LEICA: AN ICONIC HISTORY by Stuart Rayson
The Napalm Girl- Kim Phuc, then and now with Nick Ut who captured the powerful image.
For more than 100 years, famous photographers from around the world have chosen Leica as their camera of choice. From documenting war zones, to photographing the famous, Leica cameras have been used to capture some of the most iconic and historical images of the last century.
Since the release of the Leica M3 at Photokina in 1954, every single M-System camera has represented the pinnacle of innovation for its day. Defined by what is essential for photography. Leica embodies this passion for quality, craftsmanship and its philosophy of photography until today. More than 60 years of rangefinder expertise, 11 years of digital M-Camera development and invaluable feedback from dedicated M-Photographers have inspired Leica engineers to create the slimmest digital M of all time: the Leica M10.
History can be written … and history can be photographed.
When, in 1914, the Leica Camera was invented was by Oskar Barnack, it was seen as many as a toy. The engineer had defected from rival optics manufacturer Zeiss, to lead the experimental department at
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Leitz. He called his new invention‘ the Micro Lilliput Camera’, and it was unique for its use of cine film in creating a still image. However, with the outbreak of the war, it wasn’ t until the return of peace in 1925 that his invention was refined enough to be sold in shops as a camera, where it was firstly marketed briefly as the‘ Barrack’, before becoming named as the‘ Leica’, the name we all recognise today- an abrievation of‘ Leitz’ and‘ camera’.
With its compact size, simplicity and speed, it helped pave the way for modern photography as we know it- being fast, discreet and agile, the Leica camera quickly became popular with photojournalists around the world. Often at first only seen in war zones, as tastes changed over time the Leica camera subsequently became popular within fashion and portraiture as less formal photographic styles became more popular.
Today, the Leica Camera is seen not only as a photographic tool, but also as a luxury item, synonymous with hand made German design and optical quality that surpasses most other optics in the world. And for many modern day photographers, the Leica camera still remains a machine they can trust, one that is beautiful to use, whose quality is second to none.
Few brands hold such esteem in photographic history as Leica.