To mark the 100th anniversary of the famous Leica I, Leica Camera AG has released its first 35mm film, the Leica Monopan 50. This black-and-white movie, which was announced on June 18, 2025, is a big deal for the famous brand that changed photography forever in 1925 by making the 35mm format the industry standard. Leica not only honors its storied past with the Monopan 50, but it also reaffirms its dedication to the timeless art of analog photography. Let’s talk about what makes this movie a great addition to the world of film photography.
A Tribute to 100 Years of 35mm Photography
The Leica I, which came out in 1925, changed photography by making the 35mm format available to everyone. Photographers and stores called it “Leica film” because it was small and could be used in many ways, even though the film cassettes were made by Kodak, Agfa, and Perutz. Leica has finally made its own film, Monopan 50, to honor this legacy a hundred years later. The film shows the vision of Oskar Barnack, the founder of Leica, who came up with the idea of “small negative, big picture,” which lets photographers make beautiful enlargements from small negatives.
Monopan 50 is more than just a nostalgic nod; it’s a high-performance film made for people who love analog photography today. It was made in Germany and has ultra-fine grain, super-panchromatic sensitivity, and a resolution of up to 280 line pairs per millimeter, making it one of the sharpest 35mm films on the market. Starting on August 21, 2025, Leica Stores and authorized retailers around the world will sell it for $10 per 36-exposure roll.
What Makes Monopan 50 Different: Technical Excellence
The name “Monopan 50” comes from its main features: “mono” for monochrome, which refers to Leica’s Monochrom series of digital black-and-white cameras; “pan” for its panchromatic properties; and “50” for its ISO rating. This low-sensitivity film is made for bright conditions and works great with Leica’s fast lenses, like the Noctilux-M, Summilux-M, and Summicron-M. This lets photographers shoot wide open even in the daytime to get that famous Leica bokeh.
Important Features:
• Very High Resolution: With a resolving power of 280 line pairs per millimeter, Monopan 50 gives you amazing sharpness that is perfect for high-resolution scanning and large-format prints. This is why fine art photographers and people who want very precise details love it.
• Ultra-Fine Grain: The film’s smooth grain structure makes tonal transitions creamy and microcontrast great, which makes black-and-white images look better.
• Super-Panchromatic Sensitivity: Monopan 50 is sensitive to wavelengths up to 780nm and goes into the near-infrared spectrum. This gives you creative freedom for infrared photography and works with color filters (yellow, orange, red, green, or blue) to create striking contrast and dramatic effects.
• ISO 50/18°: The low sensitivity is a nod to the early days of 35mm photography, when films were less sensitive to light. It makes it easy to shoot with a wide aperture, which is great for portraits, landscapes, and architectural photography.
Leica says that the Monopan 50 works best with its high-performance lenses, which show off their optical skills. But it works with any 35mm film camera, so a lot of photographers can use it. You can use any black-and-white developer to process the film, making it easy for both darkroom purists and people who use both darkroom and digital methods.
Is Monopan 50 Really a Leica Product?
Leica proudly calls Monopan 50 its “first true 35mm film,” but some people think it might be a rebranded version of an existing emulsion, like Adox HR-50. The two films have almost the same specs, such as super-panchromatic sensitivity, 280 lp/mm resolution, and very fine grain. Adox Fotowerke in Germany makes the Adox HR-50, which costs about $7.50 per roll. This makes people wonder if the $10 Monopan 50 is worth the extra cost.
Some people think that Leica may have changed the emulsion to make it fit its standards, which is something that happens a lot in the industry. For instance, CineStill changes Kodak Vision 3 film by taking off the remjet layer. Some people think that Monopan 50 is just Adox HR-50 in a different package, with the Leica logo and retro-inspired packaging making it look more expensive. Leica hasn’t said who made it, which has led to a lot of discussion among film fans on sites like Reddit and Rangefinderforum. Sample images from Leica show that the emulsion works well with Adox HR-50, but we won’t know for sure what it is until the film is available for sale.
Monopan 50’s release is a great thing for analog photography, no matter where it came from. By putting its well-known name on a film stock, Leica shows that it believes in the medium’s future, which could increase demand and help companies like Adox. One Reddit user said, “Even if it’s a rebrand, Leica’s introduction of a film emulsion is welcome where stock is limited.”
Aesthetic and Functional Appeal
Monopan 50 is made for photographers who care about planning and making things well. It has a low ISO, which makes it great for landscape, architectural, cityscape, and travel photography, where bright light and precise control are important. The film’s ability to work with infrared light and filters gives you a lot of creative options, like red filters for dramatic skies or green filters for ethereal foliage.
Leica has also used the tactile appeal of analog photography in the Monopan 50‘s packaging. The boxes come in four vintage styles that remind people of the early days of 35mm photography. They are popular with both collectors and fans. Leica knows that film is as much about the experience as it is about the results, which is why they pay attention to every little thing.
Leica has shared sample images that show what the film can do: clear details, a wide range of tones, and smooth bokeh when used with fast lenses. Monopan 50 gives a refined, high-definition analog look that connects the past and the present, whether you use it with a modern Leica M6 or an old screw-mount camera.
The Big Picture: Leica’s Dedication to Analog
Leica’s successful reintroduction of the Leica M6 in 2022 led to the release of the Monopan 50, which shows that the company is once again focusing on analog photography. Leica’s investment in film shows how special the medium is in a time when digital convenience is king. It has a slow pace, a tactile process, and a unique look. Leica says, “Analog photography is a conscious choice in favor of craftsmanship, a slower pace, and trust in our own ability to capture an image.”
Some people say that Leica’s high prices and possible rebranding show that the company cares more about brand equity than new ideas. Someone on Rangefinderforum joked, “This is a straight-up prostitution of the brand,” which means that Leica is taking advantage of its loyal fans. Some people disagree and say that Leica’s involvement makes the analog ecosystem stronger, which encourages new photographers to try film and helps current manufacturers.
Monopan 50 is a good deal for a high-quality film at $10 per roll, but it’s more expensive than Adox HR-50 or Ilford Pan F Plus, which cost $7 to $8. For people who love Leica, the red dot and old-fashioned packaging may make the price worth it. For others, the choice depends on whether Monopan 50 offers a unique rendering or just uses Leica’s reputation to sell itself.
In conclusion: A Movie You Should Watch
Leica Monopan 50 is a tribute to the past, present, and future of 35mm photography. Whether it’s a custom emulsion or a rebranded Adox HR-50, its technical abilities—ultra-fine grain, high resolution, and super-panchromatic sensitivity—make it a great choice for photographers who know what they want. The fact that it has a low ISO and works with filters makes it great for creative photographers. The Leica brand and nostalgic packaging also make it very appealing.
Monopan 50 will be available on August 21, 2025. It encourages photographers to slow down, enjoy the tactile joy of analog photography, and make pictures that will last forever. This film is worth a roll or more, whether you love Leica, are a film purist, or are just curious. Leica still supports analog photography, and Monopan 50 proves that film still has its magic.
