In a tribute to the origins of modern photography, Leica Camera AG has introduced its first-ever true Leica 35mm black-and-white film. The MONOPAN 50, developed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the original Leica I camera, combines historical reverence with cutting-edge photographic performance. It will be available globally in Leica Stores and authorised retailers from 21 August 2025, priced at S$20 including GST.
Back in 1925, the Leica I helped establish the 35mm format as the benchmark in photography—compact, portable, and creatively liberating. Now, a century later, MONOPAN 50 revives that pioneering energy, offering 36 exposures of ultra-fine-grain, ISO 50 black-and-white film, engineered to take full advantage of Leica’s most advanced optics.
This new film was designed with an extended spectral sensitivity of up to 780nm, which not only enhances tonal range and sharpness but also supports infrared photography. The “mono” in its name pays homage to Leica’s Monochrom digital camera series, while “pan” signals the film’s superpanchromatic properties, making it highly responsive to colour filters for dramatic contrast and precision. With a rated resolution of up to 280 line pairs per millimetre, MONOPAN 50 promises crisp detail, even in large-format prints and high-resolution scans.
The low ISO makes it an ideal companion to Leica’s high-speed lenses, such as the Noctilux-M, Summilux-M, and Summicron-M—especially when shooting wide open in bright daylight. The resulting images deliver Leica’s trademark bokeh, combined with cinematic depth and vintage finesse.
Designed and produced in Germany, MONOPAN 50 complements Leica’s broader celebration of “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century.” This global campaign spans exhibitions in cities such as New York, Tokyo, Milan, and Dubai, and culminates in a week-long celebration at Leica’s Wetzlar headquarters in June. Throughout the year, limited editions, cultural collaborations and gallery exhibitions will reinforce the company’s role in shaping photographic history.
Although Leica has offered film cameras for decades, MONOPAN 50 marks its first foray into producing its own branded 35mm film—a significant milestone. Its vintage-style packaging nods to the legacy of early 20th-century Leica photography, while its performance specification places it firmly in the future. The film is compatible with all standard black-and-white developers, offering professionals and enthusiasts full control over the development process.
Suited to landscape, cityscape, travel and architectural photography, MONOPAN 50 bridges Leica’s storied past with a deliberate, craft-driven present. As digital saturation continues to reshape image-making, this release speaks to those who still value material process and analogue tactility.
The MONOPAN 50 is more than a product drop. It’s a meditative return to the roots of seeing—one that invites photographers to slow down, compose with intention, and engage deeply with the frame. In the language of Leica, it’s not just about capturing light—it’s about sculpting it.
