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Do you want to know where to sell your Leica Rangefinder camera?
Let’s find out.
Where You Sell Leica Rangefinder Camera?
You can sell the Leica rangefinder camera on eBay or Leica exchange on Facebook.
Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is a German camera manufacturer headquartered in Solms-Laubach, near Wetzlar. It was founded in 1869 by Ernst Leitz in Wetzlar, and has been owned by Carl Zeiss since 1987.
‘Leitz’ to ‘Leica’
Due to the fame of the “Leica” brand, the German camera manufacturer Leica relocates its headquarters from Wetzlar to nearby Solms.
After separating from the Leica Group in 1996, Leica Camera went public in 1998. At that time, the Leica Group was split into two separate companies: Leica Microsystems (which included Leica Camera) and Leica Geosystem AG.
On 10 October 2012, Leica Camera (AG) was delisted from the German Stock Exchange after Lisa Germany Holdings GmbH bought out the remaining minority shareholding.
On 26 November 2013 Leica Camera AG announced the acquisition of Sinar Photography AG.
On May 14, 2014, Leica Camera AG completed the construction of its new plant at Leitz Park 1 (Leitzpark 1) in the new industrial part of Wetzlar and moved back to the city where they began their history.
A TV commercial for Leica titled “The Hunt” was released online in April 2019. It shows photojournalists in war-torn and politically unstable countries taking photographs of people who were involved in political events. One of them took a picture of the Tank Man during a protest in Beijing in 1989.
After censoring the Leica brand on Sina Weibo, Leica withdrew its support for the product and claimed it had no knowledge of its creation.
Leica has released its first digital projector called Cine 1, set to be available in 2023. It’s the company’s return to digital projectors after producing them under the Pradovite brand.
Leica Cameras
Earliest Leica Cameras
The earliest Leica cameras were developed by the German firm Ernst Leitz Gmbh during the early 1920s. They were innovative because they oriented the image frame sideways instead of across the width of the roll of 35 millimeters (35 m) of photographic paper.
The cameras were small with collapsible lens systems, for hiking and cycling. Rangefinder technology was added in 1932, and that year rangefinder and viewfinder camera models were made available with interchangeable lens systems.
By the mid 1930s, the Leica III was offering slow-speed control and a fast 1/1,000 second exposure time, and various variants of the III (a through g) became the flagship cameras and best sellers until the early 1960s. Later variations of the I and II were also produced but failed to gain popularity.
Finest Cameras
Before World War II, Leica and competing Contacx camera models from Zeiss Ikon (Zeiss) were considered to be the best 35mm camera models, but after World War II, the companies had competition from Russian and Japanese copycats.
During the 1950s, Japan’s high-quality and innovative products, along with their low prices, devastated Europe’s camera industry.
Leica became an expensive brand of cameras mainly purchased by professionals or serious photography enthusiasts. However, the introduction of reflex cameras rendered rangefinder cameras somewhat obsolete, thus making Leica the main product of an increasingly shrinking market segment.
Leica has been a well-known brand for centuries.
Where You Sell Leica Rangefinder Camera?
Four Reasons to Buy a Leica Rangefinder and Two Reasons Not To
Reasons To Buy
1. Tradition
It doesn’t really matter if a camera is any good; but for many photographers, the tradition of Leica is just as important as anything else.
It’s well known that the Leica rangefinder was originally invented by Oskar Bernack as a way to measure film exposures without using a light meter. Bernack realized that his small device could be improved upon and used for much more than just measuring film exposures.
After developing the idea further, he took it to the Ernst Leitz Company and they agreed to sell him on the idea. After some time of development and testing, they started producing cameras under the Leica brand.
The Leica wasn’t the first 35-millimeter camera, but it was one of the cameras that made 35 millimeters the most popular film format of the twentieth century.
It is difficult to understand just how revolutionary the 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) was when compared to earlier models. From its introduction until today, almost every professional-grade digital single lens reflex has been built upon the technology introduced by the 35mm SLR.
What was the Golden Age of Photography?
During the Golden Age of Photography in the 20th century, picture magazines like Life, TIME, Stern, Paris Match, etc., featured famous photographs taken by famous artists. These pictures were often accompanied by articles describing the techniques and equipment that had been employed to create them. At the top of this list was Leica.
The Leica M3 (1931) was the company’s first camera with a removable lens and its last non-medical body without an optical viewfinder.
If you’re a fan of famous photographers like Cartiere Bresson, Elliot Erwit, Capa, Andre Kerstesz, David Douglas Duncans, and many others, then a Leica rangefinder is a touchstone to your heroes. It’s like having a vintage Porsche because Stirlings Moss drove one. You just want to share the experience. You have something in common.
In addition to the visual appeal of a good photograph, there is also the technical aspect. There are photographers who use vintage cameras because they love that period of technology and feel they’re a part of that old world when using their equipment. Using a new Leica, one can feel a connection to the old days when using their gear.
2. The Bodies
Leica cameras are a pleasure to hold and operate. They’re easy to handle and have an unmistakably precise feel when they sit in your hands.
All Leicas are made of metal and they’re marvels of German design. They last for years and they may require occasional cleaning and adjustment, but a Leica is a long-term investment that will serve you for the rest of your life.
The body is strong, some models are tougher than the rest, but overall they’re a tough group. They don’t get their name by making unreliable products. Professionals don’t have time for equipment that doesn’t perform well, and Leica has stood the test of time.
3. The Lenses
Lenses are more important than the camera body. Leica lenses are branded under the Leitz brand. As befitting an optical manufacturer, Leitz backs up its revolutionary products with excellent lenses.
The first camera that started it all off for Leica was the Elmar 5 cm f/3.5. It’s ironic that this (arguably) best-known of all Leitz lenses actually uses a Zeiss Tessar design.
The Leica Summicron has been one of the most popular cameras for decades. It was followed by even faster Summilux models. The Noctilux line of lenses is now Leica’s top priority.
Rangefinders are not particularly well-suited for long focal lengths, but they’re ideal for wide angles, normal, and short telephotos.
There are three main lens sizes for rangefinders: 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. These lenses can be easily carried around and are small enough to not draw attention.
4. The System
One of the most important advancements in photography was the idea of the camera system. Before Leica manufacturers usually just made single-purpose devices. Maybe they had a lens shade or a light meter, but that was about all.
Leica invented an amazing variety of camera accessories including a finder, timer, rangefinder, strobe, winder, lenses, lenses hood, copying equipment, enlarging equipment, medical equipment, etc.
These accessories were all named using cryptic names, and they’re well-known among collectors and users.
Two Reasons Not to Buy a Leica Rangefinder
1. Technical Issues
It may take some time for people who don’t know anything about cameras to learn how to use a rangefinder. However, once they’ve learned, they can enjoy using it.
Understanding the depth of field and knowing what a given lens will be able to achieve at each F-stopping point is useful.
2. Cost and Culture
Leica is an expensive camera brand, but some people purchase them just because they’re expensive and exclusive. Like any other expensive and exclusive product, there are people out there who purchase Leicas simply because they’re expensive and luxurious.
A digital device used for taking pictures is a cult item, similar to a fancy watch intended to convey one’s social status.
Conclusion
We hope you are now better aware of Leice, where to sell it, and the pros and cons of it.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out in the comments below.
