Leica Boutique opens at Willoughby’s Imaging Center, New York

By LR admin | Published: June 3, 2010

Update: some pictures from the event can be found here.

Photo credit: Willoughby's

NEW YORK (June 3, 2010) – Leica Camera Inc. is proud to announce the opening of the Leica Boutique at the Willoughby’s Imaging Center on June 8, 2010. The new boutique marks the first Leica designed retail space in New York City and a marquis partnership between two historic brands in the photography industry.

Set within New York’s oldest photographic emporium, the Leica Boutique at Willoughby’s Imaging Center will provide a new source for information on all Leica-related topics and offer Leica’s full product portfolio, from point-and-shoot cameras to rangefinder and medium format systems and binoculars. Similar to all Leica products, this new retail setting will utilize premium design and materials to offer a memorable and interactive experience.

“We are proud to offer Leica clients and fans this distinctive new venue to explore our products,” remarks Leica Camera Inc. President Roger Horn. “Both Willoughby’s and Leica have a significant place in the photography industry’s rich history and we are excited to bring lasting synergy to both our brands through this partnership.”

To celebrate the grand opening of the Leica Boutique, Willoughby’s, along with photo enthusiast and actor Matthew Modine, renowned event photographer Patrick McMullan and Alex McCord of Real Housewives of New York, will host a VIP “cocktails and cameras” party. In addition to showcasing the new Leica retail setting, the event will exhibit the latest work of renowned fashion photographer and Leica Camera fan, Nevil Dwek.

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Leica S-System delivers the ultimate Fantasy Portraits

By LR admin | Published: June 3, 2010

3 June 2010: Leica’s professional digital camera system, the Leica S-System, has been chosen by fashion photographer Yves de Contades to create a unique set of photographs of some of the UK’s leading creative directors. Named ‘Fantasy Portraits’, the collection will exhibited in June 2010.

Yves de Contades, who is also creative director of luxury brand magazine, International Life, approached forty leading creative gurus from the UK’s advertising and design industry with the question ‘What is your ultimate Fantasy Portrait?’ The results were an intoxicating mix of the quirky, the clever and the downright bizarre, from a digital robot, a spaceman bouncing through Piccadilly Circus to a dragon slaying ninja.

All images were shot exclusively on the new Leica S-System. After the shoot, Yves commented, “My vision was to bring to life the weird and wonderful imagination of some the UK’s most creative minds. It was refreshing to collaborate on a project focused solely on creatives, who are generally preoccupied with their clients’ brands.”

Yves added, “The Leica S-System is a step forward in technology that harks back to real photography, as it combines the latest digital medium format with the highest end camera body, designed by photographers for photographers. Once you have used this camera, you cannot help but fall in love with it.

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Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2010

By LR admin | Published: June 2, 2010

Photo credit: Andy Spyra

Solms, Germany (June 2, 2010) – The first prize in this year’s highly prestigious photographic competition, the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2010,’ goes to the Swedish photographer Jens Olof Lasthein. His award-winning portfolio entitled ‘Waiting for the future – pictures from Abkhazia’ tells the story of the people of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Southern Caucasus. The second winner in this year’s competition is Andy Spyra from Germany. His portfolio, ‘Kashmir,’ shot in the region of the same name, is the winning entry for the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award 2010.’ The winner of the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award’ receives €5,000 (approx. $6,100) or, alternatively, Leica camera equipment of the same value. The winner of the Newcomer Award receives €2,500 (approx. $3,000). The prizes will be presented on July 6, 2010, as part of the photographic festival in Arles.

Although the Republic of Abkhazia – the central theme of the winning portfolio – has gained its independence after a period of unrest and civil war, it is still considered to be a part of Georgiaunder international law.  This politically complex situation is also reflected in the everyday life of the region. The future of the people there is just as uncertain as that of their home country and it is precisely this uncertainty that Lasthein has captured in his photography.

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New Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 flash for Leica coming soon?

By LR admin | Published: May 31, 2010

Metz has listed a new Mecablitz 58 AF-2 flash unit for Leica on their website:

Posted in Leica Flash| 2 Comments

WestLicht Photographica Auction results

By LR admin | Published: May 31, 2010

The results of the last WestLicht Photographica Auction are out:

The WestLicht camera auction on the 29th of May 2010 ended with a sensation. Lot 544, a Daguerréotype Giroux from 1839, was sold for the unbelievable price of 732,000 Euros (incl. premiums) and is thus not only the first commercially produced camera but also the most expensive camera in the world. No less spectacular is the price achieved by the mercury box that goes with the Daguerreotype – the extremely rare accessory was sold for 144,600 Euros.

Good results were also registered by the rare Leica prototypes: the 0 series M3 in fantastic original condition changes hands at 156,000 Euros, the even rarer Leica H for 67,800 Euros and the very first version of the famous Stereo Elmar 3,5/3,5cm from 1940 was auctioned for 60,000 Euros.

The photo auction was also a great success: the most expensive lot was a movement study by Austrian photographer, Rudolf Koppitz , which had reached a sensational 40,800 Euros by the time the hammer fell. At 14,400 Euros, Nude Study XIX by Anton Josef Trčka (from 1926) also achieved a notable result.

All auction results can be found in the online catalogue under the relevant lot number and in the results list that can be downloaded as PDF here.

After the Auction

You have acquired one or more lots and the WestLicht Auction? How does it go from there? Please find all information concerning invoicing, payment and dispatch of goods here.

Post-auction sales

Some lots from this auction were unfortunately unable to find buyers and are being offered in a post-auction sale at the starting prices (plus 20% premium). The items in question are those in the on line catalogue with no hammer price shown. If you are interested in this offer please get in contact with us quoting the lot number. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the post-auction sales information is only up-dated weekly. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Interesting Leica links

By LR admin | Published: May 31, 2010

Few interesting links:

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“Like a Leica”

By LR admin | Published: May 30, 2010

The artist Tom Sachs (via collete.fr) has the following item for sale on his website:

Here is the description:

“Like a Leica

Limited edition of 12.

Tom Sachs is a sculptor from NYC. He’s known for his elaborate recreations of various modern icons such as Hello Kitty, NASA, Chanel, Hermès, etc… This is an original signed and numbered piece handmade at the artist’s studio in New York City. This 12.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH pocket-camera has been rebranded into a Leica.

Engravings, paint and customized stickers ensure the experience is better than genuine.”

The price? €2,100 / $2,500. Memory card not included. I am not sure what to say… Let’s put it this way – I like the NASAblad and the Incinolet much better.  Actually, I am sure of one thing – all 12 pieces will be sold.

Posted in Leica Compacts| 18 Comments