonnet to analog craftsmanship.
The “Red A” Legend
Lenses stamped with a scarlet A are Rodenstock’s Mona Lisas—richer contrast, creamier bokeh, and a patina that whispers, “I was forged for kings.”
Stopped Down: At f/8, microcontrast rivals modern APO glass—leaf veins, fabric threads, and existential crises pop.
Color Palette: A German Autumn
Greens: Moss on Neuschwanstein Castle’s stones.
Reds: Oktoberfest beer tents at twilight.
Blues: Alpine lakes under a cloudless sky.
Chinese Proverb Footnote:“画龙点睛” (“Adding pupils to a painted dragon—perfection in the final touch”) A nod to how its “Red A” variants elevate images from great to sublime.
Bokeh Sorcery: The Swirl of Time
With 10 aperture blades and a helical focus design, backgrounds dissolve into buttery swirls—like espresso art in a Munich café. Zone-focus street shots? Even misfires feel intentional, thanks to its 3D “pop” that predates TikTok filters by 70 years.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Large-format Pilgrims: Craving Rodenstock’s magic in a pocketable form ✓ Leica Hipsters: Who’d rather explain “Heligon” at parties than drink ✓ B&W Alchemists: Chasing Ansel Adams’ ghost through Tri-X grain
Avoid If: You pixel-peep, shoot sports, or think “vintage” means “cheap.”
Final Verdict: The Unseen Masterpiece
The Heligon 35mm f/2.8 is photography’s secret handshake—a wink to those who know. For the price of a weekend in Salzburg, you gain:
A portal to 1950s optical rebellion
Proof that “obscure” often means “extraordinary”
Bragging rights over Leica purists (“Mine’s Bavarian, darling”)
Epilogue: The Swan’s Song Rodenstock made millions of lenses, but only this Heligon 35mm f/2.8 sings with large-format majesty in a Leica’s body. In a world chasing f/1.2 monsters, it whispers: “True artistry thrives in subtlety.” As the Chinese masters knew, perfection lies not in the dragon’s body, but in its eyes. Now go paint yours.
Rodenstock-Heligon 35mm f2.8 + leica mp
info
Below is an unofficial chronological list of all Rodenstock lenses from 1954 to 1961
2,000,000 ——1945
2,500,000 ——1952
3,000,000 ——1954
4,000,000 ——1957
4,500,000 ——1960
5,000,000 ——1961
Rodenstock-Heligon 35mm f/2.8 L39 NO：
22981xx, 23274xx, 23275xx, 23276xx, 23277xx, 23695xx, 23696xx, 23698xx, 23699xx, 23710xx, 23711xx, 23712xx, 24596xx, 24597xx, 24598xx, 35253xx
I am in love with the black-painted version of this Leica MP, which is not just a photographic tool, but a work of art that transcends time and space. This deep black, as if it were the embodiment of night, is both mysterious and solemn. It is not just a choice of color, but an insistence and commitment to timeless quality. Underneath the black lacquer lies Leica’s relentless pursuit and respect for the art of photography, and every soft click of the shutter is a firm response to that commitment.
The rarity of Leica Black Lacquer lies in the fact that it is not available at will, but is limited to those special models with exclusive configurations. This limited availability and exclusivity makes every Leica MP Black Finish version a dream object in the minds of photography enthusiasts. Over time, the black finish will gradually fade, revealing the warm and textured brass color underneath. This naturally occurring “trace of age” not only doesn’t detract from the beauty of the camera, but adds a bit of unique flavor and a sense of storytelling, as if every scratch and mottle is a whisper of time telling the story of the experiences it has shared with its owner. It is as if each scratch and stain is a whisper of time, telling of the experiences it has shared with its owner.
The Leica MP, a classic that was first introduced in 1956, was originally designed as a professional camera for small-scale news reporting, but over time it gradually became a legend in the field of photographic art. Today’s new Leica MP continues this tradition, stable and reliable, without the need for batteries, its batteries are used only for metering; it also inherits the M6’s metering system, which gives the photographer precise exposure instructions so that every shot captures the most perfect moments of light and shadow.
The Leica MP is a firm favorite among professionals for so many reasons! Its excellent technical performance is just the start. It truly understands the way photography works. Photography is about more than just showing off technology. It’s also about expressing emotions and thoughts. So, the Leica MP was designed with you in mind. We know how important it is for photographers to have a camera that reflects their personal style and emotional commitment to their craft. It’s not just a camera, it’s a faithful friend that will be there to cheer you on as you grow and create!
In this digital age, Leica has remained true to its love and dedication to film cameras. It has continued to launch classics like the MP, providing more choices and possibilities for professionals who love film photography and pursue a pure photographic experience. This is so much more than just a tribute to tradition. It’s also a sign of confidence and a peek into what the future of photography might hold. The Leica MP in black is the perfect embodiment of this unwavering belief and anticipation.
We know you’ve taken countless photos with this Leica MP, and we’d love to hear your honest opinion! This camera is so reliable! It’s super stable, and the smoother it feels the more you use it. It’s become a great companion on your photographic journey. Every time you press the shutter, you can feel the precision and reliability of the classic Leica MP design. It’s as if the mechanical structure has been brought to life by time! The more you use it, the more it seems to know what you want it to do. It’s smooth and natural to use. This is the unique charm of a Leica camera! You’ll find it hard to let go once you start using it.
35mm, ISO 400, high speed, all purpose, black & white film. Suitable for all general photography applications.
High speed ISO 400
Fine grain and good sharpness
Broad tonal range with good contrast
35mm cassettes and bulk lengths
Using film in this day and age is a poetic act – without applause, everything depends on oneself. Judging from its packaging, this roll of film should perform exceptionally well with blue tones, owing to its blue-colored box. The film is versatile and easy to develop, providing excellent imaging in low-light situations and capable of producing beautiful photos with ordinary cameras. As a high-speed ISO400 film, it is well-suited for capturing moving objects with fast shutter speeds. The film exhibits vivid colors, high contrast, fine grains, and is particularly well-suited for portrait photography.
For a film with high latitude, some photographers intentionally “push” the UltraMax film to ISO25, creating a warm tone effect. Additionally, the ISO400 film can also be used as an ISO6400 film when necessary.
As most of my shooting time is spent on the road in the early morning and evening, I require a film with a high speed rating. While increasing the shutter speed can be achieved with a large aperture lens, this film can activate many small aperture lenses, including zoom PS pocket cameras.
Kodak has demonstrated great expertise in color photography, even with a film like UltraMax that is designed for speed.
Kodak ULTRAMAX 400
This offer is for 3 24 exposure rolls of Kodak Color Print Film ISO 400.
Great pictures in sunlight or low light, in action or still; The world"s most versatile 400-speed film choice.
Great pictures in a wide range of lighting conditions; Better pictures in low light; Sharper pictures with moving subjects; Extended flash range for better flash pictures; Reduced effect of "camera shake"; Better depth of focus capabilities.
Bright, vibrant prints; Consistent color under most lighting conditions.
When it comes to photography, film is not a necessity; however, many people have discovered the philosophy of photography through film, which may have even changed their lives.
The romantic purple packaging of Kodak Gold 200 may offer comfort to many lonely hearts.
The packaging box uses a pink-purple color scheme, and under sunny conditions, it produces excellent color transitions, including skin tones, golden sunlight, and moderately high color contrast.
Typically, the dark areas of the image are predominantly blue in color, but Kodak Gold 200 suppresses the blue tones in these areas, resulting in an image with fewer dark details, while the bright areas produce a warm feeling.
Normal Kodak Gold 200 has fine and smooth grain, particularly under adequate exposure. However, some people, including myself, prefer a slightly grainy effect, and therefore, we sometimes underexpose or use expired film.
Expired Gold 200 can increase exposure by one stop and yield slightly better results.
Kodak gold200
Excellent latent-image keeping characteristics: Excellent consistency & Excellent processing robustness.
High sharpness and high resolution: Excellent results for general-purpose photography & Great for enlargements.
Exposure versatility: Designed for exposure by daylight and electronic flash.
