The world deserves witnesses. It's 100 years of Leica.
Leica is the inventor of compact 35mm cameras, which revolutionized photography in the early 20th century. Leica made it possible to capture moments as they truly happened, influencing the aesthetics and philosophy of photography. Leica cameras and lenses are known for their exceptional optical quality and mechanical precision. Leica remains popular among photographers who value craftsmanship and a classic shooting experience. It is not merely a camera, but a part of the history and identity of visual storytelling.
The first Leica photograph was taken in the old town of Wetzlar in 1913, when Oskar Barnack built a prototype called the Ur-Leica. This camera used 35 mm motion picture film and was originally intended to test exposure meters, but it ended up revolutionizing the entire field of photography. The image quality and compact format demonstrated that a small camera could produce high-quality photographs.
This photograph served as the starting point for the development of the Leica I model, which was released in 1925 and marked the beginning of a new era in photography.
Photo location was 50.5611° N, 8.5047° E (Eisenmarkt, Wetzlar) and focal length 42 mm (Leitz Mikro-Summar f/4.5, used in the Ur-Leica prototype).
Here is my representation of the same photo in the same location:
Leica turns 100 in 2025, as the first mass-produced Leica I camera was introduced to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925. A special anniversary week was held in June 2025 in Wetzlar, where Leica was born.
There were other piece of history parked near Cafe Leitz while a charming elderly couple enjoyed cafe at the same time with me.
