Discovering Leica Monopan 50: A New Era in Black and White Film

So, when Leica dropped the Monopan 50, my inner film nerd did a little dance. A slow-speed, super fine-grain black and white film with the big red dot’s name on the box? Yes, please!

The First Roll: A Journey Through Lincoln

I loaded a roll, slung my camera over my shoulder, and wandered around Lincoln with no real plan - just letting the film do its thing. Bridges, staircases, railway tracks, creeping plants…you know, the everyday kind of scenes where you really see how a film stock handles tones, textures, and light.

Developed back in my studio at the Barbican Creative Hub (using Kodak HC110 dilution B—nervous drumroll while the negatives dried) and scanned by the good folks at Not Quite North, the results had me grinning. Sharp, clean, smooth - it’s a film that just behaves. No wild surprises, no crushed shadows, no blown-out highlights. Just lovely, balanced tonality and almost invisible grain.

The Rumour Mill: Is It Really Adox HR-50?

Now, let’s address the rumour mill: people online reckon this is basically Adox HR-50 in disguise. And to be fair, it does have that same surgical sharpness and fine detail. But, and this is important, it’s not a straight clone. Leica have apparently had a hand in tweaking the emulsion, and you can feel it.

Where Adox can sometimes be a bit contrast-heavy, Monopan 50 rolls things off more gently. The shadows breathe. The highlights have a softness to them. It feels refined. Leica refined.

Why Monopan 50 Excites Me

Is it exciting? Absolutely! Because whatever its origin story, it means we’ve got another option in our film bag. And not just any option, but one that encourages you to slow down, shoot carefully, and notice the little things.

Would I shoot it again? 100%. I want to see how it handles portraits, different lighting, and maybe a push just to test its limits. For now, though, this first roll gave me exactly what I wanted: everyday places, captured with a clarity that feels fresh.

The Future of Black and White Film

And honestly…how often do we get to say there’s a new black and white film in 2025? It feels like a breath of fresh air in a world where digital often overshadows the beauty of film.

As I reflect on my experience with Monopan 50, I can’t help but think about how this film might inspire others. It’s not just about capturing images; it’s about the stories we tell through our lenses.

So, if you’re like me and love exploring the nuances of film photography, give Monopan 50 a shot. You might just find it becomes a staple in your collection.

All photos shot with a Leica M6, Summilux 50mm f/1.4, at box speed of 50 ISO.