This year marks the 100th anniversary of Leica, the manufacturers of the beautiful cameras that can lay claim to having taken some of the most iconic images of the last century.Oskar Barnack produced the very first ‘Leitz’ camera in 1914 and gave birth to 35mm photography. Few brands have had such an effect on the history of photography as Leica,in the mid-to-late 20th century they became the most widely used ‘street photography’ cameras and have been used by, among others,Henri Cartier-Bresson, the “father of photojournalism”. To celebrate their centenary we’ve rounded up the Leica photos that have shaped the world we live in today.
Oskar Barnack ‘Flood in Wetzlar’1920
Alfred Eisenstaedt,1945
Jewgeni Chaldej, May 2nd 1945
Marc Riboud, 1953
Robert Lebeck,1960,
Ulrich Mack,1964
Thomas Hoepker, Muhammad Ali, Illinois, August 1966
Nick Ut,1972
Gianni Berengo Gardin,1977
Jeff Mermelstein, Sidewalk, 1995
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FAQs
With its simplicity and compactness, the Leica camera paved the way for all modern photography that benefited from speed, silence and agility: photojournalism, in particular, with war photography as a speciality, but subsequently genres such as fashion when the taboos against less formal photographic styles began to ...
What celebrities have a Leica? ›
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 (aka Endre Ernö Friedmann), Jan Grarup, Robert McNeely, Bruce Gilden, Eugene Smith, ...
Why is Leica so expensive? ›
One of the main reasons for this is that Leicas are handcrafted. Every single component of the camera, from the screws to the motherboard, is assembled by hand by skilled workers. This process is time-consuming and requires considerable skill, which is what makes Leica cameras worth the high cost.
What makes a Leica camera so special? ›
High-quality lenses: Leica lenses are renowned for their exceptional quality, which has influenced the development of lenses from other brands. Design and craftsmanship: They are often praised for their design and craftsmanship, with many photographers valuing them for their beauty as well as their performance.
Why do people choose Leica? ›
When you consider the resale value of Leica cameras and lenses, the longevity of their products - they are known to last a lifetime, the fact that many are handmade by highly skilled experts in their Wetzlar factory, and the unique look and feel that only images made with a Leica have, it's easy to see why they are a ...
What camera does Brad Pitt use? ›
And Mr. Pitt, who has appeared on the cover of Interview magazine holding a Leica M7, earns praise from photographers in Leica forums for his work, including a cover shoot of Angelina Jolie for W a few years ago. While some purists scoff, others do their best not to generalize about their famous Leica brethren. Mr.
Which country owns Leica? ›
Leica Camera AG (/ˈlaɪkʌ/) is a German company that manufactures cameras, optical lenses, photographic lenses, binoculars, and rifle scopes. The company was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1869 (Ernst Leitz Wetzlar), in Wetzlar, Germany.
What company owns Leica? ›
Leica Camera AG is primarily owned by two entities: ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH: This company owns 55% of Leica Camera AG. The Blackstone Group: They hold a 45% stake in Leica Camera AG oai_citation:1,8 Interesting Leica Statistics (Fact Checked for 2023) – Shotkit.
Which is better Zeiss or Leica? ›
The shades of Leica lenses usually have more vivid colors while the contrast is a bit richer than what you would get with a Zeiss lens of almost similar attributes. On the flipside though, Zeiss lenses tend to produce a bit more sharpness in images than Leica varieties.
What is the most collectible Leica? ›
The original Leica M4 is considered by many to represent the high point in the evolution of the Leica M. A total of 60,691 M4s were made, 47,522 in chrome, 6,775 in black chrome, 4,899 in black lacquer, and a mere 31 in olive lacquer for the military.
The Nikon has fewer pixels, so at f/8 in the center where all lenses work pretty much alike, the D3 and D700 are at a disadvantage. With the same money spent on lenses, the Leica easily wins. The Leica is usually superior, or at least as good, as the best from Nikon and Canon at the same price.
Which smartphone uses Leica camera? ›
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra features a quad camera system with Leica optical lens.
Is Leica really good? ›
Leica: just about everyone agrees they make high-quality cameras and lenses, and that they are now a high-end luxury brand. As with Louis Vuitton, Hermes or Rolex, it seems that the company can push up prices as much as they want, in the name of 'premium quality, premium price.
Do photojournalists use Leica? ›
Yes, some photographers use Leica lenses. They also use many other brands. Most pros that I have known use the same brand lenses as their camera.
How did modern photojournalism evolved? ›
The beginning of modern photojournalism took place in 1925, in Germany. The event was the invention of the first 35 mm camera, the Leica. It was designed as a way to use surplus movie film, then shot in the 35 mm format.
How digital photography has changed photojournalism? ›
Technology and the Internet have had a positive influence on photojournalists and their careers. Since the beginning of photography, technological advances have changed the field of photojournalism. Photographers now use digital cameras to take photographs and no longer use the darkroom to develop their images.
How has the invention of the smartphone camera changed photography? ›
Overall, the rise of smartphone photography has had a significant impact on the photography industry. It has made photography more accessible to amateur photographers, and has changed the way that people consume and share photos.