At Photokina 1966 Leitz Wetzlar announced new products, including the 50mm 1:1.2 Noctilux, welcomed by available light specialists of the day. Evaluation of prototypes circa 1964-1966 suggested the Noctilux set new performance standards at the widest...
Ingenious innovations that paved the way for two classic Leicas.The original Leicaflex, now known as the Leicaflex Standard, was the first 35mm SLR made by Leitz Wetzlar. It officially debuted in 1963, reached the market in 1964, and was phased out in 1968....
From the earliest days of the Leica, enlargers were an integral part of the system because contact prints from the 24 x 36mm format were viewed as an intermediate step, and not as the end product. Indeed, some of the earliest promotional literature for the Leica...
Yes, but they weren’t oversights, but rare artifacts of a transitional eraSince E. Leitz Wetzlar was almost fanatically fastidious about engraving serial numbers on its cameras and lenses (even accessories!) and in keeping meticulous records that...
Images courtesy of James LagerMade for internal use only, some have wound up on the open marketLike most camera manufacturers, Leica produced a limited number of cameras destined for internal use, for everything from field testing lenses, accessories,...
A wide range of decorative materials for camera store window displays has been produced for Leica cameras, lenses and accessories over the decades. Unfortunately, not many of the displays from the early period have survived, as sensitive materials such...
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the LHSA, an English translation of Ulf Richter’s wonderful book, “Oskar Barnack – From the Idea to the Leica” was published and made available to the membership. If you don’t already own it, I encourage...
This is the last of three articles based upon materials shared by Ashley Wolff, Paul Wolff ’s granddaughter. Here, starting with images from Ashley, we will examine what is likely the totality of pictures involving Paul Wolff and doctors. There are only...
The Leica Monté en Sarre was manufactured in the Saarland after World War II. At that time the Saarland was still under French occupation, and made it possible for the Leitz company to get better access to the French market.Monté en Sarre means:...
Everyone from major lens makers to adept machinists got into the actWhen it comes to off-brand interchangeable lenses for rangefinder cameras, nothing can match the sheer number and staggering diversity of rangefinder-coupled lenses available in Leica...
