Leica Introduces Monopan 50 Black-and-White Film
Leica has introduced its first branded 35mm black-and-white film, the Monopan 50. Released to mark the 100th anniversary of the Leica I, the first mass-produced 35mm camera launched in 1925, Monopan 50 is positioned as a high-resolution panchromatic film with enhanced spectral sensitivity. It is manufactured in Germany and offered in 36-exposure rolls.
With an ISO rating of 50, Monopan 50 features ultra-fine grain and a resolution of up to 280 line pairs per millimeter. According to Leica, the film also has extended sensitivity up to 780 nanometers, enabling applications in infrared photography. When paired with suitable filters, the film allows for various aesthetic effects, including the rendering of white foliage in landscapes or increased tonal separation in portraits.
The low ISO speed makes it more suitable for bright lighting conditions or for use with fast lenses. Its characteristics—high contrast, soft tonal gradation and minimal grain—make it appropriate for landscape, architectural and cityscape photography. Leica claims the film is compatible with all black-and-white developers and emphasizes its capacity for detail reproduction and tonal control.
Despite being labeled as a Leica product, the company does not clarify whether it has developed the film in-house. As DPReview reports, technical comparisons suggest it may be a rebranded version of Adox HR-50, which shares nearly identical specifications in terms of resolution, grain structure and spectral range. Adox HR-50 is also a German-made panchromatic film sensitive to infrared wavelengths and it is currently available through some retailers despite being listed as discontinued by others.
While rebranding is a common practice in the film industry, Leica’s decision to market this product under its own name marks a rare move in its history. Unlike its extensive tradition of manufacturing cameras and lenses, Leica has never previously produced film directly. This launch, therefore, can be interpreted as s symbolic alignment with analog heritage rather than a shift toward in-house film production.
Here are some sample pictures shot with the Monopan 50, from Leica’s website:
Monopan 50 will be available globally from August 21, 2025, through Leica Stores and authorized retailers. It will be sold at $10 per roll and packaged in four different designs referencing the early days of 35mm photography.
