Difference between revisions of "Leica"

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<small>as time goes by: Leica, nowadays better<br/>
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known as lens supplier for Panasonic</small></div>
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|image_text= Leica M3 with dual-range Summicron 50/2
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|image_text= Image from the 1929 Leica A instruction book<br/>
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== Company ==
 
== Company ==
 +
{{Wetzlar}}
 +
'''Leica Camera''' AG is a leading German optical company that has been designing and developing 35 mm cameras since 1913, and manufacturing them in series production since 1925. Leica Camera AG is also responsible for Leica Binocular production, Leica began producing binoculars in 1907.  The company, formerly Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now four companies: Leica Camera AG, which produces cameras; Leica Geosystems AG which produces geodetic equipment; Leica Microsystems GmbH, which produces microscopes; and Leica Biosystems, wich produces clinical diagnostic equipment.
  
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'''Leica Camera AG''' is a successor of '''Ernst Leitz''', a company that produced cameras, lenses, slide projectors and binoculars as well as optical equipment for professional use (notably microscopes). The headquarters of Leica, now separated from the maker of microscopes, are in Solms, Germany.
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Leica Camera AG has production plants in Germany and Portugal, the headquarters of Leica Camera AG is situated in Wetzlar, Germany.
  
 
History:
 
History:
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Carl Kellner {{public domain 1923}}
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}}
 
* 1849: the mathematician Carl Kellner founds a company in Wetzlar which produces microscopes
 
* 1849: the mathematician Carl Kellner founds a company in Wetzlar which produces microscopes
 
* 1855: after Kellner's death his widow leads the company
 
* 1855: after Kellner's death his widow leads the company
 
* 1865: the precision mechanic Ernst Leitz becomes partner
 
* 1865: the precision mechanic Ernst Leitz becomes partner
 
* 1869: Ernst Leitz becomes chief of the company
 
* 1869: Ernst Leitz becomes chief of the company
−
* 1887: the company produces its 10.000th microscope
+
* 1887: the company produces its 10,000th microscope
 +
* 1913: [[Oskar Barnack]] become the head of R&D
 
* 1920: after Ernst Leitz's death Ernst Leitz II becomes chief
 
* 1920: after Ernst Leitz's death Ernst Leitz II becomes chief
−
* 1924: the company has 1000 employees. Leitz decides to produce the viewfinder camera for 35mm film which Oskar Barnack had constructed in 1913
+
* 1923: 25 "Null-Serie" Cameras produced
 +
* 1924: the company has 1000 employees. Leitz decides to produce the [[Ur-Leica|viewfinder camera for 35mm]] film which [[Oskar Barnack]] had constructed in 1913
 
* 1925: The new product, the ''Leica'', is launched at the spring fair (Früjahrsmesse) in Leipzig
 
* 1925: The new product, the ''Leica'', is launched at the spring fair (Früjahrsmesse) in Leipzig
 
* 1926: they produce their first slide projector
 
* 1926: they produce their first slide projector
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* 1945: After WWII used old Leicas are among the top products traded on Germany's postwar black market
 
* 1945: After WWII used old Leicas are among the top products traded on Germany's postwar black market
 
* 1956: after Ernst Leitz II's death his sons Ernst Leitz III, Ludwig Leitz and Günther Leitz lead the company
 
* 1956: after Ernst Leitz II's death his sons Ernst Leitz III, Ludwig Leitz and Günther Leitz lead the company
−
* 1972: a cooperation agreement is signed in June between the Leitz and [[Minolta]] companies, that will lead to the joint development of the [[Leica CL]], [[Leica R3]] and [[Leica R4]]
+
* 1972: a cooperation agreement is signed in June between the Leitz and [[Minolta]] companies, that will lead to the joint development of the [[Leica CL]], [[Leica R3]] and [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R4]]
 
* 1986: the camera making activities of the Leitz company are bundled in the '''Leica GmbH'''
 
* 1986: the camera making activities of the Leitz company are bundled in the '''Leica GmbH'''
 
* 1988: the new factory in Solms opens
 
* 1988: the new factory in Solms opens
 
* 1996: Leica buys [[Minox]]. The Leica GmbH becomes the stock market company '''Leica Camera AG'''
 
* 1996: Leica buys [[Minox]]. The Leica GmbH becomes the stock market company '''Leica Camera AG'''
 
* 2005: Leica Camera AG has lost market shares and starts a rescue plan for economical survival. The expensive digital module for the R8 and R9 analog SLRs is a huge success.
 
* 2005: Leica Camera AG has lost market shares and starts a rescue plan for economical survival. The expensive digital module for the R8 and R9 analog SLRs is a huge success.
−
* 2006: Leica Camera AG buys 51% of [[Sinar]] (Switzerland)
+
* 2006: Leica Camera AG tried unsuccessfully to buy 51% of [[Sinar]] AG from [[Jenoptik]]
−
 
+
* 2014: Leica Camera returns to Wetzlar.
 +
* 2018: The company's return to Wetzlar is completed with the opening of the Leitz-Park Area.<ref>[https://www.photoscala.de/2018/06/05/leitz-park-ist-vollendet-leica-laedt-zur-besichtigung-ein/ photoscala about opening of the Leitz-Park in June 2018]</ref>
 
== 35mm film ==
 
== 35mm film ==
  
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=== Screw-mount lens ===
 
=== Screw-mount lens ===
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Leica D (Leica II)
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 
* Leica C non-standardized (requires lens shims)
 
* Leica C non-standardized (requires lens shims)
−
* Leica C standardized = Leica I
+
* Leica C standardized = [[Leica I]]
−
* Leica D = Leica II (first type w/ built-in rangefinder)
+
* Leica D = [[Leica II]] (first type w/ built-in [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]])
−
* Leica E = Leica Standard = Leica I (improved standardized C)
+
* Leica E = [[Leica Standard]] = Leica I (improved standardized C)
 
* Leica F = [[Leica III]] (like II but with slow speeds on frontal dial)
 
* Leica F = [[Leica III]] (like II but with slow speeds on frontal dial)
−
* Leica G = Leica IIIa (adds 1/1000 speed)
+
* Leica G = [[Leica IIIa]] (adds 1/1000 speed)
−
* Leica IIIb (rfdr. and viewer windows close together)
+
* [[Leica IIIb]] (rfdr. and viewer windows close together)
 
* [[Leica IIIc]] (die cast body, slightly longer)
 
* [[Leica IIIc]] (die cast body, slightly longer)
−
* Leica IIc (die cast body like IIIc, otherwise similar to Leica II)
+
* [[Leica IIc]] (same body as IIIc but without slow speeds)
 +
* [[Leica Ic]] (has two accessory shoes, die cast body similar to IIc but without rangefinder)
 +
* Leica IIId (version of IIIc with self-time lever, very few were produced)
 
* [[Leica IIIf]] (postwar improvements, and some have self-timer lever)
 
* [[Leica IIIf]] (postwar improvements, and some have self-timer lever)
−
* Leica IIf (no slow speed dial, but other improvements like IIIf)
+
* [[Leica IIf]] (no slow speed dial, but other improvements like IIIf)
−
* Leica If (has two accessory shoes, die cast body similar to IIf but without rangefinder)
+
* [[Leica If]] (has two accessory shoes, die cast body similar to IIf but without rangefinder)
−
* Leica IIIg (change in body configuration to facilitate manufacture)
+
* [[Leica IIIg]] (change in body configuration to facilitate manufacture)
 
* [[Leica 250 Reporter]] (has huge film magazines)
 
* [[Leica 250 Reporter]] (has huge film magazines)
 
* Leica half-frame (version of IIIc, and was built in Canada)
 
* Leica half-frame (version of IIIc, and was built in Canada)
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There are many minor variations that did not rate a change in designation.
 
There are many minor variations that did not rate a change in designation.
  
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=== M-mount lens ===
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=== M-mount Rangefinders ===
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|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7170069275_10227a6fda_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= M6
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|image_by= wolf4max
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|image_rights= nc
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}}
 
* [[Leica CL]] / [[Leica CL|Leitz Minolta CL]]
 
* [[Leica CL]] / [[Leica CL|Leitz Minolta CL]]
−
* Leica M2
+
* Leica M1
 +
* [[Leica M2]]
 
* [[Leica M3]]
 
* [[Leica M3]]
−
* Leica M4
+
* [[Leica M4]]
−
* Leica M4-2
+
* Leica MD
 +
* [[Leica MD-2]]
 +
* [[Leica M4-2]]
 
* [[Leica M4-P]]
 
* [[Leica M4-P]]
−
* Leica M5
+
* [[Leica M5]]
 
* [[Leica M6]]
 
* [[Leica M6]]
 
* [[Leica M6J]]
 
* [[Leica M6J]]
 
* [[Leica M6 TTL]]
 
* [[Leica M6 TTL]]
 
* [[Leica M7]]
 
* [[Leica M7]]
−
* [[Leica MP]]
+
* Leica MP - 1956
 +
* [[Leica MP]] - 2003
 +
* Leica M-A
 +
''For digital M cameras see [[Leica#M-mount_lens_2|Digital M-mount]]''
 +
 
 
[[Leica M chronology]]
 
[[Leica M chronology]]
 +
 +
====M-mount Lenses====
 +
Leica produced and still produce many lenses for the famous M-mount.
 +
 +
The Lenses are named based on their aperture.
 +
* [[Noctilux]] f0.95-f1.2
 +
* Summilux f1.4
 +
* Summicron f2
 +
* Summarit f2.5
 +
* Elmarit f2.8
 +
* Elmar, Super-Elmar f3.5-f4
 +
* Hektor f4.5
  
 
=== SLR ===
 
=== SLR ===
−
* [[Leicaflex]] (1964-1968)
+
* [[Leicaflex]] (1964–68)
−
* [[Leicaflex|Leicaflex SL]] and [[Leicaflex|SL Mot]] (1968-1974)
+
* [[Leicaflex|Leicaflex SL]] and [[Leicaflex|SL Mot]] (1968–74)
−
* [[Leicaflex|Leicaflex SL2]] and [[Leicaflex|SL2 Mot]] (1974-1976)
+
* [[Leicaflex|Leicaflex SL2]] and [[Leicaflex|SL2 Mot]] (1974–76)
−
* [[Leica R3]] and [[Leica R3|R3 Mot]] (1976-1979)
+
* [[Leica R3]] and [[Leica R3|R3 Mot]] (1976–79)
−
* [[Leica R4]]
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R4 mot electronic]]
−
* Leica R4s
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R4]]
−
* Leica R4s2
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R4s]]
−
* Leica R5
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R4s-2]] (R4s-P in North America)
 +
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R5]]
 
* Leica R-E
 
* Leica R-E
−
* Leica R6
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R6]]
−
* Leica R6.2
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R6.2]]
−
* Leica R7
+
* [[Leica R4–R7|Leica R7]]
−
* Leica R8
+
* [[Leica R8–R9|Leica R8]]
−
* Leica R9
+
* [[Leica R8–R9|Leica R9]]
  
 
=== Autofocus ===
 
=== Autofocus ===
−
* Leica Minilux
+
Many Leica-branded compacts used electronics from Panasonic, and may have actually been manufactured by the Japanese company.
−
* Leica Minilux Zoom
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{{Flickr_image
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* Leica CM
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucispictor-photo/404700216/in/pool-camerawiki/
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* Leica CM Zoom
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|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/132/404700216_f31bf87da0_t.jpg
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* [[Leica C1]]
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|image_align= right
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* Leica C2
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|image_text= C2
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* [[Leica C3]]
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|image_by= LucisPictor
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* Leica ZX2
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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* [[Leica AF-C1]] (1989)
 +
* [[Leica C2-Zoom]] (1991)
 +
* [[Leica Mini]] (1991)
 +
* Leica Mini II (1993) (see also [[Panasonic C-625AF Super Mini]] and [[Minolta Freedom Escort]])
 +
* [[Leica Mini Zoom]] (1993)
 +
* Leica Mini III (1996)
 +
* [[Leica Minilux]] (1995)
 +
* [[Leica Z2X]] (1997)
 +
* Leica Minilux Zoom (1998)
 +
* [[Leica C1]] (2000)
 +
* [[Leica C2]] (2002)
 +
* [[Leica C3]] (2002)
 +
* Leica CM(2004)
 +
* Leica CM Zoom (2004)
  
 
== APS film ==
 
== APS film ==
 
* [[Leica C11]]
 
* [[Leica C11]]
 +
 +
==Large format==
 +
* [[Leitz Moment Camera]] (c.1905)
 +
*[[Leitz Reisekamera]] (c.1905)
 +
 +
==Special cameras==
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/295617625/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://static.flickr.com/112/295617625_d83f5ccb2f_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= special camera
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|image_by= Uwe Kulick
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 +
===Aerial cameras===
 +
* Leitz Canada KE-28B
 +
===9×12cm microscope cameras===
 +
* Leitz Wetzlar Makam 1x
 +
* Leitz Microscope Camera
 +
===8mm movie cameras===
 +
(under construction)
 +
* Leicina 8R (1960)
 +
* Leicina 8S (1962)
 +
* [[Leicina 8V (1962)]] with fixed Leitz zoom: Leitz Variogon 8-48mm f/1.8
 +
* Leicina 8SV (1962) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leicina Vario 7,5-35mm f/1.8
 +
* Leicina 8SV (1962) with fixed Angenieux Paris zoom: Angenieux Paris - Zoom Type K2 7,5-35mm f/1.8
 +
* Leicina Super (1969) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leicina Vario 8-64mm f/1.9
 +
* Leicina Super RT1 (1970) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leicina Vario 8-64mm f/1.9
 +
* Leicina Special (1972) with interchangeable Leitz lenses: Leicina Optivaron 6-66mm f/1.8 / Leicina Macro-Cinegon 10mm f/1.8
 +
* Leicina Special 'High Speed' (1973) with the same lenses of the Leicina Special
 +
 +
===Instant cameras===
 +
* special purpose camera for making 4 images on one polaroid sheet
 +
* [[Leica Sofort]] (2017) uses [[Fujifilm]]s [[Instax mini film]]
 +
 +
===Rifle cameras===
 +
* Leica RIFLE — Leica camera mounted on a rifle stock
  
 
== Digital ==
 
== Digital ==
 +
'''Digilux'''
 +
* [[Leica Digilux]] - 1998, 1.3 Mp
 +
*  Leica Digilux Zoom - 2000, 1 Mp
 +
* [[Leica Digilux 4.3]] - 2000, 2 Mp (4.3 Mp [[SuperCCD]])
 +
* [[Leica Digilux 1]] - 2002, 4 Mp
 +
* [[Leica Digilux 2]] - 2003, 5 Mp
 +
* [[Leica Digilux 3]] - 2006, 7 Mp, interchangeable lens ([[Four Thirds]])
 +
 +
{|
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|
 
=== Fixed lens ===
 
=== Fixed lens ===
−
* [[Leica Digilux 1]]
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'''C-Lux'''
−
* [[Leica Digilux 2]]
+
* [[Leica C-Lux 1]] - 2006
−
* [[Leica C-Lux 1]]
+
*   Leica C-Lux 2 - 2007
−
* Leica D-Lux
+
*   Leica C-Lux 3 - 2008
−
* Leica D-Lux 3
+
* Leica C-Lux - 2018
−
* Leica V-Lux 1
+
* Leica C (Typ 112) - 2013
  
−
=== M-mount lens ===
+
'''D-Lux'''
 +
*  Leica D-Lux
 +
* [[Leica D-Lux 2]]
 +
* [[Leica D-Lux 3]] - 2006
 +
* [[Leica D-Lux 4]] - 2008
 +
* [[Leica D-Lux 5]] - 2010
 +
*  Leica D-Lux 6
 +
*  Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
 +
*  Leica D-Lux 7
 +
'''Q series'''
 +
* Leica Q
 +
* Leica Q (Typ 116) - 2018
 +
* Leica Q-P -2018
 +
* [[Leica Q2]] -2019
 +
* Leica Q3 - 2023
 +
|valign=top|
 +
'''V-Lux'''
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 1
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 2
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 3
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 4
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 20
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 30
 +
*  Leica V-Lux 40
 +
* Leica V-Lux (Typ 114) - 2014
 +
'''X series'''
 +
* Leica X Vario
 +
* [[Leica X1]]
 +
* Leica X2
 +
* Leica X (Typ 113)
 +
* Leica X-U (Typ 113)
 +
|valign=top|
 +
 
 +
===Interchangeable lens===
 +
==== M-mount lens ====
 
* [[Leica M8]]
 
* [[Leica M8]]
 +
* [[Leica M9]]
 +
* Leica M9-P
 +
* Leica M (Typ 240)
 +
* Leica M (Typ 262) - 2015
 +
* Leica M-Monochrom
 +
* Leica M-Monochrom (Typ 246)
 +
* Leica M-E
 +
* Leica M-E (Typ 220) - 2012
 +
* Leica M-E (Typ 240) - 2019
 +
* Leica M Edition 60 - 2014
 +
* Leica M10 - 2017
 +
* Leica M10-P - 2018
 +
* Leica M10-D - 2018
 +
* Leica M10-R - 2020
 +
* Leica M10 Monochrom (Type 6376) - 2020
 +
* Leica M11 - (Type 2416) 2022
 +
* Leica M11 Monochrom - (Type 2416) 2023
 +
* Leica M11-P
 +
 +
==== SLR ====
 +
* [[Leica S]]
 +
* [[Leica S2]]
 +
 +
==== [[L-Mount]] ====
 +
T / TL (APS-C)
 +
* Leica T (Typ 701) - 2014
 +
* Leica TL - 2016
 +
* Leica TL2 - 2017
 +
* Leica CL (Typ 7323) - 2017
 +
SL (Full Frame)
 +
* Leica SL (Typ 601) - 2015
 +
* Leica SL2
 +
* Leica SL2-S
 +
* Leica SL3 - 2024
 +
|}
 +
 +
=== [[Scanner camera]] ===
 +
* Leica S1
  
−
=== SLR ===
+
== Enlargers ==
−
* Leica Digilux 3 (similar to the Panasonic DMC-L1)
+
* Leitz Flyt
 +
* Leitz Focomat Ia
 +
* Leitz Focomat Ib
 +
* Leitz Focomat Ic
 +
* Leitz Focomat Ic Color
 +
* Leitz Focomat IIa
 +
* Leitz Focomat IIa color
 +
* Leitz Focomat IIc
 +
* Leitz V35 AF
 +
* Leitz Valfa
 +
* Leitz Valoy
 +
* Leitz Valoy II
 +
* Leitz Vamax
 +
* Leitz Varyl
 +
* Leitz Vitox
 +
 
 +
== Projectors ==
 +
* Leitz Prado 250
 +
* Leitz Prado Universal
 +
* Leitz Pradovit C 2500
 +
* Leitz Pradovit CA 1500
 +
* Leitz Pradovit Color 110
 +
* Leica Pradovit P 150
 +
* Leica Pradovit P 300
 +
* Leica Pradovit P 300 IR
 +
* Leitz Pradovit RC
 +
* Leitz Pradovit RT-200
 +
* Leica Pradovit RT-s
 +
== other ==
 +
* [[Leitz Synchronblitzer]] flash gun
 +
 
 +
== Japanese advertisements ==
 +
The Leica camera was imported into Japan in the early 1930s by [[Schmidt|Schmidt Shōten]]. It was advertised by various other retailers, such as [[Kinjō|Kinjō Shōkai]], [[Asanuma Shashinki-ten]] or [[Hattori|Hattori Tokei-ten]].
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/39876759363/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/39876759363_87ec3f7628_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46841849701/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7859/46841849701_720ffdeac4_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47925338688/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47925338688_1592f57e58_m_d.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
| ''Advertisements for the Leica in {{ACA}}.''<br>''Left: February 1930 ([[Kinjō|Kinjō Shōkai]]). Middle: June 1932 ([[Kinjō|Kinjō Shōkai]]). Right: June 1932 ([[Schmidt|Schmidt Shōten]]). {{public domain Japan old}}''
 +
|-
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| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46507415162/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7872/46507415162_dbc14aa9ae_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/31857834647/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7854/31857834647_0df44a58a0_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47925410918/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47925410918_495a256b6f_m_d.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
| ''Advertisements for the Leica in {{SSA}} January 1934.''<br>''Left: [[Asanuma Shashinki-ten]]. Middle: [[Hattori|Hattori Tokei-ten]]. Right: [[Schmidt|Schmidt Shōten]]. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Bibliography ==
 +
* {{ACA}}. Advertisement by [[Kinjō|Kinjō Shōkai]] in February 1930 (p.A11) and June 1932 (p.A12), and advertisement by [[Schmidt|Schmidt Shōten]] in June 1932 (p.A31).
 +
* {{SSA}}. Advertisements by [[Asanuma Shashinki-ten]], [[Hattori|Hattori Tokei-ten]] and [[Schmidt|Schmidt Shōten]] in January 1934.
 +
* Rogliatti, Gianni. ''Leica. The first 60 years.'' Hove Collectors Books, Hove (UK), 1985. <nowiki>ISBN</nowiki> 1-874707-02-2.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
* [http://www.leica-camera.com/ Leica Camera AG]
 
* [http://www.leica-camera.com/ Leica Camera AG]
 +
* [http://antiquecameras.net/leicamlenses.html Leica M Lens Price & Information Guide]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica Leica page at Wikipedia], with a comprehensive company history.
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica Leica page at Wikipedia], with a comprehensive company history.
 
* [http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml Leica FAQ] by Andrew Nemeth
 
* [http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml Leica FAQ] by Andrew Nemeth
−
* [http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=1548 Photo.net Leica Photography Forum]
+
* [https://www.photo.net/discuss/forums/leica-and-rangefinders.1548/ Photo.net Leica Photography Forum]
−
* [http://www.leica-forum.com/ The inofficial Leica User Forums! - English, German and French]
+
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica.htm Leica/Leicaflex instruction manuals, in color, most in English] at Orphancameras.com
−
* [http://www.summilux.net/ The inofficial Leica Website and Forum summilux.net - French]
+
* [http://www.l-camera-forum.com/ L·Camera Forum] (English and German)
−
* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/visites1937/html/leitz.php Visit the Leitz Manufacture in 1937] by Sylvain Halgand - French
+
* [http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Main_Page L·Camera LeicaWiki] (English)
−
* [http://photo.even.free.fr/col_app.php?type=leitz Leitz page] at [http://photo.even.free.fr/ Collection G. Even's site]
+
* [http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.de/index.php/Hauptseite L·Camera LeicaWiki] (German)
 +
* [http://www.summilux.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=63 The inofficial Leica Website and Forum summilux.net — French]
 +
* [https://www.freelists.org/archive/leicareflex/ The archived unofficial Leica Reflex User Forum. - English]
 +
* [http://www.leicapages.org/ the leica pages] — German
 +
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/visites1937/html/leitz.php Visit the Leitz Manufacture in 1937] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeL_imagettes.php#Leica Cameras] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/ www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (French)
 +
* [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/894 Leitz page] at [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/ Collection G. Even's site] (French)
 +
* [http://www.mauroruscelli.com/dblog/articolo.asp?id=570 Leica Reflex] — Italian
 +
* [http://www.mauroruscelli.com/dblog/articolo.asp?articolo=1079 Leica M] — Italian
 +
* [http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/ Leica Cameras Price Guide] ~ Compiled prices from recent completed auctions.
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190101053909/http://manualcamera.info/clasicas.htm Manual Camera] Utilizando Leica y otras cámaras clásicas (en español) (archived)
 +
* [http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.de/index.php/Seriennummern_Leica_Kameras all Leica serial numbers from 1923 - 2002] (German)
  
−
[[Category: Camera makers]]
+
==Notes==
−
[[Category: Lens makers]]
+
<REFERENCES/>
 +
[[Category: German camera makers]]
 +
[[Category: German lens makers]]
 +
[[Category:Enlargers|Leitz]]
 
[[Category: Leica|*]]
 
[[Category: Leica|*]]
−
[[Category: Germany]]
 

Latest revision as of 05:31, 16 April 2024

2115436285_843815e2b3.jpg
Leica M3 with dual-range Summicron 50/2
image by Dries van den Elzen (Image rights)
8527103034_603c261f73.jpg
Image from the 1929 Leica A instruction book
scanned by Geoff Harrisson  (Image rights)

Company

Photo industry in Wetzlar
Docter | Hensoldt | Leitz | Leidolf | Leivtec | Minox | Oehler | Rau | Wica | Will

Leica Camera AG is a leading German optical company that has been designing and developing 35 mm cameras since 1913, and manufacturing them in series production since 1925. Leica Camera AG is also responsible for Leica Binocular production, Leica began producing binoculars in 1907. The company, formerly Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now four companies: Leica Camera AG, which produces cameras; Leica Geosystems AG which produces geodetic equipment; Leica Microsystems GmbH, which produces microscopes; and Leica Biosystems, wich produces clinical diagnostic equipment.

Leica Camera AG has production plants in Germany and Portugal, the headquarters of Leica Camera AG is situated in Wetzlar, Germany.

History:

294142980_786e255c1c_m.jpg
Carl Kellner (Image rights)
  • 1849: the mathematician Carl Kellner founds a company in Wetzlar which produces microscopes
  • 1855: after Kellner's death his widow leads the company
  • 1865: the precision mechanic Ernst Leitz becomes partner
  • 1869: Ernst Leitz becomes chief of the company
  • 1887: the company produces its 10,000th microscope
  • 1913: Oskar Barnack become the head of R&D
  • 1920: after Ernst Leitz's death Ernst Leitz II becomes chief
  • 1923: 25 "Null-Serie" Cameras produced
  • 1924: the company has 1000 employees. Leitz decides to produce the viewfinder camera for 35mm film which Oskar Barnack had constructed in 1913
  • 1925: The new product, the Leica, is launched at the spring fair (Früjahrsmesse) in Leipzig
  • 1926: they produce their first slide projector
  • 1930: The Leica I is reworked for interchangeable instead of fixed lenses
  • 1938: foundation of the Leica school, the later Leica Akademie
  • 1945: After WWII used old Leicas are among the top products traded on Germany's postwar black market
  • 1956: after Ernst Leitz II's death his sons Ernst Leitz III, Ludwig Leitz and Günther Leitz lead the company
  • 1972: a cooperation agreement is signed in June between the Leitz and Minolta companies, that will lead to the joint development of the Leica CL, Leica R3 and Leica R4
  • 1986: the camera making activities of the Leitz company are bundled in the Leica GmbH
  • 1988: the new factory in Solms opens
  • 1996: Leica buys Minox. The Leica GmbH becomes the stock market company Leica Camera AG
  • 2005: Leica Camera AG has lost market shares and starts a rescue plan for economical survival. The expensive digital module for the R8 and R9 analog SLRs is a huge success.
  • 2006: Leica Camera AG tried unsuccessfully to buy 51% of Sinar AG from Jenoptik
  • 2014: Leica Camera returns to Wetzlar.
  • 2018: The company's return to Wetzlar is completed with the opening of the Leitz-Park Area.[1]

35mm film

Fixed lens

  • Leica 0, preseries ("null serie")
  • Leica A (fixed lens)
  • Leica B (only model w/ leaf shutter)

Screw-mount lens

8266262094_13ae4bf04e_m.jpg
Leica D (Leica II)
image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights)
  • Leica C non-standardized (requires lens shims)
  • Leica C standardized = Leica I
  • Leica D = Leica II (first type w/ built-in rangefinder)
  • Leica E = Leica Standard = Leica I (improved standardized C)
  • Leica F = Leica III (like II but with slow speeds on frontal dial)
  • Leica G = Leica IIIa (adds 1/1000 speed)
  • Leica IIIb (rfdr. and viewer windows close together)
  • Leica IIIc (die cast body, slightly longer)
  • Leica IIc (same body as IIIc but without slow speeds)
  • Leica Ic (has two accessory shoes, die cast body similar to IIc but without rangefinder)
  • Leica IIId (version of IIIc with self-time lever, very few were produced)
  • Leica IIIf (postwar improvements, and some have self-timer lever)
  • Leica IIf (no slow speed dial, but other improvements like IIIf)
  • Leica If (has two accessory shoes, die cast body similar to IIf but without rangefinder)
  • Leica IIIg (change in body configuration to facilitate manufacture)
  • Leica 250 Reporter (has huge film magazines)
  • Leica half-frame (version of IIIc, and was built in Canada)
  • Single Exposure Leica

Note: Capital letter model designations were used in Europe; Roman numerals were at first used in USA, and became universal after the Model G (IIIa). There is often confusion between the sub-letters in lower case used on the Roman numeral designations, and the capital letters used in the earlier screwmount models; they do NOT equate! Apparently there were no Models Ie, IIe, or IIIe. Also the III is not the same as the IIIa. There are many minor variations that did not rate a change in designation.

M-mount Rangefinders

7170069275_10227a6fda_m.jpg
M6
image by wolf4max (Image rights)

For digital M cameras see Digital M-mount

Leica M chronology

M-mount Lenses

Leica produced and still produce many lenses for the famous M-mount.

The Lenses are named based on their aperture.

  • Noctilux f0.95-f1.2
  • Summilux f1.4
  • Summicron f2
  • Summarit f2.5
  • Elmarit f2.8
  • Elmar, Super-Elmar f3.5-f4
  • Hektor f4.5

SLR

Autofocus

Many Leica-branded compacts used electronics from Panasonic, and may have actually been manufactured by the Japanese company.

404700216_f31bf87da0_t.jpg
C2
image by LucisPictor (Image rights)

APS film

Large format

Special cameras

295617625_d83f5ccb2f_m.jpg
special camera
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

Aerial cameras

  • Leitz Canada KE-28B

9×12cm microscope cameras

  • Leitz Wetzlar Makam 1x
  • Leitz Microscope Camera

8mm movie cameras

(under construction)

  • Leicina 8R (1960)
  • Leicina 8S (1962)
  • Leicina 8V (1962) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leitz Variogon 8-48mm f/1.8
  • Leicina 8SV (1962) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leicina Vario 7,5-35mm f/1.8
  • Leicina 8SV (1962) with fixed Angenieux Paris zoom: Angenieux Paris - Zoom Type K2 7,5-35mm f/1.8
  • Leicina Super (1969) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leicina Vario 8-64mm f/1.9
  • Leicina Super RT1 (1970) with fixed Leitz zoom: Leicina Vario 8-64mm f/1.9
  • Leicina Special (1972) with interchangeable Leitz lenses: Leicina Optivaron 6-66mm f/1.8 / Leicina Macro-Cinegon 10mm f/1.8
  • Leicina Special 'High Speed' (1973) with the same lenses of the Leicina Special

Instant cameras

Rifle cameras

  • Leica RIFLE — Leica camera mounted on a rifle stock

Digital

Digilux

Fixed lens

C-Lux

  • Leica C-Lux 1 - 2006
  • Leica C-Lux 2 - 2007
  • Leica C-Lux 3 - 2008
  • Leica C-Lux - 2018
  • Leica C (Typ 112) - 2013

D-Lux

Q series

  • Leica Q
  • Leica Q (Typ 116) - 2018
  • Leica Q-P -2018
  • Leica Q2 -2019
  • Leica Q3 - 2023

V-Lux

  • Leica V-Lux 1
  • Leica V-Lux 2
  • Leica V-Lux 3
  • Leica V-Lux 4
  • Leica V-Lux 20
  • Leica V-Lux 30
  • Leica V-Lux 40
  • Leica V-Lux (Typ 114) - 2014

X series

  • Leica X Vario
  • Leica X1
  • Leica X2
  • Leica X (Typ 113)
  • Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Interchangeable lens

M-mount lens

  • Leica M8
  • Leica M9
  • Leica M9-P
  • Leica M (Typ 240)
  • Leica M (Typ 262) - 2015
  • Leica M-Monochrom
  • Leica M-Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • Leica M-E
  • Leica M-E (Typ 220) - 2012
  • Leica M-E (Typ 240) - 2019
  • Leica M Edition 60 - 2014
  • Leica M10 - 2017
  • Leica M10-P - 2018
  • Leica M10-D - 2018
  • Leica M10-R - 2020
  • Leica M10 Monochrom (Type 6376) - 2020
  • Leica M11 - (Type 2416) 2022
  • Leica M11 Monochrom - (Type 2416) 2023
  • Leica M11-P

SLR

L-Mount

T / TL (APS-C)

  • Leica T (Typ 701) - 2014
  • Leica TL - 2016
  • Leica TL2 - 2017
  • Leica CL (Typ 7323) - 2017

SL (Full Frame)

  • Leica SL (Typ 601) - 2015
  • Leica SL2
  • Leica SL2-S
  • Leica SL3 - 2024

Scanner camera

  • Leica S1

Enlargers

  • Leitz Flyt
  • Leitz Focomat Ia
  • Leitz Focomat Ib
  • Leitz Focomat Ic
  • Leitz Focomat Ic Color
  • Leitz Focomat IIa
  • Leitz Focomat IIa color
  • Leitz Focomat IIc
  • Leitz V35 AF
  • Leitz Valfa
  • Leitz Valoy
  • Leitz Valoy II
  • Leitz Vamax
  • Leitz Varyl
  • Leitz Vitox

Projectors

  • Leitz Prado 250
  • Leitz Prado Universal
  • Leitz Pradovit C 2500
  • Leitz Pradovit CA 1500
  • Leitz Pradovit Color 110
  • Leica Pradovit P 150
  • Leica Pradovit P 300
  • Leica Pradovit P 300 IR
  • Leitz Pradovit RC
  • Leitz Pradovit RT-200
  • Leica Pradovit RT-s

other

Japanese advertisements

The Leica camera was imported into Japan in the early 1930s by Schmidt Shōten. It was advertised by various other retailers, such as Kinjō Shōkai, Asanuma Shashinki-ten or Hattori Tokei-ten.

39876759363_87ec3f7628_m_d.jpg 46841849701_720ffdeac4_m_d.jpg 47925338688_1592f57e58_m_d.jpg
Advertisements for the Leica in Asahi Camera.
Left: February 1930 (Kinjō Shōkai). Middle: June 1932 (Kinjō Shōkai). Right: June 1932 (Schmidt Shōten). (Image rights)
46507415162_dbc14aa9ae_m_d.jpg 31857834647_0df44a58a0_m_d.jpg 47925410918_495a256b6f_m_d.jpg
Advertisements for the Leica in Shashin Salon January 1934.
Left: Asanuma Shashinki-ten. Middle: Hattori Tokei-ten. Right: Schmidt Shōten. (Image rights)

Bibliography

Links

Notes

  1. ↑ photoscala about opening of the Leitz-Park in June 2018
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