In conjunction with celebrating Leica's 100th anniversary, we were invited to join an exclusive expedition to Ipoh to experience firsthand the experience of using their best cameras. Not just capturing beautiful moments, but also delving into the art of photography through various interesting activities that have been specially arranged.
Adding another special element to this expedition, Leica has collaborated with Porsche to provide official vehicles throughout the journey. From traveling to the location to photography activities at various iconic places in Ipoh, this experience truly combines technology, art and innovation in one extraordinary package. Let me share this fun and meaningful experience with you!
FIRST DAY
Early in the morning, participants gathered at the Porsche Centre Ara Damansara for the registration session. Each participant was lent a Leica camera, and I myself was lent a Leica SL2 with a 50mm f1.4 Summilux SL lens. The first briefing was given by Kashminni from Porsche Malaysia, since the trip to Ipoh would be using the Porsche Taycan, one of the EV cars they offer. Kieron Long from Leica also shared about the basics of photography and the activities that will be done during the expedition.
Before leaving, we had time to take a group photo, and at around 8:30 am, three Porsche Taycans began their journey to Ipoh. Along the way, there were several stops for driver changes, allowing all participants to experience driving this luxury EV.
Upon arrival at Gunung Lanno, Leica staff gave a brief briefing before the photography session began. This location offers views of green trees, limestone mountain formations, rock crevices, and a calming lake. Participants were challenged to capture the best photo and two photos would be selected in a photo review session on the last day.
Using the Leica SL2 camera and the 50mm f1.4 Summilux SL lens, I was able to capture the natural beauty of Gunung Lanno with incredible sharpness and clarity, such as the crevices on the mountain and the reflections from the lake. The Leica SL2 offers fast and accurate focusing performance, even in challenging lighting, while the Summilux SL lens with a large f1.4 aperture produces a beautiful bokeh effect, separating the subject from the background and giving the image a stunning depth. Every moment captured offers vivid colors and sharp contrast, revealing every detail of the scene with great clarity.
Leica Ultravid 8×32 HD-Plus, Leica Noctivid 10×42 and Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 Aquadura
I also had the opportunity to use Leica Binoculars, which offer very clear image quality even from a distance, making them a very useful tool for exploring the surroundings before taking pictures. The Leica Ultravid 8×32 HD-Plus, Leica Noctivid 10×42 and Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 Aquadura were three excellent binocular options that I tried while there.
For your information, the Leica Ultravid 8×32 HD-Plus has 8x magnification and a 42mm objective lens diameter and is capable of providing a sharp and clear view with a minimum focus distance of 3 meters, suitable for nature observation at close range. Meanwhile, the Leica Noctivid 10×42 comes with a higher magnification of 10x, providing a longer and more detailed view, with advanced HD optical features for the best visual experience. These binoculars also have the same minimum focus distance of 3 meters and a very wide field of view at a distance of 1000 meters.
For those looking for a more compact and lightweight option, the Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 Aquadura is the right choice, with 10x magnification and a 25mm lens diameter, suitable for portable observation but still providing sharp focus at a distance of 3.2 meters. All three binoculars offer the best optical quality with a durable design, suitable for travelers and nature enthusiasts who need reliable equipment in various weather conditions.
Next stop was Tin Alley, a location famous for wet plate photography. The technique has become a favorite among many, and Perak-based photographer Steve Tan took the opportunity to build his own wet plate camera and delve into the technique. He also shared the process of how images are developed using the Collodion Negative method.
Leica SL2 and 50mm f1/1.4 Summilux SL
Using a Leica SL2 camera paired with a 50mm f/1.4 Summilux SL lens, this was my golden opportunity to shine with this incredible camera system. Allow me to share a little about the greatness of the camera and the lenses I used.
The Leica SL2 is the only full-frame mirrorless system camera designed and manufactured entirely in Germany in line with the excellence of the Leica M. Built with a solid metal design, IP54 rated, and an elegant leather cover, this camera is not just a photographic tool, but also a symbol of durability and comfort for years of use.
With 47 full-frame megapixels, the SL2 delivers an incredible level of image precision, especially when paired with the Leica SL lens. The in-body image stabilization system also works efficiently to reduce the effects of shake, ensuring sharp and high-quality images even when using the legendary Leica M lens on this camera body.
In addition to simply understanding the technique of wet plate photography, this session also gave participants the opportunity to capture female models with a Porsche Taycan. This is where I learned how to manage the right camera settings to get the best results. Kieron Long was very helpful with tips to produce meaningful images.
Leica Watch ZM2 and Leica Watch ZM11
However, this photography session only lasted a few minutes before the rain started, which forced a change of plans. The models then wore the Leica Watch ZM2 and ZM11, and all participants took the opportunity to capture images with different compositions. The watches feature an elegant design with a minimalist touch, inspired by the iconic Leica camera elements, making them not just an accessory but also a symbol of precision and high craftsmanship.
I also experimented with several angles to ensure that the resulting images were more varied and not static. With the unique design of the Leica ZM2 and ZM11, each angle gave a different character, whether it was the focus on the dial that resembles the camera control buttons or the reflection of light on the premium finish of the watch. This gave me more freedom to create more dynamic and telling visuals.
In addition, I also had the opportunity to capture images of a male model in a Porsche Taycan while wearing one of the Leica ZM watch collections. This session really tested my creativity in adjusting the lighting and composition, especially since the lens I was using was not suitable for the narrow space. Fortunately, with Kieron Long’s guidance, I was able to find the best angle and the right distance to get interesting results.
The Leica ZM2 and ZM11 watches are not just ordinary watches, they are crafted with the same precision as Leica cameras. The minimalist and elegant design, with a premium finish, makes these watches stand out as the perfect accessory for lovers of photography and a luxurious lifestyle. Inspired by the classic design of the camera, the control buttons on this watch also resemble the dial of a Leica camera, adding an exclusive touch.
Leica Cine Play 1
After the photography session, we visited Sin Yoon Loong, an iconic café that has been in operation since 1937. Before enjoying dinner, we were treated to a viewing experience with the Leica Cine Play 1, Leica’s premium projector. The visual quality is impressive, with a clear display even in bright environments, as well as very satisfying sound.
If you want to know, the Leica Cine Play 1 offers a simpler design and is easy to install. With a seamless connection, you can connect devices without any problems and continue to enjoy your favorite content from the built-in apps or external devices without any problems. The viewing experience at home is also a cinematic experience, with the Leica Summicron zoom lens capable of expanding the screen size from 65 to 300 inches. The Leica Cine Play 1 delivers stunning 4K visuals with exceptional image brightness and vivid colors, thanks to the combination of Triple RGB laser technology, Leica Image Optimization and Leica Summicron lenses.
DAY TWO
The second day began with a visit to The Living Arts Studio, a ceramic art studio that produces various forms of pottery such as plates, bowls and cups. We met with Ng Sook Peng, a renowned ceramic artist in Ipoh. She shared her artistic journey, the awards she has won, and the artwork she has produced throughout her career.
Ng Sook Peng also demonstrated the technique of painting and coloring on heated ceramics. She emphasized that the selection of colors and painting are important elements to produce beautiful works of art that do not look dull. In addition, she also showed how the pottery making process is done, including how she herself produces the clay to use in her works. Such a meticulous process proves that each ceramic art has its own value and character.
During this session, I took the opportunity to capture her while she was making pottery, trying different angles so that each image could tell its own story. The background filled with her pottery art added to the uniqueness of each photo shoot, making it more meaningful and telling about the world of ceramic art.
Then, we visited Gaharu Tea Valley which is a hybrid Gaharu (Gaharu) tree plantation on the rich fertile land in Gopeng, now known as Gaharu Tea Valley. Their vision is to create a holistic way of life using one of nature's best secrets, the Gaharu tree. Hence the name HOGA, which is actually an abbreviation of Holistic Gaharu. I also had the opportunity to taste the original HOGA tea which has a unique texture and taste.
After that, we took a van to higher ground to see the beauty of Gaharu Tea Valley for myself. I also had the opportunity to use several Leica Binoculars models such as the Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 AquaDura, Leica NOCTIVID 10×42, and Leica Ultravid 8X32 HD-Plus. Using these binoculars, I was able to see birds, trees, and branches more closely. It turned out that each model provided an amazing experience, even if the subjects were far away. The high-quality lenses used ensured that every detail appeared clearer and sharper, making the experience more immersive.
We also went to several landmarks in Gaharu Tea Valley including the Lovers Tree which shows two figures of a man and a woman as if they were dancing. In this area, a few photos were taken but not many subjects that interested me. After lunch, the photo review session was held in a room but unfortunately there were technical problems with the poor internet network in the area.
I also received compliments from Kieron Long about the beautiful and creative photos taken. Since the photo review session could not be held, the activity was replaced with a photography session of a male model with a Leica Watch and a Porsche Taycan car. In an open area and with quite hot weather, it was a challenge for me to find the right angle with the lens I had, which was heavy to carry.
Porsche Taycan 4S
After the photo shoot with the model ended, we got ready to return to Kuala Lumpur. Before arriving at the Porsche Office, I also had the opportunity to experience driving the Porsche Taycan 4S, which was the official vehicle for the entire trip. It is a car that is not only powerful but also offers exceptional driving comfort and control.
The Porsche Taycan 4S is a high-performance electric car with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system that offers a maximum power of 544 PS (400 kW) and torque of 695 Nm. Equipped with two electric motors on the front and rear axles, the Taycan 4S delivers more power with a lighter weight than its predecessor. With the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 250 km/h, this model is truly built for an extraordinary driving experience. The Taycan 4S is also equipped with an excessive power feature through Launch Control, providing additional power for even greater performance. Priced at RM 675,000, the Taycan 4S offers an electric range of up to 557 km (WLTP) with a battery capacity of 89 kWh, while 150 kW direct current (DC) charging can charge from 10% to 80% in just 33 minutes.
Conclusion
From this expedition, I learned a lot not only about photography, but also how to find the right angle, maintain distance from the subject, and understand the true capabilities of the Leica camera. The experience of using one of the best lenses for portraiture gave me its own satisfaction, although its size and weight were a challenge, but every shot was truly worth it. In addition, the opportunity to drive the Porsche Taycan gave me my first experience with a luxury EV vehicle where the control, comfort, and performance were at an impressive level. Overall, it was a journey full of knowledge, fun, and unforgettable experiences!