An interview with Ernst Leitz II’s grandson, Dr. Knut Kühn-Leitz was published last year on the Leica Camera Blog. It coincided with the launch of Dr. Kühn-Leitz’s biography of the former Leica boss, “Ich entscheide hiermit: Es wird riskiert.” The book sheds interesting new light on the well-known story of the decision to go ahead with the first Leica “miniature camera”, taken 92 years ago next month. Kühn-Leitz starts the discussion:
A lot has been written about the Leica, but what has been missing so far is a detailed look at the immense economic risks Ernst Leitz II saw himself exposed to in entering a new market in the photography sector in 1924. The new biography closes this gap. It is excellently illustrated and contains expert descriptions of how the Leica conquered more and more areas for 35 mm photography and how it became an icon of photography in the 20th century.
- The Leitz biography is available (in German) from Amazon Deutschland for only €29.95. It makes a wonderful coffee table book, even if you don’t speak German. Lots of nice pictures to look at.
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