Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/02/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 01:06 PM 2/5/2006, you wrote: Tina, I do not mean to nit-pick. I believe that Leica started out as a camera prized by [a relative handful of] photojournalists and sold overwhelmingly to what were then called advanced amateurs. >Seth > >Seth From a history of Leica: The 1950s and 1960s saw the period of Leica's greatest expansion. In 1954 the Leica M3 was introduced, and was an instant hit with news photographers. The M3 was a stable, easy to handle camera, and the light, brilliant viewfinder was equipped with shining frames that reflected inwards, one for each lens. The range finder integrated into the viewfinder had a broad base and an unrivalled setting contrast. Compared to normal techniques used in 1950s' cameras, the new Leica technique was astounding. The M2 and M4 soon followed, where the difference lay in the design of the viewfinder. It was not long before the Leica had conquered photojournalism. Wherever you saw a news photographer, the Leica M's dominance was obvious. This was also the period of the rapid development of Leica lenses, and many famous lenses - Summicron, Summilux, and Noctilux - were first produced. From a history of photojournalism: "The growth of photojournalism was inextricably linked to 35mm rangefinder cameras from Leica and Contax. Light, compact, unobtrusive and rapid to use they remain the favourite tool of some leading photojournalists. Limitations are a closest focusing distance of 2-3 ft, and limited usability with longer focal lengths - with 135mm as a maximum. They are at their best with fast wideangle lenses.. " Tina Tina Manley, ASMP http://www.tinamanley.com