Jeff Garlin appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, toting his Leica M Monochrom. Jon Stewart seemed to really enjoy the camera, but quips, "we have color now." Jeff is producing a documentary film about the street photography of Vivian Maier.

Our friend Peter Turnley wrote us, and we wanted to share this great opportunity. He's leading a photography trip April 5-11 partnering with Cuba Cultural Travel who holds a license from the US Treasury Department permitting “people to people cultural exchange". He's made eleven of these trips in the past three years, and has organized an itinerary offering amazing access to the authentic daily life of the people of Cuba. There will be three local Cuban photographers/translators/guides with the group to help participants. If you are interested, get in touch with Laura Adams of Cuba Cultural Travel ASAP to reserve a spot. They handle all registration, tuition, travel documents, visas, and hotel arrangements. The cost is $4,550 USD and includes most everything (to/from Miami).

This year, 2014 - marks the 100th anniversary of Leica Camera - which was started in 1914 when Oskar Barnack created the very first Leica (for Leitz Camera, a.k.a. the Ur Leica). You can read more about Oskar Barnack and his Leica (translated into English via Google).

The "100 Years of Leica Photography" logos




Oskar Barnack

Allendale, NJ (January 21, 2014) – The year 1914 marked the birth of 35 mm photography as we know it today. 100 years ago, Oskar Barnack created the very first Leica, the Leitz Camera. Now, in 2014, Leica Camera celebrates their centennial year with spectacular events, exhibitions and ground breaking products.

Oskar Barnack, an employee of the Leitz Werke Wetzlar and a photography pioneer, invented and constructed the first camera for the 35 mm film format (24 × 36 mm) in 1914. The construction of this so-called “Ur-Leica”—according to Barnack’s philosophy of ‘small negative – big picture’—revolutionised photography by giving photographers greater ease in creative vision and scope, as they previously had to rely primarily on cumbersome plate cameras for their work. Company archives dating from March 1914 show that Barnack originally gave his compact and highly portable prototype camera the name ‘Lilliput’. The original is still in the possession of Leica Camera AG, together with the negatives and prints of the first exposures captured with the Ur-Leica – which include pictures from a 1914 summer trip Ernst Leitz I took to the United States.

1925 brought another landmark year for Leica as the end of World War I’s chaos enabled the brand to establish itself as the beginning of a living photographic legend. Leica began to conquer and dominate the world of photography with a multitude of iconic pictures that have profoundly influenced our understanding of the world. Examples of these include Robert Capa’s ‘Falling Soldier’ from the Spanish Civil War, the famous portrait of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara by Alberto Korda, the naked and burning young girl Kim Phúc, photographed by Pulitzer Prize winner Nick Út during the Vietnam War, and the photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt which captured the celebrations on VJ day in New York’s Times Square in 1945.

Dr Andreas Kaufmann, chairman of the Supervisory Board and majority shareholder at Leica Camera AG, summarised the history of the company as follows: ‘No other brand has so crucially shaped and influenced the past 100 years of photography like Leica has – by continuing to provide photographers with the best tools and superb lenses to match them. For this reason, it is only logical that we will be celebrating our centennial with numerous renowned photographers from around the globe and shining a spotlight on their work.’

Alfred Schopf, chairman of the Executive Board at Leica Camera AG, also announced a range of product highlights that will accompany the celebrations of Leica in the centennial year. ‘That Leica today, as in the past, is still synonymous with high-end, handmade products, iconic design, technical innovation and better pictures will be confirmed by the selected products we will be presenting in the course of our centennial year.’ This campaign will be accompanied by a series of cultural projects, photography exhibitions and competitions, book presentations and a special issue of LFI with the title ‘100 years of Leica photography’.

Another exciting highlight of the centennial year is the relocation of Leica Camera AG to the new, ultra-modern factory in the Leitz Park in Wetzlar, Germany. The official opening will be May 2014.

Oskar Barnack, Wetzlarer Eisenmarkt, 1913


Oskar Barnack, Flood in Wetzlar, 1920


Ernst Leitz and Oskar Barnack

So, to Leica Camera, we say...

46 years ago today, on February 1, 1968 - General Nguyen Ngoc Loan fired a pistol at Nguyen Van Lam's head early on in the "Tet Offensive." Lam was a member of the National Liberation Front, also known as the VC (for Viet Cong). Loan executed Lam on a street in Saigon and that moment was forever frozen at 1/500s when Eddie Adams made his shot (seen above). Adams was covering the Vietnam War for the Associated Press and that image won the Pulitzer Prize and World Press Photo. From a previous interview we know that Adams used a 35mm lens (likely on his Leica M4) for the shot.

Eddie Adams with Cameras



Eddie Adams' Leica M4

Video (Interview)

That's Josh Lehrer of Dale Photo Photo & Video in the photo above.

Leica Store Miami has teamed up with Arizona Highways Magazine Photo Workshops for the Leica S Photo Adventure: Monument Valley workshop - taking place this week (February 8-13, 2014). We spread the word about this epic workshop a while back on our Facebook page. Not only is this incredibly scenic area truly epic... But the gear on-hand for this workshop defies belief. Enough to make even the most hardened Leica shooter drool. They posted some photos on their own Facebook page (which you can see below) with the following run down of the gear:

Check out this epic collection of Leica M and S gear we've assembled for our Monument Valley Leica S Photo Adventure: 8 S bodies, 29 S lenses, 5 M (Typ 240), 5 M Monochrom, 18 M lenses, even a few choice R lenses for good measure.

Leica is promising a "special highlight" on April 24, 2014 in Berlin at 7pm... Telling us to keep the evening free and be excited. It's definitely going to include the new mirrorless camera we mentioned earlier. That being the case, one or more lenses to go with it shouldn't be unexpected. There may even be something for their 100th anniversary - on the M front... More details to follow!

Just an observation here; is the (rumored) "Leica T (Type 701)" named so after the codename (see below) and the reverse of the Leica X Vario (which is Type 107)? Just saying... ;)

Here's what we know so far (some of which we told you about months ago). These are not rumors, like some sites out there are pushing - who shall remain nameless. Some sites even believe the X Vario is a Panasonic re-badged. *sigh*

Updated March 10, 2014!

• A new mirrorless camerawill be announced
• APS-C sensor with interchangeable lenses
• Made by Panasonic, with Leica branding
• Lenses designed by Leica (no surprise here)
• All autofocus lenses
• Held to be competition for Fuji, Olympus and Sony
• ...so much so it's code-named "Typhoon"
• ...

Updated March 11, 2014!

We've been trying to confirm news on a 100th anniversary Leica M (Type 240) but can't say anything for sure either way as we have conflicting reports. One of them suggests that it will be "unusual" in that it won't have an LCD; EVF-only for review. This idea has been kicking around for a while (especially right before the M Monochrom was announced - also in Berlin) and was even suggested by Seal. So rather than say anything for sure, we'll just leave this out there and keep everyone updated...

Photo copyright by Jim Henderson.

Literally just ten days ago, we told you about the Robert Capa in Color exhibit at the International Center of Photography (ICP) and today we have more, rather bittersweet news concerning them. Apparently in the burgeoning commercial rental market in NYC, the landlord of the building, the Durst Organization - is likely squeezing them. The current lease is coming to an end in January 2015, and the center has not renegotiated a new one and thus will close its midtown museum. They're looking to announce a new site this spring. The school, which is not on the same lease, will remain at its current location of 1114 Sixth Avenue.

Perhaps not surprising though, as the space is some prime real estate and the museum has thus far gotten off easy:

The museum, which was founded in 1974, has been at its Midtown location, in the ground floor retail space, since the 1980s. According to Jordan Barowitz, director of external affairs for the Durst Organization, the ICP has been a tenant of the Durst Organization since 1968 (when the ICP was known by its earlier name, the International Fund for Concerned Photography). The sum that the ICP pays, he said, is and always has been nominal during the time of institution’s tenancy with Durst. “They only pay operating expenses and don’t pay rent,” Barowitz said, though he refused to go into detail about the terms of the ICP’s current lease.

RocketNews24 (Japan) has an interesting article called "Tsunami survivor’s Y1.2 mil camera: heart-felt gift or PR stunt?" -- about an 18-year-old high school student from Miyagi Prefecture’s Shiroishi city. She began high school just weeks after the 2011 tsunami -- which tore through her town, destroying much of it and killing many of her classmates.

Turns out, she's a photography enthusiast who joined her high school’s photo club. She told her friend Herbie Yamaguchi (a Japanese photographer working with local Tōhoku high school photographers to create a charity calendar to raise money for disaster victims) about her wish to continue her love of photography. Dr. Andreas Kaufmann heard of her wish and decided to give her a Leica M Monochrom to let her pursue her passion without worrying about money. After the ceremony at Leica Store Ginza, things got interesting... Many wondered if Leica couldn't have done better with regard to charity - or if this was just a publicity stunt.

Astute readers will notice the unusual red APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH lens in the above picture. It's a specially-made lens; not much more is known. Here's a closer shot:

Through Mercedes-Benz news channels, we have word of "100 Years of Leica at the Dr. Carl Benz Museum" (in German). The Auto Museum Dr. Carl Benz in Ladenburg, Germany will be featuring a special exhibition on the occasion of the Leica centennial. From May 1, 2014 you can see 50 different Leica cameras and accessories from all epochs of production, including the very special Leica I.

Translation into English (via Google):

In times of digital photography, it is hard to imagine how difficult it once was to capture "moments for eternity." Large wooden crates from which loomed forward a brass lens, a gentleman in a dark suit, over his head and over the camera a wide black cloth had to protect from light, more reminiscent of a horror chamber. Those who wanted to be photographed, had mostly go to a photo studio where the ceremony of photographing often took hours.

Thus, the glass plates could be exposed sufficiently in the timber camera, people had to stand still for a few seconds until the lock on the lens could be closed again. Snapshots and spontaneous photography of sudden events were not possible.

The age of photographic recordings began in 1839, when the French Academy of Sciences announced that it is the scientist Louis Daguerre succeeded in lasting images with a Camera - Obscura produce. At the same time, this invention for use in the whole world is released.

Carl Benz This could already build as a student in the 60s of last century, a camera obscura. Our own darkroom enabled him even to develop the exposed glass plates and create deductions for people he had photographed. From his passion for photography even a small help finance his studies developed.

A certain Oskar Barnack was an avid amateur photographer at this time. His heavy wooden camera he carried on mountains and in valleys. Barnack was a slight man and the innate asthma made ​​it not easy for him to convey the photographic equipment, and so, in his desire for a small camera. Oskar Barnack had long been professionally connected with the optics. As head of development for microscopes at Leitz in Wetzlar, all options available to him to realize his dream of a lightweight camera. Already in 1914 he had his first miniature camera ready. He used for the then-common material for movies. Therefore, the image sections got the size 24 x 36 mm. For insertion into the camera, the film material was wound on small film cartridges.

Oskar Barnack had his dream camera and was finally able to photograph, anywhere and in any situation sudden. However, it would take 10 years to the technique of miniature camera was perfected to the extent that one could they also offer the customers.

A name for the new sales product was found quickly. From the company name and Leitz camera, Leica.Die official launch of the Leica was carried out in 1925.Fotografen from around the world photographed soon only with her ​​Leica and even today is considered a Leica as Mercedes Benz amongst the cameras. Lots of illustrations of vintage cars and many scenes from the early motorsport would have been without the Leica not possible. The Auto Museum Dr. Carl Benz takes the to devote a special exhibition on the occasion of the Leica. From 1 May to 50 Leica cameras are shown with accessories from all epochs of production. Here, the famous Leica is I.

This commemorative plaque was unveiled on May 21, 2014 as part of the 100 years of Leica photography celebration and the Leitz-Park Opening Festival. See more pictures from the event in the Leitz-Park Opening Festival album on Facebook.

The picture taken from this location in the Wetzlar Eisenmarkt, of course - is this one, taken in 1913 with the Ur-Leica:

As we told you earlier in July, Leica Camera AG will present at this year's Photokina in Cologne (September 16 to 21, 2014) in Hall 1 with a varied calendar of events. In addition to the unique concept exhibition at the Leica Gallery are other cultural highlights in the program, such as the world premiere of the new book "The Haight: Love, Rock and Revolution" about the legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). In addition, lectures and book signings are provided with well-known photographers.

See also our predictions for new products at the show!

Update (8/21/14):

Just announced, ahead of Photokina - Leica Announces the New Leica M-P!

Location of Leica Booth

Schedule of Activities

Tuesday, September 16th

• 9:30am - The Leica Gallery in Hall 1 will open in the presence of media representatives.
• 3:00pm - Michael Koetzle chats with Thomas Hoepker, this year’s winner of the Leica Hall of Fame Award. Their conversation will be followed by a signing session.

Wednesday, September 17th

• 11:00am - Lois Hechenblaikner will be presenting his talk on "Paradises and Apocalypses." His work shows Alpine tourism and regional popular music.
• 3:00pm - World premiere of "The Haight: Love, Rock and Revolution" book. Amelia Davis presents the new book about music photographer Jim Marshall (1936–2010).

Thursday, September 18th

• 11:00am - Signing sessions with musician and photographer Till Brönner. He will also be presenting his latest book, entitled "Faces of Talent."
• 2:00pm - Jürgen Schadeberg, the South African photographer of German origin, will be coming to the Leica booth for a signing session.

Friday, September 19th

• 11:300am - Signing session with Georges Yammine, the violinist and photographer from Qatar.
• 5:00pm - Thomas Wiegold will be talking about "Episodes from the Life of Anja Niedringhaus." Anja Niedringhaus, a German, photographed numerous war zones and crisis areas around the globe before falling victim to an attack in Afghanistan in April of 2014.

Saturday, September 20th

• 1:00pm - A talk and a subsequent signing session by Gerd Ludwig, winner of the Dr. Erich Salomon Award 2014. The photojournalist has made numerous journeys to the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in a stunning series called "The Long Shadow of Chernobyl."

Sunday, September 21st

• 2:00pm - York Hovest’s talk entitled "One Hundred Days in Tibet." Inspired by meeting the Dalai Lama, the fashion photographer captured Tibet in pictures and sounds.

Press Releases

The original German press release (see below) translated to English via Google:

Leica Camera AG presents exhibition activities at photokina 2014

The Leica Camera AG presents itself at this year's Photokina in Cologne (16 to 21 September 2014) in Hall 1 with a varied calendar of events. In addition to the unique concept exhibition at the Leica Gallery are other cultural highlights in the program, such as the world premiere of the new book "The Haight: Love, Rock and Revolution" about the legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). In addition, lectures and book signings are provided with well-known photographers.

The Leica Gallery in Hall 1 will open on Tuesday, September 16th at 9:30am in the presence of media representatives. This year's exhibition concept puts a focus on impressive photo art around the theme of music. It takes into account all facets of the music photography of concert recordings about very personal artist portraits to reportage with exciting behind-the-scenes concert. In addition also get photo projects of musicians, has become for the photograph to a second passion. Rounding out this year's exhibition program by the award-winning photo spreads from the Leica cultural projects.

For the first day also an artist interview with this year's winner of the Leica Hall of Fame Award, Thomas Hoepker, and Michael Koetzle is planned from 3:00pm, followed by a book signing. The globally active photographer Hoepker is represented at the Leica Gallery with his retrospective "Wanderlust" which recognizes his outstanding life's work of the past six decades. The book of the same name appears in teNeues.

On Wednesday, September 17 will be held the lecture "From havens and apocalypses" Lois Hechenblaikner of from 11:00am. The Austrian photographer is dedicated to his designs, the alpine tourism and folk music. His photographs often polarize and show the dark side of mass tourism, winter sports and big events or their impact on the mountains and their inhabitants.

In the afternoon, then by 3:00pm the exclusive world premiere of "The Haight: Love Rock and Revolution" celebrated. Amelia Davis provides media representatives a new book about the late in 2010 Grammy Trustee Award winner and music photographer Jim Marshall before, which is represented by three exhibitions at the Leica Gallery, including a collection of photographs from the legendary Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco at the time of onset of a modern counter-movement, which led to the so-called "Summer of love". Jim Marshall has left powerful portraits of great musicians of his time, including images of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Donovan, the Beatles, concert promoter Bill Graham, the poets of the Beat Generation, Allen Ginsberg and the psychologists and "guru" of the hippie movement, Timothy Leary.

On Thursday, September 18, visitors can look forward to two signings. Till Bronner, trumpeter, singer and composer of international standing, will be at 11:00am at the Leica booth. He has on several occasions in recent years in exhibitions demonstrate his photographic talent. In the Leica Gallery, he is represented with portraits of fellow musicians and friends and presents his new book "Faces of talent".

Jürgen Schade Mountain, South African photographer of German origin, is found in the afternoon by 2:00pm. With his photographs he has captured over decades everyday and upheaval in South Africa, living in the townships and the farm workers. In the Leica gallery he shows his own personal views on South Africa.

Other highlights follow on Friday, September 19, initially at 11:00am a book signing with the violinist and photographer Georges Yammine from Qatar. He plays for the West Eastern Divan Orchestra with Daniel Barenboim and has held there daily samples and musical photographically snapshots.

From 5:00pm Thomas Wiegold referenced "From the Life of Anja Niedringhaus". The journalist specializing in international security and defense policy and was active in many areas of the Bundeswehr. In his presentation, he reported from the life of the multi-award-winning photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus, he has known personally. In many war zones and crisis areas of the world Anja Niedringhaus photographed. In April 2014, it has fallen victim to an attack in Afghanistan. For this reason, the Leica Camera AG pays tribute to her photographic work.

Gerd Ludwig, winner of the Dr. Erich Salomon Prize 2014 of the German Society for Photography, follows with his presentation and subsequent book signing on Saturday, September 20 at 1:00pm. The German-American photographer and photojournalist has made ​​repeated trips to the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear reactor and stunning photo series from the region, made ​​on the life of the people there and about the victims of the nuclear disaster. His collection "The Long Shadow of Chernobyl" has already made ​​international attention.

York Hovest rounds on Sunday, September 21, at 2:00pm in his Lecture "Hundred Days Tibet" (National Geographic) from the Leica at Photokina 2014 event program. Inspired by a personal meeting with the Dalai Lama and his moving words about the fate of his country, the fashion photographer promised to hold Tibet in picture and sound. 2012, he has set out on his hundred-day journey. In striking images he has not only the sublime landscape of Tibet captured, but made ​​even poignant portraits of Tibetan nomads and monks.

In addition, presents the German photographer Hans Georg Esch at Roncalliplatz in Cologne from 16 to 21 September 2014, a unique panorama of the skyline of Shanghai. The shot with the Leica S medium format system 360-degree picture is shown in a mobile rotunda, which is equipped inside with a walk-platform. From there, visitors can expect an intense visual experience: you can literally immerse yourself in the panoramic image and - thanks to the high resolution - even detect minute details of the stunning, vibrant city of Shanghai. Co-partners of the project are the Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, and the Leica Gallery in Salzburg.

The Leica Gallery at photokina in Hall 1 is open during the fair from 16 to 21 September 2014 daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Admission is free. Photographer of the Leica Gallery are (in alphabetical order): Bryan Adams, Michael Agel, Till Bronner, René Burri, Alejandro Cegarra, Anton Corbijn, Jamie Cullum, Glen Craig, D-Nice, Lois Hechenblaikner, Thomas Hoepker, Martin Kollar, Gerd Ludwig Jim Marshall, Mary McCartney, Anja Niedringhaus, Jürgen Schade Berg, Andy Summers, Chris Suspect, Tom Wright and George Yammine.

About Leica Camera

The Leica Camera AG is an internationally active manufacturer of premium cameras and sport optics products. The foundation for the myth of the Leica brand have laid the optics of the traditional company. In conjunction with innovative technologies to ensure up today for better images in all situations around seeing and perceiving. The headquarters of Leica Camera AG is located in Wetzlar in Hesse, the second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company has own offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Australia and the USA. New, innovative products have driven the positive development of the company in the recent past.

And the original press release in German:

Leica Camera AG stellt Messeaktivitäten zur photokina 2014 vor

Die Leica Camera AG präsentiert sich auf der diesjährigen photokina in Köln (16. bis 21. September 2014) in Halle 1 mit einem vielseitigen Veranstaltungskalender. Neben dem einzigartigen Ausstellungskonzept in der Leica Galerie stehen weitere, kulturelle Höhepunkte auf dem Programm, beispielsweise die Weltpremiere des neuen Buchs „The Haight: Love, Rock and Revolution”über den legendären Musikfotografen Jim Marshall (1936–2010). Zudem sind Vorträge und Signierstunden mit namhaften Fotografen vorgesehen.

Die Leica Galerie in Halle 1 wird am Dienstag, den 16. September um 9:30 Uhr im Beisein von Medienvertretern eröffnet. Das diesjährige Ausstellungskonzept legt einen Fokus auf eindrucksvolle Fotokunst rund um das Thema Musik. Berücksichtigt werden alle Facetten der Musikfotografie von Konzertaufnahmen über sehr persönliche Künstlerporträts bis hin zu Reportagen mit spannenden Einblicken hinter die Konzert-Kulissen. Hinzu kommen außerdem Fotoprojekte von Musikern, für die Fotografie zu einer zweiten Leidenschaft geworden ist. Abgerundet wird das diesjährige Ausstellungsprogramm durch die prämierten Fotostrecken aus den Leica Kulturprojekten.

Für den ersten Messetag ist zudem ab 15 Uhr ein Künstlergespräch mit dem diesjährigen Preisträger des Leica Hall of Fame Award, Thomas Hoepker, und Michael Koetzle geplant, gefolgt von einer Signierstunde. Der global tätige Fotograf Hoepker ist in der Leica Galerie mit seiner Retrospektive „Wanderlust“ vertreten, die sein herausragendes Lebenswerk der vergangenen sechs Jahrzehnte würdigt. Das gleichnamige Buch erscheint im teNeues Verlag.

Am Mittwoch, den 17. September findet ab 11 Uhr der Vortrag „Von Paradiesen und Apokalypsen“ von Lois Hechenblaikner statt. Der österreichische Fotograf widmet sich mit seinen Motiven dem alpinen Fremdenverkehr und der volkstümlichen Musik. Seine Fotografien polarisieren oft und zeigen die Schattenseiten von Massentourismus, Wintersport und Großveranstaltungen beziehungsweise ihre Auswirkungen auf die Bergwelt und ihre Bewohner.

Am Nachmittag wird dann um 15 Uhr die exklusive Weltpremiere von „The Haight: Love Rock and Revolution” gefeiert. Amelia Davis stellt Medienvertretern ein neues Buch über den im Jahr 2010 verstorbenen Grammy Trustee Award Gewinner und Musikfotografen Jim Marshall vor, der mit drei Ausstellungen in der Leica Galerie vertreten ist, darunter auch mit einer Sammlung von Fotografien aus dem legendären Haight-Ashbury Viertel in San Francisco zur Zeit der aufkommenden modernen Gegenbewegung, die zum sogenannten „Summer of love“ geführt hat. Jim Marshall hat kraftvolle Porträts von Musikergrößen seiner Zeit hinterlassen, darunter Bilder von Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Donovan, den Beatles, von Konzertveranstalter Bill Graham, den Dichtern der Beat-Generation Allen Ginsberg und dem Psychologen und „Guru“ der Hippie-Bewegung, Timothy Leary.

Am Donnerstag, den 18. September, können sich die Besucher auf zwei Signierstunden freuen. Till Brönner, Trompeter, Sänger und Komponist von internationalem Rang, wird ab 11 Uhr am Leica Messestand sein. Sein fotografisches Talent hat er in den vergangenen Jahren mehrfach in Ausstellungen unter Beweis gestellt. In der Leica Galerie ist er mit Porträts von Musiker-Kollegen und Freunden vertreten und präsentiert sein neues Buch „Faces of Talent“.

Jürgen Schadeberg, südafrikanischer Fotograf deutscher Herkunft, findet sich am Nachmittag um 14 Uhr ein. Mit seinen Fotografien hat er über Jahrzehnte Alltag und Umbruch Südafrikas, das Leben in den Townships und der Farmarbeiter eingefangen. In der Leica Galerie zeigt er seinen ganz persönlichen Blick auf Südafrika.

Weitere Highlights folgen am Freitag, den 19. September, zunächst um 11 Uhr eine Signierstunde mit dem Geiger und Fotografen Georges Yammine aus Katar. Er spielt beim West Eastern Divan Orchestra mit Daniel Barenboim und hat dort Probenalltag und musikalische Momentaufnahmen fotografisch festgehalten.

Ab 17 Uhr referiert Thomas Wiegold „Aus dem Leben von Anja Niedringhaus“. Der Journalist ist spezialisiert auf internationale Verteidigungs- und Sicherheitspolitik und war in vielen Einsatzgebieten der Bundeswehr tätig. In seinem Vortrag berichtet er aus dem Leben der mehrfach preisgekrönten Fotojournalistin Anja Niedringhaus, die er persönlich gekannt hat. In zahlreichen Kriegsgebieten und Krisenregionen der Welt hat Anja Niedringhaus fotografiert. Im April 2014 ist sie einem Attentat in Afghanistan zum Opfer gefallen. Auch aus diesem Grund würdigt die Leica Camera AG ihr fotografisches Werk.

Gerd Ludwig, Preisträger des Dr. Erich Salomon Preises 2014 der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Photographie e.V., folgt mit seinem Vortrag und anschließender Signierstunde am Samstag, den 20. September um 13 Uhr. Der deutsch-amerikanische Fotograf und Fotojournalist hat wiederholt Reisen in die Sperrzone rund um den Atomreaktor von Tschernobyl unternommen und beeindruckende Fotostrecken aus der Region, über das Leben der Menschen dort und über die Opfer der Atomkatastrophe angefertigt. Seine Sammlung „Der lange Schatten von Tschernobyl“ hat bereits weltweit für Aufmerksamkeit gesorgt.

York Hovest rundet am Sonntag, den 21. September, um 14 Uhr mit seinem Vortrag „Hundert Tage Tibet“ (National Geographic) das Leica Veranstaltungsprogramm zur photokina 2014 ab. Inspiriert von einem persönlichen Zusammentreffen mit dem Dalai Lama und dessen bewegenden Worten über das Schicksal seines Landes, versprach der Modefotograf ihm, Tibet in Bild und Ton festzuhalten. 2012 ist er zu seiner hunderttägigen Reise aufgebrochen. In eindrucksvollen Bildern hat er dabei nicht nur die erhabene Landschaft Tibets eingefangen, sondern auch ergreifende Porträts tibetischer Nomaden und Mönche angefertigt. Zusätzlich präsentiert der deutsche Fotograf Hans Georg Esch auf dem Roncalliplatz in Köln vom 16. bis zum 21. September 2014 ein einzigartiges Panorama der Skyline von Shanghai. Das 360-Grad-Foto, aufgenommen mit dem Mittelformatsystem Leica S, wird in einer mobilen Rotunde gezeigt, die im Inneren mit einer begehbaren Plattform ausgestattet ist. Von dort erwartet die Besucher eine intensive bildliche Erfahrung: Sie können buchstäblich in das Panoramabild eintauchen und – dank der hohen Auflösung – selbst kleinste Details der beeindruckenden, pulsierenden Großstadt Shanghai entdecken. Co-Partner des Projektes sind die Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, und die Leica Galerie Salzburg.

Die Leica Galerie auf der photokina in Halle 1 ist während der Messetage vom 16. bis zum 21. September 2014 täglich von 10 bis 18 Uhr geöffnet. Der Eintritt ist kostenfrei. Fotografen der Leica Galerie sind (in alphabetischer Reihenfolge): Bryan Adams, Michael Agel, Till Brönner, René Burri, Alejandro Cegarra, Anton Corbijn, Jamie Cullum, Glen Craig, D-Nice, Lois Hechenblaikner, Thomas Hoepker, Martin Kollar, Gerd Ludwig, Jim Marshall, Mary McCartney, Anja Niedringhaus, Jürgen Schadeberg, Andy Summers, Chris Suspect, Tom Wright und George Yammine.

Über Leica Camera

Die Leica Camera AG ist ein international tätiger Premiumhersteller von Kameras und Sportoptik-Produkten. Den Grundstein für den Mythos der Marke Leica haben die Optiken des Traditionsunternehmens gelegt. In Verbindung mit innovativen Technologien sorgen sie bis heute für das bessere Bild in allen Situationen rund um das Sehen und Wahrnehmen. Der Hauptsitz der Leica Camera AG befindet sich im hessischen Wetzlar, der zweite Produktionsstandort in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. Das Unternehmen hat eigene Vertretungen in England, Frankreich, Japan, Singapur, der Schweiz, Südkorea, Italien, Australien und den USA. Neue, innovative Produkte haben die positive Entwicklung des Unternehmens in der jüngeren Vergangenheit vorangetrieben.

As we've reported in 2012 and 2013, Leica has issued a press release that they are again an official partner of the St. Moritz Art Masters 2014 festival (which runs from August 22-31, 2014).

The press release (translated to English via Google):

Leica Camera AG is a partner of the St. Moritz Art Masters 2014

The Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, is this year's partner of international cultural festival "St. Moritz Art Masters "which will take place from 22 to 31 August 2014. Besides unique exhibitions and impressive installations are in the context of festivals around the art and photography scene workshops with internationally known photographers on the program. Moreover, visitors Leica test products and experience a professional portrait shoot with the Leica S-system.

At the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains (St. Moritz), the internationally renowned photographer Craig Semetko presents the exhibition "INDIA unposed". The photo gallery is part of the project "10 x 10", which was held to mark the 100th anniversary of the Leica photography and is currently being shown at the Leica Gallery Wetzlar. As part of the exhibition concept "10 x 10", ten photographers with ten frames in a creative dialogue with one of the great masters in the history of Leica Photography entered. Craig Semetko has photographically dealt with the work of Elliott Erwitt.

Accompanying the exhibition will be held from 28 to 29 August, a workshop with the photographer instead. Craig Semetko performs his exhibition tells the stories behind the shooting of his current project and give participants useful tips about the image composition with the Leica M and Leica M monochrome.

A second workshop will be offered on August 26. The focus here is the medium format Leica p is addition to the professional workflow with the Leica S-System Leica S provides specialist Jean-Jacques Karatchian methods and techniques to create professional portraits under studio conditions and with natural light.

For more information about the workshops: www.stmoritzartmasters.com

About Leica Camera

The Leica Camera AG is an internationally active manufacturer of premium cameras and sport optics products. The foundation for the myth of the Leica brand have laid the optics of the traditional company. In conjunction with innovative technologies to ensure up today for better images in all situations around seeing and perceiving. The headquarters of Leica Camera AG is located in Wetzlar in Hesse, the second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company has own offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Australia and the USA. New, innovative products have driven the positive development of the company in the recent past.

And the original press release in German:

Leica Camera AG ist Partner der St. Moritz Art Masters 2014

Die Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, ist auch in diesem Jahr Partner des internationalen Kulturfestivals „St. Moritz Art Masters", das vom 22. bis zum 31. August 2014 stattfindet. Neben einzigartigen Ausstellungen und beeindruckenden Installationen stehen im Rahmen des Festivals rund um die Kunst- und Fotografieszene auch Workshops mit international bekannten Fotografen auf dem Programm. Darüber hinaus können Besucher Leica Produkte testen und ein professionelles Porträt-Shooting mit dem Leica S-System miterleben.

Im Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains (St. Moritz) präsentiert der international renommierte Fotograf Craig Semetko die Ausstellung „INDIA UNPOSED“. Die Fotostrecke ist Bestandteil des Projektes „10 x 10“, das anlässlich des 100. Jubiläums der Leica Fotografie realisiert wurde und derzeit in der Leica Galerie Wetzlar gezeigt wird. Im Rahmen des Ausstellungskonzeptes „10 x 10“ sind zehn Fotografen mit jeweils zehn Bildern in einen kreativen Dialog mit einem der großen Meister aus der Geschichte der Leica Fotografie getreten. Craig Semetko hat sich fotografisch mit dem Werk von Elliott Erwitt auseinandergesetzt.

Begleitend zur Ausstellung findet vom 28. bis zum 29. August ein Workshop mit dem Fotografen statt. Craig Semetko führt durch seine Ausstellung, erzählt die Geschichten hinter den Aufnahmen seines aktuellen Projektes und gibt den Teilnehmern hilfreiche Tipps rund um die Bildkomposition mit der Leica M und Leica M Monochrom.

Ein zweiter Workshop wird am 26. August angeboten. Im Mittelpunkt steht hierbei das Mittelformatsystem Leica S. Neben dem professionellen Workflow mit der Leica S vermittelt Leica S-System Spezialist Jean-Jacques Karatchian Methoden und Techniken, um professionelle Portraitaufnahmen unter Studiobedingungen sowie mit natürlichem Licht zu gestalten.

Weitere Informationen zu den Workshops unter: www.stmoritzartmasters.com

Über Leica Camera

Die Leica Camera AG ist ein international tätiger Premiumhersteller von Kameras und Sportoptik-Produkten. Den Grundstein für den Mythos der Marke Leica haben die Optiken des Traditionsunternehmens gelegt. In Verbindung mit innovativen Technologien sorgen sie bis heute für das bessere Bild in allen Situationen rund um das Sehen und Wahrnehmen. Der Hauptsitz der Leica Camera AG befindet sich im hessischen Wetzlar, der zweite Produktionsstandort in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. Das Unternehmen hat eigene Vertretungen in England, Frankreich, Japan, Singapur, der Schweiz, Südkorea, Italien, Australien und den USA. Neue, innovative Produkte haben die positive Entwicklung des Unternehmens in der jüngeren Vergangenheit vorangetrieben.

That time is upon us once again - the biennial Photokina 2014 show in Cologne, Germany. We've already posted about the official Leica schedule of events... Now it's time to enter the murky area of new products we might see (as we did in 2012). Below is what we're expecting based on the year's news so far, and we'll of course keep you updated on the very latest developments right here!

NOTE: This list will be constantly updated as we get new information and get closer to Photokina 2014!

Lenses

• Refreshed Summarit line - faster apertures, better MFD, new silver anodized (besides regular black) finishes and ASPH 35mm (confirmed!)
  
  Leica Summarit-M 35mm f/2.4 ASPH
  Leica Summarit-M 50mm f/2.4
  Leica Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4
  Leica Summarit-M 90mm f/2.4
  
  
• Leica APO Vario-Elmar-T 55-135mm 3.5-5.6 ASPH (80-200mm)(confirmed!)
• Leica Super Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH (17-35mm)(confirmed!)
• Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH in silver/chrome ($12,650 USD) (confirmed!)
• Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH FLE in silver/chrome ($5,875 USD) (confirmed!)
  
  
• Summilux-M 28mm f /1.4 ASPH(not coming)
• APO-Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH update (not coming)

Digital Cameras

• Leica M Edition 60 - Leica M special edition, stainless steel, 600 pieces, with matching Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH ($22,000 USD) (confirmed!)
• Leica S/S-E - Leica S (Type 007) CMOS, 4K w/GPS & WiFi (@ $$$!), S-E (Type 006), refreshed "entry level" ($20,000 USD) (confirmed!)
• Leica X (Type 113)/X-E (Type 102) - Leica X2/X Vario (v1.1) updates, new X (Type 113) and X-E (Type 102) (confirmed!)
• Leica D-LUX (Type 109) - Leica D-LUX 6 update, 12.8MP 4/3, 2.8MP OLED EVF, 4K, ISO 25K, NFC/WiFi, 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens ($1,350 USD) (confirmed!)
• Leica V-LUX (Type 114) - Leica V-LUX 4 update, 4K video! (confirmed!)
  
  
• One and two - Leica M Monochrom update, CMOS sensor? (not coming)
• Leica "M-S/M-E2" - Leica M-E update (not coming)

Film Cameras

• Leica M-A (Type 127) - Leica MP replacement, no meter, brass, black/silver chrome ($5,150 USD) (confirmed!)

Other

• One and two - Leica photo cloud service Fotopark (see also leicatimages.com already live) (confirmed!)
• The Leica T firmware has been updated to v1.2!
• Zeiss Distagon 1,4/35 ZM - the new lens Zeiss has been promising us!

Updates

Update (8/21/14):

Just announced, ahead of Photokina - Leica Announces the New Leica M-P!

Update (9/4/14):

Added was the Zeiss Distagon 1,4/35 ZM, Leica D-LUX 7 and Leica M-A information.

Update (9/8/14):

We have essentially confirmed that the new Leica M-A will be announced - alongside a Leica M 60 Special Edition!

Update (9/10/14):

Updated (and new) info on the upcoming Leica Photo Cloud Service Website.

Update (9/12/14):

We have confirmed updates to both the Leica S and Leica X2/X Vario cameras and lots of other massive updates and pricing!

Update (9/15/14):

A few more details today and these are all confirmed now. Among this exclusive info by La Vida Leica... The refreshed Summarit line will now feature a silver anodized finish (not painted chrome as with M lenses) in addition to the normal black ones. There will be two new X cameras - the X (Type 113) in black/silver and X-E (Type 102). Additional Leica X and X-E accessories will include:

• X Visoflex
• X Visoflex case, country, canvas/leather, taupe
• X Visoflex case, vintage, leather, brown
• X Ever-ready case, country, canvas/leather, taupe
• X Ever-ready case, vintage, leather, brown
• X Ever-ready case, hand grip, country, canvas/leather, taupe
• X Ever-ready case, hand grip, vintage, leather, brown
• X Protector, country, canvas/leather, taupe
• X Protector, vintage, leather, brown
• X Carrying Strap, country, canvas/leather, taupe
• X Carrying Strap, vintage, leather, brown
• X Wrist Strap, country, canvas/leather, taupe
• X Wrist Strap, vintage, leather, brown
• X System Case, cotton/linen, grey

• X-E Ever-ready Case
• X-E Ever-ready Case, vegetable-tanned calf leather
• X-E Protector, natural state
• X-E Wrist Strap, calf leather, black
• X-E Leather Case
• X-E Leather Case, black

The new S cameras will be the Leica S (Type 007) and S-E (Type 006). The M 60 special edition will be called the "Leica M Edition 60" and the MSRP has been lowered. Finally, the Leica M-A (Type 127) will be available in a silver chrome as well as a black chrome finish! Other items will include the Leica Tripod C-170 (made of carbon fiber), video Tripod Heads VH1 and VH2, Leica Ultravid HD-Plus 42 (8x42 and 10x42). New system cases by Artist & Artisan (nylon/leather in black), Aneas (made in France) and Schedoni (camera and business). Also expect over half a dozen new boutiques. New Leica adapters; Leica T2 Adapter T and Leica T2 Adapter M. Oh, my.

Here's a picture of the new X cameras on Instagram! ;)

Update (9/16/14):

So, yeah... Everything we told you about above, including the regular availability of the Leica M-A (the news of which we broke and nobody believed) along with an endless list of details seen above... Was released today at Photokina 2014! Go us. :)

Some of our regular readers (and many, many more far and wide) might remember a story we ran a year ago, called "Think You've Got GAS?" The story of Dilish Parekh and his collection of more than 4,425 cameras. Even as several exhibitions around Delhi celebrated the joys of photography on the 175th World Photography Day, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) came up with a collection of rare vintage cameras from across the world. Brought to Delhi by Parekh, the exhibition introduces photography enthusiasts to 40 vintage cameras, ranging from a 1934-made Leica 250 and a panoramic camera from the 1940s to a 1960s Rolliflex. Only seven of the Leica 250 are left in the world. Read more about it on The Hindu.

Details are still sketchy right now, but we'll go ahead and break the news anyway - and of course, keep you updated on any developments between now and Photokina... As you know, Leica will be introducing a CMOS-based Leica S camera. We've been saying that for a while. But what no one else knows is that Leica is set to introduce a high megapixel M camera that's largely new from the existing Leica M (Type 240). What we're not sure of yet is the exact megapixel count; we'd guess 36MP. And yes, despite some silly rumors - it will have an LCD. We also have some other minor details, but we'll keep those close to the vest for now... See what other Leica gear is on tap for Photokina 2014 and stay tuned!

But why announce the "new" Leica M-P right before Photokina, you might ask. Usual reasons... Low-hanging fruit. Easy modifications to an existing body for more money ($700-1,000 USD). While this is typically a sign of clearing out the channels and parts bins ahead of a new camera, there's still a nagging question. What about the price increase on the Leica M (Type 240) (of $300 USD) then? Your guess is as good as ours at this point. It could be that the new camera will reach a new high for Leica prices, or that the existing M/M-P will become the "new M-E" (entry level). Honestly, we don't have all the answers... Yet.

Of course, don't forget about the new Leica M-S and limited edition(s) we posted about also...

Update (8/29/14):

There is one other explanation that we can offer, given the tips we have from our sources. One thing we do know is that a "high resolution M camera" is coming. What we haven't been able to confirm or deny is whether or not it might be the new M Monochrom we're expecting. Taken in the context of the existing M Monochrom, at 18MP - one based on the M (Type 240) at 24MP... Would indeed be a "high resolution M camera" - and fit within the parameters of the recent M-P announcement and regular M price increase... Either way, this is good news. Stay tuned.

Clearly there are those (especially on certain forums) that don't believe us. That's okay. The rumor business is an inexact one. But don't assume you know everything (not saying that we do, either). You might recall that we were the only ones that knew of the Leica M-E coming at Photokina 2012... How soon we forget, eh?

Update (9/1/14):

Another source has said that the M-P was the last hurrah for the M (Type 240) we'll see this year. However, a new M Monochrom hasn't been ruled out. Looks like this one might be busted - but for now, still plausible (to borrow from Mythbusters). So we're downgrading this one. We'll keep you posted.

Update (9/1/14):

Well, we've heard from another source and it looks like this is more than likely busted at this point - both for a regular M and M Monochrom update.

Update (9/8/14):

There might be a little life left in this one yet. One Leica salesperson has stated that they cannot get any more M Monochrom cameras... Hmmm.

Update (9/12/14):

The only thing we can really add to this at this point is that both an update to the M and M Monochrom are definitely in development... But this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, obviously. Sadly though, and almost certainly, neither will be revealed at Photokina 2014. Our original source was unable to verify the initial assertion and we've heard not a peep further other than "the M is done" (from a second source) after the release of the M-P. The only exception is the M 60 Special Edition - but it's just that, a special edition - and nothing "new." Interestingly, in an interview with Alfred Schopf it would seem that he doesn't expect to see something like a 60MP camera (M or otherwise) being mainstream any time soon, due to practical matters (rather than technical). Okay, so we at least have a range now - 25-59MP. :D

Photo copyright by Jamie Cullum.

The Leica Camera exhibition at Photokina 2014 focuses on impressive photo art around the theme of music. It takes into account all facets of the music photography of concert recordings about very personal artist portraits to reportage with exciting behind-the-scenes concert. In addition also get photo projects of musicians, has become for the photograph to a second passion, such as the famous singer, songwriter and musician Jamie Cullum - whom Leica has just announced a partnership with.

The press release translated to English (via Google):

Leica Camera AG announces partnership with Leica Ambassador Jamie Cullum at photokina in Cologne

The Leica Camera AG presents itself at this year's photokina in Cologne in Hall 1 with a varied calendar of events and a unique concept exhibition at the Leica Gallery. The exhibition puts a focus on impressive photo art around the theme of music. It takes into account all facets of the music photography of concert recordings about very personal artist portraits to reportage with exciting behind-the-scenes concert. In addition also get photo projects of musicians, has become for the photograph to a second passion, such as the famous singer, songwriter and musician Jamie Cullum.

The exhibition of Jamie Cullum images that have been taken during his recent tour coincides with the release of his latest album "Interlude", which was created in collaboration with Laura Myula and Gregory Porter and on 6 October 2014 in the UK by Iceland Records is published.

The partnership with Leica Jamie Cullum has allowed to continue his strong passion for photography. The singer and songwriter is an avid amateur photographer for a long time and keeps when he is on tour, like fixed special moments with a Leica M monochrome. To illustrate his new album, he turned to his friend, the Leica photographer Michael Agel. With their Leica cameras they used the recent US-tour of the musician to develop his skills behind the lens and taking pictures of both people and places, they have encountered during the tour. Here Michael Agel took pictures on the stage and behind it on. Jamie Cullum: "I am passionate about photography since I rescued as a child my mother's old camera from the attic. It is a great honor to work with Michael and Leica and present my own pictures next to new music. "

The pictures of Jamie Cullum, who has used a Leica M White, and Michael Agel who has the camera system Leica T and the S-system used, are now on the front cover of Jamie Cullum's new album "Interlude" and, at the Deluxe version of the album, also seen in an exclusive photo booklet.

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, General Manager Leica Galleries International: "We are very glad that we had the opportunity to work with Jamie. He is not only a talented musician, but also a passionate amateur photographer. We are very excited at the Leica Gallery exhibit his paintings at this year's photokina. "

The Leica Gallery at photokina in Hall 1 is open during the fair from 16 to 21 September 2014 daily from 10 to 18 clock. Admission is free. Photographer of the Leica Gallery are (in alphabetical order): Bryan Adams, Michael Agel, Till Bronner, René Burri, Alejandro Cegarra, Anton Corbijn, Jamie Cullum, Glen Craig, D-Nice, Lois Hechenblaikner, Thomas Hoepker, Martin Kollar, Gerd Ludwig Jim Marshall, Mary McCartney, Anja Niedringhaus, Jürgen Schade Berg, Andy Summers, Chris Suspect, Tom Wright and George Yammine.

About Leica Camera

The Leica Camera AG is an internationally active manufacturer of premium cameras and sport optics products. The foundation for the myth of the Leica brand have laid the optics of the traditional company. In conjunction with innovative technologies to ensure up today for better images in all situations around seeing and perceiving. The headquarters of Leica Camera AG is located in Wetzlar in Hesse, the second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company has own offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Australia and the USA. New, innovative products have driven the positive development of the company in the recent past.

Contact for your editorial Holger Thurm / phone directly -143 / -455 Fax direct / holger.thurm@leica-camera.com

The press release in German:

Leica Camera AG verkündet Partnerschaft mit Leica Botschafter Jamie Cullum auf der photokina in Köln

Die Leica Camera AG präsentiert sich auf der diesjährigen photokina in Köln in Halle 1 mit einem vielseitigen Veranstaltungskalender sowie einem einzigartigen Ausstellungskonzept in der Leica Galerie. Die Ausstellung legt einen Fokus auf eindrucksvolle Fotokunst rund um das Thema Musik. Berücksichtigt werden alle Facetten der Musikfotografie von Konzertaufnahmen über sehr persönliche Künstlerporträts bis hin zu Reportagen mit spannenden Einblicken hinter die Konzert-Kulissen. Hinzu kommen außerdem Fotoprojekte von Musikern, für die Fotografie zu einer zweiten Leidenschaft geworden ist, wie zum Beispiel für den berühmten Sänger, Songwriter und Musiker Jamie Cullum.

Die Ausstellung von Jamie Cullums Bildern, die während seiner jüngsten US-Tour aufgenommen worden sind, fällt zusammen mit der Veröffentlichung seines neuesten Albums „Interlude“, das unter Mitwirkung von Laura Myula und Gregory Porter entstanden ist und am 6. Oktober 2014 in Großbritannien von Island Records veröffentlicht wird.

Die Partnerschaft mit Leica hat Jamie Cullum ermöglicht, seine ausgeprägte Leidenschaft für Fotografie weiterzuverfolgen. Der Sänger und Songwriter ist schon seit langer Zeit ein begeisterter Amateur-Fotograf und hält, wenn er auf Tour ist, gerne besondere Momente mit einer Leica M Monochrom fest. Für die Illustrierung seines neuen Albums wandte er sich an den befreundeten Leica-Fotografen Michael Agel. Mit ihren Leica Kameras nutzten sie die jüngste US-Tour des Musikers, um dessen Fertigkeiten hinter der Linse weiterzuentwickeln und Bilder sowohl von Menschen als auch von Orten zu machen, die ihnen während der Tour begegnet sind. Dabei nahm Michael Agel auch Bilder auf der Bühne und dahinter auf. Jamie Cullum: „Ich bin von Fotografie begeistert, seit ich als Kind die alte Kamera meiner Mutter vom Dachboden gerettet habe. Es ist eine große Ehre, mit Michael und Leica zusammenzuarbeiten und neben neuer Musik auch meine eigenen Bilder zu präsentieren.“

Die Bilder von Jamie Cullum, der eine Leica M Monochrom benutzt hat, und Michael Agel, der das Kamerasystem Leica T und das S-System verwendet hat, sind nun auf dem Front Cover von Jamie Cullums neuem Album „Interlude“ und, bei der Deluxe-Version des Albums, auch in einem exklusivem Foto Booklet zu sehen.

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Generalbevollmächtigte Leica Galerien International: „Wir sind sehr froh, dass wir die Möglichkeit hatten, mit Jamie zusammenzuarbeiten. Er ist nicht nur ein talentierter Musiker, sondern auch ein leidenschaftlicher Amateur-Fotograf. Wir freuen uns sehr darauf, seine Bilder in der Leica Galerie auf der diesjährigen photokina auszustellen.“

Die Leica Galerie auf der photokina in Halle 1 ist während der Messetage vom 16. bis zum 21. September 2014 täglich von 10 bis 18 Uhr geöffnet. Der Eintritt ist kostenfrei. Fotografen der Leica Galerie sind (in alphabetischer Reihenfolge): Bryan Adams, Michael Agel, Till Brönner, René Burri, Alejandro Cegarra, Anton Corbijn, Jamie Cullum, Glen Craig, D-Nice, Lois Hechenblaikner, Thomas Hoepker, Martin Kollar, Gerd Ludwig, Jim Marshall, Mary McCartney, Anja Niedringhaus, Jürgen Schadeberg, Andy Summers, Chris Suspect, Tom Wright und George Yammine.

Über Leica Camera

Die Leica Camera AG ist ein international tätiger Premiumhersteller von Kameras und Sportoptik-Produkten. Den Grundstein für den Mythos der Marke Leica haben die Optiken des Traditionsunternehmens gelegt. In Verbindung mit innovativen Technologien sorgen sie bis heute für das bessere Bild in allen Situationen rund um das Sehen und Wahrnehmen. Der Hauptsitz der Leica Camera AG befindet sich im hessischen Wetzlar, der zweite Produktionsstandort in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. Das Unternehmen hat eigene Vertretungen in England, Frankreich, Japan, Singapur, der Schweiz, Südkorea, Italien, Australien und den USA. Neue, innovative Produkte haben die positive Entwicklung des Unternehmens in der jüngeren Vergangenheit vorangetrieben.

Ansprechpartner für Ihre Redaktion Holger Thurm / Telefon direkt –143 / Telefax direkt –455 / holger.thurm@leica-camera.com

Leica will be holding a special "60 Years of Leica M" event at Photokina 2014 on September 16, 2014 at 7:30pm - the first day of the show. Read more about what you might expect including the official Leica schedule of events here. Catch up on the entire M system since 1954! There is a high confidence for Leica to Announce New Film Leica M-A at this event!

There's no doubt about it - this year's Leica Camera AG event at the Photokina 2014 show in Cologne, Germany was their biggest, by far. Releasing no less than eight cameras, eight lenses, a huge assortment of accessories, the Fotopark cloud service and a whole bunch of firmware updates. Even Zeiss and Voigtländer joined the party! La Vida Leica was proud to be the first website in the world with such complete coverage of all of these wonderful products. We'd like to thank our sources that helped make our predictions essentially 100% correct leading up to the big day! A lot of people didn't believe us... At first! We wish Leica Camera AG much success with their fantastic new products! Please enjoy the easy-to-browse product matrix at the top of our homepage to catch up on all the news. We've reposted it down below.

We started our day at 3:15am EST, posting all the new items as fast and furiously as we could (seriously, there was a lot to post!). It took us about three to four hours just to get all the major products covered completely. But it didn't stop there. Over the course of the day, we went back and enhanced each and every post with more information, better pictures, updated links and pricing - and also covered Leica-related products from Zeiss and Voigtländer. We kept going for about 12 full hours, updating and tweaking until we were satisfied that we had the best coverage anywhere. And it paid off... It was a real benchmark day for the site! Our server didn't blink an eye and kept up perfectly. Whew!

Finally, we'd like to thank all of you - our faithful readers, likers, followers and friends - for making La Vida Leica what it is! A real joy to be involved with such a fantastic group of people from all over the world. It's been our pleasure to give you this extensive coverage and keeping you informed!

Three years ago, German photographer York Hovest made a promise to the Dalai Lama: that he would travel to Tibet, to places perhaps never seen before by tourists, and take photographs. Last month, Hovest delivered on his promise. With the help of Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and a Leica S2 in-hand, York Hovest set upon an epic journey. Read more about this fascinating story over on Die Welt in the article, "100 Days in Tibet: A Photographer's Promise to the Dalai Lama."

He places the Leica S2, a device weighing around three kilograms, on the tripod. Despite the clouds, the photographer tries to adjust the setting. This, too, is a race against time: Glove off, select the menu options and turn the control dial, glove back on and then warm the gloved hand in his trousers again. He only has a few seconds to work with his free hand. Otherwise he risks no longer being able to move it.

These tips come from Tom A. Smith and Craig Semetko, via Leica's Destinations in Focus program of workshops, which promise to "combine the inspirational and educational experience of a Leica Akademie workshop with the five-star luxury and personalized service of a members-only stay in an Exclusive Resorts villa." While the destinations and resorts vary, they certainly are grand - and include Costa Rica, Mexico and Tucson, AZ currently. We initially wrote about this last year, when the program was announced. Not cheap, by any stretch of the imagination... They start at $2,999 USD and reach a lofty $7,000 USD.