A Legend is Born

Very often, the greatest inventions are the result of quite pragmatic considerations. In the first years of the art, photographers were mainly concerned with hauling their heavy plate cameras, along with their tripod and darkroom, from one location to the next. Their trials and tribulations stimulated one man into seeking a completely new method of taking photographs. His name was Oskar Barnack.

Even as early as 1905, he had the idea of reducing the format of negatives and then enlarging the photographs after they had been exposed. It was only ten years later, as development manager at Ernst Leitz, that he was able to put his theory into practice. This amateur photographer took an instrument for taking exposure samples - originally intended for cinema film - and turned it into the world's first 35 mm camera: the 'Ur-Leica'.

The miniature film format of 24 x 36 mm is still in use today. At the time, it was created by simply doubling the cinema film format. The first photos - of outstanding quality for the time - were made in 1914. Progress was interrupted by the First World War, so the first LEICA (Leitz Camera) did not go into serial production until 1924, being presented to the public in 1925.

A few years ago the photographic equipment part of the Leitz Organisation in Wetzlar, Germany, became a separate company named LEICA Camera based in Solms a small village a few miles from Wetzlar. LEICA Camera manufactures cameras, lenses, projectors, binoculars and telescopes. Backed by inventions and an innovative power that go back to Oskar Barnack and his idea, LEICA is today working on the creation of the tools that will take that new view of things forward through this millennium.

THIS MILLENIUM

Before and since this millenium began there have been changes in ownership of the Company and there have been acquisitions of well-known companies. Expansion of manufacturing units has also been undertaken to keep pace with changes in the photographic market. The largest development was in Wetzlar with the opening of LEITZ-PARK.

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United Kingdom

The presence of the LEICA brand in the United Kingdom since the 1950s has been limited to a marketing and servicing national headquarters with LEICA specialist dealers selling the products. In recent years the numbers of dealers has diminished to a handful. However the Company has introduced in America, Europe and Asia over 80 LEICA Stores to render a Company support system.

The LEICA store in the UK is cureently located in 64-66 Duke Street, London. W1K 6JD

The pictures below show some of the facilities available.

The Leica Store Mayfair is the new hub for those interested in seeing and creating great photography. Visitors can experience the full range of Leica cameras and sport optics, alongside the opportunity to discuss product features and techniques with Leica’s in-store experts.

One of the highly anticipated features of the Duke Street store is the first ever Leica Gallery to be established in the UK, which will exhibit work from some of the world’s photography greats. Exhibitions will feature celebrated photographic icons who have been dedicated Leica users for decades, alongside contemporary, up-and-coming photographers.

The store will also be home to the Leica Akademie, which will offer an extensive schedule of photography workshops for photographers and enthusiasts of all skill levels (note: owning a Leica camera is not a prerequisite for attending a workshop – cameras are provided for attendees).

Following in the footsteps of the original German Akademie, which dates back to 1934, the Leica Akademie offers a collection of workshops designed and curated to inspire and educate a new generation of photographers to help capture the ‘decisive moment’ through a Leica lens.

 
Store Frontage
Frontage
     
Showcases    
Showcases    
    Advice area
    Advice area
Gallery    
Gallery    
    Advice area
    Akademie