The Leica Glow.
I recently had the honour of being invited to share my experiences with some of Leica's most iconic optics as part of a talk series with TLS in the UK.
Let me summarise the key information:
Today, digital sensors deliver flawlessly clean images. Therefore, the appearance of our images depends heavily on the lenses we use to create the desired atmosphere. Consequently, most cinematographers prefer to use a carefully chosen selection of lenses.
I am fascinated by the way vintage lenses, such as 19th-century Petzval lenses, 1950s rangefinder lenses or 1970s anamorphic lenses, render light, contrast and sharpness, creating impressive images. The list of great vintage or classic lenses seems endless. Ultimately, however, they must meet the requirements of our next project. It is crucial to achieve the right balance between optical quality and atmosphere.
Leica R lenses are classic.
They bring emotion without sacrificing precision.
I often find modern lenses too clinical. That's why I prefer working with my Leica R lenses. I wouldn't describe them as vintage; Leica R lenses are classic lenses. They strike the ideal balance between modern technical sharpness and a timeless optical character, combining emotion with precision.
I value lenses that capture all the necessary detail while preserving warmth, flares and bokeh — elements that contribute to the image's overall atmosphere.
When the first DSLR full-frame cameras capable for video arrived in the early 2000s, I began experimenting with Leica R lenses, drawn to their warm flares, natural contrast, and the subtle “Leica Glow” described by legendary Leica lens designer Walter Mandler.
Mandler never wanted a lens to be too perfect. He believed a touch of imperfection creates beauty. That glow gives life to an image.
Balancing Precision and Soul
When you work on commercials, you need focus and color fidelity, but you also want warmth and mood. Leica R lenses give you both. They’re versatile, ideal for a wide range of projects while keeping a cinematic feel.
This approach allows me to highlight the product effectively while keeping the image visually rich and engaging, giving commercials a cinematic quality without sacrificing technical accuracy.
Leica-R lenses available for rent:
My Leica R set rehoused by True lens services, represents the best of both worlds, classic Leica glass with modern TLS mechanics. My lenses are available for rent through my rental partners including Vantage Film in Berlin and across Europe.
Please contact me for details and conditions.
Set rehoused Leica-R TLS full frame, PL-mount lenses from 19mm to 180mm including 60mm & 100mm Macro.
Set cine modded Leica-R from 21 to 180mm & 60mm Macro.
2 cine mod. Leica-R Zoom Lenses 21-35mm f3.5 and 35-70mm f4.0.
All cine mod. lenses come with lens adapters for L-mount; Canon EF mount; Sony E-Mount; Canon R-Mount; Nikon Z-Mount.