Leica

Encyclopedia : L : LE : LEI : Leica

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Leica is a camera produced by a German company of the same name. The company, formerly Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now three companies: Leica Camera AG, Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Microsystems AG, which produce cameras, geosurvey equipment and microscopes, respectively. Leica Microsystems AG is the owner of the Leica brand, and grants licenses to Leica Camera AG and Leica Geosystems.

Leica camera history - \"The father of 35 mm photography\"

The Leica was the first practical 35 mm camera. The first prototypes were built by Oskar Barnack at E. Leitz Optische Werke, Wetzlar, in 1913. Barnack used standard cinema 35 mm film, but extended the image size to 24 x 36 mm. Barnack believed the 2:3 aspect ratio to be the ultimate choice, leaving room for a 36-exposure film length (originally 40 exposures, but some films were found to be thicker).

Barnack's words, "Small negatives -- large images", would soon change the world of photography.

The concept was developed further, and in 1923 Barnack convinced his boss, Ernst Leitz II, to make a prototype series of 31. The camera was an immediate success when introduced at the 1925 Leipzig, Germany Spring Fair as the Leica I (for Leitz Camera). The Elmar 50 mm f/3.5 objective (a 4-elements design influenced by the Zeiss Tessar) was designed by Dr. Max Berek at Leitz, and was one of the reasons behind the success of the camera, the others being its compact size and reliability. The focal plane shutter had a range from 1/20 to 1/500 second, in addition to a Z for Zeit (time) position.

In 1930 came the Leica I Schraubgewinde with an exchangeable objective system based on a 39 mm thread. In addition to the 50 normal lens, a 35 wide angle and a 135 mm telephoto objective were initially available.

The Leica II came in 1932, with a built in rangefinder coupled to the lens focusing mechanism. This model had a separate viewfinder (showing a reduced image) and rangefinder (showing a double image which was properly focused when it became one image). The Leica III added slow shutter speeds down to 1 second, and increased rangefinder magnification to 1.5X for more accurate focusing. The model IIIa, introduced in 1935, added the 1/1000 second shutter speed. Also significant about the IIIa is that it is the last model made before Barnack's death, and therefore the last model he was wholly responsible for. Leitz continued to refine the original design through to 1957. The final version, the IIIg, included a large viewfinder with framelines, similar to the M3 finder, but still with the separate view- and rangefinder. These models all had a functional combination of circular dials and square windows that was quite esthetically pleasing, although somewhat busy in appearance. All remain perfectly usable today if serviced properly.

In 1954 Leitz unveiled the M3, a bayonet lens model, considered by many to be a design miracle for its combination of simple appearance with functional flexibility. It combined the rangefinder and viewfinder into one large, bright viewfinder with a brighter double image in the center, and introduced a system of parallax compensation. In addition, it had a new rubberized focal-plane shutter, which is known for reliability and is probably the quietest focal-plane shutter ever made. This model has continued to be refined (the latest versions being the M7 and MP, both of which have frames for 28, 35, 50, 75, 90, and 135 mm lenses which show automatically upon mounting the different lenses); but the basic quality and simplicity of design has not changed.

Leica also produced a series of SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras beginning with the Leicaflex, followed by the SL, the SL2, and then the R series from R3 to R7, which were initially made in collaboration with the Minolta Corporation . They feature electronic shutter, except for the all-mechanical R6, whose only electronic part is the lightmeter. The R8 was re-designed and manufactured by Leica, featuring a larger body and a new, distinctive look. The current model is the R9, which now has an optional Digital Module back. The Leica SLRs were well-received. The optics were excellent, but Leica was slow to produce an auto-exposure model, and never made a version that supported auto-focusing. This and the high price of the optics made them less attractive to working photographers.

Leitz was also responsible for numerous optical innovations (first use of aspheric production lenses, first use of multicoated lenses, first use of rare earth lenses, to name a few). From the 30s to the 50s, the Leica competed with the German Contax camera to be most sophisticated and best built camera on market. Leica lenses developed a mythology -- that photographs taken with them were recognizable from photographs taken with other lenses. There has been much controversy about this.

Leica optics are particularly well-known for superior performance at maximum aperture, making them well-suited for natural-light photography. Leica has in its stable a particularly remarkable lens, the Noctilux 50 mm f/1.0. Introduced in 1976, this ultra-high speed lens is still being made today, while its only competitor, the Canon 50mm f/1.0L USM for the EOS system has already been discontinued. The Canon 0.95 was marginally faster but notoriously less sharp.

A number of camera companies built models based on the Leica rangefinder design. These include the Leotax, Nicca and early Canon models in Japan, the Kardon in USA, the Reid in England and the Fed and Zorki in the USSR.

Conceptually bridging the Rangefinder Leicas and the SLR Leicas was the Leica Visoflex System, a mirror reflex box which attached to the lens mount of Leica rangefinders (separate versions were made for the screwmount and M series bodies) and accepted lenses made especially for the Visoflex System. Rather than using the camera's rangefinder, focusing was accomplished via a groundglass screen. A coupling released both mirror and shutter to make the exposure. Camera rangefinders are inherently limited in their ability to accurately focus long focal-length lenses and the mirror reflex box permitted much longer length lenses.

The earliest Leica reflex housing was the PLOOT, announced in 1935, along with the 200 mm f/4.5 Telyt Lens. This date is significant because that it places Leica among the 35 mm SLR pioneers. Moreover, until the 1964 introduction of the Leicaflex, the PLOOT and Visoflex were Leica's only SLR offerings. A redesigned PLOOT was introduced by Leica in 1951 as the Visoflex I. This was followed by a much more compact Visoflex II in 1960 (which was the only Visoflex version available in both LTM (screwmount) and M-bayonet) and the Visoflex III with instant-return mirror in 1964. Leica lenses for the Visoflex system included focal lengths of 65, 180 (rare), 200, 280, 400, 560, and 800 mm. In addition, the optical groups of many rangefinder lenses could be removed, and attached to the Visoflex via a system of adapters. The Visoflex system was discontinued in 1984.

Leica's sometimes arcane catalogue of accessories belies a comprehensive if sometimes haphazard systems approach to photography. As an example, LTM (screwmount) lenses were easily usable on M cameras via an adapter. Similarly Visoflex lenses could be used on the Leicaflex and R cameras with an adapter. Furthermore, certain LTM and M rangefinder lenses featured removable optical groups which could be mounted via adapters on the Visoflex system, thus making them usable as rangefinder or SLR lenses for Visoflex-equipped Screwmount and M rangefinder cameras, as well as being usable on Leicaflex and R cameras. Leica also carried in their catalogues focusing systems such as the Focorapid and Televit which could replace certain lenses' helicoid mounts for sports and natural-life telephotography.

Very early examples of Leica cameras and rare accessories are highly sought after by camera collectors and can fetch extremely high prices. Cameras carrying markings that show they were issued to the German army or airforce carry very high premiums. There exist many fake Leica cameras, usually based on Soviet cameras, with the Leica name engraved on the top-plate. Sought-after models include the IIId (the first Leica with integrated self-timer, made in very small numbers), the IIIc with unusual red shutter material and the last of the line, the IIIg with parallax-adjusting brightlines for 50mm and 90mm lenses.

Leica cameras, lenses, accessories and even sales literature are almost fanatically collected by enthusiasts. There are dozens of Leica books and collector's guides; perhaps the best known is the massive 3-volume Leica an Illustrated History by James L. Lager, a former Leica employee. The Leica Historical Society of America [link] is the largest Leica collector and user group, boasting 2,000 members.

In 1986, the Leitz company changed its name to Leica (LEItz CAmera), due to the strength of the Leica brand. At this time, Leica moved its factory from Wetzlar to the nearby town of Solms. In 1996 Leica Camera separated from the Leica Group and became a publicly held company. In 1998 the Leica group split into 2 independent units: Leica Microsystems [link] and Leica Geosystems.

The Leica company still produces a range of expensive, very high quality optical products, including compact cameras, M-System rangefinder cameras (direct descendants of the first Leica), R-system single-lens reflex cameras, digital cameras (in association with Panasonic) such as the Leica Digilux 2 / Panasonic DMC-LC1, binoculars, and spotting scopes.

List of Leica Cameras and lenses

Below is a partial list of cameras and lenses produced under the Leica name.

The screwmount cameras followed a simple nomenclature. The Roman numeral I indicates no rangefinder or slow shutter speed dial (generally 1 sec to 1/20 sec). II indicates a rangefinder but no slow speeds. III indicates both a rangefinder and slow speeds. The letters following the number indicate the generation of the camera. There is no "e" in the series (IIIe would sound awkward in German), which runs from a to g.

There is an arcane and sometimes-broken naming system for lenses based on their maximum aperture. "Elmar" denotes an f/4 or f/3.5 maximum aperture. "Elmarit" denotes an f/2.8 maximum aperture, "Summicron" (preceded by Summitar and Summar) denotes f/2, "Summilux" f/1.4 and "Noctilux" f/1.2 or f/1. Telyt is used for all long telephoto lenses.

Leica I fixed lens

• Leica I - was introduced first time to the market at the 1925 spring fair in Leipzig, based on the Ur-Leica prototype developed by Oscar in 1913 and the Prototyp 1 developed in 1923. Followed by Leica Luxur and Leica Compur (a total of 60,586 was made of the Leica I, Luxur and Compur). From 1930 with interchangeable lenses.

Leica screw mount with interchangeable lens

• Leica I with interchangeable lenses.
• Leica II - 1932. Leica introduces the rangefinder in the camera with this model.
• Leica III - 1933. Leica incorporates slow speeds to the shutter design in this model.
• Leica IIIa - 1935. Leica incorporates 1/1000s shutter speed to the shutter design.
• Leica IIIb. The rangefinder and viewfinder eyepieces are siamesed for quicker operation.
• Leica IIIc. A stronger die-cast body is introduced. IIIc cameras are very plentiful and most wartime cameras are of this type. Later ones have ball-bearing shutters (IIIcK).
• Leica IIId. Integrated self-timer.
• Leica IIIf - 1950. Leica incorporates flash synchronization. The "Black Dial" IIIf synchronizes at only 1/30 sec, but the later "Red Dial" has a more usable 1/50 sec. Some Red Dial IIIf's also have a self timer and are known as IIIf RD DA (for Delayed Action).
• Leica IIIg - Produced till 1960 (Total 798,200 screwmount cameras had been made by then).

M (rangefinder) series

• M3 - 1954 - 1966 (Total 200,000 units manufactured) The M3 was introduced at the German Foto Kina exhibition in 1954. It was the first of the M series Leicas that are still manufactured today - the first interchangeable lens bayonet style Leica body. In an advertisement from 1956, it was regarded as a "lifetime investment in perfect photography"; a statement that has proven to be true after more than fifty years since its release. The M3 has a .92 magnification finder, the highest of any M camera made. The price of this high magnification was that a 35 mm lens required "goggles" which fit in front of the view/rangefinder windows to facilitate a wider view. The M3 advanced film via a lever rather than knob, the first M3s required two strokes to advance the film, after 1958 M3's were single-stroke. Early M3s lacked a frame preview selector lever to switch between framelines.
• MP - 1956 - 1957 (Total 402 sets were manufactured). The original MP was based on the M3 and could be fitted with a Leicavit trigger winding device. MP originally stood for "M Professional"; the camera was intended to be a photojournalist's camera.
• M2 - 1958 - 1967 (88,000 sets were manufactured). A scaled-down and lower-cost version of the M3, the M2 had a simplified rangefinder of 0.72 magnification, allowing easier use of 35 mm lenses. The 0.72 magnification became the standard viewfinder magnification for future M cameras. The M2 lacked the self-resetting film frame counter of its predecessor.
• M1 - 1959 - 1964 (9,392 sets were manufactured). A stripped version of the M2 for scientific/technical use, the M1 was a viewfinder camera with no built-in rangefinder. In 1965 replaced by the MD (with no viewfinder at all), and the MDa (based on the M4) (1967), and finally the MD-2 (based on the M4-2) (1980).
• M4 - 1967 - 1975 (50,000 sets were manufactured); 1974 -1975 (6,500 sets were manufactured). With added rangefinder framelines for 35 mm and 135 mm lenses. Introduced the canted rewind crank (the previous Ms had rewind knobs). With the M5, last M camera to have a self-timer.
• M5 - 1971 - 1975 (31,400 sets were manufactured). With added integral TTL lightmeter. First Leica with a light meter, a mechanical swinging-arm CDS cell positioned behind the lens. The added functionality required a redesigned, larger body compared with the traditional M3 dimensions. Certain wide angle lenses (early 21 mm f4.0 and f3.4) could not be used in the camera without modification because of the possibility of damage to the rear element of the lens or the meter arm. For similar reasons, collapsible lenses could not be collapsed on the M5. These restrictions also held true for the Leica CL (below). With the M4, last M camera to have a self-timer.
• CL - 1973 - 1976 (the compact Leica). Also known as the Minolta CL, Leitz-Minolta CL, introduced with 2 lenses special to that model: the 40 mm Summicron-C f2 and 90 mm Elmar-C f4. Internal metering similar to the M5--CDS cell on a swinging stalk. The CL is also notable for being the only Leica M-bayonet camera to have a vertically-traveling shutter. Minolta later manufactured and sold an improved electronic version, the Minolta CLE with Auto Exposure, Off-The-Film TTL metering and TTL Flash metering, together with three M-Rokkor lenses, the 40 mm f/2, 28 mm f/2.8 and 90 mm f/4.
• M4-2 - 1977 - 1980 (17,000 sets were manufactured). First M to be manufactured since 1975. With stronger gears for the adaptation of a motor drive. First M with hotshoe for electronic flash. No self-timer. Made in Canada.
• M4-P - 1980 - 1986. Added rangefinder framelines for the 28 mm and 75 mm lenses.

• M6 - 1984 - 1998. A breakthrough camera, finally combining the M3 form factor with a modern, off-the-shutter light meter with no moving parts and LED arrows in the viewfinder. Informally referred to as the M6 "Classic" to distinguish it from the "M6 TTL" models, and to indicate its "Classic" M3 dimensions.
• M6J - 1994. A collector's edition of 1,640 cameras to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Leica M System. Notable for its introduction of the 0.85 magnification finder, the first high-magnification finder since 1966, and the basis for the 0.85 cameras to follow starting in 1998.
• M6 0.85 - 1998. The M6 could be optionally ordered with a .85 magnification viewfinder for easier focusing with long lenses and more accurate focusing with fast lenses, such as the 50 mm f/1.0 Noctilux and 75 mm f/1.4 Summilux. The 28 mm framelines are dropped in this model. Only 3,130 of these cameras were made (all black chrome), so they are among the rarer non-commemorative M6's.
• M6 TTL - 1998 - 2002. With .72 and .85 viewfinder versions. From 2000 the .58 viewfinder camera for eyeglass wearers are added to the line. Supported TTL flash. The added electronics added 2 mm of height to the top plate, and the shutter dial was reversed from previous models (traditionally, turning clockwise increased shutter speed).

• M7 2002 - current model (as of 2006). Has TTL exposure, aperture priority and manual exposure, electronic shutter and two mechanical speeds of 1/60 and 1/125. Comes in .58, .72, and .85 viewfinder formats, each with different brightline framelines. Same taller top plate and counter-clockwise shutter dial as the M6 TTL.
• MP[link] 2003 - current model (as of 2006). A homage to the original MP, the new MP (this time standing for "Mechanical Perfection") cosmetically resembles the original (even down to changing the rewind crank back to a knob!) but is functionally closer to the M6 Classic. A notable improvement over the M6 was the modification of the rangefinder to eliminate flare. The Leicavit M is an accessory introduced with the new MP, allowing trigger wind with the right hand at speeds up to 2-2.5 frame/s. The new MP is available in chrome and black paint and with viewfinders of .58, .72 and .85 magnification.
• A La Carte Program 2004 - present. Program to facilitate custom-built combinations of metal finish, leather type, viewfinder magnification, and custom engraving.

R (SLR) series

• Leicaflex - 1964/5 - sometimes called the Standard - built-in external light meter, clear focusing screen with centre ground-glass spot. There was a great deal of pressure to introduce a Leica SLR because of the phenomenal success of the Nikon F (1959).
• Leicaflex SL and SL MOT - 1968 - TTL selective-area metering, slightly taller body than its predecessor, long-lived and lovely to use. MOT model took a large and heavy motor drive. Only about 1,000 SL MOTs were made.
• Leicaflex SL2/SL2 MOT - 1974 - refinement of the SL with more sensitive light meter and improved body shape. Thought by some to be the toughest 35 mm SLR ever built. The Leica Solms museum has on display an SL2 MOT with Motor and 35 mm Summicron which survived a 25,000 foot fall from a Phantom II fighter jet: battered but in one piece, and deemed repairable by Leica. Only about 1,000 SL2 MOTs were made. The SL2 was the swan-song of the Leicaflexes; the SL2 reportedly cost Leitz more to manufacture than it recouped in sales, and motivated the company to collaborate with Minolta for their next series of electronic cameras. The SL2 would also be the last mechanical Leica SLR for 14 years.

• R3 - the first electronic Leitz SLR - 1976 to 1980, based upon the Minolta XE1/7. The first few were built in Germany and then production was transferred to the Leitz Portugal factory.
• R4MOT/R4/R4S/R4S Mod2 - 1980 - 1987 a new compact model based upon the Minolta XD11. The R4 set the design for all cameras up to and including the R7. The R4 offered Program mode, Aperture and Shutter Priority, and Manual, with Spot and Centerweighted metering. The R4MOT differed in designation only; all R4s and up accepted motors and winders. The R4 offered The R4S and R4S Mod2 were simplified models at slightly lower prices.
• Leica R4 [link]
• R5 and R-E - 1987 - revised electronics (R5 had TTL flash capability), the RE was a simplified model.
• R6 - 1988-92 mechanical shutter, relied on battery power only for the built-in light meter.
• R6.2 - 1992- as R6 but with refinements, including a 1/2000th shutter speed.
• R7 - 1992 - yet more advanced electronics.
• R8 - complete redesign, this time in-house with production moved back to Germany. All traces of Minolta gone.
• R9 - refinement of the R8 with 100g less weight and a new anthracite body finish.
• R8/R9 DMR Digital Module-R [link] - 10 megapixel digital back for the R8/R9, making them the first 35 mm SLR cameras able to capture to film or digitally.

C (point and shoot) series

• Z2X
• C1
• C2
• C3
• Leica Minilux 40 mm [link]
• Leica Minilux Zoom
• Leica CM 40 mm
• Leica CM Zoom

Digilux (digital) series

• Digilux
• Digilux Zoom
• Digilux 4.3
• D-Lux[link]
• D-Lux 2
• Digilux 1[link]
• Digilux 2[link]
• R8/R9 DMR Digital Modul-R (DSLR)[link]
• C-Lux 1[link]

Leica lenses on Panasonic

Leica lenses are used on many Panasonic digital cameras and video recorders. These include the Panasonic DMC-LX1, Panasonic DMC-FZ10, Panasonic DMC-FZ20, Panasonic DMC-FZ30 and Panasonic TZ1 models.

Leica M lenses

• Elmarit-M Asph. 21 mm f/2.8
• Elmarit-M Asph. 24 mm f/2.8
• Summicron-M Asph. 28 mm f/2
• Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8
• Summilux-M Asph. 35 mm f/1.4
• Summicron-M Asph. 35 mm f/2

• Summilux-M Asph. 50 mm f/1.4
• Summicron-M 50 mm f/2
• Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1
• Elmar-M 50 mm f/2.8 (collapsible)

• Summilux-M 75 mm f/1.4
• Apo-Summicron-M Asph. 75 mm f/2
• Apo-Summicron-M Asph. 90 mm f/2
• Elmarit-M 90 mm f/2.8
• Elmarit 135 mm f/2.8
• Apo-Telyt-M 135 mm f/3.4

• Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4
• Tri-Elmar-M Asph. 28-35-50 mm f/4

Note: Noctilux is a f/1 or f/1.2 lens, Summilux is a f/1.4 lens, Summicron is a f/2 lens, and Elmarit is a f/2.8 lens in Leica lingo.

Leica R lenses

• Leica 15 mm f/3.5 Super-Elmar-R - 1980 (Carl Zeiss design)
• Leica 15 mm f/2.8 Super-Elmarit-R ASPH - 2001
• Leica 16 mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Elmarit-R - 1970
• Leica 19 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version
• Leica 19 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version - 1990
• Leica 21 mm f/4.0 Super-Angulon-R - 1968-1992 (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 21 mm f/3.4 Super-Angulon-R - 1968 (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 24 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R
• Leica 28 mm PC-Super-Angulon-R (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 28 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1970
• Leica 28 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version - 1994
• Leica 35 mm f/4.0 PA-Curtagon-R (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 35 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1964
• Leica 35 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version
• Leica 35 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 3rd version
• Leica 35 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 1st version - 1970
• Leica 35 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 2nd version - 1976
• Leica 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R

• Leica 50 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 1st version - 1964
• Leica 50 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 2nd version - 1977 - built-in lens hood, 3-cam and R-cam only version.
• Leica 50 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R 1st version
• Leica 50 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R 2nd version
• Leica 50 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R 3rd version - 1997 (ROM contacts)
• Leica 60 mm Macro-Elmarit-R 1st version - 1972 - outside bayonet lens hood fitting
• Leica 60 mm Macro-Elmarit-R dn2 version
• Leica 75 mm f/2.0 Elcan-R code C-341 - Extremely rare
• Leica 80 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R
• Leica 90 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1964-1996
• Leica 90 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version - 1983
• Leica 90 mm Summicron-R 1st version - 1969
• Leica 90 mm Summicron-R 2nd version -
• Leica 90 mm APO-Summicron-R ASPH - 2002
• Leica 90 mm f/1.0 Elcan-R - Extremely rare
• Leica 100 mm f/4.0 Macro-Elmar-R bellows version
• Leica 100 mm f/4.0 Macro-Elmar-R helical version
• Leica 100 mm f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R

• Leica 135 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1965
• Leica 135 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version
• Leica 180 mm Elmar-R - 1976
• Leica 180 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version
• Leica 180 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version
• Leica 180 mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-R - 1975-1998
• Leica 180 mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R - 1998
• Leica 180 mm f/2.0 APO-Summicron-R
• Leica 180 mm f/3.4 Elcan-R code C-303 - Extremely rare
• Leica 250 mm f/4.0 Telyt-R 1st version -
• Leica 250 mm f/4.0 Telyt-R 2nd version
• Leica 280 mm f/4.8 Telyt-V
• Leica 280 mm f/4.0 APO-Telyt-R
• Leica 280 mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R - 1984-1997
• Leica 350 mm f/4.8 Telyt-R
• Leica 400 mm f/6.8 Telyt-R - 1968-1994
• Leica 400 mm f/5.6 Telyt-R
• Leica 400 mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R - 1992-1996
• Leica 450 mm f/5.6 Elcan-R, code C-329 - Extremely rare
• Leica 500 mm f/8 MR-Telyt-R
• Leica 560 mm f/6.8 Telyt-R - 1971-1995
• Leica 560 mm f/5.6 Telyt-R - 1966-1973
• Leica 800 mm f/6.3 Telyt-S - 1972-1995 (sold including a free VW Fox)
• Leica modular APO-Telyt-R 260/400/560 head
• Leica modular APO-Telyt-R 400/560/800 head

• Leica 21 mm-35 mm f/3.5-f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom - 2002
• Leica 28 mm-70 mm f/3.5-f/4.5 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 70-180 mm f/2.8 Vario-APO-Elmarit-R zoom
• Leica 35-70 f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 35-70 mm f/3.5 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 35-70 mm Vario-Elmarit-R ASPH zoom - 2000 (only 200 were made)
• Leica 70-210 mm f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 75-200 mm f/4.5 Vario-Elmar-R - 1976-1984
• Leica 80-200 mm f/4.5 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 80-200 mm f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 105-280 mm f/4.2 Vario-Elmar-R zoom

Leica / Leitz enlargers

35mm enlargers:

These started to be released in 1932 with the Valoy. Among the popular models were:

• Leitz Valoy and Valoy II - manual focus, later versions of the Valoy II were grey in colour.
• Leitz Focomat/VIWO. First released in 1934 it formed the basis for the Focomat line of autofocus enlargers.
• Leitz Focomat 1
• Leitz VUTOO
• Leitz Focomat Ia - Same as Focomat 1C, that is with autofocus, but the head does not tilt back to allow for easy insertion of negative.
• Leitz Focomat VUTOO. A special version Focomat with a long, thick (5cm) and tall (120cm) column mated with a large baseboard (62x65cm) released in 1940 probably for intelligence and military applications.
• Leitz Focomat Ib
• Leitz Focomat Ic.
• Leitz Focomator. A special purpose enlarger for drugstore photo printers. Originally released in 1951 various versions and variations continued into the early 1960s.

The above Leitz enlargers came normatively without an enlarging objective and were intended to be used with the taking camera optics. A special version of the Elmar made specificaly to enlargers was issued as the Varob (first delivered in 1934).

Produced first with Varob 5cm f1:3.5 lenses, later with Elmar 5cm f1:3.5, focotar 5cm f1:4.5, focotar 50 mm f/1:4.5, focotar 50 mm 2nd version f/1:4.5, Focotar-2 f/1:4.5. Changes in Focotar name or focal length designation do not necessarily coincide with the optical formula. The Focotar-2 is always the same formula, and so is the 5 cm version. The 50 mm exists in two versions. The 1C helical will accommodate lenses of various makes. Available in "color" version with filter drawer and lighted enlargement factor scale. Many small design variations exist.

• Leitz/Leica V35. The last Leitz/Leica enlarger. Launched in 1978 it was discountinued in 1997. It either ALWAYS came with a 40mm Focotar objective or was and provided with cams for 50mm. The two are not interchangeable.

Medium and other format enlargers:

Leitz made and produced a number of enlargers over the years as a branching out from the needs of microphotography. Early enlargers supported the then popular glass plate microscope formats of 4.5x6cm and 6.5x9cm.

• Leitz Focomat IIa - 35 mm-6x9 format, dual lens turret on later versions that fitted a 5 cm Elmar f/1:3.5 or Focotar f/1:4.5, and a 9.5 cm f/1:4.5 Focotar, autofocus. The early version has a single helical that will accommodate lenses of any make. Available in "color" version with filter drawer and lighted enlargement factor scale.
• Leitz Focomat IIc - 35 mm-6x9 formats, dual lens stage rather than turret, autofocus. First produced with Focotar 6 cm f/1:4.5 and focotar 9.5 cm f/1:4.5, later with Focotar 60 mm and V-Elmar 100 mm f1:4.5, still later with Focotar 60 mm and Focotar II 100 mm f/1:5.6. All the 6 cm and 60 mm Focotars appear to be the same optical design. Kienzle or other colour heads sometime fitted. Only very slender enlarging lenses will for the IIc helicals. Available in "color" version with filter drawer and lighted enlargement factor scale.
• Leitz Focomat II (modified for American military), code EN-121A - Extremely rare
• Vincent electrical shutter (for enlarger) - Extremely rare
• ELCAN 52 mm enlarger lens (20x-25x enlargements) - Extremely rare
• ELCAN 20 mm enlarger lens (40x-75x enlargements) - Extremely rare

Leica Freedom Train

During the 1930's the son of the founder, E. Leitz II, a Protestant, smuggled hundreds of Jews out of Germany before the Holocaust.

• [Leica (see pages 8 and 9 for details)]

See also

• List of digital camera brands

Famous Leica Photographers

• Henri Cartier Bresson
• Robert Capa
• Anton Corbijn
• Alfred Eisenstaedt
• Elliot Erwitt
• Christopher Forbes
• Jean Gaumy
• Ralph Gibson
• Nan Goldin
• David Alan Harvey
• Karl Lagerfeldt
• Mary Ellen Mark
• Tim Page
• Queen Elizabeth II
• Alexander Rodchenko
• Norbert Rosing
• Sebastiao Salgado
• Garry Winogrand

External links

Official sites

• [Leica]
• [Leica Geosystems]
• [Leica Microsystems]

Other links

• [Virtual Archive of Wild Heerbrugg with a lot of historical information to Leica]
• [Leica M Rangefinders by Steven Gandy/Cameraquest.com]
• [The Leica page of Erwin Puts]
• [The Leica FAQ by Andrew Nemeth]
• [The Leica page of Thorsten Overgaard]
• [History and technical details of Leica's 1954 rangefinder camera.]
• [Leica M3: a tribute to a landmark design]
• [oskarbarnack.com: Descriptions and technical details of every Leica screw mount, M series and Leicaflex/R series camera made.]
• [The Leica Historical Society of America]
• [Leica Resource List]
• [RLFC (R-Leica Fan Club)]
• [Example pictures taken with old Leica screwmount cameras and lenses]

Online Discussion forums

• [The Leica Camera User Forum for Customer & Digital discussions and posting pictures taken with Leica cameras]
• [Rangefinderforum.com]
• [photo.net Leica Photography Discussion Forum]
• [Leica Users mailing list ("Leica Users' Group")]
• [Leica Reflex Users mailing list ("Leica Reflex Forum")]
• [Digital Photography in the Leica World ("Leica Digital Forum")]
• [Leica User's Group mailing list for those who are Leica photographers rather than collectors]

 

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