The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) is a special kind of tool—pure, uncompromising, and unapologetically focused on one thing: black and white photography.
After spending countless hours with the M246, I developed two Lightroom presets tailored specifically to how I shoot and edit Monochrom files. These aren't one-size-fits-all filters—they’re subtle refinements, designed to get you closer to the look you envisioned when pressing the shutter.
🛠 What’s Included
🎯 Classic Contrast
A bold, punchy preset with deep blacks, crisp midtones, and strong contrast. Perfect for photojournalism, documentary work, or high-drama portraits. Preserves detail in highlights while giving the image a solid foundation of tonal depth.
🌫️ Soft fade
A softer, more atmospheric look with lifted shadows and gentle highlight roll-off. Inspired by vintage film stock, this preset creates a more contemplative, nostalgic feel—ideal for portraits and storytelling frames.
📸 How I Shoot My Monochrom
When using the M246, I typically underexpose by about 2/3 of a stop to preserve highlight detail. The sensor has fantastic shadow recovery, but once highlights are gone—they're gone. These presets were developed with that shooting style in mind, giving you more control in post without forcing an unnatural curve.
🎬 See the Presets in Action
📥 Download the Presets – Free
👉 [Download M246 Preset Pack (ZIP)]
The download includes both presets and a quick install guide. No email signup. No paywall. Just a gift for fellow Monochrom shooters.
If you find them useful, you can support the project by buying me a coffee via PayPal:
🧩 Install Instructions
Unzip the downloaded folder.
Open Lightroom Classic and go to the Develop module.
On the left, in the Presets panel, click the "+" and select “Import Presets.”
Navigate to the unzipped folder and select the
.xmpfiles.The presets will now appear under “User Presets” or the folder name provided.
You’re ready to go. Apply, tweak, and enjoy.
🗣 Feedback?
I'd love to hear what you think—feel free to tag me on Instagram, send a message, or share how you're using the presets. If there’s interest, I might create more Leica-specific tools in the future.
Thanks for stopping by — and happy shooting.
— Greg