BLOG (chronological order)

E. Leitz, Inc. New York: A lot more than an overseas branch office
Viewfinder, Historical Articles Jason Schneider Viewfinder, Historical Articles Jason Schneider

E. Leitz, Inc. New York: A lot more than an overseas branch office

The New York branch of Ernst Leitz GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany was founded in 1893 by Ludwig Leitz, the eldest son of Ernst Leitz I. Ludwig Leitz envisioned the company as an international enterprise, and he had the uncommon foresight to understand that the United States, and its largest city and leading commercial hub, was the perfect place to plant the Leitz flag.

Read More
Leica Cassettes: The Inconvenience of Perfection
Historical Articles Jason Schneider Historical Articles Jason Schneider

Leica Cassettes: The Inconvenience of Perfection

n the beginning days of 35mm photography, you could not go to a store and buy a roll of film. Initially, all 35mm still photographers used reloadable metal cassettes that had to be individually loaded with film cut from bulk rolls (and the film end had to be cut with a suitable leader for the take-up spool). By the late 1920s you could buy pre-spooled 12- 18- and 36-exposure lengths of film in foil packets and simply insert them into the cassettes, a convenience that proved to be very popular.

Read More