Latest news with #OskarBarnack
Nylon
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
100 Years of Leica: A Century of Iconic Technology, Stories, and the Art of Seeing
From the bustling streets of New York to the elegant capital of Italy, a legendary name in photography is painting the world red (and glossy black, and silver chrome!) with celebrations. Leica Camera AG, the German powerhouse synonymous with precision, artistry, and an unwavering commitment to capturing the 'decisive moment,' is marking its incredible 100th anniversary this year; and it's more than just a centenary for a camera company, it's a celebration of a century of visual culture, a testament to enduring craftsmanship, and a nod to the timeless pursuit of authentic storytelling through photographs. Once upon a time, cameras were bulky behemoths, tethering photographers to tripods and limiting spontaneity. Then, in 1925, the Leipzig Spring Fair introduced a revolutionary vision: the Leica I. Born from the ingenious mind of Oskar Barnack, this compact, portable 35mm camera changed everything. It freed photographers to roam, to capture life as it unfolded, ushering in the golden age of photojournalism, street photography, and documentary work. Suddenly, capturing a moment wasn't just about technical skill; it was about intuition, agility, and a profound connection to the world around you. Leica M cameras seen in Wetzlar. Legends like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Alfred Eisenstaedt embraced the Leica, turning its discreet elegance into a tool for immortalising history. Their iconic images, often captured with the swift, silent click of a Leica shutter, shaped our collective memory and continue to inspire generations. This isn't a quiet birthday. Under the theme '100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century,' Leica is embarking on a spectacular global tour, transforming major cities into immersive celebrations of photographic excellence. Each stop offers a unique blend of heritage and contemporary flair. For example, in New York, there were photo walks, gallery shows, and a chance to glimpse rare Leica cameras. Self portrait at Leitz Park. Wetzler Celebrations In Wetzler, Germany, Leica staff and photographers from around the world congregated at Leica's headquarters in Leitz Park to celebrate the anniversary; for many customers of the brand, this was the ultimate pilgrimage to take a deep dive into the heart of Leica, and to not just celebrate, but to also discover the significance of 100 years of brand history. 100 Years of Leica event video, courtesy of Leica. Karin Rehn-Kaufmann gave a welcome address and attendees were presented with a concert at the Wetzler Cathedral, which included an ensemble by Bella Musica from Salzburg, and a performance by the Leica Choir (made up of Leica staff across various departments). The following days saw a press conference that welcomed some of the greatest photographers from the past 100 years, including Joel Meyerowitz who also graced his exhibition opening at Ernst Leitz Museum. Brazilian social documentary photographer and photojournalist, Sebastião Salgado was also slated to join the festivities in Wetzler, but sadly passed away on 23rd May 2025 (aged 81). Live auction at the Leica 100th Anniversary Celebrations in Wetzlar. Spot the celebrity in the front row (IYKYK). Further activities in Wetzlar included one of the masters of photography, Steve McCurry joining Joel Meyerowitz in a panel discussion, as well as auctions, lectures and talks, and workshops open to all. Portrait workshop set-up. One of the many workshops at the Leica event that participants could sign-up for. At night, dinner was followed by a documentary by Reiner Holzemer, 'Leica – a Century of Vision', and a performance by English jazz-pop singer, pianist and songwriter, Jamie Cullum. Jamie Cullum performing live at the Wetzlar event. The Centennial Collections For collectors and enthusiasts, the '100 Years of Leica' special editions are the ultimate statement for the camera bag. Announced earlier in the year, there are special edition M11 cameras in a glossy black paint finish, inspired by historical M-Cameras and designed to develop a distinctive patina over time. Limited edition merchandise in celebration of 100 Years of Leica. And beyond the cameras, Leica has curated a range of accessories and collector's items in collaboration with esteemed partners. There's a Leica Magnifier in silver chrome, elegant cufflinks and keyrings crafted from 925 sterling silver, and a sophisticated leather bracelet with a Leica-engraved pendant. Steiff for Leica brings out the playful side of luxury, and for the design enthusiast, there's a 3D wooden puzzle of the Leica I, and a crafting set with paper cut-out M-Cameras and Faber-Castell pencils. Beyond the Lens Leica's influence extends far beyond mere camera mechanics. It's a brand that has become synonymous with a certain lifestyle — one that values authenticity, precision, and the art of seeing. From fashion collaborations to its commitment to supporting photographic culture through its academies and global galleries, Leica isn't just selling cameras; it's fostering a community and inspiring a philosophy. As Leica steps into its second century, the message is clear: the spirit of Oskar Barnack and Ernst Leitz II lives on. It's about empowering individuals to be 'witnesses to a century,' to capture the beauty, chaos, and wonder of the world, one perfectly framed moment at a time. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or an aspiring shutterbug, join the celebration and let the iconic red dot inspire your next photographic journey. Packing away the memories from this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Discover Leica cameras, lenses and accessories online at and see all the special edition releases from the brand here, in celebration of its 100 years.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New: MONOPAN 50 - The New Black-and-White 35mm Film From Leica
To honor a century of 35mm photography, Leica Camera AG is introducing a high-resolution black-and-white film with enhanced spectral sensitivity. TEANECK, N.J., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leica I transformed photography when it made its debut back in 1925, establishing the 35mm format as the new industry standard. The compact format swiftly gained traction with retailers and photographers commonly referring to it simply as "Leica film," even though the 35mm film packs used with the Leica I originated from manufacturers like Kodak, Agfa, or Perutz. To celebrate the Leica I's centenary and pay homage to 35 mm photography, Leica Camera AG is unveiling its first true Leica 35mm film: MONOPAN 50 black-and-white film, offering 36 exposures. Honoring the origins of 35mm photography and its distinctive aesthetic, Leica is introducing its high-resolution MONOPAN 50 film, featuring an extended spectral range. The name MONOPAN 50 is derived from its components: "mono," "pan," and the number "50." "Mono" refers to Leica's renowned Monochrom series, a line of digital black-and-white cameras first introduced in 2012. "Pan" denotes the film's outstanding panchromatic properties, while the number "50" represents its ISO rating. Leica MONOPAN 50 features an ultra-fine grain, delivering an impressive resolution of up to 280 line pairs per millimeter. With super-panchromatic sensitivity of up to 780nm, it ensures remarkable sharpness and an exceptional tonal range. The film encapsulates Oskar Barnack's vision of "small negative – big picture," the very principle that gave rise to the original Leica. With its refined specifications, the black-and-white film is perfectly suited to Leica lenses, showcasing their remarkable optical performance, particularly in high-end large-format prints and detailed scans. Back in Barnack's day, most films had low sensitivity. Leica has embraced this historical context in its choice of ISO 50/18°. With high-performance Leica lenses like the Noctilux-M, Summilux-M and Summicron-M, the film's low sensitivity enables wide-aperture shooting, rendering the distinctive Leica bokeh – even in bright lighting conditions. Thanks to its enhanced spectral sensitivity, the new Leica black-and-white film is also ideal for infrared photography, demonstrating exceptional responsiveness to filtration. As such, MONOPAN 50 pairs seamlessly with Leica color filters. This enhances photographs with striking contrast and dramatic aesthetics, granting photographers greater creative freedom in their compositions. Produced in Germany, MONOPAN 50 is particularly perfect for landscape, architectural, cityscape, and travel photography. The film is compatible with all black-and-white developers. It guarantees complete control over black-and-white photography, ensuring the highest degree of detail. Its vintage-style packaging evokes the pioneering era of 35mm photography, while its outstanding specifications encourage photographers to carry forward this legacy by creating impressive images. Leica MONOPAN 50 will be available worldwide in Leica Stores and through authorized dealers starting August 21st, 2025. The price for the Leica MONOPAN 50 is $10.00. About Leica CameraLeica Camera AG is an international, premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses, and sports optics products with a company history stretching back over 150 years. As part of its growth strategy, the company has expanded its portfolio to include mobile imaging (smartphones) and the manufacture of high-quality lenses for glasses and watches, and is also represented in the home theater segment with its own Leica brand stands for excellence in quality, German craftsmanship, and industrial design, combined with innovative technologies. An integral aspect of the brand culture is the promotion of the culture of photography, with around 30 Leica Galleries worldwide. For further information, please visit:Nike Communications 396822@ (201) 995-0051Internet: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Leica Camera USA Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
West Australian
28-04-2025
- West Australian
Exotic exposures
Photographically, we have the luxury of having a camera in our pocket. We might just call it 'the phone', but an iPhone 16 Pro, Google Pixel 9 Pro or Samsung S25, has a seriously smart camera, and a series of lenses. We have the luxury of being able to point and shoot, and our smartphone camera will pull out just about all the tricks in the book to make us look like a brilliant photographer. We travellers then have the luxury of a wide range of light, high quality mirrorless cameras — the Sony range, Canon's R7, Nikon's Z8, and the Panasonic Lumix and Olympus OM ranges, for example. And then there is the seriously 'luxury' end of digital photography. I've just spotted a Hasselblad H6D-100c medium format DSLR camera in a sale. This camera has a recommended retail price of $58,309 — but in this online sale, this price has a line through it and it is replaced by a price of $58,299. Ten dollars off! (Sign me up now!) (By the way, would you like a lens with that camera body? The Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P lens is a mere $3020. But for sheer 'isn't that beautiful' luxury, you'd have to track down a Leica R3 Electronic Gold 'Oskar Barnack 100th Anniversary'. It's like jewellery-and-camera rolled into one. Just 1000 cameras were made in 1979 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Oskar Barnack, the inventor of the LEICA camera. Plated in 24 carat gold and with a lizard skin covering, the front of the prism housing is engraved with Barnack's signature and the dates '1879-1979'. Match it with a Leitz Wetzlar Summilux-R 50mm F1.4 lens. And what might you pay for it? Somewhere between $16,000 for a reasonably well-used one, to $23,000 for a cracker in a box.
