MPB and Blind Magazine are Giving Photographers a Chance to Own a Piece of History

It’s not every day you get the chance to own a literal piece of history, but MPB and Blind Magazine are teaming up to do just that – they’re giving away Ralph Gibson’s Leica M Monochrom and a signed print from his iconic 1996 series Light Years. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a camera that will inevitably end up at an auction house at some point in the future. Here’s why this giveaway is unlike any other – and how you can be in it to win it.

Eyes on the Prize

Blind Magazine has officially teamed up with MPB—the world’s largest platform for used photo and video gear—and the legendary American photographer Ralph Gibson for an extraordinary international giveaway. The prize? Ralph Gibson’s very own, personally used Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) digital rangefinder camera, paired with a Summilux 50mm f/1.4 lens, alongside a signed, limited-edition print from his archive.

The giveaway doesn’t stop with the camera body and lens. The winner will also receive a stunning, signed and numbered print from Light Years, Gibson’s landmark 1996 series that surveyed more than three decades of his revolutionary work. Presented in an elegant clamshell box and ready for framing, the image perfectly distills Gibson’s unmistakable visual language. It features the exact elements that made him a master of the medium: surreal fragments, deep shadows, tightly cropped bodies, and a geometric, formal tension that elevates the ordinary into pure fine art.

A Tool of Pure Vision: The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

For a serious photographer, a camera is never just a mechanical box—it is an extension of the eye and mind. Ralph Gibson famously encapsulated this relationship, stating:

“Whatever you do: try to be original. The real question, for somebody serious about photography, is: does the camera inform how you see, or do you inform the camera how you see?”

The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) is a legendary piece of machinery designed exclusively for black-and-white image-making. By stripping away the color filter array, its unique sensor captures pure, unadulterated light, delivering breathtaking tonal gradations, rich contrast, and unparalleled sharpness. For a decade and a half, this specific camera was central to Gibson’s exploration of tonal abstraction, compressed forms, and the stark interplay between light and shadow. Paired with the iconic Summilux 50mm f/1.4 lens—a masterpiece of optical engineering celebrated for its gorgeous bokeh and low-light performance—this kit is the ultimate dream setup for any visual storyteller.

How to Enter

This is far more than a simple contest; it is a rare chance to inherit a physical piece of photographic history. For over five decades, Ralph Gibson has been one of the most influential voices in contemporary photography. Now, one lucky winner will hold the exact tool he used to shape his vision over the last 15 years.

Are you ready to carry on the legacy of a master? The giveaway is completely free to enter and open to photography enthusiasts worldwide. The entry window opens on June 10 and runs through July 10, 2026. To lock in your chance to win this ultimate collector’s item, head over to MPB and register. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of the legend.

---