Weekly News Roundup

Jan 18

The photography world moves fast, and it’s easy to get lost in the noise of spec sheets, gear leaks, and social media trends. But at The Monochrome Collective, we believe that keeping up with the industry shouldn’t feel like a chore, it should be a way to fuel your own creative fire.

Weekly News Roundup is our new Sunday ritual. It’s where we strip away the fluff and look at the stories that actually matter to the craft. Every week, we’ll bring you the pulse of the industry: the hardware that changes how we shoot, the exhibitions that challenge how we see, and the cultural shifts that define what it means to be a photographer in 2026.

Ricoh/Pentax Confirms Development of Full-Frame Monochrome

Following the success of the K-3 Mark III Monochrome (APS-C), Ricoh/Pentax has officially signaled the next phase of its "Monochrome Project." Reports from recent industry briefings indicate that the company is in the final prototyping stages for a full-frame monochrome DSLR sensor. This move solidifies Pentax's commitment to traditional DSLR haptics combined with specialized black-and-white digital sensors.

Leica Releases Firmware Update for M11 Monochrom

Leica has pushed a significant firmware update (Version 2.1.0) specifically for the M11 Monochrom. The update focuses on refining the "Content Credentials" feature, ensuring that metadata for black and white images remains intact through encrypted workflows. Additionally, the update improves highlight recovery algorithms, allowing for more granular control over tonal transitions in the brightest areas of the frame.

Rumors Swirl Around a "Fuji X100 Monochrome"

Recent patent filings and supply chain leaks suggest that Fujifilm may be exploring a dedicated monochrome-only X100 series variant for late 2026. While Fujifilm has historically relied on its "Film Simulations" (like Acros), the potential move to a sensor with the Bayer filter removed would mark a massive shift in their strategy to compete directly with high end monochrome only bodies.

Major Retrospective: "The Architecture of Light" Opens

A new major exhibition titled "The Architecture of Light" has opened at the International Center of Photography (ICP). The gallery features newly discovered, never before seen black and white prints from mid century masters, focusing on the interplay of brutalist structures and harsh natural light. The exhibition is set to tour globally throughout the remainder of the year.

Canon "Neural Network" In Camera Upscaling

Canon has revealed a new firmware update for the R5 and R3 series that uses deep learning AI to upscale images by 4x directly in-camera with significantly reduced noise, aimed at sports and wildlife photographers who need to crop heavily.

The Return of the Luxury Compact

Nikon is rumored to be developing a "Zf-c" style full-frame compact a fixed-lens, high end "premium" camera intended to compete with the Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3, responding to the massive resurgence in the "EDC" (Every Day Carry) camera market.