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.
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.
If you stop by a Leica store, you’ll see that this lens is their best-seller. The 35mm lens has always been Leica’s most popular, and many newbies to Leica will choose this lens with the Leica M10p as their preferred configuration. One of the best 35mm prime lenses on the market.
The Leica aspherical lens is sharp, has high contrast, and creates beautiful blur. It has almost no shortcomings. The quality of f1.4 can match the sharpness and contrast of f4 lenses from other brands. Narrowing the aperture isn’t the way to improve image quality anymore. It produces similar image quality at all apertures, so you only have to think about the depth of field change. However, many people also say that it lacks personality, and the style barely changes at each aperture.
The second version of Summilux 35 1.4 ASPH has a warmer color, and many people like it wide open. While it’s not as sharp as the third version, the bokeh is more appealing.
The Summicron 35mm f/2 ASPH is about the same size as the Summilux 35mm 1.4 ASPH, just a bit shorter, and the first piece of glass is also recessed. The truth is that the Summicron ASPH was actually derived from the Summilux. But in use, I feel that Summilux’s anti-glare ability is actually better than Summicron. I’m not sure if it’s just my perception, but…
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.
