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Alan Schaller

 

Alan Schaller

Alan Schaller is well-known for keeping his photography setup both minimalist and monochrome-focused, relying heavily on Leica cameras and classic primes. 

Here’s a breakdown of his gear, based on interviews and insider reports:

Camera Bodies

  • Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
    His first true monochrome Leica, and a pivotal step in defining his black-and-white aesthetic.

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

  • Leica M10 Monochrom
    He later upgraded to this newer model, preferring its quieter shutter, improved resolution, and consistent low-light, high-dynamic-range performance.

Leica M10 Monochrom

  • Leica M11 Monochrom
    As of early 2024, Schaller began using the M11 Monochrom, lauded by him for its advanced sensor and ability to “capture fleeting moments with stunning quality”.

Leica M11 Monochrom

Lenses & Focal Lengths

  • 24 mm prime
    His staple lens, favored for street work—especially in black and white—due to its versatility in capturing geometry, light, and human interaction.

  • Wider/longer primes
    He occasionally works with lenses ranging from 16 mm to 90 mm, often sticking to only one focal length per project to maintain creative constraints.

Other Gear

  • Polaroid I‑2 camera (using B&W 600 film)
    Used in a Polaroid collaboration, appreciated for its immediacy and no-post‐processing challenge.

Polaroid I-2

  • Canon EOS 70D
    His very first DSLR—though this was early in his career before he fully embraced Leica

Canon Eos 70D

Shooting Style & Techniques

  • Shoots exclusively in monochrome (digital or film).

  • Often works with a single focal length and location to simplify vision and refine composition.

  • Employs zone focusing and manual/pre‑focus techniques—sometimes at f/1.4—without using the viewfinder.

  • Prefers spot metering for highlights, pushing the histogram to the right, then heavily crushing blacks in post.

Why This Setup?

Schaller embraces constraints—monochrome sensors, limited lenses, single locations—which free him to mentally anticipate and capture decisive moments.

The Leica Monochrom line perfectly suits his desire for purist black-and-white expression.

In essence: Allan Schaller shoots with a Leica Monochrom camera (currently the M11, sometimes M10 or Typ 246) paired mainly with a 24 mm prime, occasionally branching out from 16 to 90 mm. He also experiments with Polaroid film and began his photographic journey with a Canon EOS 70D.

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