Leica

Leica is a camera produced by a German company of the same name. The company, formerly Ernst Leitz Gmbh, is now three companies: Leica Camera AG, Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Microsystems AG, each producing cameras, geosurvey equipment and microscopes, respectively. Leica Microsystems AG is the owner of the Leica brand, and grants licenses to Leica Camera AG and Leica Geosystems.

List of Leica Cameras and lenses

Below is a list of cameras and lenses produced under the Leica name.

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C (point and shoot) series

• Z2X
• C1
• C2
• C3
• Leica Minilux 40 mm
• Leica Minilux Zoom
• Leica CM 40 mm
• Leica CM Zoom

M (rangefinder) series

• Leica I - was introduced first time to the market at the 1925 spring fair in Leipzig, based on the Ur-Leica prototype developed by Oscar in 1913 and the Prototyp 1 developed in 1923. Followed by Leica Luxur and Leica Compur (a total of 60,586 was made of the Leica I, Luxur and Compur). From 1930 with interchangeable lenses.

Leica 35 mm series with interchangeable lens screw mount style Leica bodies:

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• Leica II - 1932. Leica introduces the rangefinder in the camera with this model.
• Leica III - 1933. Leica incorporates slow speeds to the shutter design in this model.
• Leica IIIa - 1935. Leica incorporates fast shutter speeds to the shutter design.
• Leica IIIf - 1950. Leica incorporates flash syncronization and a self timer.
• Leica IIIg - Produced till 1960 (Total 798,200 screwmount cameras had been made by then).

Leica M series with interchangeable lens bayonet style Leica bodies:

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• M3 - 1954 - 1966 (Total 200,000 units manufactured) The M3 was introduced at the German Foto Kina exhibition in 1954. It was the first of the M series Leicas that are still manufactured today - the first interchangeable lens bayonet style Leica body. In an advertisement from 1956, it was regarded as a "lifetime investment in perfect photography"; a statement that has proven to be true after more than fifty years since its release. The M3 has a .92 magnification finder, the highest of any M camera made. The price of this high magnification was that a 35 mm lens required "goggles" which fit in front of the view/rangefinder windows to facilitate a wider view. The M3 advanced film via a lever rather than knob, the first M3s required two strokes to advance the film, after 1958 M3's were single-stroke. Early M3s lacked a frame preview selector lever to switch between framelines.
• MP - 1956 - 1957 (Total 402 sets were manufactured). The original MP was based on the M3 and could be fitted with a Leicavit trigger winding device. MP originally stood for "M Professional"; the camera was intended to be a photojournalist's camera.
• M2 - 1958 - 1967 (88,000 sets were manufactured). A scaled-down and lower-cost version of the M3, the M2 had a simplified rangefinder of 0.72 magnification, allowing easier use of 35 mm lenses. The 0.72 magnification became the standard viewfinder magnification for future M cameras. The M2 lacked the self-resetting film frame counter of its predecessor.
• M1 - 1959 - 1964 (9,392 sets were manufactured). A stripped version of the M2 for scientific/technical use, the M1 was a viewfinder camera with no built-in rangefinder. In 1965 replaced by the MD (with no viewfinder at all), and the MDa (based on the M4) (1967), and finally the MD-2 (based on the M4-2) (1980).
• M4 - 1967 - 1975 (50,000 sets were manufactured); 1974 -1975 (6,500 sets were manufactured). With added rangefinder framelines for 35 mm and 135 mm lenses. Introduced the canted rewind crank (the previous Ms had rewind knobs). With the M5, last M camera to have a self-timer.
• M5 - 1971 - 1975 (31,400 sets were manufactured). With added integral TTL lightmeter. First Leica with a light meter, a mechanical swinging-arm CDS cell positioned behind the lens. The added functionality required a redesigned, larger body compared with the traditional M3 dimensions. Certain wide angle lenses (early 21 mm f4.0 and f3.4) could not be used in the camera without modification because of the possibility of damage to the rear element of the lens or the meter arm. For similar reasons, collapsible lenses could not be collapsed on the M5. These restrictions also held true for the Leica CL (below). With the M4, last M camera to have a self-timer.
• CL - 1973 - 1976 (the compact Leica). Also known as the Minolta CL, Leitz-Minolta CL, introduced with 2 lenses special to that model: the 40 mm Summicron-C f2 and 90 mm Elmar-C f4. Internal metering similar to the M5--CDS cell on a swinging stalk. The CL is also notable for being the only M-bayonet camera to have a vertically-travelling shutter. Minolta later manufactured and sold an improved electronic version, the Minolta CLE with Auto Exposure, Off-The-Film TTL metering and TTL Flash metering, together with three M-Rokkor lenses, the 40 mm/f2, 28 mm/f2.8 and 90 mm/f4.
• M4-2 - 1977 - 1980 (17,000 sets were manufactured). First M to be manufactured since 1975. With stronger gears for the adaptation of a motor drive. First M with hotshoe for electronic flash. No self-timer. Made in Canada.
• M4-P - 1980 - 1986. Added rangefinder framelines for the 28 mm and 75 mm lenses.
• M6 - 1984 - 1998. A breakthrough camera, finally combining the M3 form factor with a modern, off-the-shutter light meter with no moving parts and LED arrows in the viewfinder. Informally referred to as the M6 "Classic" to distinguish it from the "M6 TTL" models, and to indicate its "Classic" M3 dimensions.
• M6J - 1994. A collector's edition of 1,640 cameras to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Leica M System. Notable for its introduction of the 0.85 magnification finder, the first high-magnification finder since 1966, and the basis for the 0.85 cameras to follow starting in 1998.
• M6 0.85 - 1998. The M6 could be optionally ordered with a .85 magnification viewfinder for easier focusing with long lenses and more accurate focusing with fast lenses, such as the 50 mm/f1.0 Noctilux and 75 mm/f1.4 Summilux. The 28 mm framelines are dropped in this model. 3,130 of these cameras were made (all black chrome), so they are among the rarer non-commemorative M6's.
• M6 TTL - 1998 - 2002. With .72 and .85 viewfinder versions. From 2000 the .58 viewfinder camera for eyeglass wearers are added to the line. Supported TTL flash. The added electronics added 2mm of height to the top plate, and the shutter dial was reversed from previous models (traditionally, turning clockwise increased shutter speed).
• M7 2002 - current model (as of 2005). Has TTL exposure, aperature priority and manual exposure, electronic shutter and two mechanical speeds of 1/60 and 1/125. Comes in .58, .72, and .85 viewfinder formats, each with different brightline framelines. Same taller top plate and counter-clockwise shutter dial as the M6 TTL.
• MP - 2003 - current model (as of 2005). A homage to the original MP, the new MP (this time standing for "Mechanical Perfection") cosmetically resembles the original (even down to changing the rewind crank back to a knob!) but is functionally closer to the M6 Classic. A notable improvement over the M6 was the modification of the rangefinder to eliminate flare. The Leicavit M is an exciting accessory introduced with the new MP, allowing trigger wind with the right hand at speeds up to 2-2.5 frame/s. The new MP is available in chrome and black paint and with viewfinders of .58, .72 and .85 magnification.
• A La Carte Program 2004 - present. Program to facilitate custom-built combinations of metal finish, leather type, viewfinder magnification, and custom engraving.

R (SLR) series

• Leicaflex - 1964/5 - sometimes called the Standard - built-in external light meter, clear focusing screen with centre ground-glass spot. There was a great deal of pressure to introduce a Leica SLR because of the phenomenal success of the Nikon F (1959).
• Leicaflex SL and SL MOT - 1968 - TTL selective-area metering, slightly taller body than its predecessor, long-lived and lovely to use. MOT model took a large and heavy motor drive. Only about 1,000 SL MOTs were made.
• Leicaflex SL2/SL2 MOT - 1974 - refinement of the SL with more sensitive light meter and improved body shape. Thought by some to be the toughest 35 mm SLR ever built. The Leica Solms museum has on display an SL2 MOT with Motor and 35 mm Summicron which survived a 25,000 foot fall from a Phantom II fighter jet: battered but in one peice, and deemed repairable by Leica. Only about 1,000 SL2 MOTs were made. The SL2 was the swan-song of the Leicaflexes; the SL2 reportedly cost Leitz more to manufacture than it recouped in sales, and motivated the company to collaborate with Minolta for their next series of electronic cameras. The SL2 would also be the last mechanical Leica SLR for 14 years.
• R3 - the first electronic Leitz SLR - 1976 to 1980, based upon the Minolta XE1/7. The first few were built in Germany and then production was transferred to the Leitz Portugal factory.
• R4MOT/R4/R4S/R4S Mod2 - 1980 - 1987 a new compact model based upon the Minolta XD11. The R4 set the design for all cameras up to and including the R7. The R4 offered Program mode, Aperture and Shutter Priority, and Manual, with Spot and Centerweighted metering. The R4MOT differed in designation only; all R4s and up accepted motors and winders. The R4 offered The R4S and R4S Mod2 were simplified models at slighly lower prices.
• Leica R4 http://www.leicar4.de/index.html
• R5 and R-E - 1987 - revised electronics (R5 had TTL flash capability), the RE was a simplified model.
• R6 - 1988-92 mechanical shutter, relied on battery power only for the built-in light meter.
• R6.2 - 1992- as R6 but with refinements, including a 1/2000th shutter speed.
• R7 - 1992 - yet more advanced electronics.
• R8 - complete redesign, this time in-house with production moved back to Germany. All traces of Minolta gone.
• R9 - refinement of the R8 with 100g less weight and a new anthracite body finish.
• R8/R9 DMR Digital Module-R - 10 megapixel digital back for the R8/R9, making them the first 35 mm SLR cameras able to capture to film or digitally.

Digilux (digital) series

• Digilux
• Digilux Zoom
• Digilux 4.3
• D-Lux
• Digilux 1
• Digilux 2
• R8/R9 DMR Digital Module R (DSLR)

Leica lenses on Panasonic

Leica lenses are used on many Panasonic digital cameras and video recorders.

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Leica M lenses

• Elmarit-M Asph. 21 mm f/2.8
• Elmarit-M Asph. 24 mm f/2.8
• Summicron-M Asph. 28 mm f/2
• Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8
• Summilux-M Asph. 35 mm f/1.4
• Summicron-M Asph. 35 mm f/2
• Summilux-M Asph. 50 mm f/1.4
• Summicron-M 50 mm f/2
• Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1
• Elmar-M 50 mm f/2.8 (collapsible)
• Summilux-M 75 mm f/1.4
• Apo-Summicron-M Asph. 75 mm f/2
• Apo-Summicron-M Asph. 90 mm f/2
• Elmarit-M 90 mm f/2.8
• Elmarit 135mm f/2.8
• Apo-Telyt-M 135 mm f/3.4
• Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4
• Tri-Elmar-M Asph. 28-35-50 mm f/4

Note: Summilux is a f/1.4 lens, Summicron is a f/2 lens, and Elmarit is a f/2.8 lens in Leica lingo.

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Leica R lenses

• Leica 15 mm f/3.5 Super-Elmar-R - 1980 (Carl Zeiss design)
• Leica 15 mm f/2.8 Super-Elmarit-R ASPH - 2001
• Leica 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Elmarit-R - 1970
• Leica 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version
• Leica 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version - 1990
• Leica 21 mm f/4.0 Super-Angulon-R - 1968-1992 (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 21 mm f/3.4 Super-Angulon-R - 1968 (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 24 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R
• Leica 28 mm PC-Super-Angulon-R (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 28 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1970
• Leica 28 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version - 1994
• Leica 35 mm f/4.0 PA-Curtagon-R (Schneider-Kreuznach design)
• Leica 35 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1964
• Leica 35 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version
• Leica 35 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 3rd version
• Leica 35 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 1st version - 1970
• Leica 35 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 2nd version - 1976
• Leica 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R
• Leica 50 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 1st version - 1964
• Leica 50 mm f/2.0 Summicron-R 2nd version - 1977 - built-in lens hood, 3-cam and R-cam only version.
• Leica 50 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R 1st version
• Leica 50 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R 2nd version
• Leica 50 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R 3rd version - 1997 (ROM contacts)
• Leica 60 mm Macro-Elmarit-R 1st version - 1972 - outside bayonet lens hood fitting
• Leica 60 mm Macro-Elmarit-R dn2 version
• Leica 75 mm f/2.0 Elcan-R code C-341 - Extremely rare
• Leica 80 mm f/1.4 Summilux-R
• Leica 90 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version - 1964-1996
• Leica 90 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version - 1983
• Leica 90 mm Summicron-R 1st version - 1969
• Leica 90 mm Summicron-R 2nd version -
• eica 90 mm APO-Summicron-R ASPH - 2002
• Leica 90 mm f/1.0 Elcan-R - Extremely rare
• Leica 100 mm f/4.0 Macro-Elmar-R bellows version
• Leica 100 mm f/4.0 Macro-Elmar-R helical version
• Leica 100 mm f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R
• Leica 135 mm Elmarit-R 1st version - 1965
• Leica 135 mm Elmarit-R 2nd version
• Leica 180 mm Elmar-R - 1976
• Leica 180 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 1st version
• Leica 180 mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R 2nd version
• Leica 180 mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-R - 1975-1998
• Leica 180 mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R - 1998
• Leica 180 mm f/2.0 APO-Summicron-R
• Leica 180 mm f/3.4 Elcan-R code C-303 - Extremely rare
• Leica 250 mm f/4.0 Telyt-R 1st version -
• Leica 250 mm f/4.0 Telyt-R 2nd version
• Leica 280 mm f/4.8 Telyt-V
• Leica 280 mm f/4.0 APO-Telyt-R
• Leica 280 mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R - 1984-1997
• Leica 350 mm f/4.8 Telyt-R
• Leica 400 mm f/6.8 Telyt-R - 1968-1994
• Leica 400 mm f/5.6 Telyt-R
• Leica 400 mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R - 1992-1996
• Leica 450 mm f/5.6 Elcan-R, code C-329 - Extremely rare
• Leica 500 mm f/8 MR-Telyt-R
• Leica 560 mm f/6.8 Telyt-R - 1971-1995
• Leica 560 mm f/5.6 Telyt-R - 1966-1973
• Leica 800 mm f/6.3 Telyt-S - 1972-1995 (sold including a free VW Fox)
• Leica modular APO-Telyt-R 260/400/560 head
• Leica modular APO-Telyt-R 400/560/800 head
• Leica 21 mm-35 mm f/3.5-f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom - 2002
• Leica 28 mm-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 70-180 mm f/2.8 Vario-APO-Elmarit-R zoom
• Leica 35-70 f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 35-70 mm f/3.5 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 35-70 mm Vario-Elmarit-R ASPH zoom - 2000 (only 200 was made)
• Leica 70-210 mm f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 75-200 mm f/4.5 Vario-Elmar-R - 1976-1984
• Leica 80-200 mm f/4.5 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 80-200 mm f/4.0 Vario-Elmar-R zoom
• Leica 105-280 mm f/4.2 Vario-Elmar-R zoom

Leica / Leitz enlargers

• Leitz Valoy and Valoy II - manual focus, later versions of the Valoy II were grey in colour.
• Leitz Focomat Ia - Same as Focomat 1C, that is with autofocus, but the head does not tilt back to allow for easy insertion of negative.
• Leitz Focomat Ib
• Leitz Focomat Ic - sometimes fitted with Kienzle colour head. Produced first with varob 5cm f1:3.5 lenses, later with elmar 5cm f1:3.5, focotar 5cm f1:4.5, focotar 50 mm f1:4.5, focotar 50 mm 2nd version f1:4.5, focotar-2 f1:4.5. Changes in focotar name or focal length designation do not necessarily coincide with the optical formula. The focotar-2 is always the same formula, and so is the 5cm version. The 50 mm exists in two versions. The 1C helical will accommodate lenses of various makes. Available in "color" version with filter drawer and lighted enlargement factor scale. Many small design variations exist.
• Leitz Focomat IIa - 35 mm-6x9 format, dual lens turret on later versions that fitted a 5cm elmar f1:3.5 or focotar 1:4.5, and a 9.5cm f1:4.5 focotar, autofocus. The early version has a single helical that will accommodate lenses of any make. Available in "color" version with filter drawer and lighted enlargement factor scale.
• Leitz Focomat IIc - 35 mm-6x9 formats, dual lens stage rather than turret, autofocus. First produced with focotar 6cm f1:4.5 and focotar 9.5cm f1:4.5, later with focotar 60 mm and V-Elmar 100 mm f1:4.5, still later with focotar 60 mm and focotar II 100 mm f1:5.6. All the 6cm and 60 mm focotars appear to be the same optical design. Kienzle or other colour heads sometime fitted. Only very slender enlarging lenses will for the IIc helicals. Available in "color" version with filter drawer and lighted enlargement factor scale.
• Leitz Focomat II (modified for American millitary), code EN-121A - Extremely rare
• Vincent electrical shutter (for enlarger) - Extremely rare
• ELCAN 52mm enlarger lens (20x-25x enlargements) - Extremely rare
• ELCAN 20 mm enlarger lens (40x-75x enlargements) - Extremely rare
• Leitz/Leica Focomat V35 - autofocus - 40 mm f/2.8 Focotar lens - colour or Multigrade (variable contrast) heads. 1978-1995.