To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the revolutionary Leica I, Leica Camera AG has introduced a new black-and-white film that echoes the company’s pioneering spirit. The MONOPAN 50, a 35 mm film designed entirely in-house, pays tribute to the photographic legacy that began in 1925 with the introduction of compact format cameras.
The name MONOPAN 50 encapsulates both heritage and technical prowess. “Mono” alludes to Leica’s celebrated Monochrom digital series, while “Pan” refers to the film’s panchromatic sensitivity—key to capturing broad tonal ranges across the visible and near-infrared spectrum. The “50” signifies the ISO rating, grounding the film in a classic, low-sensitivity tradition.
With an ultra-fine grain structure, MONOPAN 50 delivers remarkable resolution, measured at up to 280 line pairs per millimetre. Its superpanchromatic sensitivity, extending up to 780 nm, supports exceptional sharpness and depth in both prints and digital scans. This low-sensitivity characteristic not only aligns with historic film practices but also enables creative wide-aperture shooting in bright daylight—an ideal match for Leica’s premium lenses such as the Noctilux-M, Summilux-M and Summicron-M.
Enhanced responsiveness to colour filtration further expands MONOPAN 50’s appeal. When paired with Leica’s own colour filters, the film yields dramatic contrast and heightened creative flexibility, particularly suited for landscape, architectural and travel photography. Its compatibility with all black-and-white developers ensures versatility and control in the darkroom.
Produced in Germany, the MONOPAN 50 stands as Leica’s first true 35 mm film offering. The packaging nods to the early days of 35 mm photography, resonating with nostalgia while encouraging new visual narratives. It reflects Leica’s enduring mission to preserve and celebrate iconic photography—past, present and future.
Specifications:
Film type: Black-and-white, 35 mm
ISO rating: ISO 50/18°
Grain: Ultra-fine
Resolution: Up to 280 lp/mm
Sensitivity: Superpanchromatic, up to 780 nm
Exposures: 36 per roll
Compatibility: All black-and-white developers
Recommended uses: Landscape, architecture, cityscape, travel
Special features: Infrared response, high tonal range, Leica filter compatibility
Price and Availability:
Leica MONOPAN 50 film will be available globally from 21 August 2025 via Leica Stores and authorised dealers. It is priced at £10.00 / €12.00 including VAT. For additional product information, visit the official Leica Camera website.
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