Photo news: Leica celebrates and iPhone gets an AI boost

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This week, everything in the world of photography revolves around fascinating contrasts: While Leica launches a new black and white film to mark the 100th anniversary of the 35mm camera, Adobe revolutionizes iPhone photography with AI technology. In between, an innovative daylight developing tank for large format films is causing a stir and OM System is polishing up its outdoor camera. Welcome to our photo news of the week!

Leica's Monopan 50: Analog comeback for its centenary

Who would have thought that we would still be reporting on new films in 2025? Leica is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the legendary Leica I with a remarkable step back to its roots: the "Monopan 50" is the company's first in-house black-and-white film for the 35mm format.

With a sensitivity of ISO 50, this film is definitely not for night owls or snapshot hunters – but that's precisely the point. Leica focuses on quality rather than speed and promises an impressive resolution of 280 line pairs per millimeter. That's a bit like building a sports car that only runs in first gear – but with a precision gearbox made by a Swiss watchmaker.

Particularly interesting: the film is "superpanchromatic" sensitized and captures light waves up to 780 nanometers – which already extends into the near infrared range. Photographers can therefore not only take classic black and white pictures, but also experiment with infrared effects. From August, for 12 euros per roll, you can get a piece of analog nostalgia with modern technology – packaged in a retro design reminiscent of the early days of 35 mm photography.

Whether Leica is setting a new trend or just serving a niche market remains to be seen. But in times when every smartphone automatically produces HDR images, the deliberate deceleration through analog photography certainly has its appeal. After all, at ISO 50 you really have to think before you press the shutter button!

Zebra Daylight Tank: Revolution for large format enthusiasts

While Leica celebrates analog photography, the start-up Zebra is revolutionizing film processing with an innovative daylight processing tank for large format film. The Kickstarter project has already reached 900 percent of its funding target – Apparently there are more large format photographers out there than the digital world would like to admit!

The highlight: with the Zebra Daylight Tank, you can finally develop large format films without a darkroom. This may not sound like a big deal to the uninitiated. But anyone who has ever tried to develop an 810-inch film in complete darkness without bending it, scratching it, or accidentally dousing it with the wrong chemical will jump for joy.

The device uses an ingenious light maze system in the lid that allows chemicals to pass through, but not light. It's available in three sizes: 4×5", 5×7" and 8×10" – with the largest tank capable of handling up to 16 sheets of 4×5" film at a time. That's like a dishwasher for negatives!

The included "Film Safe" – is also particularly clever - a light-proof box with two magnetically secured compartments for exposed and unexposed film. The lids have different textures so that they can be distinguished even in the dark. Finally, no more panic when you ask yourself: "Was that the exposed or the unexposed stack?"

The project starts at around 20 euros for the smallest version and is due to be delivered at the end of 2025. A classic case of "Shut up and take my money" for analog photographers!

OM System OM-5 Mark II: The outdoor camera for all weather conditions

OM Digital Solutions (formerly Olympus) remains true to its line and presents the OM-5 Mark II, a compact, robust system camera for outdoor enthusiasts. Weighing just 418 grams (including battery and memory card), it is lighter than many a water bottle that you carry with you on hikes.

The camera is protected against splash water and dust in accordance with IP53 and works perfectly at temperatures as low as -10 °C – for your next winter vacation in the Alps or expedition to the Arctic Circle. The redesigned handle is said to offer a better feel. For the first time, in addition to the classic black and silver colors, there is also a limited sand beige edition – for all those who want to camouflage themselves in the desert.

In terms of technology, OM is focusing on evolution rather than revolution: the 20.37 megapixel sensor and the TruePic IX processor have been carried over from its predecessor. The 5-axis image stabilization compensates for up to 6.5 exposure steps, with compatible lenses even 7.5 – This means that you could theoretically use freehand exposure times at which other photographers would have long since reached for a tripod.

The new CP button (Computational Photography), which offers direct access to computer-aided shooting modes, is interesting: high-resolution shots with up to 89 megapixels (from a tripod), Live ND for long exposures without filters, focus stacking and more. For 1,300 euros (body) or 1,700 euros (with kit lens), you get a robust workhorse that is not too shy to take pictures in the rain.

Adobe Project Indigo: AI power for iPhone photographers

While some are still developing films, Adobe is launching "Project Indigo", an experimental camera app designed to take iPhone photos to a new level. The special feature: The app uses computational photography to an extent that would make even Apple pale.

At its heart is the combination of up to 32 individual images per shot – While most smartphone cameras already merge several images, Adobe goes much further here. The result: drastically reduced image noise, especially with telephoto shots and poor lighting.

Adobe also wants to tackle the typical smartphone look with over-bright, low-contrast images and oversaturated colors. Instead, the app should produce photos that are more reminiscent of an SLR camera – with more natural image reproduction and without aggressive local tone mapping.

Particularly clever: Project Indigo can also utilize the advantages of computational photography in RAW files (DNG format). The files already contain the combined individual images, but still offer full flexibility for post-processing.

The app was developed by Marc Levoy and Florian Kainz, two developers who have already co-developed Google's Pixel camera app – - real heavyweights in smartphone photography. The app is available free of charge for iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max and newer models, an Android version is planned.

Conclusion: Photography lives – in all its forms

From analog film to AI-supported smartphone photography, from large-format development to compact outdoor cameras – the variety could hardly be greater.

It's fascinating to see how photography is evolving: While some are going back to basics and celebrating the slowness of the analog process, others are using cutting-edge AI technology to push the boundaries of smartphone photography.

This coexistence of different photographic approaches shows that photography is never just about technology, but always about vision, creativity and personal expression. Whether using 100-year-old technology or an AI-supported smartphone app –, it's the image that counts in the end.

(tho)