Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Wetzlar Camera Auctions (WCA) held its sixth auction for historical cameras and accessories last weekend with nearly 250 lots attracting significant attention from camera collectors and photography enthusiasts Numerous rare Leica cameras sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars WCA selected some auction results to highlight a 1924 Leica Model A camera with an Anastigmat lens was produced before Leica’s official market launch the following year and only the first 150 of these cameras were made with an Anastigmat lens there are believed to be only 25 examples of this lens in existence that remain in good condition Another great camera is a prototype Leica IIIc from 1934 the “first die-cast camera,” according to experts came from Leica creator Oskar Barnack himself The prototype camera features a rear door that opens upward and a fold-out rewind crank two features that didn’t arrive in commercially available Leica cameras until the M3 in 1954 and the M4 in 1967 This prototype that previewed innovations that wouldn’t arrive to customers for decades sold with a final hammer price of 562,500 euros ($611,364) Other high-value lots include additional prototype models such as a 1956 Leica IIIg prototype with an internal frame counter that found a new home for 375,000 euros ($407,576) and a Leica M3 prototype that fetched 300,000 euros ($326,061) the sixth Wetzlar Camera Auction featured Leica cameras specially made for military customers An incredibly rare Leica M2 in gray-blue lacquer finish was manufactured for the United States Air Force in 1960 and one of the mere 20 units produced sold at auction for 325,000 euros ($353,233) an even rarer Leica MS in hammertone gray sold for 562,500 euros ($611,364) Just 10 of these cameras were made for the U.S Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1964 “Compared to the serial production versions some of the military Leica models were produced in extremely small quantities only they often were carried out in special finish versions or even in a different construction due to their special military application,” explains WCA co-owner Jo Geier “This explains why the Military Leica cameras are a fascinating field for some collectors and why we see exceptionally high prices sometimes achieved in this area.” WCA says the highlight was late famed artist Christo’s “Wrapped Leica.” The camera was once part of Christo photographer Wolfgang Volz’s professional collection used the camera to document several of Christo’s artworks officially The wrapped camera then became one of Christo’s most interesting pieces itself The wrapped Leica sold for 212,500 euros ($230,960) to have a Leica camera that is same an item for camera collectors as well as an important piece in the art market We are extremely happy that with a sales price of EUR 212,500 this piece went for well the double of its estimate,” says Netopil including a very early Leica M lens from 1949 that sold for 175,000 euros ($190,202) A sample unit Leica APO-Summicron 50mm ASPH lens for Leica’s RED collaboration started at just 12,000 euros before skyrocketing to 375,000 euros ($407,576) following an exciting bidding war there were offerings made by other companies A rare Leningrad space camera with a pair of matching lenses sold for 42,500 euros ($46,192) “Space is a field fascinating to many collectors Besides the Hasselblad space cameras used by NASA the cameras from the former Soviet space programs are exceedingly rare always very high prices can be expected,” says Jo Geier The complete sixth auction catalog is available on the Wetzlar Camera Auctions website and the company is already accepting consignments for its next auction on October 11, 2025. 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Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world visited Continental’s Wetzlar plant to present workers there with job alternatives and take applications Each employee has to apply individually for the available positions Please enable JavaScript to view this page correctly many companies are currently pushing through long-planned mass redundancies and site closures in addition to VW Baunatal and Opel/Stellantis this particularly affects the automotive suppliers Schaeffler and Continental The latest IG Metall contract in the metal and electrical industries which guarantees two years of “industrial peace,” has given management the green light Continental plans to close its sites in Schwalbach am Taunus and Wetzlar by the end of 2025 Some of the workforce there are to move to Frankfurt or Babenhausen with 630 jobs also being destroyed at the Frankfurt site One hundred and ten jobs are also to be cut in Babenhausen Continental is cutting 1,200 of the remaining 8,000 jobs in the region and 1,100 workers are to be forced to relocate Continental plans to cut 7,150 jobs worldwide in order to reduce personnel costs by €400 million annually an important manufacturer of drive technology has also announced job cuts in Schwalbach am Taunus Schaeffler only took over Vitesco Technologies Group AG the automotive supplier spun off from Continental Schaeffler announced 139 job cuts at Vitesco in Schwalbach The company plans to cut 3,700 jobs across Europe wants to “utilise synergies” and “increase the savings potential to €290 million per year” over five years—in other words: lay off employees There is great anger and a willingness to fight among those impacted A faint reflection of this can even occasionally be seen in the local press a young Continental worker from Wetzlar told Hessenschau regional news programme “All our plans for the future have been turned upside down now have a child and wanted to build a house Another called it a “slap in the face,” adding “It’s sad that this is coming to an end.” Employees in administration research and development have been particularly hard hit In the protests and warning strikes of recent weeks and months, the workforce has been almost totally united. There can be no doubt about their determination to fight. However, IG Metall is refusing to lead the necessary fight. It made this clear with its latest wage agreement where it committed to preventing industrial action at least until the early elections in February has been a deputy chairwoman on Continental’s Supervisory Board for years at an annual salary of €270,000 With its officials in the pay of management IG Metall blocked any resistance three and a half years ago when Continental destroyed over 10,000 jobs and flattened its large Aachen plant Many still remember the dispute at Continental in Karben and other branches in Hesse At no point did IG Metall organise serious industrial action uniting workers at all locations it helped ensure the closure of one location after another Karben will also be finally wound up next year Workers must draw definite conclusions from this experience independent rank-and-file action committees to overcome the division fostered by IG Metall between sites groups and sectors and unite all employees The ultimate goal must be to take control of such important global production companies themselves to put them at the service of society and to expropriate their current owners These owners and their managers are waging a ruthless class war The so-called “social partnership” has turned into a one-way street: The trade union ensures that any resistance is nipped in the bud The attacks on jobs and wages are part of a global capitalist offensive and a new wave of trade war paving the way for armed conflict The captains of industry and shareholders belong to a class of the super-rich This applies above all to Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler and her son Georg Schaeffler who are in 27th place on the list of the 500 richest Germans The Schaeffler family is also the main shareholder of Continental AG and recently acquired its spun-off automotive division Vitesco The management boards of both companies were paid bonuses totalling millions Continental shareholders decided to pay out around €440 million in dividends 46 percent—more than €200 million euros—will once again end up in the Schaeffler family’s bank account Both Continental and Schaeffler owe the origins of their wealth to crimes committed under Nazi rule culminating in the Second World War The origins of the Schaeffler fortune also goes back to the Nazi era which was officially founded in Herzogenaurach in 1940 actually had a Jewish predecessor: the “Davistan Krimmer Plüsch und Teppichfabriken AG” owned by the Frank family which was quickly renamed “Wilhelm Schaeffler AG,” also produced armaments for the Wehrmacht during the war and profited from the proximity of its owners the direct ancestors of the current owners the struggle in defence of jobs and wages is once again inextricably linked to the fight against war and military rearmament It must be waged internationally and on a socialist basis IG Metall stands on the other side in this struggle We therefore call on all Continental and Schaeffler employees: Take part in the formation of rank-and-file action committees Get in touch via Whatsapp message at +491633378340 or fill out the form below Check out all the festivities scheduled by Leica to celebrate the brand’s iconic 35mm camera In today’s modern digital photo and video camera space there are a lot of fly-by-night brands that come and go It really means you’re something special if you get the chance to stay around for a few years and come out with a couple of cameras and innovations But the biggest companies with the best legacies are the ones that stretch beyond years and into centuries Leica is one of these brands with a history that dates back to the 1800s the company is planning to celebrate its 100-year history of the company’s iconic Leica I camera in particular with events across the globe While Leica the company dates back to the founding by Ernst Leitz in 1869 in Wetzlar the first commercially available Leica 35mm camera dates back to 1924—making it 100 years old this year Leica is hosting several “high-caliber” events in Dubai culminating in an anniversary week in Wetzlar The company shares that it is “looking forward to an anniversary year full of highlights and inspiring moments We are excited to continue writing the story of a legend.” Here are some highlights of this year’s celebration which is set to kick off with an event in Dubai The first stop of the celebration tour is set to begin in Dubai In addition to an illustrious event for invited guests featuring impressive highlights the company shares that it is presenting a spectacular illumination projected onto the Burj Khalifa skyscraper the Leica I also represented an important milestone for photography back in 1925 The company plans to use the world’s tallest building in the center of Dubai as a projection surface for a unique illumination to honor the Leica I with a spectacular light show reaching dizzying heights and told our fascinating story for which quality and innovation are still key pillars today CREDIT: Leica Along with the Burj Khalifa and an event at the Dubai Opera the company also revealed plans to release a book called “Dubai: Light Lens and Legacy – Celebrating a Century of Leica,” in which the company will further honor the city of Dubai five Emirati Leica photographers have captured Dubai’s past and present as well as their deep connection to their homeland These are revealed in 100 pictures that say more than 1,000 words If you’re interested in learning more about the event, you can find details on Leica’s website here Explore how the damsel trope has shaped storytelling—from classic fairy tales to modern media For much of the 20th century, women on screen often appeared as “damsels in distress”—sometimes as love interests, other times as sisters, mothers, or daughters—but typically as characters with limited agency compared to their masculine counterparts. Think Mary Sues and Manic Pixie Dream Girls These one-dimensional portrayals established a pattern that became a recognizable cinematic shorthand female characters are much more likely to solve their own problems and drive their own stories we still see echoes of the old damsel trope Sometimes filmmakers use it knowingly (with a wink) Let’s learn about the damsel in distress and how (if you like) you can use the trope in your writing A damsel in distress is essentially a female character who exists primarily to be rescued by the hero This character trope has been a staple in storytelling for centuries In its most basic form, the damsel has little to no agency of her own. She's beautiful, vulnerable, and completely dependent on the male protagonist to save her from whatever danger she faces. Her purpose in the story is rarely about her journey but instead serves as a plot device to showcase the hero's bravery and strength the damsels in distress are usually elemental in the climax: being all pretty and needy waiting for their “knight in shining armor.” A polite way to objectify women The damsel in distress trope—whether featuring a sister or female stranger—often reinforces traditional gender dynamics in literature and film By positioning female characters as helpless and in need of rescue these narratives frequently highlight traditionally masculine traits like strength and bravery while limiting female characters' abilities A damsel in distress can be identified from miles away They have the most stereotypical treatment in any film Below are a few common traits—a distressed damsel might have one or many at a time: A popular and sophisticated character based in Shanghai Kate Capshaw’s character Willie is indeed the beautiful burden of Indy’s life in the story She is materialistic and selfish and does get on your nerves “Why didn’t he just keep lowering her into the lava?” “This is not my idea of a swell time!” She is no Bear Grylls and definitely didn’t sign up for any of that insanity It's refreshing to see how Disney princesses have evolved from waiting for rescue to charting their own adventures Characters like Moana and Anna represent a welcome shift from earlier princesses like Cinderella and Snow White whose stories often centered on distress resolved through princely intervention While these classic tales reflected their eras' limited views of women's roles they weren't without merit—Cinderella showed remarkable resilience despite cruelty and even Snow White displayed kindness and compassion valued in her time I appreciate that Cinderella had her Fairy Godmother providing crucial magical assistance showing that women helping other women has always been part of these narratives even if overshadowed by the romantic endings Today's young viewers thankfully have a more diverse range of heroines modeling independence alongside the classics the damsel in distress of this screenplay checks off multiple traits—heavenly The film ends with Andromeda (Judi Bowker) being saved by Perseus (Harry Hamlin) Spider-Man’s lady is the perfect superhero love interest Mary Jane is another iconic example of a beautiful burden to the hero While MJ's difficult family background in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy provides context for her vulnerability her character deserves more dimension than merely being a rescue target The films suggest her father's mistreatment affected her choices and relationships yet they don't fully explore how such experiences often forge resilience rather than perpetual dependency and has a knack for danger—but she is the one who always needs saving Daphne is quite a fresh and dignified approach to the regressive damsel in distress trope Her character’s evolution throughout the seasons as a relatable and dependable female character is something that is not adored enough when damsels in distress were all the rage so what do you do if you want to write a helpless character who needs rescuing (Maybe it could even occasionally be—gasp—the male character.) A more satisfying approach doesn't eliminate rescues Female characters can face danger or need help while still demonstrating agency Give your "damsel" specific skills established early in your script that become relevant during the climax Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) initially seems like a superficial sorority girl at Harvard She solves a murder case using her knowledge of hair care Show psychological resistance when physical escape isn't possible Your character can maintain agency through their reactions Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) resists the Capitol's control through symbolic defiance No character should be fully inactive unless it’s important to their arc and they’re supposed to be stymied in that moment How does this experience change your character Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) is repeatedly captured and rescued throughout the film There are so many ways to create an interesting These elements can help you create richer stories that acknowledge vulnerability (without equating it with helplessness) The damsel in distress trope represents storytelling's past While countless films have relied on this formula of women awaiting rescue modern audiences expect characters with more complexity The evolution from Snow White to Moana shows how storytelling can present feminine strength without sacrificing emotional development too The best modern takes on these narratives recognize that real heroism isn't gendered—it's about courage and determination in the face of challenges Injection-molded shutter frame Leica from 1933/34 Canon's monster 1200mm f/5.6 L-series lens Wetzlar Camera Auction in October will see millions spent on rare Leicas - and there are Canon and Nikon lenses too which will definitely draw the attention of collectors and photography enthusiasts worldwide.  Among the highlights is a groundbreaking model from 1933/34 the first Leica camera to utilize an injection-molded shutter frame This camera is considered the precursor to later iconic Leica models such as the Leica IIIc and Leica IV this rare piece features a rear panel that opens upwards and a fold-out rewind crank—innovations that would not become commercially available until the release of the Leica M3 in 1954 The auction house estimates that this unique camera could fetch between 300,000 and 400,000 euros (approx $330,000 - $440,000) But I suspect it will go for a cool million at least Another standout item is a Leica M3 prototype from 1953 one of only around 60 pre-models ever produced and a rear panel equipped with a film marking pin this prototype remains one of the most sought-after pieces in Leica history this camera's rarity and historical significance place its estimated value between 150,000 and 200,000 euros Again I think this is very under-priced and I can see this being a record-breaker one it comes to be sold under the hammer The auction will also feature a beautiful Leica M2 in grey lacquer one of only 20 ever produced in 1960 for a special order by the American Air Force in Germany is expected to attract significant interest from collectors The Leica M4 Christo "Wrapped Leica," will also be up for auction originally used by photographer Wolfgang Volz to document Christo and Jeanne-Claude's art projects was personally wrapped by Christo as a birthday gift Its artistic and historical value is reflected in its estimated price of 80,000 to 100,000 euros ($88,000 - $111,000) (Image credit: Wetzlar camera auction)Leica M3 Prototype Beyond Leica cameras, the auction will also feature a rare Canon EF 1:5.6/1200mm L lens introduced in 1993 and known as the world's largest autofocus SLR lens With production numbers believed to be fewer than 100 units this lens is a coveted item for photography professionals and collectors alike.  The estimated price for this piece of photographic history is also set between 80,000 and 100,000 euros ($88,000 - $111,000). Nikon highlights include a 1976 320-1200mm f/ll super telephoto lens with an estimate of 15,000-20,000 euros You can download a free PDF of the full 170-page catalogue and see the details of all  248 lots that are going under the hammer and find details on you too could bid for a piece of photographic history his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and many more for various advertising campaigns He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since his film days using a Nikon F5 He saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still the youngest member to be elected into BEWA the British Equestrian Writers' Association He is familiar with and shows great interest in 35mm Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from Sony He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street/Documentary photography as he sees it Hartford likely to demolish large portions of high school because of PCB contamination Barnard reconsiders terms of lease with BarnArts for former fire station BARNARD — The Selectboard and BarnArts Center for the Arts have reached an agreement on the nonprofit theater’s lease of the old fire station you agree with our use of cookies to personalize your experience measure ads and monitor how our site works to improve it for our users Wetzlar is a city in Germany that’s a 40-minute drive from Frankfurt Airport (or as fast as 20 minutes if you race down the autobahn where there’s no speed limit — but please don’t) It’s a beautiful city known for its landmark cathedral for being steeped in the optics industry history Here’s a quick bit of history: In the 1890s, Ernst Leitz and Moritz Hensoldt began manufacturing prismatic binoculars in Wetzlar. Hensoldt produced as a company of the Carl Zeiss Group, while Leitz headed an optics company that is now the famed Leica Camera the world of Leica is showcased and immortalised at Leitz Park in Wetzlar; which houses the Leica Headquarters where visitors can discover the full history of the brand and experience a factory tour of the facilities It’s a wonderland for photography enthusiasts This month, I had the privilege of being invited to Leica’s Celebration of Photography; an annual event held in Leitz Park that brings the international Leica community together. The event also honours the winners of the prestigious Leica Oskar Barnack Award; you can read my interviews with the 2024 LOBA winner https://www.nylon.com.sg/2024/10/interview-with-the-leica-oskar-barnack-award-2024-winners/ There are also incredible exhibitions on display within Leitz Park, and this year sees an inspiring showcase by the legendary German photographic artist, Herlinde Koelbl whose works include a series of portraits of German retired politician I had the good fortune of meeting Herlinde while having lunch at Leitz Park she obliged my request to take her portrait That evening in Wetzlar, Herlinde was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame, which sees her join the line-up of photography greats including Thomas Hoepker, Nick Ut, and Steve McCurry. Her photo from her Metamorphoses series was also awarded Leica Picture of the Year Here’s a photo journey of my week in Wetzlar embracing photography and encountering other photographers who share the same exceptional passion in photography (and Leica) as me The Phoblographer may receive affiliate compensation for products purchased using links in this article. For more information, please visit our Disclaimers page. which are quite significant to the world of photography This is not only the best place to find collector’s items but also to delve into the rich history of the innovative genius of one of the best camera manufacturing companies The auction has some exceptional pieces in store including the sought-after Leica M3 Prototype The lead image is courtesy of Jo Geier, owner of Mint and Rare camera shop the auction offers some of the rarest jewels in Leica’s crown the first Leica camera (1933/34) utilized an injection-molded shutter frame Some of its features were later seen on icons such as Leica IIIc and Leica M3 The camera could easily fetch 300,000 and 400,000 euros (approx $330,000 – $440,000) Other gear also includes the Leica M3 Prototype the Leica M4 Christo “Wrapped Leica,” and the Leitz Summitar 1:2/5 cm prototype with M bayonet The Wetzlar Camera Auctions offers exceptional gems the Phoblographer decided to narrow it down to one device and highlight the significance of Leica’s ingenuity and its impact on photography The device that caught our attention was the 1953 Leica M3 Prototype Leica only made sixty M3 prototypes in 1953 The devices offered a unique winding and self-timer lever and a rear panel with a button for a film marking pin But that is not all. According to Jo Gier, the owner of Mint & Rare, an exclusive camera shop dedicated to collector’s items in Vienna, Austria, the M3 was first introduced at a photo trade show. “The Leica M3 (3 stands for 3 focal lengths: 50mm and 135mm) introduced at the Photokina in April 1954,” he told us in an email conversation “(and) was the first Leica with a bayonet mount.” The latter Another highlight of this device is the “large viewfinder with a 0.91 viewfinder magnification,” which offers an almost 1:1 ratio This is a great deal as the user can keep both their “eyes open while shooting.” The Leica M3 Prototype’s body is equally iconic Jo comments that the shape and the bayonet remain the same you can mount modern Leica M lenses on every M camera and vintage lenses on modern digital Leica M cameras.” The camera at the Wetzlar Camera Auctions is a “very late prototype.” It features a top plate with “different engraving of the manufacturer’s designation” and “corners at the front and back.” Jo also reminds us that this prototype has features that were seen on the early Leica M3 models and it includes a “matching Summicron 5 cm f/2 with double lever focusing mount which did not go into serial production.” We also contacted Leica to highlight what makes this particular camera significant to their legacy. According to Nathan Kellum-Pathe, Product Communication Specialist, Leica Camera Inc., and his team, the device was created “with the help of Heinrich Janke.” For the uninitiated, Janke was Leica’s Head of Design who was also responsible for creating all subsequent M models from the R4 to Leica’s Trinovid binoculars Nathan adds that the reason Leica M3 is considered a legend is because “it does not hide the photographer when taking a picture.” This year happens to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Leica M and Nathan notes that celebrating this occasion with the “Leica M3 as the first Leica M with a lens mount that has not changed since 1954.” The Leica M3 Prototype is estimated to fetch 150,000 – 200,000 euros (approximately $165,000 – $220,000) Jo believes that the chances of it exceeding this expectation are also high In our press portal you can find current press releases information about fairs and events as well as studies and other publications OverviewPress Contacts Find out what drives our employees and what exactly makes Continental a great employer Job Portal Application ProcessContact & FAQ On these pages we present our investor related news and information OverviewContactAbout usServices  Here you find more information about sustainability at Continental Overview Contact On these pages we present information about our products and innovations OverviewContact Since 1871 we develop pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods Find out more about our company on these pages OverviewContact Continental’s Automotive sector has decided to carry out the activities of its Wetzlar and Schwalbach sites in Frankfurt and Babenhausen in the future The company had already announced its efforts to bundle the sector’s business activities in the Rhine-Main region on February 14 They are part of Continental's plan to increase the competitiveness of the Automotive sector which Continental is consistently implementing The consolidation is expected to take place gradually and to be completed by the end of 2025 The locations in Wetzlar and Schwalbach that are no longer in use are to be sold The aim is to continue to enable employment at the sites shortening development times and reducing costs through better utilization of the existing infrastructure the headquarters of the Automotive sector in Frankfurt will be strengthened A competence center for future technologies such as high-performance computing is being built there strengthening cooperation in research and development," explains Philipp von Hirschheydt, member of the executive board and head of Automotive we will make even better use of our strengths in the field of vehicle software and architecture at the competence center in Frankfurt and thus bring our technologies and solutions to market maturity more quickly." The measures to increase competitiveness are expected to have an impact on a total of around 2,300 jobs in the Continental Automotive sector in the Rhine-Main region around 1200 jobs are to be cut and around 1100 are to be relocated to the sites in Frankfurt and Babenhausen Continental's Automotive sector currently employs around 8,000 people in the Rhine-Main region "We will work closely with our social partners to find good and fair solutions for the planned changes," said von Hirschheydt.  Automotive is taking the next step in the organizational spin-off of the User Experience business area and is bundling the research and business activities of the area from the Rhine-Main region at the Babenhausen site Development projects in the User Experience business area will be continued from Babenhausen in the future Activities unrelated to the User Experience business area will be transferred from Babenhausen to Frankfurt The consolidation of the sites in the Rhine-Main region is part of the already announced bundling of the research and development network with a total of 82 locations worldwide and the announced streamlining of the administrative structures The aim is to sustainably strengthen competitiveness through more efficient processes closer cooperation and a focus on particularly promising growth areas.  The Automotive business sector plans to reduce the share of research and development expenditure (R&D ratio) to less than 10 percent of sales in 2028 Despite the reduction in the R&D ratio absolute expenditure on research and development can increase based on the expected sales growth in the medium term By streamlining its administrative structures worldwide the Automotive sector intends to reduce costs by EUR 400 million per year The full scope is to be achieved from 2025 A globe emerges from the mist of a German morning. Discreetly, a small red disc sits in the middle of Europe. We are at the very heart of photography, at the epicenter of a brand that has imprinted its five letters on the history of the medium: L-E-I-C-A.  To visit the Leitz Park is to realize the impact the German brand has had almost too perfect… The Phoenix of photography Leica has risen from the ashes and now registers record growth rates even though the company had been on the brink of collapse just a few years ago as well as some of the production facilities this 27,000-square-meter city of photography in miniature where the buildings are shaped like a lens or a view camera Blind was able to visit the archives and the factory and discover how much of the family history is still alive in Wetzlar a community of 50,000 just north of Frankfurt A visit to Leica’s birthplace is a reminder of how the German brand shaped photography All you need to do is to step into the brand new which covers the brand’s beginnings and the early days of photography in general.  who took over the management of the Wetzlar Optics Institute in 1849 which at that time specialized in optical systems and microscopes The Leica—a contraction of Leitz Camera—is the brainchild of an engineer at the factory He used the company’s technology to design a camera body that would be much more practical than the bulky view cameras that the small format camera began to be mass-produced.  For Leica lovers, walking these halls is like taking a pilgrimage. The archives are a real treasure trove. One of the representatives opens the doors to brand-new rooms where pieces of history are preserved in a long aisle of rolling shelving.  One chest drawer reveals the blueprints of the 1923 model. Our guide’s gloved hands reach into a black box and pull out emblematic devices from foam-lined compartments. There is something wonderful about this solemn act of unboxing. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Blind Magazine (@blind.magazine) They are all there: from the classics to the most unique and astonishing designs such as a Kalashnikov camera where “shooting” takes on its full meaning since the camera body is a gun… We also discover the handwritten registers logging serial numbers going back to the very first Leica as it runs along a long wall in the reception room with 36 photos exhibited in lighted frames that retrace the company’s 100 years: the iconic portrait of Che Guevara taken in 1960 by Alberto Korda; the Napalm girl by Nick Ut June 1972; the soldier killed during the Spanish Civil War captured by Robert Capa; the Soviet flag flying over the Reichstag in Berlin on May 2 Quotes from these great ambassadors of photography dot the walls of the hotel. “The eye should learn to listen before it looks,” Robert Frank reminds you upon waking. “Reality is to photography as melody is to music,” adds Ralph Gibson the mirror of memory,” pitches in Cartier-Bresson you carry your camera the way you might wear a suit of armor To own a Leica is to become part of a big family Leaving the Leitz Park and heading back to Wetzlar town center one discovers that the city is also closely linked to the red disc which had celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014.  The historic factory still stands like a church in the middle of the village you make your way to the exact spot where the very first Leica photo was taken in 1914 namely the almost unchanged market square.  the Catholic and Protestant communities share the organ which was renovated thanks to donations from the Leitz family “The people of Wetzlar are very attached to the history of Leica,” says a cab driver and I met my second wife through Leica,” adds Ibe The company had also survived the great upheavals of the twentieth century, and its role during World War II is often overlooked While the Nazi army made use of Leica’s optical technology used the brand’s already worldwide reputation to evacuate German Jews threatened by the regime who only recently revealed this commitment.  The way in which the threatened people were evacuated is incredible Ernst Leitz II hired them from within the company and then sent them supposedly to work at his New York factory The camera itself was already worth a small fortune these freedom cameras could be used as a means of subsistence by refugees.  She was arrested by the Gestapo for facilitating the escape of Jews to Switzerland Her portrait hangs discreetly in one of the rooms of the Leitz family home While Leica has always been held in high esteem by amateur and professional photographers alike this is due to the quality finish of the products and the camera’s quasi-artisanal mechanism This philosophy brings it close to some of the most prestigious watchmakers.  the final phase of production and quality control is carried out in Wetzlar Leica has a total of 1,800 workers worldwide and has had a second assembly plant in Portugal since 1972.   The halls of the Wetzlar factory are like a laboratory Every objective lens goes through a myriad steps to ensure surgical precision a Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH objective contains nine lenses The assembly of an M9 takes 4.5 hours on average It is also in Wetzlar that prototypes of future cameras are built It is forbidden to take pictures in those parts of the workshop Leica jealously guards its manufacturing secrets The “Manufaktur” is also responsible for custom orders for Leica M cameras (M stands for Messsucher such as camera bodies set with diamonds or plated with gold… One of the most astonishing orders came from Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani of Qatar the prince complained that he could not get close enough to his falcons in flight “He arrived at Leitz Park by helicopter and requesting to be unaccompanied on the site,” Ellert recalls.  The prince then had the Leica APO-Telyt-R 1:5.6/1600mm lens custom made it turns out to be the most expensive lens in the world: worth over 2 million dollars And the device to hold this outsized objective “The prince had a tripod custom fitted onto the back of a pickup truck to be able to take pictures of falcons in action.”  Although the Leica group is now posting record sales rising from 145.6 million euros in 2007 to 400 million ten years later the shift to digital had once threatened to bring the brand’s demise the company’s main shareholder at the time (between 2000 and 2006) Kaufmann put Leica back on track with digital technologies and fully integrated the brand into the luxury sector “If you don’t have a Leica by the time you’re fifty you’ve missed out on life,” we might say today about this Rolex of photography.  and M models—have not flinched in the face of the Covid crisis the company has registered growth that is difficult to explain even internally The reissue last October of the emblematic M6 model in contrast to the avalanche of digital images So it made sense for us to relaunch the production of Leica M6 one of the most popular of its kind,” says Stefan Daniel Executive Vice President of Technology and Operations.  Leica is showing its full confidence and embracing its heritage even as it is keeping up with the times with its recent announcement of the launch of the Leitz Phone 2 Leica’s cell phone currently available exclusively in Japan.  Read More: 99 Cameras Club: An Intimate and Unique Collection of Cameras Don’t miss the latest photographic news, subscribe to Blind’s newsletter. The company states in a press release that the expansion is a direct response to the worldwide growth in demand for microchips in the semiconductor industry The megatrends associated with digitalisation – Industry 4.0 autonomous driving and 5G – mean more and more microchips are required.  “We are seeing an ever-growing market demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment Our lithography optics enable chip manufacturers worldwide to produce microchips with nanometer precision,” says Wetzlar's Site Manager Katrin Ariki.  Wetzlar has been one of the company's production sites for DUV lithography optics for over twenty years but the existing production capacities are now reaching their limits The new building located in the Dillfeld industrial zone will complement the existing site in downtown Wetzlar around 150 staff members will manufacture products such as DUV illumination systems in a production area of more than 12,000 square meters The building must therefore meet specific requirements.  “Nanometer precision is a must for our products so we are paying particular attention to ensuring a vibration-free building design for our sensitive measurement technology,” Ariki says in the press release The new factory is also being geared toward maximum flexibility “We can easily adapt the work areas for optics coating and assembly to new requirements.”  Some 380 people are currently working for Zeiss SMT at the site in Wetzlar the company is creating space for an additional 150 staff the plan is that Zeiss SMT in Wetzlar will provide over 500 jobs Here are some official photos of the new campus as seen on Leica’s website: Here are some of the photographs Cranor shot while in Germany for the special occasion: Leica’s “optical designer superstar”: Exhibits showing Leica gear that were made before the company became involved in cameras Its history of optics included binoculars and sport optics Cranor was given a tour of Leica’s manufacturing facilities “Leica attests that they have more control in this process by hand than they can have by machine,” he writes “Since they do not settle for anything less than the best Leica lenses are manufactured one at a time rather than through an assembly line process The clean room of the factory is where the cameras are assembled Negative pressure is used to keep dust out Each of the gray areas in the ceiling is a filter that keeps contaminants out of the space Exploded views of Leica cameras and their components: where German refreshments are served to visitors and employees Keychains are among the smaller items found in the Leica visitor store Renowned photojournalist Nick Ut (whom we interviewed in Germany in 2012) taking a picture of a friend next to his photo on display in Leica’s exhibition if you’d like to check out Leica’s campus and its many tourist-friendly areas yourself Image credits: Official campus video and photographs by Leica, and Leica inauguration photographs by Sean Cranor/Leica Store SF and used with permission Become a PetaPixel Member and access our content ad-free If you want a limited-edition Leica M Monochrom you had better act fast as only a handful will be made One that stands out from the crowd and has gained a cult following is the Leica M Monochrom This M series camera is unique: it has a Monochrome sensor in place of a regular color sensor Leica has confirmed they have made a limited edition Leitz Wetzlar version of this camera that is dedicated to 150 years of Leica heritage Join us after the break for all the details The limited-edition Leitz Wetzlar Leica M Monochrom will become an incredibly rare camera very quickly and will surely be snapped up by photographers who love everything about Leica cameras The Leitz Wetzlar edition of the M Monochrom will have the same specifications as the current M Monochrom but will also be emblazoned with the script engraving of Leitz Wetzlar on the top plate of the camera The limited-edition Leitz Wetzlar Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) will feature the same 24 Megapixel sensor as the standard edition which features a substantial 2GB buffer which makes the camera three times faster than the previous model The Leica M Monochrom also produces images that are 100% sharper than cameras with regular color processors as the sensor only has to record luminance values The Leica M Monochrome was already a unique camera and now this limited edition version takes it a step further It’s a journey that every photography enthusiast should make—a visit to Leitz-Park the Leica Camera headquarters in the Hessian town of Wetzlar in Germany which takes its name from Leica founder Ernst Leitz offers an immersion into the world of Leica from its manufacture and the Leica Store to the Ernst Leitz Museum and Leica Gallery—and perhaps an insight into the perennial question: why are Leica cameras so expensive Leica organises a Celebration of Photography (COP) event at Leitz-Park with one main objective: to honour and appreciate the art of photography and the individuals within the industry The gathering has become a much anticipated event drawing talented creatives and professionals and media from around the world—and Tatler had the opportunity to join in the festivities in October Among our group from Southeast Asia were fans of the brand—many of them Leica owners or ambassadors—who took the opportunity to meet and forge friendships with other like-minded individuals and indulge in their shared passion it was a heartwarming sight to see how everywhere you turn or across the torso—a Leica camera was the accessory du jour.  the chairman of the supervisory board of Leica Camera (Image: Leica Camera) Dr Andreas Kaufmann. the chairman of the supervisory board of Leica Camera (Image: Leica Camera) we asked Kaufmann when we met him in his office within the Leitz-Park complex “Ask a Leica customer,” he quipped it’s always overdone—and that’s not a true picture It’s not that easy; [it’s something that] we have worked on for more than 100 years.“From the beginning the design approach for our cameras is how it looks and how it feels because when you have a Leica in your hand it all comes down to this: the product has to feel right.” So dedicated is Leica to its product portfolio that the shapes of a lens and binoculars are central to the design (as seen from an aerial view) of the main building in Leitz-Park while the windows reflect the look of the 35 mm still film camera Other inspired details in the architecture including the camera “viewfinder” on the Ernst Leitz Museum building become more apparent when you take a walk through the complex Germany (Image: Leica Camera) The Leitz-Park complex in Wetzlar At the core of Leica’s design principles is the German expression das Wesentliche das Wesentliche “means to eliminate all distractions and to concentrate on the essentials”. We discovered these very “essentials” at the factory in Leitz-Park (There is a  second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão in Portugal.) While there are guided tours of Leitz-Park available to visitors all year round the COP offers Leica’s guests intimate access right at the heart of it all where we had the opportunity to view up close the production manufacturing and assembly of Leica cameras lenses and binoculars. Each lens is cut and polished by hand with outstanding engineering and precision craftsmanship combined to produce the highest “Made in Germany” quality After witnessing first-hand the work that goes into the making of a Leica camera it made sense when our guide Michel Ellert said “I hope you understand that we are not that expensive.” The Frenchman would know for he has been with the company since 1980 taking on various roles from sales to management as well as education at the Leica Akademie Above The "36 Iconic Photos" exhibition at the Leica Gallery in Leitz-Park (Image: Leica Camera) The "36 Iconic Photos" exhibition at the Leica Gallery in Leitz-Park (Image: Leica Camera) A look into the Leica archives revealed its rich history of experimentation and innovation the first small-format camera in the world Other points of interest include early print advertisements and other related memorabilia.  photography is the visual language and the medium of communication at Leica A key highlight of the COP 2023 was the presentation of the 43rd Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA) an international photo contest for photographers which is named after the eponymous inventor of the Leica. “The enthusiasm for Leica photography connects people worldwide—beyond continents religions and political opinions,” says Karin Rehn-Kaufmann the art director and chief representative of Leica Galleries International “[The] belief in the true image and the passion of those behind the camera are of central importance to Leica.”  but what’s important is what comes out of the camera: the pictures and the photographer wants the pictures to be exhibited—and this is the emotional part And so we give the photographers an opportunity to tell their stories through exhibitions in the Leica Galleries.” Above New York-based Bangladeshi photographer Ismail Ferdous’s "Sea Beach" series was named the winner in the main category of the (Image: Danielle Amy) New York-based Bangladeshi photographer Ismail Ferdous’s "Sea Beach" series was named the winner in the main category of the (Image: Danielle Amy) the theme of the LOBA remains the same—that the photographs should explore the relationship of humanity to the environment in a documentary or conceptual-artistic format as well as photographers from around the world are invited to nominate up to three photographic series of between 15 and 20 images.  A five-person international jury led by Rehn-Kaufmann will converge at Leitz-Park to select the winners from a shortlist of up to 12 series “These discussions always widen our own horizon My goal is that everyone [on the jury] is happy with the decision We  also look at the diversity of topics For the 2023 edition of Leica Oskar Barnack Award New York-based Bangladeshi photographer Ismail Ferdous’s Sea Beach series was named the winner in the main category The photographer captured in brilliant colours the particular mood and the beachgoers at Cox’s Bazar which is located at the southernmost point of his home country Bangladesh The popular destination is a cultural melting pot where people from all walks of life and places in society come looking for a few moments of recreation and relaxation Above Chinese photographer Ziyi Le’s "New Comer" series is the winner in the Newcomer category Chinese photographer Ziyi Le’s "New Comer" series is the winner in the Newcomer category Chinese photographer Ziyi Le’s New Comer series is the winner in the Newcomer category (for newcomer photographers up to 30 years old) His project features a series of portraits of the “New Comer,” a generation looking for personal development and in search of its place in society Above An image from the “New Comer” series by Ziyi Le/© Ziyi Le/LOBA 2023 An image from the “New Comer” series by Ziyi Le/© Ziyi Le/LOBA 2023 Leica also honoured renowned Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt with the Leica Hall of Fame Award for his life’s work with one of his well-known motifs being selected as the Leica Picture of the Year.  Leica shows no signs of slowing down in its advocacy for photography and photographers I would like the Leica Oskar Barnack Award to be on the same level as the World Press Photo contest in terms of awareness globally—and that would be my personal vision.” Leica also took the opportunity to introduce the first major development in its watchmaking ambition—the release of the new Leica ZM 11 to join its watch line-up since the first two models From bringing in watchmaking luminaries to lead a new division to bolstering expertise in micro-machining Leica has dedicated resources to this new product category. The ZM 11 adds three unique timepieces to the Leica Watch Collection with the choice of three band options: The ZM 11 Titanium Launch Edition with a black and red dial; the ZM 11 Titanium Coffee Black with a warm-black dial; and the ZM 11 Steel Midnight Blue with a blue and black dial it’s very clear Leica is in the watchmaking business there will be other models based on the second movement but that’s my personal dream,” shares Kaufmann on the long-term vision for this new division Above The ZM 11 Titanium Launch Edition with a black and red dial (Image: Leica Watch) The ZM 11 Titanium Launch Edition with a black and red dial (Image: Leica Watch) Above The ZM 11 Titanium Coffee Black with a warm-black dial (Image: Leica Watch) The ZM 11 Titanium Coffee Black with a warm-black dial (Image: Leica Watch) Above The ZM 11 Steel Midnight Blue with a blue and black dial (Image: Leica Watch) The ZM 11 Steel Midnight Blue with a blue and black dial (Image: Leica Watch) A journey to Wetzlar is incomplete without a walking tour of the Old Town which also provides ample opportunities for photo taking which is the location where Barnack took the first known photo using the Ur-Leica in 1914 the family home built by Ernst Leitz II on a hill above the old Leica factory in Wetzlar a quaint castle with an enchanting village at its base Above The spot in Wetzlar Old Town from which Oskar Barnack took the first known photo using the Ur-Leica in 1914 (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi) Above The enchanting Braunfels Castle (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi) The spot in Wetzlar Old Town from which Oskar Barnack took the first known photo using the Ur-Leica in 1914 (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi) Aside from its long tradition of excellent quality rarely do we see a camera manufacturer so dedicated to initiatives that go beyond the product and looking at the advancement of photography—and this is what sets Leica apart from its competitors failed to progress to the semifinals of the 100m freestyle competition despiote setting a new national record on his Olympic debut at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo who is now living and working in the United States finished fifth in heat four in a time of 50:31 seconds beating his previous national record time of 50:50 seconds which he set in 2019 Although Wetzlar achieved a personal best time and a national record it was not good enough for him to progress to the next round of the men’s 100m freestyle competition in Tokyo Wetzlar finished 42 out of 70 swimmers in the 100m freestyle and Tuesday’s race was his only appearance at the Tokyo Olympics Wetzlar needed to finish in the top 16 after the first round Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) congratulated Wetzlar for his commendable effort on his Olympic debut “Hearty congratulations to Peter on his #TOKYO2020 campaign national record and strong-willed representation and performance Peter ranked 42 out of 70 and will not be proceeding to the next stage Greatest appreciation to Peter Weztlar’s coach technical team and all behind the scenes support,’’ wrote ZOC Wetzlar’s performance comes after the country’s another swimming representative in Tokyo 17-year old Donata Katai also impressed on her debut appearance at the Olympic Games who is still a schoolgirl at Gateway High School in Harare won her 100m backstroke heat with a new personal best time of 1:02:73 on Sunday Donata’s time was not good enough for the first black swimmer to represent the country at the Olympics to progress to the semifinals New Zimbabwe.com Tweets by NewZimbabweCom NewZimbabwe.com – The Zimbabwe News You Trust is Zimbabwe’s leading online newspaper and published by New Zimbabwe Media Ltd The platform brings you the latest breaking News Diaspora and gives you everything you’ve come to expect and love Our Forums are vibrant and gives everyone a chance to be heard tablet smart phone or on our App its quick easy and free access all the news you love NewZimbabwe.com is updated continually with the latest news to help you feed your addiction with stories & photos from Zimbabwe and many more The rebranding of Leica’s cinema-lens sister company served as the centerpiece of the company’s gala event at its newly completed Leitz-Park complex in Wetzlar Leica, the venerable German camera company that has earned the loyalty of world-class still photographers and imaging aficionados for more than a century, recently hosted an ambitious celebration at its multifaceted Leitz-Park headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, using the occasion to announce the rebranding of CW Sonderoptic, its cinema-lens sister company, as Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH (or as the building’s logo proclaims in shorthand Approximately 1,000 industry guests attended the two-day event in mid-June including ASC president Kees van Oostrum and Society members Ed Lachman Prominent still photographers and artists on site included Tine Acke Bruce Davidson (who was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame and saluted with a gallery show of his photography) “It was a gathering of highly motivated still photographers and filmmakers in an almost surreal environment of excellence,” van Oostrum enthused in hindsight “The commitment from Leica to the world of photography and cinematography embodied by the completion of this complex of manufacturing and exhibition spaces certainly touched on das Wesentliche— the things that matter!” “The event in Wetzlar was like a postgraduate experience on campus at Leica — a great way to exchange information with the company’s optical designers and technical engineers It was a rare chance to mingle not only with the people who make their cameras and still and cinema lenses but also with the people who use the equipment — the still photographers and cinematographers.” which combines round and rectangular forms with structures inspired by the style of the Italian Renaissance was developed by Frankfurt architects Gruber + Kleine-Kraneburg working from a concept that Leica describes as “an ultra-modern working environment and visitor experience in which research and development gastronomy and living in harmonious unity.”  The June celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH housed among the ensemble of buildings on the sizable tract of land where the company broke ground in 2016 Appearing alongside a number of political dignitaries were Dr owner of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar and chairman of the Leica Camera AG advisory board; Matthias Harsch CEO of Leica Camera AG; and Gerhard Baier and Dr co-managing directors of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH which accommodated VIP guests over the weekend in some of its 129 rooms; and an office tower whose ground floor is occupied by the Ernst Leitz Werksträtten GmbH where visitors could enjoy a sneak preview of Leica’s new L1 and L2 wristwatches — the first products produced by the newly established workshop division In addition to lectures by artists and prominent Leica executives activities included guided behind-the-scenes tours of the production facilities; various exhibitions (including “Eyes Wide Open 100 Years of Leica Photography,” which presented handsome prints of iconic images captured with the company’s cameras and lenses); and hands-on sessions exploring various photography disciplines Food and drinks were served in the Leitz-Park Piazza picnic-style tables that encouraged conversation; the Leitz Café; and in the Leica Marquee where the company presented a concert and other entertainment Addressing the rebranding of CW Sonderoptic and Leica’s ongoing foray into cinema lenses “As the whole [cinema-lens] project started in 2008 the original idea was to make these lenses at Leica But we soon realized that it would be a real challenge We didn’t have [the cine-lens] experience [in terms of] how to do it [and the] time required to process the individual parts It soon became pretty clear that it could not be done at the Leica factory but it’s a very special project.’ The German word for special is sonder and it’s a project that has to do with lenses and optics so CW Sonderoptic was born — Cine Wetzlar Sonderoptic and to see which people were capable of doing it; we had a lot of Leica employees who were willing to take on a new challenge — not only in terms of lens design and mechanical design [They would be applying] experience that Leica had established for at least 100 years and aspects of the workflows that had been established there: how to treat the material making cine lenses involves a different workflow and different challenges than making still-photography lenses,” he added “What’s important in still photography is not as important for cine In that moment when you capture something [for a motion picture] everything is moving — the camera is moving So you have entirely different technical demands that you need to fulfill because the capturing process is totally different.” Baier noted that Leica already had some employees who were familiar with the design and manufacturing challenges of cinema lenses and that these people provided a starting point for CW Sonderoptic “They had the knowledge of what a premium cine lens should look like,” he said adding that “we tried to combine that experience with what cinematographers are looking for: skin tones CW Sonderoptic primarily sought the knowledge and assistance of outside experts “Otto Nemenz was a big mentor for our project Then you combine [what you learn] with lens designers like Iain Neil and André de Winter who understand what the other party is talking about: ‘Ah How can we do this on the drawing?’ Once the drawing is done you have to find people who can really make [a lens]. You look for somebody that has a lot of experience in organizing such a process — who knows the materials the polishing of lenses and which tools you need So [in terms of the project’s conception,] idea-wise and then we passed this knowledge along to the [Leica] people who were willing to take on the challenge the roster of cinema lenses — which include the Summicron-C Summilux-C and large-format Thalia lines — have brought additional luster to Leica’s international reputation The development team behind the Summilux-C lenses — used on the 2014 feature Birdman AMC the second of his three consecutive Academy Awards for Best Cinematography — were honored with an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award presented to Neil (for the optical design) and de Winter (for the mechanical design) Reflecting on the evolution of CW Sonderoptic its rebranding as Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH It has always been a kind of family structure at Leica with the company growing on the campus we have here it’s a real [embodiment] of the family structure; you have a center The spirit that was here for the past two days and the people who were visiting — it’s been really great.” ASC member Charlie Lieberman — a Leica user since 1973 when he acquired one of the company’s 35mm still cameras — offered his own thoughts on the company’s culture after attending the Leitz-Park event: “My impression of the Leica staff is that they are just a spectacular group of people they all love being in the business they’re in and they all adore the products they are working on It’s more than just a business relationship for them They are passionate about their products.” “Leica employees also have an incredible sense of tradition and a lot of time was spent [at the Leitz-Park event] reminding the guests of [Leica founder] Ernst Leitz; [his successor] Ernst Leitz Jr.; and [original company engineer] Oskar Barnack, all of whom handed down a tradition of quality The quality idea was set in stone back in the 1800s Andreas Kaufmann has carried on with that tradition bringing the company into the digital age.” Act now to receive 12 issues of the award-winning AC magazine — the world’s finest cinematography resource © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) American Society of Cinematographers is majority owned by Leica Camera AG.  Prior to working at Ernst Leitz Werkstätten Henrik held leadership positions working for premium brands globally Most recently Henrik was Managing Director for the Swiss luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen responsible for Central and Eastern Europe he held key management roles at both the BMW Group Returning full circle in his career journey Henrik previously served as the Area Manager for Eastern Europe at Leica Camera AG from 1996 to 1998.  Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG “Leica Camera AG has shown tremendous financial results in the recent years Our brand's strategic vision is committed to expansion and growth Mechanics and design are key qualities of the Leica DNA and our watches show these qualities We are delighted to welcome Henrik back to Leica His expertise will be pivotal in propelling our company towards even greater heights.”  Henrik Ekdahl has been appointed as Managing Director of Ernst Leitz Werkstätten GmbH being responsible for the Leica watch and accessories business Henrik previously served as the Area Manager for Eastern Europe at Leica Camera AG from 1996 to 1998 An experimental, prototype square-format Leica M model from 1954 that lacks a built-in viewfinder or rangefinder was surprisingly popular at the most recent Wetzlar Camera Auction pulling in an astounding 687,500 euros hammer price While a great many cameras offered at the auction sold for over $100,000 — a fact which led to the Wetzlar Camera Auctions organization to say that the market for collectibles remains “extremely strong,” especially for historical cameras and even more so within the subset of historical Leica cameras — the top selling item was a bit of a surprise The Leica M Prototype square finally format camera was estimated to be valued between 8,000 and 10,000 euros but sold for a whopping 687,500 euros (about $667,765) when the hammer fell The “previously unknown” experimental M camera model holds 52 exposures in a 24 by 24mm image format and is estimated to have been produced between 1954 and 1966 The camera’s condition was listed a “B” meaning it wasn’t even in the best shape the camera was the highest-selling item at the annual auction and eclipsed the other more headling-grabbing items The previously mentioned 1957 Black Paint edition Leica sold for EUR 625,000 ($607,059) This value doubled the highest estimation but did not come close to the highest value a camera of this type has ever sold for In November of 2021, a similar Leica MP Black Paint edition sold for an incredible $1.34 million at the Leitz Photographica Auction Leitz Photographica said that not only was it one of the rarest Leica models of all time (only 412 were ever produced) but it was also in fantastic condition the Wetzlar Camera Auction’s version was not nearly in as good condition The MDa NASA Replica sold for significantly more than its appraisal value as well equal to that of the Leica MP Black Paint edition The 2023 Wetzlar Camera Auction will be held next October A rare Leica 0-series camera for 1923 was sold at the Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 7 for €3.5 million The Leica 0-series camera is one of between 22 and 25 units that were produced in 1923 for testing purposes and one of only 16 that remain in existence today Wetzlar Camera Auctions expected the incredible 0-series camera to sell at auction for between €1.5 and €2 million (approximately $1.58 to $2.11 million) the camera’s performance undoubtedly exceeded expectations becoming the second-most expensive camera ever sold at auction The model sold over the weekend is number 121 in a series that started at 101 The auction house explains that it is unclear precisely how many Leica 0-series cameras were made because the delivery list in Leica’s archive has empty lines for numbers 116 Number 121 has its original black paint and is in “very nice” condition The lot (number five) included a five-element Anastigmat 50mm f/4.5 lens with “very clean” optics “Exactly 100 years after this camera was manufactured here in Wetzlar we were now able to auction it here in Wetzlar — an honor for our auction house and of course an absolute highlight in our company history,” says Wetzlar Camera Auctions co-owner Lars Netopil The Leica 0-series camera is especially interesting not only because it is the predecessor of Leica cameras While the Leica 0-series lot sold for the highest sum plenty of other rare and special cameras and lenses earned huge hammer prices in the WCA after starting at €80,000 (just under $84,750) a prototype Leica IIIc from 1934 sold for €400,000 ($423,000) A Leica M3 that was used by the German Military (Bundeswehr) in a NATO olive green paint from 1966 sold for €162,500 ($172,150) after starting at just €30,000 ($31,780) Rare black-painted Leica M cameras have been a smash hit with collectors in recent years and the latest auction proved that the market is still booming An early black-painted Leica M2 with a pair of matching black-painted lenses sold for €162,500 ($172,150) and a very early black-painted Leica M4 with a Leicavit-MP rapid-winder sold to the highest bidder at €112,500 ($119,180) Highly sought-after Leica lenses performed well Two prototypes of early Summilux lenses from around 1960 sold for huge sums A 35mm prototype went for €275,000 ($291,330) while a 50mm prototype Summilux sold for €137,500 ($145,670) A test sample of the famous first-ever Leitz Noctilux lens a name that still carries significant weight with photographers went to a new owner after they paid €137,500 ($145,670) A 1200mm Leitz Telecron was auctioned for €93,750 ($99,320) The super-telephoto lens was created as an experimental lens for the 1972 Munich Olympics and the lens never made it into commercial production The Wetzlar Camera Auctions feature spectacular cameras and lenses from brands other than Leica a Nikon super-telephoto zoom from the 1990s with a unique 1200-1700mm zoom range was sold for an incredible €425,000 ($450,240) the highest price ever for a Nikon lens at any auction The next Wetzlar Camera Auctions event is scheduled for October 12 News HENSOLDT Optronics and THEON SENSORS establish new company Paris/Taufkirchen/Athens 14 June 2022 – HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH and THEON SENSORS SA are establishing a joint company called HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH HENSOLDT with THEON SENSORS will appoint the managers Both companies are already successfully cooperating within the framework of a bidding consortium for a contract to manufacture and supply 9.550 pairs of night vision goggles (5.000 for the German and 4.550 for the Belgian armed forces) on behalf of the armament agency OCCAR Now both partners are complementing their capabilities in the field of thermal imaging and night vision systems new products are to be created on the technological basis of THEON's night vision goggles and HENSOLDT Optronics' weapon-adapted night vision attachments At the signing of the contract with THEON SENSORS CEO Christian Hadjiminas at EUROSATORY 2022 in Paris Head of the Optronics & Land Solutions Division and Managing Director of Optronics GmbH said: "The merger with THEON SENSORS to form HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH is directly related to HENSOLDT's growth strategy The current conflict situation in Ukraine shows how important high-performance sensor technology and optical systems are for equipping our armed forces in line with the times." CEO of THEON SENSORS and President of EFA GROUP added: “The global geo-political challenges are creating a new focus on the performance and accountability of night vision and thermal imaging systems world-wide This new joint company HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH will drive new insights and solutions as leading companies with complementary capabilities work together to meet the common goal of establishment of strong inter-European defence links." By combining capabilities from both parent companies future product requirements can be developed even faster and in a more targeted manner and made available in a user-oriented manner Existing products from both parent companies will serve as an innovative basis for further and new development the production site in Wetzlar is of central importance In addition to the long-standing cooperation with the German Armed Forces and armed forces of associated nations HENSOLDT also offers an excellent basis for logistical support the added value for customers is significantly increased and new jobs are created at the location solid growth is planned for the new company due to the demand for state-of-the-art thermal imaging and night vision systems HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with global reach the company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications HENSOLDT drives the development of defence electronics and optronics and is continuously expanding its portfolio based on innovative approaches to data management HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 1.5 billion euros in 2021 HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange www.hensoldt.net   THEON SENSORS is a world-renowned and recognized manufacturer of electro-optical night vision and thermal imaging systems used by military and law enforcement customers in more than 58 countries around the world The development and production of the systems is made in Athens whereas its worldwide business activities are supported by now five subsidiaries with co-productions facilities in Middle and Far East THEON SENSORS is part of EFA Group of companies that have a leading-edge position in the international markets in the fields of aerospace www.theon.com   Alexander Ogger Tel.: +49 (0) 7364.9557-984 alexander.ogger@hensoldt.net providing detailed insights into its progress in the areas of environmental social and responsible corporate governance the sustainability report is fully integrated into the annual report to emphasise the equivalence of financial and non-financial reporting the company is sending a clear signal of transparency to its stakeholders "Historically significant" Nikon L prototype features a Leica mount and comes with a Canon lens An ultra rare prototype of the Nikon L is the headline item of the next Wetzlar Camera Auctions with an estimated top selling price of €356,687 ($357,000 / £268,715 / AU$487,871).  The base plate features the engraving "MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN". Adding further to the colorful nature of the auction lot, the camera comes with a Canon Serenar 50mm f/1.9 lens.  (Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)(Image credit: Wetzlar Camera Auctions)"Unlike later experimental Nikon cameras with Leica screw thread such as the L1101 in the Nikon Museum or other cameras based on Nikon M and S models this camera with the number L11004 appears to be number 4 of an L1100 series "[It] comes from the very early stage of development for a Nikon 35 mm camera when it had not yet been decided whether to opt for the Leica screw thread or the 'Contax' bayonet no other example of such an early Nikon prototype camera with Leica screw thread has appeared it's been a fascinating month for Nikon's heritage The Wetzlar Camera Auctions Auction 2 takes place on 10 October 2020. To see all the lots, including a huge selection of rare Leicas, visit the official website serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them He started working in the photography industry in 2014 product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras While most mosques around the world are currently shut off, that didn’t stop hundreds of Muslim worshippers partaking in this mass prayer in Frankfurt, Germany. (Featured image: IGMG Wetzlar FATİH CAMİİ, Facebook) IKEA agreed to let the socially-distanced Eid prayers take place in one of their enormous parking lots Footage was recorded using a drone on Sunday (May 24), during Eid. It shows a 700-strong prayer taking place in Wetzlar, just outside of Frankfurt. Islamic Community Milli Goruş (IGMG) organised the event came up with the initiative and contacted IKEA for permission to use their space The retail giant happily accepted their request and this amazing socially distant event became reality IGMG also posted this footage to its Facebook page They then took to the site to write a post It read: “We would like to express our gratitude to the police Wetzlar the Markhead of IKEA Wetzlar and the folders that made this extraordinary prayer possible “We congratulate all the Islamic world and the Muslims living in the world with our sincere wishes and wish our Lord to bring you many more holidays,” another post read “We have done holiday prayer as a nation in the open air with 700 people May my Lord always keep our unity and solidarity The Ikea store is in Wetzlar near Frankfurt. More photos and a ‘Thank you’ note from the mosque to Ikea and police pic.twitter.com/cQE4Ixxfpr — Abdirahim Saeed (@AbdirahimS) May 24, 2020 When you think of some of the most iconic photographs ever taken–Napalm Girl by Nick Ut, the portrait of Che Guevara by Alberto Korda, the famous V-J Day kiss in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstadt, or Falling Soldier by Robert Capa, just to name a few–chances are they were taken by a Leica camera but is a name more known among professional photographers than the masses Leica Camera AG has been looking to change that first with the steady stream of Leica store openings around the world Leica celebrated its 100th Anniversary with the launch of a brand new headquarters and factory in Wetzler Nick Ut in front of his iconic Napalm Girl photograph He tells us he’s still friends with the girl in the photograph Untapped Cities got a behind-the-scenes tour of the new factory the day before the anniversary celebration. Akin to office complexes we’ve written about before, like the Google office in Mountain View the Leica headquarters at Leitz-Park caught our eye because inside and out the design is an architectural reflection of the company’s ethos Germany that Leica engineer Oskar Barnack created and built the first photo camera made for 35 millimeter cinema film photography was still limited by long exposure times on big glass plates using wooden box cameras on tripods Leica has always been a scientific company to its core as reflected by the large business it still does in high-end microscopes for research labs The underlying question of the exploration into cameras for Leica was how to produce “big images from small negatives Small negatives also meant smaller cameras and the Leica was quickly adopted by the avant-garde artists of the era like Russian Constructivist Alexander Rodchenko and Surrealist André Breton These cameras weren’t carried at waist level either but at eye level an important technical development as the art world began to explore the link between subconscious and reality the company is digging heavily back into its history and legacy while building anew It is also being very upfront with its more recent challenges admitting in a Special Edition of Leica Fotografie International magazine that “there have been times in which this legacy had been more of a burden than an asset It is only ten years ago that Leica stood on the edge of ruin.” Leica was rescued from dire financial straits by photography aficionado and businessman Dr now the chairman of Leica’s Supervisory board and a majority shareholder in the company The floor of the lobby is made of terrazzo The first and most obvious design referent to Leica’s past and present is its exterior shaped like a lens (or perhaps even like 35 mm roll of film when the building is taken as a whole) That design mantra extends to the floor to ceiling glass facade custom-made to be convex and concave where necessary While it might appear that architectural Modernism hasn’t had an impact on the exterior of this literally-shaped building the building does takes advantage of new technological advances The concrete is subtly imbued with color to look like stone and the materials allow for the building to be green: 22° C warm water runs through pipes in the walls and columns cooling the building in the summer and heating it in the winter combined with geothermal tubes under the parking lot and photovoltaic panels on the roof means that the complex can generate most of its own power sustainably Only a few colors appear on the interior of the building–black While adhering to such colors can lead to empty Modernism it works well in Leitz-Park because it feels done as a reflection of the precision engineering that’s at the core of Leica the stark color scheme not only works for hosting exhibitions in the entrance hall it also makes the transition between gallery and the factory rather seamless The exhibition hall currently features the “10×10 Exhibition” showcasing the work of 10 up-and-coming photographers like Evgenia Arbugaeva and her haunting photos from a meteorological station in the Arctic Circle Photos of  Hodovarikha Meterological Station by Evgenia Arbugaeva Also on display in the main gallery is “36 Aus 100,” a selection of 36 iconic photos from the 100 years of Leica as well as displays of historical Leica camera models used by the photographers The first Leica ever delivered to a customer Prior versions were part of the pilot series Around the corner from this museum-like space is the entrance to a long cinematic hallway which gives the visitor a glimpse into the factory floor visitors can only look in to the work being done Each window has a touch screen which provides additional information about the process of making Leica cameras It’s a painstaking process with 8 assembly lines producing just 500 cameras per day mixing high tech processes with a tradition of hand precision It takes several months to train technicians so Leica has not been able to be as flexible to the demands of supply and demand as they would like–but they’re working on it with mentoring programs between Portugal where one of the Leica lens factories is located and Germany The areas shown thus far are designed to take visitors on a controlled and programmed path through Leica’s history and current production But the true test of how far-reaching a company’s beliefs extend is whether its brand values are reflected in the areas that the company doesn’t necessarily expect the public to see Leica has always been about attention to detail and this mantra made its way even to places like bathrooms and stairwells it feels like you’ve entered into a Guggenheim Museum-esque echo chamber sealed off from the din of the Leica cafe and exhibition hall Look up and you’ll feel yourself drawn to the natural light above: you can see echoes of camera lens design–nothing is quite circular but rather combinations of convex and concave lines: The black and white theme continues into the bathroom where the entire floor (stalls included) are painted in a thick black: The reverse theme applies to the locker rooms: Another beautiful staircase in the customer care area of the complex: The studio, which is part of the Leica flagship store, is large enough to fit a car and motorcycle inside for a photo shoot. The store and studio will also be a teaching space for the Leica Academy, historically the oldest modern photography school in Germany Leica is also getting into the business of printing, in partnership with Whitewall Photolab At the Leica headquarters and in retail locations around the world you’ll be able to buy prints from famous photographers or get advice on the best paper and technique to print your own But Leica has also not shied away from the digital revolution in photography and has an ongoing partnership with Instagram Leica believes that the democratization of photography through the smartphone will only bring new enthusiasts towards the high-end products Leica is offering which Leica calls the “Casino” comes with a built-in bar with beers on tap: stop by the coffee house located on the exterior plaza Kaufmann had for employees that also serves to activate the large public space this is what Leica hopes to achieve on a larger scale with its headquarters in Wetzlar establishing a new type of urban complex that can reactivate the industrial district of the city and welcome business and leisure visitors alike It’s clear that architects Martin Gruber and Helmut Kleine-Kraneburg served as more than just design consultants they worked as general planners as well as architects on Leitz-Park Value and modernity was just as important as the visual aesthetic and with their active involvement they were able to focus on quality to the last detail We don’t need opulence or formal obtrusiveness to acheive this but rather a client who is willing to walk the same path with us.” Get in touch with the author @untappedmich. For more information on the latest line of Leica products, head to the official website Michelle is the founder of Untapped New York and the author of The Art Spy (HarperOne Secret New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants You've successfully subscribed to Untapped New York Check your email for magic link to sign-in A Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 lens was the focus of a bidding war at the Wetzlar Camera Auctions (WCA) last week that saw it climb to a final value of 500,000 euros (about $580,000) In July, the WCA announced that it was set to offer for sale a lens that it billed as exceedingly rare: a Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 The lens was originally manufactured in the 1990s in limited quantities and by special order only Because the lens was so difficult to make and production was so limited it took more than a year to build each lens Much of that time was spent growing the massive fluorite crystals required for the gigantic elements According to Canon the EF 1200mm f/5.6 is constructed of 13 elements in 10 groups and has a close focusing distance of 45.9 feet (14 meters) It has an inner ultrasonic motor and supports a 48mm drop-in filter Originally it was thought that less than 100 of the lenses were ever made but more recent approximations put the actual number closer to 20 The original list price for the lens was $90,000 and the company could supposedly only make two of them a year These lenses rarely come up for sale given their extreme scarcity, but there are a few limited cases. In 2009 and in 2015, B&H listed the lens for sale for $120,000 and $180,000 respectively MPB Photographic had one available for about $165,000 there have been few — if any — other opportunities to buy the lens since Canon discontinued production of the optic That scarcity and the long wait between opportunities to purchase the lens likely led to the bidding war that saw the lens available through the WCA climb to a whopping 500,000 euro — about $580,000 The bidding took place primarily between two parties who were connected by telephone The WCA says that this is the highest price ever achieved at auction for a camera lens but the WCA saw a few other items see notable auction values A prototype of a Leica III from 1932 was sold for a hefty 375,000 euro (about 435,000) It was only expected to sell for at most 100,000 euros (about $116,000) A Leica M4 from the former inventory of the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in NATO with olive green paint finish from 1968 sold for 450,000 euros (about 521,000) A prototype of the first Leitz Summilux 35mm (engraved “Summarit 1:1.4/35”) from 1959 went for four times the estimated price at 187,500 euros (about $217,000) The also Soviet GOI camera rifle from the World War II period found a new owner for 250,000 euros (about $290,000) The next Wetzlar Camera Auction will take place on October 8