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Leica Release NEW Film – MONOPAN 50

By SFLaB in Uncategorised on 19th June 2025.

Leica has officially announced their first-ever “branded” 35mm film, the MONOPAN 50, to commemorate 100 years since the launch of the Leica I camera in 1925, which effectively pioneered the 35mm format.

What Leica Say

MONOPAN 50 is derived from “mono” (referencing their Monochrom digital cameras), “pan” (for its panchromatic properties, meaning sensitive to the full visible spectrum and beyond), and “50” for its ISO speed. It’s a black-and-white negative film with 36 exposures rated at ISO 50/18°.

Leica states this low sensitivity encourages a slower, more deliberate approach to photography and allows for shooting with wide apertures even in bright daylight, showcasing the “Leica bokeh.”

Leica emphasizes its “ultra-fine grain” and “exceptional resolution” of up to 280 line pairs per millimeter. This is marketed as being perfect for large-format prints and detailed scans, and for maximising the optical performance of Leica lenses. It boasts “super-panchromatic sensitisation” extending up to 780nm, which makes it suitable for infrared photography when paired with appropriate filters. It’s also noted to work well with yellow, orange, and green filters for contrast control and can be developed with all standard black-and-white developers.

It will be available in four distinctive, retro-style packaging designs, paying homage to Leica’s heritage and Leica explicitly states the film is “Produced in Germany.”

Well this sounds exciting!

A Leica Film Lab?

I think we can quite confidently say that Leica have not set up a film manufacturing lab in Germany and have approached an already popular facility to make this film. And when I think of film manufacturers in Germany I think ADOX.

But hang on…

280 line pairs per millimeter
Super-panchromatic sensitisation extending up to 780nm
ISO 50

Sound familiar?

There is another film that ADOX make called HR-50. A film I love! That too has up to 280 line pairs per millimeter and sensitisation extending up to 780nm.

So have Leica approached ADOX and asked them to make an emulsion for them based on similar technical specs as HR-50 or IS IT HR-50?

I do hope a “NEW” emulsion has been developed, somehow, by Leica ( and whoever the lab is). But already speculation online is pointing to ADOX HR-50.

Which could be a good thing! If it is.

ADOX HR-50 is a truly brilliant emulsion. I love it. The new film shooters and those that don’t follow the communities will take a punt on this new Leica Film and get to experience HR-50. Even if they don’t realise it. I’m not sure that HR-50 is that popular so hopefully, if it is HR-50, then Leica has possibly saved this film from extinction.

So with all that said we will just have to wait and see when Leica release the film in August and I for one will be buying a roll to compare with the HR-50 I have in the fridge. Even though I will not enjoy passing a few quid onto Leica for the fancy packaging and name – if it turns out to be HR-50.

The film was released on June 18, 2025, and will be available worldwide from August 21, 2025, at Leica Stores and authorised retailers. The recommended retail price is £10.00 / €12.00 / $10.00 per roll.