The Magic of Sports Photography with a Manual Lens and the Leica SL2
When it comes to sports photography, capturing the intensity, speed, and raw emotion of the game is everything. But how do you elevate those moments, making them truly timeless? For me, the answer lies in using a manual lens and a Leica camera—specifically, the Leica SL2 paired with a 90mm lens.
A Love for Black and White Photography
Shooting sports in black and white strips the image down to its core elements: light, shadow, and emotion. The colorful chaos of an ice hockey game transforms into something more profound, more enduring. With each frame, you see the energy and passion of the players without distraction, allowing you to focus on the story unfolding on the ice. Every movement, every clash of skates, and every breathless second becomes part of a larger narrative.
Why the Leica SL2?
The Leica SL2 isn’t just a camera—it’s an extension of your creative vision. With its robust build and exceptional image quality, it handles the fast-paced action of sports like ice hockey with ease. But there’s something special about pairing it with a manual lens, particularly the 90mm.
Manual focus on a Leica lens takes patience and precision, but the reward is unmatched control. You’re not just shooting; you’re crafting each image. This hands-on approach allows for deeper engagement with your subject. You’re not relying on autofocus to guess where the moment lies—you’re feeling it, anticipating it, and capturing it with intention.
The Result? Pure Magic
On the ice, the intensity is palpable. Hockey is a game of split-second decisions and explosive movements, and capturing that energy through the lens is exhilarating. Shooting with a manual lens pushes you to stay fully immersed in the moment. It requires focus, but the reward is a photograph that doesn’t just depict the game—it embodies its spirit.
The Leica SL2 and the 90mm manual lens create a perfect synergy, bringing out the best in each other. The result is pure magic. Every frame tells a story, whether it’s the determination on a player’s face, the fierce competition between rivals, or the graceful speed as they skate across the ice.
Timeless Storytelling Through a Lens
Sports photography is more than just freezing a moment in time; it’s about telling the story behind the moment. With the Leica SL2, especially in black and white, these moments transcend time. You’re not just seeing the game—you’re feeling it.
I recently had the pleasure of capturing the energy and excitement of an ice hockey game featuring HK Poprad. The power of manual focus combined with the unmatched quality of Leica glass allowed me to create images that tell a story far beyond the rink. It’s moments like these that make photography so much more than a job—it’s a passion, and the Leica SL2 is the perfect tool to bring that passion to life.
