Leica

Leica is a German brand of cameras and precision optical instruments, organized around three divisions: Leica Camera AG (cameras and optics for photographers), Leica Geosystems (surveying and measurement instruments), and Leica Microsystems (microscopy and related scientific instruments). The brand traces its origins to Ernst Leitz GmbH in Wetzlar, Germany. In 1914 Oskar Barnack, an engineer at Leitz, built the Ur-Leica, the first practical 35mm camera, which helped establish the standard for compact photography. The name Leica is derived from Leitz and camera.

Leica’s camera lineage includes the Leica I (introduced in the 1920s) and the M-series of rangefinder cameras that began with the M3 in the 1950s. The M-series is renowned for its compact bodies, precise manual focusing, and high-quality lenses. The company also produced the R-series SLRs for a period. In the digital era, Leica released digital M models such as the M8, M9 and M10, and developed the SL system, a full-frame mirrorless line built around the L-mount, an open standard created in collaboration with other manufacturers.

Leica Geosystems focuses on measurement and geospatial instruments used in engineering, construction and surveying, while Leica Microsystems supplies microscopes and related instruments for science, medicine and industry. The Leica brand is widely recognized for its optical performance, meticulous engineering, and distinctive lens designs—including Elmar, Summicron, Summilux and Noctilux—that contribute to its reputation among professionals and enthusiasts alike.