You can debate the current relevance of Leica in this age of massively competent digital cameras, but there is no denying the heritage. In 1925, the firm of Ernst Leitz marketed the first Leica camera; which used film based on 35mm film stock and was therefore able to be much smaller than other cameras on the market. The camera was designed by Oskar Barnack and his design was improved over the years and became the camera to use for reportage and street photography. The last camera designed by Barnack (who died in 1936) was the Leica III, and versions of this camera continued to be sold into the 1950s.
During the second world war, Leitz produced cameras specifically for the German armed forces, and a verified Luftwaffe model is extremely collectable, like this Leica IIIC:
This particular camera has been fully restored and then painted in the colours of the German infantry (which sent Leica fanatics into paroxysms of rage because it is an airforce camera and you can’t do that and oh my god my head is going to explode); and it is very very pretty.
At this point you will be thinking I have had another drunken night on eBay and pressed the Buy button when I shouldn’t; so I better clarify that this gorgeous little beast is not mine. The $60 Fed 2 in the background, a Russian attempt to mimic Leica, is part of my feeble collection; but the Leica is owned by someone who I have met twice and who then decided I to trust me with this extremely valuable device.
Eager not to betray his trust, I am treating the sixty nine year old piece of history with extreme respect. I am slowly working my way through a film, but this involves only shooting with it in places where it is unlikely to get knocked about, grabbed, or even breathed on by anyone else. But from my experience so far, it is a joy to shoot with; like a finely crafted wristwatch; and oh that shutter sound.
I need to stay away from eBay…..
Comments 🔗
2014-12-06| Grant saysWhat fun! But what’s to debate? The lens on my highly functional Jap digital compact is inscribed ‘LEICA’. Can’t get much more current or relevant than that and as lenses go it seems to be a very clever wee chap although I’m not really in a position to judge… That Leica certainly is stunning and yes, you really do need one. The time left to us to have great toys is diminishing exponentially…
And, this is not a rehearsal!
2014-12-07| Jerry saysHold the drool when handling the camera. Wetting history is penultimately costly.
2014-12-07| Grant saysSounds like it might be yours Jerry? You should have insisted he wear a bib…
2014-12-07| Jerry saysGrant, you got that right, I AM drooling! But PD always wears a bib, nowadays, especially at meals, I’ll make sure the missus gets one on him when he plays with the Luftwaffe Leica!
2015-01-19| Parry saysSpike, there’s help available. Nothing to be ashamed of.