The Mandler 35mm f/2 is not a lens I wanted to judge from charts or laboratory tests. I took it to Paris and used it on the Leica M11-D and Leica M11 Monochrom, photographing everything from intimate portraits and low-light interiors to the streets of Paris. This is my long-term review of a 35mm lens whose character matters far more than technical perfection.

The Light Lens Lab 75mm f/1.5 Z21 is more than a reproduction of a historical design. Inspired by French cinema and vintage portraiture, it combines atmosphere, character and usability in a way that feels uniquely its own.

The Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.9 "Rigid-ZS6" revives the legendary Dallmeyer Super Six for modern Leica M photographers. This in-depth review explores its vintage rendering, distinctive character and performance on both the Leica M11-D and Leica M11 Monochrom through portrait sessions, Art Deco interiors and romantic garden settings.

The Thypoch Simera 35mm f/2 surprised me. Rather than chasing clinical perfection, it delivers atmosphere, character and a beautifully cinematic rendering. After extensive use in Antwerp and Sicily, here's my experience with one of the most interesting modern 35mm lenses for Leica M photographers.

The Omnar Bertele 50mm f/2 MC FLB is not a lens for photographers chasing technical perfection. It is a modern reinterpretation of the classic Sonnar formula that prioritises atmosphere, glow and emotional rendering over clinical sharpness. After shooting with it extensively on the Leica M11 Monochrom in Nice, I discovered a lens that feels cinematic, imperfect and deeply inspiring for portrait photography.

From portrait sessions in Nice to late 60s inspired cinematic imagery, the Light Lens Lab 75mm f/2 SPII proved to be a unique Leica M lens full of atmosphere, beautiful skin tones and vintage character.

A 28mm lens that finally fits the way I work. In this review, I explore its rendering, close focusing, and why it became a natural part of my portrait workflow.

An in-depth look at the Zenit Zenitar 35mm f/1, a rare ultra-fast M-mount lens known for its expressive bokeh, atmospheric rendering and cinematic approach to portrait photography, compared with the Leica Noctilux 35mm f/1.2.

The Light Lens Lab Z21 50mm f/1.5 is not about perfection. Inspired by the legendary Angénieux S21, this character lens brings cinematic rendering, field curvature and vintage soul to modern Leica M cameras. In this review, I explore its behaviour in real-world portrait and automotive shoots.

Discover my hands-on review of the Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Double Aspherical Titanium Edition. I explore its character, bokeh, skin tones, and how it compares to the Leica Double Aspherical, Steel Rim, and Summilux ASPH FLE for portraits and black-and-white photography on the M11-D and M11 Monochrom.

The Thypoch Ksana 21mm is not just a wide-angle lens. In this project, I used it to create quiet, cinematic portraits where space, solitude, and atmosphere become part of the story. A lens that surprised me and ultimately earned a permanent place in my toolkit.