Once, photographing meant using a large box camera on a tripod, shifting film plates after each shot, and working with a dark cloth over your head and the camera.
But then something happened...
The Leica was extremely compact and could be fitted with a very high-quality lens that enabled photographers to work in ordinary outdoor settings with available light. It was always instantly ready to capture life and action effortlessly from any angle, often allowing the photographer to remain unnoticed. Without the usual heavy equipment, photographs of people no longer had to be confined to stiff, conventionally artistic poses.
"Barnack's camera"
Oskar Barnack was headhunted from Carl Zeiss to be the manager of the Research & Development Department at Leitz. He became the designer of the Ur-Leica, of which he made two (possibly three) samples between 1912-1913 to test film stock and/or lenses for movie films. Or perhaps because he couldn't carry the traditional large plate cameras and wanted a smaller camera for himself. The reasons told today are many, but the most reliable is that the Ur-Leica was designed as a compact means to test film stock. Barnack was a film geek, and moving pictures were the new revolution back in the early 1900s.
As early as 1905, while employed by Carl Zeiss (from 1902 to 1910), Barnack had the idea of reducing the format of negatives and then enlarging the photographs after they had been exposed. "Small negative, large picture" was his motto, involving a small camera and an enlarger. Until that moment, the size of the negative had determined the size of the final picture. He developed the first 135mm film-based photo camera and took it to Zeiss director Guido Mengel, who rejected the design. Disillusioned, Barnack later offered the camera to Leitz after moving to Wetzlar, following his friend Emil Mechau, who joined Leitz some years earlier.
In any case, he learned that it could actually be turned into a new type of compact camera as the "rotated" film format was plenty sharp (the film format for motion pictures was 24x18mm for large cinema theater screens, and rotating the film inside the camera and doubling the area made the 24x36mm format). With the development of an enlarger, the reduced negative format could then be printed in a larger size than the negative.
Another Leitz employee, Max Berek (1886-1949), was instrumental in developing a lens for this camera, as he developed the first Elmax 50mm f/3.5 lens as the optimum focal length for the 24x36mm format. To this day, the 50mm is still the standard lens for Leica cameras and is the one the rangefinder focusing mechanism was developed for.
Ernst Leitz II (1871-1956) decided to put "Barnack's camera" into commercial production in 1924 after producing a limited run of (25 or some say) 31 handmade Leica O Series cameras in 1923. Ernst Leitz II made this decision on his own as all of his advisers warned him against the large risk it would involve for such a rather small company to enter the camera market. Even most professional photographers who had been presented with the Leica didn't believe in such a camera.
But Leitz had lost the large Russian market for microscopes after World War I and was hungry for new expansion into a field he felt could have a promising future. In 1923, Germany got a new stable currency, but there was still much less demand. Instead of letting staff go into unemployment, Leitz decided to keep his workforce despite any sacrifice.
Production started in 1925 with just 100 cameras a month, but soon increased to 1,000 a month. The initial price for a Leica was 420 Reichsmarks (RM) or $110.
The workforce, trained in the precision mechanics and optics of microscopes, had new work to do. The price of the camera was high; somewhat in the same range as any of the best cameras of the time. The build quality was exceptional, allowing a small negative to match the precision and quality of larger format cameras once the small negative had been enlarged. Even some professional photographers became enthusiastic about the Leica once it became a reality.
Then, years later, in 1935, the camera and enlarger section was the most profitable for the Leitz company, which still produced their famed microscopes and hunting scopes.
The original camera (above) resides in a safe at Leica Camera AG. Probably only one (some say only two or three) were made, and this one was supposedly renovated after a fire.
A 1923 prototype, no. 107 of the [between 25 and] 31 made - only twelve of which are known to exist today - was sold on May 28, 2011, for €1,320,000. In May 2012, prototype no. 116 was sold for €2,160,000 at the 21st WestLicht Photographic Auction in Vienna. In 2022, no 105, which was said to have had been Oskar Barnack's own, was sold as the world's most expensive camera for 14,400,000 Euro at an auction in Wetzlar (read my article from the auction). Those cameras didn't have a model name at the time, just a serial number. (See page 2 of this article).
In 2022, Leica prototype no 105, which was said to have been Oskar Barnack's own, was sold as the world's most expensive camera for 14,400,000 Euro at an auction in Wetzlar (read my article from the auction)
A test shot done by Oscar Barnack ca. 1914 in the city of Wetzlar, using the Ur-Leica prototype.
Carl Kellner
Ernst Leitz I Senior
Ernst Leitz I [1843-1920] became partner in the factory "Optical Institute" [founded 1849 by Carl Kellner to produce optical microscopes] in 1863 when there was only twelve employees. He partnered with the widow of the original founder and her husband, Friedrich Behltle (who had been an apprentice of Carl Kellner and then married the widow after Carl Kellner died in 1855 of Tuberculosis at age 29).
Ernst Leitz I (ca. 1917)
Photo: Oskar Barnack
Ernst Leitz II Junior
Four years later, in 1869, he takes over the sole management and expands it under his name: Ernst Leitz Optical Industry. Twenty years later there is 120 employees and they have sold their microscope no 10.000.
The company was run as a family company, as it was tradition in those days where sons would take over their fathers work and often 2-3 generations would be in the same company. In fact, also amongst the amployees, sons and grandsons would often follow their parents careers in companies like Leitz.
Leitz family ownership of the company will last for more than 100 years this way, till they had to start selling in the 1970's, and the last stocks in 1986.
Ernst Leitz II (aka Ernst Leitz Junior)
Ernst Leitz II [1871-1956] was partner in the business since 1906 and takes over after his fathers dead in 1920. When he decides to start production of the Leitz camera in 1924 there is 1,000 - 1,500 employees in the company.
Ernst Letiz II was also the one helping hundreds of jews flee Germany during the World War, together with his daugher Elise Kuhn-Leitz (see story about the "Leica Freedom Train" on page 2).
Ernst Leitz II was awarded the title honoarry citizen of Wetzlar in 1949. He built the house "Haus Friedwart" (now a local cultural attraction) with his second wife Hedwig Wachsmuth [1877–1937] after his first wife, Elsie had died in 1910, leaving Ernst Leitz II alone with their three kids in his previous house, "Rosenberg" at Laufdorfer Weg 3 in Wetzlar.
Henri Cartier-Bresson stayed in Haus Friedwart when he visited Wetzlar, and was a friend of the Leitz family and Ernst Leitz II's daughter of his first wife, Elsie Kühn-Leitz (1903-1985) in particular.
Ernst Leitz II took the miniature camera, the first Ur-Leica to New York and made this photo in Manhatten, 1914 or 1924.
Dr. Henri Dumur
Dr. Henri Dumur
As Ernst Leitz I's eldest son Ludwig Leitz (who had taken care of the American arm of the business) had died in a riding accident in 1898, the Swiss grendnephew of Ernst Leitz, Henri Dumur [1885–1977], was imported to Wetzlar where he trained to become a manager.
Dr. Henri Dumur first worked as commercial director, later (during the World War II years)as the managing director together with Ernst Leitz III.
A curious detail of Dr. Henri Dumur, who remained a Swiss citizen till his death, was that he was taken to the local Nazi headquarter in Wetzlar severeal times during the World War II. As a prominent citizen in the local community, the Nazi party found it paramount that he showed his sympathy and support for the cause by becoming a member of the Nazi party. Dr. Henri Dumur managed to resist this pressure, claiming (with some humor and courage), that his daughter could not win a Novel prize if he changed citizenship.
A Leica IIIf ’Henri Dumur’ model was dedicated to Henri Dumur.
The Leica IIIf "Henri Dumur" model
Ernst Leitz III
Ernst Leitz III (1955)
Ernst Leitz III [1906-1979] joined the family business as an apprentice mechanic in 1924 (and studied physics in Berlin). When the companies Ernst Leitz KG and Ernst Leitz GmbH were combined in 1930, the barely 24-year-old Leitz III was appointed managing director, along with the "imported" Swiss grendnephew Dr. Henri Dumur. Ernst Leitz III stayed as CEO till 1974 and then retired to be Vice Chairman of Ernst Leitz GmbH for another four years. He was a founding member of the Christian democratic and liberal-conservative political party CDU in Wetzlar in 1948 and was on the city council for a long time.
The Ernst Leitz Optical Industry factory buildings ca 1940 in Wetzlar, Germany. They were called the Leitz High-Rise Buildings I and II and was finsihed in 1935 and 1938, designed by Wetzlar architect Jean Emil Schmidt (who also designed both the 1907 facotory building and Ernst Leitz I's private villa up the hill at Laufdorfer Weg 6 in Wetzlar ... which Ernst's artistic sister Ella Bocks also had a hand in designing). Today the street has been named Ernst Leitz Strasse, the buildings painted white and are the home of Leica Microsystems GmbH.
Leica Camera AG was re-located in Solms a few kilometers from Wetzlar in 1988 (but returned in 2014 to a new building outside Wetzlar). Many Leica Camera AG employees will claim they grew up in Wetzlar with a view to the red Leica logo that was later added (and still exists) on the rooftop of the building to the right.Next to the building is the Leitz Museum which one can go visit to see their large collection of Leitz products.
(There is also a private Leitz Collection and Optical Museum in Bedford, Pennsylvania, USA)
The birth of the Leica company
By Thorsten von Overgaard
1843
Ernst Leitz I (1843-1920) was born in Sulzburg, Baden, Germany as the youngest of three children of two very religious strict teachers who wanted him to study theology. However, Ernst was able to persuade his father to let him pursue a career in mechanical craftsmanship at an early age.
1849
Optical Institute was established in Wetzlar, Germany by Carl Kellner (1826-1855).
1863
The 20 year old Ernst Leitz I (1843-1920) joins the Optical Institute, a small microscope manufacturing enterprise managed by the widow of Carl Kellner and her husband, Friedrich Belthle (1829-1869). Before then, he went through an apprenticeship with instrument maker Christian Ludwig Oechsle in Baden which taught him precision and to produce complicated individual handmade instruments made of many parts. Here he acquired a wealth of knowledge and skills, which led him to then to become the assistant of Mathaus Hipp i Switzerland, a prominent manufacturer of electric clocks, before he joined the Optical Institute that would later become his company and become the Ertnst Leitz compnay.
1864
As a clever mechanics with a background in precision wathcmaking and understanding of electricity and magnetism, Ernst Leitz I helped Philip Reis build a properly functioning telephone, which Reis sold to universities. He never thought of making it a a device for business communication. A year after the death of Reis and 11 years after his successful demonstration of the telephone that Ernst Leitz I had helped him build, American Alexander Graham Bell presented an improved model and was generally credited as the invententor of the telephone.
1865
Ernst Leitz I Senior became a full partner of the Optical Institute on October 7, 1865.
1869
Ernst Leitz I [1843-1920] takes over the Carl Kellner company and rename it Ernst Leitz Optical IndustryGmbH.
1907
Leitz had sold 100,000 microscopes, making the firm easily the biggest producer worldwide. They now began manufacturing of binoculars as well.
1913: The first prototypes of the Leica
By Thorsten von Overgaard
The first two prototypes of first experimental models, the 'UR-LEICA" were completed. Barnack experimented with different lenses for the Leica, with the intention to make a camera that would offer sharpness of details above the limit of what the human eye can normally percieve.
He worked with a Zeiss Movie Tessar 50mm f/3.5, then a Leitz Micro Summar 60mm f/4.5. World War I (1914-1918) brought a still-stand to the development, but soon after the end of the war he was back at it and the first Leica lens, the Leica Elmar 50mm f/3.5 was created by Dr. M Barek as the standard lens for the Leica.
The film format, 24x36mm was chosen because it was twice the size of the movie format 24x18mm. The Leica was developed as a 50mm lens project, and for that a 22x33mm negative was determined to be "large enough". But as the movie format offered existing film format with fine gain, suitable for projection/enlargment, that format was chosen, and thus the 24x36mm format, which is also 2:3 raitio.
Oskar Barnack in the office.
The year 1913 saw one other major breakthrough at the Leitz plant. During that year the company developed the first binocular microscopic eyepiece, a feature so common on the modern microscope that little thought is given to it anymore. But that's another story.
A prototype of the Leica as a microscope camera ca. 1918.
1914
Ernst Leica II takes patent on the Leica when visiting New York with the Ur-Leica.
1920
Ernst Leitz II Junior takes over the company after his fathers dead.
1923
After Oskar Barnack had made four prototypes since the beginning, Leitz decided to try a pilot run of 30 cameras (or maybe 31 cameras, he exact number has never been conclusively determined), the so called Nullserie preproduction model, equipped with Max Berek’s 50 mm f/3.5 lens.
1925
The debut of the Leica Model A (or Leica I) at the Leipzig Spring Fair. The first cameras had Berek's 50mm Elmax lens in a non interchangeable mount. The Elmax name is purportedly named after Berek's dog, Max. (Later, the 50mm Hektor lens was introduced and again is supposed to be named after another of his dogs). Leica sold 1,000 cameras the first year (and had actually manufatured 800 by the day it was presented).
But let's not forget that with the introduction of the camera, many other innovations were presented: A whole system had to be developed, produced and sold. Film cassettes, developer tanks, "Files" enlarger, film and chemical.
Photo by Dr. Paul Wolff, "In granmothers summer house":
"In granmothers summer house", by Dr. Paul Wolff (1887-1951) is a print I bought in 2013. Dr. Wolff was one of the first ambassadors of the Leica. A professional photographer from Frankfurt, he started working with the Leica despite most professional photographers view that "high quality has to be large format and big cameras". Dr. paul Wolff went on producing a large catalog of photographs using the Leica. Unfortunately his house and archive burned in 1940's, so only a few prints are remaining. I bought a handfull, and Leica bought most of what else was available (1200 prints in 2011 which they plan to put into an exhibition and book). See my article "Dr. Paul Wolff and the Leica".
Upgrading your Leica
From the very beginning of the Leica, the cameras came with a warranty card that the camera could be upgraded to the latest Leica version. This of course was a great way to make customers trust that their investment in a Leica was for life. The irony of it - seen with what we know today - of course is that those who had their very first Leica camera upgraded in the 1930's, unknowingly destroyed their grankids possibility to sell that very first Leica on auction for some millons.
A Leica was $88 retail price in the US in 1928 (equivalent to $1,129 in 2014).
1927
The Leitz Filoy enlarger was introduced.
1928
Leica instruction manual 1928
Leica from the beginning featued normal people, women and children with Leica in ads. Photography was a high-interest subject for sure, thanks to Kodak Brownie that was released in February 1900 and was a simple box that only cost $1. But even the Leica was a fairly advanced construction, it was simple, compact and appealed to other people than the "advanced photogarphers", the nerds.
It will probably surprise most people how many women took on the Leica early on, particularly becuse the subject of cameras seem to be a male dominated subject 100 years later. But it wasn't then!
Picasso's muse and model Dora Maar was one of the early adopters who got her first Leica in 1928. The use of the Leica in artist circles spread quickly based on personal recommendations. The artist community in Europe had close connections and often gathered to discuss trends and show results. The memoirs of Ilse Bang indicate that artists would recommend to each other these new instruments.
Leica's records indicate that also many Leica cameras were sold to doctors, scientists, adventurers all over the world. But the wide range of women photographers using Leica can be seen throughout the page here where I feature some of their photos.
Ilse Bing, Picasso's model and muse, made this "Self-Portrait with Leica" in 1931.
1929
The Leitz Filyt enlarger was introduced.
1930
The first Leica interchangeable lenses were made.
"Die Leica" by Curt Emmermann. Legendary German magazine, 1931-1942. The above is a reprinted editon in 4 volumes from 1981.
1931
Introduction of standardized lenses; before this every lens was individually adjusted to the camera body.
Curt Emmermann founded and wrote the first pioneering Leica magazine, "Die Leica" from 1931-1942 that was the forerunner of Leica Fotografie International that today is known as LFI.
1932
Henri Cartier-Bresson's famous photograph "Behind Saint Lazare", or simply known as The Jumping Man, taken in Paris in 1932, taken with hisfirst Leica, the Leica-Couplex (Leica D) with the 50mm Elmar f/3.5. Henri Cartier-Bresson was a great disseminator of the Leica, which he recommended to many other photographers. The serial number of his first Leica was No 20502, which was made in 1929.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
"Behind Saint Lazare" 1932. Read my re-visit to the location in 2017, trying to recreate a similar scene, "Behind Saint-Lazare".
Still looking to improve the Leica camera, Oskar Barnack's thoughts turned to a rangefinder. He called some of his associates into his office and told them about the idea, then put a ruler across the top of a Model A Leica from the rewind knob to the winding knob. He told them neither the size nor the pleasing appearance of the camera could be changed and that the rangefinder had to fit in the space below the ruler. His words were: “Gentlemen, the rangefinder will have to fit within the dimensions of the present size of the camera, it will have to be of such a design that it will function with all the lenses and it must be possible to incorporate it into cameras that were built in the past.”
No small order, but the rangefinder materialized and the Leica D (Leica II) was introduced, also known as the "Autofocal Camera" or "coupled rangefinder". It was the first Leica that had the rangefinder implemented inside the camera body; also an invention of Oskar Barnack.
Here's an drawing being made by artist Hasan Azim of a Leica II in 2017:
Russian copy competition: As a measure of the dominance of firstly Leica and secondly, the 35 mm film format, the Soviet government commence production of exact copies of the Leica II at the FED Commune, the first being produced in October 1932, six months after the release of the original Leica II.
The Leitz enlargers Valoy, Valyt,Valfa, Varyl and Vamax were introduced.
1933
Leica III in announced with slow speeds on frontal dial as long as 1 sec. Also in 1933, the Leica 250 Reporter was announced (a Leica III with a 250-image magazines; 10 metres of film).
A very rare and expensive collectors item today. Some have been restored with original parts by Ottmar Michaely in Wetzlar who is an independent 3rd party repair facility who took over many of the original tools and parts from Leitz in the 1980's.
The Leitz Focomat I enlarger. was introduced.
The Leica 250GG Reporter with 5cm f3.5 Elmar lens. Only about 1000 were made from 1933-1943; and then a few more till 1953. A motorized version with "Leica Motor 250" was also made in 1939 for military use at 4 frames per second (it was the fastest still camera of its time). Photo by Richard Caplan.
Leica in Austria, Hungary and Yogoslavia
In 1933, Leica Wetzar opened an office in Vienna, Austria, as well as branches in Hungary and Yogoslavia under the magament of Mr. Alfred Boch (later to be Vice President of Leica in New York).
1934
Walther Benser
At this time, photographer Anton F. Baumann did Leica slideshows around Germany showing his own photos made with the Leica, and Leica could actually see how their sale raised whereever he went. He also wrote the book in 1938, "The Leica Book in Color". When Anton F. Baumann emigrated to the US, the Leica employee Walther Benser took over this highly succesful enterprise and expanded it to many other locations around Europe and the US in the following years. This was before television, so thousand people or more would attend a live slideshow where Walther Benser showed slides for two hours and told about how to use the camera. For example in Italy he did a two month tour with 30 shows, as he writes about in his book, "My Life With the Leica" (1990).
The Leitz Focomat enlarger was introduced.
1935
The Leica camera is now the most profitable department of the Leitz company. Leica G (Leica IIIa) was announced with 1/1000 shutter speed added.
1936
Gerda Taro's photo from 1936 from the Spanish Civil War. She was a strong, not very tall, blond woman with a Leica III and a 5cm Summar lens, who happened to also be the first female war photographer to die (1910-1937). Robert Capa and Gerda Taro had a romantic relationship 1935-1937 and her and Robert Capa's photos appear in the book "Death in the Making" (1938). Gerda Taro's photo from 1936 from the Spanish Civil War
Robert Capa's famous photograph "THE FAlLLING SOlDIER" (aka "Death of a loyalist militiaman") from the Córdoba front in Spain, September 1936, taken with his Leica III with a non coated Leitz Summar 5 cm f/2 . A 7x9 inch print was sold for 75,000 Euro at Sothebys auction in 2019. His first Leica camera, a Leica II (Model D) number 90023 with Leitz Elmar 50 mm f/3.5 was sold at auction in 2012 for 65,000 Euro.
Robert Capa's famous photograph "Death of a loyalist militiaman" from the Córdoba front in Spain, September 1936.
Leni Riefenstahl's "The-Discus-Thrower" is one of many stellar photographs she made with the Leica. She lived a long life of 101 years (1902-2003) and was 'on the wrong side of history' as the propaganda filmmaker and photographer for the Nazi's 1932-1938. The documentary "The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" (1993) gives a view into her life. She did photography projects with her Leicaflex SL as well in Africa in the 1970's.
Leni Riefenstahl's "The-Discus-Thrower" 1936 with Leica III.
The Leica Postal Portfolio (LPP) was founded in 1936, which makes it the oldest of the Leica societies. It consisted of groups of photographers – 'Circles' – who use Leica cameras or lenses to make photographs.
A 1937-ad in the publication "Deutschland in Paris" (Germany in Paris)
1937
Leica-photographer Anton F. Baumann’s book "Das Farbige Leica Buch" was published by Knorr & Hirth in Munchen in 1937, the first book with colour plates engraved directly from 35mm transparencies. It was translated to English and published in 1938 as "The Leica Book in Color".
1938
Leica IIIb was announced with rangefinder and view windows closer together.
E. Leitz, Inc in New York
Leitz stablished the company in New York before WWII (and in Canada in 1952). The learning experience from WWI had taught Leitz that the company had to be able to survive World Wars.
The Crown Building
During the World War II E. Leitz, INC, the American arm of Leitz, had home on 730 5th Avenue in New York, what is now known as The Crown Building (built 1921 as Heckscher Building). There were production going on in USA during World War II and some products were engraved "E. Leitz New York" and "E. Leitz Inc, New York N.Y.". From 1939-1948, the business was very limited in periods as the assets were frozen due to the WWII.
During the WWII, E. Leitz Inc in New York marketed seven lensese (the optics were manufactured by Wollensak, an American company), a 50/3.5 Velostigmat, a 50/4.5 enlarging lens, a 50/2.8 (which was probably only a prototype, seen ipictured in Lager Vol. II), a 90/4.5 Velostigmat, and a 127/4.5 (which was alternatively called "Anastigmat", then "Raptar", then "Velostigmat": all the same lens made by wollensak).
Leica in New York was an important part of "The Freedom Train" where Leica in Germany sent Jewish refugees to New York as "essential workeds" with their families so they would avoid deportaion to concentration camps. The Vice President of Leitz in New York, Mr. Alfred Boch, would interview 15-30 refugees a week int he office, then set them up in the Great Nothern Hotel while he spent his time on the telephone the rest of the week finding jobs for them throughout New York.
1939
The delivery of Leica cameras to the US stops in 1939 as a result of the WWII, and also the American Leica Photography magazine ceases to exist.
Between August 1939 and early 1940 the US Army hae taken in some deliveries of the left-over stock of Leica IIIA and IIIB. The Leica IIIC and "wartime" IIIC K was never sold outside of Germany during WWII, except to neutral countries such as Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Also ome cameas were shipped to the Japenese Air Force and Navy. The few and rare models from that time consist also of cameras captured by Allied forces between June 1940 and May 1945.
1940
Leica IIIc was announced with die-cast body, slightly longer and with redesigned shutter featuring ball bearings. Also a Leica IIId was announced (which is very rare; only 427 were made).
"No Leica or Contax must remain idle": An advertisement from Leica dealer Wallace Heaton in New Bond Street, during WWII requesting Leica and Contact cameras to be released for war service.
The Tel Aviv Leica Store in 1942. The woman in front of the store is Rachel Levy who is wearing the ATS uniform (women's branch of the British Army during the World War II and later merged into the Women's Royal Army Corps).
1944
Robert Capa's famous photograph "American troops landing on Omaha Beach, D-Day." from June 6, 1944 on Normanduy. Omaha Beach.
Robert Capa's "American troops landing on Omaha Beach, D-Day." from 1944.
1945
This famous photograph, "RAISING A FLAG OVER THE REICHSTAG" was taken on May 2, 1945 by Jewgeni Chaldej with his Leica III with Leitz Elmar 3.5cm f/3.5 (the camera was later sold for $193,000 in an 2014 auchtion).
Yevgeny Khaldei's was a Soviet Red Army naval officer and photographer (1917-1997), and a Leica photographer. His famous photo from May 2, 1945 of a Soviet soldier Raising a flag over the Reichstag, in Berlin after Nazi Germany was defeated. Yevgeny Khaldei (also known as Jewgeni Chaldej) became a photographer at age 19. His father and three of his four sisters were murdered by the Nazis during the war.
Alfred Eisenstaedt took his famous photo "THE KISS" of on August 14, 1945 with a Leica IIIa with Leitz Summitar 5 cm f/2. The camera was later sold on auction for 113,000 Euro in 2013.
LIFE Magazine cover August 14,1945 with THE KISS by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
1946
Leica no 400,000 was made.
1947
The winter 1946-1947 stopped all production of Leica cameras in Wetzlar for two months. This was the Leica was under administration of Joint US/UK Export-Import Agency after World War II, so not only the weather was a limit.
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Leica made in Leicester - The "Reid" camera
From 1947 - 1964 copies of Leica were made in the UK. At the end of World War II, the Allies had confiscated German patents and made them available to the general public. The company who produced the camera was Reid and Sigrist Ltd., a manufacturer of aircraft parts , based in Leicester. The Reid was announced in May 1947, but was not really available until 1951 (see, they learned that from Leica, too!). Production lasted until 1964 when spare parts was sold to A.W. Young Ltd and Reid and Sigrist Ltd returned to their usual business.
The Reid III, which was a copy of the Leica III series, was made in up to 1,600 copies. The second camera made wa a copy of the Leica E, in somewhat 500 copies. The only lens to be sold with the Reid was the 2" f/2 Taylor - Hobson Anastigmat, in collapsible barrel. Read the story at www.pacificrimcamera.com
The Reid camera was made in the UK from 1947 - 1964. Models are still around, selling for $2,000 - $3,000 on eBay.
1948
Robert Capa's famous photograph of Pablo Picasso with Françoise Gilot, August 1948.
Robert Capa's famous photograph of Pablo Picasso with Françoise Gilot and his nephew Javier Vilato, August 1948.
Leica IIc was announced. Also the Leica 250 DD was announced, a reporter camera that could be loaded with 250 frames (10 metres of film).
The Leica M bayonet is designed by Hugo Wehrenpfennig and patentet.
The "Leica Photography" magazine was reissued after the war in spring 1948. Later what became LFI.
1949
Leica establishes the Leitz Glass Research Laboratory that existed till 1989. Amongst the things they worked with and developed was LaK 9 glass. The Leitz Glass Laboratory developed 35 new glasses and more than 2,000 patents from 50,000 experimental melts, making Noctilux, Summilux and other lenses possible.
1950
Leica IIIf was announced. Featured in-camera user selectable flash synchronization. A self-timer was offered as a factory installed option in 1954 which made many send in their Leica IIIf for this feature.
1952
Henri Cartier-Bresson's groundbreaking book "The Decisive Moment" was published, using a Leica for all the photos, and widely considered one of the most important photo books.
"Sundays on the banks of River Marne" by Henri Cartier-Bresson 1938 appears in "The Decisive Moment".
1952
Leica IIf was announced. Similar to the IIIf model released two years earlier, but without the slow speed dial.
Queen Elizabeth II with her Leica M3.
As the first sign of trouble in paradise, in Japan Asahi-Pentax released the first SLR camera, the Asahiflex I, a rangefinder-looking camera where one could see through the lens with a mirror that would swirl up when the actual photo was taken. The idea was not new, based on the German Praktiflex (1939), but from here it went fast and in the 1960's SLR (Single Lens Reflex) became the preferred format in the world of photography.
The Ashi-Pentax Asahiflex I (1952) camera.
1954
German photographer Evelyn Richer (1930-2021) documenter life in East Germany and Germany through her life. Here is a photo from daily life 1954.
Life in Germany in 1954 by Evelyn Richer.
1954
The Leica M3 with the Leica M Bayonet is introduced to the market (model code IGEMO). This was an entire new idea - fast changing of lenses. Since then, all Leica M cameras have been able to use Leica M bayonet mount as well as any previous screw mount lenses (you buy a small adapter from screw to M mount and it works the same way on a camera with M bayonet camera).
Willi Stein designed the Leica M3, and together with Ludwig Leitz he also designed the rangefinder. Heinrich Schneider and Willi Keiner engineered the finder optics; and Hugo Wehrenfennig was responsible for the M bayonet. Willi Stein's personal Leica M camea is in the collection of F11 Gallery in Hong Kong.
Elliott Erwitt's (1928-2023) famous photograph "CALIFORNIA KISS" was photographed during his holiday in California with his Leica M3 and 50mm Summilux f/1.4. He used to use a Rolleiflex, but fellow Magnum photographer Robert Capa talked him into using a Leica as well. .
The California Kiss by Elliott Erwitt (1928-2023), taken on a holiday in 1955. It was lying around unnoticed in the Magnum Photo archives till Elliott found it when he was preparing an 1982-exhibition.
Another classic photo by Elliott Erwitt (1928-2023) taken also in 1955 is "Empire State Building".
Dr. Ludwig Leitz II was a sculptorer and the designer of the rangefinder in the Leica M3. He was also co-owner of the company from 1956-1974.
Leica in France
Immediately after the war it became apparent to Ernst Leitz II that it would take the German industry several years to be able to produce enough goods to start exporting again. On the other hand, the majority of the German population was hardly in a position to buy Leica cameras.
The Leitz factory in Wetzlar, West Germany had suffered only minor damage, but there was still a shortage of certain raw materials, so that the resumption of the production of civilian products was progressing rather slowly. The frightening thought that the Soviets could be at their doorsteps within hours of a new conflagration caused the company patriarch Ernst Leitz II and his sons Ernst Leitz III (1906-1979), Dr. Ludwig Leitz II (1907-1992) and Günther Leitz (1914-1969) to realize the desirability of a safer location for the company, a second repository for its archives and for a core of experienced workers who could carry on the firm's tradition of superb craftmanship in the he event of the loss of the main plant.
The Leitz family had to look for a solution. It appeared to have come when Mr. Walter Kluck joined the Ernst Leitz Co.
Walter Kluck
Before Walter Kluck started to work for Leitz, he had considered opening a manufacturing plant in France, together with a friend. When presenting this idea to the Leitz family, it was generally agreed upon that manufacturing Leicas in France would open the export market a lot sooner.
The decision was made to start the operation in the Saar territory which was under French occupation at that time. A lot of regulations had to be overcome, however, and in order to speed things up, some of the machinery necessary was taken out of Wetzlar by night and transported to the new location. So it was by some dubious means that this new venture got its start.
Initially Leitz coated only lenses of prewar production and later even manufactured complete lenses and mechanical parts for the Bolex motion picture cameras. Finally even cameras were made. They had the famous “Monte en Saare” engravings, cameras with a considerable collector's value today.
Leica IIIa "Monte en Saare" Nr. 359402, a French made Leica
Leica in Canada
Things in Europe didn't look too good, however. The cold war began to heighten and the Leitz family started to make plans to avoid losing the entire operation once again to war. The had lost the large market in Russia after World War I. The solution seemed to be an entirely different region. Suggestions like North Africa, South America, Spain and Ireland came up, but eventually someone mentioned North America, particularly Canada.
An exploratory team consisting of Dr. Ernst Leitz III and an administrative assistant, Karl Seng (who spoke flawless British English), traveled extensively for many weeks in search of an appropriate location. Midland, a 90 minutes drive from Toronto, had just experienced that their shipyard had closed, so they were eager to accomodate a new factory that could employ their citizens.
The Leica manufacturing plant in Midland, Ontario, Canada
After a lot of considerations, Canada was finally chosen as the most logical place. After all, North America was the largest export market (as it is also today where ca. 75% of Leica products are sold).
Ernst Leitz Canada (ELCAN)
Another reason for going to Canada instead of the US at the time was that the name Leitz was still under alien property control in the US and Leitz would not have been able to use their own name in this country. It was also the case that the American immigration laws at the time were rather tight and it would have taken too long to get entry permission for the number of people necessary to start such a venture. Thus Canada was the best choice!
But other obstacles had to be overcome. One was that Leitz needed permission from the German government because something like this had never been done before. Leitz was actually the first company to take such a step. It was also necessary to establish a program that would allow some quick sales right at the beginning because at the time Leitz was allowed to bring only $50,000 into the country and they had to make sure that they would not run out of money before new revenues started to come in.
Unfortunately, the new facilities were not quite ready for operation when the “Leica people” arrived. To avoid losing precious time, an assembly facility was temporarily set up in the Midland Ice Arena! Under the leadership of Walter Kluck, the first lens components were finished after only one week and the first completed Leica lenses and cameras were ready after only four weeks.
Soon after moving into the new facilities they started not only to assemble but to actually manufacture parts as well. After only three years of operation the Midland design department was established. Initially it dealt only with mechanical designs, but after borrowing an optical designer from Wetzlar, optical design was also taken up. This designer had a very good reputation and it was planned to “loan” him to Midland for only six months. He never made it back to Wetzlar and his skills were primarily responsible for establishing Midland as one of the foremost lens design departments in the entire world.
The gentleman's name was Professor Walter Mandler. His crowning achievement was the design of the 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux. The design department became so successful that at the time most of the Leica lenses were designed in Midland rather than in Wetzlar.
Otto Geier, supervisor of the Optics Department of Ernst Leitz Canada (on the right), with the legendary lens designer Dr. Walter Mandler. Most of the Leica lenses were designed in Midland rather than in Wetzlar.
During the company’s growth period, the key responsibilities were shared by three Walters: Walter Bauer for Manufacturing, Walter Kluck for Marketing and Walter Mandler for Research and Development.
Besides the Leica program, Ernst Leitz Canada (ELC) became involved with the production of optical equipment for other companies, such as Hughes Aircraft, RCS and Picker X-ray. All told, there were about 100 companies that did business with Leitz. Besides the civilian market, Ernst Leitz Canada was also heavily involved in manufacturing for the US Defense Department, primarily the US army but also the Navy. The research done for those branches has greatly helped the development of civilian products as well. This is because the requirements of the armed forces are always pushing towards the limits of optical design capabilities, resulting often in the best possible instruments to be developed. One such cast-off to the civilian market was the 180mm f/3.4 APO Telyt-R.
Ernst Leitz Canada, ELCAN, was sold to Hughes Aircraft in 1990.
Leica UW underwater camera for US Navy
By Thorsten von Overgaard
One of the most unusual military developments was an underwater camera system which Leitz developed for the US Navy. It primarily consisted of a complete set of lenses for underwater work, not only for 35mm cameras but also for medium format, 16mm motion picture and TV cameras. These were rather unique lenses because they were not part of a camera that was simply put into a water tight housing. Instead the lenses were designed to be exposed to the water with their front element. The usual way of using under water housings for conventional cameras incorporates lenses that are designed to work in air. When designing such lenses, Leitz even takes the refractive index of air into consideration.
The Leitz under water system instead was designed according to the refractive index of water. As a matter of fact, since this system was to be used primarily in salt water, it was the refractive index of salt water that was used in the design of these lenses. However, not all oceans have the same salinity. So Leitz went one step further and took the refractive index of the salinity of the various oceans into consideration.
Leica UW serial 240-0044. Sold for 72,000 Euro on November 24, 2012.
This was possible with an interchangeable front element of their water contact lenses. This overall design actually considers the water as an integral lens element of the entire system. To avoid the need to test these lenses in the various oceans all over the world, Leitz built a large water tank that could be flooded with water of the appropriate salinity.
The correction of these lenses is so good that, when water is clear enough, there is no way of telling that the pictures were taken under water. Leitz was the first company to suggest such a design.
What is even more amazing is the fact that the thick water contact front element is so strong that the lenses can be used in the greatest ocean depths without any problems at all, including the deepest part on earth; the 36,200 feet deep Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench.
Ernst Leitz Canada ELCAN underwater mition picture camera housing
Despite the many exotic projects for the US Army, Elmar also produced quite a lot of civilian and ordinary lenses. One can get an ide by simply searching "ELCAN" on eBay and one will see lenses for Olympus Pen, Canon and many other uses.
Camera Production in Midland
In the middle of the 70s Ernst Leitz Canada decided to look into the manufacture of cameras as well. Until then the whole operation had been dependent on selling their wares to others. They had been compared to a tire company supplying tires to car manufacturers. Ernst Leitz Canada's success was entirely dependent upon the successes of the companies they supplied.
It was decided that the manufacture of cameras would add a great new dimension to the Canadian Leitz operation. After Wetzlar had given its blessing and given 100% support to this venture, all the tooling for the M4 cameras was moved to Midland and a great number of specialists from Wetzlar helped to get this venture off the ground.
The first camera of this new venture was the Leica M4-2 in 1978. Basically identical to the old M4, it was modified to accept a motor winder which greatly enhanced the versatility of the camera. Soon additional development of this camera resulted in the Leica M4-P in 1981 with the added versatility of a 28mm and 75mm viewing frame and a motor winder capable of running continuously at the rate of three frames per second.
One little known fact is that in 1970 Ernst Leitz Canada was awarded the design and manufacturing contract for the new 70mm IMAX projection system and in 1983 Ernst Leitz Canada began work with Panavision for their state of the art cinematographic lenses, The Panavision Primo L sperical lenses. These lenses has Leitz glass inside them, designed by Dr. Werner Mandler, and the housing designed by Andre de Winter.
Spielberg used long Panavision Primo L sperical lenses designed by Leica, to get the special look of the large sun and add distance to the subjects. This is the 600mm or 800mm Panavision Primo-L.
Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun" from 1987 is one of the movies that was made with Panavision Primo-L lenses from ELCAN (and was Oscar-nominated for Best Cinematography). These are just two examples of the many designs and manufacture they did for outside companies, both for civilian and military use. Read more about Leica and Cine lenses in my article "The Leica Summilux-C and Leica Summicron-C Movie Primes"
Steven Spielberg on the set of Empire of the Sun in 1986 where they used, amongst others, a 800mm Panavision Primo-L lens from ELCAN.
Thus Midland had developed into a fully independent camera and lens manufacturer by the end of the 70s. Their name Ernst Leitz Canada and their trade mark ELCAN have earned the highest reputation throughout the world and it was only a matter of time until additional new and exciting developments from this branch of Leitz would make the news.
Midland, Canada, a replicat of Wetzlar
When Leitz decided to build the manufacturing plant in Midland there was no doubt that it should operate and manufacture at the same high standards that the world had grown accustomed to with the products from Wetzlar. Thus it came as no surprise to me on my first visit to Midland that the interior was very much like that in Wetzlar. Although the buildings were not anywhere near as large as the main plant in Wetzlar, the interior of the actual work areas was almost identical.
Ernst Leitz Canada assembly line
Quality control was as tight as in Wetzlar. Everywhere, regardless of what work was being performed, there were people doing checks and rechecks. Virtually all workbenches had some sort of testing instrument on them. The whole place had a rather unhurried atmosphere. The workers were under no time pressure at all. Everyone could take the time necessary to do things right. This was further enhanced by the total absence of assembly lines. All work was done on individual workbenches.
The same was the case in the lens grinding department. A lot of the work was performed by machines, but some lens elements would be grinded by hand. It is a known fact that nothing can replace hand grinding when ultimate precision is of the essence, and Leitz was still doing it.
While there were obviously a lot of people from the Midland area employed there. It was very obvious that there still was a large German contingent, easily recognized by the many German accents that could be heard in almost all conversations.
1982 marked the 30th anniversary of the Midland operation. It had established itself as one of the foremost optical design companies in the world.
November 1990: The Hughes Aircraft Company, California, purchased Ernst Leitz Canada Ltd., and the Company’s name was changed to Hughes Leitz Optical Technologies Ltd. Hughes Aircraft relocated their equipment/machinery and technology of a sister operation in Des Plaines, Illinois, to Midland.
Long story short, the company Raytheon acquired the optical departments of Texas Instruments and the Midland factory, and is today named RaytheonELCAN.
The original Leica building in the center of Wetzlar, Germany anno 2013, now housing only Leica Microsystems.
A man looking at the 560mm telephoto lens on exhibit at Photokina Fair in 1966. (Photo by Walter Sanders/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images). They also made a 800mm lens.
1956
The sons of Ernst Leitz II; Ernst Leitz III, Ludwig Leitz and Günther Leitz, take over the management of the firm after their father's death.
1958
Robet Frank's legendary book "The Americans" were published in France, and in 1959 in America, exclusively using the Leica to photograph all of the photos. Robert Frank was by then named one of the ten greatest photographer by an international poll in Popular Photography Magazine.
Robert Frank, “Trolley —New Orleans,” 1955. Leica III with 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor.
1959
Marlene Dietrich in New York 1959 by Henri Dauman who is considered one of the gratest newsphotographers of the 20th century. The documentary "Henri Dauman - Look Up" is about his life and photos.
Marlene Dietrich in New York 1959 by Henri Dauman.
1960
São Paulo, Brazil 1960 by René Burri.
Leica History 1966
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica ad for the Leica M4 in 1966
In April 1966 production starts in the Oberlahn plant near Weilburg in Germany to keep up with demand.
1966 is also the year Leitz introduced the Leitz 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.2, which incorporated aspherical surfaces.
Dr. Knut Kühn-Leitz (born 1936, grandson of Ernst Leitz II and son of Elsie Kühn-Leitz) joined Leica as executive assistant to Ernst Leitz III. He was instrumental in the cooporation with Minolta Camera Company and the establishment of the succesfull production in Portugal and remained in the company (appointed managing director from 1971) till the Leitz family sold their shares. He lives in Wetzlar where he takes care of the Haus Friedwart and have written several books about the Leitz Family. The most recent, Ernst Leitz II: "Ich entscheide hiermit: Es wird riskiert" (May 2014).
Garry Winogrand (1928-1984) said, "I photograph to see what the world looks like in photographs". Here a photo, "Central Park Zoo" taken in New York in 1967. Read an interview of 1982 with him, or video here from Rice University.
1968
Ten Leica collectors established the Leica Society in the United Kingdom (then known as The Leica Historical Society) by the help of 'Jack' Newton and Hans Edwards (by the mid-1990s the Society had grown to over 2,100 members).
The Leica Society hos a yearly event in UK. Here from the 2018 event with Mike Evans (Macfilos), Simon Hocken, Thorsten Overgaard and other members.
1969
Leica supplied a Trinovid 10 X 40 especially modified monocular for the NASA Apollo 11 which became the first optical device used on the moon.
Leica introduces the 800mm Telechronf/6.3 lens at Photokina, made available in 1972 as 800mm Telyt-S f/6.3 in time for the Olympics in Munich. The lens was sold in the US with a complimentary Volkswagen Fox with it! (at least, that is the rumor. The truth was it was if you had one specific serial number (2500854), you would "win" the Volkswagen). The retail price for the lens in the US was $23,700 in 1972. Today it sells for around $8,000 on eBay.
A Leica ad from the 1940s talking about autofocus. In all justice it should be said that Leica Camera AG in fact invented AF in the 1970's but decided nobody would want it - and sold the patent.
Leica invented the autofocus
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica and auto focus
Prototype of the Leica auto focus system.
Leica Camera AG invented the auto focus system in the 1960's and patented a number of autofocus technologies 1960 - 1973, but judged that nobody would be interested in it. They sold the patent to Minolta after two "unsuccesful" presentations at Photokina in 1976 and 1978 and stayed with manual focused lenses.
The Leica auto focus system "Correfot"
Advertisement for the Leica M4 introduced in 1966. One of the best-selling Leica M cameras (along Leica M6 and Leica M9).
Wild Beerbrugg and Leitz Wetzlar coorporation
1972
Beginning of cooperation between Leitz Wetzlar and Wild Heerbrugg, a company founded in 1921 in Switzerland manufacturing different optical instruments, such as surveying instruments, microscopes and instruments for photogrammetry among others. Wild bought 25% of Leitz to begin with.
The famous photo of the "Napalm girl" by Huynh Cong 'Nick' Ut of Associated Press was taken on June 8, 1972 with his Leica M2 and Leica Summicron 35/2 on a Kodak 400 ISO B&W film.
"Napalm girl" (1972) by Huynh Cong 'Nick' Ut of Associated Press
British photographer Fay Godwin (1931-2005) used a Leica M6 (and Hasselblad 500C/M) for her mostly black and white landscapes if the British countryside. Through her love for walking, photographing and landscapes, she build a career from the 1960's and onward. Her archive of 11,000 exhibition prints, the entire contents of her studio, and correspondence with some of her subjects, was given to the British Library after her passing.
Fay Godwin, Leaping Lurcher, 1972. Via the British Library.
William Eggleston's "En Route to New Orleans" from 1971–73 is an excellent example of his use of light and colors (and the Leica). This photograph sold on auction for 45,600 €.
William Eggleston "En Route to New Orleans" 1971–73.
Leica factory in Porto, Portugal
1973
The Portugal plant in Vila Nova de Famalico near Porto starts production. The reason Leica started production here was they had the opportunity to buy a precision watch factory that had gone bankrupt. By buying this factory they acquired not only a factory and precision tools, but also a workforce (of mainly women) who knew how to do precision work. See further down about the 40th anniversary and new factory in Portugal that opened in 2013.
1973 was the year where Leica introduced the Leica CL "Mini M" film camera, an economical model of the Leica M, made together with Minolta who introduced the sister camera Minolta CLE. The camera was designed by Willi Stein.
1976
Martine Franch (1938-2012) made this photograph people by a swimming pool designed by Alain Capeilleres. She was discovering photography and the Leica in 1963 and met Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1966, whom she married.
1979
German Leica photographer Barbara Klemm (born 1939) photographed "The Brother's Kiss" in 1979, also known as the "Fraternal Kiss" between Soviet general secretary Leonid Brezhnev kissing East German leader Erich Honecker. Famlusly reproduced as a mural on the Berlin Wall, thought he wall painting one is based on an almost similar photo by Régis Bossu who took his with a Nikkor 80-200mm zoom.
CEO Dr. Werner Simon with Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1988, presenting him with a Leica M6.
1984
The Leica M6 was released with internal lightmeter, and later the Leica M6 TTL with lightmetering Through The Lens. Dr. Werner Simon was the chairman of the photographic division of Leitz in 1984, and he was one who strongly pushed for the Leica M6, believed the real revolution of the unit, as he was convinced that with a modern light meter, it would make a bold statement in the market for Leica. He served as Leica CEO from 1987- 1993.
1986
Foundation of Leica GmbH in order to bundle activities in the photo market.
Wild Leitz, 1987
1987
On the January 1st, 1987, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH and Wild Heerbrugg AG merges to form the Wild Leitz group. The new company employs a total 9,000 people.
1988
The Leica Camera AG factory moves from Wetzlar to Oskar Barnackstrasse in Solms, just 10-15 minutes drive from Wetzlar. The factory remained here till it moved back to the newly designed and build factory in Wetzlar in April 2014.
1990
In 1990, American photographer Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015) photographed "The Smoking Girl" Amanda Marie Ellison, 9 (and Amy Minton Velasquez, 8 sitting) in the "Sin City" disctict of Valdese, N.C. for Life magazine to cover a school for "problem children" .
The merger of Wild Leitz Holding AG with The Cambridge Instrument Company plc creates the new Leica Holding B.V. group. So now the Leica name also stands for the leading manufacturer of microscopes, surveying and photogrammetry systems, as well as optical-scientific instruments. Incorporation of the Zett-Geräte-Werk (former Zeiss-Ikon) into the Leica Camera Group and foundation of Leica Projektion GmbH.
The LEICA name and the red dot logo (both Leitz and Leica) is owned by LEICA MICROSYSTEMS IR GMBH who allow Leica Camera AG to use it.
Leica Microsystems GmbH (including Leica Biosystems), Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Camera AG is now three completely independent companies without any remaining legal, operative or financial linkage.
Leica Camera AG later was listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange (and Dr. Andreas Kaufmann started buying shares in 2003 and ended up owning 96% or more fo the shares (via ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH in Salzburg, Austria), after which Leica Camera AG was unlisted from the Stock Exchange (so that they don't have to report to the stock exchange). Leica Geosystems AG is a Swiss company and part of the Swedish Hexagon Group. Leica Microsystems GmbH is a German company owned by the US concern Danaher Corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The use of the Leica brand is the only remaining connection between the three companies, on account of the long history and heritage of these now independent companies. Leica Microsystems is the owner of the Leica trade name and trademark and has granted licenses for their use to the other companies.
For a unique look into the Leica Camera AG in Solms in 1994, click on this image to see a series of photos by German photographer Holger Jacoby.
1994
The machine department of Leica Camera AG is separated out and is owned and run by a local company, headed by the former manager of the department inside Leica Camera AG. (This company later join Weller Feinwerktechnik in 1997 (preicision drilling for the car industry), and in 2005 they also take over the machine department of Leica Microsystems GmbH in Weilburg. This is why Weller Feinwerktechnik from 2019 can be found in the Leitz Park next to Leica Camera where they produce machine-drilled metal parts for a nuber of companies, including Leica Camera AG and Leitz Cine), and why Dr. Andreas Kaufmann is involved in their board. .
1995
British photojournalist Tom Stoddart (1953-2021) photographed the strong "Woman of Bosnia" in 1995 wiht his Leica M6:
Matsushita (Panasonic) started making all their cameras with Leica lenses (all lenses made in Germany but assembled in Japan). From 2006 and onwards Leica lenses are made in Japan to Leica specifications by Panasonic with 2 main differences: Lenses made for the Leica branded camera's are made on German made imported machines using Leica lens coatings, whereas Leica lenses made for Panasonic Lumix branded camera's are made on Panasonic mass production machines to (minimum) Leica specification but use Panasonic's own Nano-coatings.
1996
On April 1st, Leica takes over the camera division of Minox GmbH, manufacturer of sub-miniature and miniature cameras.
On July 25th, 1996 the Leica Camera GmbH is transformed into a public company. Now the company is called Leica Camera AG.
The Leica R8 35mm film camera was introduced at the 1996 Photokina show after being in development since 1990.
1998
The 31st Dcember 1998, the Leica Camera AG patent for the Leica M bayonet mount ran out, opening up for 3rd party lenses with Leica M bayonet mount.
2000
Hermès International SCA bought 30% of Leica Camera for 14.4 million USD according to Wall Street Journal, and while financial analysts didn't understood why. the Hermes management called Leica "the Rolls Royce of cameras," and Jean-Louis Dumas (1938-2010) was known for always carrying a Leica and a red notebook.
Leica had ended 1999 with $500,000 in profit (better than the $15 million loss accumulated over the previous three years), from a 2000 overall sale of 145,000,000 USD.
This share was sold to Andres Kaufmann (ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH in Salzburg) in 2006, which then gave him 75% majority of the voting rights. However, Hermes still own part of Leica Camera Japan.
Leica Camera AG started coorporation with Panasonic (Matsushita), developing lens designs for Panasonic Lumix cameras, Panasonic cameras and Panasonic video recorders, as well as some of the Panasonic projectors (only those with the "Leica" are made by Leica). The coorporation also includes co-production of later Panasonic/Leica "twin cameras" sauch as the Leica Digilux, Leica D-Lux, Leica V-Lux. Some developed and produced by Panasonic, with a Leica edition designed by Leica, others developed by Leica and produced by Panasonic (the Leica Digilux 2 is one such). See my article Leica Compact Cameras.
The Ernst Leitz Optical Industry factory on Ernst Leitz Strasse in Wetzlar. Year unknown, but the cars could indicate in was the 1970s.
2002
Andreas Kaufmann and his two brothers buys Weller Feinwerktechnik in Wetzlar via ACM Projektentwicklung in Salzburg, the family holding company. In 1994, Uwe Weller took over Leica Camera AG’s machining division, which became the Weller Feinwerktechnik. (In 2005, the mechatronics division of Leica Microsystems in Weilburg was integrated into the business, followed in 2006 by the machining division of the Zeiss-Hensoldt Group in Wetzlar).
The Leica R9 was introduced at the Photokina show. A few improvements over the Leica R8.
Mike Johnston, the writer of The Online Photographer, coins "The King of Bokeh" about the Leica 35mm Summicron-M f/2.0 Version IV - and later retracts it. But too late, and ever since then it has been known as "The King of Bokeh" and driven the secondhand prices up. Mike changed his mind, realizing he actually didnt use the 35mm wide open, but at f/5.6 and liked what he saw - a bit unaware of what 'bokeh' meant, or would mean in the future (which has become to express how pleasant a lens draws the out of focus areas when used wide open). Leica Camera AG in 2024 stole the expression "The King of Bokeh" and attached it to their remake/heritage of the 35mm Summilux-M f/1.4 Steel Rim, contributing to the confusion.
2003
Andreas Kaufmann and his two brothers buys Via Optik in in Wetzlar
as a part of the strategic investment of the Kaufmann family in Wetzlar’s optical industry. Via Optik was founded in 1922 as Feinwerktechnik Wetzlar GmbH, as part of the Ernst Leitz GmbH as a supplier of mechanical components. In 1965 they made the bright viewfinders for SLR cameras.
Leica History 2004
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Andreas Kaufmann and his two brothers buy 27.4% of Leica Camera AG via ACM Projektentwicklung in Salzburg., Vienna. They already know the Leica people quite well as they already have bought one company from Leica Camera AG (Via Optik) and are subsupplier via anohter (Weller Feinwerktechnik).
Leica introduced the Leica DMR digital 10MP back (for the Leica R8 and Leica R9). A digital back developed with Kodak and Imacon that can replace the film back/motor on a Leica R8/R9 and makes it into a digital camera.
February 2004 Leica introduces the 5MP digital Leica Digilux 2 camera which is made with Panasonic: The Panasonic DMC LC1 model in black is marketed and sold by Panasonic while the silver Leica Digilux 2 is marketed and sold by Leica Camera AG.
The Leica Digilux 2 went on to become a classic, though some of them suffered "sensor blindness" and had to be replaced for free by Leica and Panasonic (on the expense of Sony who made the sensors). Apart from simplicity of operation and a "feels like a real camera", the JPG files straight out of the Leica Digilux 2 was and is amazing high quality.
Dr. Andreas Kaufmann later stated in 2009 that "The Digilux2 is still today is one of the best digital cameras, and it was a development where Leica was in the driver’s seat." by which he hinted that the simplicity of operation and high overall quality was thanks to Leica be the main force in designing the camera.
Leica Camera AG announces a series of new digital cameras at Photokina in September 2006. Amongst them, the long aviated Leica M8 digital camera:
Announced in 2006: Leica M8 in chrome. Also available in black.
Leica M8 takes the role as preferred rangefinder camera for professionals
The Leica M8 digital camera had a few problems in the beginning that required Leica Camera AG to issue free filters to their customers. Without IR cut-filters black tones in certain light conditions would turn purple: The UV-filter in front of the sensor was simply too weak. A feature that later turned out to make the Leica M8 perfect for infrared photography. Amongst others, Lou Reed had much fun using the Leica M8 for infrared photography.
After months of discussions and frustrations, one could read comments like these from professional photographers on the Leica User Forum (July 2007):
"I have to confess I haven't used my Canon 5D since getting an M8. But then again the same thing happened to my film SLRs when I bought my first M - an M2 - a number of years ago, so I haven't been surprised.
"I still use my Canon 5D along with my Leica M8, but I use my Canon Mark II's and a large selection of lenses (from 8mm - 500mm). When you are a working photo-journlist, the Leica M8 becomes just another tool in the bag. Yes, I must say that the Leica M8 bag (a Domke F-6 Little Bit Samller Bag) now goes on every assignment (even If I do not get a chance to use it)"
"I sold the Canon 5D when I got the M8, but I still use the Canon MK II Ds"
"It depends completely on the type of assignment. If I need longer f/2.8 zooms, as when doing theater work or sports, I'll still use the 5D. But for any kind of portrait, documentary and editorial work I almost always opt for the M8. The 5D is an excellent camera, but I prefer the look of the M8 images. I also find the somewhat smaller file size a bit more manageable when I come in with several hundred RAWs."
"well ... I've been using the Leica M8 for like a month and a half. now. as much as i wasn't totally impressed the first time 'round ... I have perhaps changed my feelings about it ... and ... as much as i want to fight it ... give me an m8 ..."
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Hermes sell their 30% stake in Leica Camera AG to Andres Kaufmann (ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH in Salzburg), which then gave him 75% majority of the voting rights. However, Hermes still own part of Leica Camera Japan.
Leica History 2007
By Thorsten von Overgaard
CW Sonderoptik (later renamed to Leitz Cine in 2018) is established in Wetzlar by Andreas Kaufmann to develop Summilux-C Cine Lenses.
Leica discontinues the Leica DMR digital back for the Leica R8 and Leica R9 as Imacon has been sold to Hasselblad. The digital back was made with Kodak and Imacon.
Leica History 2008
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Thorsten Overgaard's photograph of actress Kelly Preston on October 2008, photographed with his Leica R8 DMR and 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R f/2.8.
At Photokina 2008 Leica introduced the updated Leica M8 called Leica M8.2. Apart from the new darker black lacquer, leather-like "vulcanite" leather finish and - more notable - the black Leica dot (on the silver edition of the camera the red dot has been maintained; and one could actually also order the black camera version witht the 'original' red dot), the changes was mainly to be found in the details exterior and inside:
A new metal blade focal plane shutter that reduced the shutter sound to nearly a whisper, a new scratch-resistant sapphire crystal as cover glass for the screen on the back of the camera, a "S" snapshot mode (where the camera decides everything but aperture and focus) as well as a new compact charger.
New lenses introduced at Photokina in September 2008
Most notable, the replacement for the 1969 edition Leica 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.0 was announced; as the 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 was introduced as a new and most impressive low light lens for the 35mm camera range.
Also two other impressive lenses were introduced in the Leica 21mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 (pictured on the Leica M8.2 camera above) and the Leica 24mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. Leica also introduced a new compact Leica 24mm Elmar-M ASPH f/3.8 lens for the M cameras.
Leica plan to start delivery of the Leica S2 medium format digital SLR camera as well as the first four lenses from November 2010 (with another five to follow shortly).
Leica History 2009
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica announces that they will be discontinuing the Leica R system, meaning the Leica R9 and the Leica R lenses, and of course the Leica R10 that had been in development.
Stopping production of new R lenses
In February 2009 Leica announced that they would stop the production of the traditional R-lenses as well as the Leica R9 film camera. Remaining stocks were sold with 25-50% discounts.
Leica stopped developing the future R10 camera
In July 2009 Leica Camera AG announced that they would not develop a Leica R10 fullframe digital SLR camera based on the Leica S2, with new auto focus R-lenses, as promised. They were of the opinion that the promised camera would turn out to be so expensive that there would be no market for it. Though they would at a later stage present "a digital solution" suitable for R-lenes.
Meanwhile, it ain't over till it's over! there is many great second-hand Leica R lenses, and these can actually be used on Canon dSLR cameras (such as the Canon 5D Mark II or Canon 1ds Mark III) using for example the Novoflex Leica R to Canon adapter. It's still manual focus lenses, but with focus confirmation in the Canon camera. Another possiblity is to have the Leica R lenese refitted with Nikon bayonets by the company Leitax (thogh that will make the lenses unusable on Leica R cameras).
On february 20, 2009 Leica introduced the Leica 18mm/3.8 lens, an accompanying 18mm viewfinder and a new Leica 58 flash for all Leica cameras - (the flash will fit the Leica S2 as well).
In July 2009 Dr. Andreas Kaufmann hinted to me that Leica Camera AG was getting ready to introduce a digital camera that would change the perception of Leica as an old-school camera maker: "Rest assured that the people at Leica are actively working on a project to show that the real Leica quality is in digital too – you will see soon!"
Leica and viral marketing - The Leica M9 introduction
Introducing a collection of ground-breaking new products- and viral marketing at its best On September 9, 2009 at 9:09 AM Leica announced that they would present what Leica Camera AG CEO Rudi Spiller called "a collection of new groundbreaking products."
As soon as the video below came out on August 31, 2009, speculations went like a wildfire, and within hours it was reported that the long awaited/rumored Leica M9 was actually shown in the video as a teaser. And if you watch the video at 0:54 you will notice an ISO button on the camera back that is not on the Leica M8 or Leica M8.2. Few seconds later in the video, at 0:58 you will notice that the top plate of the camera is missing the picture counter and that the round left side of the body has been lowered.
In matter of hours from then people from all walks of life had used their personal knowledge to try to 'reverse-ingeneer' the actual M9 from the two small glimpses in the video. Did it in have the same size or would we be presented for a new "German Tank" a la the slightly bigger Leica M5 (that looked like a monster because Leica had to incorporate lightmeter technology into the camrea)? Would it even be technically posible to maintain the size of a "classic Leica M" and still achieve a full frame sensor? One Leica user had used special software to figure out the sizes of the new M9 based on the size of the flash shoe (and had it almost right).
The teaser video on YouTube revealing first sights of the new Leica M9 - Leica's return to full frame 24x36 mm which they originally invented in 1908.
A few days later, on September 2, 2009, this prewiev of the Leica M9 digital rangefinder camera and a (totally unexpected model, the) Leica X1 appeared on Flickr by a user in Vietnam (where the Leica X1 was made). And was removed within two hours from posting when only 250 people had viewed it! If it was the user himself or if Leica had something to say on this, nobody knows. But it fueled the speculations further.
First sight of the Leica M9 via Flickr. Fact og fiction? Could be pretty close to reality per the glimpses in the video above and the specifications revealed 'by accident' on the Japanese Leica site later in the day (see below).
Leica X1 fist sight via Flickr. Fact og ficion? It looked like a cool idea, a digital version of the original Ur-Leica and the Minilux with its legendary 40mm f/2.4 lens. This one has a 24mm Elmarit f/2.8 fixed lens (which becomes a 35mm lens due to the smaller sensor). But nobody had ever heard that Leica worked on such a camera ... could it be just a computer-made design?Would it have interchangable lenses and thus perhaps be a remake of the Leica CL that was the compact smaller camera that took M lenses in the 1970ies? Nobody knew, nobody had expected Leica to come up with a new camera like this!
Later the same day, a Leica user was able to find an official M9 presentation on the Leica-Camera Japan website. This had been there long enough for translations to have been saved in web hisgtory, though the site itself was removed and the webmaster had set up an active filter to prevent any serarch engine to remember what was there.
But before it disappeared in smoke, the Japanese Leica website revealed a Leica M9 full frame 24x36mm 18 MP camera available in black paint and painted grey. No need for IR/UV filters anymore. The body measures 139 x 37 x 80 mm. A 2,5" monitor on the back, revised button layout (with an ISO button on the back).
Could this really be true? Leica had so far stated that a full frame sensor would be impossible on a Leica M, and who had ever heard about a painted grey Leica M ?
Classic Leica ad from 1951, before viral marketing ...
Repeat after me: Leica is Great!
Leica M9 is confirmed on September 9, 2009 at 9:09 AM in New York
In 2008 Leica Camera AG had officially said (once again) that a full frame Leica M was impossible. In July 2009 - two months before the introduction - the head of product development, Stefan Daniel (see below) had revealed that Leica Camera AG was in fact working on a solution, but that it would take considerable time.
As it turns out, Leica was not only able to present the Leica M9 with full frame sensor on September 9, 2009 at 9:09 in New York, they had also had a number of photographers beta-testing the Leica M9 since July 2009. The presentation also revealed a final production sample of the new Leica S2 medium format camera and a Leica X1 with APS-sized CMOS sensor.
The Leica M9 in metal-grey paint with a black Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 lens on. You can read my Leica M9 article with test photos, tips and tricks here. An article that has since then beome known as "The Worlds (Possibly) Longest Camera Review" with more than 18 pages with four years of continious user-reporting based on photographing more than 160,000 images.
The results for first half of 2010 showed a 139.6 % increase in sale of Leica cameras, and an overall 100% increase on all Leica Camera AG products from the Leica CRF 1600 laser rangefinder (used to measure distances) to Leica binoculars. The 140% increase in sale should be viewed with the general 10% increase in sale of cameras worldwide (130 million cameras in 2009 to 140 million in 2010)
The main reasons for the increase given in the Half year financial report from Leica are the newly developed cameras Leica M9, Leica X1, Leica S2 and the V-Lux 20. Even the bulk of product development of the M9 and S2 was in 2009 and prior, Leica has almost doubled the amount spent on product development in first half of 2010.
Operating result (EBIT) improved from € –7.2 million first half of 2009 to € 13.9 million for first half of 2010.
The Ernst Leitz Foundation (Ernst Leitz Stiftung) was founded was by Cornelia Kühn-Leitz and Knut Kühn-Leitz, the children of Elsie Kühn-Leitz (1903-1985).
The Foundation takes care of Haus Friedwart, the Leitz family traditional home (built in 1914-1917, now a historic heritage landmark), and makes Haus Friedwart a place of culture and gatherings for the sake of a better international understanding. Cultural events, lectures and especially chamber concerts have always been an integral part of life in Haus Friedwart and it was particularly Elsie Kühn-Leitz who had an outstanding talent to convince world-renowned artists to come to small-town Wetzlar.
The Haus Friedwart have had many artists visiting over the years. Famous photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Alfred Eisenstaedt and Germaine Krull used to go in and out the villa. The foundation is looking to in the future of establishing a small scholarship program for young artists from the region.
The Ernst Leitz Foundation is managed by Oliver Nass who lives in Paris with his family, and who is the grandson of Elsie Kühn-Leitz (son of Cornelia Kühn-Leitz). The foundation is also instrumental in the future museum Ernst Leitz Museum (opened 2021) in the Leica campus in Wetzlar.
Ernst Leitz II and his daughter Elsie Kühn-Leitz in 1926. Courtesy of Ernst Leitz Foundation.
The Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH FLE introduced
The new Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 saw the light. An improved design without focus shifts and able to (that is my opinion from the ones I have tested) produce Leica M9 files as sharp and detailed as a Leica S2 file. The balance, the feel and size of the new Leica Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 simply feels right on the Leica M9 body.
In August 2010 Leica Camera AG announced their new CEO, Alfred Schopf (he comes from ARRI who works with the film industry).
Alfred Schopf, new Leica CEO as of September 2010. Photo: Thorsten Overgaard
At a Design Preview event at Photokina 2010 on September 20, 2010, Leica presented a Leica X1 in black, a Leica V-Lux 2 (as follow-up to the Leica V-Lux 1) and a Leica D-Lux 5 (as a follow-up to the Leica D-Lux 4). Most notable - or newsworthy at least - was the release of a 500 pcs limited Leica M9 in solid titanium with 35mm Summilux-M f/1.4 ASPH FLE titanium lens (see image by David Farkas here) designed by Italian car designer Walter de'Silva who earned fame for his Alfa Romeo 156 design and these days work for Audi and VW where he has designed Audi A5 and VW OPassat CC and the VW Scirocco.
New limited edition of 500, the Leica M9 Titanium with Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 titanium. The one used on the picture by Annette Soelter is a pre-production model at Photokina 2010. Photo: Thorsten Overgaard.
This special edition Leica M9 titanium is the first limited edition that features technical advancements as well beyond the usual special edition colors and leather: The frame lines are mechanical, but red LED illuminated. The hand-grip on the camera is also a completely new thing never seen before, and the titanium lens shade is also a completely new design. Price of the package is 22,000 Euro including a story book. Read more under "Sexy stuff for the worlds most sexy camera"
Leica M9 Titanium with Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 FLE limited edition of 500 set, designed by by-Walter de'Silva. All 500 sets were pre-reserved withing a week of the release, all planned for shipping in December 2010.
Visitors at Leica Camera AG at Photokina 2010 admires the Leica M9 titanium. Photo: Thorsten Overgaard.
At the Leica M9 Titanium event Leica Camera AG also honored the inventor of the digital camera, Steve Sasson by giving him the 4th million Leica camera produced. Sasson invented the first portable digital camera in 1976 while working at Kodak (luckily for Sasson the 4th million Leica Camera turned out to be a Leica M9 titanium and not a Leica D-Lux 4!)
The most intersting new thing at Photokina may have been the release of the Leica 120mm Elmarit-S Macro f/2.5 for the Leica S2. This is the lens needed for fashion photographers and many others to draw use of the Leica S2 medium format camera. With this lens sale of the Leica S2 will pick up serious speed - though the actual awaited 120mm with central shutter will not start delivery till spring 2011 (with a completely new Leica-designed central shutter that was tested in pre-production samples at Photokina, in the Leica S2 studio).
Photographers testing the Leica S2 with the new Leica 120mm Summarit-S CS f/2.5 lens at Photokina 2010. Photo: Thorsten Overgaard.
Small news: For those who like to watch the real stars, Photokina 2010 also offered a new Leica X1 digiscoping adapter (model 42331) so that the Leica X1 can be attached to a Leica digiscope. Photo: Thorsten Overgaard.
Speaking of which, in August 2010 Leica Camera AG came out with their financial report, displaying a profit of 9 million Euro for first quarter, compared to a minus og 6 million Euro for the previous first Quarter.
And while all this happens, customers are still in the line for Leica M9 cameras and a number of exotic lenses which are also on waiting lists due to demand (21mm, 24mm, 35mm and 50mm Summilux lenses, 50mm Noctilux and 75mm Summicron mainly).
The main facility is in the soon to be "old" factory in Solms (which has been expanded with a few extra wooden buildings and also feature a new reception area with a new Leica Solms flagship store).
Customer Service is in a seperate building in Solms, a few minutes away by car, and features a nice waiting area for cutomers coming by with their equipment for service and adjustment.
If you camera needs a doctor, visit Leica Camera AG Customer Service in Solms. See more on page 2.
Leica Camera AG also features a Leica Academy school in an old monastry in the hills outside Solms.
In case you din't get the memo, Leica Camera AG officially said at Photokina 2010 that the Leica M9 is now subject to the Leica M a la carte program, which means that one can get special leather, special engravings, sapphire glass on the screen and similar special to order.
Leica Historical Society of America (LHSA) event for 120 americans in Wetzlar, September 2010, president of LHSA Bill Grimwood introducing the keynote speaker of the event, Thorrsten Overgaard.
2011
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Thorsten von Overgaard's portrait of the HRH The Crown Prince Frederik & HRH The Crown Princess Mary with their four children i front of the royal palace Amalienborg in Copenhagen, with Leica M9 and 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 II on April 2011.
Leica Camera AG, and Dr. Andres Kaufmann in particular, have made no secret that there till be more Leica Flagship Stores (on top of the 14 existing as of January 2011). In March 2011 Leica Camera AG opened Leica Store no 15 and no 16 (at 1010 Nanjing Road West) in Shanghai and Beijing (As the Chinese market has shown huge interest in the past years (and enough to empty out the Hong Kong stores and a few others) this seem like the right move), and on April 21 the 17th store opened in Leica Store Rome, Italy. The 18th store is the Leica Store Marseille, France.
The 19th Leica Store Kangnam and 20th store Leica Store Chungmoo-ro opened in Seoul on May 5, 2011. Also, the German Leica-chain Meister Camera opened their Leica Store München on May 19, 2011.
Also, in 2011-2012, autorized Leica dealers will be installing shop-in-shop concepts, Leica Bortiques, in their traditional stores in a design that aligns with the Leica Stores.
Opening of the 16th Leica Store in Shanghai, March 2011.
May 27, 2011: Leica introduced the new 14.8 megapixel Leica V-Lux 30 pocket camera with a 24mm - 384mm zoom lens.
Leica Summilux-C used for Birdman in 2014.
Leica Summilux-C
LEICA Summilux-C™ lenses. In April 2011 Leica will be delivering the first set of their line of Cine lenses (as presented in April 2010 at NAB), among them a 40mm T1.4 with "Multi ASPH" but also 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm PL mount primes designed to deliver ultra-high optical performance for film and digital capture. Leitz Canada developed and manufactured Panavision Primo lenses a well as the optics for the IMAX-projector for many years.
The Summilux-C and Summicron-C lenses can be ordered in an eight-lens set, 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm. The price was $178,000 for the Summilux set and $100,000 for thre Summicron set. Then after a while, Leica realized the Summilux-C took a great deal more of work to produce, and the price was changed from &178,000 to $300,000 for a set.
To begin with, they could only be ordered as sets, handmade and gone through several quality controls. BandPro Inc in Burbank and New York who have gotten five complete lens sets for demo purposes projected in March 2011 that new orders would be delivered in first quarter 2012. It's going to be a long waiting list for these ones.
The Leica 120mm Elmarit-S Macro CS f/2.5 and other CS lenses (CS = Central Shutter, meaning there is a shutter inside the lens as well, on top of the shutter curtain in the camera that sits just in front of the sensor) will start delivery in spring 2011, probably along with the other CS lenses as Leica have developed an entirely new central shutter for their Leica S lenses (they were in fact pre-tested during Photokina 2010 where the Leica S photo studio used them non-stop for seven days).
More new Leica M lenses will be announced. Leica Camera AG are working on filling the gaps in the M lens range. Judging a glimse in the firmware of the Leica M9 that show the existence of en not-yet-existing 14mm f/2.8 lens, this might be a coming lens. While the 21mm Elmarit-M f/2.8 and 24mm Elmarit-M f/2.8 lenses seem to be skipped in 2011 and not replaced by new lenses (the 21mm Summilux-M and 24mm Summilux-M should be more intersting to have), we may hope for a new 90mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 in 2011.
Magnum Photos' Vice President, photographer Christopher Anderson and Dr. Andreas Kaufmann
Leica and Magnum
Part of the introduction of the Leica M9-P in June 2011 was also the announcement of a collaboartion with Magnum Photos (a picture agency founded in 1947 by photographers Robert Capa, David "Chim" Seymour, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and William Vandivert)
Leica will draw on the extensive history of Magnum and their photographers use of Leica cameras and colloborate on new projects as the one below by Christopher Anderson.
Leica M9-P Hammer Tone Limited Edition
Leica M9-P Hammer Tone Limited Edition 100 pcs. celebrating the Leica Store Tokyo Ginza 5 year anniversary June 2011. The Leica M9-P Hammertone with Leica 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH f/2.8 and hammertone lens shade, price is listed to JPY 1,197,000 (ca. 15,000 $) for the set, and sold out in few days. See a real-life Leica M9-P Hammerthorne in use in Tokyo on the Leica M9 review page 15.
Steve McCurry first to recieve Leica Hall of Fame Award
September 1, 2011 Leica Camera AG named their first awardee of the Leica Hall of Fame Award, Steve McCurry. The price was a Leica M9-P with his signature engraved. His probably most famous photograph is the "Afghan girl" Sharbat Gula, a photograph that was taken in 1984. "More than almost anyone else, Steve McCurry has recorded the terrible consequences of war and persecution and has thus had decisive influence on our perception of world affairs for decades. For his work, he deserves our thanks and recognition," was the words of Andreas Kaufmann when he handed over the award.
The award will be awarded in the future whenever Leica Camera AG feel somebody deserve it.
Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium
October 19, 2011: Leica Camera AG announced the Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium. To most this may seem as an innocent event, but it seem to be no secret that in the past - before the M9 and S2 fever - Leica Camera AG wouldn't be existing without the sweet income from the small cameras. That these still sell well may be illustrated by the fact that when I visited one of the two small Leica Store Hong Kong in November 2011, they had sold 20 of those new D-Lux 5 Titanium in just the first 6 hours of that day.
When I visited a large Broadway camera store in New York in August 2011, the owner told me that he sold more Leica D-Lux 5 than the Fuji X100 (which he happened to have in stock).
Blackstone invests in Leica Camera AG
October 20, 2011: Leica Camera AG announced in a press release that a minority, 44%, of the stocks had been sold to Blackstone so as to finance future expansion around the world. The guess is that Dr. Andreas Kaufmann (via acm Projektenwicklung GmbH) originally bought 95% of Leica Camera AG for approximately 60 million Euro, and that the 44% of the minority stocks was sold for 130 million Euro. In between a considerable amount has been invested in R&D, epansion of the factory facilities and new Leica Stores around the world (though most likely financed by external sources and not by Andreas Kaufmann via acm Projektenwicklung GmbH).
The buying of Leica Camera AG was originally done by Andreas Kaufmann and his two brothers, but seemingly they were not as interested in Leica as Andreas Kaufmann after Leica Camera AG more or less collapsed in their hands in 2004 few months after they had bought 27.4% of the stock. Long story short, Kaufmann decided to take over all of the Leica Camera AG stocks that the family owned in 2005, and his brothers were free to invest in other things (one of them retiurned to the pulp paper industry).
Andreas Kaufmann have told in interviews that his 'overnight fortune' from the family had to be used to develop something that made sense and moved things forward. He could not live with just inveting in papers. Seen in the mirror, he has taken that responsibility to forward original ideas quite serious - and made good business in doing so.
Big Leica: Artist Anat Ronen did this Leica M2 wall painting on November 2011 in Florida.
December, 2011: Leica Camera AG started delivery of the 30mm Leica Elmarit-S ASPH f/2.8 for the Leica S2 medium format camera. The LFI (Leica Fotografie International) 08/2011 brought a test and article about the new lens.
The LFI (Leica Fotografie International) 08/2011 brings a test and article about the new 30mm Leica Elmarit-S ASPH f/2.8 lens.
Paul Smith and Leica
Paul Smith and Leica Camera AG limited edition Leica D-Lux 5 leather cases for Christmas 2011.
December 2011: The Leica Store Mayfair in London as well as the Paul Smith stores in London will started offering these two limited edition Leica D-Lux 5 leather cases for approx 200 Pounds. Only 150 of each available.
Leica History 2012
By Thorsten von Overgaard
January 2012 the first RED EPIC users started playing around with the Leica adapters that will enable RED EPIC video cameras to take Leica R and Leica M lenses. As if it wasn't hard enought to get Leica M lenses, this won't make it easier. And the R lenses that seemed to have dropped a little in price are likely to go op again, especially on the more exotic ones that are suitable for video.
The Leica R to EPIC RED converter. A similar exist for Leica M lenses to be mounted onto RED EPIC.
RED EPIC with the worlds best zoom, the Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R ASPH f/2.8 that only 200 has been produced of (second-hand price ca. 10,000$)
Ernst Letiz II [1871-1956] was posthumosly awarded the Courage to Care Award by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) for the efforts the factory and Leitz family did, saving 200-300 jews and their families during World War II by "employing" them and send them to the US (see next page for more on The Freedom Train"). During the Holocaust, the family who owned Leica, the Leitz family, secretly gave German Jews who would be killed by the Nazis a camera and a ticket to America, thus saving lots of lives.
The Leica 3B camera is often referred to as the "Freedom Camera" because it was given to German Jews so they could sell it for money once the got to America.
Kurt Enfield was one of the jews saved by Leitz and who later served as photographer in the US Army.
White Leica M9-P Limited Edition
Yet another limited edition of Leica M9-P has been presented in Tokyo. Only 50 samples of the white Leica M9-P in silver with white leather and white leather strap will be produced. The camera features something very special in that it has the Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 in silver. So far we thought there would only ever exist the 20 bayonet mount and 20 screw mount that Leica Shop in Vienna had made in 2011. But now there will be 70 byonet silver Noctilux lenses around (and the prices of the 20 made last year for Leica Shop in Vienna had reached astronomic price levels).
Leica Store Washington
April 1, 2012: Leica Store Washington opened as the newest official Leica Store. Till now Leica Camera AG have also opened 54 in-store Leica boutiques inside authorized dealers, as in for example inside the fotoREISEL in Sydney.
The New Leica M Monochrom "Henri"
A new digital rangefinder aimed at taking over film photography
May 10, 2012 in Berlin: Leica Camera AG announced a new Leica M Monochrom camera based on the body of the Leica M9 and Leica M9-P but with a new developled black and white sensor. There had been rimors that Leica Camera AG was working on a new camera with the name "Henri" named after Henri Cartier Bresson. A more basic camera, and if one listened well, Andreas Kaufmann had aired a drem of making a camera and sensor that would outcompete film cameras.
This camera was the Leica M that basically is a Leica M9 where the sensor is stripped for the color filters. This makes the camera 1 stop more light sensitive (hence the base ISO of the sensor is 1 stop faster, 320 ISO), and the sensors allocated to capture RGB colors (Red, Green and Blue) would now capture simplu light (hence the images are much more detailed; in many ways the 18MP sensor behaves as a 37MP when the images are printed very large), and as a small revolution, the black & white files would be DNG files.
Peter Turnley is a traditional Leica M film photographer that turned to the Leica M Monochrom. Photo above is one of his classic film photographs, from the book "French Kiss".
The outer of the Leica M Monochrom was very much based on the Leica M9-P without any logo, but in a very subtle matt black paint and discrete leather covering. The Leica M Monochrom since the launch in Berlin has become the preferred camera for photographers like Peter Turnley and Jan Grarup and has turned out to form a new market if minimalistic Leica M users: Some incorporate the camera as yet a Leica M camera and use it alongside their color Leica M rangefinder, but quite a few sold everything else and went with the Leica M Monochrom - often with classic Leica lenses such as the Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 frm the 60s mixed with some yellow, gren and orange filters. A new generation of 'film users gone digital', just as Andreas Kaufman wanted and postulated with the Leica M Monochrom.
CNN-slideshow: Danish war photographer Jan Grarup presented his printed book (only in Danish) "Mærket for Livet" and as English e-book "Marked for Life" of soldiers in Afghanistan, and their memories and tatoos, all pictures made with the Leica M Monochrom, in October 2013.
As expected the introduction of Leica M10 was not presented. But as Dr. Kaufmann said, the event in Berlin on May 10 was planned so as to get some of the many new products of 2012 launched. Because at Photokina there would be even more ...
But then, as he said, there was one more thing:
Leica M9 Hermès Limited Edition
May 10, 2012: Also in Berlin, Leica Camera AG presented a limited edition Leica M9-P Hermès that represented a re-design Leica M9-P by Audi designe Walter de'Silvar. The Hermès comes in two editions:
One set of the Leica M9-P Hermès has been sold out for a long time, that is the one that comes with a a limited edition Hermes Camera Bag and three redesigned lenses in silver that have redesigned lens barrels with Hermès-orange numbers: Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95, Leica 28mm Summicron ASPH f/2.0 and Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0.
The smaller set conist of the camera and a Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4.
As can be seen, the body of the Leica M9-P Hermes Edition has been remodeled by Walter de'Silva. More interestingly the lenses has also been redesigned as well so these limited edition lenses (100 pcs. Noctilux, 100 28mm pcs. Summicron and 400 pcs 50mm Summilux-M ASPH) are quite unique with a different lens barrel design and Hermes orange numbers on the distance in feet, not to mention silver lens shades.
May 17, 2012: The ever-expanding "Leica Embassy of London", the Leica Store Mayfair announced the opening of the Café Optik serive- and hangout-place for customers, as well as a Leica S daylight studio dedicated Leica S shootings (can be rented and is complete with make-up rooms, flash setup, S-experts and all by sending an e-mail to hire@leica-camera.co.uk ).
Leica Store Mayfair now includes a daylight studio exclusively for Leica S users, as well as a café with fresh coffee, second-hand equpment and a sercice center.
Leica Store Mayfair in London is expanding to three buildings, including this Café Optik that serves coffee and offers second-hand and demo used Leica equipment.
Photokina 2012
September 18-23: Photokina is in Cologne, German every second year and Leica had their release party on the evening of September 17 where they pesented the new Leica S (aka Leica S3), the Leica M 240 (aka Leica M10) and Leica ME (the rebranded Leica M9 with lower price tag). Also the Leuca D-Lux 6 and an a la carte program for Leica X was presented (making the Leica X avaqilable in many colors).
The Photokina 2012 pre-opening event at Leica Camera AG, September 17, 2012. Leica M9 with Leica 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.0
Leica Camera AG had also rented the whole Hall 1 at Photokina for a photo and camera exhibition. Just to set the entrance to Photokina straight ...
Interview with product manager Stefan Daniel on the floor of his office about the Leica M 240
September 20: On the third day of Photokina 2012 I met with overall product manager of Leica Camera AG Stefan Daniel who supposedly was born in the Leica factory ... or was he?
The video was the first longer interview about the features of the new Leica M 240 and answered quite a few questions about the new sensor, Live view and other features. I had flown in from New York to visit Photokina for three days, then back to Washington. I wanted to do the interview on the floor beacuse everybody at Photokina had worked so hard, and I was also sort of ready to lay down:
Scaling production facilities, stabilizing
the income and dealing with some unforseen problems
Consolidaing: After two years (2010-2011) with major expansion (in 2011 the sale raised 57% and the consolidated income grew to tenfold $ 45 million), year 2012 is estimated to end with a 10% increease in sale, simply because the production facilities could not output more. As an example, there is a two year waiting list on the Leica 90mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 lens. So 2013 will be the year where Leica Camera AG will be expanding the production facilities, with the help from Blackstone Group LP who took an indirect 44% ownership in 2012.
You may also join my mailing list (by filling in your e-mail in the very top of this page) to stay in the know, and/or join the Leica M Type 240 User Group on Facebook.
Problems
The problems with delivering the Leica M 240 became more obvious than ever in March and April of 2013 simply by the fact that very few cameras left the factory. The history of the Leica M 240 was that it was introduced at Photokina in September 2012 were ample prototypes available for guest to try out. But no final production sample cameras.
Dr. Oskar Barnack in his office. Photo by Julius Huisgen.
Leica M 240 shipping in small numbers
Whilst the new Leica M-E was available right after the Photokina introduction, the Leica M 240 was to bedelivered in "early 2013". I spoke with product manager Stefan Daniel in January 2013 where he said they wanted to build up a large enough stock to deliver to all dealers. "We don't want to start shipping just 50 cameras," as he stated. His estimate was that the Leica M 240 would start shipping in "end of April". When the camera actually started shipping March 1, 2013 it looked promising. At least till eager customers realized that the camera shipped in very limited numbers... The delievery of the Leica M 240 didn't catch up till and of 2013, and in January 2014 the camera was - sort of - available as stock in many stores around the world.
Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 recall
In the end of 2013 Leica had to issue a recall of the Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 they had launched at Photokina 2012. Not that very many lenses had shipped. The lens was supposed to be shipping few weeks after Photokina, but Leica Camera AG kept tunning into unforseen problems. And whilst they were still fighting with the problems of making the lens, users started reporting about flares and fog inside he rawther expensive lens. Hence Leica issued a reacall, and finally in January 2014 said they had put further production to a hold till they had figured out the reason (for the coating to - in some but not all cases - cause flare and/or fog inside the lens.
March 2013: The rather discrete factory in Portugal was - likewise the one in Germany - replaced with a complete new factory, and this one opened fully operational in March 2013, celebrating 40 years of Leica manufaturing in Portugal..
The Portugal factory (Leica Aparelhos Opticos de Precisão SA) is owned 91.66% by Dr. Kaufman and origins from when Leica Camera AG bought a bankrupt precision watch factory in 1973 and made it their Portugal factory. Today the CEO of Leica Portugal is Pedro Oliveira and the general manager is Dr. Carlos Mira.
The 52,000 m2 Leica factory in portugal currently employs 750 people and will be expanding to somewhat 2,500 employees in the coming years. Almost every Leica lens, the Leica S and Leica M 240 camera is made from raw metal in the Portugal factility, then shipped to Germany for final assembly, adjustment and quality control.
The entrance to Leica Camera in Porto in Portugal featuer this large Leica M camera that houses the security.
It's part of the story to understand that "Made in Portugal" is not necessairly a downgrade. The original establishment of the Portugal facility was not to move productin to Portugal, but to take over a complete and working facility that could produce to the high standard of Leica. A task the coorporation with Minolta years earlier had shown was not an easy one. In Portugal Leica Camera AG found a culture used to and capable of presicion assembly, and made it theirs.
Speaking of which: The Leica 75mm Summilux-M f/1.4 exist as both "Made in Canada" and "Made in Wetzlar", and generally the German version is the most sought after, and most expensive. What most people who buy this lens (that is only available second-hand and have gone to hights of $6,000) fail to recignize is that the "Made in Canada" lense are often the best. The designer of this and many other classic Leica lenses, Walter Mandler, was actually running the Canada factory. So that put "Made in Germany" versus "Made Elsewhere" in perspective ...
A video from the opening of the new Leica factory in Portugal, attended by the prime minister:
May 17, 2013: The owner of the majority of Leica Camera AG, the Austrian based holding company ACM Projektentwicklung (Andreas Kaufmann) acquired 25.1% of the California based on-line photo competition I-SHOT-IT.COM that was founded by Hartmut Hennige in September 2010. Ohter investors are Matthias Frei of Zurich.
I have been the lead judge in the competition since it started in 2010. Anyone can participate in the competition with any film or digital photo they have taken them self, from any period, with any camera. The judges can't see the identity, camera or any other inforamtion of the photos we judge; only the photos.
There are several competitions going on over the year, with themes from flowers and dogs to landscapes and black & white. The winner is awarded a cash price and a Leica camera.
June 11 2013: After the highly succesful viral campaign prior to the Leica M9 release in 2009, someone tried to repeat the success with a campaign for "The Mini M" which - probably to their full satisfaction - created a roar of expectations in the Leica community.
However, if one started reading the blogs and forums to see what the users expected to be able to buy, it was far from the product Leica Camera AG was in fact planning on releasing.
The clash between the expected and the actual "Mini M" became obvious on June 11, 2013 when Leica Camera AG released the compact camera. Not a Leica M, and cetainly not a Leica Mini M, but a Leica X compact camera with a zoom.
If internet forums could kill, this day would have marked the end of Leica!
I address the Leica X Vario a little in my Leica Digilux 2 article. Else I recommend looking at the sample pictures and intitial article Jono Slack have done here after having had the camera for betatest since December 2012.
The viral campaign that Leica launched on their website and on their Facebook page for the Leica Mini M that turned out to be a Leica X Vario will most likely go over in history as a very effective campaign, with a lot of wrong speculations and a lot of disappointed users. Reason being that a Leica Mini M addresses the Leica M audience, whereas the Leica X Vario addresses another group. Hence the campaign created a great impact on a target group that is unlikely to actual buy the camera, whereas the ones that will actually buy the camera was unlikely to have heard about it before they stepped into a camera store and ask for a camera to take with them on holiday. We learned "not to mess with the M", Leica Camera AG said after the campaign.
Admiring a print in the Leica Store Los Angeles. People pop in throughout the day to talk, have a coffee, show their pictures and try out new Leica stuff. February 2014. Leica M 240 with Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95. Thorsten Overgaard @ 2014
A new era of Leica Stores: Leica Store Los Angeles
The Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo was the first Leica Store, and set a quite high standard for how a Leica Store should present the brand. Largely made by use of the most exclusive materials and with no shortcuts, by Japanese designers and the store manager Shiyo Takahashi (who used to be with Hermès), the store might have been a little hard to follow by German designers and the folks at Leica Camera AG when they rolled out the concept in a growing number of new cities in the years to follow.
With the new Leica Store Los Angeles om 8783 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048 that opened on June 20, 2013 the bar for how a Leica Store can look, have been raised. The subtle admiration Leica Camera AG has for Apple and their Apple Stores is obvious in the spacious new store that features a large store space, a bright gallery with workshop spaces, as well as a distinct link to the art world with the large stainless "Fake Leica" sculpture by Liao Yibai (Expect the art to play a larger role in relation to Leica Camera AG in the future, not only in the form of Leica Galleries).
The spacious Leica Gallery Los Angeles on the 1st floor includes a library and a nice open atrium/event space.
The Leica Store Los Angeles was so grand that it seemed impossible to make it profitable, but as it has happened before, bold moves by Leica Camera AG have turned out to be unexpected profitable. Soon after the opening of the Leica Store Los Angeles, the location became popular as a film location as well as for special events. It's a nice space, and being associated with Leica and Made in Germany is a new intersting possibility for eventmakers in Hollywood.
December 2013. The beautiful large Leica Store Los Angeles (here with the Astrid Kirchherr Beatles exhibit on show) has grown to become not just a Leica home in Los Angeles. It is also used for events and filming. Recently a film crew was filming George Clooney in the store. In other words, you never know who you might stumble into at Leica Store Los Angeles. Photo: Leica Store Los Angeles.
A zen moment in the Leica Store Los Angeles. The open atrium on 1st floor for those who need a cigarette while considering which lens to get next. Thorsten Overgaard, Fbeuary 2014.
Camera Fashion Statement
September 2013: New Leica C-Lux with WiFi. Already in a Bloomberg interview in December 2012, CEO of Leica Camera AG, Alfred Schopf, mentioned that "Leica will introduce Social Media capabilities in cameras in the future". In September 2013 Leica introduced that camera, the new Leica C-Lux. Specially designed for women (but unisex if you want it to be), with clutch, handbag and more. But also with WiFi that allow the user to remote control the camera, use it as a surveillance camera controlled by your iPhone via WiFi and post images directly from camrea to social media.
A step that, if one consider it, will give some interesting new features in the future Leica M digital rangefinders and Leica S medium format cameras. It is also notable that in times where camera manufacturers mainly compete on megapixels and features, Leica Camera AG come up with a camera that - besides the fact that it has a Leica lens and a red Leica dot on it - comes with a complete cosmetic kit of bags and purses, as well as technology on the forefront. It's a sign.
Leica C camera inside a Leica clutch, designed by Audi.Introduced in a video with Swizz fashion blogger Yvan Rodic whom everybody who has ever been to a fashion week anyewhere, have see on first row and on the streets capturing street fashion for his blog facehunter.org.
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Leica M 240 (RED)
October 8, 2013: Leica Camera AG presented photos of the Leica M 240 (RED) designed by Apple designer Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson. A one-off camera to be sold for charity in November 2013.
Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson spent nine months on that Leica project and the process involved an astounding 947 different prototype parts and 561 different models before the design was completed. Jonathan Ive to Vanity Fair: “I found it a very odd and unusual thing to put this amount of love and energy into one thing, where you are only going to make one. But isn’t it beautiful?”. Marc Newson added, "You discover that very few people have the level of perfection we do. It is actually very sick”. Photo: Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair.
It is a one-of-a-kind limited edition, only one piece produced to support Bono's (RED) project. On November 23 it was sold for $1,805,000 at the RED auchtion at Sotheby's. It is likely that Apple and Leica Camera AG each spent much more deveoping the camera.
It is not very likely that the camera will be used that much. It will be a collectors item mainly for someone who value Leica, Apple designer Jonathan Ive and supporting a good cause. But Apart from the obvious PR and test-coorporation between Leica and Apple, some of the features we may see used in future Leica M models. Just as it wss the case with the Leica M9 Titanium designed by Audi. For example the bottom plate with the new design of the release mechanism. Or perhaps the shutter speed wheel on top of the camera. And who knows what's inside?
Limited edition for Andreas Kaufmann
A one-of-a-kind Leica M240 was made for the owner of Leica, Andreas Kaufmann, a white Leica M240.
The Leica C lenses for moviemaking have been in the horizon since Photokina 2010, but delivery is occuring now. The set is sold in a case with six lenses, and only as a set. The expensive Summilux set is $200,000, the less expensive is the $100,000 set.
Leica in Asia has been exploding under the ownership of Andreas Kaufmann and the management of CEO of Leica Camera Pacific Asia Pte. Ltd., Sunil Kaul. No less than nine new Leica Strores in Asia in 2013, inceased sale in all countires of Asia, and Leica taking over the distribution in Australia from an agent to running things them self.
It is a common misunderstanding that "Chinese buys all the Leica cameras and lenses" becasue fact is that somewhat 75% of Leica cameas are sold in the US. And the market structure in Asia is more detailed than that: To give an idea, many people in Hong Kong buy their cameras from Europe. The Chinese buy from Hong Kong and Singapore and elsewhere. The store in Shanghai rarely have stock, so nobody really know who buys in China. And European dealers does parallel import into Hong Kong where the demand for rare limited editions and second-hand collectors items seems unlimited (why the prices are high). Japan have experienced a period after the tsunami where the Yen was so high that even the Japanese users would buy from elsewhere - though by the end of 2013 the Yen was stabilized, and so was the Leica prices.
But, point is, it's never as simple as it looks. And don't blame the Chinese, the problem is rather that Leica Camera have experienced extreme growth in denamd since the presentation of the Leica M9 in 2009.
October 14, 2013: Leica Store ribbon cutting in Beijing, China. Far left is CEO of Leica Camera Pacific Asia Pte. Ltd., Sunil Kaul and number fourth from left is CEO of Leica Camera AG, Alfred Schopf.
Large Format History: Sinar bought by Leica Camera AG
December 1, 2013:Leica Camera AG announced that they had bought the worlds leading producer of large-format camerasSinar Photography. Already on December 12, Sinar announced that they now present the Sinar p MF-L that takes Leica S digital body and adds Sinar front to it.
Ansel Adams did not use Sinar, but he looks incredible stylish in this photo with his non-Sinar 4x5" camera.
With the Leica S medium format camera introduction a few years ago, Leica Camera AG had to build up a new organization from the ground, consisting to a large degree of former Hasselblad, Capture One and Mamiya Leaf staff in order to address the medium format market.
The acquisition of Sinar could be seen as an expansion of offers to this segment of professional photographers - many of them working in a studio and thus very different from the Leica M users.
The acqusition of Sinar also gives Leica access to Swiss staff with a different culture and a client base of professionals studio photographers. Not to mention that Sinar have workflow software and color calibrators that - with some adjustments - might be used under the Leica brand as well.
Leica History 2014
By Thorsten von Overgaard
The Year of New Leica Camera AG Version 100
Celebrating the 100th year home on my kitchen table, a Leica Oskar Barnack Series 0 Rangefinder Camera case and my Leica leather calendar (a gift from Leica Korea).
January 21, 2014: This day marked the 100th year of the Leica M camera that started out as just two prototypes in 1914 (as described in the top of this page).
The year 2014 is the anniversary year, hence Leica Camera AG did not celebrate the day in any other special way then issuing a press release. For my part, I participated in the celebrations by having my Leica M 240 and my 50mm Noctilux staying at the factory in Solms being adjusted after a year of heavy use.
The actual celebration of the 100th anniversary of Leica M and Leica Camera AG as a still camera manufacturer will likely take place in two significant events of 2014, the official opening of the new Leica Camera AG factory in Letiz Park in Wetzlarer in May, and at Photokina 2014 in September.
New Leica Stores in London, Kyoto, Singapore and more ...
Leica in London have grown an impressive Leica empire over the last few years. First one building, then one more ont he other side of the street on Bruton Place (and they are not done yet). Now they expand the empire a a couple of thousand meters with a Leica Store in the historic location, Burlington Arcade, a shopping street with a ceiling over, from when the upper class had a need to shop in privacy.
London will soon see a new fully renovated Leica Store in the Burlington Arcade. The store was taken over in December 2013 and set up as a pop-up store but will be closed for complete renovation in early 2014.
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Leitz Park: The Leica homecoming to new factory in Wetzlar
April 11, 2014: Leica moved the last people and parts from the old factory in Solms, to the new Leica campus in Wetzlar (at Am Leitz Platz 1, Wetzlar, Germany). I happened to visit both the old and the new factory on the day, and this is my reportage from Solms and Wetzlar (click on the photo to see and read).
In the bottom of this page is the story of the planning and building of the Leitz Park if you are interested in the background story as well.
May 23, 2014: The new Leica factory in Wetzlar officially opened, with a 100 year WestLicht Auction of 2x100 rare items. The Leica Museum and Leica Gallery Wetzlar officially opened the same day.
The celebration is that it is "exactly" 100 years since Oskar Barnack produced the prototype of the first Leica. (The actual 100 year of the introduction of the Leica is in year 2025, so keep a little champagne till then).
The long rumored Leica 28mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4 was presented in the special kit that will be made in 101 limited sets (Leica M-A, Leica M Monochrom and three Leica Summilux lenses (28/35/50mm). The lens will be available as a normal black edition in 2015.
July 16, 2014: Commercial Director of Leica Camera Ltd (UK) since September 2012, Jason Heward is new CEO after David Bell stepped down. Here is an interview with him on Gadabouting from just a week before he was named new CEO. In the interview he talks about "a shift from Leica customer to Leica owner. Our owners are seeking a relationship with the Brand, not just a product. This is why we focus on the conversation. We want our experience to be authentic, where Leica owners can immerse themselves into the world of photography." Follow Jason Heward on Twitter.
The New Leica Store San Francisco
463 Bush Street, San Francisco, USA, July 1, 2014
I arrived one day too late to be there for the soft opening of the new Leica Store San Francisco, but got to see the store that is getting finished. The official opening was August 16, 2014.
The Leica Store SF has the potential to be one of the best Leica Stores around. The feel and the size will invite to become a place to hangout, to meet up and share photos and show off old film cameras. That's how the best Leica Stores work, such as LA, Tokyo and London. Note that there is the Akiko's Restaurant Japanese restaurant just down the street that is a great place for lunch or dinner after having visited the Leica Store.
Leica becomes 75% partner with
Leica Shop Vienna and WestLicht Photographic Auction house
August 1, 2014: Leica Camera AG acquired 75% of the Leica Shop Vienna and WestLicht Photographica Auction from Peter Coeln (born 1954) who started the vintage trading of Leica and other camera brands in 1991 after he stopped as a professional photographer (and thus was the first to use the name Leica Shop; Leica Camera AG then used Leica Store for their shops), and later added the WestLicht Gallery and Museum in 2001. It is e bit unclear if and WestLicht Schauplatz für Fotografie (gallery, cafe and museum) is part of the acquisition, but the Leica Store Vienna that Leica Camera AG and Peter Coeln started in the center of Vienna in 2012 is part of the acquisition.
Apart from the store and gallery, Peter Coeln also started OstLicht Gallery (EastLicht Gallery) a couple of years ago and has a big personal collection of polaroids, photographies and cameras which are likely not part of the acquisition.
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Leica M-P 240 in Silver and Black
August 20, 2014: You can almost set a Swiss watch to three years life cyclus of a Leica M digital rangefinder. That is when a new version is introduced. And if you set it to one and a half year, that is when the MP version usually arrives.
When I was getting my spare Leica M 240 in Silver from BH PHoto in April this year, I looked in the horizon for the M-P version, but then decided it didn't matter that much. But as a Leica user it should be part of your planning that you might want to change things around and sex it up halfway in the product cycle.
The Leica M-P Typ 240 that comes in both black and silver for $7,998 at BH Photo or Euro 6,700 at Meister Camera. That is $1,000 more than the Leica M 240 that was introduced in September 2012 and started shipping on March 2, 2013.
The real news
When Leica introduced the Leica M 240 they said it would just be the Leica M and the sub-model number Typ240 would be the changing factor. Hence it is interesting to see that the Leica M-P is indeed not "just" a model with no red logo, the screen has gotten sapphire glass, and engraved top plate. We also notice that the frame selector is back(!). But the real news - and an actual upgrade - is the addition of 2GB RAM that allows continiously shooting without the camera slowing down. It should be possible to shoot up to 24 images in full continuous speed of 3.7 fps (according to LeicaRumors.com - three times more than the existing model that slows down after 7 frames).
It's an intersting addition and point to a future increase of buffer in the Leica M digital rangefinders that may well bring the burst shoot speed up towards those of the fastest dSLR cameras. If it also handles some of the problems with the Leica M 240 freezing is a good question. But mainly it shows that Leica Camera AG has a willingnes to continiously improve and upgrade "existing models". Also note the elegant black thumbs wheel and black INFO button on the back of the black version of the Leica M-P. The black screw is for decoration purposes only (some have thought the screw on the MM and M9-P was for focus adjustment. It is not).
Discuss and share the Leica M240 and Leica M-P 240 on Leica User Forum here.
"A Life With Leica" documentary series
American producer and director Reid H Bangers of Northpass Media approached me in 2013 about a movie project, and in May 2014 we filmed in Rome.
The documentary "A Life With Leica featuring Thorsten von Overgaard" has been premiering at live events in West Hollywood (August 10, 2014) and BH Photo New York (September 2, 2014) and Jakarta and Hong Kong in November 2014.
It is now available online as well:
The documentary was first thought as one short documentary but will be a series of documentaries on Leica photographers, collectors and Leica folks at large. You can follow the project on www.lifewithleica.com and at facebook.com/lifewithleica
About 45 people had the opportunity to see the premiere of "A Life With Leica" by Northpass Media in the private viewing room in West Hollywood on August 10, and another 70 signed up for the screening at the BH Photo NY Super Store in September 2014.
Thorsten & Reid answering questions after the movie showing at BH Photo NY Super Store, September 2, 2014.
Leica at Photokina 2014
The CEO of Leica Camera said early in 2014 that Leica had a need for releasing products throughout the year because they had so many new products for Photokina 2014. As can be seen, he was right. Leica Camera released quite a few new things at Photokina 2014 (and have more in storage for later):
Leica M Edition 60 anniversary model of the Leica M 240 in film-like body in stainless steel finish (magnesium body and stainless steel top - 720g w/battery), with a central ISO dial of stainless steel on camera’s back. Designed with Audi, celebrating the 60th year of the release fo the Leica M3 in 1954. Released in 600 pieces with a Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH FLE f/1.4 in stainless steel at a set price of $18,500.
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95silver. The crown-jewel of Leica lenses has been available in black for some years, with a few silver models released as part of limited edition sets. Now available in retail.
Read my article on the Leica "King of the Night"
Leica M-A Type 127 film camera in black or silver (which was released first at in May 2014 as a limited edition of 100 pieces in stainless steel). This is a sort of update of the Leica MP that so-far is still inproduction).
Leica X with Leica 23mm ASPH f/1.7 (black and silver) in an updated and refined design of the X-series. Leica X-E Type 102 with Leica 35mm ASPH f/2.8 (black and silver). The previous model re-released.
Leica D-Lux Type 009 (aka Leica D-Lux 7 except that Leica is moving away from the model numbers) is a sister-camera to the Panasonic LX100. Now with built-in WiFi, built-in electronic viewfinder, 4K HD video and a f/1.7-2.8 lens (the previous model, Leica D-Lux 6, had f/1.4 lens).
Leica V-Lux Type 114 mini-dSLR with 4K HD video and a f/2.8-4.0 built-in zoom.
Leica T zoom Leica APO-Vario-Elmar-T 55-135mm ASPH f/3.5-4.5. Leica T zoom Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-T 11-23mm ASPH f/3.5-4.5.
Leica Camera AG also released a new series of Leica-branded photo bags from Artisan & Artist ($340), Schedoni (Handmade in Italy, $4,500) and Aneas ($980).
Lumix smartphone with Leica lens
Who would have known. Panasonic presented a smartphone with Leica 28mm f/2.8 lens and a 1 inch sensor at Photokina 2014. It has micro-SD card slot that supports up to 128GB cards, 4K video and - some may find it ironic that a smartphone features the same as a Leica camera - a a 2GB image buffer.
Leica have supplied lenses to Panasonic cameras, video recorders and projectors for a number of years.
Panasonic Lumix CM1 Smartphone with Leica 28mm f/2.8 lens
February 2015 was the month of complete victory for the Leica Cine Lenses. Not only did the lenses themself win an Oscar. Also a lot of the movies nominated for an Oscar in 2015 were made with Leica Cine lenses, including Movie of the Year, Birdman. Read my article on the Leica Cine Lenses.
Leica Cine lenses was used for the Oscar-winning Movie of the Year 2015, Birdman. Notable for the long sequences of continuos filming. Diretor Alejandro González Iñarritú, Director of Photography Emmanuel Lubezki, Steady Cam Operator Chris Haarhoff and lead actor Michael Keaton.
Innovating Leica Camera AG:
New Leica Camera AG CEO Oliver Kaltner after Alfred Schopf
March 2, 2015: Alfred Schopf, CEO of Leica Camera AG since 2010 has been replaced with Oliver Kaltner who has been Chief Officer Marketing, Sales & Retail at Leica Camera AG since September 2014.
Leica special deals
and the never-before seen special price on Limited editoon
Leica started off 2015 with a special $750 discount on a new Leica M 240 in the US and a $250 discount on any lens. The offer could be a discount due to the rise of the US Dollar over the Euro, but soon the discoun tin the US was followed by similar discounts in Europe, Australis and other places.
The Leica M-P was not discounted ... but then Leica announced their limited edition Leica M-P Safari camera with a 35mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 lens. A set that normally is $11,000 but is ready for delivery around March 3 for just $9,998.
I would expect the follow-up to Leica M 240 and M-P 240 to arrive in around a year, so it's a quite good deal.
The Leica M-P Safari is actually a pretty good deal. 10K for a 11K lens and camera, and even in Safari limited edition.
March 5, 2015: Leica Gallery Los Angeles hosts an exclusive event on March 5, 2015 with Lenny Kravitz, and this month also marks the release of the limited edition Leica camera set, "Reporter", designed by Lenny kravitz.
Lenny Kravitz' Instagram page with the new camera, out and about in February 2015. He has been an avid Leica photographer for years.
The Leica M PL Mount Adaptor now ships
April 2015: The adaptor for the Leica M 240 and Leica M-P 240 that allow it to take PL mount lenses (Leica Cine lenses) now ships from CW Sonderoptic in Wetzlar. The adaptor is a baseplate and handgrip with an adaptor mounted and makes the Leica M 240 into a directors viewfinder, allows set photographers to use the same lenses as the film camera, and of course Leica M 240 owners to buy or rent Leica Cine lenses and use them on their Leica M 240.
Leica M240 with the Leica M PL Mount Adaptor. More info.
The Leica M Monochrom Type 246
April 30, 2015: The new edition of the Leica M Monochrom "Henri" has been announced as the Leica M Monochrom "Elliott" Type 246 and started delivery in small dozes mid May 2015. Actually, the first ones were delivered inthe beginning of May, but that was very few.
Those who expected a soulfull follow-up to the Leica M Monochrom, perhaps without screen or other features omitted to make the Monochrom even more basic, will be disappointed. Much suggest that the research and development department at Leica Camera AG simply removed the color filter from the Leica M 240.
Considering how the innovative Leica M Monochrom since its introduction in May 2012 have created a new segment of purists between traditional film cameras and Leica M 240, the offer may leave the fans with an empty hole in their hearth till next version is launced.
May 3, 2015 - Leica Store Salzburg: The Leica Galerie Salzburg moved to new location in a completely re-decorated new building.
Gaisbergstraße 12, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Tel +43 662 875254, website: www.leica-galerie-salzburg.at
On June 11, 2015 Leica Camera AG introduced the new Leica Q (Type 116) that is a full-frame mirrorless digital rangefinder. It has a fixed 28mm Summilux lens. See my review and article here.
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The Leica 28mm Summilux-M f/1.4 ASPH
The long rumored Leica 28mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4 that was (finally) presented in the special kit made in 101 limited sets for the May 2014 anniversary is now (even more finally) officially announced as a lens available in stores (not part of a special limited kit). Delivery started very slowly in June 2015 with long waiting lists.
My illustration of the Leica 28mm lenses. From left the new Leica 28mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, the Summicron f/2.0, the Elmarit f/2.8 and the Leica Q with its 28mm f/1.7.
New Leica Boutique in Copenhagen, Denmark
June 27, 2015 - Leica Store Copenhagen: The Leica Boutique Copenhagen opened officially next to Photografica which is the owner of the new store. Photografica has been known for many years as a great location for new, second-hand and rare vintage Leica equipment. The Leica Boutique København is an upgrade of that status.
Skindergade 41, 1159 København K, Tel + 45 33 14 12 15, website: www.photografica.com
Leica Boutique Copenhagen, Skoubogade 6, 1158 København K, e-mail: leica@photografica.com
Leica Boutique Copenhagen. Photo: Andreas Kaufmann
A new Leica SL with autofocus introduced
October 20, 2015. Read my article here about the history of Leica SLR cameras and with links to reviews.
October 20, 2015: Leica also introduced a new Leica M 262 that is somewhat the Leica M9 body with a Leica M 240 inside. An economical intro camera with the utmost simplicity but the most advanced tachnology inside. It's an interim Leica M till the new Leica M 241 will be introduced in 2016. . Read my article here.
Exhibition von Overgaard raised $10,000 for education
The Thorsten von Overgaard exhibition opened on November 27, 2015 in the Leica Gallery Singapore with Leica fans from wall to wall. All proceedings from the sale in this exhibition goes to the children of Cambodia via Caring for Cambodia. The first evening made $10,000 to the children of Cambodia. The exhibition is the best-selling exhibition in the story of the Leica Gallery Singapore. See the story here.
The Exhibition von Overgaard raised $10,000 the first evening which equals 50 years of school for children in Cambodia, including two daily meals!
Leica Store Denmark
December 12, 2015: Earlier in 2015 the Leica Boutique Copenhagen opened, and soon after the Leica Store Frederiksbjerg opened in the historic and architectual exiting part of Copenhagen center called Frederiksberg.
The new Leica Store Denmark in Copenhagen opened on December 12, 2015.
The store features a gallery, studio and piano! It is open Tuesday to Friday at Frederiksberg Allé 47, 1820 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Tel +45 3630 1234, www.leicastore.dk
2016
Greg Williams is a British photographer working mainly in Hollywood, and an early adopter of the Leica Q. Here is a photo of Stephan James by Greg Williams.
Stephan James by Greg Williams.
Leica History 2016
By Thorsten von Overgaard
New Leica Store India
India will see three new Leica Stores opening in 2016, the first one opening in Bangalore, India.
Huawei - Leica Camera AG relationship
February 24, 2016 Leica Camera AG announced a new strategic relationship with Chinese smartphone manufactorer Huawei (the worlds no 3 smartphone manufacturer). The first phone is the Huawei P9 that was released in April 2016.
New Leica Store Shangri-La
March 11, 2016: Leica Store Shangri-La is now open. Read LeicaRumors.com for more.
New Leica Store in Gangnam, Korea
March 19, 2016: New Leica Hyundai Coex store opened in the Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea (Telephone: 02-3467-8380). Read LeicaRumors.com for more.
The Leica M-D 262, digital rangerfinder without screen
April 28, 2016: It's the Leica M 262 without a screen, inspired by the Leica M60 limited model that was the first Leica digital rangefinder without a screen. It's very much like the M60 with the addition of a thumb wheel (for exposure compensation), brass top and bottom plate, and the new quiet shutter the Leica M 262 introduced.
July 19, 2016: Leica released their 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 in silver edition. Read my article here with interview with the designer Peter Karbe, as well as a look at the very limited (one only) red 50mm APO.
Leica Family Tree selling for half a million dollars
The "Leica Family Tree" is the piece that used to be in the factory in Solms till May 2015 with all the Leica M and Leica R models. As such, this is the easy way to start a rather complete collection without having to take the check book out more than once.
The easy way to start a rather complete collection without having to take the check book out more than once. Talk with Christie's in London.
Leica ND-filters
Leica announced some months ago that they would start making ND Filters. They surfaced a few places in August 2016 and I have done a small test of the 4-stop 60mm ND-filter on my Leica Noctilux page here.
Photokina 2016 releases (September 20-25, 2016)
The Leica Camera AG's Photokina 2016 was rumored to be a "professional" appearance, indicating that the focus would be on the Leica SL and Leica S.
There are still some rumors and expectations haging in the air, unanswered:
-
When is the new Leica M 241/Leica M10 coming?
- When is the Leica Q special edition(s) coming?
- When is the Leica Q with 35mm and/or 50mm coming?
- Will there be some new Leica/Sinar products coming?
Some days before Photokina Leica Camera AG announced a new (and highly unexpected) consumer instant camera in the days before the Photokina 2016 started. The Leica Sofort (which is a German name that translates into "Leica Immediately") is a $300 Leica that takes instant film. It's a great idea.
Leica Sofort (which is a German name that translates into "Leica Immediately") is a $300 Leica that takes instant film. It's a great idea.
Stabilizing Leica
It seems obvious that the phase Leica is in now is about stabilizing the current products and not inventing new advanced stuff. While we may be looking forward to the next Leica M, perhaps giving cutomers faster turnaround on repairs and adjustments, getting Leica Fotopark to make sense and work (it was was just re-launched), producing enough Leica Q cameras to supply demand, getting promised lenses for the Leica SL into production and rolling, and all that, is more important. I feel the hand of CEO Oliver Kaltner in this strategy, doing what is obvious and also making Dr. Andreas Kaufmann's wish to make Leica Camera AG even more profitable, a reality. Kaufmann on one hand push many new ideas, but he also want Leica Camera AG to be not just profitable, but extremely profitable, so it can ensure the company's future freedom to exist and come out with unique products. Much seem to indicate that what CEO Oliver Kaltner has been busy with since he was appointed CEO in April 2015, has been figuring out how to get it all to actually work, and utilizing the successes of Leica. Everything Leica have made is selling well. So instead of making more stuff, make the stuff that already exist work better and sell even more.
It's not that new things are not in the pipeline. CW Sonderoptic will be building a brand new factory in Wetzlar, there will be new hotel facilities and other things built in the Leica Campus as well. And in the product lineup, new Q and M models will come, as well as lenses for the SL, S, T and M.
Leica SL new lenses
Leica Camera AG also announced new prime lenses for the Leica SL. The one they already announced, the 50/1.4 is available for preorder and others will follow in 2017. Also the Leica HG-SCL 4 multifunctional handgrip was re-announced and ready for preorder.
This pretty much follows the release-strategy for the Leica S was was announced way before it was available. A large R&D invetment to be released and monetized over the long haul.
Just as the Leica S was, the Leica SL has turned out to be a huge success amongst Leica fans long before it is ready for the professionals it was intented for.
On the opening day of the Photokina 2016, Leica Camera AG announced that Stephan Schulz who joined Leica in 2007 to develop the Leica S will be heading the new Leica Pro unit. This will cover Leica S, Leica SL and Leica Cine lenses. It's not as important news for the Leica user as it is for Leica Camera AG internally, but it indicates that Leica Camera AG will try to cater better to pro users in the future. That means renting options via pro rental facilities around the world, turn-around on repairs, financing equipment (as it is the norm in pro equipment), etc. This is something that been in the works for a few years since Leica Camera AG put their existing Pro Service to rest in 2013. Their previous (and for some still exiting) Pro Service was 48 hours turn-around on repairs in Wetzlar, and 10% discount on repairs.
Another example of stabilizing what already exist, and making it work even better and more profitable, is turning some of the most unique Leica M lenses into Cine Lenses. Also at Photokina 2016, it was announced that a handfull of the Leica M lenses has been redesigned for cine use as "Leica M 0.8 Cine" by CW Sonderoptic (which is the sister-company to Leica Camera AG, with headquarter just next to Leica in Wetzlar). Read about Leica Cine lenses in my article here.
CW Sonderoptic have spent some time figuring out how to make Leica Cine lenses that has the qualities of the Noctilux. The answer seemed stright-forward: Simply make the Noctilux work on Cine.
Leica Camera AG's sister-company Sinar came out with the Sinarback S 30|45 which is based on the Leica S 37.5 MP sensor and Maestro II processor. Not a new technology, but re-use of existing Leica technology. Using what exists is the name of the game for Leica right now.
The Sinarback S 30|45. It's Leica S technology inside and the controls on the back are similar to Leica S. It does video too.
The 28mm Summaron-M f/5.6 classic lens - again
October 2016: Leica spent some time in 2015 and 2016 completing the lineup of 28mm lenses. The Leica Q lens, the f/1.4, the f/2.0 and the f/2.8 all came out in updated design. See my article on Leica 28mm lenses here. The final part of the puzzle is the revival of this 1955-lens in October 2016. The original Leica 28mm Summaron-M f/5.6 was reviewed in Leica Fotografie Interntational 2/1957 by David Seymour "Chim" (1911-1956).
The lens shade for the Leica 28mm Summaron-M f/5.6 is made of black painted brass. The original one from 1955 is model SOOBK 12500 which sells at $500-$700 on eBay (and the original 1955-lens you would also need; that one is usually around $1,000 without shade).
Limited editions of the Leica Q
There's been made a few limited editions of the Leica Q 116 since October 2016 and forward. Here are some of them:
Leica Q Carbon in a very limited edition of only 30 from Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo, Japan. Price is $5,800 (via Leicarumors.com).
As of October 2016 the Leica Q is also available in the Titanium edition (Model no 19012). Price in Germany is Euro 4,450 and in the US the price is $4,495.
Leica Singapore introduced the Leica Q Camouflage Edition in October 2016 (reen, Red or Khaki leatherette) printed with the camouflage design and exclusively available only in Leica Store Singapore. Above is a beautiful limited edition Leica Q from Singapore with the Ventilated Shade I designed, which is also sold at Leica Store Singapore. Photo by Kingson Lee.
Huawei Mate 9 with Dual Leica camera
November 3, 2016: The new Huawei Mate 9 is the next generation of dual-sim phone with Dual Leica camera.
Leica History 2017
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Here it comes (almost), the Leica M10
January 18, 2017: It seems to have been the strategy to focus on real business at Photokina in September 2016 and postpone the release of the next Leica M model to a later point. Presumeably to be able to produce stock so the camea could be delivered to some degree after the release. The release was first set to 2016, then pushed to January 18, 2017.
February 1, 2017:Leica Camera AG CEO Oliver Kaltner replaced CEO Alfred Schopf on March 2, 2015, and just 23 months later, his departure is announced.
There is a very interesting interview with Oliver Kaltner here. He's been doing great things for Leica Camera AG.
It's not unsual for Leica Camera AG to change CEO's often. Actually it's the norm. Leica Camera AG is essentially a famiy run company, with several members of the Kaufmann family in active roles. But mainly Dr. Andreas Kaufmann takes passionate interest in the company. So mostly new CEO's can be seen as the right person to perform the next strategy, and when the strategy changes, a new person is needed to perform the day-to-day execution.
More Macrolux lenses for Leica Cine
March 25, 2017: CW Sonderoptic that produces the Leica Cine lenses (and is located next to the Leica Camera AG facotry in Wetxlar, Germany), released two additional "Macrolux" +2 and +0.5 macro lenses that fits on the Leica Cine lenses. The first Macrolux +1 was released two years ago. Read more on LEICA Barnack Berek Blog
Leica TL2
July 10, 2017: The completely updated Leica T / Leica TL has been introduced, the Leica TL2 in black and silver. Read my user report and video review below.
Update: On July 17 Leica announced that there was a problem with some of the Leica TL2 cameras that died. The error is likely the GPS in the EVF that, when turned on in the menu, can cause the camera to go into power save mode and not wake up again. A firmware fix is expected for this end of July/early August.
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Andres Kaufmann interview
on Leica, Smartphones and the History of Leica
July 24, 2017: CNBC Asia, Christine Tan, interviews the owner of Leica Camera AG, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann in the new gallery in Asia. Article link
September 1, 2017:New CEO of Leica Camera AG is Matthias Harsch who has been with the compamny since April 2017 as responsible for Sales, retaila and corporate/marketing communication. He has previously headed Bizerba Group and Loewe television in Germany. (Link to official press release).
Leica CL
November 21, 2017: The Leica CL was announced and is probably best described as a Leica TL2 with built-in EVF. All the Leica T, TL and SL lenses fits on the camera. See my article here "Leica CL - The Plot Thickens"
Spring 2018: The Noctilux family was expanded with the first lens, the Leica 75mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/1.25. Delivered to the first customers in March 2018. The delivery was planned to be before, but as one could expect, this lens wasl not be an easy one to roll out. Very demanding precision assembling is required and the rumor has it, only one person at Leica in Wetzlar has the eye and steady hands to perform the assembling.
Leica Store Dubai
The new Leica Store Dubai is opening in March 2018 and will also be strongly represented online. Note the wooden tover in the center of the store, it's a large 0.95 Noctilux.
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Leica Cine lenses experience
second-hand prize winning at Cannes
May 2018: The Leica Cine lenses (as well as Leica M and Leic R lenses) was used in a number of the winning movies at this years Cannes Film Festival: Palme d’Or winner “Shoplifters” took the top festival prize for Japanese director Kore-Eda Hirokazu. The film was shot by Ryûto Kondô with Leica Summicron-C lenses on an Arricam ST 35mm film camera.
Lukas Dhont’s film “Girl” was awarded the Caméra d’Or prize for best first feature film (and lead charactor Victor Polster also picked up the Best Actor award). The film was shot by Frank van den EedenFrank van den Eeden with Leica Summicron-C lenses on ARRI Alexa Mini.
The Palme d’Or Spéciale honor went to director Jean-Luc Godard’s film “Le Livre D’image”. The film was shot using Leica R series and Leica M series lenses on Sony A7 cameras by cinematographer Fabrice Aragno.
“En Liberte!”, a romantic comedy from director Pierre Salvadori earned the SACD prize. Cinematography by Julien Poupard paired the Leica Summilux-C lenses with the ARRI Alexa Mini in what he described as “a simple configuration, which I like. Keeps it all human.” In talking about using the T1.4 lenses wide open during night shoots, he said the presented “a really interesting fuzziness and a feeling of both sharpness and softness.”
"Shoplifters" was the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes 2018 and was shot on he Leica Cine Summilux-C lenses.
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June 15: Two years after the beginning of building, a hotel and a number of other new buildings opens officially at the Leica Campus in Wetzlar, "Leitzpark", the space opposite the street of the facory. The hotel Living Ernst Leitz Hotel with 129 rooms and a restaurant opens, as well as a new headquarter for the CW Sonderoptic (that produces Leica Cine lenses, now renamed to Leitz Cine), a Huwaei/Leica development center, a museum and gallery, and more.
The new "Leitzpark" with hotel, museum, gallery, CW Sonderoptic headquarter, restaurant and more.
The Leica Archive opens
Leica formally have established their company archive with two people working on filing, collecting and touring the archive. It contains quite some interesting gems, which you can read about in this article by Dave Farkas.
June 15, 2018: Leica announced a series of new "Leitzpark" limited editions of the Leica M10 (in silver and black), Leica Q (in black) and Leica D-Lux (in black), which mainly consist of special engravings and leatherette (the most special fefature of them is that they were available only in the Wetzlar store, and only June 15 and 16 2018).
The opening of the "Leitzpark" also prompted Leica Camera AG to announce a new 24 MP Leica C-Lux model in light gold and midnight blue versions for $1,060.00. (Review by Jono Slack here).
The Leica M10 special "Edition ZAGATO" however, is a special $21,600 designed 250 pcs limited edition with a likewise special edition Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. You can learn more about the design company, known for their classic and modern care designs, here. Zagato already made a special edition binocular earlier this year for Leica Camera AG, the Leica Ultravid 8x32 Edition Zagato.
Also two new Leica watches, L1 and L2 was introduced, which will be available in selected stores.
Leitz Cine introduces "full-frame" THALIA lens series for VistaVision and Super 35 cinematography
Where still photography like to increase the megaapixels, the cine cameras increase the sensor size and thus require lenses with even larger diameter coverage. The THALIA lenses does just that, they cover up to ARRI ALEXA 65, RED 8K and more with an image circle of 60mm. THALIA is Greek and means, "pletiful". Price range is around $25,000 per lens and there will be 24, 30, 35, 45, 55, 70, 100, 120 and 180mm.
With aperture ranging from f/2.2 tol f/3.9 they are not Summilux-C or Summicron-C lenses. But they cover full-frame, and they are lightweight and not terrible expensive in cine context.
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June 29, 2018: Leica Camera AG announced new firmware updates for the Leica M10 (version 2.5.4.0 - link) and Leica Q (version 3.0 - link).
See my Leica M10 article for link to firmware, how to install, how to set the camera up.
Leica Elpro E52 close-up attachment for almost all lenses
August 9, 2018: LeicaRumors slipped the news that Leica Camera AG will be announcing their new ELPRO E52 (model no 14125) macro kit that will fit any lens with an E52, E49 and E46 filter thread. That means a large number of lenses on Leica M (21/3.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 35/2.0 and more), Leica Q (28/1.7; wonder how that's going to look if you turn on the lens' built-in macro as well!), Leica X (23/1.7), Leica TL (23/2.0, 15-56/3.5-5.6 and more). Price is in the range of $400.
The ELPRO front lenses is something Leica Camera AG have been doing in the past, and in more recent times they have made excellent ELPRO front lenses for macro for the Leica Cine lenses and the Leica S lenses.
Leica ELPRO E52 package of E52 front lens and E49 and E46 step-up rings.
Leica at Photokina 2018
The Photokina on September 26, 2018. Quite a few of the news were announced in the weeks before the event. Leica M10-P, Black Leica Sofort (instant camera). Also a new Leica S medium format model.
Leica Q Panda (China)
October 2018: The "Panda" version was released in China in October 2018 with Rock'n'Roll Strap.
October 10, 2018: The "Khaki" limited edition was released worldwide in khaki cowhide leather at $4,995.00 including khaki colored leather strap.
Leica Q Khaki (type 19040)
Leica M10-D digital rangefinder without a screen
October 24, 2018: Leica Camera AG announced the new version of the Leica M10 without a screen. It also has a rewind lever that works as a thumb rest. For how a digital camera without a screen makes sense, read my article on the Leica M60 and Leica M-D 262 what was the first digital rangefinders without a screen.
Leica M10-D is a (quiet shutter) Leica M10-P without a screen.
Here with some tape to hide the engraving of Leica on top.
Leica M10-P Limited Edition "Bold Grey"
October 24, 2018: Only 60 sets is made of the Austrian limited edition "Bold Grey" Leica M10-P that comes with a 35mm Summicron-M f/2.0. Here is a video introducing the camera.
Leica Q-P in matted black
November 8, 2018: The Leica Q comes in a discrete matted black version without red dot. This version is with a leather camera strap (reddish brown) and two batteries included. Delivery starts from November 8 if you are fast before it goes into possible very long waiting list.
Leica History 2019
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica M10-P Safari in olive green, a limited version of the Leica M10_ produced in 2,500 ex worldwide. Photo by Ray Kachatorian. Custom jacket by Matteo Perin. Leica M10-P Safari with "Yosemite" calfskin leather camera strap.
Leica Safari M10-P
January 26, 2019 Leica Camera AG announced the Leica M10-P Safari that is made in a limited run of 1,500 pcs. (Euro 7,800) there is also a Safar edition of the good old 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 (Euro 2,500), which is an overseen diamond amongst the Leica lenses - a 1980's design that still holds up in a compact, economic and simple lens.
Traditionally, the Safari editions have been much-loved editions that has gone up in price. The Leica M8.2 Safari from 2008 sells for between 90% and 200% of new price, depending on condition.
The Leica 50mm APO and two other Leica lenses are announced as limited editions. The APO is the most interesting one, shaped as the Summicron 50mm f/2 (II) from 1956 in matt black. When used well it will brass as the whole barrel is made of brass. This iis very similar to the 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4 that was made in a similar limited edition. Both were first made as LHSA limited editions in gloss black paint, and not Leica Camera issues their own limited edition. The price is $9,600 which likely will go up.
The other limited editions is a version of the 28mm Summaron in black, and idea borrowed from Leica Store Tokyo who (as is often the case) make some interesting limited editions that Leica Camera AG later want to introduce globally.
The third limited edition is an edition of the Leica 28mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4 in silver. The reason it is limited edition is likely that the interest for a silver version is in any case limited.
Cafe Leitz in Hong Kong
February 1, 2019: A Leica cafe is now open in Hong Kong, Cafe Leitz on 12 Pak Sha Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Powered by beans from Coffee Collective in Denmark and manpower from the sister cafe Inteval and Common Ground in Central HK.
Cafe Leitz on 12 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo by Deinkim.
New Leica Store in London
February 2019: Thanks to MacFilos, here's a couple of photos from the new Leica Store London and Leica Gallery London. After som eyars on Bruton Place, hidden in the nice neighbourhood, the new Leica Store is out in the open at 64-66 Duke Street in Mayfair, London.
Leica Store London in 64-66 Duke Street in Mayfair, London.
Leica Gallery London in 64-66 Duke Street in Mayfair, London.
Leica Q2 with 51MP sensor
March 7, 2019: The Leica Q2 with 47MP sensor was presented. Read my article and video review here. It's a 47MP sensor, but in reality you get a 51MP sensor (as you can read in the article).
Leica 35mm APO-Summicron-L ASPH f/2.0
March 7, 2019: Leica Camera AG presented the next lens in the APO-family for the Leica SL, Leica CL and Leica TL2, the 35mm APO-Summicron-L ASPH f/2.0.
Leica M246 Monochrom limited edition "Drifter"
May 25, 2019: The Lenny Kravitz Design "Drifter" limited edition of the Leica M246 Monochrom with a 28/2 Summicron ASPH and 75/2 APO-Summicron lens was released in 125 copies. A refreshing new brown color. This is the second Lenny Kravitz limited edition Leica. They generally go high up in price, and many love to hate them (which tells you that you got your hands on something special).
This camera isn't Lenny Kravitz' first rodeo. Apart from the previous 2015 limited Leica model, "Reporter" (see further up in this article), Kravitz Design, his creative firm, has a portfolio of projects that includes hotels, condominiums, private residences and high-end brands including Dom Perignon, Les Artisans De Geneve/Rolex, and of course Leica Camera AG. He is also the one who designed the interior of the $38 million Stanley House above the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. In April 2019 his resort in Brazil that he designed himself was featured in Architectural Digest.
Lenny Kravitz Design "Drifter" limited edition.
Panasonic Lumix S1R and S1 released
April 1, 2019: What is expectred to be the future sister camera to the Leica SL2 was released, the Panasonic Lumix S1R with 47MP sensor and the Panasonic Lumix S1 with 24MP sensor (and soon also the Panasonic Lumix S1H video camera). Read the Thorsten Overgaard review and sample photos here.
New soft leather camera pouch from Overgaard
May 29, 2019: New camera pouch handlade in soft calfskin and handmade in Italy. With a discrete "Always Wear a Camera" in silver stamped onto it. Fits a Leica Q2 or Leica M with lens. Orange inside and with orange edging details, zipper across body (so it can open wider), inside protection of zipper (so it doesn't scratch the camera). Available in black or green.
June 23, 2019: The Leica M240 re-launched in what is called a "limited run of 750 cameras", as a Leica M-E 240. It's the Leica M240, but now in a grey-silvery version and with a 2GB buffer (as known form the M-P 240 version). The genius about this, is the price of just $3,995, making it the cheapest Leica digital camera to be launched in a long time (forever, actually). The Leica M240 silver is still available, with basicalluy the same specifications (less the 2GB buffer), but for $5,995.00..! Read the Thorsten Overgaard Leica M240 user report and review here.
November 6, 2019: The new Leica SL2 announced at the same time worldwide and soon to be delivered. Rumor has it that from December 2019, the camera will be available in great numbers. I will be writing about the camera in depth and will be offering a Leica SL2 Masterclass, but till then, here are some of the articles that will give the background of the new Leica SL2:
November 12, 2019: The Leica CL is available in a Paul Smith Edition. Last time Leica made a special edition with Paul Smith was the Leica X2 in 2012.
Leica CL Paul Smith Edition as of November 2019.
New Leica 90mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.5 portrait lens
December 12, 2019: Just in time for Christmas 2019, the new portrait lens was announced - and even in stock some places. xactly same size as the 75mm Noctilux and around the same price ($12,995), it's another lens you don't need but might just have to get anyways.
December 12, 2019: The Leica "Ghost" edition is a beautiful limited edition Leica M10-P made in only 250 pcs worldwide, with the watch website Hodinkee (the word Hodinkee comes from Czech and Slovak word for wristwatch) lacquered in a warm, matte gray and inspired by a very special vintage 5512 Rolex.
Leica M10-P "Ghost" with Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4, both lacquered in a warm, matte gray.
Rolex 5512 that inspired the Leiac M10-P "Ghost" special edition.
The White Leica M10-P with matching 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 lens.
The White Leica M10-P
December 19, 2019: The white Leica M10-P was announced. This is going to be a valuable piece. How do I know? Because if you look at the previous Leica M8 in white, that one stays in 6-8,000 even 10 years after it was released. White is beautiful, even you may not think it is practical. In actual use, white is as little a problem as white pants, a white shirt or a white dress.
The White Leica M10-P comes with a "matching" 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4, which means it has a white focus tap and white lettering. Not entirely admirable, but it'll work I guess.
The Leica M8 in white still sells way above new price. Here Sori with her whiote Leica M8.2 in the snow of New York in 2011 when she had just gotten it (and still keeps it).
Leica History 2020
By Thorsten von Overgaard
January 20, 2020: The new Leica M10 Monochrom camera was released with base ISO of 160 and 41MP sensor (Leica no 20050, price $8,295). Silent shutter as the Leica M10-P, and overall like the Leica M10-P. Also a Leitz Wetzlar limited edition of the camera was announced on February 5, 2020 as a limited run of 650 pcs worldwide with an engraving on the top plate (same price as regular M10M) together with a limited run of 500 pcs of the 35mm FLE with Wetzlar engraving).
February 12, 2020: Leica Camera AG announced new Safari green lanses, the Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 Safari (Leica no 11705, price $5,095) and Leica 28mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 Safari (Leica no 11704, $4,895), both limited to 250 pcs worldwide.
Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 Safari (Leica no 11705, price $5,095) and Leica 28mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 Safari (Leica no 11704, $4,895), both limited to 250 pcs worldwide.
Mike Giannattasio
New President of Leica Camera USA
July 1, 2020: New president and CEO of Leica Camera North America is Mike Giannattasio who have experience from Mont Blanc and other luxury brands. Efter 46 years with Leica, the former president Roger Horn retired.
New Leica M camera
July 16, 2020: Leica presented the new Leica M family member, the Leica M10-R (R for resolution as it has a 40MP sensor) at a live event streamed from Wetzlar, Germany. As Europeans at this time couldn't travel to the US, and vice versa, this forced the great innovation of a live launch. The last time Leica did a live launch, was the release of the Leica M9 in 2009 from New York.
Click for my article on the Leica M10-R and see the live stream recording.
New Leica SL camera bag from "Always Wear a Camera"
July 2020: A new bag designed by Thorsten von Overgaard and Matteo Perin, handmade in Italy, for the Leica SL2 and similar sized SLR camera systems, The Von Maxi SL camera bag in calfskin. See more here.
Hand-stitched handles for comfort, precision and durability. Meant to last a lifetime of real use by heavy travelers.
No more Leica M9 sensors
August 10, 2020: Leica announced that they will no longer be able to replace sensors in Leica M9, Leica M9-P and Leica MM. It's not that complicated - See my video on the subject hereL
Leica lenses made in Portugal
August 2020, Leica announced "Made in Portugal" versions of the Leica M lenses, generally with a price tag in the USA 10% below "Made in Germany" versions. A kind of odd strategy that I predict will be short-lived and painful, mainly trying to work around the new rules for import of German produced products to the USA.
New camera bag by Thorsten von Overgaard
September 2020: A new Mini Sl camera bag made for the Leica SL, Hasselblad X, Canon R, Nikon Z and similar dSLR systems.
"Always Wear a Camera" - The Von Mini SL - A simple camera bag for a walking day in style with your Leica SL2, two lenses and a spare battery. Designed by Thorsten von Overgaard and Matteo Perin.
New Meister Camera Leica Store in Hamburg, Germany
October 2020: Meister Camera has been around ... since the beginning or something. Their Hamburg store just moved and became a really big and modern store for all things Leica.
Get my Leica Presets
for Lightroom and Capture One
Overgaard's Leica Presets for: Lightroom CC Classic (7.4 -->) Lightroom CC (version 1 through 7.2) Lightroom CC (cloud-based 1.0)
I have made a few essential Presets for Lightroom which do minor adjustments to the Leica files, so as to get the tones exactly how I want them.
The Presets have as their ideal, the Leica M9 sensor, as well as the Kodachrome film (which also happens to be the ideal for Leica, when they developed the Leica M9 sensor). Not that it matters much, but that is the reason why I made my own Presets: To get the that look, rather than a “digital sensor look”.
I have made a few essential Styles for Capture One that does minor adjustments to the Leica files, so as to get the tones exactly how I want them.
The Styles have as their ideal, the Leica M9 sensor, as well as the Kodachrome film (which also happens to be the ideal for Leica, when they developed the Leica M9 sensor). Not that it matters much, but that is the reason why I made my own Styles: To get the that look, rather than a “digital sensor look”.
Read more about my Lightroom Workflow on this page
Read more about my Capture One Workflow on this page
Leica Q2 Monochrom
November 10, 2020: The 47 megapixel Leica Q2 is now available in a black and white only version, the Leica Q2 Monochrom.
Leica History 2021
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica M10-P "Reporter" in 450 samples
January 21, 2020: The limited edition Leica M10-P "Reporter" that is fitted with kevlar armor and scratch-resistant body paint. Comes without lens. Leica model no 20041.
Leica M10-P "Reporter"
Leica 50mm Noctilux f/1.2 "Heritage"
January 28, 2021: A remake of the 1966-version Noctilux f/1.2.
March 2021: This limited edition (750 pcs) of Leica Q2 is beautiful with brass (gold-looking) fittings, and that alone might be the worth the premium price of about 1,000 above the normal black Leica Q2. This is not an actual 007 edition, but a Daniel Craig x Greg Williams edition.
Daniel Craig is James Bond, and a fan of photography and Leica. Greg Williams is a photographer often seen with two Leica Q cameras around the neck as his professional choice of weapon, one resting on top of the chest (above each other as it is in a shorter strap).
Greg Williams with his two Leica Q cameras he often uses (and some times a Leica SL with 90/2 APO as well).
The perfect Leica M 35mm APO
March 2021: The new 35mm APO-Summicron-M f/2.0 lens is the new gold standard in 35mm lenses (see my article on all Leiac 35mm Summicron lenses). Leica have been making APO lenses in the full range for SL lenses, and now also in the M range. The M range of lenses is thus becoming quite intersting (and expensive to keep up with) with an APO series of f/2.0 lenses, and a Noctilux series of f/1.0 lenses.
I did this video review and summary of Leica 35mm lenses.
New Leica Q2 Know-All-eBook and Video Masterclass
May 1, 2021: Thorsten Overgaard finished and released the complete and ultimate Leica Q2 package with the history of the Leica Q2, user reports, tips and tricks, presets and more. On video and eBook:
Full Leica Q2 Pack
14 video classes with work book
+ 448 page eBook,
+ Q2 Styles for Capture One
+ Q2 Lightroom Presets.
Normal price $821.00
Normal price $821.00
Save 45%
Only $448.00
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Leica Q2 Know-All-eBook
448 pages illustrated for Computer,
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Only $298.00
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June 2021 saw the special edition of the Leica M10-R in black paint and a chrome ring around the shutter release button. In many ways the same design as the Leica MP film camera that is also made in gloss black paint a chrome ring around the shutter release button (sonething that looks extremely elegant in real life - less in the photos of the camera). The camea is discrete without a red dot logo on front, instead with a white Leica engraving on the top plate.
This is the camera to get if you plan on using the Leica M10-R for many years, which will wear off the paint and reveal the brass body of the camera. It comes at a premium price of$9,250.
The Leica M10-R in black paint and a chrome ring around the shutter release. It comes at a premium price of$9,250. Here with the Leica 35mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0.
Walk with me 2021
June 2021: Thorsten Overgaard arranged a few free "Walk with me" free evening walks in Europe and in the US as an invitation to get out and about with friends and cameras. Hamburg, Berlin, Paris, Zagreb, Istanbul, Clearwater, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and more.
The "Walk with me" group in the beautiful sunset of Amsterdam on June 24, 2021.
Thorsten Overgaard's "Walk with Me" in San Francisco, August 2021. Photo by Vineet Mehta.
From Thorsten Overgaard's "Walk with Me" in Paris, July 2021.
From Thorsten Overgaard's "Walk with Me" in Zagreb.
From Thorsten Overgaard's "Walk with Me" in Berlin.
From Thorsten Overgaard's second "Walk with Me" in Berlin. There is now a group that arranges walks in Berlin and Germany. Follow the group on Instagram: @wt_berlin_session
Walk with Me New York.
Walk with Me Chicago group photo, April 2022 by Bob Klein.
Ralph Gibson: Leica Hall of Fame Award
November 11, 2021: Photographer Ralph Gibson was awarded the Leica Hall of Fame Award at the Leica headquarter in Wetzlar, Germany. At the same event, a Leica Q2 "reporter" (available December 2021) and similar Leica Q2 Monochrom "reporter" (available March 2022) were announced.
November 2021: Leica Camera AG took over Nordisk Foto Import A/S in Copenhagen and their activities of distributing Leica products in Denmark and Scandinavia, including the Leica Store Copenhagen. This means that the Leica Store Copenhagen at Henrik Ibsens Vej 2, 1813 Frederiksberg C is now the official Leica owned store in Denmark, and it likely to be replaced by a new grand Leica Store in 2022-2023 (as the previous dealerships elsewhere in Denmark has come to an end at this time).
Ernst Leitz Labs in Seattle
November 30, 2021: The Ernst Leitz Labs in Seattle is a small startup founded by Jane Cui that works iwthin the area of computational imaging, machine learning and AI, which is being used in modern electronics like the Leitz Phone (introduced in Japan only). The Laietz Phone features a LeitzLooks "Monochrome" based on the Leica M10 Monochrom. They make Software Defined Lenses that combines the tradition of Leica precision optics with the insight of AI.
Walk with Me
November 2021: The free sunset walks with Thorsten Overgaard around the world reached New York, Paris, London, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the end of 2021, inviting photo enthusiasts of all ages and all brands to get out of confinement.
March 3, 2022: It might not look very special, but when you touch the texture of Armid Fiber, it feels like a sort of hand-knitted texture. As it gets used, it changes color and becomes softer. This is a really special edition and very hard to get. The body and lens shade is painted in a green color.
April 2022: The new Leica Store Copenhagen opened at Ny Østergade 3 in Copenhagen, which is on the walking street, behind the famous Hotel D'Angleterre (1755) and across from The Royal Theatre (1748) where many of the famous Danish fairytales by H. C. Andersen were first performed. This new store features a new interior design, which is a first.
The store opens after Leica bought out the Scandinavian distributor for 30 years in 2021 and booted out the loyal Leica dealers throughout Denmark who had supported the brand for 20+ years. Photografica around the corner from the new store still features exciting second-hand offerings of Leica though.
Leica Store Copenhagen, Ny Østergade 3, Copenhagen, Denmark opened in April 2022.
Matte black Leica 28mm Summicron limited edition
April 7, 2022: Leica introduced a limited edition matte black 28mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 with built-in hood and light green numbers (instead of white and orange). This edition is limited to 450 pcs.
Leica will see a very large Leica Store in the meatpacking disctict of New York, same 8,000 sqm size as the Leica Store Los Angeles, as well as a smaller and more cozy Leica dealership in the same area - while the Leica Store Soho remain. More on this as development evolve.
Fragment editions of Leica with Hiroshi Fujiwara
April 2022: Leica in Japan introduces limited edition "Fragment" by Hiroshi Fujiwara. The Leica M10 Monochrom and the Leica Q2 Monochrom are the two models available in the Fragment edition, and only 20 of each, and only from the Leica GINZA SIX store in Tokyo. "Fragment" is basically a brand, and Hiroshi Fujiwara have made a Maserati Fragment car, computers and other products, usually green and organic style. If you feel lost in translation, you might be, but think cult and street wear, and then maybe you get it.
The Hiroshi Fujiwara "Fragment" Leica M10 Monochrom with the "Fragment" logo (circle with thunder symbols inside)
Leica preparing to be sold?
May 2, 2022: Michael Grimm is the new CFO (Chief Financial Officer) at Leic Camera AG in Germany. Mr Grimm worked as CFO for the Grohe Group and its owner, a private equity house. There he prepared the investor's exit. Considering that the investor Blackstone (a private equity house that bought 45% of the shares in 2011) has been at a stillstand for years selling it's then 45% share in Leica Camera AG, and might have expanded that share since, Mr Grimm could be a sign that the ownership has to be updated.
Leica film camera in titanium, and a gold Leica M10-P
June 10, 2022: The Leica M-A film camrea is made in a limited run with a matching 50mm APO-Summicron. Price is $16,000 for the set, and only 250 were made. Also on this day, Leica Camera announced a gold-plated Leica M10-P with matching 50mm APO-Summicron and 35mm Summilux lens, in honor of the king of Thailand. There are two sets, one with the two lenses, one with one lens, and prices os $30,000 and $45,000.
New Leica HQ in North America
Leica Camera USA will be moving to a 12,274-square-foot headquarter in Teaneck in New Jersey from it's current in Allendale 15 miles from Teaneck.
Oskar Barnack's camera #105 on auction, sold for $15,100,000
June 11, 2022: At the auction in Wetzlar, the lot no 5 was the original prototype Leica o-series 105 that the inventor Oskar Barnack built for himself in 1923, with the serial number #105. Estimated prices was 3,000,000 Euro, it ended at 12,000,000 Euro from a bidder over the phone (14,400,000 with auction fees). The first Leica camera was introduced to the public in 1925, which you can read about if you scroll to the top of this page.
I've since written this story about the Barnack camera and the inside experience from the auction room.
Previousy, the Leica 0-series No 122 was the most expensive camera in the world. It was sold for $2.970,000 in an auction held at WestLicht auction house in Vienna in 2018.
June 2022: DJI announced that they will be part of the L alliance, the brands that support the use of the Leica L lenses. DJI is often simply referred to as "a Chinese drone company", but is in reality an international 15-billion USD company out of Shenzhen, China (the Silicon Valley of China) with their teams spread over Europe and USA. The founder Frank Wang (born 1980) is Chinese born, schooled in Hong Kong, and the company has such a strong Apple feel to it that rumors had it that it was in fact owned by Apple (it's not).
Drones of course is an area of interst for many, finally giving us the possibility to fly and see the world from a bird's perspective. Their "Inspire 2" kit fron DJI is a drone used for professional movie sets, which fly with speeds up to 96 km/h for filming car chases and more from a birds perspective.
What makes this new corporation interesting, other than Leica, Sigma and Panasonic lenses in the air, is that DJI is also the majority investor in Swedish Hasselblad since 2017 (the rest is owned by the buyout capital fond Ventizz that is managed by VM Capital in Frankfurt). Hasselblad is the very company Dr. Kaufmann, the majority stake holder of Leica, wanted to buy ten years earlier (which he didn't, and then Leica started their own Leica S medium format system instead). Rememeber, 44% of Leica is owned by Blackstone that have been wanting to exit for a while. It could go in any direction from here, or it could land as the DJI/Apple strictly commercial relationship where Apple sell the DJI products and there is nothing more to it.
Founder and CEO of DJI, Frank Wang. From a recent Forbes article.
Walk with Me 2022
Join the free sunset walks with Thorsten Overgaard.
New updated 35mm Sumilux-M f/1.4 FLE "Short Focus"
September 16, 2022: The excellent Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 FLE from 2010 has been updated. No optical changes, but refined aperture blades (for bokeh) and a near-focus scale (only applicable when usign an EVF). Main reason for updating is to make production more uniform, and it is priced a little lower than the previous 2010 model. Read my artcle on this and all other previous versions here:
September 21, 2022: This limited edition (500 pcs) of Leica Q2 is from the singer SEAL and incorporates Japanese made texture that make each camera individual gold/black texture. It also comes with a scarf designed by Annina Roescheisen and a strap with gold inscriptions ofSeal lyrics.Apart from that, it is the same camera as the Leica Q2. The look is different, the performance the same, and the price only $200 above list price for an ordinary Leica Q2 at release time.
Seal is a longtime Leica collector, fan and photographer. At the same time as the release, the Seal photo exhibition opens in the Leica Gallery LA.
The Leica M6 is back in 2022
October 12, 2022: What Leica fans really wnat when they want something new, is the good old days. This is more true than you can imagine, and here it is: The new Leica M6 film camera is the old Leica M6 film camera coming back. First rumors had it that it would be just a limited edition of 500, but in the last minute Leica decided to just keep is as another film camera offering next to Leica MP and Leica K-E that they have been producing over the years while other camera manufacturers gave up film for digital. See my extensive article on the Leica M6 through history to understand this "new" camera in perspective:
The original ventilated shade (also) supplied with the re-issued lens turned out to cover the corners, so Leica made a new one that was shipped September 2023.
The second shade for the Steel Rim is an E46 ventilated shade so you can use filters (Leica product no 12 486). Unfortunately this one produces vignetting, so Leica is working on making another version. Or use the Overgaard E46 ventilated shade. Photo: David Farkas.
The Leica Q2 "Ghost" Edition by Hodinkee
November 15, 2022: This limited edition is made together with the Hodinkee watch platform. They made a Leica M10 version as well in the past, and it ties in with the marketing of the Leica watch. 150 pieces made, price $,5995.00.
Leica Q2 Ghost edition.
Leica History 2023
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica Store New York, the Meatpacking District
The new Leica Store flagship in New York will open in 2023 in the Meatpacking disctict at 406 W. 13th St. The store is to be similar in size as the Leica Store Los Angeles, which means it will have store, gallery, rooftop and outdoor areas in the back. Leica bought the property in December 2020 for $6.7 mio. The store is an expansion, so the existing Leica Store on 460 W Broadway will continue to be there, and BH Photo and Ken Hansen will still be selling new and used Leica in New York.
Here you can see the progress of the future Leica Store New York. The rebuilding photo is from July 2022, and in 2023 the store will be ready for business.
Two standard, friendly priced lenses for the Leica L system
As you can see, the new L-mount 50mm and 35mm lenses are uniformly produced to use the same parts so that only the optics inside differ. A way to make production more economical.
The Disney Leica Q2 Edition
March 30, 2023: This limited edition (500 pcs) of Leica Q2 is celebrating 100 years of Walt Disney. Walt Disney used the term "Leica Reel" for what is called "animatics" storyboards, so there is the connection. Read the Leica Q2 review here and get an overview of Leica Q2 limited editions here.
Leica Q2 Disney '100 Years of Wonder' is limited to 500 Pieces Worldwide.
New Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 version
April 13, 2023: Leica Camera AG presented an updated version of the Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4. On the outside, it looks exactly like the (also new) Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4, which give some of the reason for the update: Redesigning the two lenses enable Leica to produce them more feasible, using some of the same tools, machines and parts for both lenses.
Meister Camera in Germany bought by Leica Camera AG
November 1, 2023: After 135 year in business, the family-owned Meister Camera in Hamburg, Berlin and Munich is being taken over by Leica Camera AG. This includes the newly opened mega-store in Hamburg that (as the first Leica Store in the world) also sell high-end camera systems from Hasselblad, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony, etc, and likely this mixed sortiment will likely end.
Leica Camera AG generally tend to buy 100% any Leica-related content. The Leica auction in Vienna, as well as the store there was bought, the Scandinavian distributor was bought, the Singapore store was (slightly forceful) taken over, the Hong Kong/China agent was bought out, and so on. As it has jokingly been stated to me from one of the previous sellers, "Yes, Kaufmann sure like to buy things". The trend is that independent dealers will either be frozen out, or bought, and any store partly owned by Leica will, at some point, be the subject of a takeover.
The Meister Camera Leica Store in Hamburg that opened in October 2020. Turns into Leica Camera AG ownership together with the Berlin and Munich stores as of November 1, 2023.
The Leica 21mm APO-Summicron-SL f/2.0 lens and the Leica 14-21mm Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL f/2.8.
The worlds first APO wide angle lens
October 19, 2023: Leica introduces two new wide angle lenses for the Leica SL2 and Leica SL3. The 21mm APO-Summicron-SL f/2.0 is the worlds first 21mm APO. The reason this is sort of big new, is that APO was meant ofr long tele lenses where it - before APO - was visible that the red, green and blue light rays didn't meet exactly (red travels with different speed). APO, which means "apochromatically corrected" adjusts this, and the result is a new level of calrity, precision and sharpness. With the introduction and further development of digital sensors and high-deinition everything, making APO lenses in 21mm actually make sense, becuase the difference it makes is recordable (which it wasn't with film photography).
Beauty comes with a price, in this case a little above $5,000, but the weight is reasonably. 750g. Leica also introduced a 14-21mm zoom.
APO corrected basically means that the red, green and blue has been corrected to meet more precisely in the same spot. Clarity of colors and definition of details would be the result.
Leica M11-P and a new uniform 28mm Summicron-M f/2.0
October 28, 2023: The Leica M11-P is a slightly upgraded and understatet model of the Leica M11. Read my Leica M11-P review here. Also on this day, an updated Leica 28mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 with near-focus. The uniform design refer to the fact that is is the same size and swirvel-shade as the previous relesed uniform Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 Near Focus and Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 Near Focus.
Leica M11-P in black (and silver available as well) with the new 28mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 Near Focus lens.
A Leica M11-P version has Leica engraved on the top plate.
New Leica Store in Mexico City
November 17, 2023: The Leica Store Mexico City and Leica Gallery Mexico City opened on Av. Pdte. Masaryk 422-B, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo.
January 30, 2024: The Leica Store New York in the "Meatpacking District" opens at 406 W. 13th St
New York, 10014. Vis-à-vis Soho House, The Highline and more of the new-new. This store has gallery, lounge and of course new and second-hand Leica in the "Super Store" format store similar to Los Angeles, Tokyo and Paris.
March 2024: Leica made a "strictly limited edition" of 200 Leica 35mm Summilux f/1.4 Steel Rim in black paint. Comes at a premium price, and a promise not to resell it before March 2026. Read the review of the Steel Rim here by guest writer Milan Swolfs, as well as Thorsten Overgaard's comment on this premium priced collectors special.
I wrote my book again, "Finding the Magic of Light"
March 25, 2024: Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the best-selling book "Finding the Magic of Light," I rewrote it and added 50% more pages and illustrations.
April, 2024: A third flagship store will open in Japan. The one in Ginza is the original mother of all Leica Store's, and then Kyoto was the next store to open in a very old tea house. This third "Super Store" will open in Omotesando, the most expensive area of Tokyo.
A first limited Leica M11 edition: The Leica M11-P Kevlar
April 2024: The Leica Store NY Meatpacking designed a beautiful "New York Only" Leica M11-P Kevlar, a handful in Silver and Black. This is the first special edition of the Leica M11 model. See photo of the Leica M11-P Kevlar in black below.
New: Overgaard Original Brushes for Lightroom Classic
April 9, 2024: These are the first hand-made 'organic brushes' designed to achieve a "Leica Look". The package includes classic color looks, monochrome looks, portrait tools, as well as special Leica Looks such as "Bokeh Enhancement Brush" etc.
July 2, 2024: The Leica D-Lux 8 is a surprise in more than one way. First, when Leica announced in 2022 that they would focus on full-frame cameras only, it might have been expected this would mean the end of four-thirds sensor cameras like the Leica D-Lux series (and the C-Lux series as well).
But then came the Leica D-Lux 8, and not only is it a four-thirds sensor, but the major news is that it is designed for simplicity and to be very similar to the very popular Leica Q model in look and operation. In fact, it is actually simpler to use than the Leica Q3 due to the removal of a lot of complicated and unnecessary menu options, and the buttons and dials have been repositioned for more Leica simplicity.
Fundamentally, it has the same camera technology as the Leica D-Lux 7 (2018), but it’s much slicker in appearance and, most importantly, very easy to use. I can say so because I bought one and used it with joy. Read my review and user report here.
September 5, 2024: The Leica L-lens system finally got the 'best-selling' zoom length that press photographers, when Canon was the system all used, used as one of their two main lenses. The 70-200mm, which is great for many events. This Leica 70-200mm Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH f/2.8 lens for the Leica SL3 (2024), Leica SL2 (2019), Leica SL2-S (2020), and Leica SL (2015), is aggressively priced ($3,295) to sell as a kit with the camera.
Also, a Leica Extender L 2x Teleconverter will boost the 70-200mm to 140-400mm f/5.6 and will work for most of the Leica tele lenses and zooms. This is a sister to the Sigma TC-2011 2x Teleconverter for Leica ($495) and Panasonic DMW-TC20 Lumix 2x Teleconverter ($595). The 2x Teleconverter takes away 2 stops but naturally works with the AF, OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), and all.
The discussion on whether these aren't the same lenses from all three brands will be going on for a while. But here are two takeaways from the experience: Leica traditionally keeps tighter quality control than any, and the fact that there is a Leica logo on a lens or camera usually guarantees higher reselling prices.
The
Leica 70-200mm Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH f/2.8 ($3,295, 1540 g, 82mm filter diameter),is the Leica version of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 ($1,499, 1345 g, 77mm filter diameter) and Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 ($2,295, 1570 g, 82mm filter diameter).
The "down-sized" Leica SL3 model with a focus on video is expected to be released in 2024. The Leica SL2-S has been a very popular camera for video and there is no doubt Leica is looking at ways to focus on more video models in the future. This might even be with a 24MP sensor, the same as in the Leica SL2-S, which is parrticular brilliant for video.
Leica History 2025
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Leica film camera in strictly limited 70th anniversary edition
Announced in October 2024 and to be delivered in early 2025, a strictly limited edition of 250 Leica M-A film cameras with limited edition 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 and Leicavit M film rewinder, as well as a film cannister - all Platinium-plated and numbered sets.
A strictly limited edition of 250 Leica M-A film cameras with limited edition 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 and Leicavit M film rewinder, as well as a film cannister - all Platinium-plated and numbered sets.
The Leicavit M film rewinder is back
It's not that it was never there, because it has been widely available second-hand for years. But now, as part of the 70th anniversary edition that comes with the Leicavit M film rewinder, the Leica M film rewinder is re-released in black paint, black and chrome to fit to a number of Leica M film cameras.
Here is a second-hand Leicavit M (model 14 009) for Leica M film cameras, and they are rather easy to find in all conditions, but have been cinsidered a collectors item. This one was sold for $2,800, whereas the new re-made model (2025) will be only $1,100.
The continued production of Leica M7 and Leica MP film cameras ... and now also the Leica M-A and Leica M6
Contrary to rumors, the Leica MP and Leica M7 film cameras are still being produced (as can be seen in the below video from in 2009). They sell all over the world, though the Asian market seem to snap up the majority. If one revisit the Leica Camera AG website and take a look at the Leica M7 and Leica MP, one will see a classic design that is easily to fall in love with. And the prices are almost cheap, compared to the digital rangefinder Leica M ...
On May 2014 Leica Camera AG announced their new film camera, the Leica M-A, made in 101 pieces to celebrate the 100 years anniversary of Leica. A camera that later was then put into production as a normal model. And in 2022, Leica surprised with starting the production of the Leica M6 again. Read my overview of the Leica M6 models 1982-2003 and 2022 and onward her.
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Leica Personalities in History
By Thorsten von Overgaard
Dr. Andreas Kaufmann has been the owner of Leica Camera AG since 2004: First he bought a Canon PowerShot in 1999, then a Leica in 2003, then the entire Leica factory.
Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, a wealthy photography aficionado of Salzburg, Austria, took over Leica step by step from 2004-2006 with the intention of rescuing the company. Dr. Andreas Kaufmann is not the typical capitalist: He helped found Germany's environmental Green party in 1979, have been demonstraing against neuclear power, and taught history and German for 15 years at a Stuttgart school that follows the Waldorf model (derived from Rudolf Steiner).
In 2004, he took a small stake in Leica (via acm Projektenwicklung GmbH), raising it in steps to 96.5% by 2006 and 97.5% by 2010. The rest of the shares are publicly traded on the Frankfurt exchange. His fortune is estimated in the hundreds of millions of Euro and derives from a family owned pulp and paper company his family owned and managed for 101 years. The company acm Projektenwicklung GmbH is the company of the three brothers Andreas, Christian and Michael Kaufmann. In 2004 they sold the stocks in the family business since 1903, Zellstoff Frantschach AG to Mondi in London.
Kaufmann is probably more visionary than most can imagine. Either he saw which unpolished diamond of engineering know-how and unused lens and glass technology Leica Camera AG was hiding (probably with the help of Peter Coeln, the long-time owner of Leica Store Vienna), or he was just lucky to buy a factory with a lot more potential than anyone knew was there. In any case, he doesn't seem to rest on the laurels and has the will and the economical power to push the development further than anyone ever imagined possible.
Read this story on Andreas Kaufmann and Leica Camera AG in the Ernst & Young magazine.
"The Leica is a tool for developing creativity,
in the way that you can create things a little bit different.
If you have the intention of becoming an artist – or are an artist – Leica helps you." - Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, January 2013
Stefan Daniel
Photo: David Farkas 2008
Stefan Daniel
Stefan Daniel, Director of Product Management and overall responsible for the development of the Leica M9 and Leica M240 and other models. He has been with Leica since he was 16 years old. He started as an apprentice in the machine shop and has now worked his way up to manage Leica's product family. He is the one in the top of Leica Camera AG with the most years in the company.
"There is no reason to mention in the camerea specifications what is not there" - Stefan Daniel
at Photokina 2012 about why the specifications of the Leica M
does not mention the AA filter. See video interview.
People who moved the limits of technology
Professor Dr. Max Berek
Max Berek wrote the textbook on optical design that everybody studies even today when they want to learn lens design, “Grundlagen der praktischen Optik” (published first time in 1930 by W. de Gruyter & co.).
Available as eBook or printed book.
Max Berek, Gustav Kleinberg, Otto Zimmermann, Walter Mandler, Ernst Pausch, Horst Haseneier, Walter Kluck, Erich Wagner, Helmut Hildebrandt, Henry Weimer, Andre de Winter (an important expert for mechanical design, a great expert on design of lens mounts and bodies in the golden period of Leitz Midlands, Ontario between 1960 and 1980), Ludwig Schauss, Helmut Marx, Paul Sindel, Lothar Köelsch, Iain Neil, Walter Watz, Michael Heiden, Jan Schroeder, André de Winter, and Peter Karbe are some of the names there would be in the Leitz and Leica hall of fame if one such existed for Leica engineers and developers through the times.
Here are a little more history about some of them:
Professor Dr. Max Berek [1886-1949]
Max Berek was the architect of the first Leica lens which Ernst Leitz asked him to design for the "Barnack's camera." The lens was a f/3.5 50mm and was known as the Leitz Anstigmat and later the Elmax [Ernst Leitz Max Berek]. Five elements [with the last three elements in one group] helped to give the lens and outstanding performance which, according to Leica lens expert Erwin Puts, would result in an outstanding MTF measurement if done today.
He was employed at Leica in 1912 after he had finished his studies in mathematics and mineralogy in Berlin. He later won world fame for his inventions in the area of polarization-microscopy; the Brek compensator and the formula to compute depth of field of microscopic vision which are still in use today.
During the war, he was stripped of his doctor title by the government because he refused to corporate with the Nazi Party. After the war his status as a doctor was reestablished. He worked at Leica till his death in 1949.
Max Berek was awarded a personal Grand Prix price at the Paris World Exposition in 1937 for his designs of the Hektor lenses in 1929-1931 (50mm f/2.5 and 73mm f/1.9) and more designs made after those.
Dr. Helmut Marx
Helmut Marx, was a great German designer and one of the key designers (together with Paul Sindel) of the 1966 - 1975 Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.2 (No. 11 820), the first Leica lens to incorporate aspherical surfaces in its optical formula.
He was employed by Ernst Leitz from 1952.
Dr. Walter Mandler [1922-2005]
Was a famous lens designer of Ernst Leitz Canada at Midland, Ontario. Walter Mandler dominated the optical development within Leitz from about 1950 till about 1985. He was 'wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter' (science assistant) in the department of Max Berek and had intimate knowledge of the challenges and problems associated with the lenses for the small Leica format. He was an expert on the chemistry and properties of the different optical glasses. When Leitz decided to set up a new company in Canada, he was asked to structure and manage the optical department there. Already in the fifties, the Leitz designers recognized the fundamental problems of small format and high-speed lenses and on both sides of the Atlantic solutions were created. In Wetzlar it was professor Marx who explored the first attempts of an aspherical design and in Midland it was Mandler who sought the service of the computer to speed up the design process. The period from 1950 to 1970 was one of the most exciting periods for optical designers as new approaches and insights could be explored without cost considerations, because of intense competition.
Dr. Walter Mandler
Dr. Walter Mandler was the father of legendary lenses such as the 50mm Noctilux-M f1.0 (designed 1969), the 35mm Summilux-M f1.4 (designed 1958), the 75mm Summilux-M f1.4 (designed 1980), the 80mm Summilux-R f1.4 (designed 1980) and the 180mm APO-Telyt-R f3.4 (designed 1975). Also, one can guess he was the designer of the Elcan series (see next page) that came out of Leica Canada. He retired in 1985 but continued as an optical advisor for Leica for many years. For an overview of the Mandler designed lenses, see my Leica Lens Compendium.
New trend: Having a Mandler and a Karpe set of lenses
I often get qestions as to which lenses I can recommend, or which are the most famous Leica lenses. It's individual depending on your use and shooting style, but the Mandler lenses definitely has a "classic Leica look" that one will be able to recognize in the images of the 70ties in LIFE Magazine (by to name an example). It's an era of fashion and design and all, a certain film workflow in black and white - but on top of it all, it's also possible to recognize the shooting style of the Leica M as well the distinguished look of Leica lenses.
But with designer
Peter Karbe and that technology drive his lens designs has required, modern Leica lenses has that Leica look, but with more contrast, improved sharpness, micro details and color accuracy. And with a new type of bokeh (how the out-of-focus areas of an image looks). Some of the new lenses simply seem to "see more" details than the human eye. But it's a more crisp and alive look than the Mandler lenses. All due to pretty advanced lens design and applied technology, parted with the new workflow of digital (workflow; this is simply how you get images. In the old days your "workflow" might have been that when you used Kodal GoldII and sent those tolls into a certain photo shop for prints, you got a certain look. If you changed film or lab, you got a different look. Today your "workflow" is that you shoot in this or that quality on the camera, use Lightroom or Aperture for processing the files, publish the images in Flickr or do your own print. That is what a "workflow" is).
In any case, and to make the point I was aiming to make: One should consider both the Mandler and the Karbe look. The Mandler was and is great, but the Karpe is today's look and - in my opinion - not only defines the new look of Leica but also utilizes the advantages all new technologies from glass design, optical design (made possible by new advanced machines with near-to-zero tolerances in grinding glasses), as well as the ruthless detailed look made possible via digital sensors and 100% enlargments on computer screens. So get a set og Mandler lenses, and get a set of Karpe lenses so as to utilize all you can from Leica.
Peter Karbe, head of Leica optics design, has worked on the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 (according to rumor, he worked the lens design for ten years, and in his spare time), 75mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0. As the head optics designer at Leica he has also had a great deal to do with the Leica S lenses.
Here's an excerpt from a talk David Farkas of Dale Photography in Hollywood had with Mr. Peter Karbe at Photokina in 2008:
"Sitting with Peter you really get the feeling that these lenses are his children. Talk of certain lenses puts a small smile on his face and a glint in his eye. Then, he’ll go on about why it is special and unique. For instance, many know of his many years of work on the 50mm Summilux ASPH. He is extremely proud of this lens, pointing to the MTF-chart and exclaiming that wide open at f/1.4 it resolves 40lp at above 50%. He went into how he came up with the modified special double gauss design and how the back half of the lens is identical to the 35mm Summilux ASPH, while the front half is identical to the 50 Summicron. This was the secret to achieving such performance in a fast 50.
Then, he said that one Saturday morning over his first cup of coffee in his kitchen he thought about [Dr. Walter] Mandler. Apparently, after Mandler designed the Noctilux, he used the same design to build the 75 Summiux. And while Peter doesn't like the 75 Lux, he decided that he needed to design a 75 based on the 50 ASPH design. Shortly thereafter, keeping everything the same, except for removing one lens element in the first doublet behind the central ASPH element used to correct for aberrations caused at 1.4, he minted the design for the 75 APO Summicron ASPH.
I asked if the design was the same why the 75 was an APO lens and the 50 wasn’t. Here is a bit of a shocker… the 50 lux ASPH is an APO lens, containing an APO correction element. But, he thought the idea of an APO 50 was a bit silly so they never put it on the lens or in any marketing materials.
He really believes in revisiting the past for inspirations on the future. Peter said that he often thinks about what his predecessors from decades ago would do with today’s technology. This was his inspiration with the Summarits. Classic designs with a modern twist. He studies and claims (who would doubt him) that he is familiar with the designs of almost all of the Leica lenses made to date. He has his favorites as well as examples that were not so successful.
According to Peter, the great leaps in lens design were brought about by technological advances. The first was with new types of glass, then with coatings, followed by computer modeling, and now just recently, advances in mechanical design and manufacturing. This is why the S lenses and the new 21 Lux are as lightweight as they are. A lot of attention is now being paid by the design team to the manufacturing process. Karbe has organized small design teams in his fast-growing department to be more efficient and productive. An optics designer is paired with a mechanical designer and a production manager to develop the entire product, not just the optical path. Handling, feel, ease of manufacture, and consistency in quality control are equally important to imaging performance. Also, by using more shared designs and more common components, more lenses can be brought to market faster. The 35 and 50 Summarit. The 75 and the 90 Summarit. The new 21 Lux and 24 Lux are all examples of this. With the 21 and the 24, one designer did both lenses simultaneously as they are fundamentally the same optical formula.
Another interesting thing I learned was that Leica started using computer-aided modeling back in the 1960’s before anyone else. Since that time, they have had their own proprietary software (kept up to date, of course) based on calculations made at Leica over the last 100 years. He says this is one of Leica’s real advantages that no one can copy. The foundation of knowledge and expertise is handed down from each generation of lens designers to the next. The Leitz Glass Works has also been invaluable in learning about new formulations and the handling of exotic glass elements. These latest exotic glasses require a great deal of care in handling. Much like a piece of raw steel, this glass reacts adversely and rapidly with gasses in the air. They use a wet to wet to wet process in Solms, whereby the glass moves through the grinding, polishing and coating steps in one go, not spaced or binned. This is crucial to maintain the performance of these expensive elements which can cost more per ounce than pure silver.
We talked more about how the type of glass for certain lens elements are chosen and how, based on his experience, he just knows what effect this will have on aberrations. We discussed the trade-offs lens designers have to make and how MTF only tells part of the story."
"Aperture is only for depth of field, not light control." - Peter Karbe, September 2010 (on how to use the 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 lens)
The brilliant mechanical designer: André de Winter with the Oscar the team behind the Leica Cine lenses won in 2015 for the Leica Cine lenses. He left Leica later in 2015. André has been working with the cine lenses since 2007 as Chief Mechanical designer at CW Sonderoptic. He was originally hired by Dr. Mandler in March 1969 to work on opto-mechanical design at Ernst Leitz Canada, Ltd. (ELCAN).The first projects André de Winter was put to work on, was the Leica-M underwater-housing (see next page) for the US Navy and the 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.0. He worked directly under Dr. Mandler and Gerhard Bechmann.
Shiyo is the "Lagerfeld of Leica" but his official title is store manager at the Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo.
The Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo was the first Leica Store, and set a quite high standard for how a Leica Store should present the brand. Leica owns 51% of Leica Camera Japan Co. Ltd. (which traditionally has been a company majority-owned Hermes but is now majority-owned by Leica).
Largely made by use of the most exclusive materials and with no shortcuts, by Japanese designers and the store manager Shiyo Takahashi (who used to be with Hermès), the store might have been a little hard to follow by German designers and the folks at Leica Camera AG when they rolled out the concept in a growing number of new cities in the years to follow.
Just to show how perfection and simplicity is done to the highest aesthetic standards, Shiyo Takahashi put the final touches on the Leica Store Kyoto that opened in an old teahouse in Kyoto in 2014.
If possible, the Kyoto store sets an even higher standard. This is where modern electronic cameras meets 400 year old building traditions. Yet it all comes together in a somewhat impossible, yet natural appearing mix of tradition and modernism. If Apple would ever look for inspiration for Apple Stores, this would be the place they would go.
In between these projects, Shiyo Takahashi is the one who comes up with interesting shopping bag designs and limited edition camera models in exotic orange and brown Hermes leather, or a white Leica M9 to name a few of the things that if often made worldwide Leica standards after the twist of extra class were first thoguth out in Japan.
Alfred Boch
Known as vice president of Leitz in New York, Mr. Boch worked more than 50 years for Leica. He came from Wilno in Russia and because his dad used a Leica microscope and suggested his son to flee to Wetzlar in Germany. And so he did. He worked with Oskar Barnack in his workshop on the first Leica, was stationed in the UK for a bit, then returned to Wetzlar to open Leica in Vienna, Hungary and Yogoslavia. And then he went to the US to work for Leitz in New York, becamse an American citizen and the rest is history.
One period of his carer stands out and must be mentioned. Because while the Leitz family in Wetzlar sent Jewsish workers and their families with the boat to US as "essential workerds" so as to avoid them being sent to concentration camps, in New York it was vice president Alfred Bock who every second week intervied about 30 new arrivals from Germany, then set them up in the Great Northern Hotel on 118 West 57th Street in New York, and spent most of his time on the phone trying to get them jobs in New York and in the US.
Alfred Boch (with Walter Mandler to the right in the picture) during a dinner to celebrate his 50th anniversary with Leitz..
Revival of a legend | Made in Germany. Report by Joanna Gottschalk, December 2012. Leica is forever. That motto was the brand’s selling point - and very nearly its downfall. After failing to keep pace with the digital revolution, in 2004 the German company almost went bankrupt. Then investor Andreas Kaufmann stepped in, and brought Leica back from the brink.
TIME Magazine November 2, 1953 with a Leica on the cover.
The story inside TIME magazine is "Two Billion Clicks" about that Americans in 1953 will be taking 2 billion pictures that year and be spending $300 millions on equipment and camera gadgets. Furhter, the Mericans spent $100 million on developing and printing in 1953, as against $20 million in 1940 (65% of the market share fo this was Kodak Eastman).
They state that Americans with their photogrphy are "practicing an important art, the most typical art of the 20th century, and perhaps the only national folk art yet produced by the US" but also goes over discussing (with them self) the status of photography versus Leonardo da Vinci. TIME counts that there in 1953 was 55,000 professional photographers in the U.S., and 35 million amateurs.
Some of the celebrities and famous users of Leica has been Aleksandr Rodchenko, André Kertész, Walker Evans, François-Marie Banier, Garry Winogrand, Ed Clark, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Annie Leibovitz, Ernest Hemingway (IIIf), Robert Capa (Endre Ernö Friedmann aka Frank Capa), Jan Grarup, Robert McNeely, Bruce Gilden, Eugene Smith, Robert Frank, Ilse Bing (Queen of the Leica), William Klein, Nobuyoshi Araki, Garry Winogrand, Inge Morath, Lee Friedlander, Sheikh Saud Al Thani, Leni Riefenstahl, President Dmitry Medvedev and Sebastião Salgado. To name a few (many more in the article "Famous Leica Photographers".
Che Guevara
with 90mm
The Kiss (LIFE)
Mick Jagger by
Bob Bonis with M3
Other Leica users of fame is Bryan Adams, Seal, Annie Leibovitz, Lenny Kravitz, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Ann Curry, Chow Yun Fat, Katie Hoff, Scarlett Johansson, Brendan Fraser, Jeff Bridges, Brad Pitt, Brigitte Bardot, Charles Bronson, Andy Lau, Woody Allen, Jamie Cullum, Paris Hilton, Kanye West, Yul Brynner, Wim Wenders, Bruce Springsteen, Posh Spice ... the list goes on.
The famous head shot of Che Guevara, reproduced on millions of rebellious T-shirts and student walls: that was taken on a Leica with a portrait lens — a short telephoto of 90 mm — by Alberto Díaz Gutiérrez, better known as Korda, in 1960. As is the pearl-gray smile-cum-kiss reflected in the wing mirror of a car, taken by Elliott Erwitt in 1955.
Leica again, as is the even more celebrated smooch caught in Times Square on V-J Day, 1945 — a sailor craned over a nurse, bending her backward, her hand raised against his chest in polite half-protestation. The man behind the camera was Alfred Eisenstaedt, of Life magazin. He did 80 frontpages for LIFE magazine in his lifetime.
When the lost Beatles and lost Rollign Stones photographs emerged in 2010, it was thanks to their road manager from 1964-1967 Bob Bonis who always carried his Leica M3. How unbelieveable it might be, he was road manager for the hottest tickets back then .... and photographed them when they tried to fix their car that had broken down, when at the pool outside the hotel - and many other exclusive moments. All available as book and prints from NeverFadeAwayGallery.com.
The famous photo of the "Napalm girl" by Huynh Cong 'Nick' Ut of Associated Press was taken on June 8, 1972 with his Leica M2 and Leica Summicron 35/2 on a Kodak 400 ISO B&W film.
The photo very much changed the view on the Vietnam war, though President Nixon doubted its authencity - he thought it might have been 'fixed'.
The 9-year old girl in the photo, Phan Thi Kim Phúc, survived her burnings from the napalm bombing after 14 months in the hospital. The photographer took her to the hospital before he delivered the film to AP. She later founded an organization to help children of war.
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Leica Camera AG officially started building the new headquarter in Wetzlarer on April 28, 2012. Due to the state of the world the plans of building the new factory had been paused for a couple of years after that the first buildings of Leitz Park had been completed (and occupied by sumsuppliers to Leica Camera AG and with tight relations to Andreas Kaufmann).
If one imagine an industrial park with a number of companies that are separate, but related in building and distributing Leicas, then that is probably close to the ideal scene of the Leitz Park that is in the outskirts of the already existing industrial area of Wetzlar. One may see one new Leica factory, but the other buildings that has been there for some years, are related, though not Leica Camera AG.
The Kaufmann-owned companies Viaoptic GmbH (molded optics, gears, lens assembly), CW-Sonderoptik GmbH (Leica Cine lenses) and Weller (founded by Uwe Weller in 1994 when Weller took over the machining division from Leica Camera AG, Dr. Kaufmann is Chairman of the Advisory Board) have been producing from the Leitz Park complex since 2009.
Leica Camera AG had been planning to add an additional factory to their existing since 2008, The building was originally planned to finish in spring 2011 but the building project was paused when the "global finance crisis" sat in.
Wetzlar is the place where Leica Camera AG originated, but it is also a slightly larger city than Solms that Leica Camera AG moved to in the 80s when the Leica business was separated. Interestingly, the camera division with its 1,000 staff was just 1/10th of the Leica brand back then - but when one say Leica, it's the cameras people think of.
The future development of the Leica Camera AG presence in Wetzlar may be a Leica World combining Leica, photography with art and and design. To begin with, the new building will feature a Leica Store Wetzlar, a Leica Gallery Wetzlar and of course the factory with production, research & development and Customer Service when it opens official on May 23, 2014. The department staffs of Leica Camera AG in Solms have know for more han a year where and how they would fit into the new building, and the actual moving to the new building happened over several months between January and May 2014.
The Leica factory as it looked in June 2011 when the building had been paused for a souple of years. In the background the two existing buildings with
the Leica sub-suppliers Viaoptic, CW-Sonderoptik and Weller in full swing, employing approximately 250 persons. Photo: Thorsten Overgaard June 2011.
LEItz CAmera = LEICA
Founded 1849 in Wetzlar, Germany. First as "Optical Institute" (1849), then "Ernst Leitz Optical Industry" (1869), Leica GmbH (1986), Leica Camera AG (1998).
Grandfather of 35mm photography
Leica invented the 24x36mm film format, the 35mm camera, the film enlarger for the darkroom (1920s), the flash shoe, the length of a roll film (with 36 pictures; this was how far Oskar Barnack could stretch his arms), auto focus lenses (in the 70s), the "reporter" film back (Leica 250 with 250 pictures in 1933), re-invented the 35mm system camera kit in 2015, and more...
Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish-American multiple award-winning photographer, known for his writings about photography and Leica cameras. He travels to more than 25 countries a year, photographing and teaching workshops to photographers. Some photos are available as signed editions via galleries or online. For specific photography needs, contact Thorsten Overgaard via email.
You can follow Thorsten Overgaard at his television channel magicoflight.tv.
I am in constant orbit teaching
Leica and photography workshops.
Most people prefer to explore a
new place when doing my workshop.
30% of my students are women.
35% of my students dotwo or more workshops.
95% are Leica users.
Age range is from 15 to 87 years
with the majority in the 30-55 range.
Skill level ranges from two weeks
to a lifetime of experience.
97% use a digital camera.
100% of my workshop graduates photograph more after a workshop.
I am in constant orbit teaching
Leica and photography workshops.
Most people prefer to explore a
new place when doing my workshop.
30% of my students are women.
35% of my students dotwo or more workshops.
95% are Leica users.
Age range is from 15 to 87 years
with the majority in the 30-55 range.
Skill level ranges from two weeks
to a lifetime of experience.
97% use a digital camera.
100% of my workshop graduates photograph more after a workshop.
Ernst Leitz II took the miniature camera, the first Ur-Leica to New York and made this photo in Manhatten, 1914 or 1924. 
"In granmothers summer house", by Dr. Paul Wolff (1887-1951) is a print I bought in 2013. Dr. Wolff was one of the first ambassadors of the Leica. A professional photographer from Frankfurt, he started working with the Leica despite most professional photographers view that "high quality has to be large format and big cameras". Dr. paul Wolff went on producing a large catalog of photographs using the Leica. Unfortunately his house and archive burned in 1940's, so only a few prints are remaining. I bought a handfull, and Leica bought most of what else was available (1200 prints in 2011 which they plan to put into an exhibition and book). See my article "
Ilse Bing, Picasso's model and muse, made this "Self-Portrait with Leica" in 1931.
Ernst Leitz Canada ELCAN underwater mition picture camera housing
Steven Spielberg on the set of Empire of the Sun in 1986 where they used, amongst others, a 800mm Panavision Primo-L lens from ELCAN. 
![tour of the Leica factory from Deutche Welle TV [DW-WORLD] and interview with Leica CEO Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Berlin photographer Jim Rakete on the Leica past, present and future.](thorstenovergaardcom_copyrighted_graphics/leica-on-dw-tv-deutche-welle_640w.jpg)
Leica M9 Titanium with 
The Leica M9-P introduced. Photo by:© Thorsten Overgaard 2011. All right reserved. 
Panasonic Lumix CM1 Smartphone with Leica 28mm f/2.8 lens 
![Dr. Andreas Kaufmann [born 1954] . © Thorsten Overgaard.](thorstenovergaardcom_copyrighted_graphics/L1154392-andreas-kaufmann-by-thorsten-overgaard.640w.jpg)
