October 18, 2026

2021 Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Leica M240

Leica

Leica M240

作者：Daran Wu

Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo of a photographer holding a rangefinder camera with both hands, backstage staff visible in the background

The fashion world was never my familiar territory, but by a chance opportunity I got to shoot backstage as a designer's staff member — which gave me much greater freedom.

I chose the Leica M240 partly because the whole lens kit is simple and compact, not drawing attention — but the biggest reason is enjoying photography this way: aperture, shutter, focus. The whole process can't be called convenient, but it's an interesting one.

Focus carefully, wait, then press the shutter — no burst mode, only the photographer's anticipation. With a modern mirrorless camera it's all too easy, but once these advanced features are taken away, photography becomes interesting again.

Because my assignment was free rein, I could willfully shoot with the M this way — in my heart wanting to follow in the footsteps of photographers abroad. This passion of sentiment remains a part I cherish.

Leica M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M 35mm F2
ZM 28mm F2.8

Lenses used

For lenses, most of the time I used the Leica M 50mm F1.4 ASPH. As a standard lens it performs remarkably well, with good optical performance at every aperture. The other was the Leica M 35mm F2, known as the "seven-element" — an old lens without sharp image quality, but its wide-open bokeh is nice, good for creating a slightly wide-angle mood. Finally I brought a ZM 28mm F2.8 as my wide-angle backup. Though not an expensive lens, Zeiss optics never disappoint; the f/2.8 aperture struggles a bit in dim environments, but with the M camera's slow-shutter, low-vibration character, 1/30s still gave chances of sharp shots.

I remember looking forward to shooting fashion week in New York the year before last, but the pandemic delayed many plans. This shoot was quite enjoyable, and I got to experience what backstage shooting is like. Looking forward to more interesting shoots in the future.

Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A curved modern building under a blue sky, plants on its balconies and the eslite spectrum sign visible, shot on Leica M240 with the M 35mm F2 (seven-element)
Leica M240 + M 35mm F2 七枚
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | The outdoor entrance with its stage truss and white backdrop, an orange barrier tape and the stone-paved plaza in the foreground, shot on Leica M240 with the M 35mm F2 (seven-element)
Leica M240 + M 35mm F2 七枚
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | An old building beside a wide stone-paved plaza, high-rises and a sculpture in the distance and a passerby crossing the plaza, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | The event entrance in front of the arched building, people in long dark dresses walking past the orange barrier tape, a reception backdrop behind, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A model in a black sleeveless dress standing among the backstage crowd while staff bustle around with hair and makeup preparations, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Reflected in the makeup mirror, a model in black sits at the makeup table while a stylist's hands work on her hair and makeup, blurred figures in the foreground, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Beside the makeup-mirror lights, a model in a gray suit looks down at her phone while two stylists braid her hair, hairdressing products spread on the table, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A man in a light-colored top standing among the staff while a video camera films him, blurred figures in the foreground, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Models in dark gray and black outfits chatting backstage as they wait, one of them looking at her phone, their makeup and silver hair accessories standing out, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A wide backstage view with models and staff gathered in front of white partitions, clothing rails in the foreground and the high ceiling of the warehouse venue above, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Under the TAIPEI FASHION WEEK SS22 makeup-area sign, a makeup artist stands styling a seated model's hair, the table covered with cosmetics and mirror lights, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A model in black with a silver hair accessory touches her ear among the clothing rails while a staff member beside her raises a hand to give directions, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Reflected in the makeup mirror, a long-haired bearded model sits with closed eyes wearing a cape while a stylist combs his hair, hairdressing tools on the table, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A male model in a bright green long-sleeved top with silver makeup at his temple stands at the makeup table looking down at his hands, while someone beside him touches up makeup, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A model in a black sheer dress bends forward with her long hair falling down, phone in hand, while three stylists braid her hair, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Reflected in the makeup mirror, a model in a gray suit and light green top sits with a lightning motif painted on her forehead while a stylist's hands tie up her bun, a dark figure in the foreground, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A long corridor inside the warehouse venue, white partitions on both sides and rows of lights under the pitched roof stretching toward the distant exit, shot on Leica M240 with the ZM 28mm F2.8
Leica M240 + ZM 28mm F2.8
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo of a dim backstage space, strong lights above and a row of clothing rails and folding chairs below, with someone seated waiting on the right, shot on Leica M240 with the M 35mm F2 (seven-element)
Leica M240 + M 35mm F2 七枚
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | The dim venue before the show, an empty runway and a few staff members on the left, white gift bags placed on the stepped seats on the right, shot on Leica M240 with the ZM 28mm F2.8
Leica M240 + ZM 28mm F2.8
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo of a beam of light falling on the empty runway as a staff member's figure walks past, rows of empty audience benches in the foreground, shot on Leica M240 with the ZM 28mm F2.8
Leica M240 + ZM 28mm F2.8
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A model with a silver headdress and heavy eye makeup sits among hanging garments looking into the camera, a male model in a dark shirt standing behind her, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo in near darkness: a masked, bare-chested male model lit by a faint glow, looking down at the phone in his hands, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo of models waiting in the dim backstage area while a staff member checks a seated model's hair and makeup by flashlight, a model in a sequined patterned long skirt standing at the left, shot on Leica M240 with the ZM 28mm F2.8
Leica M240 + ZM 28mm F2.8
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Four models in dark outfits standing in a row under the stage lights against a dark backdrop, a full row of spotlights above them, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | A blonde model wearing pink sunglasses and a pink hair accessory, a dark blazer and patterned skirt with silver platform boots, standing alone on the runway, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo of an oval brand logo projected on the dark stage, a table with DJ equipment and a laptop at the right, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white wide view of the dim venue, audience silhouettes on the left, the runway stretching toward a bright light in the distance and a crew member working equipment on the right, shot on Leica M240 with the ZM 28mm F2.8
Leica M240 + ZM 28mm F2.8
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | At the finale, models in dark gowns walk down the runway in a line, the audience on the left applauding, two rows of stage lights above, shot on Leica M240 with the ZM 28mm F2.8
Leica M240 + ZM 28mm F2.8
Taipei Fashion Week Backstage | Black-and-white photo of a giant circular brand logo glowing on an LED screen, the profile silhouette of a short-haired woman on the right and another person's back in the left foreground, shot on Leica M240 with the M 50mm F1.4 ASPH
Leica M240 + M 50mm F1.4 ASPH

Further reading:
Leica SL2 + APO SL 50mm F2: First Impressions

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