Brief history of Leica Camera AG

By LR admin | Published: December 4, 2011

A brief history of the major Leica milestones:

  • 1849 The optician Carl Kellner founds an Optics Institute in Wetzlar.

Ernst Leitz I

  • 1869 Ernst Leitz becomes managing director.

Ur-Leica

  • 1914 Oskar Barnack constructs the Ur-Leica.

Ernst Leitz II

  • 1924 Ernst Leitz II decides to put the 35 mm Leica (Leitz Camera) into mass production.
  • 1925 The LEICA I with inbuilt lens is launched.
  • 1930 The first LEICA camera with interchangeable threaded mount and interchangeable lenses is released.

Leica II

  • 1932 The 100,000th LEICA II rolls off the conveyor belt.
  • 1934 The LEICA 250 ‘Reporter’ contains a ten-metre film and delivers 250 exposures without the need for reloading.

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Posted in Leica Press Releases | Tagged | 12 Comments

RED camera + Leica M lenses

By LR admin | Published: December 3, 2011

In addition to the Leica Cinema Lenses, cinematographers can soon also use Leica M lenses on a RED camera – Pier 59 with the assistance of Leica Camera have been testing the RED DSMC Leica-M mount in New York this week. Read more on red.com and reduser.net.

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Posted in Leica Cinema Lenses, Leica Lenses | 13 Comments

Leica Super Elmar M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH lens now shipping in the US

By LR admin | Published: December 2, 2011

After it was initially delayed for some design changes, the new Super Elmar M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH lens is now finally shipping in the US. The above picture was taken in my local Leica dealer who also had the 28mm Summicron-M f/2 ASPH in stock. My other local dealer currently has the Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH in stock. Every other Leica M lens is pretty much out of stock everywhere, maybe because of the upcoming price increase.

Amazon currently has one 21mm/f/3.4 in stock for a $500 premium.

Posted in Leica Lenses | 6 Comments

Today the Panasonic LX5 is 3 times cheaper than the Leica D-Lux 5

By LR admin | Published: December 2, 2011

Today Amazon has a deal on the Panasonic LX5 ($269) which makes is 3 times cheaper than the Leica D-Lux 5 ($799)!

The Leica D-Lux 5 and Panasonic LX5 are basically identical cameras, both manufactured by Panasonic in Japan. Check this comparison for more details.

Posted in Leica D-Lux | 10 Comments

Top 10 LeicaRumors posts for November 2011

By LR admin | Published: December 1, 2011

Those are the top 10 most visited LeicaRumors posts for November 2011:

  1. The upcoming Fuji mirrorless camera resembles Leica M9.
  2. Leica has a surprise for next year.
  3. Here are the new Leica M prices.
  4. LFI magazine promises new products coverage in their next issue.
  5. LFI magazine: “Leica will soon be presenting novelties in a variety of product categories”.
  6. What is the value of this vintage Leica I camera?
  7. The design of Leica Super Elmar M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH lens was slightly changed.
  8. Some Leica camera porn.
  9. Ricoh A12 M-mount unit for the GXR system now shipping in the US.
  10. Leica to increase M lens prices on January 1st, 2012.
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New Leica Boutique opens tomorrow in Basel

By LR admin | Published: December 1, 2011

A new Leica Boutique will open its doors tomorrow in Basel, Switzerland. For more info, visit Foto Profis Basel website.

Posted in Other Leica Stuff | Tagged | Leave a Comment

Leitz Park building application submitted: an important step in the planning of the new Leica Camera AG facilities

By LR admin | Published: November 30, 2011

Leitz-Park GmbH, the developer of the new Leica Camera AG company headquarters in the Leitz Park in Wetzlar, submitted the building application to the local authorities in Wetzlar on Wednesday. If all goes well, construction should begin in April 2012, and the building is scheduled to be completed by November 2013. The building has a projected ground plan area of around 27,000 m2.

On completion, Leica Camera AG will be relocating production, administration and customer service from Solms to the new facilities in Wetzlar. The new headquarters will also offer manufacturing and assembly areas with public viewing opportunities, a Leica Museum, a store, a photo studio and a restaurant for visitors. The past, present and future of the art of photography and the Leica products inseparably linked to its evolution are brought together here in the form of a unique experience.

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The Leica M-system 2012 wall calendar is here

By LR admin | Published: November 30, 2011

The new Leica M-system 2012 wall calendar is now available on LFI for EUR 45. Check out also the new S-Magazine and the LFI Gallery slide show feature.

Solms, Germany (November 30, 2011) – Leica Camera AG, in conjunction with Magnum Photos, presents the Leica M-System wall calendar for 2012. Titled ‘Past. Present. Future.,’ the calendar shares its name with the motto of the partnership between Magnum and Leica and contains six monochrome and six color images shot with Leica’s flagship M cameras by a selection of well-known Magnum photographers.

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Posted in Leica Press Releases | 6 Comments