Ernst leitz wetzlar microscope 1923 full#

Barnak saw great potential in the 35mm sprocketed film in use in the fledgling motion picture industry. As a result, Barnak was actively looking at developing a small, easily transported camera that provided more control and high quality images. While Kodak and others offered relatively small and light cameras, such as the roll-film Brownies, these cameras offered relatively unsophisticated optical performance and little control in image-making with their fixed focus and aperture, and single shutter speed. Unfortunately, Barnak was a chronic asthma sufferer, and found great difficulty in hauling this large bulk and weight of photographic equipment in the field.

As such, he was heavily invested in the higher end equipment of the day, namely large format cameras, film holders, tripods, and the other associated accessories required. In addition to his work at the optics firm, he was an avid amateur photographer interested in landscape photography in the local forests. In 1905, a young man named Oskar Barnak (1879-1936) was working at LeitzвЂ™s rival, Carl Zeiss, where he evidenced great potential as an optical engineer, precision mechanic, and industrial designer. By 1887, Leitz had established its reputation for high quality optical instruments this experience in precision machinery and optics would prove extremely beneficial in their future endeavors in photography.

Ernst leitz wetzlar microscope 1923 full#

In 1869, Leitz assumed full control of the company, with a name change to Ernst Leitz Optische Werke, or Ernst Leitz GmbH вЂ“ three generations of the Leitz family would come to lead the firm for the next 100 years. When Kellner died of tuberculosis in 1855, his widow took leadership of the company, and brought in Ernst Leitz (1843-1920) as a partner in the firm in 1865.

The Leica story begins in 1849 with mathematician Carl Kellner forming the Optisches Institut, or Optical Institute, in Wetzlar, Germany to manufacture microscopes. At the risk of riling the faithful, what follows is the early story of Leica, the short version. The story of how Leica reached this lofty position has been minutely dissected before by numerous more qualified devotees of the mark than this writer, so it is perhaps a bit audacious to attempt to give an abridged account of the Leica story. The almost fanatical obsession of Leica-philes for all things Leica is matched perhaps by only the extreme loyalty of Harley-Davidson lovers to that motorcycle brand.

The word alone conjures images of exquisite mechanical craftsmanship, unsurpassed optics, and the epitome of photographic quality it is bathed in a near mystic aura in the photographic world.