Tag: Wetzlar

100 years of Leica: Witness to a century (1925-2025) 

For Leica Camera, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Leica I. First presented to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, it was the first mass-produced Leica 35mm camera…

My Leica III and its 91-year journey through life

Photography can often be described as a journey, and this is the story of a 91-year journey for a Leica III that had been forgotten and left behind by time. I feel like I've been away from photography for a while. Like most people these days, the general state of the universe has got me down....

Leitz Photographica Auction: M Prototype sells for €2 million

A rare prototype Leica M sold for an astonishing 2.4 million euros at last weekend's 45th Leitz Photographica Auction…

Leitz Photographica Auction: My top-ten favourites

Here are are my Top 10 favourites in the next Leitz Photographic Auction. I could have shown any number of black or olive-paint Leica M cameras, but these are always there, and they always sell well. I have tried to depict the many steps along the way for cameras and optics since the 1850s

Ten Most-Read Articles of the Quarter: The old, the new, and the non-existent

This quarter's look back takes us into the realm of speculation and wishful thinking, as well as highlighting some incredible photography. Leica dominates the lineup, but we have a couple of entries from a new player on the scene.

Oskar Barnack: His first photograph taken with the Ur Leica camera in 1914

The first photograph taken with a Leica camera, by its inventor Oskar Barnack, is of a scene in the town of Wetzlar, home of Leica. The scene, the Eisenmarkt, looks almost the same today as it did then, over a hundred years ago. So, naturally, any self-respecting Leica photographer wants to stand in the same spot that Barnack did, and take the same photo.

42nd Leitz Photographica Auction: Terry O’Neill’s Morning After and a 1948 Leica Reporter for €900,000

The 42nd Leitz Photographica Auction on June 9 and 10, 2023, saw a wide variety of vintage cameras, lenses and photographs up for sale. Among other objects, a rare Leica M3 black paint with black counter dial, as well as a Leica Model A Anastigmat, attracted great interest among bidders.

Leidolf Wetzlar: The forgotten brand from the home town of Leica

Everyone knows Leica Wetzlar. But what about Leidolf Wetzlar? Richard comes across a neglected Leidolf Lordomat at a camera fair and explores the history of this lesser name from the same home town as mighty Leica...

A gift for a photographer: Ten ideas to delight someone (or yourself)

Looking of a gift for a photographer among your familiy or friends? In this article, we suggest ten presents that might delight many photographers.

Regarding the M11: A brief exchange with Stefan Daniel

The Leica M11 is a great camera. I have been using it now for half a year for all kinds of different occasions. Not once have I felt it was not up to the job. But I have a major issue with the new exposure metering method which means the shutter is permanently open once the camera is switched on. While this may be the norm for mirrorless cameras, the M is a rangefinder and deserves special treatment...

From a snapshot to a fisheye and all that glitters

The Leitz Auction at Wetzlar is now looming large. It takes place on June 11 and William Fagan takes another look at some of the more interesting items in the catalogue...

Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in 1985: A visit to the old factory

On a visit to the Ernst Leitz factory in Wetzlar in 1985, Phillip had a rare chance to photograph the glass production process...