All That Matters to Me
Away from the Adrenaline
Engines are roaring, fans are cheering in the stands and racing cars are being pushed to the limit on the track. Yet, amidst all the hustle and bustle, there are moments that reveal a side to motorsport you don’t normally see: moments of tranquillity and deep concentration.
Callo Albanese is renowned for his uniquely atmospheric perspective, which skilfully breaks with the usual motorsport aesthetic. We accompanied him and his new SL3-P to this year’s 24-hour race, where the interplay of intuition, trust and precision truly comes into its own.
Thanks to its fast hybrid autofocus, intuitive operation and rock-solid reliability, the Leica SL3-P provides the image quality to match his visual instinct at the racetrack and puts exactly what matters most in adrenaline-fuelled moments right in his hands: self-confidence.
Photographers like Callo Albanese bring fresh perspectives to the world of Leica, sharing their unique stories. Our newsletter delivers these stories straight to you.
My style is abstract and geometric, yet deeply personal, with a subtle wink to art.
Callo Albanese
Life at Breakneck Speed
Moments at the racetrack are more fleeting than almost anywhere else. Here, speed is the overarching principle to which everything else is subordinate. Time is measured in milliseconds and crucial instants literally race by in the blink of an eye.
Callo Albanese has been fascinated by this since childhood. It is this passion for speed that unites everyone at a racetrack. Yet, through his camera lens, Callo captures more than could be seen through a visor: the atmosphere, the emotions and the aesthetics of an overtaking manoeuvre. He is part of the race. To achieve this, he has learnt to be fast himself.
His formula: 49% planning and 51% intuition. This simple approach encapsulates the link between demanding photography and motorsport. Both require preparation down to the last detail, as well as the willingness to let go at the decisive moment. The result is an instinctive sense of when the right moment will arrive and an awareness of the track. It’s about capturing the light that briefly glances across the carbon fibre. It’s about seeing another way.
Callo wants to capture these moments. He also wants to bring them closer to people who may never experience a racetrack first-hand. And to show them more of what lies behind this fascination with speed.
I always search for unseen details in motorsport, as a personal challenge.
Callo Albanese
The Art of Capturing Motorsport
With the SL3-P, Callo Albanese captures the atmosphere of the racetrack in a way that reflects a deep connection to motorsport and the emotions experienced there, as well as the artistic side of photography. Immerse yourself in the action.
All That Matters: The Equipment
What Matters to Callo
On the racetrack, there are rarely any second chances. What Callo really needs is a reliable camera that integrates seamlessly into his workflow: one that is intuitive, fast and delivers image quality that meets his creative demands. To this end, he has swapped his previous system for the Leica SL3-P.
He is impressed by its new hybrid autofocus, which works reliably even when movements are fast and unpredictable. The 44 MP BSI sensor delivers the depth and colour rendering that characterise his work, even during a 24-hour race in challenging lighting conditions, such as dusk, backlighting, artificial lighting and night-time. The simplified controls allow him to focus entirely on his subject. What’s more, when maximum resolution is required, Multishot mode is available, offering up to 176 MP.
He also appreciates the L-Mount system, which enables him to switch between lenses quickly and precisely without any loss of quality. This is especially important in situations where milliseconds determine the outcome.
The Vario-Elmarit-SL 70–200 f/2.8 ASPH. gives Callo the reach and flexibility he needs to capture sharp, fast images at full lens speed from a distance – even when the eye hasn’t seen them yet.
The Summilux-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH. helps him capture spontaneous, personal images of the moments and people he encounters on the move. It is lightweight and exceptionally compact, lending his subjects an unmistakable visual character when shot with a wide aperture.
The APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 lets Callo see things that others overlook, such as the texture of carbon fibre and light reflecting on a helmet. With a 100 mm focal length, he can create expressive portraits from a distance. Close up, without ever intruding.
About Callo
Callo Albanese is a freelance photographer whose work focuses on Formula 1 and motorsport. Born in Modena, at the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, and raised in a racing culture shaped by the legend of Enzo Ferrari, he initially aspired to become a racing driver himself. Until a Polaroid 1000 changed everything: at the age of twelve, he discovered a whole new way of looking at the world of motorsport through a lens. This sparked a second, deep-seated passion. For over 20 years, Callo has been capturing the essence of racing with his camera as a freelance photographer. Over the course of his career, he has realised a very special Italian dream: working for Scuderia Ferrari. He has captured victories, defeats and defining moments that have become part of the history of one of the most iconic names in motorsport.
For Callo, however, photography is far more than mere documentation. It’s a form of storytelling that conveys emotion and memory, drawing on influences that are seemingly far removed from the racetrack, such as art and fashion. Something his colleagues and friends simply call the ‘Callo Albanese touch’.
Leica SL3-P
The Most Complete System Camera for Advanced Imaging
| Sensor | 44 MP BSI full-frame (44 / 26 MP) |
| Autofocus System | PDAF-Hybrid (819 AF points), 40fps (AFc) |
| Multishot Mode | 176 MP |
| Video | 8K Open Gate (3:2) / 4K 120fps 4:2:2 10bit |
| Content Credentials | yes |
| ISO-Range | 50 - 200.000 |
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Next Stop: A Detailed Look at the SL3-P
Leica trainer Robin Sinha was also on location at the Nürburgring with the SL3-P. In a place where precision, craftsmanship and top speed are paramount, he filmed three video segments: a detailed introduction to the full-frame camera, an explanation of its video functions, and an overview of connectivity and workflow. In this series, he also demonstrates what makes the SL3-P the most comprehensive camera in the SL-System to date.
